People quickly changed as they headed back down to the field the head table that stretched in front of the large bails of would that would be the Beltane fires was filled quickly with knights and the ladies of Avalon. The head spots saved for the Merlin and Viviane who would light the fires. Kyla took a seat beside Tristan as Arthur and Guinevere sat side by side next to the Merlin's spot. A spot next to Viviane left open for Lourdes and Bors and Vanora took a spot next to them. Gawain and Galahad ended the table on Viviane's end as Lancelot and Dagonet finished the table on Merlin's end.
Kyla left with Tristan to take their place in the procession leading in as well as Arthur. The knights watched as music began and the procession of maidens emerged form the gates. Merlin in front with Viviane behind them was Arthur escorting Lourdes on his arm as a high priestess of Avalon. She wore a black top that wrapped tight around her bust just enough to cover her showing the tops of her breasts bountifully a thin strap started under her right arm coming over her collarbone and wrapping around her back to meet where it began the top asymmetrically cut revealed most of her stomach. She had a matching black flowing skirt on that reached the ground it was cut up the right side though and held on by lacings over her hip showing an intricate Celt marking over her hip and down over her thigh the skirt sitting snuggly on her hips. She wore an arm band on her upper arm that was silver with the head and tail of a dragon. She had heavy dark makeup around her eyes giving her eyes a smoldering appearance the green shining like green lights in the darkness of the night. A curling Celt mark at her right eye, at a side glance you could see the elements symbol on the expanse of her lower back. The knights eyed her awed. Kyla trailed behind her with Tristan in a black simple gown sleeveless her waistline began under her bust once again and laced up her bust showing the beginning of her growing chest due to her pregnancy. It flowed down her body fluidly and bore a slit that reached thigh you could see her Celt design over her shin and calf as she walked along with another over her left arm and shoulder. The knights watched the women as they made there way to the bales behind Merlin and Viviane. Arthur glancing at his sister occasionally as Lourdes tried to hold back a grin. Tristan openly ogled Kyla.
Merlin and Viviane walked to the bales of woods reciting a prayer before lighting them and the crowd of people around the ceremony cheered and laughed and celebrated. Viviane took Merlin's offered arm and headed towards the table. Followed by Kyla who lopped her arm through Arthur's and Tristan's and proceeded to the table taking their spots. As they did the knights looked to see Lourdes in a huge circle with all the maidens all joined hands as they said a blessing.
"What's going on?" Bors leaned over whispering.
Viviane nodded to the maidens. "It's the maidens blessing and dance. Lourdes will lead the dance acting as the goddess. Kyla usually does it but seeing she is with child she isn't able too."
"What do mean she is acting as the goddess?" Arthur looked confused.
Merlin answered his question for Viviane. "She is acting as the symbol of the goddess, enticing the gods with dance of maidens. Displaying themselves so the gods will except the goddess and bless with fertility." He gestured to the maidens.
"You mean to entice the men to choose them?" Galahad asked slyly.
Viviane nodded with a grin. "Except Lourdes, she doesn't partake in the fires."
That caught everyone's attention. "Really?" Guinevere asked.
Viviane nodded taking a drink of her wine. "Yes, she and Kyla both never took part in the fires, they celebrated and took their place in the rituals and is all."
Lancelot found that information intriguing. He looked out as he saw her take a stop in between the two fires as silence filled the air. Avalon priests sat off to the side playing drums and pipes. The Maidens on a huge circle around the two large fires. As Lourdes' body began to move with the music. The knights watched as the maidens danced as well in a circle around the fires. Lourdes had her eyes closed as her limbs flowed to the music in an erotic fashion her skirt slipped back as her right leg came out bare sleek as she danced.
Lancelot couldn't move his eyes off her, which was probably the point it seemed no man could take their eyes off the women as they danced. Her body gyrated softly and her eyes met his. Like she could feel him watching her and she wore a cocky grin throwing her head back staring back at him. Showing the challenge in her eyes. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she raised her hands and the fires rose higher, surprising everyone. Her hand whirled around her head lightly and a strong wind picked up and Viviane smiled at her as well as Kyla.
"It's so openly wanton" Gawain stated staring.
"Nothing wrong with women expressing their sensuality." Dagonet clapped his shoulder.
"Indeed" Lancelot whispered to himself with a cunning grin as he watched Lourdes. As her head tossed around lightly as she turned around her sun colored hair flowing over her shoulders freely as she glanced at all the men surrounding the fires.
"First time Avalon powers have been shown" Guinevere said smiling excitedly.
"We don't to use them to prove we have them" Kyla smiled at her.
She whipped back around as the tempo picked up slightly and her body flowed to the music. Lancelot like any other man surprised at such open taunting and lustful gestures of her hips. Women were not known for expressing their sexuality, Avalon was the power of women. Then there was nothing but drums as all the maidens began to gyrate with lustful leers at the men. It stirred every man in the crowd. His eyes still never left Lourdes and he knew she could feel his stare. She glanced at him again a defiant sneer as the music ended and she stopped dancing shaking her head lightly as more music started and people started crowding the fires.
Lourdes made her way up to the table taking her seat next to Viviane taking a long gulp of wine. The crowds began dancing and celebrating. She sat talking with Gawain and Galahad who had her in a deep discussion learning more of what the rituals were about. Merlin discussing some issues with Arthur with interjected comments from Viviane. There had been mock battles set up for those who were not partaking in the rites of the fires. They were soon to start as Kyla came over to speak with Lourdes.
"I am surprised Lourdes, you not partaking in the battlements." Kyla taunted her.
Lourdes looked up at her with a small smirk. "I don't see the need of such barbarism at Beltane."
Arthur smiled at her "It is for amusement Lourdes. Not everyone will be in the woods" He chuckled lightly.
"Most though" She chuckled into her wine glass.
"I would love to see her fight." Bors taunted her glancing at her.
Lourdes rolled her eyes lightly "Will you for us, Guinevere is taking part in the games" Gawain pleaded gently.
"Who shall I be matched with?" She quirked her eyebrow at Arthur curiously.
"Well must make it worth your while if you join…" He turned and Lancelot met his gaze.
"I'll be her match" Lancelot cocked his head lightly with an impish grin.
Lourdes snapped her head around as did everyone as Arthur stared at him. Lourdes eyed him before letting her smirk spread. "I shall accept that match; everyone looked at one another apprehensively. One provision, she held up her finger and the gazes returned to her as Lancelot waited for the term. We use real weapons." She eyed him challengingly.
"Lourdes I mus-"Arthur started but Lancelot chuckled cutting him off.
"As you wish princess" He nodded his head to her his smirk still playing across his lips.
"Lancelot I must protest" Arthur reeled at him displeased.
Lancelot smiled to his friend. "No blood shed my friend, she is a woman" Lancelot prodded deviously at her.
"Please do not go easy on me seeing as I am a woman. You don't on any other lady, I wish to be no exception" She narrowed her eyes as she rose from her chair. Lancelot's eyes narrowed ruefully. "If you will excuse me I will go change and ready for my match"
As she walked away Lancelot called to her" By all means fight in your current dress, it should be….interesting" Lourdes halted her steps for a second before continuing.
It was nearly an hour before she reappeared as her and Lancelot's match was next. Lancelot took his swords from Tristan who went down to get him ready. He has taken off the leather vest he usually wore and was in his pants and a long-sleeved shirt as to what they wore under their armor. He turned twisting his swords in her hands as he caught sight of her. She wore leather pants as well they laced over her hips showing the skin beneath and a simple top that began a few inches below her bust a simple curved neckline and it laced up the front the long sleeves covering the markings she wore earlier. Her hair twisted up into a sloppy knot on the back her head. Draped in black colors again. Lancelot nodded his head grinning. "You actually came"
She smiled as Kyla brought her her Sais giving her a panicked look. Lourdes eyed her amused "Fear not his chivalry is his weakness" Lourdes nodded confidently. The weapons were covered in blue paint to show as the wounds since it was a no blood match.
Jols stood to the side of the two as they eyed one another excitedly. "The rule is first person to inflict a mortal wound takes the victory. They nodded eyeing one another. The occupants of the table watching eyes wide in apprehension.
Lourdes and Lancelot held one another's gaze as they slowly circled one another small smirks on their lips. Lancelot nodded chuckling lightly looking at his sword before lunging with it at her. She brought her Sais up blocking his sword and punching him with the other hand clutching her other Sais. Lancelot stumble slightly looking shocked for only a split second before standing up straight smiling at her. He shook his head impressed. "We going to be that way?" He cocked an eyebrow.
She sneered tilting her head "I told you no chivalry in battle Lancelot"
He raised his eyebrows agreeing with a shake of his head "Dually noted" He lunged again and as she went to block he made a slash across her ribs leaving a blue mark. She looked down stepping back her eyes narrowing. Lancelot just smiled at her. She ran for him bringing her Sais up at him. He raised his swords catching them and she kneed him in the ribs knocking the wind out of him. He hunched slightly gaining his breath as she twisted around to bring her Sais down on his chest. He twisted her arm up wrenching her shoulder as she dodged the blade in his free arm with her Sais then head butted backwards. She heard his nose crack. He let her go putting a hand to his nose and seeing the blood.
"I believe that's blood" She scrunched her nose sarcastically as Lancelot eyed her still smiling.
"True, yet I still don't have a real wound. Can you not fight men?" He coaxed her. Lourdes flared lunging for him as he rose to block her again. He chuckled making her angrier "Temper, Temper" He shook his head clucking his tongue. She wrenched away from him. She threw one arm up at him, as he blocked it she turned and made a slash across his shoulder and collarbone leaving a blue streak. She smiled as Lancelot looked at it then back to her. "That all you got" he snarled playfully.
She growled as she ran at him both throwing up her Sais at him as they raced to block one another as he backed up on her advance. He twisted slashing a blue mark across her back. Lourdes took a deep angry breath. As she spun around to catch him in the abdomen Lancelot came up and punched her. She was startled as her hand came to her lip tasting the coppery blood in her mouth. She saw it on her hand.
She saw Arthur rise suddenly along with the others. Viviane and Kyla bid them to sit down. Lancelot gestured to her lip with his sword as he took deep breaths. "I believe that's blood" He cocked his head. He ran for her and she spun slashing across his ribs not matching hers. Her other hand coming up as she purposely cut across his upper arm.
Lancelot stopped looking at the slash and his bleeding arm. "My mistake" She smirked evilly at him. Lancelot took a serious face as his jaw clenched as they ran for each other pounding their weapons blocking and lunging gritted teeth growls and yells as they tried to get to the other. Lourdes' rage increasing with every lunge as throw. Lancelot caught her thigh and she flinched as she looked where she now bled. Her breathing increased furiously as she charged him bringing her arms up to his swords twisting her Sais so they caught his hands and they sliced slightly into the flesh and on instinct the dropped the swords." I loathe you" She spat before she kicked his legs out form underneath him and he fell shocked at her sudden speed. She threw her Sais down picking up his swords as he kneeled and she snarled as she crossed them holding them to his throat. Her breath in furious pants her face snarled as she eyed him with a vile look.
The occupants of the table stood quickly. " LOURDES!" Arthur called to her shocked and agitated. Lancelot held out his hand to his friend as his gaze met hers head on. He held a serious calm gaze as he watched her. The blades of his own swords pressed to his throat. His gaze turned stony, "Do it" he snarled in a whisper tauntingly. Lourdes stared at him her gaze unmoving. "Come on Lourdes, you have wanted to for years, he prodded her contemptuously. What are you waiting for?" He watched as her jaw tightened the blade cutting slightly into his skin as her body shook in tension, her hands tensing around the handles of his swords. She closed her eyes breathing heavily through her nose and her hands flew open stiffly and let the swords fall. He looked at him a fiery rage in the green depths of her eyes. She turned and walked brusquely away.
Lancelot stood quickly his hand moving to his neck that stung from the slight cut he had. He took after her quickly his stride determined as he reached her. "Lourdes!" He grabbed her arm forcefully as he spun her around though she caught his jaw with a heavy stern right hook. Lancelot's body flew to the ground at the sheer force behind it. He looked up to her putting his hand to his jaw checking it and adjusting if needed. His dark stare met hers.
"Stay away from me" Her tone was menacingly and distraught. She turned and quickly finished her walk to the fort. Lancelot intense stare never left her the entire way.