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Post by Sir Mordred Pendragon on Nov 1, 2011 14:40:22 GMT
"You have my word sister nothing of the sort shall escape my lips. After Rome I traveled as well to the far lands of Africa. The sun would be so hot that it would burn you in mere hours and to survive you must eat salt."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Nov 1, 2011 14:47:34 GMT
Lamorak had been watching the crowd but had not been expecting to be approached. It took him a moment to realize that the young druidess had been addressing him. The words finally registered and he nodded "Greetings my lady" He felt uncomfortable, a feeling he was not accustomed to. "I am looking forward to the celebration though I confess that I know little of it." ///////////////////////////////////// Diwrnach approaches the cluster druids, "Greetings all, it has been a while. I confess it is good to be amongst people primarily of our faith." He knew their would be a few christians this evening. The young woman smiled sympathetically. "Oh, do you not celebrate the Beltane rites where you come from, sir?" It did not seem to occur to her that he might be a Christian. //////// "Greetings, Diwrnach," said one of the male druids. "It is good indeed. We can be ourselves tonight, free to worship in the way that we feel comfortable. Already I feel spring coursing through my veins. I long to dance before the fire."
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Post by Sir Ironside/Merlin on Nov 1, 2011 14:48:00 GMT
"He obviously never attended a Beltane celebration, for it is hard to resist the primal urge when swept up in the ritual, at least how we celebrate it in my homeland. What exactly does the ritual entail here?" Ironside asked, hoping the differences weren't vast.
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"I would have to agree. The world was a much simpler place when matrilenal inheritance was still in practice. It made things much more communal." Merlin agreed, though he was a bit biased, choosing not to validate his paternal heritage.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Nov 1, 2011 14:59:34 GMT
"Africa? I don't even know where that is," Morgan admitted ruefully. "I know much of magic and the old rites, but I know very little about the lands far from Britain. I know where Ireland is, and France, and the kingdoms of the Saxons, but I have never left our island. The lands further away are as another world entirely. But why would you eat salt? It makes you thirsty, as does the heat. Is that not dangerous?"
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"Lady Viviane will light the fires with her attendants. Then she will say prayers - in English, not in Latin like the Christian priests do - and then we will sing and dance around the fires. Then we will pass cups of mead round the circle and have a drink eac. There will be more prayers and then those who wish to can go apart and celebrate in the flesh. But some go off and say prayers by themselves if they don't wish to share their body with another. Or, if a woman has her curse upon her, then she may not celebrate in the usual way," Morgause explained.
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"But the world has changed," Viviane sighed. "It is the father who matters now we are under the influence of the Roman ways, and never mind that the mother's lineage is the only one that can be guaranteed. This is exactly why I am concerned. A mother's blood is holy."
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Post by Sir Lamorak / Diwrnach on Nov 1, 2011 15:02:43 GMT
"There are but a few who still cling to the old religion, my sister among them. She has taught me some of the old ways but I fear that I have not celebrated the Beltane rites. Alas she is not here, perhaps you could instruct me in her stead?" He asked
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"I do as well. What do you make of this quest for this christian holy grail?" Diwrnach asked
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Post by Sir Ironside/Merlin on Nov 1, 2011 15:11:34 GMT
"The drinking and 'celebrating of the flesh' I can do with the best of them. The rest, I shall follow your lead, Lady Morgause. Experience is an attractive quality in a maiden." Ironside replied, relieved that he had asked. The spring celebration in the Red Lands was often marked with blood. Such cultural differences were important to know in advance.
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"Well none can diminish your importance in tonight's celebration. Take some small comfort in that. What lucky lad will be earning the favor of the famed Lady of the Lake?" he asked, knowing many of the male druids would be fighting for the honor. Perhaps such a display would remind Viviane of the true power women still held.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Nov 1, 2011 15:22:47 GMT
"Oh, I certainly could," the druid girl said. "If you will tell me your name. Naturally it would not be proper for you to celebrate alongside your sister."
She smirked a little, guessing that he had no idea what the rites ended with.
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"The Holy Grail is but another name for the Cup of Life that was lost to our people many years ago," said the male druid. "I do not think it was a Christian vision. I saw it too and it appears that you did. I see it as a signal that some of our people should go and seek the Cup and the other sacred treatures before the Christians lay claim to them all in the King's name."
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"I think that is a contradiction, sir. A maiden is, by nature, inexperienced, and I am no maiden."
Morgause spoke without shame, indeed, with a little pride.
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"I have yet to decide, but I will choose a man close to my own age. It would be odd to lay with one young enough to be my son unless we were undertaking the Great Marriage, which this is not. I believe I shall see who my gaze falls upon," Viviane said.
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Post by Sir Ironside/Merlin on Nov 1, 2011 15:31:40 GMT
A wide grin spread across Ironside's face and for an instant he looked less like the hard man he had grown into and more like the spirited youth he had been.
"And what men did you use to gain such experience? I've heard you brashly ask a few women this question but never heard you offer up your own answer."
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"A prudent thought, my lady. Though is this rite not supposed to be about freeing yourself from the shackles of what's proper. If you desire a young man during the ritual, should you not take him as a sign that is what the gods intended?" Merlin asked, playing devil's advocate as he had done many times with Arthur during their lessons, albeit never concerning such a mature subject.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Nov 1, 2011 15:43:12 GMT
"Oh, at other Beltane celebrations," she said blithely. "It's different when you are giving yourself in celebration of the gods and the seasons."
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"That's true but I am less sure that a young man of twenty would wish to bed with me," Viviane laughed. "It might happen, certainly, but I will not presume to think it. There are a fair few men of my own age who are most suitable."
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Post by Sir Ironside/Merlin on Nov 1, 2011 15:53:33 GMT
"Of course, it is the spirit of the season", Ironside admitted, "Are any of them present tonight?"
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"You sell yourself short, fair lady. I'm sure many of the young druids would leap at he oppurtunity. Were I still as spry as I once was, I might have joined the fray for your affections." Merlin replied, with a sly grin. "Alas, I mustn't miss the Eucharist at the chapel and will depart before the fertility ritual begins."
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Nov 1, 2011 16:05:46 GMT
"I don't believe so," Morgause admitted. "But it's possible. Not everyone has arrived yet. Does that worry you?"
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"Oh, Merlin, I am saddened that you feel you must join the Christian ceremonies. But far be it from me to tell you what you should do. I know yours has not been an easy road to walk. As it is, we shall begin soon enough. I merely wish to make sure nobody misses out on the beginning of the rites."
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Post by Sir Lamorak / Diwrnach on Nov 1, 2011 16:06:41 GMT
Lamorak had heard rumors but did not know for certain. "That is most kind my lady. I am Lamorak." He thought it best to give no title. "May I have the pleasure of knowing your name my lady?" He asked
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"Perhaps it is the same object we seek though I have also heard word of a cauldron that can bring the dead back to life. Either way it would be good for us to send men of our faith along to search for this grail. If it is in fact a pagan relic it may sway the realm in our favor." he said
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Post by Lady Iseult of Ireland on Nov 1, 2011 16:08:54 GMT
Iseult arrived to the circle, her green eyes bright in the firelight as she watched the fire, warmed by it, despite the night seeming chilly to her. She was wearing the dress that she had worn to the feast but her feet were bare now. That was part of how it was done in Ireland, and she liked keeping at least somethings the same.
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Post by Sir Ironside/Merlin on Nov 1, 2011 16:10:17 GMT
"No man worries me, Lady Morgause. It would just give me a better idea of your unique tastes." Ironside replied with the confidence that can only come from experience.
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"I shall not ask Arthur to that which I am unwilling to. If my king must straddle the line between paganism and christianity, then I will do the same. It would be unworthy of me to do otherwise." Merlin replied, giving a sense of the heavy burden he bore.
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Post by Morgan le Fay on Nov 1, 2011 16:31:59 GMT
"My name is Melusine," she said. "I am pleased to meet you."
She had dark auburn hair and blue eyes and wore a druid's robes embroidered with leaves.
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"I agree. The Lady of the Lake has promised the King her assistance. No doubt she is of a similar mind to ourselves," the druid agreed. "I have heard of this cauldron. There is some doubt as to whether it is the same as the Cup of Life or different."
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