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October 2008
Topic Started: May 1 2010, 05:17 PM (3,202 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Elessars Girl
Date: Thu Oct 30, 2008 8:46 pm

Arthur


As Arthur walked, Tristan joined him on his left as he’d
indicated while Lancelot fell into step at his right. The
three were an impressive sight as they began to cross the open
courtyard beneath the midday light. And even though Arthur
felt the heat from the sun overhead, a cold wind still nipped
at his cheeks, dry lips and somehow found a path beneath his
cloak to encase his spine in ice.

Tristan
 
"I think I know who helped the little one escape,"


“Oh?” The word slipped out of Arthur’s mouth on its own
accord; his gaze instantly intensified with interest in
learning what Tristan knew.

Tristan
 
"Fiona. They said it was a girl. What other girl here
would do that? Caught her poking around the dungeon last
night- when I asked her about it, she looked guilty."


Arthur’s pace slowed to a stop as Lancelot, too, completely
halted at the Commander’s side. Arthur raised his hand to
lightly touch at Tristan’s sleeve and urge the scout to
continue with whatever it was that he knew or suspected.
Arthur trusted Tristan’s instincts completely and if there was
something more to the prisoner escape last night….the
Commander needed to know about it now. Arthur’s hopes in
making peace with Merlin were fading…..something was ‘off’
here. Arthur could feel it in his bones, but he couldn’t place
exactly what it was….not yet at any rate.

Lancelot
 
"Are you certain, scout?"


At hearing Lancelot’s voice, Arthur turned to meet his
lieutenant’s eyes – black as pitch and yet…..

“What else do you suspect?” Arthur’s question was directed at
Tristan….but his gaze never turned from Lancelot. There was
something in the other man’s eyes that had the hair on the
back of Arthur’s neck standing straight up. Green eyes were
open to the Sarmatian even if Arthur’s emotional mask was in
place. Lancelot had been uncharacteristically vulnerable -
emotionally bare - earlier this morning before they had left
Arthur’s quarters. But Arthur had not taken advantage of that
moment…..perhaps he should have. Not Arthur’s way though…so he
had walked away instead; closed himself off from Lancelot. But
something was there still……pain, sorrow, accusation? Arthur
could not be sure…Lancelot had become more difficult for
Arthur to read in recent times…or had Arthur let go of the
need to understand the other man? No matter…now was not the
time.

Voices and the sounds of horses could be heard on the wind and
Arthur’s long crimson cloak streamed out behind him undaunted
by the tension in the air. He turned from Lancelot – the spell
seemingly broken - and once again focused on Tristan and duty.

“Perhaps I have been too generous in giving quarter to
Merlin’s people,” Arthur said dryly. The Commander licked at
his bottom lip and then gave a tight smile at Tristan; hands
forming fists at his side as he continued….

“If you discover any mischief by Fiona or Neeria in my
absence,” Arthur’s voice low and hardened as he then turned
back to Lancelot. “Turn out all of Merlin’s people that are
still sheltered here…send them out through the northern gates
back to their own. Or I will do it myself when I return should
Merlin refuse to make peace,” Arthur slightly lowered his
chin; determined to send away anyone who would cause
difficulty within the fortress walls. He was loathe to act
with such cruelty, but something seemed to nag at Arthur’s
conscience…..every Woad Arthur had attempted to show mercy to
in recent times had betrayed his trust.

….or was it more to do with Lancelot’s close proximity?

Arthur then began to walk again; albeit at a slightly slower
pace as to allow Tristan to speak on what else he may know
before the three men reached the group at the stables.
Arthur’s gaze began to assess the men gathered
there…determination began to once again dominate the
Commander’s expression and despite the dull ache in his side,
Arthur appeared as he always did: confident and ready to face
any adversity.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Thu Oct 30, 2008 9:16 pm
Tristan


Lancelot
 
"Are you certain, scout?"


Arthur
 
“What else do you suspect?”


Arthur had halted in his tracks, and Tristan stopped too,
meeting the Commander's eyes as Arthur placed his hand lightly
on his sleeve. But there was nothing else- did there need to
be?

"That's it. But I'm certain." Tristan shrugged, dislodging
Arthur's hand from his arm, and tossed Lancelot a challenging
look before dropping his eyes and starting to walk again.
Truthfully, he was a bit frustrated that he was not able to
offer more than that. Besides Fiona, it seemed clear that
someone else had been of assistance to the little Woad- two
sets of footprints had been found outside the gate, and yet
Fiona was still in the fort, and she could not have left it
and then come back in.

Traitors...enemies. Tristan blew out a restless breath as he
continued walking- then, turning his head back to Arthur
again, noted with a very soft snort that Arthur and Lancelot's
gazes were fixed firmly on each other, though both had been
talking ostensibly to him. Something was going on there- those
two had a connection that Tristan, with his keen sense of
observation, had long understood to exist, though the exact
nature of it he couldn't be sure of. It seemed like something
had happened, though- something significant, recently. But the
scout would say nothing, merely add the information to his
store of knowledge without further comment, and remember it
later if it should be called for. That was all. Tristan
returned his eyes to the front as the stable and the group of
men and horse outside it grew nearer, and as Arthur spoke
again.

Arthur
 
“Perhaps I have been too generous in giving quarter to
Merlin’s people."


Tristan could only give a grim, tight smile of agreement to
that, as Arthur met his eyes again; it was true, in his
opinion, and he was glad Arthur was realizing that. Had
realized it, hopefully, perhaps with Lancelot to prod him. The
Commander turned back to the First Knight.

Arthur
 
"If you discover any mischief by Fiona or Neeria in my
absence turn out all of Merlin’s people that are still
sheltered here…send them out through the northern gates
back to their own. Or I will do it myself when I return
should Merlin refuse to make peace.”


"Hmp." Tristan grunted and nodded with satisfied approval of
that order, though Arthur had not been giving it to him. Turn
out all the Woads- exactly what the scout himself would have
done, only he would have done it sooner. When they got back
was better than never, though, and Tristan had little enough
hopes that there would be peace. There hadn't been last time,
had there, agreements aside! The words of the Woads meant
nothing.

The words of Romans, however...as the three men slowed down
and neared the group outside the stables, Tristan's keen ears
caught a muttered remark from the rough bullyish looking man,
Karl, something about...

Karl
 
"Where's the chicken?"


"Up your ass," Tristan answered promptly under his breath, as
he passed Karl on his way to his own horse. His words were
barely a whisper, perhaps heard by no one, but to retort gave
Tristan a sense of grim satisfaction, and a small, mean smile
settled on his face as he took Tirgatao's reigns. Optio
Amadeus was there...Captain Barbattus wasn't...everything
seemed ready to go, as soon as Arthur gave the word. And the
sooner we get going, the sooner we turf the Woads out.
Tristan's gaze slid over to the hawk, on Darya's arm where she
stood by the stable wall chatting with that woman who worked
there. She seemed all right- well, both of them seemed all
right. It was time to damned well get out of here and get this
over with.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Fri Oct 31, 2008 9:01 am

Adian


As he fit the cut piece of lumber in place, Adian smiled
slightly.

It was a snug fit and would work well. But did it look okay?

The carpenter stood back from his work and cocked his head to
one side, judging the new piece with a keen eye. To make
mistakes would mean unstable buildings, and that was the last
thing he wanted. The occurance that happened next took him by
surprise, and made him wonder if he was just going insane for
the piece of wood he studied seemed to take on the form of a
face....sort of....

Adian blinked for a moment, and shook his head as though to
clear what he was seeing, but the vision would not leave. The
face had little dimension... it was there but it wasn't. As he
watched, the eyes opened and just stared at him blankly...
unseeing. It's mouth hung opened as if wanting to speak and
the shoulder length hair blew about it as if moved by wind.
Holy damnations! I have to start getting sleep at night...
Adian knew the face and upper body well. It could only be
Thorn for the lower half of her body was missing, and the way
the hair looked... the eyes.... her mouth....

He did not scare well, and had always reserved his belief in
ghosts to legends and such, but he had never seen one.

Until now.

For a while, he couldn't move, and his mouth seemed to form
words that just would not come. 'Thorn...' he whispered barely
audible to anyone around. The ghost's eyes were unmoving, but
still had a tinge of accusation in them, it's mouth beginning
to move as it slowly vanished from his sight. Even after it
was gone, Adian just stood there as if unable to move and his
hands became cold, though he did get out a low, 'Damnation...
what the hell ? ' He was about to lift the hammer in his hand
and noticed that he was shaking. Slowly, he walked over to the
wall he had been working at and sunk down against it giving
himself a bit of a break to try to calm his nerves.

Adian knew why the ghost had come, and he had to remedy the
situation: He had not been there to protect her when she died,
and they had not parted with words of love and comfort, but
had left her and the child to die alone and in a horrific
way.... to have her lower body severed almost from the upper
half. Adian could not longer ignore her death as he had tried
to do. Tonight, he'd take her sword to a makeshift gravesite,
and pay his respects to the only woman who had truly believed
in him...
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:10 am

Karl and Titrus


Karl let Brutus step forward a bit then pulled back, letting
the horse know that was far enough.

Tristan
 
"Up your ass"


Karl's smile turned into a scowl. He wanted to say something
more, but the optio was too close to him. He'd save his tongue
lashing for later once they got going. He wouldn't soon forget
Tristan's flippant response. The fucking freak. He watched the
scout through narrowed slits as Tristan mounted and settled
into the saddle. Damned Sarmatians. Him with his tattoes and
his braids. What's so special about him? . Karl reached in his
pouch and tossed more nuts into his mouth.

"What are you looking at?" he asked Brendyn who seemed like he
couldn't take his eyes off of Karl. "You lusting me or
something, boy?" the Roman added nastily.

"That's enough, Karl!" Titrus chimed in. "We'll be headed out
soon so sit still and shut the fuck up!"

Titrus wasn't about to put with Karl's nonsense.

"I knew this would happen," the lieutenant muttered over to
Quintus. "He's got a big mouth and is nothing but trouble."

Titrus looked back over at the table across the way and
noticed that Catherine and Malcus had disappeared. Titrus
still wasn't sure why the captain suggested that Karl go with
them. But then it dawned on him that Karl would be better off
going with the group because there would be unlimited
opportunity for him to get into trouble with Arthur and the
optio gone and the captain under "house arrest." It all
suddenly made sense.

"The captain sent Karl because he wouldn't be able to keep an
eye on him, Quint!" Titrus said out of the corner of his
mouth.

Karl looked at Titrus and said, "I'm just breaking the new pup
in lieutenant - seeing what he's made of, that's all."

"Make sure that that IS all," Titrus answered back.

Karl looked back at Brendyn and flashed him a wicked smile.
"Yeah pup, I'll break you in alright," and kept chewing on his
nuts.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:35 pm
Quintus


Karl
 
"What are you looking at? You lusting me or something,
boy?"


Titrus
 
"That's enough, Karl! We'll be headed out soon so sit
still and shut the fuck up! I knew this would happen.
He's got a big mouth and is nothing but trouble."


"Yeah," Quintus muttered in dark agreement, shaking his head
as he followed Karl with his eyes. He hadn't heard the
exchange between Karl and the Sarmatian scout, but he had seem
lips move, and knew something had been said, something
undoubtedly rude, and Karl's snap at Brendyn only seemed to
confirm that. What the hell kind of attatchment to Karl did
Captain Barbattus have, anyway, that he'd send him along on
this mission? It was a fucking disaster waiting to happen!
Quintus kept his expression schooled to one of military
efficiency, his eyes returning expectantly to the Commander,
though he continued to watch Karl out of the corner of them.
From beside him, though, Titrus spoke again, out of the corner
of his mouth.

Titrus
 
"The captain sent Karl because he wouldn't be able to
keep an eye on him, Quint!"


"Plenty of others could've," Quintus muttered sideways back,
eyes on the swirl of the Commander's red cape. It was lunacy,
sending Karl on this mission just as a way of keeping an eye
on him- he was more likely to ruin everything. And, in fact,
despite the presence of Arthur, the soldier was still running
his mouth from just behind Titrus and Quintus.

Karl
 
"I'm just breaking the new pup in lieutenant - seeing
what he's made of, that's all."


Titrus
 
"Make sure that that IS all."


Karl
 
"Yeah, pup, I'll break you in all right."


"Shut the fuck up," Quintus hissed fiercely, turning his head
momentarily and pinning Karl with an icy stare, before
snapping his gaze forwards again. If this kept up, he could
probably count on even more curfew than he had already been
assigned- in fact, all four of the Romans on this trip might
be lucky not to end up on stable-mucking duty and in disgrace.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Fri Oct 31, 2008 2:58 pm
Henry


Henry pulled his wool jacket up close around his ears as he
scurried down the narrow walkway that led to prison cells. He
looked over his shoulder at Commander Castus who had just left
the dungeons. Henry smiled. He admired the Commander and hoped
he could be like Arthur one day. The young man puffed his
little bird-like chest out and balled his fists, curving them
towards his body. He pursed his lips and lifted his chin. He
slowed his scamper and took long, deliberate strides. Henry
was sure he looked just like Arthur.

"Captain sent me to release one of the prisoners," Henry said
to the guard, "by his orders."

"Alright Henry," the guard said with a yawn.

Henry was well known so there was no reason for the guard to
doubt him.

"Who is it?" the guard asked scratching the scraggly new
growth on his face.

"The stablemaster," Henry replied as they walked down the long
corridor and around the corner.

When they got to the cell, the guard pulled out his large key
ring and searched for the right one to unlock the cell door.
When he'd found the correct key, he opened the heavy door with
a grunt.

"Hey Mirtha," he said looking at the man sitting in the dark
in the back of the cell. "Looks like you've gotten a reprieve.
You're free to go."
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:39 pm
Brendyn


Brendyn had just about had enough of this soldier's insults to
those in the group, and it took all of his control to keep
from just decking the man off of his horse. It was even worse
to think that he had to ride next to Karl, and behind Quintus
and Titrus. There were times when Antonius had shouted insults
at he and the others in his old legion at Aesica... especially
during inspections. He Had wondered how the Scout was going to
respond, and Brendyn could not help but contain an inward
smirk when Tristan responded though he really could not make
out what was said. Whatever it was allowed Brendyn to catch
the dark scowl that passed over Karl's face. So, he could dish
it out, but he could not take it? The side of Brendyn's mouth
twitched, silently hoping the man would just choke on his nuts
and die....though that was only wishful thinking. The young
man turned his head to eagerly watch Arthur's approach when
suddenly...

Karl
 
"What are you looking at?" "You lusting me or something,
boy?"


Hate to disappoint you, my arrogant friend, but men don't
interest me as much as a lovely woman...and even if you were a
woman, I wouldn't even pay a half a sou for your company..
came the thought though Brendyn kept quiet, his eyes on
Arthur's authoritative form, his expression neutral. Brendyn
would have defended himself, and would have loved to give Karl
the thrashing he deserved, but what honor would that bring? To
fight just because someone is having a bad "pickle up their
arse" day? Brendyn saw no point in wasting his energy
fighting, so he basically ignored the comment. He flashed a
glance at Titrus and Quintus wondering if they were thinking
of his non defensive behaviour. Did he look weak by not saying
anything?...

Titrus
 
"That's enough, Karl!" "We'll be headed out soon so sit
still and shut the fuck up!"


Brendyn knew if he said anything now, he'd be in trouble
again. His proud barring and that of Tyranus masked the
embarrassment well. Damn it all! He was a trained soldier, not
a child, and children often fought over petty things. Brendyn
remained silent and left the insults come like a battering
ram....he'd be damned if he was going to drop his guard for
Karl. It was a matter of honor for him, and to break down a
just respond would not have looked good. Brendyn wondered
whether he was handling this the right way as the conversation
became slightly more audible...

Titrus
 
"The captain sent Karl because he wouldn't be able to
keep an eye on him, Quint!"


Karl
 
"I'm just breaking the new pup in lieutenant - seeing
what he's made of, that's all."


Titrus
 
"Make sure that that IS all,"


Karl
 
"Yeah pup, I'll break you in alright,"


Quintus
 
"Yeah," "Shut the fuck up,"


Pup? Break me in? Seeing what I am made of? Be glad I don't
have the time. Who in the hell was he kidding? Brendyn felt
embarrassed at this, and hoped he was not looking weak by not
saying anything that would start fight #2. Brendyn slowly
turned again in his saddle, eyes narrowed, and saw the wicked
grin pass over Karl's face. Any other soldier would have been
lashed and flayed at Aesica under Antonius.... such behavior
would not be tolerated for an instant. Brendyn returned his
gaze on his new Commander, and decided that eventually Karl
would get what was coming to him.

Brendyn's gaze darkened, and finally addressed karl saying,
"How in the hell did you get to be a soldier anyway? So far
you have shown disrespect to those you serve, and you have
insulted those here. You cannot even show respect to the
Commander while he is approaching. To act in such a manner as
this would mean that you are some kind of coward trying to
make yourself bigger and better than the rest when you are
not," Brendyn held the man's gaze with unwavering intensity,
but not harshly. "You have shown disrespect to those in
authority over you, and those you are serving with... Why have
you showered me with insults when I have done nothing to you?"

Brendyn fell silent after this. He could have yelled, yes, but
what purpose would that have served but to start an incident
in the plain view of the Commander?

Under the calm exterior, Brendyn inwardly gritted his teeth
and bit back whatever retort waited there.
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