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Post by King Artorius Castus on Jun 20, 2011 16:01:41 GMT -5
Arthur had been up before dawn, pacing around in his quarters, thinking about the day's activities. He had people riding the borders, and there weren't any upcoming stately activities, so it was beginning to seem as if his best bet was to help train. Lady Marina was cooped up in her room from a terrible cold, at the healer’s directions. Which meant one less person to help out, so Arthur was going to fill the spot. Arthur eventually found himself out there in the fields, watching the young men, and occasionally women train. The trainee's were doing well, but the Saxon attacks were starting to get worse.
They had even gone as far to attack nearby villages. Arthur couldn't stand back and watch; he was going to protect his people. Tilting his head back, Arthur followed the two young men's gazes up, staring up at the sky. The snow would be there before they realized it, seeing how it was far too cold for rain. ”Continue on, a little snow won't hurt anything.” Arthur said, watching the two men began to move around slowly in a circle. A few seconds later, Arthur watched as two swords collided, before the younger of the men blocked the next blow. Arthur nodded his approval, before lifting a hand, running it through his dark, curly locks.
The next few minutes passed in the same manner. The two men would fight, and Arthur would watch. After their little matches, he would give constructive criticism. Turning his head, Arthur looked around at the older trainees as they practiced archery, swordsmanship, and what not. They were all doing well – and Arthur had plans on ending the training for the day within the next hour. The last thing he wanted was for them to get sick, or tired of training. A few seconds passed before Arthur heard one of the senior knights speak, turning his head. ”Go on Arthur, we can finish up without you.”
Arthur took a moment or two, before giving a soft sigh and nodding his head. Turning on his heel, Arthur headed towards his horse, Andaleh, listening as his boots sloshed around in the mud. As soon as he had reached the stallion, he slid Excalibur in the sheath located on the saddle, before stepping into the stirrup and mounting the horse. Grasping the reins, Arthur glanced down at Andaleh – the horse hadn’t been able to stretch his legs, and it wouldn’t hurt for him to stay out a little bit longer. So instead of heading to the stables, Arthur and Andaleh began the trek up to the base of Badon Hill. After a few minutes or so, Arthur gazed around, taking in everything. The land between the wall and the city was full of trainees. While the city was full of people walking around, to and fro.
Arthur allowed his free hand to rest on the hilt of his sword, as he stared out, past the wall. He hadn’t realized how many memories that it would bring back – memories from the first battle, that happened five years ago. The same battle that nearly took everything away from him – Lancelot, Tristan, Guinevere, and the safety of the people.
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Post by Galahad on Jun 20, 2011 19:00:38 GMT -5
Galahad was not going to let a little snow stop him today. He had been training with the others most of the afternoon but his mind was elsewhere, as probably many of the other Knight’s were. He had seen Arthur appear at training and noticed how the Commander’s attention was more focused on the newer, younger trainees than in the direction of the older Knights. Older… Galahad could have snorted at that. He was only in his early thirties and still tried to argue that he was young. At least he could claim to be the youngest of the Knights, which admittedly at the beginning had been rather a disadvantage. But now they were older and most days Galahad did feel old, not that he would admit that out loud. He had lived more than half of his life here in Britain. This cold, hellish Island had become his home and it was becoming as much a part of him as the air he breathed.
In the end Galahad had faked a sore ankle to get out of the last hour or so of training. It did not hurt at all and Dagonet probably knew this, but everyone dealt with days like today in a different manner. Lancelot drank, Gawain enjoyed a beautiful woman, Bors returned to his wife and how many children did he have now? But Galahad always returned to the Hill.
Slipping away from the training yard, making sure to avoid Arthur’s attention, Galahad made his way to the stables. Pausing for a moment he adjusted his cloak, pulling it tighter around his shoulders as not to feel the cold. Approaching the stall where his beloved horse resided he entered to receive a welcoming neigh and a stamp of a hoof. With a smile Galahad patted the beautiful beast before he and lifted himself up into the saddle with as much ease as he had with walking. Taking the reins he gently nudged her in the side before guiding the animal out of the stables.
For a while Galahad rode in silence towards Badon Hill, the place where it had all happened. Such strange times it had been. The day where Merlin’s people and the Knights had finally reached an alliance with the aim to protect the Fort and their home. The day that Galahad had decided to stay in Britain. The day that for the second time Galahad’s life had changed forever. Light flecks of white snow floated down, occasionally landing on Galahad’s dark curls but the Knight paid little attention. He had ridden through much worse in his long years.
The youngest of the Knights was so lost in his thoughts that he did not even noticed Arthur approaching, nor hear the sound of the horses hooves.
(OOC: I hope this is okay? If not I will edit hun  ) |
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Post by King Artorius Castus on Jun 22, 2011 14:18:21 GMT -5
Arthur stood there, silently, with one arm across his chest while the other rested on the hilt of his sword. The two young men in front of him were going around in a circle, swiping at each other with their swords, only to block the swipes with their shields. Their posture looked exceptionally well, but they needed more practice. They needed to learn how to block with their swords – sure, they could use their shields. But there was never a promise that their shields would be available – during battle, you had to use what was available. Stepping forward, Arthur motioned for the blonde haired boy to step back, and watch. Pulling his sword out of it’s sheath, Arthur ran his fingers along the blade, before glancing over at the boys. ”You need to try blocking with your swords – you can’t always use your shield.” Arthur said simply, before nodding at the other boy - giving the go ahead to attack.
Tilting his head to the side, Arthur lifted a hand brushing a strand of curly hair back, waiting for the boy to make his move. Arthur moved in a slow circle, placing his feet in a way that would help. As soon as the boy struck, Arthur swung his sword up – blocking the blow. Moving his feet, Arthur swung his sword at the boy, in retaliation. He spent the next few minutes listening to the clang of swords, teaching them footwork, and how to block. Once he had showed them different blocks, Arthur took a step back, sliding his sword into the sheath, watching as the two boys began to fight with each other. They’d fight for a few minutes, stop, listen to Arthur’s constructive criticism, and then continue onwards. This lasted for an good half an hour, before one of the senior knights walked up to Arthur, telling him to go on and that he had everything under control.
Nodding his thanks, before turning on his heels and walking towards Andaleh. The war horse was getting restless, and he needed to get stretch his legs. Giving a flick of the reins, Arthur gave him a gentle squeeze, before the horse started towards the hill. The same hill that had changed history, well, for Arthur at least. It had started the war that had been on going for five years now. The only major battle that had happened, was the first one. Other than that, the only thing that happened was squirmishes – but word had reached Arthur that the Saxons were planning an mass attack, and soon. Arthur hadn’t even realized he had become lost in thought until he heard Andaleh give a soft neigh, bobbing his head up and down. Shaking his head, Arthur’s eyes focused on Galahad, who like him before, seemed to be lost in thought. ”Everything alright?” Arthur asked, pulling Andaleh up beside Galahad.
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Post by Galahad on Jun 23, 2011 4:48:17 GMT -5
”Everything alright?”
Galahad flinched when he heard a familiar voice and he turned in his saddle, his blue eyes meeting with the depths of Arthur’s orbs. “Arthur…” Galahad spoke softly, obviously not expecting to see the man. Truth be told Galahad had been lost in his own thoughts as he sat there on top of his mare. He had been looking out across the hill, his memory reliving the day he had finally decided to stay in Britain. It had almost been his last day for that matter, lucky the woads had been there to help in the great battle against the Saxons. What a battle it had been, against all the odds they had won and even more surprisingly they had survived. Not without some of them nearly facing death. They had almost lost Lancelot and Tristan that fateful day, but it seems the gods had granted a small mercy and allowed the First Knight and scout to live. From there Arthur had married Guinevere and the marriage had brought an uneasy peace to the land. Five years… gods had it really been that long?
“Yes… Yes I’m fine I just….” Galahad paused as he looked down at his calloused hands and then back up at Arthur. Arthur, the man whom Galahad respected and admired above all others. Arthur was unlike every Roman that Galahad had ever met. He was willing to do whatever his Knights did, go wherever they rode, fight in whatever battle they would fight. It was only Arthur during Galahad’s long years of service that ever treated the Sarmatian’s as though they were equals. To everyone else they were nothing more than slaves but Arthur, Arthur treated them all like men. Men who he asked for their ideas, men whom he trusted just as much as they trusted him.
“Can you believe that it’s been five years since the battle?” Galahad snorted loudly and shook his head, his dark curls bouncing lightly. “Five years since I earned my freedom, and yet I still chose to stay!”
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