-- who says. [open]

[Marina Tertius]

Marina leaned forward, gently patting the neck of her dapple grey stud, Alcarius. She had been out with the other trainee's for a day or two now, as they rode out, checking on the smaller villages outside of the wall. With a soft sigh, Marie tilted her head upwards, scanning the dark sky, lifting the lantern up, watching as small snow flakes began to fall downwards. The temperature was below freezing, and instead of raining, it had started to snow. She had never been one for colder weather; it was always the warm weather that would do her in. It had started to grow colder, earlier than usual; that usually meant a terrible winter was ahead. ”Alright, you’ve done well, and I think you deserve a nice, hot drink.” Marina said, glancing over the shivering, pink cheeked, red tipped nosed trainees.

She watched they all turned on their heels, and trudged away through the mud. Even though the ground was frozen, that didn’t mean the top layer was; it was all mud for them. Marina tugged on the reins, causing the steed beneath her to turn, and trot towards the stables. About five minutes later, Marina pulled the horse to stop, sliding off slowly. She would have to un-tack him, and then she could go to her living quarters in the castle. Reaching up, Marie gave the horse a loving pat, and then started to un-tack him. After she had made her sure all of the buckles has been un-buckled, Marina slid the saddle of his back, placing it on a hay bale in front of the stall. Turning around, she reached up, and slid the bridle and reins off, placing them onto the hay bale. Marina led the horse into his stall, grabbed a flake of hay, and placed it in the feed bin, then made sure he had sufficient amounts of water.

Once she had made sure the horse would be okay and that everything was in order, she closed the stall door, and headed towards her living quarters. Lifting an arm, she gently massaged her neck, glad to be home, walking down the quiet corridors. The only people that were out, were the guards. Marina grasped the wooden door knob, entering her living quarters, while closing the wooden door behind her. Reaching down, she placed her sword & knives on a stone table, and pushed past the piece of fabric that covered the door frame, that led to her sleeping quarters. Grabbing the dusty mirror from the table, she wiped it off with her hand, before peering at her reflection. Her group had ventured out to Brenin, a small village in the north, whenever the small Saxon group had attacked. They had already raided the village, and were waiting.

The trainee's had managed to run the Saxon's off, after a squirmish. No one had been hurt badly, but Marina did have a cut across her cheek, that was now red, and starting to scab over. She would tell Arthur of the news whenever he woke up, later on in the morning. Sitting the mirror aside, Marie washed her face and hair, pinning her hair back, before slipping into a Roman based dress. Marina adjusted the arm band around her bicep, before glancing at the bed. She was too awake to even think about going to sleep. Marina closed the door to her living quarters, brushing her hair back behind her shoulders, before looking around the hallway. Grabbing an candle, she made her way down the corridor, walking towards the balcony. Once she had come upon the balcony, Marina leaned against the cold stone, staring up at the sky, thinking about everything that had happened.

[Pandra]

Pandra had gotten into Hadrian the night before. She had gone straight to Arthur after having talked a bit with Galahad. She was not at all happy with what she had happened upon on her way to the city. The Saxons were getting all to close for comfort. She had come back to Hadrian as she has made it her duty to repay those that had found her and saved her life. Still being this close to Saxons brought up memories she did not want to think about. On top of that she had had not such a good time back at home either. She was at a lose in both places and she was not liking the feelings of foreboding that she was getting. She hadn't gotten any sleep when she had first arrived and she was not going to get sleep tonight either. She wasn't sure what she was going to do.

She had been singing a little Helena to sleep. The girl had woken up from a bad dream and Pandra had still been in her room cleaning up toys form the play before bed. Helena had woken up screaming as she was cleaning the young princess's bathroom and she was there in seconds. She was glad for now that Helena was sleeping soundly. She finished cleaning up and then laying something out for the young princess to wear for the next day. She was sure that she would be called into her chambers as soon as the little one opened her door and looked at the guards. They all knew that they were to get Pandra as soon as the child woke up in the first place. It also helped that Pandra didn't sleep much in the first place.

She walked out of the princess's bedroom and gave a look at the guards stationed out side. They were at least there tonight. A few others passed her as she headed back to her corridors. They weren't as big as everyone else's really. She liked it that way she had asked Arthur that he corridors not be as big. She didn't need much room in the first place. She walked into her bathing chambers and brushed off the mirror and sat down on the stool picking a brush up off of the small stable there. She took down her hair which she had had up for that day and started to brush it. It didn't take her long to have it done half up and half down for her to sleep. Though she was sure that she would not be doing any sleeping.

She walked out of her bathing and dressing chamber into the sleeping chamber that she had. Everything was orderly and much like the dead slept within. It was cleaned to perfection. That wasn't because Pandra had all manners of time to clean but that she had very little to dirty the room with in the first place. She walked out towards her balcony and took in the night air. She listened to the wind whisper softly in a little gust and then looked over and two balconies away was Marina. The Knight seemed to have something on her mind and she was certainly up late.

"Lady Marina is there something I can get for you?" She called over to the other in the manner of respect that she showed everyone.

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[Gharvyd Varick]

He was cold, wet, and tired. The three things that molded him into a surefire cranky person, however he sucked it in and told himself there were much worse things in life. At least he was living and able to help others, plus the aspect of a bed and a possible hot meal and mug of ale at the inn made him grow warm already. He led his horse through the streets, the mud slowing his progress just a tad and adding another voice into the cacophony of street noises with every step he and his horse took. Gharvyd made his way to the stables using his spear as a walking aid, using the butt of the spear and setting it into the ground before him with every step, the mud was an obstacle in itself, and as tired as he was he was sure he’d slip and fall if not for the spear. His small buckler was hoisted upon his back like a pack slung over his shoulder, ready for moments notice. He had just returned from scouting mission giving by his commanding officer.

He noticed a small group of soldiers trudging by and they looked exactly how he felt, then it dawned on him that perhaps he looked just as bad if not worse. Though he could see some signs of a melee with some shields that were dented and armor in disarray. The Knights would never allow such condition of weapons and armor, for they were always ready in a moments notice and expected the soldiers to be as well. Gharvyd nodded to one of the men he was acquainted with for he shared meals and ale with him at the inn frequently. “Saxons?”[/color] Gharvyd inquired with a raised eyebrow.

“Aye, and a healthy lot of them too. Fat and plump, must have had a base camp near the city, too near for our taste. Mark my words we’ll be seeing more of them sooner rather than later. “ the soldier spat angrily on the ground, “How about you? See any on your travels?”

Gharvyd shook his head, “No but I did find some tracks that show movement of large groups of people. Could be Saxons, or also merchants. You know they travel with their own personal armies these days.”[/color]

The soldier nodded and rubbed his shoulder, “If you’ll excuse me, I’d best get my gear sorted and cleaned and if I’m lucky a hot meal. No telling when the Lady Marina will have us out for a frolic in the woods again.”

Gharvyd nodded and gave a rather grim smile, knowing what the soldier was in for. He himself had his fair share of tasks that proved difficult and tiresome. He was glad he was between tasks at this moment.

Reaching the stables, Gharvyd leaned his spear against the wall and tended to his horse. The horse nickered in thanks at having the saddle removed and rubbed his head against Gharvyd’s shoulder. “I know old friend, feels good eh?”[/color] He groomed his horse with a brush in each hand, smoothing out the rough coat and ridding the horse of any dirt while rubbing the taut muscles. Gharvyd peered over his horse at the people in the street, watching them go about their daily tasks as he zoned out over the monotonous work of grooming his horse. The one task that allowed him to not have to think at all but be at peace. Looking over at the living quarters where the Knights stayed he saw two balconies both with people looking out of them. He could tell both were ladies but only recognized one, Pandra. The girl he had met when he first arrived in Hadrian. The other he knew not, and assumed it was a Lady of one of the Knights or political figures in the King’s court.

He made a mental note to speak with Pandra again and to inquire about Helena, he knew she was a handful, but he had enjoyed the times he spent with both of them as it made him think of home. Gharvyd smiled with thoughts of home, as he continued to groom his horse.

[Marina Tertius]

Staring up at the pitch black, night sky, Marina gently pulled the dark blue cloak closer to her body. Freeing a hand, she placed the candle on the balcony, before sliding it back into the warmth of the cloak. Time was starting to head into the wee hours of the night, and after a few days of being away from her own bed – you’d think she would curl up under the fur and go to sleep. But no, she was wide awake – her mind going over everything that had happened within the past few days. Turning her head slightly to the side, Marina stared past the orange flame of the candle, watching as snow flakes continued to fall at a rapid pace. Snow this early in the season only meant one thing; they were in for a bad winter. Granted, Marina thought snow was pretty and all – but it didn’t help their cause. Because with snow, came ice and blizzards, and other dangerous hazards.

There were times when snow and ice made it nearly impossible to reach the towns outside of the wall. With all of the recent Saxon attacks, they were going to have figure something out. They couldn’t just leave all of the smaller towns out there, to defend themselves. I mean look at Brenin! The town had been fine a week or so ago, but now it was in ruins. They Saxon’s would raid, murder the people, and burn the town afterwards. They destroyed everything in their paths, without regards to anything else. Luckily though, the people of Brenin had escaped, or some of them had at least. Marina had found tracks going in the opposite direction – and she assumed they belonged to the citizens of Brenin. Giving a soft sigh, Marina glanced down at her hands, only to realize that they were both clenched in a fist. Just the though of attack on Brenin made her blood boil, which was quite obvious.

So yes, you could definitely say this upset her. The Saxon’s were growing braver – they were beginning to attack closer to the wall. Lifting a hand, Marina gently tucked a strand of stray hair back, behind her ear. She had plans on telling Arthur of the attack, as soon as he woke up. Sure, it was urgent news, but it wasn’t urgent enough to wake him up. Now if they had been attacking the wall, then yeah, she’d wake him up. But this was a different story. After a few minutes had passed, Lady Marina propped both arms on top of the balcony wall, peering at the town below. She could see few a candles and lanterns flicker in the inn and a few households – but other than that, everything was relatively quiet. A few of the trainees she had brought home were in the stables, but the rest seemed to be in the inn.

Sometime later, a female voice caught her attention, causing Marina to turn her head. She could see Pandra standing on another balcony. The only reason she recognized her, was Helena. Marina and Helena were quite close – and Pandra seemed to help take care of the little girl. ”Some company, perhaps?” She was already awake, so why not make the best of it? Anyways, she was curious as to how Helena was.

[Pandra]

Pandra waited for Marina to answer her back. She let her mind wander to exactly what she had told the King. It had been not too long ago that she had left and the Saxons were moving in now they were getting closer. It seemed by the day or something like that. She could hear noise from the streets below and the Saxon crossed through the wind. It wasn't that she had better hearing then anyone else it was just that she had been taught to listen to everything. If she had learned that lesson sooner she might not have been captured by the Saxons that day. The day was so vivid in her mind now. It would plague her dream if she ever went to sleep that was. There were other things on her mind though. A man she had meant when he's first arrived at the wall. She wondred how Gharvyd was doing. Then there was Galahad who she had not talked too in a long while. Probably to long for her taste. He was a brother to her and she would be devestated if something happened to him.

She also was not over what happened at her own villiage. She couldn't take all this fighting. There was way to much death that she had to deal with and she was not enjoying it one bit. Yes she was a Druidess of Death and she'd seen so much that it shouldn't bother her but it did. Privately it did and she knew even Aberth knew that it did. That was not to say that she couldn't be a Death Druidess on the contary it made her human. There were even people in the villiages outside of the wall that calleed for her assistance or course making a plea to Arthur of course. Though while she was in Britain she was Helena's caretaker and probably new more about the Princess then most. What she liked to do when shew as scared and how to keep her entertained when all else failed. That was something Pandra could easily do. She was also running around doing anything the King and Queen told her to do like any loyal full time subject of the crown. Arthur and all the other were really the only family she had now. Aberth counted as a father and a constant in her life but the rest of her tribe were just now starting to see her usefulness.

She looked down at the streets and noticed the stop of a spear sticking out of the mud. She took a closer look down towards the stables and watched Gharvyd walk in. She smiled brightly knowing that the traveler would need a bath or at least that would be one of the first things he would be thinking about other than food and a good clase of ale. She was tempted to call him up and make a bath ready for him and to make him food. She was sure that would be too forward for someone her age but she had no fear of Gharvyd taking advantge of her or she of him. Here everyone was equal though the ladies were of course shown a different sort of tenderness. "Gharvyd!. How are you?" She called down projecting her voice though when it got to his ears it would still sound soft and pleasant. She turned back as Marina answered her question.

Company seemed hard to come by at times. Tension was in the hair and much like Helena, Pan was not enjoying it. "Of course Lady Marina. Please tell me you are alright though at the Saxons did not harm you..." She could tell that by the way the men were talking and the way Marina looked that they had met with Saxons. The light was dim yes but that didn't mean so could not understand how the other felt through her words and the already mounting tension in the air. Pandra only hoped that Helena would sleep well and not wake from another dream or sleep walk whiles her guards were being stupid.

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[Gharvyd Varick]

The sound of oats being ground and munched on seem to overpower the rest of the street noises. Gharvyd could not help but let out a laugh of amusement. “Slow down there fella, there is more where that came from.”[/b] he said with a smile as he continued grooming his horse. Meticulous as he was, Gharvyd was never satisfied until he saw everything in order before he himself turned in, especially his steed. A practice instilled in him by his adoptive mother the horse master. He remembered the lesson well, “One always takes care of their mount, be it horse, mule, or donkey. For they bear a burden they never asked to carry and when treated right will take you to the ends of the world.”[/b] the words of his mother sounded within the confines of his mind.

Satisfied with how his steed looked, a glossy shine and not a speck of dirt on him, Gharvyd led his mount into an open stall. Gharvyd checked to ensure the freshness of the hay used for bedding, and then allowed his horse inside and filled the trough and gave more oats and hay for feed. Securing the latch on the stall, he gave one last scratch on his horse’s head as he whispered “Rest well friend, you’ve earned it”[/b]

Gharvyd still awake, but just barely sat down on a nearby bale of hay and positioned himself to where he could watch the streets but more important the stars glittering in the darkened sky that was barely starting to greet the new day. He drew in a large frigid breath as he closed his eyes and held it for a moment, then slowly exhaled watching his breath catch the air in a misty fog. It was quite cold, but Gharvyd was quite numb to it, he did not feel the cold as much as most people did, perhaps due to the countless hours spent outdoors with the horses and dogs as a child and teenager. He assisted with many tasks such as birthing, and rearing foals and litters of puppies and many a time spent the night with them. He was after all accepted by his animal friends, for he treated them more than what most people saw them as, a cur and a nag.

Grabbing the spear leaning against the stable wall and the shield nearby, he placed them on his lap inspecting them. With his saddle and tack directly behind him on the bale, he reached into one the flaps that held his whetstone and oil and continued to work his spear and shield, ridding the blade of any nicks and sharpening the edges and point as well as oiling the shaft to prevent water damage. The shield he polished until it acquired a glossy sheen. The metal bolts free of water and rust, while the wood was smooth as glass but hard as diamonds. He oiled the leather straps used to hold the shield when used in battle to prevent it from getting brittle and possibly breaking in the heat of battle.

Hearing his name called and recognizing the voice, Gharvyd looked up with a small smile in the direction of Pandra, who was standing upon the balcony across the street from him. He paused and thought of responding back, but considering the time of night thought better for he was afraid his booming voice might wake half the city. Instead he opted to set his oil cloth down in his lap and wave to Pandra as he nodded signaling he was well.

[Marina Tertius]

Marina tilted her head to the side curiously, watching as Pandra stood on the balcony below. What was she doing up at this hour – it was so late? Surely, little Helena hadn’t just gone to sleep. But then again, Marina wouldn’t have been surprised. Helena was a handful, at times. She had a tendency to run off from her guards – which meant Arthur, Guinevere, and Marina or one of the other knights had to go get her. Marina’s thoughts went back to one of the times whenever Helena had run off. She remembered the little girls’ guards coming up to her, breathless. Marina had to threaten them to get them to tell her what had happened, so instead of heading to the training field, Marina went to the city. After a good half hour or so, the lady knight finally found the little girl playing with one of Bor’s children. Shaking her head from side to the side, Marina found herself smiling at the thought of Helena.

She loved that little girl more than anything – she had given her so many laughs. Marina thought of the little girl as her niece. Helena was the closet thing to a child, Marina had. Sure, she loved children and all, but the stars hadn’t aligned perfectly, just yet. Marina didn’t even have a husband, that’s not to say she wasn’t in love with someone though – because she was. Lancelot had captured her heart, but she was afraid to actually act on it. Marina could face death with flinching, but couldn’t face possible love? The world was too complicated for her tastes, at times. Grasping the cloak, Marina pulled it closer to her body, enjoying the warmth that it produced. It was nice to know that there was still some innocence and kind hearted people in this world. After fighting the Saxons continually for five years, Marina had begun to lost hope. But people like Pandra, Helena, Aurelia and others reassured her.

Marina had grown so used to the Saxon’s cruel ways. They didn’t care about anything other than themselves – and they would do whatever it took to get what they wanted. That included killing innocent people and burning down whole villages. All of the Saxon’s were the same in her opinion, with the exception of a select few – Alowyn included. At first, Marina had been a little weary about the fallen Saxon Princess, but she had finally come to realize that they had a lot in common. Both had lost their fathers, were surrounded by brothers, and enjoyed fighting. Marina gave a soft sigh as Pandra’s voice caught her attention, as she spoke to the man down in the stables. Gharvyd Varick. Marina didn’t really know too much about him, but Arthur trusted him that was all that mattered. She had heard that he popped up in the city, and started training shortly after that – but she couldn’t be sure. Either way, he looked as if he had, had an long day – just like the rest of them.

A few seconds later, Marina turned her head, looking over to Pandra, listening to her inquiry. Marina took a few tense moments as her thoughts ran back to the attack, before answering the young lady. ”I’ve got a few cuts and scrapes – but all is well with me.” Marina said simply, giving a shrug of the shoulders before continuing on, ”And you? Are you well?” Marina and the trainees had done well against the Saxon’s – but it was still unnerving. The Saxon’s had been waiting for them – it was as if they knew Marina would be there. Pushing off the stone wall, Marina walked down the corridor, before walking onto Pandra’s balcony. She did not feel like speaking loudly, and waking the whole castle.

[Pandra]

The tension within both the castle and outside was starting to drive Pandra crazy. On top of that she'd not slept and that only made her empathy for others worse then it usually was and harder to control as she was too tired to do so. Then she had her own problems. A locket and a ring hung around her neck under her clothes pressed close to her heart. She was however glad to be back among friends and family. Helena made her forget everything as they played and did things all day like the youngers lessons. Pandra was always answering questions and she loved teaching the young girl what she could. When she was not with Helena she was serving the Queen or those that required her assisstance. She was loved it all just not when there was so much tension and almost constant whispers of Saxon attacks. She didn't like to think of the things that would happen at the villages not within in the walls of Hadrian.

Part of her knew that some of them would call for her assistance and she hoped that she would be able to do exactly what they wanted and put ease to their minds while doing so. She worried more than other people actually knew. Sure she was slightly innocent in the ways of some things but not when it came to the Saxons. She had not seen the years of bloodshed that the Knights had, however she had lived with them. Not all of them were the same. There were even people that within their ranks that were tired of the things that were going on. She was sure of it, however that didn't mean she wasn't terrified of being captured and the worst happening. She was even more protective of Helena and she had yelled at a guard the other day for not paying attention to the young one and not being able to stop her. It was not the norm for Pandra. She had the priviledge of doing so because she was with the Princess the most when she was there. Still it was not normal and she apologized to the guard the next time he saw her to which she merely got a nod and a slight look of its alright.

She shook her head and noticed Gharvyd nod in response to her words to him. Her voice was soft and would not wake the others and yet it carried down towards him without so much as a syllable lost. She opened her mouth to speak to him again but she did not as Marina began to talk to her as well. She was going to offer him a bath within the walls instead of the inn but was not sure if she should do something like that. She smiled when Marina said that she was well. The next question she wasn't expecting. She didn't much talk on this level with most of the Knights regardless of how she felt about all of them. She waited until Marina was next to her in order to actually answer the others question. "I'd be better if I could sleep. I envy the Princess sometimes and the fact that she can go back to sleep with a simple song after a bad dream." She smiled at the thought.

Galahad and Tristan knew the most about the young lady. Arthur came in a close second but everyone else didn't know much. That included on why she came back to Briton when this was not her home in the first place. She had never been this close the the famed Lady Knight. Usually she was asking about Helena and not Pandra herself. It was also in passing or something to that effect. She was rather glad that she had some female companionship and someone that might slightly understand on another level where the men she knew could not.

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