'free of duty [Guinevere / Open]

[Marina Tertius]

Marina leaned forward, gently patting the neck of her dapple grey stud, Alcarius. She has been out with the other trainee’s since dawn, supervising them as they practiced archery, and much more. With a soft sigh, Marie tilted her head upwards, scanning the sky, 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. 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 ok, and that everything was in order, she closed the stall door, and headed towards her living quarters. As far as she knew, she would be free for the rest of the day. After the trainees warmed up, some of the other knights were taking them out to ride the borders. It wasn’t an order; it was more of a security measure. The Saxons were starting to attack the borders more & more. 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. After she had cleaned up considerably, and changed clothes, she emerged from her sleeping quarters. Marie wore some slacks and a button up shirt, with her dark, wavy locks pulled back. She wasn’t in the mood for dressing up, and anyways, she wasn’t too sure if she would be going back out or not.

Marina closed the door to her living quarters, brushing her hair back behind her shoulders, before looking around the hallway. The only people that were there were a few guards, and Queen Guinevere. She walked up beside Guinevere, taking her place by her side. ”Hello Guinevere.” They were like best friends, mainly because Arthur and Lancelot were close, but still friends.

[queen]

Guinevere sighed as she walked along the hallway leading from the stables to the knights' quarters. She had a had a long day. She had begun to teach her daughter to ride the small dun pony. Her daughter loved the pony and always demanded that her mother come riding with her. But Helena was a little too fearless when it came to riding and Guinevere always ended up chasing after the small girl. She hadn't been seriously hurt yet but Guinevere knew that if the little girl kept riding so recklessly it was only a matter of time before she did.

Guin rubbed her forehead. Next time Arthur could take Helena riding, see how he liked it. Guinevere really needed a break. She took a deep breath and smoothed out her dress as she came around a corner. She was nearing the knights quarters and it would be bad if one of the knights were to see their queen this frazzled. Very bad indeed, for Guinevere prided herself on her calm composure. She was cool and collected in even the fiercest of battles and all of Briton knew that.

As she rounded the corner she saw her friend Marina, a knight, exiting her rooms. A soft smile graced her face. Marina was one of her best friends. When Marina noticed her and came up beside her with a greeting, Guinevere's smile grew. "Hello Marina. How are you today?" She returned the greeting with one of her own. She loved to speak to Marina, they got along very well.