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October 2008
Topic Started: May 1 2010, 05:17 PM (3,213 Views)
golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Darya
Date: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:04 pm
Neeve


The healer was glad that Neeria continued to cooperate and
indeed sat up, lifting her dirty tunic as she did so. By the
Gods, the Woad should eat something. She was way too skinny
for her own good.

Ah well, whatever…

Neeve briefly shook her head as she picked up the bandages she
had brought and began to carefully wrap them about Neeria’s
small form. The bandages would shield the wound from dirt and
should make sure the salve works its magic. Hopefully. The
Briton worked thoroughly as always even though the stench of
dungeons was beginning to bother her. Blinking twice and
sensing that Neeria was watching her every move, Neeve blew a
strand of hair out of her face and forced herself to focus on
the bandages only…

When she was finally done, the raven-haired woman checked the
hold of the bandages and then nodded at her work. That was it.
She had done what she could to save the prisoner’s – a Woad’s
– life. The life of the person that had attempted to kill
Arthur. This thought would remain in her mind as so long as
Neeria was around and there was nothing the other woman could
do to change that…

“Alright…this should do the job…”, Neeve then said and
gestured for Neeria to adjust her tunic again, “…all else is
up to the Gods…”

Neeria
 
"Neeve? Would it be possible for me to wash and to
change clothes? We are on opposites of the Wall, Neeve,
but we are still native sisters,"


The healer had just started to pack the few items left, which
she would bring back to the tavern, when Neeria spoke again.
Her words made Neeve lift her chin slightly and her piercing
blue eyes practically bore into the other woman’s dark ones.
“I am…not a Woad…”, she stated in an almost chilly voice and
then closed her eyes for an instant, taking a deep breath as
she did so. Even though Neeria had perhaps not meant it that
way…but Neeve’s instinctive immediate interpretation of the
prisoner’s words let it be nothing but an insult to the
healer. Woads had killed her family right before Neeve’s eyes.
Something she would never forget. Something that had defined
the word ‘Woad’ as insult in her little mind…

“And it is beyond my power to decide whether or not you get
the permission to wash and change clothes…”, the Briton then
added quickly, yet in a softer voice again, while busying
herself with packing, “…but I’ll leave the bucket here. You
could use the water that’s left to clean yourself a little…
That would be at least a start…”
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:22 pm
Brendyn


He continued to watch the happenings around him in case
someone needed to speak to him. He had seen Tatiana move
swiftly past those gathered and disappeared into the stables.
He thought she had said 'hello' to everyone, but before he had
a chance to return the greeting, she had gone into the
dimmness of the building. Inwardly, he didn't blame her for
not wanting to say anything to him, as he had not really made
any time to contact her after he yelled at her, and then had
been called to other duties. It was definitly better for him
this way as he really ha no time to devote to a relationship
anyway...though he hoped that he had not destroyed the
friendship side of what they had.

Turning is glance back to the rest of the group, Brendyn
noticed that Titrus, Quintus and Malcus had finished their
talk and was immensly curious as to what the talk had been
about. Well, sometimes officers had business to work out, so
Brendyn felt safe not to press them out of sheer curiosity. He
walked to the side of Tyranus and rechecked everything again
just to keep busy, and as he did so, he prayed inwardly as he
had totally forgotten to go to morning prayer. Now was as good
a time as any, so he prayed for those going on the mission and
for strength and wisdom in whatever situation came their way.
He prayed for Malcus, Darya, and those left behind at the
fort. Mostly, he prayed for himself as this was his first
official mission since coming to the fort, so he prayed for
God to lead his actions and that he might find the wisdom and
strength to do the right things at the right moment. Somehow,
it had not made sense, but he felt some sort of danger mixed
in with this, or something that made him feel more guarded and
alert.

He did not look over at the angry soldier, but could feel the
tensness in the air. Don't forget to pray for dicernment to
sense danger before it strikes...

Tyranus pawed at the earth again, and bobbed his head up and
down, then turned it to look at where his master had checked
his saddle bags again. Brendyn finished his prayer, then
smiled at the black face looking at him, 'Don't worry, my dear
friend....we'll be off soon. Patience is a good thing....' He
whispered to the animal. A movement caught his glance and he
saw Tristan move off to tend to his horse, then to Darya who
now held the lovely bird of prey as though it was use to her
presence. Brendyn watched her for a moment as she stepped back
toward the group, not far from him, caressing the fine looking
hawk. He had always loved to watch them circle in the sky.
Looking up from his work, and reaching out to quiet his horse,
Brendyn whispered loud enough for her to hear, "Tis a fine
looking hawk. Where I am from, they are symbols of freedom and
courage.'' The soldier did not make a move to pet it as they
were wild at heart and were loyal to only their handlers.

He was satisfied just to look at the bird resting easily on
the Sarmatian's arm.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Tue Oct 14, 2008 1:35 pm
Linnette


Mari
 
"Me? I can't draw. Not really- I mean, I can only
do...do...do these. They're not even very good. They're
dull and lifeless. They're dead, my father always says
they are. You can have any of these if you'd like them
but I'm really sorry they're not better. I was just
amusing myself while the roof of the cottage was being
fixed after it fell in a couple of years ago...what?...I
mean, what did you want drawn?"


"Well..." Linnette had smiled, a bit amused despite herself at
the girl's protestations that her work was no good- nothing
could have been further from the truth- but now her face fell,
and she leaned back against the stable wall, sighing and
crossing her arms in front of her, almost hiding the bandages
on her hands. She took a deep breath, composing her thoughts,
and turned her head sideways to look at Mari. The girl's eyes
were huge, dark, and impossibly earnest and innocent. Was it
possible that Linnette herself had looked like that once upon
a time, when she had rode in Badon's gates with a fire in her
heart, but knowing little of the wider world? And how much had
she changed since then?

"I think your drawings are wonderful, but I was
wondering...can you do people? Make them look like they really
look?" Or at least close? Linnette could not have known it,
perhaps, but as she said that, her expression really did
become more like Mari's- full of almost childish, pathetic
hope that Mari might, just possibly, say yes. It was a
difficult commission Linnette had- the drawing of a person who
was not even there- but she clung now with desperation to the
possibility that Mari might be able- and willing- to do it,
and her wide, pleading eyes reflected that as she gazed at the
other girl, almost a mirror of her now.











Merlin

Guinevere
 
"Yes, I will be pleased to get home."


"Understandably." Guinevere looked at him, but beyond this
certainly expected desire to be back in the village, her face
and voice betrayed no emotion, and Merlin felt a surge of
frustration at that. Why would she not confide more in him?
She used to- why not any more? Was she still sulking with her
rebuke for unnecessarily killing that warrior back at the
huts? Maybe that was it. Well, Merlin stood by his opinion
regarding that incident, but on the other hand, he certainly
hadn't meant to to lead to estrangement between him and his
oldest daughter. She was too important to her people for them
to lose her presence, her leadership.

"Guinevere..." Merlin began, not sure what he meant to say,
but letting some of his frustrated desire for more open
communication out in that one voicing of her name. But before
he could go on any further, the sound of hooves pounding on
earth approached the clearing, and many of the Woads,
including Merlin, stiffened, ears perking up, hands drifting
towards weapons. The rider, however, was coming from the
opposite direction from the fort, indeed from the direction
that the rest of the Woads had continued traveling yesterday,
and a few moments later it became clear that it was just
Smith, probably sent back to see how Merlin and the others
were faring. The others relaxed at his presence, called out a
few greetings, and Smith dismounted and made his way toward
Merlin- starting quite noticeably as he passed Mona lying dead
on the ground.

Smith
 
"Merlin... I've come from the village."


"Ah, yes, so I gathered." Merlin shot a regretful look at
Guinevere, regretful that they had no more time or privacy
now, and then came forward to clasp Smith's hand in greeting.

"Did everyone else get there safe? As you can see, we've had a
little...incident." Merlin glanced at Mona's throat-cut body
with dispassionate contempt. Traitor.

"But most of us are well. Eala was rescued. Unfortunately
Neeria remains in the Roman fort." Merlin frowned at that, but
then looked expectantly to Smith for his report on the status
of the larger Woad group.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: lady ione
Date: Tue Oct 14, 2008 4:43 pm
Adian


He arrived back at the building he had been working on and
climbed the ladder once again to join the other two workers
who were also mending the badly damaged roof. Adian smiled at
the progress they had made as there was almost no sign that a
hole had ever been existent there...all they had to do was
replace the shingles. Thankfully, they did not need ceramic
tiles like the ones on some of the other buildings. From his
vantage point, Adian looked up and saw the other side of the
fort...North.

With a sigh, he looked back down at the work he was doing.
Everytime he looked over the moors on either side of the wall,
Adian felt cooped up. There was so much to explore out there,
and now that Thorn was gone, and Ione had Javier, there was no
reason for him to linger further. Some part of him longed for
the freedom to do as he chose and he had lived part of his
life like that....doing things to help others, and when the
work was done, he always moved on. But there was another part
of him, that, strangely enough, longed to just settle down and
find a decent woman and have children.

The thought brought a dark cloud passing over his face.

The woads had taken that dream from him without a thought.

Without a thought....

Gods! If he had found their dead pitiful bodies still lying
there...where ever that was....he would have made damn sure
that there was nothing left of them to recognize. Skin them
and let the dogs and vermin after them! If Thorn, the child
she was carrying and the one she was protecting were not
allowed to live, then no woad should be allowed to live. Adian
had heard talk among the men of a woad prisoner. What he would
not give to have that prisoner taste the same pain and
suffering that Thorn had endured: Her back having been
severed. Evil thoughts, ones he had never thought before
passed through his mind. Visions of the prisoner hanging from
a wall by irons and being flayed slowly....

Why should that one be allowed to live? Why should any of
them!?

Adian brought the hammer down and drove the nail into the
plank, but his anger did not show in the hit. No. He kept it
inward for to show such animosity would warrant his
death...which right now would be the only way he'd ever be
with the one he loved. He would be with Thorn and their
child...

So he worked on in silence as his eyes looked back toward the
north.

Caledonia was wild uninhabited country except for the picts.

As Adian worked he weighed his two choices:

One: He could live in this fort alone and surrounded by those
who did not and never would understand him....though had he
really given them a chance?

Two: He could leave the fort by the North wall and live free
and uninhibited in the wilds...

Tatiana.

Gods! She was willing to give him a chance at love. Another
chance to live life and feel the happiness of just
being....she had even given herself to him.

All too willingly! Everything she did was without thought as
though desperate for someone to cling to! Sure he had asked
her to move in with him, but what if he had been a criminal or
murderer? Was she running from a bad realationship? Because he
did not want to come between two feuding lovers...

He continued to think and work as the light chilled rain fell.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Unicorn
Date: Wed Oct 15, 2008 12:26 pm
Mirtha


Mirtha could not watch Ione holding her dead child and
murmuring something into it's dead ears. It was so dramatic...
So sad. He looked away with a deep frown and just stood there
helpless.

And no thoughts came into his mind this time. He felt empty.

Linnesse
 
“Um…er…sir?"


Stabble master looked up at Linnesse with a frown, not fully
understanding why the hell was she calling him sir in the
first place. But this was ofcourse besides the point! His mind
was in a mess.

Linnesse
 
“Perhaps someone…er…one of us should…um…get Aidan if
Ione wants to see him? I know who he is.”


Aidan... Yes, Mirtha had met him before. Mirtha gazed upon
Linnesse having her arms around Ione in comforting position...
and Ione slowly fading away. Mirtha swallowed hard. This was
such uncomfortable situation.

"Yes..." he croacked out finally. "I...I will find him...
Besides.. I really should be going back..." his gaze dropped
and Mirtha cleared his throat. ".. check the stables."

He wanted to send the woman and encouraging smile, but he
could not... His face remained emotionless and he moved a
little more away the bed and only nodded to Linnesse.

"I'll tell him to come..." he said turning away and storming
out of the infirmary.

Fucking nightmare! The sharp, cold air hit him and his mind
finally registered what was he witnessing inside. Ione had
lost her child! Sadness took over him. Nobody should loose a
child.... Nobody.

Mirtha walked fast... trying to keep himself focus on geting
to the stables.. nothing more.

He arrived there and found that there was a hustle around.

"What the... fuck?" he murmured under his breath.
Was there any mission or something? He did not know about
anything!

"What the hell is going on here??" he asked loudly, crossing
his arms over the chest. What a mess!?









Dagonet

Finally he got some sleep. After a rough night without any
rest at all it was almost like a blessing to just close his
eyes and have some peace. There was no images back in his
mind. Only darkness...

But it did not last for long... He felt somebody's presence by
him, and he felt awaking slowly. Stirred slightly and oppened
his eyes slowly to look upon a bundle beside his elbow.

"Food?" he asked closing his eyes with a little smile, while
his hand went under his head, to make himself comfortable.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: golden_trillium
Date: Wed Oct 15, 2008 1:44 pm
Linnesse


Mirtha
 
"Yes...I...I will find him... Besides.. I really should
be going back...check the stables. I'll tell him to
come..."


"Thank you," Linnesse squeaked, scooting over a bit and
leaning away from Mirtha's abruptly passing figure as he
strode out of the room, not meeting Linnesse or Ione's eyes.
He looked in such a black mood, even apart from the sadness,
it was disconcerting...but he had said he would send Adian and
hopefully he would. Linnesse had really never understood why
the stable master had been there in the first place- what did
he have to do with Ione?

He had left the door open behind him, and Linnesse, after
another comforting rub to Ione's back, rose to her feet and
went to shut it. Continued privacy was probably best for Ione
now. However, once she stood in the doorway, she paused, her
attention attracted by the activity around the bed accupied by
Cassidy and Fleur. Drake was still there. He seemed to be
talking to Fleur, who stood on the edge of the bed, but most
alarmingly, he had his hand on her cheek, his huge, thick
fingers looking somehow repulsive to Linnesse when paired with
the girl's wispy blonde hair. The hand was lowered quickly,
and Drake then said something else which seemed to be
addressed to Cassidy- but that didn't make the sick lump in
Linnesse's throat go away. She swallowed hard, attempting to
gather her courage, and glanced back at the other woman in the
room.

"I...I'll be back in just a minute, Ione," she assured her in
a voice that was shakier than she wanted it to be, and, before
she could change her mind, squared her shoulders and went out
into the main infirmary room, stopping her determined strides
only when she reached the head of the girls' bed- the opposite
side from Drake. She felt more comfortable with the large
piece of furniture between them.

"Can I help you with something, sir?" she asked, her prim,
clipped tone indicating clearly that she was quite sure the
answer was no, and that indeed Drake had no business here at
all, and had better leave. At least, that was the effect
Linnesse was going for- the tone that sent troublemakers
scurrying when Mother Lavinia used it, even though the actual
words were the epitome of politeness. Linnesse herself didn't
seem to be doing it quite right, though- it came out much too
uncertain, too squeaky, even.








Quintus and Tristan

Mirtha
 
"What the hell is going on here??"


"Getting ready to ride out- Commander's orders," Quintus
explained briskly as the stablemaster, Mirtha, suddenly made
his way into the center of the preparing group, glaring about
him balefully. The Centurion wondered exactly what was making
the man so irate, but the stable master did have a reputation
for a bit of a temper. He was a good manager, though- kept the
stables running like clockwork, most of the time. Quintus
looked down and made a miniscule adjustment to his sword belt,
as out of the corner of his eye he saw the scout, Tristan,
eying Mirtha rather suspiciously from behind a couple of stray
braids. At least, Tristan looked suspicious to Quintus- but
then again, that did seem to be the scout's natural
expression. Who knew what the man was thinking- there seemed
to be no way of telling.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: Pinkie
Date: Wed Oct 15, 2008 2:20 pm
Smith


Smith willingly extended his hand to greet Merlin, at ease
with the woad leader. He trusted him implicitly. They may not
always see eye-to-eye on some things, but Merlin, Smith knew,
was sent from the gods to protect the woads and as long as
that man lived he would not ever go against his word. He could
understand the man's reluctantance to employ Roman methods in
order to defeat the Romans and he could not argue with that.
Merlin knew what was best for the woads right now. Smith would
do as he was bid by the old leader. Always.

Merlin
 
"Ah, yes, so I gathered. Did everyone else get there
safe? As you can see, we've had a little...incident."


The dark-haired woad cast a curious look to Guinevere when
Merlin did, noting something unspoke between father and
daughter - another thing he would not venture to disturb. He
admired Guinevere though her skills and sense of self were
hardly surprising given who her father was. Smith inclined his
head to her as Merlin turned to look at Mona.

Smith glanced down at Mona and then to Merlin's face, well
noting the disdain that was there. His suspicions affirmed,
the young woad spat on the ground to ward off the evil spirits
and demons that possessed one of their own kind to turn
against them, and then ruthlessly turned his back on a woman
he had once admired - purposely showing Merlin that he held no
regard for her now, now that Merlin had deemed her unworthy.

Merlin
 
"But most of us are well. Eala was rescued.
Unfortunately Neeria remains in the Roman fort."


Smith was nodding his head, narrowed dark eyes peering from
beneath a curtain of hair as he looked for Eala. He did not
see the child but took Merlin's word on it, turning his gaze
back to his leader to report. It was a loss to hear of
Neeria's circumstances but all knew that there were sacrifices
to be made. "Regrettable that she had not just simply been
killed in battle than to remain the prisoner of those foul
Romans." he commented in a thick voice, practically growling.
He took a deep breath of cool air to compose himself.

"All is safe at the village, Merlin. Though your people miss
their leader." Smith added with a wry twist of his lips, a
hint of a dark smile just visible beneath the tendrils of hair
that fell over his brow. He raked a hand back through those
locks and straightened his neck, jutting his chin upwards. The
tendons in his neck were poised, tensed as he perused the
gathering - a light frown beginning on his forehead as he
noted some people gathering.

"What's happening?" he asked with a gesture of his hand
towards those gathering, Kayley and Micah included.









Mari

When Linnette initially looked away from her when she asked
what it was she wanted drawn, Mari took a moment to look the
woman over, to commit her face to memory. She was an
attractive woman - some might call her plain, but Mari was
ever observant of those features that made a person special.
Her hazel eyes for example - Mari found their color to be most
intriguing. She was a small woman though she looked sturdy of
character, strong and resilient despite ... well, despite the
look of tiredness about her eyes and... were they bandages?
The woman's arms folded before Mari could be certain and then
those hazel eyes were upon her. Mari gave a small blush at
being caught looking so intensely but remained attentive to
what itwas Linnette wanted.

Linnette
 
"Well...I think your drawings are wonderful, but I was
wondering...can you do people? Make them look like they
really look?"


Mari couldn't explain what it was in Linnette's eyes that made
a lump form in her throat. Suddenly the air seemed to thick to
breathe in properly, the atmosphere became charged around them
and the young woman knew something portentious to be
occurring. Her lips parted to thank Linnette for her kind
words about her drawings but Mari found herself unable to
articulate very much more than a whispered 'thank you'.

Her request was rather strange - it took Mari a moment to make
sense of what Linnette meant. To make people look the way they
look? What other way was there? Mari wasn't able to create
things other than what was in front of her - though she did
manage to always see and feel the best in people. She
swallowed hard, unable to look away from Linnette and before
she really thought about it she was nodding her head.

A clatter from inside the stables seemed to break the trance.
Mari gave a small start and broke eye contact. She looked down
at the drawing of the crow and puffed out her cheeks.

"Well I mean I can try. I can't promise that it will be good,
I've never really tried to draw people. I've drawn my father's
hands while he slept and I once drew a picture of a horse. It
wasn't very good at all - but I .. " she was speaking very
quietly, hesitantly looking back to Linnette. She bit her
bottom lip and felt the urge to reach over and touch the
woman's shoulder, to offer solace to restore whatever it was
the woman lacked - for it was certain that she did lack
something. There was a sadness about her, a highly charged
longing that Mari could feel buzzing about her.

"It can't hurt to try, can it?" she offered her a sweet smile
instead of a comforting touch, hope blazing in her eyes that
she might be able to help someone that needed her help. "So
long as whoever it is doesn't mind sitting very still for a
very long time!" Mari gave a bright laugh, slightly shrill as
she was still a little tense, a little uncertain as to why
someone would want a drawing of someone else. Only nobles did
that kind of thing, didn't they?









Saoirse

Dagonet
 
"Food?"


He stirred.

Saoirse found herself sitting very still, hoping that he might
see her but still sleep if that is what his body needed. One
grey-green eye creaked open at her and she gave her lover a
smile to see him smile. It was a small thing, granted, but it
was more than she had seen from him since they came back from
the mission. Saoirse wondered if, in that moment of sleepy
bliss, that Dagonet had forgotten his woes. A very serious
part of her refused toconsider that he might be coming to
terms with his loss. It would do her no good to build up her
hopes too highly. They would only have a long fall.

"Aye food. An' good stuff too. Vanora sends her best in both
sentiment an' nourishment." Saoirse answered in a soft voice,
leaning forward, her arms crossed on the bedside with her chin
leaning against her folded wrists. She was close to Dagonet,
close enough to tip her head forward a little and brush her
cold nose against his upper arm, savouring the musty scent on
his tunic. But there was an underlying scent of sweat, blood
and mud. Saoirse scrunched her nose and leaned back onto her
folded wrists again, grinning lopsidedly at the Sarmatian.

"I brought some clean clothes t'take t'the baths with us too.
I'll be damned if I'll sleep another night next t'tha'
stench." she ribbed gently, reaching her hand out to touch
Dagonet's chest, just beneath his collarbones, with her small
fingertips.
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golden_trillium

Admin
Author: LadyCastus
Date: Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:33 pm
Malcus Barbattus


Malcus looked around and noticed the size of their group had
grown significantly. The captain began to feel uncomfortable
in his civilian clothes, not wanting to have to explain should
some one ask why. He had given Quintus and Titrus their
orders, their instructions, so there was really little else to
do. Malcus certainly didn't want to run into the optio. That
wouldn't do to see Amadeus gloating at the fact that Malcus
was being left behind to work in the stables.

Mirtha
 
"What the hell is going on here??"


Quintus
 
"Getting ready to ride out- Commander's orders,"


Malcus narrowed his eyes at the stable master and walked over
to him.

"These men are riding out for a mission on the orders of
Commander Castus. Jols here seems to have tacked all of the
horses in your absence."

Malcus looked at the man up and down, head to toe. Mirtha
looked like he'd had a hard night with very little sleep.

"While the Commander is gone," Barbattus said, "I will be
working about here in the stables. At least for the next 3
days. Now, I know we have met before, but tell me your name
again."

The man didn't look pleasant at all. Malcus figured the next
three days would be interesting if nothing else. Just then,
Malcus spotted Catherine walking through the commons. She was
like a breath of fresh air. She was a thing of beauty against
a backdrop of ugliness. She was dressed in brown and red. Ah,
red, the captain's favorite color. Malcus smiled suddenly and
abruptly turned away from Mirtha, craning his neck, trying to
make eye contact with the blond. Had she seen him? He hoped
so. After the events of the past couple of days, after the men
left, Catherine may be able to offer him exactly what he'd
need to feel better.









Neeria

Neeve
 
“Alright…this should do the job...all else is up to the
Gods…”


The cleanliness of the bandages felt good against Neeria's hot
skin. Whatever salve Neeve used, it had cooled her wound
significantly and the pain had all but subsided. The healer
worked with efficiency and quickness and soon she was putting
her supplies away. Oh, how Neeria longed to rip off her filthy
clothes and bathe in a stream or river. The woad was thankful
for the company Neeve provided in the dark, smelly cell as
well. The quiet was maddening and Neeria dreaded the thought
of being left alone again. Perhaps her fellow countrywoman
would help her get out of the dreadful place. Neeria reached
up and scratched her head. Bits of something fell out of hair.

"That feels much better," Neeria said softly. "Will I be able
to bathe, sister?" she asked again.

Neeve
 
“I am…not a Woad…”


Neeria detected the note of ....disgust?... in the way the
healer said 'woad'. The warrior looked at Neeve and tilted her
head to the side.

Neeve
 
“And it is beyond my power to decide whether or not you
get the permission to wash and change clothes…but I’ll
leave the bucket here. You could use the water that’s
left to clean yourself a little… That would be at least
a start…”


"Why do you say the word 'woad' with such disgust? Are we not
kin?" Neeria asked, searching the other woman's face.

As she waited for Neeve's answer, Neeria scooted over to the
bucket of water and began splashing water on her face and
neck. She cupped her hands and rubbed her face vigorously
trying to wash the grime she felt in the corners of her eyes
and mouth.

"Are we not both of this country? And why are you here with
Arthur?"
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golden_trillium

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Author: lady ione
Date: Wed Oct 15, 2008 8:34 pm
Ione


She seemed to hear and nothing , though she did feel the
soothing touches on her back. Linnesse was still close as was
her son...little Ian.

Ione almost welcomed the unwelcome sleep that threatened to
place a vail of darkness between the view of her son and her
mind. Oh gods! Why her? What had she ever done but wanted to
find happiness and love. It seemed that the gods were
punishing her. Try as she would, Ione opened her heavy eyes
only to see Mirtha conversing with Linnesse on who should get
Adian...a moment of uneasiness filled the room and Ione
protectivly held the dead child. The stable master was upset
again....uncomfortable. Thankfully, he had left the room
before he could really get upset. Mirtha stomp out of the
room....

Mirtha
 
"Yes..." "I...I will find him... Besides.. I really
should be going back..." ".. check the stables." "I'll
tell him to come..."


Linnesse
 
"Thank you,"


Ione's eyes grew heavier, but did not want to sleep for fear
the nun would come and take the child from her while she was
unconscious. Linnesse had gotten up to close the door, and
Ione allowed her eyes to go shut for a moment, then she opened
them again.

Linnesse
 
"I...I'll be back in just a minute, Ione,"


The weaver thought she had nodded an acknowledgment as the
blond left the room closing the door slightly. Ione was alone
with her baby and her thoughts. Her body ached and the area
between her thighs was very sore making it uncomfortable to
switch positions. None of this mattered really as she was now
alone with the tiny form of a little angel...his body growing
cold and a bit stiff...but she held him close. With one hand,
Ione pulled the blanket lightly over his face as if to hold in
the heat, and softly began to hum a lullaby until she could no
longer remain awake. 'Love you...my brave...little
Ian...never...forget that...I love...you' even in her
unconsciousness, Ione still placed a soft kiss on the now cold
tiny form.

'I'll..miss you...'

Ione resumed softly humming to her baby even in her sleep
while the Lieutenant's face continued to drift in her
mind....her dear friend...
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golden_trillium

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Author: Darya
Date: Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:20 pm
Darya


Darya watched Tristan walk away, certainly to prepare his
horse. The hawk squeaked quietly and cocked its head to one
side as if critically judging its owner’s doing. “He’ll be
back in no time…”, Darya whispered towards the animal and
gently adjusted the bandage about its wing… Even though
Tristan had indicated that she could leave the bird in the
stables, the woman had already silently decided to take it to
her room. It was warmer and safer in there. She made a mental
note to herself to go to the tavern and get some meat later in
the day and almost became more and more oblivious to her
surrounding while pondering what she could best do for the
hawk’s well-being when a voice nearby reached her ears. The
word 'hawk' signalized her that the spoken words were directed
at her…

Brendyn
 
"Tis a fine looking hawk. Where I am from, they are
symbols of freedom and courage.'


The dark Sarmatian shifted her gaze from the bird of prey on
her arm towards the person who was apparently addressing her.
It was Brendyn. And just when the woman parted her lips to say
something, yet another rather loud voice filled the courtyard.
A voice she knew. Darya arched an eyebrow and smirked slightly
when her eyes indeed fell onto Mirtha, the smithy and stable
master.

Mirtha
 
"What the hell is going on here??"


Quintus
 
"Getting ready to ride out- Commander's orders,"


She watched the scene for a moment to see how it would
develop…but when Captain Barbattus approached Mirtha as well,
the dark-haired turned towards Brendyn again to finally reply
to his earlier statement.

“Yes, she is indeed a beauty…”, Darya said and met the bird’s
sharp gaze for a moment, “…and a loyal friend to the best
scout on this island.” The woman smiled faintly before
glancing at Brendyn again. “Freedom is a precious thing to
have…”, she then mused and briefly shook her head, “…wouldn’t
it be great to be able to fly like them? Like a hawk? Wild and
free…no boundaries?” A pause. “This one will soon circle in
the sky again...”, the female Sarmatian added and once more
looked at the animal on her arm…









Neeve

For a reason perhaps only Neeve herself understood, Neeria had
managed to wipe every bit and hint of compassion away from the
healer’s mind. Instead, Neeve recalled all Tristan had said
last night and therewith felt the distance between herself and
the prisoner grow again. Maybe a good thing…for her sanity’s
sake… Slowly, the healer continued to pack the last things and
formed a bundle of them and the large cloth she had used to
cover the bowl on the way here…

Neeria
 
Why do you say the word 'woad' with such disgust?  Are we not kin? Are we not both of this country? And why are you here with Arthur?"


Neeve suddenly felt somewhat cornered, which only added to her
feeling way too uncomfortable for her taste anyway. Maybe it
had been a mistake to come here. Maybe she should have just
let this Woad die a slow death in this stinky dark hole of a
dungeon. With her jaw tensed almost painfully, the healer
picked up her few items and stood from the dirty ground. She
hated being confronted with her past…or rather with that
painful part of her childhood. The Briton had learned to bury
these memories, emotions and pictures deep down in her
soul…but being confronted with a Woad so directly again as she
was right now brought some things to the surface again. Yet
this time, things were a bit different. This time, she was in
charge…this time, it was in her hand whether the Woad would
live or die. Gods, it would be so easy to end the prisoner’s
life without leaving obvious traces. Neeve knew enough about
herbs and their effects…she could either safe or end lives oh
so easily…

The raven-haired woman took a deep sharp breath and forced
herself to maintain her emotionless expression, yet her
crystal-blue eyes kept piercing Neeria relentlessly even when
the smaller woman indeed scooted over to the bucket to splash
some water into her dirty face.

“I…have my reasons…”, the healer finally said, not quite
managing to suppress the chill in her voice, “…and I…don’t
slaughter other people. Your kind does…” Neeve straightened
her back a little and towered above the Woad. “The country of
birth is probably the only thing you and I have in common…”,
she added and tilted her head slightly, narrowing her eyes as
she did so. “As for the Commander…I have known him and his
knights for a very long time now and none of them deserves
what you have tried to do to him… Enough of the knights have
died at the hands of Woads… And not only knights…but innocent
civilians, too… And you expect me to call you 'sister'?”
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golden_trillium

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Author: LadyCastus
Date: Thu Oct 16, 2008 1:23 pm
Neeria


Neeria stopped splashing the cool water on her face when the
healer, Neeve, stood up to full height. There was dark anger
on her face and her blue eyes penetrated deeply into Neeria's
dark gaze. Neeria actually smiled at her anger and looked back
to the bucket, dipping her hands in and wiping the back of her
neck.

When Neeve finally spoke, her voice was laced with anger, and
maybe even venom. Neeria understood that. She and this Briton
had more in common that the Brit wanted to admit. Neeria knew
she may have alienated the healer, but Neeria didn't want the
woman to leave. At least not yet.

Neeve
 
I…have my reasons...and I…don’t slaughter other people.
Your kind does…”


At that, Neeria stood up also. She was much taller than the
dark-haired woman in front of her, but she, too, bristled at
the words Neeve spoke.

Neeve
 
“The country of birth is probably the only thing you and
I have in common…As for the Commander…I have known him
and his knights for a very long time now and none of
them deserves what you have tried to do to him… Enough
of the knights have died at the hands of Woads… And not
only knights…but innocent civilians, too… And you expect
me to call you 'sister'?”


Neeria narrowed her dark eyes at Neeve.

"You don't know what you're talking about, lady," she said,
her accent getting thicker with her anger. "One of them killed
my husband right before my eyes. And his brother and my
friend." Neeria's chest began to heave as her breathing became
rushed.

"As many of people have died as yours! My husband was
slaughtered and can never come back. He was all I had. And for
what? For Rome? Hear me well! I do not hate the Sarmatians, it
is Rome that I hate. You are slaves just as we are! But
Brittish blood flows through your veins, healer woman. That,
you cannot deny. We are bond by blood! If we have killed each
other, it was because of Rome. It was the blood that runs
through Arthur's veins that did not allow me to kill him."

Neeria's eyes widened at her own words. She stopped talking
and looked to the floor. Was that why she hadn't killed Arthur
when she had the chance? She had been ready to slice his
throat and hestitated to ask him why he killed his own people
- was it because of....Neeria's mouth fell open and she looked
at Neeve, not knowing what else to say.
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golden_trillium

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Author: golden_trillium
Date: Thu Oct 16, 2008 5:35 pm
Merlin


Smith
 
"Regrettable that she had not just simply been killed in
battle than to remain the prisoner of those foul Romans.
All is safe at the village, Merlin. Though your people
miss their leader. What's happening?"


"Unfortunately we lost two warriors back at the campsite,"
Merlin explained, his words accompanied by a sudden heavy,
regretful sigh. He raked a hand through his hair,
unconsciously mimicking Smith's gesture, then dropped his hand
as the hint of a smirk tugged up the corner of his mouth
again.

"We sent the Romans scurrying like the fools they are, though.
Castus did not come- he sent his Optio, one Scipio, to treat
with us, but the man merely fell to arguing with his
subordinates right in front of us. They were easy to dismiss."
Merlin lifted his chin and smiled a bit more broadly in
satisfaction, then cast a glance over his shoulder at Micah,
Kayley, and the rest of the assembling burial party, his mood
tuning uneasy again. They might have sent the Optio packing,
yes, but who knew what more dangers might await his people
today. Castus would not merely sit still and ponder
yesterday's incident- he would do something, and soon.

"I deemed it safest to spend the night safely away, for fear
the Optio..." Merlin turned his head aside from his two
companions and spat expressively on the ground at the name,
"...would seek reinforcements and immediately pursue- but now
that it seems he has not, I have ordered a small party to go
back and bury the dead if it can be done." Merlin looked back
at the assembling group again, then back at Smith.

"You could go with them," he suggested, raising his eyebrows
in a silent inquiry as to what Smith thought of this- though
really he expected nothing less than obedience. It was an
order only thinly disguised as a request.

"Some fresh strength would be welcome to them, I'm sure, and
if there's trouble, that beast of yours could come in handy."
Merlin nodded a touch warily towards Smith's horse. Foreign
creature, not of this land, and Merlin wouldn't want too many
of them about- but he had to admit, to himself, at least, the
advantages of having one mounted scout. At least until the
Romans left. When they did, his people would have no more use
for such beasts.








Linnette

Mari
 
"Well, I mean, I can try. I can't promise that it will
be good, I've never really tried to draw people. I've
drawn my father's hands while he slept and I once drew a
picture of a horse. It wasn't very good at all- but
I...it can't hurt to try, can it? So long as whoever it
is doesn't mind sitting very still for a very long
time!"


She would try! She would at least try! Linnette slumped back
against the wall in abject relief as Mari made her hedging
admission, her head tilting upward and eyes closing
momentarily as she let out a gusty breath. She would try, and
if she could draw horses and birds and hands- how wonderful it
might be to have a picture of Gedeon's hands!- why not faces?
Why not? She was still riding high on a wave of
perhaps-premature relief, when Mari continued, her reference
to the model sitting still for a long time feeling like a stab
to Linnette's heart. Gedeon would no doubt be still for a
very, very long time, whereever he was- trouble was, that
wasn't here, and wouldn't ever be.

"Mari..." Linnette pushed herself wearily away from the wall
at her back and held up a restraining hand, hoping to silence
the girl's enthusiasm for just a moment while she gathered her
thoughts. There were the tears again, pricking the backs of
her eyes- an all too familiar feeling that just never did seem
to go away. She bowed her head, scrubbing at her eyes and
forehead with her other hand for a moment, and then
straightened again, taking a deep breath as she resigned
herself to telling the rest of it- the extenuating
circumstances that Mari surely had no idea applied.

"That's the hard part...the person I want drawn can't sit for
you. He's..." She blinked solemnly, several tears hovering
damply on her eyelashes, ready to fall.

"He's..he's dead, Mari. He was my husband." Her voice had
already dropped to a choked-up whisper on the last, and though
she held Mari's eyes determinedly, her chin was trembling
despite her efforts to stay it. Unthinkingly, she reached out
and touched Mari's closest hand, almost as if giving comfort
rather than seeking it- which really, she was. She was sorry
to burden Mari with such a maudlin tale, when the girl had
enough recent troubles of her own- but on the other hand, Mari
looked like the best possible chance to get the picture of
Gedeon that Linnette had so recently decided she would wither
and die without.
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golden_trillium

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Author: LadyCastus
Date: Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:45 pm

Rosita


Rosita took the leather strap and tied her hair back away from
her face. Despite the cold weather, she was sweating. She'd
left the campsite early, before sun up to hunt. Her labor was
rewarded by 4 rabbits that she'd just finished skinning and 2
quail. Their furs hung on sticks drying. She'd arrived back at
the camp just in time to see the confrontation between Merlin
and Mona, the traitorous bitch. It was a good thing that
Merlin had killed her. If not, Rosita would have found to slit
Mona's throat herself.

The tall thin woad made her way over to Merlin and Smith,
ready to join the burial party. As was typical, Rosita also
spat on the ground and positioned herself so that her back was
to Mona's body.

Rosita eyed the horse carefully and walked as far away from it
as she could.

"Merlin, I am ready to assist with the burials if you still
need me," she said to the leader, "my hunt was successful" she
added looking at Smith and smirking.

Rosita took in Smith, looking at him while spoke to Merlin. He
was quite attractive with long dark hair with matching dark
eyes. When he turned to her, she looked away quickly,
red-cheeked, afraid he'd caught her looking at him.

"When are you going to teach me how to handle that beast?" she
asked the dark-haired woad. "Now that he is tame, I want to
try."
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Author: lady ione
Date: Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:59 pm
Brendyn


The injured bird seemed to study the soldier curiously, and
Tyranus eyed it apprehensively, but still Brendyn was in awe
of such a bird. He had seen them soar into the heavens it
seemed, then land somewhere. He had never been this close to
one, but he made no move to touch it as he was not about to
get his fingers bit off. Not alone were his eyes on the bird,
but they seemed to catch everything else going on around them.
It was at that time, when Darya seemed to want to say
something to him when he heard someone else who had obviously,
by the sound of the voice, had a bad day as well...not alone
Karl. The booming voice startled the black horse a bit and
Tyranus tossed his head back slightly while Brendyn calmed him
by placing a gentle hand on the soft muzzle and stroking it
softly....

Mirtha
 
"What the hell is going on here??"


Quintus
 
"Getting ready to ride out- Commander's orders,"


His eyebrows knit together and he frowned slightly at the
attitude in which the newcomer was looking about, and the way
he seemed to suddenly take authority, or was it just a bad day
for him as well and he needed to just yell? He shot a glance
from the Sarmatian near him and back to the new arrival Malcus
was now approaching. With a sigh, Brendyn turned his attention
back to Darya as her softly accented voicecaught his
attention...

Darya
 
“Yes, she is indeed a beauty…” “…and a loyal friend to the best scout on this island.” “Freedom is a precious thing to have.  Wouldn’t it be great to be able to fly like them? Like a hawk? Wild and free…no boundaries?” “This one will soon circle in the sky again...”


Brendyn looked over to where Tristan was tending to his horse,
and returned the gaze to Darya with a slight smile as he
studied the magnificent bird resting on her arm. He wondered
what it would be like to see the world through the eyes of a
bird. Tyranus cocked his black head slightly as if studying
the hawk, but made no approach to be friends. Brendyn had
always felt that animals had ways of making friends that was
almost an art form in itself: studying each other, and
instinctivly deciding whether or not the other animal or bird
could be trusted. His eyes moved to the sky over head, and
then looked slowly down at the hawk, "The world would be a
great place to live in if freedom came easily and there were
no boundries, Darya." He had to agree with her as he was sure
that everyone had the same dream for, if this was true, there
would be no need to kill or make war. But the human race as a
whole was greedy and felt the need to place boundries, and
make it so that freedom came at a very high price....more
often than not, that price was innocent lives. Brendyn raised
his eyes to meet hers, "If only our lives could be as easy,
like the hawk...but we....the human race, have pretty much
made that unobtainable..." He gave her a warm smile, "I would
not want things any other way...for her..I mean...." He
gestured to the hawk....
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golden_trillium

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Author: LadyCastus
Date: Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:02 pm
Titrus


Titrus tied Adolphus to a post outside the stable and walked
back over to Quintus.

"Quintus, there's something I need to do before we leave. The
optio and Arthur haven't arrived yet and this will only take a
minute. I'll be right back."

With that, Titrus rushed across the common area and over to
the infirmary. Inside, things had quieted down considerably
from just 24 hours prior. The smell of the place still hit
Titrus' stomach viciously and for a moment, he thought he'd
loose his belly. Swallowing hard, the lieutenant made his way
down the long row of beds and headed toward the small room in
back. He nodded to Linnesse who was standing next to Drake's
bed but all of the other patients seemed to be sleeping.
Titrus really couldn't tell as he stretched his long legs,
walking quickly, so that he could return to the stables before
being missed.

He knocked on the door of the room but there was no answer.
After knocking again with no response, Titrus opened the door
a crack and stuck his head inside. Ione was still there. She
was laying on the bed with something in her arms. Titrus
opened the door wider and walked in, closing the door behind
him with a soft click. When he approached the bed, with almost
sudden horror, he realized that what Ione held was a baby. A
baby with its eyes closed and bleached white skin. Titrus knew
death when he saw it and that baby was dead. He stared at Ione
and realized with relief that she was still breathing and had
color to her face, even though she was pale.

Titrus chewed on his bottom lip for a second, contemplating
what to do. He only had a few minutes but he wanted to talk to
the weaver.

"Ione," he whispered, leaning over the sleeping woman. "Ione,
it's Titrus. I came to check on you. I must leave on a mission
soon and I wanted to say good bye."

He didn't know if the woman was drugged or just sleeping.
Maybe he should leave and just talk to her when he got back.
If he got back. The lieutenant gently moved a piece of hair
that had fallen over Ione's eyes.

"Ione?" he tried one more time.
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