| Welcome to Kuwa- ...thingy! This site is purely here for our own enjoyment, which means it's not open to the public. Well, I guess you can read our ramblings if you want... Beware, though. They are known to cause severe mental damage when we've been nightsick. |
| Vale of the White Horse | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: 5 Jan 2010, 13:03 (19,303 Views) | |
| Sonja | 25 May 2010, 22:08 Post #3031 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
Oh, damn it all to oblivion and beyond. If Rufus had overheard the wrong things, it might see the end of the brotherhood soon. How could he have been so careless! Morcant closed his eyes, trying to get his heartbeat to slow down. When he opened them again and looked down on Essylt, the fear on her face was like a bucket of cold water thrown at him. It took him many long moments to calm down enough to trust his voice to speak. But he didn't know what to say, so he sufficed with pulling Essylt against him. |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 25 May 2010, 22:13 Post #3032 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
She thudded into him with the force of his pull. For a brief moment she thought that he was doing it to shake her. But all he did was hold her to him, though she wouldn’t be able to release herself if she wanted to. Her breasts pressed against him; she wondered if he felt it too. ‘But it’s true, isn’t it?’ she muttered, voice softened by his shirt. ‘I can make my own choices too, can’t I? Something based on courage instead of all the things that frighten me…Because I care about you.’ |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 25 May 2010, 22:19 Post #3033 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
'Yes,' he answered hoarsely. Of all the reasons she had to talk to that Roman bastard, courage was the only one he was comfortable with. And she cared about him, had she really said that, or was that wishful thinking? She was so close he thought he might not be able to control himself. Morcant leaned back a bit, with every intention of letting go of her completely. But his hands travelled up to cup her face. 'Thank you, Essylt. You may have saved our guts.' |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 25 May 2010, 22:22 Post #3034 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
Perhaps Udd Wyll was right. Perhaps she was strong enough to make her choices for love. It left her shaking completely, but this new feeling was overwhelmingly magical. If this was true, perhaps one day she could return home and make everything right. Essylt looked up into his face again. It was no longer angry, but the fire was still there. His eyes were very bright. ‘You owe me nothing….you must know that.’ |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 25 May 2010, 22:30 Post #3035 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
Something in her face had started shining, like a newly-risen sun on the first frost of winter. He could not blame Lentulus for chasing her. Ah, what he would not have given to have been in her bedroom that night, instead of the Roman. The fire in him changed to something if not less passionate, at least infinitely more pleasant than his hatred. He was going to kiss her, whether it was a smart idea or not. No matter everything that had happened; no matter if she would never want to look at him again; he was going to do it and nothing short of the end of the world would stop him. One of his hands ran through her hair, his fingers entangling themselves into the curls, and then he pressed his lips against hers. |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 25 May 2010, 22:38 Post #3036 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
Her mouth was dry. Something was calling loudly, but she didn’t know if it was somewhere outside or simply her heart making odd music. His kiss was not like Rufus’ lips at all. This was much simpler, much less refined. Se thought his scent was all around her, like a sphere closing the both of them in: woodland and fire. Essylt felt his hand in her hair. It tickled, but it was nice. A little flow, not quite the wild river like before, streamed up and down her belly. |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 25 May 2010, 22:45 Post #3037 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
He could not figure out whether she wanted him to stop or to go on. It was quite clear to him what he wanted, but after her experience with the Roman - not such a good idea. Morcant pulled back, though his body felt like it was being eaten by the warmth that spread from his head down to his toes. 'I -' he started, not sure what he wanted to say, '- didn't really...plan for this.' |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 25 May 2010, 22:48 Post #3038 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
Not only woodland and fire, she thought. It felt like the tide washing over her; both deep and uncontrollable. Fickle maybe. It could drag her along and drown her. And he had promised he wouldn’t. But that was long nights ago. She wasn’t even sure if she had wanted him to promise that. ‘I know.’ |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 25 May 2010, 22:57 Post #3039 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
Perhaps he should apologize, but he wasn't really sorry. He kept stroking her cheek, wanting to taste more of her lips. He couldn't, he told himself. Not unless she told him otherwise. It was probably for the best if they didn't sleep in the same bed anymore, now. He'd move to the other side of the room, he decided. She could have the bed. He was used to sleeping on the ground anyway. Morcant was perfectly contant with staring at her face, now. |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 26 May 2010, 11:14 Post #3040 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
Essylt wasn’t sure what to say. She searched for words, but none of them seemed adequate. That he was still running his hand over her cheek was a distraction too. ‘This night,’ she began, surprised to find her voice so unsteady after he had clearly shown her that he was not livid with her, ‘tonight I must go out. Trust me,’ she added pleadingly, afraid that he might think of her going to Marcus Lentulus. ‘This is something I have to do alone…but when I come back, I promise I will tell you everything.’ |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 26 May 2010, 11:21 Post #3041 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
As reluctant as he was to let her go off by her own, he nodded. 'It will not be dangerous?' he inquired, thinking he would send Cuhelyn after Lentulus to keep an eye on the man and interfere if he must. |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 26 May 2010, 11:25 Post #3042 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
‘No,’ she said, suddenly feeling as if she was brimming with tenderness for this man who was struggling so hard to contain himself for her and reaching out one hand to give his jaw one brief stroke. ‘I think not.’ The worst thing that could happen was that Udd Wyll was not there. Essylt didn’t know if he could be summoned at will, but if she did not get more answers tonight, she didn’t think she could do anything he told her she could. If he knew this, he would be there. |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 26 May 2010, 11:33 Post #3043 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
'All right then. I'll wait up for you.' He didn't think he could sleep if she wasn't where he could keep an eye on her, anyway. Morcant paused. He wondered what Essylt was thinking. Did her touch mean she returned his feelings, or was it just a friendship-sort of stroke? 'Let's go inside,' he said eventually. 'It's getting colder.' |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 26 May 2010, 11:36 Post #3044 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
Yes, though that kiss had driven off much of her initial chill. There were still goose-bumps all over her skin, but Essylt thought that had an entirely different cause. 'Where's Cuhelyn gone off to?' |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 26 May 2010, 11:46 Post #3045 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
'Dunno. Cuhelyn?' he called out, taking his arms from around Essylt. Cuhelyn might be the best friend he had, something Morcant rather kept to himself. Moments later, the man appeared from behind the house. 'Something the matter?' he asked. |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 26 May 2010, 11:49 Post #3046 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
'Nothing. It's cold. We're going in.' She did at once, savouring the warmth of the small fire in the hearth. Essylt sat down cross-legged, the cloak still wrapped around her. It was going to be a long night; it was a good thing that she felt overflowing with thoughts. It would help her stay awake when the dark came. |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 26 May 2010, 11:52 Post #3047 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
Cuhelyn glanced from Essylt to Morcant, then shrugged and followed them inside. 'I should be heading back. The others'll wonder what's keeping me.' 'About that,' Morcant started, lowering himself on a chair. 'It's probably for the best if you didn't stop by here anymore. The Roman's starting to get ideas.' 'Hm.' Cuhelyn scratched his beard. 'Maybe I should go after him and do some constructive backstabbing.' |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 26 May 2010, 11:55 Post #3048 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
‘Cuhelyn, you must be careful.’ Essylt hoped that the man could see how serious she was. ‘I don’t think he is the sort of man that can be stabbed in the back before he has you stabbed in the heart three times.’ |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 26 May 2010, 12:01 Post #3049 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
'There's a reason he survived Rhywallon's return,' Morcant added. 'Much as though I'd like to see the man dead, it's probably not possible.' Cuhelyn gave a sigh. 'Such a pity. So, we're laying low for the time being?' 'I can still sneak out the settlement unseen and meet you at the usual place. But not very often.' 'Duly noted. I'll go back now. Take care, you two.' |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 26 May 2010, 12:03 Post #3050 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
She was not the one in danger of being assassinated. ‘You take care, Cuhelyn,’ she said gravely. ‘It would be a serious mistake of you allow that man to rob me of the two only friends I have in this place.’ |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 26 May 2010, 12:09 Post #3051 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
'Don't worry about me, dearie,' he winked. 'I'm like weed; it's hard to get rid of me. But I'll be careful, promise.' He raised his hand and turned on his heel, walking out of the door. Morcant looked at the crackling fire of the hearth, lost in thought. |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 26 May 2010, 12:31 Post #3052 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
He was sitting on her far end, not close enough to reach out to. Was he regretting that kiss? Essylt leaned closer to the flames, wondering what he was seeing in there that she could not. |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 26 May 2010, 17:32 Post #3053 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
Despite her best efforts, Gwenllian started to get more nervous which each passing day. It wasn't so much being afraid of being chased. No, she dreaded that soon they might face the man who frightened Rhywallon. In their months together, she had never thought that there was anything that could scare him. It was a little unnerving, but on the other hand - he was still human, after all. No matter how many times he mentioned his 'demon-face', or how often other people made the sign to ward off evil or spoke of the Good Folk in hushed whispers when they saw him, she was quite sure he was human to the core. Even more so than Higueid, or Marcus Iulius, or the Roman they were seeking out now. She wanted to have faith and be strong, but sometimes she could not quite control the shaking of her hands. So most of the time she kept her mind occupied with other thoughts than these. Rhywallon still had not explained about his sisters. She didn't mention it, since she was sure he hadn't forgotten. She looked off into the distance. They'd crossed the river without any real trouble. How long until they'd find the man? Would they even find them? Gwenllian had no idea - not even if she hoped for the first or the latter to happen. Either way, she thought as she straightened her shoulders, she'd do her best to face it with her chin up. |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 26 May 2010, 17:44 Post #3054 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
Fear could be a good thing – it heightened the senses, making a man sharper and alerter. For the past few days, Rhywallon had found that it only detained him. So with some effort he pushed it to the back of his mind, where it prowled around like some wild beast in a confined area. Two and a half days after the river, he picked up the scent of smoke. The wind was coming towards them. He told himself that there was a good possibility that it was just from a wayfarer’s fire, and it might be a good while away from them yet. Still, he licked his lips, tugging at the reins of his horse and gesturing Gwenllian to do the same. ‘Tread cautiously,’ he said, trying to make his voice sound lightly. ‘If they are travellers, we’ll greet them and ask directions.’ |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 26 May 2010, 17:52 Post #3055 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
Gwenllian gave a nod. Oh, she'd be ever so careful. The dagger she'd kept in her boot had moved to a little sheath around her waist and now she touched the hilt as if that could somehow provide some assurance that everything was going to be just fine. It took them a while before they saw the source of the smoke: it was a military camp, that much was for sure. Sentries, she thought, for there was only one tent. There was a cookingfire burning in front of it, with five soldiers either sitting or standing around it. Her heart caught somewhere in her throat, though there was absolutely no reason at all for the sentries to suspect two lonely travellers of anything else than being saddle-weary. They were keeping a very close eye on them, though. Much too close to suit her. |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 26 May 2010, 18:05 Post #3056 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
He let his eyes go over the lonely tent. Five soldiers only, dressed in Roman garb. No doubt soldiers that cursed their sentry duties as much as he cursed their entire breed. He drove his horse closer to the fire. It was almost regrettable, he thought, that common man should lay down their lives when he only wanted to get to their leader. But this was no time for repentances or indeed compassion. They needed to get past them into their camp and find a way out. Leaving them to slip around them meant closing the gates behind their own backs. Rhywallon relaxed the reins in his hand. He left the daggers and the knives, but pulled an arrow from his back. There was a small bow strapped to the side of his horse. It was light, made from willow that stretched like one supple breath. He could take two within a flash; by then Gwenllian must have her dagger prepared. He glanced at her, then shot. |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 26 May 2010, 18:23 Post #3057 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
The moment he loosened the first arrow, she pulled the dagger from it's sheath and gripped it tightly. One of the soldiers suddenly stiffened, his lips forming a soundless 'O' as he toppled over. The other four sprang into immediate action, brandishing their weapons. It took only two more heartbeats for Rhywallon to have shot another of the soldiers, but then they were too close to make the bow a useful weapon. She'd never seen Romans in a fight before. It scared her more than she was willing to admit. They were upon them in a moment's notice, two directing their attacks on Rhywallon, the other grabbing the reins of her own horse and making a gesture as if to pull her off by the ankle. She kicked her foot free. Where could she hit this man? He was dressed in a shirt of little iron rings linked together that looked like it would quite effectively block every strike she could make with the dagger. The face, then? Her mind shied away from the thought as she pressed her heels in the flanks of her horse. The animal wanted to jump away, but the Roman had such a firm hold on the reins that it nearly lost its balance as it was pulled back. Gwenllian nearly fell out of the saddle, but managed to hang on with one hand. Then she felt an arm around her waist, taking a hold of a handful of clothing. The soldier dragged her off the horse, but before her feet hit the ground she managed to stab the dagger in a part of the man's arm that wasn't protected by the metal shirt. She hit the ground, but got up again quickly, holding her dagger at the ready. |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 26 May 2010, 18:42 Post #3058 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
He rolled off the horse’s back as soon as his second arrow had left the bowstring with the sound of an eagle diving for his prey. He had seen those body protectors many times before and held no high regard for it. Silures, such as himself, ran into battle with nothing but their skins tattooed in circles and patterns with blue wheat. He did not bear such marks, for he was never meant to be a warrior. Gwyddien and Elgued both bore them with pride; they were the only two in the entire brotherhood whom he would refer to. As for his own protection, they may not be made from iron rings, but the tough leather belts around his waist and arms would hold off a blade or two just as well. He briefly glanced at Gwenllian, only to make sure that she was still standing on two feet and clenching the hilt of the dagger. He willed her to relax her fingers around it, but had no time to say so; the team had split up, two of the Romans making for his own person. |
![]() |
|
| Sonja | 26 May 2010, 19:04 Post #3059 |
|
Red & dangerous! Rawr!
|
Gwenllian tried to go over everything Rhywallon had told her about using a dagger, but it was hard to think. Relax, she thought. If she'd hold on to the dagger this firmly, she wouldn't be able to do much with it. That was one thing. Let the dagger to the work, that was the other. As soon as she saw an opening, she had to stab; the dagger would follow its path inside on its own. The soldier had his left arm pressed tightly to his body, but there was a sneer on his lips as if he wanted to say that it was a lucky stroke and nothing more. He jumped towards her and she dived out of the way, nearly losing her balance. The Roman was much quicker to recover, despite all the garb he was wearing, and plunged his sword in her direction. Gwenllian could only just avoid the tip cutting into her flesh; it got caught in the folds of her heavy cloak. In a sudden flash of insight, she grabbed the fabric and pulled it upwards. It wasn't enough to pull the sword from the man's hands, but enough of a distraction for her to aim a stroke for his swordarm. The soldier growled as the dagger grazed his skin and landed a kick in her stomach. She staggered back, gasping for breath and with tears of pain pricking in her eyes. Then that same foot kicked hers out from underneath her. What little breath she had was knocked out of her when she landed on the ground and felt a large weight pressing down on her. The Roman tried to grab her wrists, but Gwenllian struggled to keep them free. She managed to pull herself loose for a brief moment, but she couldn't get up and the soldier renewed his hold on her. He had one wrist pinned above her head, but the hand with her dagger was still free. She did the only thing she could think of, and thrust the dagger at the man's throat when she saw an opening. It met resistance. He grabbed for his throat - blood spurted from between his fingers and rained down on her face. A faint gurgle was all that passed his lips before he collapsed on top of her, dagger still stuck in the side of his neck. |
![]() |
|
| Marieke | 26 May 2010, 19:14 Post #3060 |
|
Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
|
Two down, one by a dagger in de side of his throat, the other kicked down with blood in his eyes, Rhywallon turned, feeling the sticky blood on his hands and wrists. Gwenllian was free, but she looked battered. He smeared his dagger against the grass. ‘Good girl.’ |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Vale of the White Horse · Next Topic » |
| Track Topic · E-mail Topic |
3:20 PM Jul 11
|







3:20 PM Jul 11