New Alliances- The Governor's Visit

Early Morning- Two Weeks Later


The last two weeks have been a difficult time at Badon Hill- a series of unusual snow and sleet storms have hit the area and made the atmosphere gloomy and travel nearly impossible. Today, though, things seem to be looking up- the sky has finally cleared and the air is warmer, seeming to carry a promise of spring, though it is still chilly and drifts of snow remain against the buildings of the fort.

The fort is also abuzz with the latest news, which arrived only two days ago- it seems that despite the bad weather, the Governor of Northern Britannia, Septimus Aurelius Agrippa, has been continuing his tour of inspection as best he can, and is expected to arrive at Badon any time. For the military men, especially, this is a time of special preparation- everything must be in perfect readiness for the inspection. Men have been drilling, marching, cleaning the barracks, and polishing their equipment till it shines. The infirmary, stables, and kitchens, too, are expected to be in excellent order, and everyone has been pitching in to see that things are ready. The fort will need to accommodate many extra people as well- the Governor travels with his servants and members of his household, as well as three centuries of soldiers and their officers.




Please see THIS THREAD to read updates on particular characters, and to add your own!

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Alainia Ramas

It has been a nice yet slightly stressful two weeks for Alainia Ramas, formerly of Segedunum and now Camboglanna. She had arrived, knowing no one, and met a few nice and friendly people.

She had made friends and she hoped no enemies as she was a naturally curious young woman, and try as she might she couldn't withhold that part of her personality.

She was content with her life here. She had a nice little room in the Infirmary and she had good hours there and at Ione's store. She work from dawn to the mid hour at the Infirmary and after lunch with Ione, she worked with her till it started to grow dark.

She had made a nice little rooutine for herself, but one thing was bothering her. While she had been here for two weeks already, she had yet to sit down and really talk with Linnette, and she really wanted too.

Unfortunately, with the Governor of Northern Britannia, Septimus Aurelius Agrippa, continuing his tour of inspection of his realm, it was hard for anyone to really sit down and talk as they were all trying to make things a perfect as they can for his arrival and most likely his inspection.

Not to meantion, simply life had gotten in the way and they hadn't really had the time to talk more than simple things like 'hi' or 'how's the weather'?

She stretched as far as her toes would let her and sighed happily. It was time to wash, eat with a friend or a patient, and then get to work.

Governor Septimus Agrippa

"Hasn't Filippo reported in yet?" The Governor allowed irritation to creep into his voice as he accepted the cup of steaming tea from his aide. It had been a downright miserable trip, constantly interrupted by having to take shelter somewhere, anywhere, from the blinding, merciless snow. By God, it made it impossible to find one's way anywhere! Today, though it was still damned cold, it looked like clear weather and they were finally within an hour's travel of Badon Hill. All very good- except that the Governor's scout had not been seen anywhere.

Was it possible that he had been taken into the fort, or sought shelter there voluntarily during the blizzards? Considering the circumstances, Septimus wouldn't blame him in the slightest. He snorted fatalistically as he lifted the cup to his lips and took a small sip of the hot liquid. It was far too hot to drink any faster yet- but it warmed him, warmed his hands and his belly, and maybe just started to chase away some of the stiffness the cold brought on. Damn it. He was far too old for this kind of thing.

"Tell the others we wait another hour, then we move on. We've spent long enough out here as it is," Septimus concluded, hmmphing again into his cup. He pretended not to see the expression of relief that crossed his aide's face- but relief was an emotion he felt himself. Whatever they found at Badon Hill, whether treachery or no, it would be better than sleeping in a tent, even the luxurious tent given over to the Governor's use, in the cold of blasted winter. Septimus shivered, sipped at his tea again, and flexed stiff, painful fingers. He was definitely, definitely, far too old for this.

(ooc: putting Vanora in place with Uni's permission :lol:)


Linnette

Up to her wrists in a table-top-full of bread dough, Linnette studiously kneaded and punched and squashed at the pale mass, working it over the way it needed to be done- and yawning what seemed like every minute or two. By Mary, it was early- she didn't usually have to get up this early, but with two of the bakers gone today for different reasons (one was caring for a sick mother, the other for a new baby), someone had to pick up the slack- and Linnette and Vanora were now doing just that. For heaven's sake, it wasn't even light out yet. Linnette yawned hugely again, remembering how she had left Drake sleeping soundly on his mattress, a reversal of their usual order of getting up. It had made stirring all the harder, seeing him comfortably snoring away.

"How's Brigid doing?" she asked Vanora idly as her jaw realigned itself after the yawn. Her voice sounded sleepy, lazy even to herself, but she kept working steadily on the bread dough- the sooner it went into the oven, the sooner they could be done with this. And maybe then she could go lie down and snatch a little more rest.

Her stomach shifted and fluttered slightly, and she wondered again if she had eaten something that disagreed with her. It didn't feel precisely like digestive trouble- it was a good deal more subtle than that- but she remembered feeling flutters like that from time to time in the past couple of days. Ah well- she felt fine, it was probably nothing. Linnette yawned again as she folded and shaped dough, waiting for the no-doubt-equally sleepy Vanora to answer. Or maybe she wasn't as sleepy. Who knew how much the children kept her up at night- a fate which by midsummer, Linnette would be experiencing for herself.

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Caius Patreus

Damned miserable weather....

Caius stepped out of his tent, and wrapped his red cloak about himself to keep warm. How anyone could live in such a place was beyond him as all it seemed to do was rain, but still, Caius really had to just stop outside his tent and take in the splendor of the area. Rain, snow, or storms, Britain had a strong beauty that nothing seemed to mar. Even during the rain, it was still lovely. He had stayed up a better portion of the night, cleaning his uniform, armor, the trappings and such... all the way down to the Roman standard entrusted to his care.

Nearby, Osiris munched happily on a crop of rain spattered grass not really paying much attention to things going on about her. Caius had finished brushing her and making sure her trappings were in good condition and clean. He continued to receive messages from his mother, Olivia, the other day, and what she had to tell him, made him miss Rome... miss his father. He continued to deliver dispatches from Rome to Septimus..

Still holding the cloak about him, Caius looked over the sweeping landscape, then went off to...

"The Governor has stated that we shall wait here another hour before moving toward Badon Hill Fort," The aide's voice broke Caius's thoughts.

The young soldier turned to gaze at the man, "Osiris and I are ready for his command." He shivered from the damp cold that invaded his cloak and uniform. Caius decided to wait by his tent, and the aide went off leaving Caius with thoughts of Decima. Slowly, he turned and went back into his tent where the Roman Standard was already attached to the gold post for which it was made. His fingers reached out and touched the soft but sturdy fabric and thought of those he served.

Leaving his tent, Caius went to pay a visit to Septimus to receive any other orders the Governor may have had. Making his way to the Governor's tent, Caius knocked on the side, cautiously to make sure he was not interrupting anything....

Filippo

He had seen and heard the delegation arrive during the night, he had rode in to meet with them but when the time to present himself to the Governor has came he wasn’t sure what to tell the man. 
By now Septimus would be furious, Filippo wonder if he was also a little concerned for his scout, but he wasn’t sure about that. He was loyal to the Governor but he wasn’t stupid as to think the older man would care about his man. After all they were just that...men at his service.

He took his time to descend from the perch he was staying, a large branch of a solitary oak tree. Licking his lips he readied himself, mentally debating what to tell the Governor or what keep for himself to reveal after a more accurate study of the fort. After all he had just keep himself busy to watch and memorize everything that could have been useful for his master.
But how could he resist the impulse of play a little game? After all he was a joker everyone fool enough to be his friend knew that. And the Governor was way too serious for his taste.

Pulling his cloak well over himself and hiding his face into the soft material of his hood Filippo was ready to step in. Basically everyone watching him would see a simple hodden man walking in between them.

He grinned then approaching an official looking man he recognized as Caius. Steadily he walked down from the branch and with sure steps he reached the middle of the clearing where the camp was made.

He stood just a few feet away from the soldier and grinned to himself, since the man seems to be already going to where he was going, it was an excellent opportunity for him to have fun. If said soldier won’t slaughter him in the process that is... but truth was he didn’t care, he was just in need of a good laugh.

“My good man...” he said trying to muffle his voice “...can you tell the Gouvernor I’m here to see him?”


((OOC: feel free everyone to kick his butt..this eternally smiling scout is completely out of control. And Ione, I hope this is ok with you, feel free to make Caius react as he prefer ))

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Caius

Caius was still standing at the Governor's tent entrance when he heard the muffled voice behind him. Under other circumstances, Caius would have been irritated, but that he knew the voice. With his back still to the form with the voice, a wide grin appeared on the young Standard bearer's face. Turning away from the tent entrance, Caius slowly spun around to face the voice and saw Filippo standing behind him.

The young soldier's brow raised amused by the prank. The amused look was followed by a chuckle as he addressed the man in front of him, "Filippo, I would love to had you been miles from here, but since you are here, why don't you tell him yourself?" Caius laughed at his friend.

He knew Filippo ever since they had been recriuted together and had trained together back in Rome. They had become easy friends due to the fact that they both had the same humor and loved to laugh, and found it easy to talk to each other about things... not to mention sharing drinks over a good meal and talking of life and women and serving Rome. Laughing always broke up the seriousness of the duties Caius preformed. Stepping toward the scout, Caius said, "You know I could have kicked your arse if I had not been here in front of the Governor's tent?"

A sigh escaped the young man's lips. It had been a long time since the two had done a fun bout of wrestling, or combat sparring. The last time, Filippo had won simply because a lovely woman had come into Caius's view causing a major distraction.

It was almost time for a rematch.

But duty first.

"I have no doubt that Septimus would rather hear of the information you bring..."

Caius raised an eyebrow at Filippo in curiosity for her too wanted to hear what the scout had seen. In the back of his mind, thoughts of Decima, whom he had not seen yet today, passed through his mind like a ray of sunshine that seemed to be missing in the early morning...

(((ooc: I hope this works for you, hon. )))

Filippo

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He rolled his eyes and place his hands on either flank of his shaking his head. He had to admit it was a lame joke he should have muffled his voice more. His eyes barely visible from under his hood were sparkling with amusement.

He chuckled then and shook his head "Those are big words for a small mouth, my friend." he pulled his hood out of the way and grinned even more amused "I would have kicked your arse..." then he added "But why do you think I've waited for you to stand in front of..." he nodded toward the tent.

He snorted softly but his smile didn't leave his lips. He tried to peek into the tent to take a look at the governor but the flap were still down and he didn't have much visibility. "So..how is his mood? Do I have to fear for my head?"

He was still unsure about what to tell Septimus or keep for himself, they were close to the fort but still not enough for Filippo to feel safe in assuming everything by what he had seen and heard.
He had seen Arthur walking around the fort, his knights as well, and the traders. He shook his head then those could be woads underguise that were coming into Badon to plan with his commander.

But one thing at time for now he would tell of the encounter the First knight had made with a woad, the words exchanged and about the general going of the fort. He would study more the people once there and he would ask also Septimus to be able to keep studying the people there.

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Caius

Caius really had to hand it to Fillipo. As humorous as the scout was, Caius did not think he'd have become as talented a scout as his friend. Fillipo had a way of seeking out what ever information needed to be gotten that was sometimes almost scary. To Caius, that was real talent. However, now, as Fillipo pulled back the hood of his cloak, Caius could see the mixture of both scout and friend rolled into one.

It was good to see him, and to hear the jest in Fillipo's voice. Because Caius's father expected so much of him when he got recruited, Caius allowed himself little time to have a social life of any sort or to gain any sort of humor and such. It was all work and no play for him, so it was a good thing he and Fillipo had become friends. Since hanging around the scout, Caius had been working on that sense of humor, but the art so far had escaped him...

Caius's eyes brimmed with amusement at the slight jest, and continued to laugh as the scout continued. There was an infamous chuckle that made Caius raise the eyebrow and look mockingly serious at his comrade...

The smile suddenly vanished from Caius's young face. Reaching out, he placed a hand on the scout's shoulder, "My friend, today, I would not be much of an opponent. I am sure you could beat me soundly...." He left his voice trail off. Decima had been on his mind now for a long time, but just as a brother to a sister. Now, those innocent feelings were turning into something Cai has never allowed himself to feel. He turned his back to Fillipo and tried to find a way to confide in his friend. Would the scout even understand? But then, they were friends and told each other confidential things all the time.

The scout's voice broke Caius's thoughts and the young soldier turned back to face Fillipo.....

Caius allowed himself a small chuckle, his dark eyes glimmering, "Well, if you tell him what he wants to know, then you will have no fear of losing your head, my friend." He, now, tried to hide the thoughts of Decima that had slowly crossed his face a second ago, but young Patreus had felt that the scout, being as good at his craft as he was, had already seen the perplexing set of emotions that had passed over the young features.....

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Ione

The young weaver awoke with the dull morning, and pulled herself out of bed, washed, dressed, then made sure she looked presentable, letting her long waist length hair hang loosely about her shoulders. Pulling on her dark brown cloak, Ione stepped out into the damp gray morning, and, making sure the shop was locked, started out for her daily morning walk taking in the cool moist air as she did. She did not walk fast, but at a nice, easy pace. Inside her, the baby, who, it seemed, had not slept all night, was moving about within her.

Ione had to smile, for she knew that the time for her delivery was soon.... how soon, she was never sure, but it was soon. Slowly, and enjoying just being outdoors, Ione made her way to the tavern to grab a bite to eat. As she went, she tried to think of what sounded good to her: oatcakes and honey? or scrambled eggs, sweet cakes and ale? Pickles? Pickled vegetables? Entering the tavern, Ione made her way over to a seat by the window and looked out over the courtyard. Perhaps, she'd see Titrus today....

She sighed heavily. Who in the hell was she kidding anyway? The fact that she had not seen him since the fight in the tavern, Ione began to wonder if he just cared not to see her any more... seeing her as a burden. She placed her order with the wench who offered to take it for her: eggs, a ration of meat and milk with hot tea. While she waited for her order, Ione was left with time to think.

What would today bring besides the arrival of the Governor Septimus?

(((ooc: anyone care to join Ione is more than welcome to do so :) )))

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Brigit

She knew it was morning for she heard the birds singing in the bush outside her bedroom window. She had no real way of telling if it was cloudy or sunny, but only the rays which she could not see warmed her body. Carefully, Brigit arose from her bed and stood, her arms slightly out in front of her to feel the way to her wash basin. The nuns who had taken her in had arranged her room in such a way so that she'd know where things were: Wash basin and pitcher against the far wall next to her bed, her clothing trunk was next to that, and a chair and table were at the foot of her bed. It had been hard, at first, to learn where things were, but after two years so far, she was getting pretty use to the placement of things. The nuns had been very earnest in the way things were in her room: there was nothing to be lying in the middle of the floor, or somewhere that she could trip over it.

Brigit made it to the wash basin, and felt around lightly for the handle of the pitcher which she found, and grasping it firmly, poured water into the basin which her other hand had been busy feeling for. After washing, Brigit made her way to the trunk and felt around for the handle to lift the lid, but then stopped as she felt fabric under her searching fingers. Frowning, Brigit felt for the design carefully, but found none.

A plain cream colored dress. Brigit picked it up, felt for the ties in the front of it to let her know that it was the front of the dress, and slipped it over her head. Feeling around again, the young girl's fingers came in contact with another fabric, and this one had a design on it that she could feel. The width of the fabric told her that this must be the belt, and brought it around her waist to tie in the front. Usually the nuns would let her know if she had tied it wrong for which she was grateful as she did not want to appear a slob.

Reaching toward the wall off to the side, Brigit felt for her "walking stick" which a carpenter at the fort had made for her, so that she could "feel" objects in her path. Holding the stick in front of her, Brigit found her way to the door, and she could tell it was the door because when she hit it with her stick, she could hear the lock rattle. Opening it, Brigit felt a gentle hand rest on her arm, then the feel of an arm linking to hers.

"Good morn, Brigit. Did ye sleep well?"

"Aye, I did, Sister. Thank you," There was a pause, then. "Did you sleep well?" Brigit could smell eggs, bacon, and porridge.

The nun helped her into the eating room and they were greeted by soft 'good mornings' while the nun helped Brigit to sit down at the table. As the nuns said their morning prayers, Brigit said a prayer silently to herself: A prayer for the day, for life, for giving her people who cared for her without complaint though she knew she must be a burden at times. Generally feeling happy, Brigit wondered who she'd get to meet today, and what adventures lie ahead what with the Governor's arrival.

After breakfast and cleaning of the eating areas, Brigit took up her walking stick and went out to go for a walk with one of the nuns. As they left the convent, Brigit smelled the dampness in the air, but also something else...

Flowers? Could it be that there were signs of Spring in the air?

She and the nun headed toward the markets to see if anything was opened yet....

(((ooc: This is Brigit's first post, so if anyone wants to meet her, they are welcome to do so. I have not thought of a name for the nun who is helping her, so if anyone thinks of a name, feel free to give her one :) )))

Septimus

There were voices outside his tent- a general mutter and murmur of the camp beginning to stir- but the Governor paid relatively little attention to them at first, instead sipping at his tea and letting that wake him up as he pored- once again- over the dispatches that Amadeus Scipio had sent him concerning Arthur Castus. It was troubling- too troubling to leave alone, and in these days with too much snow and nowhere to go, it had been worrying at him even more than it normally would have. Septimus almost had the relevant dispatches memorized by now- but that didn’t prevent him from unrolling the parchment and reading it over again. Things with the Woads were precarious enough as they were, and the Saxons might well threaten again soon- to have one of his Commanders go over to the enemy might well be disastrous. This had to be nipped in the bud, and the Governor was just grateful that the snow that had stalled his own travel for days had no doubt done likewise to the inhabitants of Badon and to the Woads alike. He might not have been able to get much of anything done- but no one had, probably.

A couple of slightly louder voices, very close to the flap of his tent, caught the Governor’s ear and he raised his head to listen. Caius, and…Filippo. Blast the scout, hanging about outside his tent chatting when he ought to be in here giving his report smartly. Septimus rolled his eyes in annoyance, creaked to his feet, and crossed over to the tent flap, cup in hand.

“Filippo!” Septimus tugged back the tent flap, which snapped sharply as the wind caught it. The Governor yanked it back again bad-temperedly, glaring at the scout even though it wasn’t his fault.

“Damn…Filippo, I’m sure you don’t want to stand out there all morning- get in here and make your report so we can move out. Roughing it in the field is no longer my idea of an exciting time.” He knew he sounded terribly crotchety, but he didn’t care- he just wanted to get back to civilization already. Why, oh, why, couldn’t he have been made governor of…say, Greece, Egypt, Spain? Somewhere with a pleasant climate, not this God-forsaken one.

Vanora

It was still dark...
Gods! It was still dark and Vanora was up. Up before she could even sleep long enough to be ready for new day, for work. She had left Bors in their still warm bed reluctantly. She wasn't sleeping well for couple of weeks. Her daughter, Brigid was injured and sometimes she cried in the night, cause her wrist was hurting and wanted her mummy to hold her or tell her that everything was alright.
Vanora was tired of it, but pantietly ignored that tiredness, untill Bridig became more calm about the injury. And Vanora was able to sleep whole night day ago. One night of sleep for couple of weeks. And now when the taver wasn't so busy and she could sleep a little or just take her own time with Bors she had to get up and bake some bread.
It was good that Linnette agreeded to help her. Even if Vanora wasn't sure if she should. She was pregnant after all and should rest when she still had time for it.

She watched her lover in the early morning... and regreted that she had to get up. They could spend some time together in the morning. She missed that. But it was her duty to get up in this morning.

She looked from her work at Linnette and half-smiled as the woman yawned sleeply. Vanora was sleepy for sure, but she learnt long time ago not to show it.

Vanora puffed out a breath and looked at her hands while she worked.

"She's better..." he answered. "Thank the gods! Cause I don't have any strenght to explain her that her wrist will be better in no time!"

She laughed a little at it and looked back at Linnette judging her a little. If she was doing fine? How was her life right now looking? They both had no time in those weeks to talk together. And Vanora was just curious and worried a little about her. She considered her a good friend and a fragile woman who needed more warmth, specially now with Gedeon lost.

"Thanks for asking." she added. "And how are you doing lately? We didn't have time to talk..."

She cleared her throat.

"Everything's alright there?" she asked and she meant her curient situation in overall. She was just worried.

Centurion Quintus

Quintus tugged the tavern door open and strode inside the big room, whistling a few tuneless notes as he made his way across the floor. The place was nearly empty, it was so early yet- in fact, he couldn’t even smell the day’s bread baking yet. However, if he could just have a hunk of yesterday’s leftovers and a bit of cheese he’d be happy- or at any rate, ready to continue supervising the cleaning of the barracks, storehouses, and weapons supplies.

He was halfway to the counter when he realized that someone else was sitting at one of the tables not too far away- it was that woman, Ione, the weaver, and the one that he and Titrus had taken to the infirmary when she was struck with that…miscarriage or whatever it had been. She looked a little bit down- or maybe just tired- but her stomach was big and round- apparently she was still pregnant.

“’Lo,” the Centurion greeted her, shortly but cheerfully as he passed by.



(ooc: I swear, this must be the shortest dialogue in a post ever :sad: )

Linnette

“Oh, well…yes.” Linnette dropped her gaze pensively to the table-full of bread dough and continued kneading, for a moment while she gathered her thoughts. It was clear what Vanora was not saying- what “there” meant. It had to be her living situation she was asking about-what else? Linnette had meant to talk to Vanora for the longest time, but what with Brigid’s injury and just general…things…they hadn’t had more than a few minutes of conversation since the evening that Linnette had tried to set Drake up with Neeve and ended up sobbing to Vanora that she thought she was in love with him. An awkward note to end on, really.

“We…I mean…we haven’t done anything,” Linnette exclaimed suddenly and emphatically, looking up at Vanora again with a silent plea for understanding. Everyone assumed she and Drake were sleeping together, of course. That had been the intent, so other than a brief word to Linnesse, Linnette had not bothered to disabuse anyone of the idea they carefully did not articulate- to her face. But the truth was- they weren’t doing anything. Not like that. They slept separately, and Drake had even put up a screen salvaged from somewhere to give them more privacy. Linnette, in fact, guarded her modesty around him very carefully, never changing when he was in the room, screen or no. So far, it had worked all right.

“We…” again Linnette was at a loss for words. We’re faking? It’s not real? We just did it so he wouldn’t get tossed in jail for a misunderstanding? All of those were things she could say- had said, in confidence, to Linnesse many days ago. But…right now, sleepy enough that her defenses were maybe a little down, looking across the table into Vanora’s face- Linnette couldn’t bring herself to say any of that.

Because it wasn’t true.

“…I don’t know,” she concluded uncertainly, frowning down at the dough.

Donnchadh:

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"Oh hush you crabby old hag!" Donnchadh muttered under his breath, sitting on the edge of the bed and shushing away the frowny, overbearing nun who was trying to tell him in her own quiet little way that he aught not to be up and around yet. Neeve was nowhere to be seen right now and so he would take advantage of that time to get out of the bed and get some air. Fresh air. Today, he was determined, he would go out that door and take a gulp of unhindered, spring-time air into his lungs and he would feel the better for it, he told himself. Assuming he didn't fall flat on his face in the meantime. The weeks had been kinder to him than he had a right to. Oh wounded he still was! But he had been told, rather serenely, that he was no longer dying. Though he knew himself that it had been touch and go for a while. He still hurt but the bodily pains he suffered were surmountable. The rest was not so easy to tackle.

In the two weeks that have passed he has recalled nothing of his past. Nothing beyond waking up in the infirmary and seeing the blonde healer, the red headed healer and then Neeve. Few of the healers bothered to come close to him - his growling retorts making him an intractable and insufferable patient, but a few tried. Bless their hearts.

Deep, black eyes looked out from behind the wilting strands of his lank, dark hair. Donnchadh bared his teeth as he heaved himself to stand and wobbled for a second or two, arms outstretched as his head came around to the elevation of standing. The weeks spent in bed had slackened some of his brawn. He hardly looked scrawny for he was built like a house before, but he noticed it in himself and he did not like it. He could not say why he did not like it but when he had noticed it he had felt... at risk. He knew he aught to be stronger, that he had to be stronger. For survival. Strange feelings... as strange as the dreams that plagued him.

Shuffling forward, Donnchadh threw back his head, setting his firm jaw proudly and stared fixedly on the window beside the door of the infirmary. A healer scuttled around in front of him attending to naother patient and Donnchadh's eyes watched her flitter, glaring at her, daring her to get in his way. His head did not move, merely his eyes catching her movement and his lips moved in quiet growlings at her. The window was just there...
The stranger reached out an oversized hand and placed it on the windowsill, heaving a relieved breath as he rested his shoulder against the door, a light sheen of sweat across his forehead. Frowning, he tilted to the side to look at teh door only a few inches away though it looked miles to his tired bones.
Puffing out his cheeks, he started forward once more, weakly reaching out a hand to teh door-handle. A healer came tottering up towards him and he stoppe, briefly, to point a warning finger at her, turning the full force of his heated black eyes upon her, not truly seeing her for she looked like a door to his addled eyes -

"Don't fucking start woman! I am going out and that is final!" he declared roughly, though he did not shout the words.

((ooc: if you want that to be Alania or for her to be elsewhere overseeing what is going on, go for it!))

Arthur:

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Morning?
Already?

Grey blotted the black sky outside the window. Arthur had only noticed because the candle had guttered out and he had been able to continue the figures in the narrow column on the parchment he had before him. He looked up, eyes rimmed with sleepy redness and he blinked owlishly at the brightening sky and slumped back in his chair, rubbing his bearded jaw sullenly. It was days now, days or maybe hours before the Governor would arrive and even if he had had another week Arthur would still not be ready for his arrival. The fortress had suffered immensely, structurally, during hte last woad attack. Housing three centuries of soldiers was going to strain the resources of Badon Hill and put undue pressure on all involved. Arthur licked his dry lips and rose from his chair ,reaching a hand forth for the goblet that sat cold on his desk. It had been filled with mulled wine but it was cold now, long cold. The pewter was polished to a sheen and as Arthur lifted it to his lips it glinted faintly as the first rays of light began to creep through the retreating storm clouds.

Today would be a finer day than they had seen in a long, long time.

The Commander walked to the window sill and sat on the edge of it, the goblet, half empty now, resting against the inside of his knee as he turned his head and looked out the window at the withered landscape. Oh for it to be summer! For it to be warm and for there to be some new growth on the trees... for there to be the possibility of riding out and not freezing half to death! Arthur snorted in wry amusement. Even if it were warm and dry and humane out of doors, he still had far too much work indoors to keep him out of it regardless. Glancing down at his knee, the Roman swirled the wine in the goblet and downed the last of it, grimacing at the bitter tang that it left on his tongue. He rested his wrist against his knee once more and looked out the window, his eyelids heavy. Each blink was taking longer and longer, the effort of opening his eyes becoming harder and harder. The world and all it's troubles could wait five minutes for him to get a bit of sleep. Just five minutes.

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Ione

Well, someone sounds happy this morning....

The door to the tavern had opened and shut, then the sounds of cheery whistling filled the room, and lifted Ione's spirits.

She looked up from her breakfast of eggs, bacon and tea with milk, and met the gaze of the Centurion Quintus. She recalled him from the night he and Titrus had rescued her from miscarrying in the middle of the courtyard, and had taken her to the infirmary. She smiled warmly at the Roman as he passed her table.

"Good Morning to you as well, Centurion Quintus," Ione gestured to a chair at her table hoping he'd join her for some conversation and a meal. "Would you care to join me?" Besides, the man could use a rest no doubt as busy as she suspected him of being.

Ione had thought that Titrus would join her, but she knew Quintus as well, and since she never really got to talk to the man, she thought now would be a great time to just share a good talk and a meal. "I had hoped to see Titrus today. Is he alright? I have not seen him in a long time." She took a drink of her tea and remained holding the mug between her hands, cocking her head to one side. "Well, perhaps he is just busy like the rest of us getting ready for the Governor's visit and all...." Her voice drifted off.

There was a feeling in the air... that fresh clean air smell after a good rain.

Spring would no doubt be here soon, and with it, the promise of new changes in her life.

((ooc: Alainia will take him on!! LOL))

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Alainia serenely walked through the corridors and into the main Infirmary Hall and smiled. There right before her was a window that showed Spring was finally, FINALLY upon them!

Not only did that mean travel was now available; it also meant that food stuffs, new cargo, and new inventory would soon be arriving!

Not that she was naive enough to think that they would be arriving within the next week, but they would be arriving soon enough for Mother Lavinia, to perhaps, let her stringent hold of the inventory lax just a tiny bit.

She glanced around the ward and withheld a grimace. There were still plenty a bed, and a full Infirmary lead to more questions which would inevitably add on to Commander Castus' already full schedule.

She greeted a few of the lower ranking nuns softly and demurely and they in turned replied back to her. She liked them well enough, but they made for dry and sometimes positively boring conversations.

As she walked down the middle walkway, she greeted the awakening patients with a smile and a warm yet cheerfuly, "Good morning!"

As she reached their unnamed patient whom Neeve had dealt quite wonderously with, she frowned lightly at the dark man. He was struggling to stand up, yet he seemed to not want any help.

As she got closer, she had to withhold a giggle at his growls and glares at the other nuns.

She got closer as he stood up under his own power and seemed to be drawn to the window as she had been upon her entering.

Then he turned to her,

Alainia raised her hands in a calming manner and said firmly, "And I won't be stopping you, but don't you think you'd make it under your own strenght better if you had some food in you?"

She had delt with enough men like him to know that only a stronger, bigger man than him would stop him. Plus, she was a firm believer in spiriual healing as well as physical healing. If a person was locked within a place they did not want, they hamred themselves more than help themselves trying to get OUT. At least with her with him, she could possibly get him to stay close to the Infirmary. His eyes were glassy and had a slightly dazed glint about them, he wouldn't be going far anyways...

As she placed a confident hand on his forearm, she said, "Come, you'll feel stronger with some bread and cheese and some cool water in your belly."

<<Edited slightly>>

Decima:

Decima had been up for over two hours already. She was, much to the irritation of her servants, a morning person. She enjoyed being up early and getting started in her work. Not, she reflected with a small sigh, that she had anything to do on this journey.

When she wasn't half frozen she was bored to tears with the dullness of the trip. She had had almost nothing to do. Even the work she had to put into keeping up the appearance of a dull, bored Roman lady was losing it's entertainment value. She knew the area they were in quite well and if they got enough of a start they would reach the fort in good time.

So she bundled herself up and went outside the tent to check the weather. The tent she shared with her servants was pitched next to the governor's. Several people were gathered near the tent. She recognized Caius and Filippo.

Before she could greet them, the flap of the governor's tent opened and Septimus, barked for the scout to enter the tent. Septimus was grumpier than normal -- this trip to Badon was not for pleasure and the dreadful weather they had encountered hadn't helped his mood in the least.

Decima wrapped her cloak around her a little more and looked up at the sky, attempting to see if there was anything good happening in the weather.

Edited a few mispelled words. >.<

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Brendyn

Gods what a night!

He had spent a portion of it shining his armor, cleaning his uniform as well as his quarters, and then getting a reasonably good amount of sleep. Now, it was dawn, and it was time to start his day, and there was plenty still to do before the arrival of the Governor and his train. Brendyn had never met Governor Septimus Agrippa, but he had heard much of the man from those higher up in rank. As he got up, washed and dressed in his formal uniform, and donned his cloak, the young soldier wondered what could bring someone as important as the Governor to Badon Hill.

Could he be a long time friend of Arthur's? Or perhaps it was just one in a long line of routine inspections of all of the forts along Hadrian's wall... Or perhaps this Septimus had heard of the great job Arthur was doing and was sending news of a promotion for the Commander.

Brendyn checked himself in the small mirror making sure that he looked his best before leaving to see to his duties as well as help in any way he could in whatever else had to be done. Leaving his quarters, Brendyn's boots rang down the hall as he made his way to the courtyard. Before anything else, he wanted to get a bit of something for a small headache he had gotten up with. Not a good day to have one at that. He made his way up the stairs to the doors of the infirmary, opened the doors, stepped inside and closed them behind him. It was only a very small headache, but an annoying one that he did not feel like dealing with today. He stood and scanned the room full of beds, some with ill or injured patients, and it was then that he spotted a young healer (Alainia) trying to help a seemingly difficult patient....

"May I help you young man?"

Brendyn turned to see an elderly nun looking up at him with bright blue eyes.

"I came to see about getting something or other for a small annoying headache I got up with...."

As he and the nun conversed. then she scurrying off to get him some herbs that would help, Brendyn was left to take a glance once more over at the lovely young healer on the other side of the room. Did he know her from somewhere else?

Odd, but she did look familiar.

But, then, lately to Brendyn, every woman looked familiar in some way or other...

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Caius

Caius would have snickered at the way Septimus sounded. He recalled his uncle, a man he had seen little of, but some of the mans more memorable qualities was that he'd become so agitated with things that Caius's name would come up five or six times in the middle of his uncle's rants. Sometimes those rants were due to some disagreement with a merchant for which he'd call Caius to come and smooth things over with the merchant. Well, in this case, Septimus had only said Fillipo's name twice, but close enough. He laughed inwardly though his face revealed none of that.

He was about to divulge the problem that had been plaguing his mind... well not a problem really, but rather the oddly wonderful feelings he had been feeling of late: Those innocent feelings for Decima that had mutated into something he had never allowed himself to feel, to his friend when a voice that sounded less than cheery sounded from behind them, and Ciaus whirled around to see the none too happy expression on Governor Septimus's face. As well trained as he was, Caius gave the Governor a salute, then cast a glance over at Fillipo who had not said anything yet.

It was then, at the angle he was standing, that Caius caught a glimpse of Decima stepping out of her tent, it looked like, to enjoy the morning air. At the angle he stood, he didn't need to move his head to look at her, for while he was looking at Septimus's cloudy face, Caius could also see the bright sunshine that was Decima. As well trained as he was, to anyone standing about, the Standard bearer's attention was wholly on the Governor and the Scout. Well, all he had really wanted to see the Governor about was any extra duties he may have had, as well as to give greetings from Rome. None of that, he felt, was as important as what Fillipo had to tell Septimus. As a matter of fact, what the Scout had to report, any information at all whether small or grand, was important to this mission Caius gathered.

Bowing in respect to Governor Septimus, Caius Patreus stepped aside to allow Fillipo entrance to the tent which he had stood in front of only seconds ago. The direction he stepped was closer to the tent next to Septimus's, but that was only natural as the Governor was standing on the other side holding the flap of his tent open, and Caius did not want to stand in the Governor's way...

Vanora

Vanora regarded the younger woman for a longer moment while her hands were strongly kneading the bread dough. It was so early in the morning and they had to work already. This was so unfair... But work was work. IT had to be done.
Linnette seemed unsure like somebody heavy lingered in the back of her mind. Vanora frowned lightly at her words and just waited for her to say something more. Cause Vanora was very sure Linnette had something else to say further.

For a moment Vanora's hands stopped as she looked up at her friend with worry all over her face. Well Vanora had heard the rumors about her and Drake as Linnette moved to his room. People talked - too much in Vanora's opinion. She was not that kind of person who especially liked somebody gossiping. She just listened and said her judgment if neccessary or just stayed silent about whole matter.
In Linnette's and Drake's matter Vanora kept herself silent. She still remembered the talk both she and Linnette had that evening when Vanora broke most tavern's tablewere... when Linnette told her while crying that she might be in love with Drake.
Vanora nodded her head as pleading eyes of younger woman went to her. The red-head sighed a little and half-smiled. She will not think wrong of Linnette if there was indeed something between her and the roman officer. In fact Vanora was known from her freely conviction about relationship. She herself was loyal to Bors, because she loved him truly... But if he would be gone... she will well... probably find somebody on his place. That thought right now made her sad. She didn't want anybody else than Bors... And the thought that she might lose him was heartbraking and it showed on her features.

"You know..." he spoke up after a longer moment supressing a yawn. "..it's good to see that somebody is taking care of you. I see how he walks you home in the evenings. It's sweet of him to be there for you.."

She smiled a little and looked up at Linnette, waiting for her reaction.

Then she fell silent for a longer moment wondering what should she tell her and what she should not. But decided to go on the topic not so hard for her.. or rather Vanora thought it wouldn't be so hard.

"I spoked with Dagonet lately. He looks better. Have you seen him?"

She bumped into the tall knight few days ago in the courtyard and in fact he looked better than few weeks ago. Vanora had intention to ask what he feels about Linnette and Drake living together, but she did not in result. It was not her matter to ask this of him. She just hoped he was okey with it. Drake really seemed to take good care of Linnette.

Tristan

His hands braced on the windowsill of his room, Tristan leaned out into the predawn gloom, craning his neck to look at the sky. The air was chill on his bare torso, but the sky looked promising- it was clearer than he had seen it in days, and there was a softness to it that suggested a warming trend. Finally! Maybe he could go hunting today- get some fresh air, outside of the walls. Tristan ducked back inside, leaving the shutter cracked for a bit of a breeze, and crossed back over to the bed, where Catherine lay, sleeping sweetly. That fact- that Catherine was sleeping in his bed- never failed to give Tristan a bit of a start of surprise, despite having happened several times. He always had to remind himself that he was all right with this, that he had asked her to stay- and that she had never yet showed any sign of crossing the boundaries he didn’t want crossed. Not that he had given her a chance- she was never alone here. He had given her strict instructions on that.

Tristan tossed himself down on the edge of the bed, nudging Catherine over just slightly with his hip, and reached for his tunic, which was crumpled up somewhere down at the foot of the bed. Damn, this was almost domestic. Good thing he was paying her. Paying her quite a lot.

“Cath.” Pulling his tunic down with one hand, Tristan reached out to gently shake Catherine’s shoulder with the other. He didn’t necessarily like to wake her abruptly, but he was feeling the itch to be outside, growing exponentially with each passing second, and she had to be out of the room when he did. That was just the way it was.

Quintus

“Ah…maybe for a minute…lots to do…” Quintus answered noncommittally, as he continued on to the counter, though he flashed her a smile along the way. She didn’t seem like she’d be unpleasant company, but his head was still swirling with all the things he and his squad still had to do to be absolutely sure they were ready for inspection. He really didn’t have time to sit and chat. At the counter, he turned his attention to the serving girl, and indicated some bread and cheese, wrapped up to take with him. As she handed his requirements over and he turned away from the counter, though, Ione spoke again- words that caught Quintus’s attention a little more.

“Oh...er…you didn’t know?” Frowning as he tucked the wrapped package under his arm, Quintus crossed back to Ione’s table and looked down at her concernedly. No- apparently she didn’t. His frown deepening, Quintus pulled out the chair across from Ione and sat down on the edge of it, so that he was not looking so far down at her.

“The Lieutenant’s not posted here anymore…he got transferred just before it started snowing all to hell.” Quintus paused, suffused by the uneasy feeling that he had just delivered some very bad news. He had totally forgotten about it, but yeah…hadn’t Titrus gone back to see Ione in the couple of days after her mishap, when she was still in the infirmary? He had gone back several times, Quintus had the vague impression, even though he hadn’t needed to at all. Ah, fuck, had he just had the misfortune to tell Ione that her new man had left the fort without even telling her?

“Damn- ‘m sorry,” he muttered uneasily, avoiding Ione’s gaze now.

Linnette

“It is, isn’t it?” Linnette murmured in pleased agreement despite herself, as her gaze once more dropped down to the bread dough, not quite hiding an inadvertent girlish smile of memory. It was something she hadn’t really expected, but yes- ever since the, er…fateful day, Drake had walked her home every evening, with the only exceptions being a couple days on which he was directing some sort of night training exercise. It was almost the only time they saw each other outside the room itself- but Drake kept the appointment scrupulously, and then just as scrupulously “took a walk” as soon as he had delivered her to their quarters so that she would be able to change for bed in privacy. He usually came back with firewood, too. Sweet was precisely the word for it, and it was both gratifying and a little embarrassing that Vanora had noticed. Linnette felt her stomach give another little flutter as she reached for a knife, ready to start cutting the dough into chunks suitable for loaves. Nerves? Now that was silly.

“Yes…” Linnette shrugged regretfully, now meeting Vanora’s eyes again as she moved down to one end of the table and began to cut and set aside loaf-sized chunks.

“I try to stop by, but…I guess I don’t stay long. It seems to…remind him.” Linnette shook her head sadly and blew out a sigh. Between the loss of Gedeon and his physical injuries, Dagonet was still not himself or anywhere near it.

“I want him to be able to enjoy his grandchild…I thought that would be a comfort, at least, but…it just seems to make things worse. I don’t know what to do,” Linnette exclaimed as she continued to work her way down her side of the table cutting out loaves, as her stomach fluttered in time with the surge of emotion.

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Ione

Her dark eyes followed the Centurion to the counter where he was picking up his morning meal that had been wrapped so that he could take it with him. She was hopeful that he had news of the Lieutenant's whereabouts, or at least that he was alright. Ione had known Titrus and his wife and their daughters since she had come to own the shop, and a little before. When his wife died suddenly, he had come to her seeking comfort of a friend. Something, they had both felt, had grown between them, and Ione had become very happy with the knowledge that she had finally found someone who'd love her and was willing to care for her child though it was never his. As as Quintus tucked his packaged meal under his arm, he answered her inquiry of Titrus as he turned from the counter to face her.

His answer was not what she had expected....

The smile vanished, and the world seemed to blur as a single tear ran down her cheek.

"I-- Titrus--- he--- he's gone then," As the weaver stammered over the words, the mug she held slipped from her hand and crashed to the table. Ione felt cold and in shock. Confused as to why a man who had told her that he loved her, had left without a word. Her lips moved as though she really wanted to say something more, but the words would not come as more tears, tears of sadness, and a mixture of emotions flooded into her soul.

''Th--thank you, Quintus....It--s not your fault..." Ione looked down at the shattered mug that had once been in her hand, the liquid seeping into the wood of the table. She did not want to cry in front of the Centurion, and she tried to look brave about it all. The one thing his news had brought her was the resolve to remain single and raise the child on her own. She was sure, now, that she was detined to be alone. She was damned tired of being promised love and happiness only to have it fade like so many other dreams she had had.

Another tear fell adding itself to the liquid on the table.

She brought her hand up and brushed another tear from her cheek.

"I-- I loved--- him so very --- much....." the sob mingled with her words as she raised her eyes to meet Quintus's. "more than anyone.... he told--me that he--- he loved me..." The Centurion was now sitting across from her, and it comforted her to know that he was concerned. She felt numb and incapable of speech, like her whole world was now a shambles about her. Her only happiness now was the one she was carrying. Brushing back another tear, the sob still caught in her throat, IOne found that the good conversation she had planned to have with Quintus had now become one of not knowing really what to say, or even how to say it. Noticing that he had turned his head to avoid her gaze, the young weaver finally spoke, softly, "There is nothing for you to feel sorry for, my friend."

Her arms folded on the table, and she brought her head down in an attempt to muffle to sounds of her heart painfully breaking...

Bors and Geoffrey

Bors entered the tavern just as Ione dropped the mug and started to sob. He waffled for a moment, unsure if he should go over and offer her comfort -- and thereby entangle himself in what was undoubtedly another failed romantic encounter -- or if he should flee the room to attend to more manly pursuits until it was safe to come back.

His moment of hesitation saved him from having to make an actual choice, as Geoffrey's tall frame brushed by him. The younger man had been quite helpful the past week, despite his penchant to vanish for hours while he did -- whatever.

Geoffrey made a beeline for Ione and Bors watched from a slight distance. He didn't want to get involved with Ione but he didn't know Geoffrey that well, and while Quintus was all right for a Roman, Ione was in fragile state. If there were any signs of trouble...well, he didn't mind denting in a few heads.

Goeffrey took almost no notice of Bors. He was focused on Ione and her distress. He had a smile on his face, but it wasn't quite friendly as he turned his gaze towards Quintus.

"Ione, what is the matter? Is this gentleman bothering you? If so, I will take care of it," Goeffrey said. His tone was pleasant enough but there was an underlying warning in his voice directed at the Centurian.

Quintus

Oh, hell. Oh, shit. Yeah- Quintus had been right about his suspicions that he was delivering bad news, and now the woman was sobbing on the table, her mug shattered into several pieces. Hell, what kind of way was that to start the day- making a woman cry? Awkwardly, Quintus reached out and started pushing the pieces of crockery into a pile, working around the sobbing Ione.

“Men are bastards,” he muttered sympathetically, shifting in his chair and wondering if this was his cue to leave, or not…but just then, another man he didn’t recognize approached the table and ‘intervened’.

Well, it looked at the very least like Ione wasn’t short of protectors. With his package of food still tucked under one arm, Quintus held up the other hand in an ‘I mean no harm’ gesture and sat back in his chair, his gaze moving from Ione, to the newcomer, and then flicking over to Bors, who stood not too far away, seemingly observing.

“’S’ all right,” he told the two, glancing back at Ione and hoping that she would fill them in, to the extent that she wanted them filled in.

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Ione

Ione felt nothing right now, though, if she was upset, it was not directed at the Roman officer sitting across from her. She just stared down at Quintus's hand as it began to remove all of the shards of the broken mug. It was kind of him to be there even though he had a lot of work to do, and Ione had decided that he was now the only other Roman that she could really trust besides Arthur. Both had shown her kindness, and for that, she was grateful...

When she heard the other male voice, a cold and angry feeling came over her. She had already had a bad morning, and she was not in the mood for chivalry right now. Any other time, she would have loved to flirt, laugh, share jokes and good talks over a cup of tea, but right now, she felt like one of the storms that brewed over the moors. Emotionally, she felt betrayed and hurt... unloved. Whipping her head up to face the other man whom she knew as Geoffrey, fresh anger and feelings of hurt and frustration mingled together to form her answer to the man she hardly knew, sticking his nose into something that did not concern him. Ione's dark eyes, red and swollen from crying, narrowed as she lashed out, "WHAT THE HELL CONCERN IS IT OF YOURS? You know nothing of what is going on, so leave me the hell alone! Please just leave me alone!"

It was really nothing against Geoffrey, but due to the fact that he had come in just at the wrong time, it gave her something to lash out at. Standing, rather shakily and feeling very cold, from her place at the table, Ione turned to Quintus and asked, "Would you be so kind as to walk me back to my shop?" Remaining tears that she had shed still glistened in her dark eyes while she lay a hand on her stomach to feel the baby who continued to move from side to side as though at play.