Wait till the sun gets here [open]

[†Kazira Astras†]

The cool night air made the evening as peaceful as one night such as this could be. Passing through towns was something that Kazira had used to enjoy but at the moment. She wanted nothing to do with them. Moros trotted beside her ears laid back as he wondered how he could bring his friend and pack mate out of the current mood that she was sporting. If he could Moros would be the one apologizing to all of the people that Kazira glared and snarled at. He could swear that being away from people was making her as feral as he was.

“Kazira calm down.”
“Calm down he says. Look at the dog telling me to calm down. I am calm!” Kazira ranted not looking at her friend knowing that if she did her current mood would be forgotten when he gave her the dreaded puppy eyes. She growled when another vendor tried to sell her a cheap looking necklace. She may be a woman but she wasn’t stupid! She clenched her hands and made her way to the local tavern not bothering to say an excuse as she walked right through a group of men in front. She plopped onto the chair at “her” table as she claimed it since she arrived a few weeks ago. Lidia the tavern owner along with her husband allowed her to stay for free in one of the spare rooms as long as she helped around the place keeping the drunks in their place. Seeing as there was a small festival coming up. She could really remember what it was. A tankard of mead and a place of food were placed in front of her. Kazira blinked and saw Lidia’s smiling face. Lidia gestured for her to eat before continuing to serve the other patrons.

Moros watched as Kazira shook her head with a small smile. Well if he couldn’t bring her out that human Lidia could. She treated Kazira like a daughter despite Kazira’s poor dispossession most times. Moros felt a hand scratching behind his ears and wagged his tail. The thumping noise of his tail caused the owner to giggle and pull away her hand. Kazira laughed at her companion’s happy expression. “Thank you my friend. I am sorry I was so foul earlier.”

“What had gotten you in such a mood?”
“That tyrant of an employer; that’s what!” She growled pounding her fist into the table. “He won’t pay me until I kill the stupid assassin that is presumably after his life and fortune!” She shoved a piece of bread into her mouth before she continued talking (after she swallowed). “Fortune? What fortune? All he owns is a pile of rubble that happens to be worth some money! Ugh and he won’t even tell me the name of the so called killer! So how am I to know if I am doing in the right person or not! I will not take an innocent life if I can help it.” Kazira tore into her steak like an animal starved. Being as skinny as she was any on looker would think that she was. But Moros knew better Kazira had tone muscles and just enough fat to flush out her curves in a flattering way.
“Kazira slow down or you’ll choke!” Dan yelled from the other side of the tavern. Dan was Lidia’s husband. Kazira waved her hand dismissively but slowed down. Kazira flinched when she felt a hand on her shoulder and didn’t resist the growl that tore from her throat. It actually surprised her at how good she was getting at that. Should she be worried? Moros even blinked in shock at her. That one sounded like an angry dog. She really had been spending too much time away from humans.
“What do you want?” She demanded not turning around to face the person as she clenched the knife in her hand. Her muscles were still tense and she was ready to pounce at a moment’s notice should the mysterious person do something she didn’t like.

---

Tag(s)- None at the moment
timeframe- after the 3rd season ends
tod: night time

[Deleted]

Sir Lancelot, now that the immediate dangers to Camelot had appeared to have receded, often felt the pull and desire to get away from the city, and enjoy the trappings of his previous life, when he had simply been a nomadic soldier. To some extent, he felt walled in in the city, and he felt out-of-place, especially in the company of both Gwen and Arthur. Strangely, just being there he felt as if he was interfering, and it was about all he could take to watch them from the distance he forced himself to stay. He did miss Merlin, but he knew, after a few days he would be back in Camelot, and he would have an opportunity to visit with him more than he had. That is, if Arthur gave Merlin a moment's rest from his duties.

Lancelot preferred to travel at night, and to travel alone, just as he had done most of his adult life. He found the cool and moist night air to be comfortable actually. He would travel a good distance in the early evening, usually on some paths known to him through the forests, until he came upon a town or village with a tavern. He tried to stay away from the main roads. His Arabian, black stallion, Sher-Fore would have been more appreciative of the wide and narrow highways, but avoiding them avoided the bandits and highwaymen that sometimes laid in wait. The taverns, though,like the Inns that Lancelot normally stayed at in the Camelot area were centers of both eating and drinking activity. And although Lancelot was not opposed to sleeping on the Forest floor, the accommodations at the local tavern were often more appealing. It was in the mid-evening when Lancelot approached this particular tavern outpost and went inside, after making sure his horse was taken care of.

Lancelot encountered a group of men just inside the entrance. Giving them a well-practiced stony and blank stare, while he kept one hand on the hilt of one of his long-swords, successfully got the message across the idea that he was not one to be trifled with. Quickly enough, then, they parted and he moved through. After that encounter he did his best not to make eye contact with anyone in particular, so that they felt they were being challenged, while he still was able to scan the entire establishment, at least once.

Lancelot's conventional process, when arriving at a new establishment, was to select a table in the shadows that was backed up against a wall, so that he could have his back to it, keeping any possible dangers and threats in front of him. he noticed as he moved to the table that he had selected that the tavern was a relatively bustling place, but the table next to him was occupied by a singular woman, and an animal companion. The interesting and intriguing thing was the space that everyone seemed to give the table and its occupant, who seemed to be somewhat outspoken and irritated, all at the same time. It could not be for the lack of service that she received, he noted, as he saw her being attended to quite well. She seemed to be complaining about an employer, and a certain service that she was expected to perform .... kill an assassin ..... and she has not been paid. It would seem, he thought, not a wise idea to displease this one.

As a Knight of Camelot, Lancelot wondered whether he should intervene. Apparently, this one had been hired for protection, and it was probably a local matter as long as it stayed between the combatants. It would be his responsibility, under the Code, to make sure it did not take in any others. He watched, as she aggressively took on her food as if it was a live animal that she was trying to kill and consume. Lancelot heard a word of warning from across the room about her eating techniques, which she seemed to pay as scant attention to, as she worried about what others overheard her about the job she had been commissioned to do.

Lancelot felt that he should do what he could to rein her in, before she got out of control, and besides, there was something familiar about her that he couldn't quite put his finger on. He walked over, put his hand on her shoulder, just trying to get her attention, before he spoke to her, and she suddenly whirled toward him growling about his intentions and gripping a significant knife in her hand, he noticed. Rather calmly, he responded, "I would really recommend that you calm yourself and think clearly about what you are doing before you do something that both of us regret dearly .... Kazira ....."

[†Kazira Astras†]

Kazira looked at the man before her. What was he doing here? She hadn't seen him for quite some time. But a small smile slid over her lips and her muscles relaxed somewhat at the familiar face. honestly she was still rather sour about the whole employer thing but she could put that aside for the moment for an old friend.

"Lancelot!"

Moros watched the interaction between the two curiously. Before it clicked. This was the man they had met at that festival that called a draw. Quite surprisingly he became his pack mate's friend after-wards. He cocked his head to the side. What was he doing here?

Kazira wanted to jump up and give him a hug but wasn't sure if he would mind that. She looked at him still smiling before she quickly decided to hell with what he wanted. She wanted to hug him! and that was what she did. Kazira jumped out of her seat and hugged her friend happily around the waist before releasing him. "Come on sit. sit." She flopped into her chair and pointed to-wards the chair across from her. "How have you been my friend?"

Moros watched the man closely and saw the symbol he wore. and blinked in surprise. While he was color blind he did recognize symbols and that was surely the symbol of the Knights of Camelot."Kazira. Look!" Moros tugged on Kazira's hand trying to get her attention. But she wasn't getting the message. "Ka.Zi.Ra.!"He frowned as much as he could being a dog. How was he going to show her the symbol?

Kazira suddenly realized something. "You heard me ranting about my employer!" She pointed not caring how loud she was. the patrons there were used to her out bursts and ignored her. Lidia and Dan found it humorous that a woman her age was a mercenary but still acted like a child in some aspects. She had told them about the little water fight with a knight on the roofs of Camelot. She looked at his clothing and smiled. She had seen the symbol that he now wore. And she couldn't have been more proud of him. She was in Camelot briefly after Morgana had taken over. Sadly she was disappointed that she would use her influence that way. To control people with fear was not the way to rule. Neither were lies. So She could see flaws in both styles of ruling she's seen both enough in her travels that she didn't know what else to say about them. She pushed her food aside and leaned onto her elbows waiting for his reply.

[Deleted]

This didn't happen too often, Lancelot thought to himself. She must be really angry and/or annoyed to allow someone .... a potential threat ... to simply walk up behind her. When she finally realized it was him, Lancelot wondered, given the Knight of Camelot uniform he was in, whether she would greet him with open arms or a proffered dagger.

"Kazira," he said once more, this time looking down at her out of the corner of his eye, and with the slightest of smiles, he waited on her response.

He watched the slight smile grow on her lips, and he was, for the moment, relieved that outright aggression would likely be avoided. He watched her ever-present, and almost human companion, Moros, give him a more analytical look than Kazira had done so far. He thought that he was picking up on the type of uniform that he was wearing.

Lancelot got the distinct impression that her companion did not trust him much. Perhaps, he thought, it was that it looked at him as a rival for Kazira's attentions, which was of course silly, wasn't it? In any case, her friend's expression was one of curiosity, at the very least.

Despite the fact that she had unleashed a smile upon his presence, and with each passing minute, it was becoming wider, Lancelot still got the whiffs of danger in the air. He thought it was just as likely that Kazira would attack him, and presently, that was just what she did, but it was not the type of attack that he would have expected. She came at him like a coiled spring that suddenly had all of its energy released, and she launched herself at him, madly hugging him. This was ..... different, he thought to himself. He had not, in the course of life, been very used to women throwing themselves at him.

At least she was calling him 'friend' he thought to himself. Something on the canine's face registered, though, as he looked upon him, Lancelot thought. And its attempts to get Kazira's attention were unmistakable as well. Lancelot looked down at the front of his uniform and cloak to see if it had been disfigured in someway. He saw that it was in perfect and excellent condition. As symbols went, Lancelot was well aware that the Knights stood for authority,and authority was not necessarily something that Kazira respected.

Lancelot saw a light go off in Kazira's mind as she realized something, something that had been obvious to Lancelot from the outside of the tavern. "I think most of the village and the valley could hear it. I would think, by the looks of it, that most are used to your outbursts. However,it sounded like you were getting a bit more irritated than normal, so I thought I should make sure that you didn't damage anybody permanently. Besides, we couldn't take the risk that that pretty face of yours might get sliced open, now could we," he smiled slightly. He saw,now,that she had gotten a full view of his uniform,and he saw that she did not seem displeased by hit, which made him glad. She had a short enough fuse as it was, and he didn't want to do anything to set her off for no reason. "It was not easy earning my Knighthood back, you understand. For a while there I did not know if any of us would survive. Now,only time will tell how long Uther will permit us to stay in these positions. Would you care for a strong Ale milady?"

[†Kazira Astras†]

Yes Lancelot? She asked curiously tilting her head when he said her name. He changed quite a bit since she had last seen him. He had cut his hair! It didnt look like a mop any more. She smiled at the thought. She wasnt going to let him know that's what she thought of it at the time of their meeting. He had a different air about him. Happier yet he seemed a bit unhappy as well. Kazira wasnt sure if she should ask him about it or not. She wasnt sure about the answer or for that matter the reaction she would recieve for such a question. Most men didnt want to be questioned on...feelings...and for the most part neither did she. At least in public. That was just humiliating to her. Why so many women do it is just beyond her comprehension.

She looked down at Moros and scratched lazily behind his ear. She wasnt blind she knew exactly why he was vying for her attention and that was alright. She'd already seen it. Heck she was sure the whole tavern had seen it! Question was. What was he doing all the way out there? "What are you doing out here? Shouldnt you be in Camelot with Arthur?" She asked not caring if people heard her use his name with no title. She didnt before and she wasnt about to now. It wasnt her style. And the fact that most there were used to her ways helped a bit but she heard a few gasps from some new people. Travelers more than likely. She slid her eyes to them and smiled happily and gave a little wave. They relaxed somewhat and returned to what they were doing. "Hey Kazira! Quit trying to give the customers a heart attack!" She heard Dan yelled laughingly from the back. She couldnt help but roll her eyes. This place was a second home to her. But the people at times she could live without...even if they were used to her little outbursts thinking she was a bit insane.

She smiled at him when he said she sounded as if she was getting more riled up that usual. He was protecting the people even now."Yes I guess The Whole of Albion could hear what I was saying huh? I wasnt necessarily quiet" She chuckled and rubbed the back of her neck. "I wasnt going to hurt anyone other than my food. Heh. That's why Lidia gave me such a tough steak!" She stated with mirth glinting from each word but understanding lining the underbelly."No one could get close enough to slice this 'pretty face' of mine to do any damage." She stated poking her cheek. "Besides, I have a few friends who would be very mad if i got hurt." She laughed. "Especially if it was because i was careless." She took a drink of her ale and grimaced at the mention of Uther's name and the fact that it was very watered down. "I have no doubt that it was difficult. But I am glad. That all of you survived. I do understand how hard it is to attain something." That last part was meant for two things. Victory and knighthood. Two of the most difficult things to achieve in her opinion no matter how skilled you are. She pushed her glass away. "I think that a good strong ale is just what we need!" She said with a bright smile.

[Deleted]

Well, at least she seemed to recognize his name, he thought to himself. It seemed that she was giving him a long look. He wondered why .... Oh .... the hair. He had just had it cut. He thought that it was best that he do what he could to at least look the part of one of the Knights of Camelot. It was not a substantial change, but a superficial one. He understood, though, that many looked at surface things as being important .... the hair .... the clothes .... the Knight of Camelot uniform .... his well-polished and new swords. Lancelot knew, though, that which was most important was found deep within, where character and honor and duty lay. He believed that Kazira knew this to be true as well. Her reaction, he thought was one of surprise.

He thought, as well, that he saw a question on Kazira's face, but quickly it seemed to pass. Much had changed, just in the last day. He was unsure, though, whether he should speak of it to her .... whether she would understand. Just a day before he had gone to the inner sanctums of the castle, intent on speaking with Arthur to request his permission to go on a pilgrimage to his old village in the north of the Kingdom. At the last moment, though, he had decided against making the request. He understood that his restlessness was caused by two things, his now-natural nomadic feelings, and Gwen. It had taken him some time to adjust, especially given his close physical proximity to her, but it was now clear to him. He had left her several times, the last of which, purposely so that he would not be stand between them, since he now knew that Arthur had feelings for her. Lancelot had thought he was over her, but on seeing her again his feelings had been re-kindled. He had found himself depressed, but why? His goal was to become a Knight of Camelot, and that's what he was now. It was clear that Arthur intended to marry Gwen and have her be his Queen. It was also clear that now, as a Knight of Camelot, his first duties were to Arthur, the House of Pendragon, and Camelot. Its unity and protection were all that mattered, and everything else must be submerged and forgotten, and at the top of that list was Gwen. He had been in love with Gwen the servant girl .... as far as he was concerned she was dead and gone.

He was just happy to have a chance to serve as a Knight of Camelot, and to be on call whenever he was needed. He knew, though, because of how his knighthood had been stripped before, that many of the traditional knights did not trust him, and then there was Uther. Who knows what would happen if he ever returned to power. So, Lancelot figured the more time he spent away .... at least away from the castle, the easier it would be for everyone. At the same time, he could be summoned easily as long as he was close. It was not as if Lancelot was his 2nd-in-command. That was Sir Leon's position. There were many knights more senior than Lancelot. He was merely glad to be one of the group. He looked on Kazira once more, as she petted Moros, wondering what she was thinking, then wondering if it was a good idea to find out. "I find the castle to be too confining for my nomadic nature. I would think that you might understand that. Actually I've found few people who do. Arthur has plenty of knights, especially since things have calmed down so much, especially for the moment." Their conversation was momentarily interrupted by a little jibe from behind the bar. Lance smiled slightly and took the opportunity to stretch out a little in relaxation. It seemed that it had been some time since he had been able to relax much.

Lancelot was glad she had calmed down and was smiling now. He would not have wanted to get in a fight with her .... ever .... even in defending someone else. "I don't know if it went that far, but I surely wouldn't have wanted Arthur to be concerned unnecessarily by the noise. Well .... that's good news for everyone but the meat," he laughed. "Not even me?,"[/i][/b] in response to anyone getting close enough to damage her pretty face. "Well .... I would be displeased, for one," he said with a straight face. He nodded in her direction acknowledging her awareness of what it had taken to win and to get his knighthood. "Actually it was the victory that was the most difficult. The knighthood was merely a consequence of the generosity of Arthur." He smiled at her last statement. "Hmmm .... that's sounds like a drinking challenge to me. Any particular strength you had in mind," he asked with a bit of a smirk.

[†Kazira Astras†]

She nodded her head in understanding. She did understand how castle walls could be confining to someone who was so used to traveling. She was the same way. She didn’t like to stay in doors for too long otherwise she would go stir crazy. “I do understand.” She stated. “Being confined behind stone walls drives me crazy if I’m there for too long. I have to travel.” She smiled and she leaned forward onto her hands. She saw his posture relax. She was glad that he was able to relax at least somewhat. From what she knew life had been quite eventful lately.

But she could see that something else was bothering him…she wasn’t sure if she should ask. Curiosity and concern for a friend was getting the best of her and she just couldn’t seem to keep it contained. She had to ask. “oh…heck…” She muttered, “Lancelot is there something else that’s bothering you, something else that brought you away from the Castle?” She asked curiously Kazira leaned back into her seat casually. “If you don’t want to tell me that’s fine. It just seems like there is something else going on. But that could just be my imagination playing tricks on me again.” She stated nonchalantly her smile easy going trying to play it off as a guess. She didn’t want him to tell her if he didn’t want to. Besides he didn’t really know her despite everything.

She let a sly smile cross her lips as she looked to Lancelot. A challenge indeed. “Oh I think I’ve already let you close enough to do some damage” She stated with a wink. “Besides I think that a fight would probably be a draw.” She flushed slightly when he said he would be displeased. To be honest she was a little surprised she didn’t think that she left that good of an impression on the knight before her. Yeah sure she teased him and they left on amiable terms but she could never really guess what he was really thinking like she could others. He was a hard one to read. And if she had developed her empathy when she was younger this wouldn’t have been as hard but she never had a need to since she was mostly interacting with emotionally inept and corrupt individuals that just needed her services. She nodded her head. The victory was bitter sweet…she wondered how Arthur had taken to the woman he thought of as a sister taking over the kingdom. She should stayed the first day but things came up…She pushed the thoughts back. She smiled teasingly. “A Challenge indeed my friend.” She waved her hand over to Dan. “Not in the least. I thought that I would allow you the honor or choosing. Its on me.” She smiled. “And don’t choose something lighter than you would normally drink.” She warned with a laugh.

[Deleted]

If there was anybody who could understand his need to get out of the castle, he thought it was Kazira. It was not that he knew her all that well, cause he didn’t. However, she seemed to be one who needed the wide open spaces and did not want to be closed in or closed up. He saw her head nod in apparent agreement, as he thought she might, and then she responded verbally. “Yes, I thought if anybody understood, it would be you. Exactly …. Exactly. Its just I’ve been one who is not tied down to a particular place for most of my life. Its tough to change quickly …. Maybe its impossible.”

He watched her grin and slide forward. He didn’t know why, but suddenly he felt much more at ease. Being with her was a lot like it was when he was with Merlin, or when he had been with Gwen longer ago. He just had the feeling that he could relax around her, that she didn’t expect him to be somebody or something he wasn’t. His stiff Knight of Camelot posture disappeared and he slumped down in his chair, a bit more at ease. However, as he relaxed, he noticed, she seemed to tense up, as if there was something that was bothering her …. Something that she wanted to ask him. In fact, it seemed like it was about to come out … she changed her mind …. and asked …. a very general question.

“Lancelot is there something else that’s bothering you, something else that brought you away from the Castle? If you don’t want to tell me that’s fine. It just seems like there is something else going on. But that could just be my imagination playing tricks on me again.” He didn’t know it was so obvious, and he really didn’t know her so well, but she had seemed to be tuned into things better than most. ”You seem to be able to read me better than most …. Still. The fact of the matter is that one reason is simply that I like to get away. However, I must admit there is something that has been bothering me, although I think it’s behind me now. Now …… if it’s a problem that a man has what do you suppose it involves or involved,” he chuckled lightly. “You are quite perceptive, though, I must say. How exactly am I supposed to keep any secrets from you?”

They did seem to be comfortable with one another, he thought, at least as friends. He could feel comfortable with casual conversation, which was not a trick that he was accomplished in with most people. But she was indeed different. He saw her wink and he wasn’t quite sure what it meant. “Well, when we fought you allowed me to get close enough, but my heart was not in it,” and his face colored ever so slightly. “Yes …. A draw would be the most likely outcome I suppose.” He saw that her expression changed when he said that he would have been ‘displeased’ if she would have gotten hurt. It was a difficult look to read, but he had given up from the very beginning to try reading what her thoughts were, so he didn’t even try.

Momentarily they had moved on to the battle at Camelot, and the events immediately surrounding it. She seemed to acknowledge the difficulty of both victory and attaining Knighthood, before their words and thoughts bent back to the immediate present. As he thought about how her fighting skills would have been useful in the battle they had had at Camelot, he listened to her response about having some Ale. “A challenge then it is. Well then, let’s go with the strongest Ale they’ve got here,” he smiled, feeling somewhat adventurous, more so than he had felt in some time.

[†Kazira Astras†]

She smiled lightly. He was a nomad no matter what title he had or the clothing he wore. Walls are too restrictive for any length of time. She swished her drink around slightly before taking a gulp but it still seemed as if were something else. “It is tough to change quickly.” She agreed, “but it is not impossible to change.” She added as she looked around and the focused to the man before her. They were different yet alike. Similar in many ways that are obvious but different in ways that are not. She knew how to adapt quickly especially to critical emotional events…But humans in general have different coping strategies to handle the stress and challenges life brings about. Maybe Lancelot hadn’t found his yet? “You have to change slowly let things flow and move as they are.” She paused and smiled thoughtfully. “You should be like a river. Its always moving––changing. Its hard to keep it behind walls. “She gave him a meaningful look.”It always has a way to escape to the outside. It may not be the most obvious course or choice but being adaptable is part of being a nomad. And others do not understand this. But there is a time when one must settle.”

Moros looked at Kazira like she had gone nuts. When did she become the woman who had all of the wise words to say? When did she grow up? Moros watched Kazira’s face carefully and saw that she was watching the man––studying him more like it. Moros turned his heads towards the knight…he couldn’t for the life of him remember his name… what was she looking for? Was he hiding something? This man didn’t feel like a threat and his instincts weren’t usually wrong except for maybe a few people but even then they had started out fine. Just what was going on?

Kazira settled back into her chair and laced her fingers behind her neck and crossed her ankles out under the table. She had an easy going smile on her face. For the most part he seemed to be a bit shocked that she had noticed anything. While her empathy wasn’t well developed she was still able to pick up on things and even without it she was observant. More observant in her older years than when she had first started out. If they had met when she was younger. She wouldn’t have noticed a single thing but she’s had to learn to read people more than she would have liked and it became an ingrained instinct to pay attention to those around her. It could get her killed if she didn’t watch who she was working with. “No I didn’t read you,” She denied half heartedly. “I’m just able to see things that others don’t want to be seen.” She stated somewhat cryptically. If it’s a problem that a man has what do you suppose it involves or involed? She thought the question over somewhat. It was obviously a girl but she wanted to play with him a bit. Who wouldn’t if the opportunity was laid right at their feet like a perfect gift? “Well it obviously involves a woman so either you couldn’t get it up or she’s in love with someone else.” She had a feeling it was the second one but the first respose was to get him to either laugh or turn pink and/or get really angry at her. At his statement about how he was going to keep secrets from her? Well…She didn’t have a good answer other than…”Blind fold me?”

“Well,” She giggled seeing his face flush slightly. Who knew that he was so easy to embarrass? It wasn’t like had groped her during the fight. “what do I have to do to get you’re heart into a fight? Be a man?”She laughed and turned her head away dramatically her left hand outstretched as if to push him away and the back of her right wrist to her forehead. “Sorry lad, but no matter how ‘fond’ of magic this land is I wont use it to change genders just to have a good fight.” She Laughed and dropped her hands. She was glad that he had come around. She hadn’t relaxed at all since she took the job and this was the first time in a while that she was able to act silly with any human besides Lidia and Dan who only shook their heads and didn’t really know her…Well Lancelot didn’t either but he knew her better than the Inn owners did. She was slightly confused though after she got over the shock. He would actually be displeased if she got hurt? She gave up the thought was going to drive her insane if she continued down that road.

Moros looked at his friend and was as confused as she was. This man had only met her a handful of times. Not that it mattered to Kazira. If she declared him a friend she would stick to it unless they tried to kill her…which amazingly not all of her friends tried to do. He idly wondered what she would have done if she had been in Camelot during the time of the battle. But didn’t dwell on it, it was the past and it was something that you couldn’t change. Besides she was making something for the human brat she met. For their birthday! He couldn’t believe she was going to give up her mother’s silk!

She smiled at the mention of a challenge. “A challenge it is.” She waved Lidia over. “Lidia!” She smiled, “You’re best and strongest Ale. It seems that this knight wants a challenge with little ‘ole me.” She stated with a laugh.
“Oh dear. I tell Dan to clear the stairs tonight. Can’t have you walking into walls again? Now can we?” Lidia smiled as she arrived at the table.

Kazira flushed when her friend mentioned her walking into the walls. It was hard walking up stairs when you are drunker than a drunkard and trying to walk to your room while everything is spinning. But! She had won the challenge! No one here had beaten her. Of course that’s not to say that she hasn’t lost before just not there. “Lidia!” Kazira jumped up and clamped a hand over the woman’s mouth laughing. It was times like these that she missed. Times like these that she wished she traveled with other people.

[Deleted]

The one thing that Lancelot had learned over his years of travel, of wandering, and the different situations, was that it was unwise to make assumptions about people or places. Some people, for example, you had to take as you found them. Others, he had found, offered you a false front, compared to how they really were underneath. They could present you with a brash, un-feeling persona, when it was actually a defense mechanism. He, by comparison, had really been a boy and then a man with a single goal. He had realized that goal for an instant, and it had been sweet, but it also gave him another realization, once it had passed …. that he was a seeker. His interest, he now knew, was in serving others, so it was just as much, if not more, the journey than it was the destination. As such, he questioned whether actually becoming a knight, even a Knight of Camelot, long-term would be enough for him. This brought him back to the question of Kazira. She was much too complex of a person to figure out easily. In some ways her explanation, as a person, was just what she offered, being challenging and a daredevil, and she relished it, especially with over-confident fighting men.

However, he felt that there was something deeper there as well. He saw her light smile and wondered what it meant, and what were the thought processes that were going on behind it. Was she thinking about him, or someone or something else that had just popped into her head? Her next words gave him the slightest of impressions that she was thinking on him.

“Yes ….. yes it is difficult to change with speed. However, those who are unwilling to change are often crushed by the changes that they aren’t willing to even recognize, let alone take part in.” He wondered suddenly …. Was she making a reference to herself, or even to him? Lancelot was the first to admit that his abilities to recognize the signals given by women were limited, let alone in translating them from Kazira. He wondered what interest she had in men, without even entertaining whether she would have an interest in him. “Yes, but how slowly is slowly. If you don’t change or adjust fast enough, isn’t it as bad as not changing at all? Hmmmm …… and when did you choose to settle? Sometimes I think I will only settle when I sleep for the final time. After all a soldier is not meant to die in a bed, but on a horse, is he not, whether he be a nomad or not?” Of course that last question was a bit rhetorical and philosophical, and he really didn’t expect an answer, since there really wasn’t a right or wrong answer. However, one thing that he did notice was how relaxed and enjoyable she seemed to be finding their conversation. She did appear to be fishing for something. He just wasn’t quite sure what it was. Hmmm …. He didn’t know whether to believe her about not reading him … her heart didn’t seem to be in the answer. Was she trying to say that there was something he was trying to hide? In truth, of course, there were many secrets that he had that he tried to keep from others.

Lancelot was visibly surprised that she had deciphered it so quickly, and did not take his statement just as a joke. It was pure Kazira, though, as the first option was both earthy and crude. “Well ….. which do you think is most likely, Kaz, or do you think that I would have a problem with my manly responsibilities,” he said with a raised eyebrow. He did his best not to allow her remarks to get a rise out of him, but he was unsure how good a job he had don at hiding his feelings. He did, though, let a smile out at her comment about blindfolding her. “I doubt whether you would trust me enough to blindfold you,” he laughed. He saw, though, when she giggled that he had hidden very little from her. He turned serious at her melo-dramatic mannerisms, and he responded for him, fairly sternly, “I have to have something worthwhile to fight for. I have never been interested in riches to give me an incentive to fight.” He smiled lightly at her joke about changing gender, but now wondered himself what or who would be worth Kaz’s time to fight for.

Finally, he thought, she had responded to his challenge over Ale. At least it was a contest that they could both enjoy without worrying about its deadly nature, and perhaps it would allow them to get away from these contests in which they were sparring over words. However, Lancelot also considered that too much Ale in too short a time could loosen the tongue.

He had so far managed to reveal little of consequence to Kazira. He had to make sure that he didn’t let anything inadvertently slip. Momentarily, though, he banished the thought, since he assumed that he, given his larger size would be likely to drink her under the table. He smiled at Lidia’s comment about walking into walls, as well as Kaz’s display of physical humor,in clamping her hand over Lidia’s mouth. “Come now, then, enough delays. Let’s get down to business!”

[†Kazira Astras†]

Lidia had come back a small smile still on her face. She had brought with her several tankards of their finest ale and set it before the two warriors. She couldn’t help but wonder how Kazira knew a knight of Camelot but she didn’t question anything she did anymore. She worked in mysterious ways and those ways brought Dan and herself much relief over the past several days. Here you go dears. She gave one last smile before walking back to the other customers. She still had to tell Dan to clear off the stairs. They didn’t want any mishaps to occur after their little contest.

Kazira smiled at Lidia and grabbed a tankard and raised it. “Here’s to a fair competition.” She took a gulp and felt the liquid slid easily down her throat. It shocked her somewhat. She was used to the slight burn from the drink and a somewhat foul taste. But this tasted…better…than the others. Guess it really was their finest. She shook her head. She couldn’t believe she had agreed to do this but it would be fun to see what happened. She mentally shrugged off her thoughts and let them wander to what he had said earlier. “What you said was true ya know. But you know. Even the unwilling do eventually change it doesn’t matter the speed. Even the smallest change that the resisting people make; make the biggest difference.” She stated taking another drink before she began to cough. She had taken in to much and it went down the wrong pipe. “I don’t think that I chose to settle yet.” She started, “I think that I am to much like water. Always moving.” She nibbled on a piece of bread that she had on her plate. “I think that a solider is meant to die however he wishes. Mainly defending those he has vowed to protect.”

She had practically agreed with him without actually saying so. She was twisting her words to make it sound like poetry. She heard a shout from behind her and laughed as a man danced around with his girl to no music. This place made her feel somewhat poetic and she didn’t understand why. But she didn’t really care either. She also didn’t want to just come out and say anything either. She for some reason or another wanted people to think about the answers she gave. She took a large drink and looked at her empty cup before she had grabbed the second one that Lidia had placed on the table. At this rate she might not be making any sense and her words would ring to true and clear.

She smiled slyly at him. “Well, Lance, I’m not to sure but I’m leaning more towards the fact that the woman is in love with someone else.” She took a sip of her drink. “Besides I don’t think that you would have any problems with your manly resposibilites…that I know of.” She stated off handedly but stating the truth. She never experienced anything with the man so how would she know about them? Besides he wasn’t that hard to see that the moment she had opened her mouth that she had shocked him. She kept the smile on her face. “Don’t take it to lightly. I would let anyone blindfold me. But if it was someone I didn’t know they would do so at their own risk of losing a limb.” Moros looked up at her and couldn’t hold the shock back. She had said that so jokingly that you almost didn’t think that she wasn’t serious but the underlying edge to her tone said otherwise. He wondered if the knight had caught on to that little fact?

Kazira nodded her head and waved Lidia down for another drink. That would make sense. To have something worthwhile to fight for in order to gain a serious fight. She paused. What would she fight for? Moros? Arthur? Definitely not riches those were just means to an end. She didn’t much care for them. She enjoyed fighting and relished in fighting a stronger opponent. Even if she lost she learned something. She pulled something from every fight. Even the verbal spars that she has with the vendors and merchants she encounters. “I could understand that. I could also agree with that sentiment.” She paused as she looked at her drink. “So are you ready to lose?” She asked with a coy smirk planted on her lips.

[Deleted]

Lancelot, had, of course, already taken the seat, across from Kazira, and taken the opportunity to stretch out and relax some. But now, the time has come to get down to serious business, the drinking contest. He had not had anything to eat since early in the day, but he was not too concerned. After all, Kazira was a woman, and normally the varieties of ale that were served at these establishments were not particularly strong. The woman …. he thought Kazira had called her Lidia …. came over and with a smile on her face delivered at least four full tankards of ale. She gave Lancelot a strange look, but he dismissed it, since he had this important business in front of him.

Lancelot had participated in a few of these, and watched many more, at taverns that he had stopped in on his many travels. He knew that you had to keep a careful eye on your opponent, so that you kept up with their conditions, and that they didn’t pull any tricks. He would never suspect Kaz of such tricks, but it was better to be safe than sorry. Lancelot saw her raise her tankard and he quickly grabbed one to raise in response. “A fair competition? …. of course …. I will try to make it quick and merciful for you,” he said with a sly smile. Most of the time Lancelot acted in a knightly way, but this was a winner-takes-all tavern environment, which called for a different attitude. Plus, this was not an ordinary person, it was Kazira, and he could not permit her to win, no matter how he felt about her personally. A Knight of Camelot, losing to her, was not permissible. He drained half of the first tankard in his first gulp. Something was amiss, he thought. The ale tasted different than the normal tavern brew. It was a higher quality, and he could tell by the burning sensation, a stronger brew. But no matter, it would just put her under faster, he thought.

He did not know if she was trying to divert his attention by shifting to a different subject, but he decided to follow along. He did not know if it was initial effects of the ale. But she actually started to sound a bit philosophical. “So …. You agree with me then. Well …. I don’t know if that’s right or not. After all, I would probably classify Uther as being one of the most unwilling folks that I’ve ever seen. Do you really think that he will ever change? I just had a conversation with him a few days ago. He seemed appreciative of what we had done, but it was clear he didn’t trust me, and it was also clear that he expected to be again, sometime. I got the sinking feeling that he would try to turn things back to the way they were. However, if he did change, it would make a big difference, I suppose.” With one gulp he finished off his first tankard, set it down and began sipping on the second.

“Hey, be careful of how you drink this stuff. I don’t want to win by you choking yourself to death,” he said, just beginning to slur his speech a bit. Once her throat had cleared she had moved on to another subject. “No, I don’t think either of us has chosen to yet. Yes …. I suppose water might be a good a metaphor. A soldier? …. Do you think so? Every soldier, I think has an idea about how he would want to die, and where. I can think of no other better reason,” he said giving her a quick look in the eyes before looking away. It must be the ale, he thought, she seemed to be talking …. different. Suddenly though, she seemed to have an interest in his particular problem …. that she had narrowed to two possibilities, and that she had seemed to be concentrating on the one that happen to be true. Damn females and their intuition. “and what would you know or want to know of those …. Kaz?,” he said as he tried to change the subject, and completely drained his second tankard of ale. “More Ale!,” he yelled out.

He saw the smile on her face. It was as if she knew something. How could she know anything about what had happened? “Does that mean that you are looking for me to blindfold you,” he asked with a sly smile, noticing for the first time that Moros was looking somewhat agitated. “Or would you be looking to have the opportunity to cut off one of my limbs, whether I know you well or no?” What was she trying to get at, he wondered, in his increasingly addled brain, as he saw his third and fourth tankards arrive. He saw Kazira wave for some more as well as Lidia approached the table with his tankards. Outside of the possible loss of limbs, and the enjoyment of a good fight, Lancelot now wondered exactly what she would consider worthy of fighting for. Her next comment brought him back to their contest. “Lose?,” as he gulped down half of his third tankard, “I’m ahead of you on my third tankard, and its half gone, and I am d … d … da … doing fine,” he said with a smile and as he swayed slightly.

[†Kazira Astras†]

Kazira raised a brow at Lidia but said nothing as she brought them their second round of ale. She was rather tempted to ask her what type it was but the slight fog that was clouding her mind was preventing her from doing so. It was odd of a tavern to have that strong of ale. Most was severely watered down and would take hundreds to even create the hum of a drunk. Others less but the principal was still the same. She smirked at him behind her tankard. A quick and merciful one eh? Well if he kept going the way he was he wasn’t even going to make it. “We’ll see about that my friend.” She snickered slightly as he talked about Uther. She finished her third tankard easily and smoothly still nibbling on the bread. An unlady like snort came from her when he mentioned that he was expecting to take over an =d change everything back. “The hell he is.” She muttered. “If that man changed it would make the world of difference. It just depended on how he changed. Would it be for the better or for worse?” She asked pouting slightly at the thought of Uther taking over. The thought was heinous and she would cause a mutiny…wait that was for a ship…a rebellion. She would cause a rebellion should he take over again. She was not going to go back to the shadows (though technically she still is in the shadows but that wasn’t her point) when she could live in the light of change. Nope it was not happening, not one bit.

She waved him off with a smile after her litter coughing spell. “Oh don’t worry bout that,” she stated her irish accent thickening and her slang words coming out. “Something like choking to death wont kill me.” She giggled as she took down her fifth or was it fourth tankard.”Besides I’m to stubborn to die. Or so I’m told.” She finished with a somewhat confused look. But she shook it off. She needed to slow down. This ale was too strong for her to be downing it like water in a desert. “Yes I suppose so.” She said with a soft smile. “’Everyone is different so I guess how and where they would like to die would be as well; no?”She’d caught his eyes for a second before he’d looked away. She blinked. Was it something she said? She took a sip off her ale she’d gotten used to the burn.

She smiled coyly leaning forward. “Wouldn’t you like to know…Lance?” She winked before flopping back into her seat. Lidia had brought them more ale and set them down a concerned look crossing her face. She said nothing as she turned back towards that bar and talked with her husband who nodded. Kazira tilted her head she wondered what they were talking about. She giggled. “Oh my dear friend. That would all depend on what you were blindfolding me for.” She covered her mouth to stop the giggles from escaping but it was almost a lost cause. “And to cut off you’re limbs... I don’t think Ar…Arthur would be to happy with me.” She managed to get out the last part just barely before her giggles took over again. She wasn’t drunk but she was on her way. Usually when she got this way she was very childish and spoke whatever was on her mind no matter what it was. She had to thank any mystical being that was out there that no one believed a word she’d said because they were drunker than a dog howlin at the moon. “You may be a head of me…b…bu…but you’re swayin a bit there buddy!” She chirped from her seat as she nibbled on a piece of bread and twirled a strand of hair.

Moros sat on the ground and shook his head. This was going to be a long night. Why did they have to do this now? Of all nights? Was he the only one who remembered that the man that she was hired to protect was coming here for a meeting later on? He looked op at the giggle mess that was his friend and the swaying and stuttering knight that sat across from her…yes, yes he was. He hung his head and flop on the ground his weight shaking some of the utensils on the table. He might as well relax and keep an ear out if things got out of hand between the two of them.

[Deleted]

Lancelot, despite his rapidly increasing inebriation, saw Kazira’s raised brow to their host, and he wondered what that was all about. He knew that Kazira liked to win at everything she did, whether it was against a man or a woman. Was it possible, he wondered, that she had made an agreement with the innkeepers that he would be given tankards of a strong brew while she would not? Even if that was the plan he would not let her win ….. he would drink her under the table anyway. He would not let her get the satisfaction of winning. He saw the smirk that she was giving him, and that just confirmed it to his drunken and addled mind, whether it had any basis in reality or not. “There’s nothing to see, it’s a promise,” he laughingly retorted back to her, as the alcohol removed many of the natural inhibitions that he might have had, especially towards her. They had quickly moved from their mutual verbal jousts where he had informed her of Uther’s obvious intentions that Lancelot had picked up from conversations with him. He chuckled at her response. “Well Kazira, you know very well that that will be between him and Arthur. It would be foolish on his part, I think, at least in the near future. The council and the people all support Arthur, as do his Knights. You know it would be for the worse, since he would only want to turn back the clock. But you also know he is not stupid. He would pick a moment where Arthur is weakest and there is not something so low that he will not try to get what he wants. In his mind the ends always justify the means.”

He was glad to see that she over her little spell …. Probably just some that went down the wrong way. “Good, I don’t need any help. I want to put you on the floor fair and square,” he smiled. He listened to her voice thicken and grow rich with her Irish accent, which he found quite attractive. He shook his head, trying to clear it of such thoughts …. Thoughts that he did not feel were helpful in a competition. “No, I can’t see anything killin you with the spirit you’ve got. So then, what do you propose that the winner will win as a prize of victory? Or will it just be a sense of satisfaction. ….. Yes I suppose the place and manner of death depends on the individual. A soldier of course almost always prefers it on the battlefield.” Their eyes linked for a long moment …. Lance couldn’t help himself …. Why couldn’t he be fighting a stranger that was a man? He took another drink as he saw her take another.

He watches her lean forward ……… finds the motion alluring in a way ….. leans forward so that their noses almost touch ….. “Yes ….. yes I would Kaz.” He sees her wink and returns it as he drains another tankard and begins another. The drink is strong enuf so that his mouth is numb to the drink’s effects now. Lance saw the concerned look on the server’s face. Was she afraid that their favorite was not doing as well as was planned, his drunken mind wondered. If so, he decided that the way to go was to drink more, even faster, and he finished off the tankard he had been working on so he could start another. “Oh,” he said surprised, and exactly what would you be willing to be blindfolded for, lovely lady,” he asked with increasingly glazed eyes. “Arthur knows you though, doesn’t he …. would understand” …..uses tankard to rest his chin from risking a collapse onto floor, after he has finished it. “More Ale!” He shook his head at her comment. The Ale must be making you see things Kaz. I never been sobererer…. Er.” After glancing at Moros, who seemed even more perturbed, he took a long look into her eyes once more and then let out a long sigh ……