like the rain (arthur)

[adriana]

The sky was threatening to break over the city as Adriana sat in her room, looking out over the desolate woods while she waited. Waited for everyone to disappear inside upon the impending rain so she could go out. She loved the rain, she always had, and took any opportunity to go out in it.

The first drop fell and she smiled, watching the people below her begin to scatter towards shelter, all of them avoiding the stables, where she needed to go. The floor of the stable had the tendency to hold water, and all the men and women in their nice clothes didn't want to ruin the hems of their clothes.

The rain began coming down harder as the last people made for their shelters.

Perfect opportunity.

Adriana rushed across her room, quickly changing from her emerald green dress into her riding clothes and running towards her door, grabbing a hooded cloak on the way out. She moved down the hall elegantly, heels barely clicking over the floor and she raced towards the stable. Once inside, she threw back her hood and allowed her eyes to scan the barn.

It was empty. Perfect.

She moved directly to a certain stall, the stall where her Friesian, Goliath, resided. She smiled, quickly saddling up and mounting. Horse and rider in perfect harmony, they raced towards the woods.

Goliath moved slowly through the woods, his hooves thumbing ever so slightly. The rain was pouring down around the pair, but Adriana enjoyed it. It was soothing in an unexplainable way. In a way, she felt like the sky's tears were cleansing her, soothing her.

She finally pulled Goliath from his trot to a walk and then to a stop. She dismounted, tying him under a grove of trees where he would be drier and moved to stand, arms out and face up, in the rain.

[the goddesses ,]

It keeps me driving on.

Grabbing the hilt of Excalibur, Arthur slid the sword into its sheath, walking out of his sleeping quarters. He made his way down the corridor, gazing at the servants that worked in the castle. As he turned the corner, he gazed up at the sky; the rain had been falling continually for the past few days. Arthur turned his gaze to Remus, a young fellow who worked with the horses. "Fetch Andaleh, I'll get the saddle." He turned on his heel, walking towards the stable and into a small room where his tack was located. Grabbing a saddle and a bridle, Arthur turned and walked over to his mount. The white steed pranced out of his stall, with Remus leading him.

Once Arthur had him tacked up, he pulled a cloak over his slacks and button up shirt, and mounted Andaleh. ”I shall be back before dusk.” He said, squeezing Andaleh’s side with his legs, allowing the stud to gait into a smooth gallop. The citizens of Hadrian were standing under shelter, watching as Arthur, their King, galloped past them, out of the city. The ground was muddy, and the clouds were dark, but that didn’t stop Arthur. Both man and horse gazed at the woods warily as they came upon it, Andaleh even slowed down to stop, but was soon reassured by a pat to the neck.

Arthur gazed around, noticing another horse, and a woman; he could tell by the stature. Reigning Andaleh to the side, he went around the woman, riding up beside her; she was looking up at sky, and seemed quite young. ”It’s a rainy day, M’lady. What might you be doing out here?” He asked, sliding out of the saddle, laying his hand on the hilt of Excalibur, awaiting an answer.

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[adriana]

Adriana had been so immersed in the rain now splashing against her face and body that she had failed to notice someone else had arrived. His voice startled her and she jumped, spinning to look, her hand automatically going to the empty space where a sword would have normally been. It was a reaction, something she had gotten used to over time, even though today she had no form of protection. She silently cursed herself for that before observing the man who had come upon her.

Immediately, she recognized who she was and felt like a fool. It was the King, and he would do her no harm. She could trust him that much, even though they had never met. He was a handsome man, she would give him that, but Adriana had never had any interest in men, especially married ones. She bowed her head to him for a moment before lifting her face to look at him once more.

"I've always loved the rain." She replied softly, a small smile on her features. Close by, Goliath lifted his head at the intervention of another horse and snorted, ears perked forward. She smiled slightly at her stud before her eyes returned to her King. "I've heard great tales of you, but we've never met. I'm Adriana Byron."

Even saying her name, she could still remember how horribly her uncle had treated this King's men when they were still soldiers. She did not want to spark any unneeded animosity, she was nothing like her uncle. He was why she had come to Briton in the first place; she had needed to get away from him.

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[the goddesses ,]

It keeps me driving on.

Arthur suppressed a laugh as the woman jumped, reaching for a sword, the only thing was; it wasn’t there. He reined Andaleh to the side, so the stud wouldn’t get drenched with water, not that it mattered; he was already wet. Arthur was as she bowed her head, and dipped his head back respectfully, in return. The woman looked familiar to him, but then he had already met so many people, Arthur had lost track. Andaleh snorted as Arthur slid off his back, and lowered his head to graze on the soggy grass. ” I've heard great tales of you, but we've never met. I'm Adriana Byron”

Arthur narrowed his eyes, remembering the Bishop, he had a niece named Adriana Byron. He had only seen her from a few feet away, but she probably would never remember him. ”You are the Bishop’s niece, aren’t you?” Arthur asked softly, tilting his head. Her uncle was cruel man, but if it wasn’t for him, Britannia would never be where they were now. He remembered when the Bishop came up to him, on the last day of his 15 year service and asked for an almost impossible mission. The knights accomplished the mission, but Arthur stayed behind to save his people.

Ooc; sorry its short.

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[adriana]

OOC: No big deal

Adriana felt herself visibly cringe as he asked her if she was the Bishop's niece. She nodded slowly, forcing a small smile. "Yes, I am. I promise you, I'm nothing like him. The moment he moved back to Rome, I was crossing the borders here. I can't stand him, but he's all the family I have." She shrugged slightly.

She absently moved her hands down her front to straighten her clothing, men's clothing that she often never wore and was not allowed to wear around her Uncle. Every time she did, he had a fit and demanded she take them off. He had tried to burn them several times, but she had hidden them from him.

She watched as the King's stud lowered his head to graze. She smiled slightly. "You can tie him by my stud if you wish. He'll be able to stay drier there." She moved a step closer and then stepped around him, walking to Goliath's side and raising a hand to rest on his thick, ebony neck. She then turned back to Arthur. "My King, you should come stand underneath this tree. The last thing Briton needs is its commander to come down with a fever."

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[the goddesses ,]

Our boots ain’t muddy.

Arthur felt a pang of guilt as Adriana cringed, and nodded slowly, most likely forcing a smile. “Yes, I am. I promise you, I'm nothing like him. The moment he moved back to Rome, I was crossing the borders here. I can't stand him, but he's all the family I have” Arthur nodded, taking all of that information in. He didn’t hate the Bishop, but by far, he didn’t like, nor did any of his knights, especially Galahad. Galahad despises the Bishop with a passion no one has ever seen before.

He watched as she straightened up her clothing, it was men’s clothing. Arthur didn’t mind, Marina wore men’s clothing all the time, she fit in with the rest of the knights. Arthur glanced up as she spoke, while he made sure the saddle was tightened up on Andaleh. The stud left out a snort as Arthur tightened up the cinch and girth. Once he had finished, Arthur whistled and walked underneath the trees, allowing himself to be shielded from the rain, Andaleh followed.

”My question for you, is what are you doing out here in the rain? Training?” He asked, sliding Excalibur into the sheath that was located on the horse. Almost all of recruits were being trained, and the knights were either practicing swordplay, or running the borders with them, to prepare them for war.

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[adriana]

Adriana watched him as he moved beneath the shield of the trees and she reached a hand up to take her dark curls. She twisted them, pushing out most of the water in them, though they were still damp. She then pulled them to one side of her face and looked back up at him, her hand still on Goliath's thick neck.

"Training?" She asked softly. "No, I just love the rain." She said softly. "My father taught me a lot about weapons when I was a child, but I haven't had the need to use one in years. I miss the simple days before my parents passed." She lifted her eyes to look into Goliath's dark, brown ones.

She then turned her entrancing, whiskey amber eyes back to him. "I could ask you the same thing."

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[the goddesses ,]

Our boots ain’t muddy.

Arthur smiled warmly, and gazed the sky; the cloud were still full of rain, and if the temperature dropped anymore, it would turn into snow. ”There are a few women who have asked to be in training to become a knight for Britain, that was the only reason I asked.” He said softly, watching as small flakes of snow started to fall. Arthur turned his body to face her, as she asked why he was out.

”I needed to get out of the castle, and thought perhaps I could ride borders, and then I came upon you.” He said, giving his shoulders a quick shrug. Arthur glanced up as a trainee came trotting up to them, soaked with water. ”You’re Majesty.” The boy said, dipping his head respectfully. ”Lady Marina would like for me to give you a message; Lancelot and Marina will ride borders tomorrow, there has been news of attacks on some towns, and she wishes to check it out.”

Arthur furrowed his brow at the news of attacks, by Cynric most likely. He had been raiding caravans lately, taking all of the supplies. ”Thank You.” The man dipped his head once more, and turned his horse, galloping off. ”This is not good news.” Arthur said, looking at Adriana.

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[adriana]

Adriana smiled slightly. "I wanted to be a knight. My father was Andreas Byron, commander of the Knights before you." She said softly. "My uncle would not allow it, however, when my parents died. He's very convinced that a woman belongs in a man's bed and no where else."

Realizing what she had said, the young woman quickly covered her mouth and blushed a deep red. "Forgive me. My mouth gets away from me sometimes." She found a small, sheepish grin lighting up her face. "I'm sorry."

crossed her arms over her chest and watched him. "Alone?" She asked softly. "Your majesty, it's not a very good idea." She felt Goliath rub her back with his nose and she smiled. "I haven't held a weapon in years. I used to sneak out at night to practice, then my Uncle caught me and had bars put over my windows."

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[the goddesses ,]

Lessons in life will show you in time.

Arthur watched the young maiden as she spoke about her father; Commander of the Sarmatian Knights before himself. He narrowed his brow, thinking about what she had said about Germanius. ”Forgive me, my lady, but that sounds like Germanius.” Arthur forced himself to hold back a smile, as Adriana covered her mouth. ”No need to be sorry, M’lady.” He said softly, glancing at Andaleh as the horse nudged him in the shoulder.

Alone?

Yes, he was alone, he could take care of himself, the Saxon’s knew better than to venture up here, it would be a suicidal mission for them. ”I can take care of myself, my question, is can you?” He asked, and soon listened as she spoke about weapons. Arthur turned around, grabbing the blunt sword that he carried with him for the trainees, and held it out to Adriana. ”I hope your practice has paid off,” Arthur said, turning around grabbing Excalibur, sliding it out it’s sheath, and pointed it to Adriana. ”Show me.” Arthur wanted to see what this lady could do, and possibly, she become a knight alongside Lady Marina.

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[adriana]

Adriana's blush subsided as she became a little more at ease. He had not been offended by her words, and that definitely calmed her down. She smiled slightly, a gentle upturning at the corner of her lips, barely visible but enough to be noticed. Adriana did not really smile very often, small ones were common.

Adriana's eyes widened ever so slightly. at his words. "My lord, I was not implying that you couldn't, I would just hate to see something happen to you." She said softly, hurried, afraid she had offended him. Then he pulled his sword.

"Show me."

"Sir?" She asked softly, sure he was joking. However, realizing he was serious, she lowered her head. "My lord, I never excelled with a sword. I was more gifted in archery." She turned and moved towards Goliath, jumping up in one fluid motion so her body was over his saddle, and pulled her sword from the other side. When she touched back down, her sword was in hand. She walked back towards him, sword at the ready.

She extended it slowly, nearly touching his and she waited, on edge.

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[the goddesses ,]

Lessons in life will show you in time.

Arthur smiled as he eyes widened, and said. ”I was not offended, M’lady. He pulled Excalibur, running his fingers along the blade carefully; this sword was his fathers, and now Arthur’s, it would be passed down generation to generation. Arthur watched as she jumped and grabbed her sword, gazing at her as she spoke. “My lord, I never excelled with a sword. I was more gifted in archery.” If she was gifted in archery, then she could surely swordfight, Archery, in Arthur’s mind, was harder to excel.

”If you can use a bow and arrow, you can surely fight with a sword.” He said softly, grazing his swords edge against her own sword, sliding it up and down. ”Lady’s first,” Arthur said, motioning for her to make the first move. Andaleh moved over to the side, watching Arthur eagerly; the horse was used to war, he had fought in many. His sensitive ears were used to the scraping and banging of swords. The snow was coming down even harder, but they could still see, and the ground was starting to freeze solid, that could work to their advantage.

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[adriana]

"I can try." She said softly, lowering her eyes. His words caused her to chuckle slightly. Why not joke now and then? "Well, in that case, perhaps you should go first, my Lord." She said with a kittenish grin lighting up her features. However, she did as was instructed.

Her sword, long and of Roman make, came up and, in a swift swing, clashed with his. Her body was not straining yet it was a hard blow, body in position to jump back at his retaliation.

[/blockquote]

[the goddesses ,]

Lessons in life will show you in time.

Arthur pulled his lips into a smile, watching as a grin lit up her facial features. He put one hand at the end of the sword, and grasped the other end, thrusting it up in the air, blocking her swing. The metal clashed, and Arthur slid his sword down her owns side, and stepped back. ”Very good, but when working with a sword, you are better off to attack when the person is least expecting it.”

He smiled encouragingly as he waited for her to make another move. ”Also, be aware of your feet work, when moving in a circle, you must clockwise, and keep your eyes on the sword.” Arthur looked at his feet, they were in the correct position, but then he was used to training others. ”Your move, M’lady...”

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[adriana]

Adriana nodded, allowing her sword to slide along the side of his. Wait until he least expected it? Well, that made sense. She took a minute to compose herself, closing her eyes for a long second and long enough to hopefully put the man opposite her into a lulled ease.

She struck again after a long moment of silence, metal hitting metal as she watched where their swords joined, ready to move when the other retaliated.

[[soooo short]]]

[the goddesses ,]

It keeps me driving on.

Arthur stood as she composed herself, waiting, allowing himself to become at ease. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as she struck, blocking her blade once more, and stepped back, smiling. ”Nicely done.” He clapped softly, and then gazed at Adriana with soft eyes; she was better than she thought she was. ” You see, M’lady, you are already better than you thought you were.”

Excalibur clanged with hers, blocking her blade easily. ”Your sword can also be used as a shield, if you know how to use it that way.” Placing his right hand around the tip of the blade, and left hand on the hilt, he blocked her blade once more. ”Place your left hand on the hilt, and right hand on the tip, and you have an shield, not a very good shield, but a shield at that.”

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[adriana]

Adriana nodded, taking it all in. "Thank you." She said softly, following his rules and tips as they practiced. Above them, the sky began crying harder down onto their shoulders and lightening cracked. Only did Adriana advert her attention when thunder cracked.

"It's getting rough." She said softly. "Should we get back?" She turned her face back to them, soaked through by this point. Goliath had his ears pricked beneath the tree, looking around him as the thunder cracked and roared. "I'll stay out if you wish me to, My King." She still held her sword at the ready, waiting in case he took advantage of her ease.

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[the goddesses ,]

I hate this part...

The rain came down harder, beating on Arthur’s back, while the thunder crashed and lightning cracked. ”My pleasure, Adriana.” Arthur his gaze up at the sky, cupping his face with a free hand; they clouds were dark, and he didn’t want to be stuck out in a storm, he had a meeting with the fellow knights after dusk.

Turning around, Arthur slid the sword into the sheath tied upon the saddle, turning his gaze to Adriana. ”We need to go back, I’d hate to get caught out here.” He slid his cloak off, and laid it across her shoulders, before mounting his horse. ”Your cloak is soaked, you may were mine. I’ll be fine.” Arthur said, squeezing the horse’s side, turning him in the same direction as the castle, waiting for Adriana. The horse galloped across the wet, muddy, lands, keeping pace with Adriana. Arthur slowed the horse to a stop as they entered the castle walls, and slid off, handing the stable hand his reigns. ”If you don’t mind, I would like to teach you some more about the art of war, unless you don't want to.

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[adriana]

Adriana nodded to him, moving towards Goliath. She slipped her sword into its sheath and then turned back to him. She could not help the blush that stained her cheeks, however, when he draped his cloak over her, far too long for her, but it would keep her warm. "My lord....." she began to protest, but the heat left from his body and what it was holding in of her own quickly silenced her. "Thank you." she said softly, blushing ever so slightly.

She mounted Goliath in a swift, fluid motion and settled into his saddle, gathering the reins in ever so slightly. A quick squeeze in his sides and he set off, keeping pace with Arthur. Once at the castle they slowed and Adriana turned to look at him. He wanted to teach her? She would be flattered of course. "Would you wife have a problem with you spending that much time with me?"

It was a serious question, and Adriana did not want to cause problems. She had to admit that he was handsome, but she had no desire to try and steal him away.

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[the goddesses ,]

Arthur turned around, waving for the stable hand to wait. He untied to sword’s sheath from the saddle, handing it over to Remus, gazing at him. ”Take it to my quarters.” Arthur smiled faintly, listening as Adriana asked about Guinevere. He was not an man of infidelity, nor would he ever, and Guinevere trusted him. ”Guinevere will not mind, she knows that I do not go chasing after every woman like some do.” He patted Andaleh on the neck gently, before waving for the stable hand to lead him back to the stables.

Arthur beckoned for Adriana to follow him as he pushed up the cherry doors, stopping momentarily as people bowed and curtsied. ”Rise.” He said bluntly, walking to a table where a clay bottle sat. Arthur grabbed a hold of two cups, pouring wine into both. ”Do you drink?” He asked, allowing a servant to pull them some chairs up, and another to spread a map out across the table. Arthur laid the cup down, gazing at the map. ”Do you know anything about the Saxon land?”

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