Lies && Deceit;; Open

[caetrin]

Caetrin had traveled to Hadrian's Wall with her, dear brother Adelmar, and a small army of only 500 men. The Saxon Princess had no plans off attacking Hadrian’s Wall, a landmark near Badon Hill; the place where her own father was murdered in cold blood, in her eyes. Her true plans were kept secret, but it including the kidnapping of a certain girl. Only her siblings knew of these, Cynric was the one that sent her on this mission.

Caetrin mounted her black, massive horse, urging him into a gallop as she made her way to the entrance of the Saxon Encampment, just outside of Hadrian’s Wall. ”I will be back, this I promise you.” She slid her knives into the hidden sheaths, before covering them up once more. Caetrin squeezed the horse’s side, and allowed him to lurch forward, sending snow and dirt up in the air behind her. Shielding her eyes, she looked up at the top of the wall; citizens were watching her ride hard and fast with fearful eyes.

Tugging on the reigns, her mount slid to a stop, just outside of the wall; Caetrin watched as two guards stepped out of the gates. ”Saxon. What do you want?” Caetrin inhaled deeply, narrowing her brow, allowing her mount to sidestep to the men, almost knocking over one of them. ”My name is Caetrin, not bloody Saxon. Bring out your King, bring out Arthur, and your war lords” She said dangerously, leaning down to come face to face with the guards. Caetrin had a message for the King and his Knights, the young lady was hoping to divert the attention so she could slip into the castle, and finish her mission.

OOC; Open to Arthur, Guinevere, and the Knights [yes, you may all reply, but I will allow Arthur to make a sequence thingy majig]

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[kajouka]

[ooc: merged from 'a pleasant night']

He was right, Guinevere thought to herself. An army was scarcely needed for anything but battle. Or to make a statement. To let your enemy know that the throng that stands before you is only a fraction of your power, but that you aren't kind enough to tell them just how much. Or a diversion. Keep your enemy's attention focused on the 500 people to the left so that they don't notice the ten on the right. Or a trial. You'll bring just enough to test the water and see how much firepower your enemy has - a gathering of information if you would. All of those reasons end up with war as the final outcome. But by under no circumstances would an army mean the sender wanted peace, love, and harmony.

From atop the wall where she stood with Arthur and Remus, Guinevere watched as a Saxon woman approached the castle. The queen muttered softly under her breath, words that brought forth the wrath of the forest spirits, curses so vile that the words were never spoken loud enough for another human to hear. Her finger pressed again her palms, hands curling into tight fists clenched so hard that fingernails broke through skin. Guinevere's eyes never left the approaching woman until the hum of her voice vanished into the air. She glanced down at her hands, but despite some bit of pain, they were none worse for wear.

"No matter what that woman says," Guinevere spoke aloud, "She should never be allowed to step past the castle walls." If she'd had the forethought to bring her bow, she'd likely have an arrow already nocked and ready to fly. "Arthur, you must not trust her. You must not trust anything of them..."

[allison]

Atop her horse, Aly gingerly touched her arm. The cloth was ripped right through, and underneath lay a two inch long slice. The weapon, probably a sword judging by the deepness and straightness of the cut - though she couldn't be sure due to the chaos - had cut quite deep, almost to the bone. It was still bleeding, even three hours after her careless mistake. Half asleep on her stout, fast pony of a horse, she had blundered right through a group of patrolling Saxons. Seeing Arthur's insignia, they automatically assumed she was a scout or enemy attacking. The fight had been brief, for the only managed to nick her shoulder before wheeling her horse to the left and escaping, loosing her largest knife in the process. Currently, it was lodged in some poor man's chest. Still the sharp sting of the wound in the infernal rain kept her awake after nearly three sleepless days.

She had to get back to the castle before Caetrin. Had to - well, she hadn't decided who she was going to tell. They were planning to kidnap the Kings daughter. She didn't have enough time to confer with her fellow spies, but she couldn't tell Arthur. He would just send his men to guard his daughter, leaving countless lives at risk. She had decided to gather Peter and Tom - both spies and good fighters, to protect the girl. But she still had the issue of getting Helena away to safety. Perhaps Guinevere would be calmer then Arthur confronted by the possible kidnapping of their child.

Aly, swaying slightly from tiredness, eyes over bright, slowed her horse as she neared the castle. Five hundred men were located near the castle wall, all antsy and all Saxon. Muttering something under her breath, she brushed her rain drenched hair out of her face and made her way around them as stealthily as possible. Another women, Caetrin if her memory recalled, was preparing to mount her horse in the Saxon encampment, Aly could see from the corner of her eyes. She broke into a gallop, reaching the side door of the wall in a manner of minutes. Sliding off her horse and wincing as the movement jostled her arm, she proceeded to pound on the wood. A slat moved and two eyes could be seen, fearful and wide. Aly glared back. "James - open this door." She hissed. The eyes stared back, defiantly at first, before reluctantly opening the door and allowing her to enter.

Peter would be on top of the wall, of course, standing unobtrusively near King Arthur and Queen Guinevere. Climbing the steps two at a time and clamping a hand over the cut on her arm, she arrived at the top of Hadrian's wall, looking around. Peter, a slight young man, glanced around as she approached. His eyes widened fractionally, surprised to see the spy back early from her mission. "Peter," Aly said softly, careful not to be overheard, for Arthur and Guinevere were only a few yards away. "I need your jacket." He glanced at her arm, saw the blood, and regretfully to his jacket off, shredding a strip of the cloth.

"This is my best jacket." He said woefully, tying the cloth around her upper arm, staunching the bleeding. Aly chuckled humorlessly, before continuing in a lower voice. "It's not just a show of power, they plan to kidnap Helena." Aly watched as his expressions changed from curiosity to confusion to dawning anxiety and worry. "We can't let Arthur know, not now. He'd be too distracted to handle the situation." He whispered back, looking up at their King. "Guinevere - I'll ask her, you get Tom and a spare knife, maybe needle and thread. And a towel." She asked, and he nodded before darting down the steps.

Walking casually, she stopped behind the Queen. "Queen Guinevere," Aly said softly, curtsying respectfully. The movement sent a small spray of water on all those nearby. "I need to speak with you," She glanced at Arthur and the other knight. "Alone."

[the goddesses ,]

Arthur placed both hands against the wall, leaning against it as his gaze followed a lone rider, a woman at that. She rode her black mount with haste from the Saxon Encampment to the wall, stopping in front of the gate. He tilted his head, trying to catch the words that were directed at his guards; Arthur looked at Remus, waving him over. ”Bring a horse, with haste.” The King turned to face the people that were surrounding him. ”I will go down there, Galahad, I need you to come with me. Lancelot, please send a messenger to tell the trainee’s of the situation.” He narrowed his brow, as a young woman asked to speak to Guinevere alone; he would deal with that later.

Turning hastily, Arthur made his way down the stairs of the wall, nodding his thanks to Remus who stood, holding the reigns of a white horse. ”Thank You.” Arthur slid his foot into the stirrups, swinging his leg over the saddle, and settled in the saddle, looking at the guards near the gate. ”Open the gate.” He yelled, tugging on the reigns sharply, sending the horse into a gallop, moving towards the side gate. Turning around, Arthur looked at the faces of worried citizens, and his knights; innocent blood could be shed in the next few days. Arthur rode past the gate, turning his horse in a sharp turn riding alongside the wall, mud was being splattered everywhere.

The young man allowed his hand to slide to the hilt of his sword, subconsciously as he slowed the horse to an abrupt stop, in front of the Saxon Princess. His heart felt like it was about to burst out of his chest, his mind was full of all kinds of thoughts. Arthur’s horse threw its head up in the air, trying to bolt as it sensed the tension, as Arthur said, his tone cold and icy. ”What do you want, Saxon?” Arthur turned to look at Galahad, who was beside him, before continuing. ”You state you are a diplomat, but a diplomat does not need 500 people, not even a Princess. So, I question your true intentions here.” Arthur tugged on the reigns once more, thankful that the horse was standing there, watching eagerly, its ears flickering back and forth.

”We have allowed you to stay without trouble so far, your time is climbing to an end, so speak.”

Ooc; I’ll do the order in which we post whenever Marina, Galahad, and Lancelot post, and whoever else wants to join in.

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[galahadd]

Galahad was lounging against the side of the wall, looking baleful across the drizzly land to the encampment of Saxons. It was his day off. He was halfway through a delicious cup of tea and fine wine, reading his favorite book. A warm fire had been burning in the side of the wall. And now it was dying cause Caetrin had chosen today, of all days, to come. And so, unleashing a silent storm of profanity, he made his grumbling way to the top of the wall, dragging his sword behind him. His face, rather then showing worry at the impending danger, was simply irritated. At Arthur's command, he straightened at once. "Yes sir." He answered, nodding as he followed the King down the stairs.

His horse was waiting, baleful eyed, at the foot of the stairs. He clambered on easily, lanky man that he was. One hand held the reigns, the other hung loosely at his sides, arm just brushing the hilt of his sword. His horse started into an unenthusiastic gallop, following at Arthur's heals. As Galahad looked up, his eyebrows knit together. All those worried faces. He turned away quickly, not wanting to acknowledge what could happen to all those people if he failed to protect them. His horse slid to an ungraceful stop in front of the princess, skidding in the mud. The dirt splattered his shoes and pants, further irritating him. Galahad's attention was quickly focused on that of the Saxon, curious and cautious. Why was she hear?

[Marina Tertius]

Marina had been caught in the local pub with Lancelot, when one of Arthur’s messengers barged in breathless, and demanded that they meet Arthur at the wall. She was just getting warmed up from a long and cold day of riding the borders, to be so rudely interrupted. Folding her arms stubbornly, she followed Lancelot up to Hadrian’s Wall, muttering under her breath. The young lady stopped abruptly, gazing at the outskirts of the wall, the sound waves of drums racked her brain; it was the Saxons. ”My god.” She uttered softly, drumming her fingers against the wall, peering at miniature Saxon Army.

At the sound of Arthur’s voice, she turned her head to gaze at him, her fingers barely grazing Lancelot’s own. Marina’s stomach felt as if it was a million knots; no Princess needed 500 strong, men. Part of her wanted to kill the Saxon Princess on the spot, while the other part just wanted to turn away. Marina watched as a lone rider rode up to the wall, and demanded that she speak to Arthur. Inhaling deeply, Marina bit down on her lip as she forced herself to stop from blurting something out. She turned her body to face Arthur once more as he gave out orders. ”I’m going with Lancelot.” She said, turning, and followed Lancelot, looking back only to see Arthur and Galahad gallop off.

[jez]

Jezibella was searching in a way for Tristan when she felt the tension become worse. There were Saxon's out there she knew that but something was wrong now. Her hawk landed on her shoulder as she took from looking for Tristan to heading towards that gate. He would kill her later for going without him. Or rather she would be scolded later for her reasoning to begin with. Tristan she hoped would be there at the gate with everyone else. It would have her in a sense kill two birds with one stone. Something made her want to go check on all the younger ones but she shook that idea off. She needed to get to the wall and fast.

She let Toner climb down her arm and fly off. She ran as fast as her legs would take her to the wall. The knights would wonder why she was there but none would really say anything. Badon Hill was something that she could remember so clearly and what had happened before. She was there in time to hear the Saxon Princess call Arthur out. She wasn't about to go anywhere though. She climbed up onto the wall and watched as the gates were open for her King and the other knights.

Five hundred Saxons were only here to do harm. That was the one thing that this young girl knew. It was the City that they were going to attack or rather they wanted the city watching the army so they could do something else. She might not know their plans for the city or not but she was sure that she wasn't far off in her thinking. She stood atop the wall and looked at what was going on. She held back aiming her bow and arrow and the Saxons in the distance. This wasn't right everything about this felt wrong. She couldn't put her finger on it and she wished that Merlin was here with her at the moment he might be able to tell her more.

She looked down to see Marina. "Have you seen Tristan." She called from her spot on top of the wall.

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[the goddesses ,]

Ok, the posting order will go as follows:
Caetrin
Arthur
Galahad
Marina
Jezibella

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[caetrin]

Caetrin pulled her lips into a smug smile as she noticed the other knights starting to peer over the wall; caution written all over their face. The Saxon Princess could also see the hatred, burning in their eyes like a fire. Caetrin reigned her horse into a circle as she waited for Arthur to appear. Narrowing her eyes, she hid her confusion as Arthur and another night came to her from the side. Arthur stopped his horse, in return, Caetrin was splatted in mud. I really needed that. She thought to herself, listening as Arthur spoke to her, his tone cold and harsh.

Caetrin held her head high, the smug grin was still upon her face as she realized that she had the whole city of Hadrian. "Do you not use names here? If I must repeat myself, my name is Princess Caetrin, not Saxon." Caetrin said, emphasizing on the 'not' part. Her mount turned in a circle nervously, sensing the tension in the air. Caetrin wrapped the reigns around her saddle horn, and folded her arms crossly. "Question away." The poor girl had a stubborn side, not to mention the sarcastic streak.

Lifting a hand, Caetrin brushed a strand of strawberry blonde hair out of her face, before turning her attention back to Arthur. By now, there were plenty of people at the wall watching, causing Caetrin to feel slightly victorious, she was getting the attention she needed. Narrowing her eyes, Caetrin sent Arthur a icy glance, before saying. "I am not a puppet, I do not turn on a whim for anybody." Taking a deep breath, she sighed before continuing. "Cynric has sent a message, he says for you to back down and declare him the King.

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[kajouka]

[ooc: Guinevere and Aly have left this thread and are in "A Chilling Message" --- Thanks!]

[the goddesses ,]

[k. post has been updated]

[the goddesses ,]

Arthur eyed the Saxon as she held her head high and a smug smile played upon her lips; she was not welcome here, yet she struts around like she owns the place. His eyes narrowed at her sarcastic comment, she needed to learn manners. "Learn some manners, Caetrin." Arthur said boldly, reigning his horse closer to her own, making her mount back up. Tugging on the reigns, Andaleh backed up once more, resuming his normal position.

Arthur followed her gaze up to the wall, there was a mob of people watching, mainly trainee's though. He choked back a laugh, she was Cynric's puppet, and she knew it. The girl was just to proud to accept it, she did whatever Cynric wanted. "You are Cynric's puppet, your just too proud to accept it." Arthur said coldly, he usually never acted this way, but she was Saxon, one of his enemies. His mount through his crania up in the air, sending his mane flying as Arthur listened to the message from Cynric.

Declare Cynric the King? That was blasphemy. Deep down, Arthur knew Cynric didn't want to be King, he just wanted revenge. "Cynric will never be King as long as I live. I do not back down from something that has never been started. Leave." He said, tilting his head in the direction of her camp.

[galahadd]

Galahad's horse pranced in the mud, the tension in the air making him antsy and impatient - wanting to run. Galahad's hand tightened on the reign - pull his horse to a stop so it wouldn't go in front of Arthur's. Everything always happened on his day off. The knight knew, that with five hundred saxons stationed nearby, he would get no rest or relaxation until they left. He watched the saxon princess with flinty eyes, cautious. He was curious though too - wondering why she had come. A simple announcement wouldn't be left to a princess - a messenger or lord would suffice. There was something else a foot, although he hadn't the slightest idea of what.

Inwardly wincing at the King's harsh tone and bold words, he resisted the temptation to roll his eyes. Arthur could be proud at times - which made him reckless of tongue. The situation had to be handled carefully, Arthur had to be careful not to anger the saxons - there was still, in his mind, the faintest possibility that a peaceful agreement could be made. And yet, judging by the terse words on either side - no agreement was going to be made. A frown twisted Galahad's mouth at her next words, eyes hardening in anger. Acknowledge Cynric as the king? That was never going to happen.

[Marina Tertius]

Marina stopped, looking up at a young girl, probably 18 at the most, called out, inquiring about Tristan. Marina narrowed her brow, looking around, he was no wheres in site, before turning her gaze back up to the girl. "No, if I see him, I'll tell him your looking for him." By the time she had finally turned around, Lancelot was long gone. Rolling her eyes, she climbed her way back to up the wall, placing her hands across the stone edges. The Saxon was talking boldly to Arthur, Arthur was right, she needed to learn some manners.

Tilting her head, Marina listened as the Saxon exchanged words with Arthur, almost falling over once she heard about Cynric's request. Declare him King? That would leave Britain into an all out civil war, and there was no telling what Cynric would do if he ever became King of Britain; Marina didn't want to find out. Biting her lip, she moved to the side as someone came to stand by her, not even glancing up to find out who, her gaze was glued onto the Saxon, and only the Saxon. Arthur... Please retain yourself. Marina thought to herself, more in a pleading way, but she knew Arthur couldn't hear her.

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[kajouka]

A young man, one of the queen's own personal guard approached Lady Marina at a run. He was breathing hard and had obviously run some distance to arrive before her. "Lady Marina. I must speak with you in private." He paused to suck in another breath and wipe the sweat from his brow. In a quiet voice, he continued, "I have a message from the Queen for your ears only. If we may?" He motioned to an area of the wall that was darker, indicating she should join him away from the others.

[caetrin]

Caetrin struggled to conceal a smug smile as his eyes narrowed at her sarcastic comment. ”I will learn manners when I feel the need too, and I currently don’t feel the need to learn manners, especially for you.” Caetrin said boldly, reining her horse forward once more after his horse has resumed its normal position. She was not one to be pushed around, especially by her mortal enemy.

The Saxon Princesses face was blank, without any expression as he spoke. Caetrin had not expected him to react to her comment so boldly. But then again, she wasn’t sure what to expect over here on this side of the wall. ”Proud, possibly,” Caetrin said, laughing slightly, before continuing on, ”But you see, I am positive I am not his puppet, nor will I ever be, that is where you are wrong.” A few seconds after Caetrin had delivered the message, she glanced up at the wall, noticing a woman standing with the knights; this had to be to the fabled lady knight, Marina. It seemed as if Marina would make a good fight, when the time of war was right.

Caetrin leaned back in the saddle, shaking her head side to side, before she unsheathed a sword in a blink of an eye, pointing the blade towards Arthur. ”That something has already started, it started with the death of my father, and your answer shall bring death to your people.” She said, glaring at Arthur, before turning her horse and sending him into a gallop, sending snow all over Arthur and Galahad. A few minutes later, Caetrin found herself in the safety of her camp.

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[the goddesses ,]

Arthur merely shot Caetrin a glance, as she took the defensive side over her manners. The woman was not worth his time and energy, so he decided to keep mum, and watch as she reined her mount forward. Andaleh was now standing still, a few feet away from Galahad and his own mount, his ears flickering back and forth as the Saxon Princess continued to speak about different matters.

Raising his head, Arthur drummed his fingers against the saddle horn, sub consciously. The young man tilted his head to the side, gazing at Caetrin, before he said, ”If you are not his puppet, then why is it, that you do all of his biddings here, or is he to cowardly?” Narrowing his eye, he followed her gaze up to Marina; that wasn’t good. Arthur glanced away quickly as Marina spoke to one of Guinevere’s guards, before moving out of sight.

Arthur unwrapped the reins from his saddle horn, pulling Andaleh back a tad, clenching his teeth together as Caetrin made her remark. A few seconds later, the Saxon Princess had pulled her sword out on him. Arthur pulled Excalibur out it’s sheath, allowing the blade to graze against her own dangerously. ”The death of my people, I believe you should think of your own.” He said, muttering under his breath quietly, before lowering his sword.

Once Caetrin had rode away, after she had covered the two men with snow, Arthur reined Andaleh to the side, urging him into a gallop as he road towards the sideways entrance. ”Open the gate.” He yelled to the people above, slowing Andaleh just enough so the gate could open and the pair could continue on at the same pace. Once inside of the wall, Arthur slid of his mount; Lancelot and Marina were no where in sight, and Remus was scurrying over. ”Send messages to the Knights of the Round table that we shall hold counsel at the first light of dawn.”

Arthur nodded to Galahad for him to follow, as he led his mount to the stable. Once inside, he un-tacked Andaleh and slid him into the stall, before leaning against the pillar, glancing over at Galahad. ”I heard Aurelia is back in Hadrian, I bet your happy." He would usually be having a conversation like this with Lancelot, but he was probably alerting the recruits.

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[blitzy]

I know its out of order, but I had to put Lancelot in here. Can you add me to the list Arthur?

The young man felt wary when his eyes rested on the gathered soldiers, saxons. There also was another warrior riding on a black steed towards the gate. She then demanded for Arthur. When Arthur gave his command, Lancelot nodded and walked down the wall, searching for a messenger. Marina demanded to go with him, so he let her. But then another girl wanted to talk to her. He knew that he had to go now, with or without Marina. "Get me a horse." A man nodded and ran in the stables, and soon the man returned, with his dark brown horse. He swung on quickly, and galloped off.

He held the reigns tightly in his hands as he rode off, turning sharply when needed. He didn't risk slowing down. Lancelot knew from experience that in situations like this time was valuable, and it was his job to get the trainees. Well it was supposed to be a messenger, but there were none so he carried the message himself. His horses hooves hit the ground in a pattern, and soon slowed as Lancelot pulled back on the reigns to stop his steed. His horse listened.

He stopped shortly and jumped off the horse, running into the trainees place. "All trainees are to report to Hadrian's Wall NOW. Saxons are gathered. Get to the wall now." He was soon back on his dark brown horse, galloping back through the lands to the wall. When he got back, Arthur and Galahad had already returned.

He took his horse and unsattled it, placing it in the stables. Then he turned to Arthur and leaned across his horses stall. "The trainees are coming. I had to alert them myself, no messenger available. Fill me in?"

[kavon]

(OOC: I thought Marina approved me as Lancelot?...whats going on?)

[cromtheconqueror]

(OOC: Why is Lancelot a woman?)