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| Vale of the White Horse | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: 5 Jan 2010, 13:03 (19,261 Views) | |
| Marieke | 9 Sep 2011, 14:21 Post #4291 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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Winter was over, Briallen told herself. Still, she donned a wrapper when she stepped outside, smelling the air. Soon, the granary would be full with new supplies and the first fresh vegetables would be harvested within a turn of a moon. She was sick of rationing, sick of the salted strips op meat that felt like leather when you tried to chew it. Sick of the watery soup. The only good meals happened when the huntsmen returned with freshly caught game. Now all of that would be done, though. I’ve made it through, she realized, as she made her way over the courtyard, past the workshops, to where the stables where. Caer March didn’t have much livestock, but Eiluned said that the first calf had just been born. I’ve made it through winter. And not only that – she had settled in Caer March as her new home, with her own husband and their own private joys and troubles. Unusual troubles. Sometimes she thought that Tudwrig might hurt himself out of desperation. If there was a way to help him…Oh, she had turned her brain over and over during the dark winter months. The only answer she always stumbled upon was the Earth Kin. She’d never told Tudwrig. She wasn’t even sure if he would believe her if she did. But while it had been too cold to go outside, she had sat by the fire in the small common hall and patched and mended, as the Earth Kin had told her to. And she had told a hundred stories, to herself, to him, to anyone who would listen. And now the tapestries seemed like something new, and Tudwrig had told her they looked exactly has he remembered them from his childhood days. Briallen tried not to look at her garden when she walked past it. It was wild and unkempt now, and soon the plants would grow all over the place, returning the patches to the state she’d found it in a year ago. Her eyes still caught a glimpse of crocuses. Whoever the man was, however he had ended up beneath the soil of her garden, at least he had a pretty grave. It didn’t do anything to loosen the knot she felt in her belly. |
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| Sonja | 23 Sep 2011, 21:04 Post #4292 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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Their meal was scanty, but there was a promise of better times ahead. Tudwrig hadn't had much to hope this past winter, however, and his mood had steadily deteriorated over the course of the long months. He glanced at Briallen. At least she was still by his side, small beam of light during the dark days. Ah, he wasn't hungry. He pushed his plate away and sank a little lower into his chair. Just as he opened his mouth to ask Briallen whether she had any plans for the day, Eiluned appeared at his elbow. 'The lord Lentulus wishes to see you, my lord,' she said, clear disgust written all over her face. Tudwrig heaved a sigh. Of course. 'I see. Tell him that -' Angry footsteps interrupted him, and the haughty face of Rufus appeared behind Eiluned. 'I do not like to be kept waiting,' he said coldly. |
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| Marieke | 23 Sep 2011, 21:07 Post #4293 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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She had just taken a mouthful of wine, but it turned sour in her mouth as soon as she heard Rufus’ voice. Briallen quickly swallowed and looked around. Huh, the swagger was still there, but the Roman’s face seemed to have lost the smug look. ‘And you haven’t,’ she remarked coolly. |
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| Sonja | 23 Sep 2011, 21:17 Post #4294 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'Indeed not,' Rufus retorted, then said to Eiluned: 'You can leave now.' Tudwrig pressed his lips together, his forehead creasing. 'Thank you, lord Lentulus, but I think I know how to address my own servants,' he said in a voice just as cold as Rufus' had been. Eiluned gave him an exasperated look, but he shook his head and she left without saying a word. 'What do you want?' 'I'd like to clear up a matter that came to my attention this morning. Another murder, in fact. It's becoming a bit of a habit, isn't it?' It felt as if a clump of ice had appeared in his stomach. Tudwrig blinked stupidly up at the man. Did they find the body in Briallen's garden? He shoot his wife a quick glance. |
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| Marieke | 23 Sep 2011, 21:19 Post #4295 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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She tried to make sense of it, but the shock made it hard to think. Tudwrig looked as abashed as herself, but gods be good, what was it with this Roman and his murders? ‘We have no idea what you are talking about,’ she managed. ‘But your tone displeases me.’ |
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| Sonja | 23 Sep 2011, 21:26 Post #4296 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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He saw the glance the two exchanged and narrowed his eyes. 'There was a head. On a stake. I know your people enjoys spitroasts, but doesn't this go a little far, perhaps?' |
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| Marieke | 23 Sep 2011, 21:28 Post #4297 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘You are lying.’ She’d blurted it out before stopping herself. Briallen stood from her chair, facing him. He was still so much taller. ‘And you’re insulting us – again, lord Lentulus. There’s no need, as we already know exactly what your plans for this Vale are.’ |
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| Sonja | 23 Sep 2011, 21:32 Post #4298 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'Really?' Rufus sat down uninvited, leering at Briallen. Tudwrig looked as if he might explode any moment, which he thought was rather amusing. 'Do tell me why I would be lying about this. Or perhaps you want some proof? I can get the head in here quite easily, if you'd like.' |
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| Marieke | 23 Sep 2011, 21:34 Post #4299 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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Damn it! ‘Well, if that’s true, we thank you for reporting it.’ She looked at him coldly. At least she could look down on him now he was sitting. ‘That will be all, tribune?’ |
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| Sonja | 23 Sep 2011, 21:44 Post #4300 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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The cheek of that woman. It was high time he'd put both of them in their place. Rufus got up again, an ugly sneer on his face. 'For the moment. But don't worry, my lady, I'll be back before you have time to start missing me.' And with that, he strode out of the hall again. Only when the man's footsteps had abated was Tudwrig able to breathe easily. He'd been fighting to keep control, a red glare threatening to take him over as the Roman talked. 'I'm sorry,' he said to Briallen. It seemed to be the only thing he knew to say as of late. 'I could kill him,' he then added in a low growl. |
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| Marieke | 23 Sep 2011, 21:47 Post #4301 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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´I could do worse, and still not be satisfied,´ she hissed through clenched teeth. ‘Where’s he gone off to? Should we even wait for him?’ |
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| Sonja | 5 Oct 2011, 23:14 Post #4302 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'Let him stew in his own juices,' Tudwrig said with a frown, pulling his plate towards him. 'If he isn't back before I finish my food, his loss.' He'd show them. This was the point where he made it inescapably clear to anyone in this thrice-damned Vale that he wasn't the man to be messed with. Had this been anything like the underworld back in Rome, he'd have them taken care of already, just because he could. But he was here, in this tepid, dank country, and had to at least pretend he was playing by the rules. Rufus strode back to the Caer. He hadn't bothered covering the head up, simply dragging it with him by the hair. The few girl servants he came across in the hallway shrieked and hid themselves in adjacent rooms. Good girls. Get in his way, and suffer the consequences. He burst into the hall and saw that Briallen and Tudwrig were still there, plates of food only half finished. Perfect. A rather malicious grin appeared on Rufus face as he made his way to their table. Without saying a word, he lifted the head and put it smack dead in the middle of a nearly full platter of food. 'How is that for a lie, my lady Briallen?' he asked, his voice soft and sneering. 'Seems quite truthful to me. And look at that, the tongue is blue and the blood all dried and clotted around the stump of his neck - I couldn't have done this in the time I was gone just now, could I?' He put his hands on the edge of the table and leaned forward. 'Call me a liar again, my lady. Please. I do so enjoy it when you are - spirited.' |
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| Marieke | 6 Oct 2011, 11:05 Post #4303 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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Briallen had never fainted in her life, but now she felt odd. Her stomach twisted and churned; she had to press her lips together to avoid throwing up. He was right – the wretched man was right and the head was not fresh. The blue tongue stuck from his mouth like a butchered pig’s. Briallen found herself rising and staggering away from the table. Turn and run, a part of her urged. But I can’t leave Tudwrig. And she couldn’t even close her eyes, or avert them from that nightmarish thing between their plates. ‘Get it off.’ She wanted to shout it, command it, but it was hard enough to get some sound from her lips. ‘Get if off the table. Now.’ |
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| Sonja | 6 Oct 2011, 11:18 Post #4304 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'Oh my, I'm sorry, did I make you a little queasy, there?' Rufus sneered, not even thinking about answering to her feeble demand. He thought the head was quite where it belonged. Tudwrig had never felt so violently angry in his life before. The beast in him growled, urging him to slash his claws into the man's neck and watch the life bleed ouf of him. It was only with immense effort that he controlled himself. He got up, his back straight and stiff, his face cold. Enough was enough. 'I will not have you speak to my wife like that, Rufus,' he said, stressing the last syllable of the name so that it was nearly a hiss. The Roman leaned back, eyebrows pulled up high. 'Oh, really? You can will all you want, but I regret to inform you that I'm quite done putting up with the antics of you and your dear little wife, and your people, too. One of my men was murdered by one of you, and so help me the Gods, I will find out just exactly what's going on in this piss-hole you call a Vale.' Rufus put his hands on his hips, glowering at the two of them. |
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| Marieke | 6 Oct 2011, 11:26 Post #4305 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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She glanced at Tudwrig. What if he changed, now? What if she didn’t stop him? No, we can’t. He can’t. There are too many others here. Not to mention herself. She had stopped him once, but his two others wives had still died by his claws. ‘We aren’t the killers,’ she said, trying to keep her voice steady. ‘And you’ve gone too far.’ She plucked the head off the table, trying not to think about what she was touching, and flung it away, so that it rolled over the floor to his feet. |
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| Sonja | 11 Oct 2011, 14:49 Post #4306 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'I have gone too far?' Rufus barked a laugh. 'From the moment I set foot in this vale, you've been doing everything in your power to keep me from my duties. My predecessor has been murdered, another chieftain too, and now one of my men. How many skeletons are there in your closet, I wonder,' he sneered, knowing full well that there was another body in Briallen's garden. He wondered if they'd already found out. |
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| Marieke | 11 Oct 2011, 14:52 Post #4307 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘How many have you left behind in Rome?’ Briallen retorted. |
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| Sonja | 11 Oct 2011, 15:00 Post #4308 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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More than he could conveniently count, which meant at least a couple of hundred. 'Why are you so convinced I have?' he asked drily. 'Get out of my caer,' Tudwrig said in a voice that cost him much to keep calm. 'When you're done wildly accusing myself and my wife, you may request a new audience. I am still the authority here, never mind your Rome and your holier-than-thou attitude. And I'm quite done with your behaviour, lord Lentulus. Quite. Done.' |
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| Marieke | 11 Oct 2011, 15:34 Post #4309 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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Tudwrigs words made her heart swell with pride. She said nothing, just stared at the man as coldly as she could. |
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| Sonja | 25 Oct 2011, 21:15 Post #4310 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'Is that so?' Rufus asked in a voice that was not much more than a whisper. 'And yet, you're hardly if ever around to be bothered by my behaviour. What are you doing when "indisposed", Tudwrig? Off murdering innocent people?' That hit a sore spot, he could tell by the look in the other man's eyes. Good. If he could elicit a violent reaction from the man, he'd have every reason to lock him up. Rufus kicked the head up with his foot, catching it by the hair again. It was quite liberating to wave around with body parts, actually. Been a long time. 'As my wife and pretty much everyone in this Caer can tell you, I keep to my room,' Tudwrig said through gritted teeth. The man was pale and breathed heavily. Push him just a little further, Rufus thought. 'Perfect chieftain material, in other words,' he scoffed then, putting the head back on the table again. He thought it was rather becoming to the overal atmosphere. Rufus smirked. For a moment, he closed his eyes and tried to find back his calm. There was nothing more he'd like to do than have his fist connect with the Roman's jaw, but he was afraid he'd turn then and there if he did. And for the sake of the Vale, he should prevent that from happening. 'Sticks and stones, Marcus,' he retorted, using the man's first name to return the favour. 'If that's all you're worth, I'm not impressed. You can try to bait me all you like, unless you're giving me some solid evidence why this should in any way be my fault, I'll be happy to be of service. For now, though, get the hell out of my caer.' Something shifted in Rufus' expression, and Tudwrig suddenly got worried if he had gone too far. 'Oh, I'll get back to this matter, don't be afraid,' the man said in a tone Tudwrig did not like at all. Rufus, smirking, turned to Briallen and made a bow. 'Briallen. Enjoy the rest of your meal.' And with a pat on the severed head, he turned on his heel and stalked off. Little did that half-wit chieftain know he'd just played right into his hands. Not exactly how Rufus had planned it, but Tudwrig's final words had given him an idea that was delicious in its simplicity. |
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| Marieke | 25 Oct 2011, 21:24 Post #4311 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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For a while, Briallen just stared at the head on the table. This has to stop, she thought. And soon, before it was too late. She could feel Rufus’ closing in on them. Oh, he’d find a way to get back at them, that she believed beyond doubt. ‘Eiluned!’ she called. ‘Eiluned – we need this table cleared.’ Briallen licked her lips. ‘But keep the head. Stick it up on the entrance wall. Where the Roman can see it.’ |
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| Sonja | 25 Oct 2011, 21:50 Post #4312 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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They had made for Wayland's Smithy under the cover of darkness. Gwenllian had suggested it as the safest place they could probably be, and Rhywallon and Elgued had agreed. Rufus' men were sure to comb out the hills around the Vale, but she knew Roman soldiers were very superstitious and wouldn't think of searching the Smithy with its uncanny atmosphere. As she was scrubbing the bowls they had used for breakfast, she tried to think of a way to contact Briallen without giving themselves away. But no matter how long and hard she thought, she couldn't come up with anything. Chewing on her bottom lip she got up, put the bowls away and walked deeper into the Smithy. It seemed a lifetime ago that she and Briallen had gone down here, in search for answers to the questions the tapestries had posed. She touched her fingers to the stone, pensive. That song they'd heard, she idly wondered. What was the melody again? After a few attempts to hum, she remembered it and smiled a little. The first time she'd heard it, chills had run up and down her spine, but now there was something comforting, familiar about it. Gwenllian wandered on, still humming, until she couldn't hear Rhywallon and Elgued's low tones anymore. How could she possibly get a message through to Briallen? Perhaps she should just give an urchin a few coppers to take a note to the Caer, or perhaps something less obvious, like one of her hairs tied to the pebbles that littered the Smithy. Lost in thought as she was, Gwenllian at first didn't notice the movement. It looked for all the world like a rock wobbling in the current of an unseen stream. She only noticed it when it somehow sprung legs and waddles towards her. Her humming ceased immediately and she gazed wide-eyed at the apparition, too shocked to say anything. 'You need help,' it said in a tiny voice that sounded like two bricks rubbing against each other. Mutely, she nodded. 'We can give you help. Tell us - you can trust us. Your friend trusts us.' It took a while before Gwenllian calmed down, as her heart was hammering in her chest. Not with fear - somehow, this thing felt as comforting as humming the song had. 'I -' she started, and her voice got stuck in her throat. She took a breath. 'I need to get a message to my friend.' Instinctively, she knew the little thing had meant Briallen. 'I need to talk to her.' Her pleading look caused the face the small thing to crease into what she assumed was a smile. An ancient, faraway sort of smile. 'Go back to your kin and cease worrying,' it answered in a benign voice. 'Me and mine are looking after the way things should be.' 'Yes, yes of course,' Gwenllian answered, half-dazed. She blinked once, twice, and the creature was gone. Thoroughly shaken, but with a little glimmer of hope in her heart, she slowly walked back to Rhywallon and Elgued. |
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| Marieke | 25 Oct 2011, 22:11 Post #4313 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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It was late. Very late, Briallen assumed, considering the darkness outside her window. She had convinced Braegne to leave the shutters open. Spring was here, but the cold wind still swept inside her chamber, chilling her. Briallen turned her face to the night. It kept her awake. Sharp. She needed to think. There was a sound below. The crunching of footsteps over the flagstones of the courtyard? She peered down, but couldn’t see a thing. Probably nothing. Maybe a hare. There it was again! Something thudded softly against the wall, or so it seemed. She felt a sudden chill, that had nothing to do with the cold. If this is one of Rufus’ little plans, it won’t end well for him! She grabbed her robe, flung it around her as she pushed her feet into the soft leather shoes that she had taken with her from Shadow Well. And a dagger, she thought, grinding her teeth together. If someone was sneaking round her window, he’d learn just how much of a Siluri she was. Outside, the wind struck her like a whip lash. Briallen clenched the dagger between her cold fingers, squeezing her eyes against the darkness. Why was there nothing to see? She had good night sight. Someone had been there. Right there! The thing was small and hunched, but she had spotted and had it cornered against the wall. Arawn’s Dogs, that wasn’t a child, was it? No. She let the dagger slip from her hand. The thing was even smaller than a child and far from human. ‘You,’ she muttered. ‘What do you want of me?’ ‘To aid,’ the member of the Earth Kin replied. ‘Someone has trusted us. We bring you to her. Rapidly.’ ‘Who?’ Briallen asked, perplex. Her heart was suddenly beating as fervently as a woodpecker against a tree. ‘We must go, in the darkness, so you will be well hidden.’ ‘Yes, but – it’s the middle of the night.’ To walk about her own courtyard was one thing. But to follow this creature outside the caer? ‘Rapidly,’ it urged. ‘There are Romans all about –’ ‘Rapidly!’ ‘Fine.’ She picked up the dagger and left it unsheathed. ‘Lead the way.’ |
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| Sonja | 25 Oct 2011, 22:32 Post #4314 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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They had lit a tiny little fire, enough to see by but not so big it'd give them away. Gwenllian poked the glowing coals, raking them up to heat some water for tea. She'd felt a little under the weather the past few days, and a cup of herbal tea was sure to help. Rhywallon and Elgued were fast asleep behind her; she could hear them snore. Rhywallon, she rather thought. She was used to the sound of his breathing by now. There was not a doubt in her mind the strange little man from the rocks was really going to help her. But in what way she didn't quite yet know. Maybe she could write a message to Briallen, and give it to the creature when it returned? She wrapped her arms around herself and stared into the fire, willing it to heat up the water quickly. |
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| Marieke | 26 Oct 2011, 18:17 Post #4315 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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The hills were even darker than the courtyard, without a moon or the flicker of a candle to show her the way. Briallen flinched when she felt how wet everything was, rain and dew creeping up the hem of her skirt, making it stick to her ankles. ‘If the soldiers see me...’ ‘You hold the blade,’ the earthy voice told her. It almost sounded human and impatient. ‘Yes, but I can’t kill a Roman now,’ she muttered under her breath. ‘Much as I’d want to.’ She was relieved when they reached the cover of trees. There’s only Wayland’s Smithy up there, she realized. The Earth Kin belonged there, sure, but what friend could ever be waiting for her there? Nobody came down to the cairn. She froze when she caught the glow of a fire. It was small, nestled between the rocks that, like two outstretched arms, formed the entrance to Wayland’s Smithy. Romans? They couldn’t be here! That would be sacrilege. ‘What – ’ she began, whispering, but when she looked down, there was nothing but dead rock. ‘Curse this.’ She stepped closer. ‘Who is there?’ |
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| Sonja | 26 Oct 2011, 18:59 Post #4316 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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The sound of Briallen's familiar voice was one of the sweetest, if most unexpected, things she'd heard in a long, long time. Gwenllian scrambled to her feet and walked to the entrance, peeking out. Yes, there she was. The little stone man had certainly kept his promise! 'Briallen, it's me,' she said quietly, not wanting to wake Rhywallon or Elgued. 'Come inside before anyone sees you.' |
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| Marieke | 26 Oct 2011, 19:02 Post #4317 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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’Gwenllian? She pulled herself away from the shadows, into the small circle of firelight. It was her, alright. ‘What in Epona’s name…? You shouldn’t have come back. The Romans have gone feral.’ |
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| Sonja | 26 Oct 2011, 19:15 Post #4318 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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'We had to,' Gwenllian answered before embracing Briallen. Feral - before or after Rhywallon had issued his warning? 'Things - happened.' She let go of her and stepped back, swallowing the sudden lump that had wedged itself in her throat upon remembering Sulpicius. Though she'd wanted to talk to Briallen more than anything, right now she was at a loss of what to say. If she mentioned the Brotherhood, Rhywallon and Elgued might never forgive her. She knew neither of them really trusted Briallen as yet. Best to keep things at the surface for now. 'How are things here? How are you doing - and Tudwrig, have you found a cure?' |
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| Marieke | 26 Oct 2011, 19:19 Post #4319 |
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Lief! <3 (and powerful!)
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‘We…No, I didn’t. And there’s been so many things lately.’ She looked around. It was a clever hiding place. She wondered if the Romans actually knew the cairn was here. If they did, they probably wouldn’t come here, either from supersticious fear, or because they believed that the Dobunni themselves were too afraid to come out here. ‘Marcus Lentulus is beginning to be a real issue, to be honest. That’s how things are.’ |
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| Sonja | 26 Oct 2011, 19:27 Post #4320 |
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Red & dangerous! Rawr!
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Gwenllian bit on the inside of her cheek. There was a very real chance that the severed head had made things worse for Briallen and her husband. But if it had, wasn't that also a sign that Rhywallon's presence made the man so nervous he started making rash decisions. 'What's he doing?' she asked, feeling a little bad that she couldn't tell Briallen everything but wanting to get as much information as she could. |
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