Pastures New(LANCELOT)

[Lady Raven Silvester]

The carriage stopped as it came to the harbor. As usual it was busy with the days trades from business my from all over coming to sell their wares. A grand ship was docked at the nearest dock. Its sails bore the infamous Assassin's symbol and had and eagle instead of a woman at the front of it. Raven stepped out of the carriage in her Assassin's uniform. Her weapons were strapped to her body and she meant business. All she had to do now was wait for Lancelot to arrive then, they would be on their way to Masayaf. She waited near the gangplank for Lancelot and as she did so, she watched the day to day activities of the citizens, oblivious to her.

[Lancelot Du Lac]

Lancelot and Raven had had to split up before traveling to the harbor. She had things to organize and set up before they could leave. The ship had to be prepared and supplies delivered and a crew made ready. Lancelot, on the other hand, had some personal issues to take care of. He had to formally request leave from Arthur's service, and determine whether he would have his blessing to travel abroad as a Knight of Camelot. Lancelot felt that, although he would still be a Knight, on this journey he would be protecting Raven, and not representing Camelot.

So he had put his uniform away, and put on a more generic Knight's uniform. He traveled with 2 long-swords, since he was by nature ambidextrous, and his weaponry was more visibly worn, so as to discourage any who might want to challenge him. Finally, after a say or two, he rode up to the gangplank of the ship on his black Arabian stallion, ready to embark on this journey as Raven's bodyguard, even though she was quite capable of taking care of herself. He nodded a greeting to her as he dismounted.

[Lady Raven Silvester]

Raven wrapped her arms around him and smiled. "Did you have a safe trip?" she asked. Raven kept an eye out for any signs of the Templar army. Her heart was pounding in her chest and sweat was forming on her brow. She had never been this nervous before. She turned to Lancelot. "On the ship." she said and drew her sword. Some Templars attacked. Raven threaded her blade through the gut of one and as she turned around she sent her blade up through the bottom of another Templar's mouth and through the top of his skull. Raven free-ran onto the ship. "Cast off." she ordered.

[Lancelot Du Lac]

Lancelot had just dismounted when he was greeted the Lady Raven. She did not kiss him, but she did smile and give him a hug. But she did seem quite a bit more nervous than normal. "Yes, but I felt like I could feel eyes watching me the last several mile." It did not take long for him to understand why she was so. No sooner had he responded to her command-like statement with, "Yes my lady," that he saw a group of Templars assault. It seemed that she was taking several out with one stroke. He pulled a dagger and through a killing shot with it into one attacker that she had missed. He then caught her in his arms as she ran and dove onto the ship. He gave her a smile and said, "You do make grand entrances and exits don't you .... milady?" It was not if the sailors needed her command, since they were already executing the maneuver as they had begun to be attacked.

[Lady Raven Silvester]

Raven sighed and dusted herself off. She released her hidden blades then let them slide back into their holsters when she checked them. "Well thats just me. Please, call me Raven. I don't like being called 'My Lady' or 'Milady', it makes me feel... Well alone. I like to feel that I am equal to everyone. Just because I come from a noble background doesn't mean I act like a noblewoman." she smiled. She couldn't wait to see her old friends from Masayaf again Altaїr should be there along with some other old friends. Raven clutched Lancelot's hand and rested her head on him. "It will be a long journey." she said.

[Lancelot Du Lac]

There was nothing like some excitement to start off a trip, Lancelot thought. He watched as she re-sheathed her weapons, and he finally replied ..... "Very well ... Lady Raven .... Raven. I much prefer when you be your true self, rather than hiding your true nature," he smiled. "And trust me ..... you are not alone. Well .... that is convenient since I am not nobleman, but must frequently act like I am." She suddenly reached out and took his hand and rested her head on his shoulder. It gave him a feeling that she had absolute trust him. "Well, just because it will be long is no reason why it shouldn't be a pleasant, especially given the company I will have. Tell me about where we will be going. Do you know anyone there, or is this a complete adventure?"

[Lady Raven Silvester]

Raven smiled. "I know a few people there." she said. She walked into the belly of the ship and to her cabin. She waited for Lancelot as she had something for him. A new sword and hopefully along with some of his fellow Knight s he would join the Assassin Order.

[Lancelot Du Lac]

he found her answer about knowing people at their upcoming destination as somewhat non-committal. He knew from experience that when she started talking like that that she often had some covert plans afoot. he also figured that she knew some people, probably some shady characters, that they would meet. Undoubtedly they would be some allies of her Order. She turned and walked into the center of the ship, and since she did not tell him not to follow, he thought the instructions were implicit that he follow her. he saw her in the doorway of a cabin ahead, and he saw her beckon him forward. "Yes ... Raven?"

[Lady Raven Silvester]

Raven held something in her ivory coloured hands. It was covered in a blood red cloth. She unfolded the cloth to present a sword. "If you are to be truly one of us you need a lighter, more agile weapon." she said. She gave him the weapon. It was lighter than a knight's sword, for quicker more precise attacks. She smiled as she waited for his answer. "I had it made by the Assassin Guild's blacksmith." she said. She looked into his soft brown eyes, then looked away.

Sword

[Lancelot Du Lac]

Lancelot knew, from the inflection in her voice, that she had something that she wanted to give him, or talk to him about. He thought that she might want to discuss some aspect of the place they were traveling to. Since he had his own weapons, which were generally sufficient, he was a bit taken aback that she had a weapon that she wanted to give him. Just because it was a surprise, though, did not mean that he was about to refuse. He watched as she unwrapped it and let out a gasp when he saw its craftsmanship.

"It is that, and much more," he said complimenting the sword's construction. "I am more than happy to accept it and what it entails." He looked back into her eyes with his pale blue ones as he inserted the sword into his belt, which held other blades. He saw her eyes catch is suddenly, as she turned. He grabbed her hand and turned her back towards him, so that their eyes caught each other, just as he kissed her, as a thanks for the gift she had given

[Lady Raven Silvester]

Raven melted into the kiss. She wrapped her arms around his neck. After a while she pulled back. "You're welcome." she smiled. She blushed a little. He was handsome. She looked at him. She felt safe with him. "Lancelot..." she whispered, she kissed him again. Her whole body wanting him. Her heart lept as she got closer. This connection... It felt so right.

[Lancelot Du Lac]

Lancelot had thought that he had caught her by surprise with the kiss, and the way that she reacted to it was quite un-Ravenlike, at least with him. She normally liked to maintain a separation .. a space ... or at least in control. here, she simply relaxed into him, not caring much about what was seen or not seen by others. As they separated she mumbled her thanks with a small smile, and just a bit of blush on her cheeks. She seemed to want to avoid too much eye contact as well, as she looked down for a moment. However, after that moment she looked back up again, seeking and receiving another kiss. Once again he sensed that she did not want to separate, but her duties aboard ship almost demanded that she did, even as she said his name once more. It was all fine with him, as long as she did not make an overt attempt to control him.

[Lady Raven Silvester]

Raven pulled away and rushed out onto the top deck. She felt so embarrassed. The night was young. The moon was full and chalky white. Raven went to the front of the ship and looked down at the enchanting, royal blue waters. Tears fell from her eyes. How could she be so stupid? Lancelot didn't love her. She looked up at the moon and sighed sadly. Love would never come to her, that much was certain.

[Lancelot Du Lac]

Raven rushed away like she was running away from Lancelot, and not as if she was attending to some work, so Lancelot hurried after her. He saw that she walked quickly .... almost running ...... the length of the top deck towards the bow. The last thing that he remembered as their last kiss had broken off was how red her face had been. But what exactly had she to be embarrassed about ... was she embarrassed about Lancelot? He finally found her in the bow of the boat, and her shoulders were jerking as if she was crying or sobbing. He put a hand on each shoulder and snuggled the front of his chest up against her back. "I never seem to know about you ... one minute you are pulling me in and the next thing you are running away. Are you that embarrassed by me?," he asked.

[Lady Raven Silvester]

Raven's heart was so confused. ¨Lancelot, I love you, but I doubt you could love me for what I am.¨ she said. She put a pale skinned hand on Lancelot's left. Her heart was breaking. She wanted to know the truth. Did he want her like she wanted him? Only he could answer that...