Dating Ancient Ghosts (open)

[Gillian de Mowbray]

Sleep had not come easily to Gillian since she was a child, she would toss and turn and sigh but no pillow or lullaby could ease her to rest. She had become accustomed to sleeping all of four hours a night, but it did not mean she had to enjoy the hours she spent tired, annoyed, alone, and awake. For a while she had taken to sewing, but it hadn't helped her sleep or entertained her enough. Then she had begun exploring, which did help to keep her entertained, but did nothing for her sleep. For her sleep she had Philip to thank.

She found herself dressing in one of her simpler dresses, the sort she used for sparring and practices, and adjusting the belt around her waist. The familiar weight at her side eased her immediately. Her hair had been pulled back into a loose braid, away from her face and out of harm's way, the sleeves of dress rolled back, she was ready. The door to her room creaked loudly as she closed it, making her wince. She had no intention of waking up half the bloody castle. Just because she had to suffer, didn't mean they had to be awake as well, no doubt it would make Nottingham twice as miserable.

Gill didn't bother to hide or sneak her way down to the courtyard, she never made any attempt to hide that she played with swords, despite the scornful and confused looks the guards and soldiers gave her as she passed by. They could look all they wanted, in the end she could most likely beat them. She smiled at the thought and gripped the hilt of her sword comfortably as she passed a group of guards. She almost laughed when she thought of challenging one of them.

The courtyard was bathed in moonlight thanks to the full moon above them and her boots made less noise out in the open. Standing in the very middle Gill spread her legs, coming into a steady, easy, stance and drew her sword. Her sword. The thought was odd to her, she still considered it Philip's sword. She wondered, maybe, if he had taken it with him, if he would still be alive. She made a derisive sound and gripped it tighter. Philip and William both would have scolded her for thinking like that.

She jabbed forward, then swung to the right. The moon glinted beautifully off the steel and cast odd lights on her. She spun, bring the sword over her head, and slicing downward. An hour or so of this and she would perhaps get some sleep.

[Will Scarlett]

Will had stolen into the castle through one of their many secret points of entry. Tonight, as he did on many nights, was simply to do it so that he could show that he did. It was an excellent opportunity to some spying on what was going on in the castle and in Nottingham, as well as to bring back some food stores in the town that Will might come across in the town that he could take back to the camp in Sherwood to augment their supplies. However, Will did not expect tp see a demonstration of swordplay, not least of all from a woman, that he saw in the courtyard.

At first, of course, Will stayed primarily on the edges, in the shadows, just to watch and observe. It was quite obvious that she was well-practiced, and must of had a good teacher at one point in her life. He also had no doubt that she used it as both a form of exercise and relaxation. However, the practice she was doing was only going to be effective up to a certain point, and to advance further in swordplay expertise she would need an opponent. So finally from the shadows he spoke. "You indeed appear to have some skill milady, but you really need a partner to thoroughly develop your skills, would you not?"