#iain laws

[spilladabalia]

Novella // "Land Gone"

[searching4sarahtonin]

if any of you have stopped going feral over GOS2, just read The Crow Road by Iain Banks

Read it even if you're still going feral. . . Or if by some miracle you never got sucked into the brainrot.

Just Read It.

It's so fucking good!

[thena0315]

SVU Guest Star - Iain Armitage in "Chasing Theo" [18x08]

[which-hospital]

I’ve not watched all of today’s episode yet but when the paramedics are down, they’re really all down, aren’t they? Like, they’re all going through it in the relationship trenches right now

[thebutcher-5]

The Rhythm Section

Benvenuti o bentornati sul nostro blog. Nello scorso articolo siamo tornati a parlare di animazione e siamo andati avanti con la Pixar, giungendo al loro ottavo film animato, un’opera che ho sempre apprezzato e che trovo molto profonda, Ratatouille. Rémy è un ratto che sogna di poter cucinare, un sogno che si scontra con il padre. Un giorno la sua colonia viene scoperta e sono costretti a…

[medievalandfantasymelee]

The First Round of Contest Has now Concluded.

This Round began with 148 Contenders - Now 74 remain.

All polls in this round (as well as summaries of each day's results) may be found here

The 10 Closest Tilts in the First Round (in Reverse Order) were

10. The Sheriff of Nottingham [Alan Rickman] Def. Kili [Aiden Turner]

9. King Marke of Cornwall [Rufus Sewell] Def. Prince Prospero [Vincent Price]

8. Sir Guy of Gisbourne [Basil Rathbone] Def. Finan [Mark Rowley]

7. Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert [Ciaran Hinds] Def. Robert the Bruce [Chris Pine]

6. Hugh Beringar [Sean Pertwee] Def. Father Beocca [Ian Hart]

5. Bard the Bowman [Luke Evans] Def. Will Scarlet O'Hara [Matthew Porretta]

4. Lin Shu [Hu Ge] Def. Arman [Matvey Lykov]

3. Meriadoc "Merry" Brandybuck [Dominic Monaghan] Def. Geoffrey Chaucer [Paul Bettany]

2. Saladin [Milind Soman] Def. Jon Snow [Kit Harrington]

1. Rodrigo Borgia [Jeremy Irons] Def. Lord Tywin Lannister [Charles Dance]

And the 10 Tilts with the widest margins of victory were (in reverse order):

10. Inigo Montoya [Mandy Patinkin] Def. Corlys Velaryon [Steve Toussaint]

9. Frodo Baggins [Elijah Wood] Def. Prince Chauncley [Daniel Radcliffe]

8. Aragorn Elessar [Viggo Mortensen] Def. Ahmad [Mahesh Jadu]

7. King Henry II [Peter O'Toole] Def. Thomas Becket [Richard Burton]

6. Thorin Oakenshield [Richard Armitage] Def. King Edward IV [Max Irons]

5. Gawain [Dev Patel] Def. Matrim "Mat" Cauthon [Donal Finn]

4. Éomer, Son of Éomund [Karl Urban] Def. King Arthur [Sean Connery]

3. William Thatcher [Heath Ledger] VS. King Vortigern [Jude Law]

2. Boromir, Son of Denethor [Sean Bean] Def. Alessandro Farnese [Diarmuid Noyes]

1. Faramir, Son of Denethor [David Wenham] Def. Uther Pendragon [Gabriel Byrne]

The Tilt with the most votes (by far) at 5,177 Votes was Geralt of Rivia [Henry Cavill] Vs. Sir Gary Galavant [Joshua Sasse] Which Galavant won with 57.7% of the Vote

It was an exodus of two-by-twos this round with both of our Ewan Mitchells [Aemond Targaryen and Osferth], both of our Henry Cavills [Geralt of Rivia and Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk], AND both of our Iain Glens [Ser Jorah Mormont and Prince Hamlet] losing their respective tilts to Erik Thurgilson [Christian Hillborg], Fili [Dean O'Gorman], Galavant [Joshua Sasse], Prince John [Oscar Isaac], "The Player" [Richard Dreyfuss] and Ned Stark [Sean Bean]. Even both of our Laurence Oliviers [Prince Hamlet and Henry V] were sent scurrying to the vents in disgrace, losing their tilts against Cesare Borgia [Francois Arnaud] and Elrond Half-elven [Hugo Weaving].

In fact, nearly of of the men of Middle Earth fared uncommon well in this round, with only three losing their matches. Haldir [Craig Parker] was unable to best the charms of that most magnificent of minstrels, Hubert Hawkins [Danny Kaye]. Kili [Aiden Turner] had a strong start against George, the Sheriff of Nottingham [Alan Rickman], but the race tightened about halfway through, and the Sheriff was able to pull through a stunning last-minute victory. Despite his brutal focus and discipline and grim sense of humor, Uglúk [Nathaniel Lees] suffered a crushing defeat under the cloven hoof of a greater and sexier evil, Darkness [Tim Curry]. The Sons of Denethor, Boromir [Sean Bean] and Faramir [David Wenham] truly dominated their oppositions (Alessandro Farnese [Diarmuid Noyes] and Uther Pendragon [Gabriel Byrne]) and were the only competitors to achieve margins of victory exceeding 90% in this round.

The Men of Westeros did not fare so well. Of their 14 remaining competitors only four now stand:

Lord Eddard "Ned" Stark [Sean Bean]

Ser Bronn of the Blackwater [Jerome Flynn]

Khal Drogo [Jason Momoa]

Petyr "Littlefinger" Baelish [Aiden Gillen]

Ser Davos Seaworth [Liam Cunningham]

Ser Jorah Mormont [Iain Glen]

Prince Oberyn Martell [Pedro Pascal]

Ser Criston Cole [Fabien Frankel]

Lord Corlys Velaryon [Steve Toussaint]

Sandor "The Hound" Celgane [Rory McCann]

Jon Snow [Kit Harrington]

Gendry [Joe Dempsie]

Aemond Targaryen [Ewan Mitchell]

Tywin Lannister [Charles Dance]

But what of our Robins and Arthurs?

We began the Round with 3 of Each, but only one of each survived the round.

While Beowulf [Gerard Butler] bested King Arthur [Richard Harris] with a handy but respectful margin of 56.8%, Sean Connery's Arthur was unhorsed by Eomer [Karl Urban] in what can only be termed a crushing defeat, with a margin of 84.4% of the Vote. Only Bradley James's incarnation was able to defeat his opposition, Prince Henry [Dougray Scott], who, though strong contender, proved no match for Arthur's winning smile.

On the Robin side, our last Robin standing, is Cary Elwes, who defeated Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan with a tidy 70.8% margin. Richard Todd's stunningly attractive but lesser known Robin was defeated by the only remaining Son of York, Richard III [Aneurin Barnard], while the iconic Errol Flynn iteration was unhorsed (rather ironically) by one of the most appallingly unjust and underhanded aristocrats in the lists, Adhemar, Count of Anjou [Rufus Sewell]. We can neither confirm nor deny allegations made against the Count of cheating, nor the veracity of the rumours circulating that the Count's rather costly saddle was stolen from his tent at the end of the day while Adhemar was enjoying a flagon of wine with fellow victors Sir Guy of Gisbourne [Basil Rathbone], Sir Guy of Gisborne [Richard Armitage], the Sheriff of Nottingham [Alan Rickman] and His Royal Highness Prince John [Oscar Isaac].

Our third Sir Guy [Michael Wincott] did not join them, as he rather unfortunately lost his match against Sir Wilfred of Ivanhoe [Anthony Andrews] and, after a rather unpleasant exchange with his cousin the Sheriff, preferred to drink in the company of a different, more polite Sheriff [Peter Cushing] (who also lost his match against the Hound [Rory McCann]) and his friend Prince Prospero [Vincent Price].)

But I am sure some of your are curious as to how the Master of Revels' list of Secret Favourites is faring. Well, I can tell you, it sustained some heavy losses this round, though a still rather healthy 34 remain in the competition. Aye, but at what cost?

[myownwholewildworld]

acta, non verba - ii. there is no treachery in the art of war

chapter 1 | series masterlist | ao3 | main masterlist | chapter 3 pairing: conqueror!marcus acacius x ofc!reader. summary: you need to start moving the game along, but you cannot be too obvious. or... can you? a/n: hello there! c: here's the second chapter! there is quite a bit of character & world building in this one, as i felt it served the storyline, so i hope you guys like it! i wanted to thank you all for your nice, encouring words on the first chapter, it really motivated me to keep on writing! you guys are amazing 💖 as always, all interactions welcome, i do appreciate you liking, sharing and/or commenting! take care <3 warnings: 18+, mdni. references to marital abuse (physical and sexual) and child marriage (massive age gap, not in a cutesy way), in line with the time this story is set on. mentions of death/murder. mention of infertility. sexual tension galore (👀). a smidge of angst. w/c: ~8.6k. dividers by @saradika-graphics taglist at the end (let me know if you want to be added/removed please!)

“Honestly, I don’t think it’s a good idea, Callie”, Torcall sombrely warned you, his eyes locking on yours over the wooden spoon he tightly gripped close to his mouth.

“And what would you have me do then?”, you sneeringly replied back.

Your brother-in-law had been pestering you the whole morning about what your plan was to win your lands back. You knew the long game was your best bet — you didn’t have the numbers to face Rome on your own. Your athair had tried and failed in his attempt. Another defeat like the one your people suffered in Raedykes would destroy your clan. It would wipe you out off the map — everything your ancestors had worked for, gone under the crushing yoke of the Romans.

“I would not have you whoring yourself out to a fucking Roman, that’s for sure. Your athair would be so disappointed in you.” He snapped back at you, anger flowing in his words.

His reply stung badly, so much you unconsciously crossed your arms at chest level — an unvoluntary gesture to protect yourself from his accusation.

“That’s beyond the point”, you barked, the green of your irises burning like hellish fire. “And my father would be just fine with my decision. Need I remind you who he married me off to?”

Torcall’s knuckles went white as his fingers pressed around the spoon harshly. You cocked a brow, unwavering.

Ten years ago, your athair had reached an agreement with Iain of Am Baile Ùr(Insh), the lord of Badenoch whose state was a few miles south of your birthplace. For as long as Caledonia had formed, there had always been internal disputes about who was the rightful heir to the Overlord title.

The clan who held the stronghold at Inbhir Nis had historically always been considered the legitimate title’s holder. Your family had been the keepers of the land for as long as anyone could remember. But it didn’t stop those who were thirsty for power, so your father had to prove himself over and over again.

After several bloody skirmishes, Murdoch of Inbhir Nis had crowned himself, yet again, lord and master of Caledonia. Iain had been a strong contestant against your father and was only appeased when your athair offered you as a consolation prize to him, as if you were a lamb up for sale at the local market. A cheap one at that.

At the tender age of six and ten, you had been shipped off to an unknown land to be wife to a man you had never seen before. The next ten years of your life would be living hell — what you had to endure, you would not wish it upon your worst enemy.

The memories that would crawl back at night would still wake you up, a cold sweat trickling down your spine every time. Abuse in your arranged marriage was your bread and butter. Every time you returned home under the prying, controlling eyes of Iain or your family came to visit, you would lie to them about the new bruise on your cheek, the limp you had for a couple of weeks or the teeth marks on your neck. Murdoch was the last to realise, unable to come to terms with the destiny he had forced upon you. And by the time he did, there was not much he could do without infuriating Iain, without risking another war.

The peace of the Caledonians outweighed your suffering, after all. You were not worth such a bloodshed.

So you pushed through it all and survived — for family, for clan, for honour. Never resented your father either; he had a duty to protect his tribe, and so did you. For a decade you dragged yourself across ember and ash, until you finally caught a break six months ago.

Iain was found dead in the marital bed, his eyes wide open and his expression struck with horror, as if a wraith had taken his life. At the mature age of six and sixty, you had been his third wife, so when his only son and heir from his first marriage ascended, you were no longer needed. With no family of your own tying you to that ghostly place, you packed your things and swiftly left, the Will' O' the Wisps guiding you home.

“I didn’t mean it that way”, his answer burst out in a pitiful whisper. One of your eyebrows raised even further into your forehead. “I’m sorry.”

You sighed, unfolding your arms and looking at the cold broth in front of you. Grabbing the spoon again, you swirled it in the bowl aimlessly. You didn’t need your most trusted ally questioning your decisions, not when the whole clan depended on your actions. At least he was doing so in the intimacy of a crannog and not in front of your folk.

“I’m just trying my best, Torcall. I know I can win our freedom back, so I need you to have some faith in me. How I get to the endgame is up to me. The means justify the end.” Your words were imbued with unfaltering determination.

“I do trust you, Callie. With my life and the lives of my children”, he mumbled solemnly with a curtsy as his eyes drifted to the other end of the room.

Your niece and nephew, whom you loved dearly, were obliviously playing with some wooden swords their father had handcrafted a while back. They were six years of age, both born during the cold winter months. The twins had filled the blackhole in your heart, one that your marriage had not been able to lade.

“Ah, ye brute!” Your nephew, Daimh, let the sword slip from his fingers to hold his hand close to his chest. “You’ve hurt me, Iona!”

His little feet dabbed towards you, raising his injured hand in the air.

“Auntaidh (auntie), Iona has broken my fingers, look!”, he wept while you cradled his hand.

“Oh, come on here, mo laochain (my little hero). Let me see”, you said while rubbing his hand between yours and kissing it where it hurt.

“What a wimpy!”, Iona complained, running to her father. “I won, daddy!” Her proud, high-pitched voice squealed in excitement, and you couldn’t hide your smile.

“I’m going to tell màthair (mother)!”, Daimh blew raspberries at his sister, and she reciprocated from the other side of the table.

Your heart sunk to your stomach at the mention of Maisie, tears welling up at the corner of your eyes. Both you and Torcall had explained to them that their mother had been reunited with Dhuosnos, God of the Dead, but they were too little to fully understand what that entailed, what it truly meant.

“When is mama coming back from Tech Duinn (House of Dhuosnos), daddy? I miss her dearly”, Iona’s innocent words ripped at your heart.

Torcall and you exchanged mournful glances.

“Aye, me too”, exclaimed Daimh as he snuggled in your arms.

“So do we, sweet pea, so do we”, you mumbled as you kissed the crown of his blonde head.

Daimh stirred in your arms, his green eyes piercing yours. He looked so much like his mother that it was painful. Maisie and you had the same emerald irises, although she had been blonde. Daimh and Iona were living images of her.

“When can we go home? This place smells funny”, your nephew questioned while he sat on your lap.

You wished you could tell him. Your whole family had been living in the castle that now Marcus Acacius occupied. Torcall and his children could not risk staying there, not when the threat of death was hanging above them. If the Romans knew your sister had offspring, they would hunt them down.

Despite the adversity, you had been lucky in a sense. The highlanders had always been wary of strangers — outsiders brought tragedy with them, in the way of disease or war. The Caledonians had learnt to keep their distance, to be extremely cautious. So, when the General and his army arrived, no one spoke of your family, not even when questioned.

Your people, despite the differences that had them at each other’s throats some years back, were loyal to you. And it was their fealty what enabled your plan, what allowed you to pretend, to just be another servant girl.

So Torcall, his children and you had sought refuge in the skirts of town. Your uncail Aengus’ wife had welcomed you into her home.

The crannog was a circular hut with a straw roof, the walls made of mud, rocks, wood. There was only one big, round room, with an open hearth which kept the inside warm. The open shelving gathered some necessary clutter, but there were many things scattered around the place. There were only three beds lined up against the wall, which meant that you shared a bed with Iona and Torcall with his son. Your cousins had moved out to the small barn just a few feet away to make room for you.

It was cramped and very modest in comparison to the thick walls of your castle, but it was a roof over your heads. You were extremely grateful to her. Your heart still wept at the memory of telling her the demise of her husband.

“Soon we will, but in the meantime, we are keeping Bonnie and her sons company. And this place smells just fine. Are you sure it’s not you, you stinky little deamhan (demon)?”, you jested, pinching his nose and then tickling his ribs.

His laughter was a soothing balm on your aching, longing heart.

“Was everything as expected, Dominus?” His Roman servant asked, his head bowed to him.

Marcus patted the corners of his mouth with the rag on his lap and then nodded to Atticus. The food was somewhat decent, a venison stew with some root vegetables he could not identify. The bread, unsurprisingly, was a bit stale, so he had left it untouched.

The great hall was lugubrious, silence filling up the atmosphere. There were two other maids in the room, cowering in a corner with averted eyes. They only spoke a barbarian language he had no wish to learn. Communication with the natives was extremely difficult, as they seemed to be uneducated.

But there was one lass who knew how to speak Latin — you, Callie.

He wondered where you had gone. Marcus had not seen you since your encounter in his new-found bedchamber. It had been three days since then and with each passing one, he found himself searching the room for you. There was something about you that had reeled him in but was unsure of what it was. Maybe it was the eerie, magical aura that surrounded your fiery hair — or maybe it was the way you carried yourself, the way you had briefly but decisively held his gaze. The way you quickly retreated — unwillingly.

Marcus imperceptibly shook his head and waved his hand at Atticus, motioning for him to pour another cup of the bitter wine.

“Yes”, he simply replied, bringing the wooden chalice to his lips.

Atticus signalled the young women to come forward and they quickly cleared the table of dishes and cutlery. When he was alone with his servant, away from enemies’ ears, he signalled at Atticus, who quickly stepped forward.

“Fetch my commanders and bring them here. There are matters I need to discuss with them”, Marcus demanded of him.

His attendant curtsied and vanished from the great hall, leaving him alone.

Marcus was taking in every detail of the room, of the tapestries and their stories, when a scattering sound distracted him. He thought to hear a commotion, then a blasphemy. Curious, he stood up, stepped off the dais and sauntered towards the double doors. The door was slightly ajar, so he only had to push it for it to swing open.

There was nothing in the corridor except for a distinct scent. Rosemary and thyme with a hint of something unrecognisable, he identified. A smell that had loitered in his bedchamber once you left. Wrinkling his aquiline nose, he caught something in the corner of his eye. He turned to see how a shadow dissipated at the end of the corridor.

Furrowing his brows and in long strides, Marcus covered the distance, tracking the distinct aroma — like a lost man after the beckoning of a nymph, he followed. As he was about to turn the corner, he almost collided with Maximus, Valerius and Cassius.

“My lord,” Cassius was the first to talk, “we were on our way to you. You wished to see us?”

Marcus tried to conceal his confusion at the sight of the three men. With his head slightly tilted, he asked, “Did you encounter anyone on your way to me, Commander?”

Cassius slowly shook his head no, baffled by the question. “No, Dominus, no one. Were you expecting someone else?”

The General hmphed, taciturn. He needed to be cautious — if the tapestries were right, ungodly, mythical creatures lingered between the walls of the castle. Evil ones at that.

“Worry not”, Marcus rapidly dismissed. “Follow me, gentlemen.”

The four men sat at the rectangular table on the dais, Marcus’ fingers drumming on the wood as Maximus flattened a piece of parchment before him.

“These are some names that have been thrown around in the last few days, people who may act on their rebellious comments. Our spies have been trying their best to mix in with the townies, but they are tough nuts to crack. They are wary even of the people who speak their own language”, Maximus’ index finger slid down the list as he talked.

Marcus’ hand darted forward and pinched one corner of the parchment, pulling it towards him. His eyes scanned the unfamiliar names.

The barbarians did not use surnames, which spoke to their lack of sophistication. Instead, they used patronyms and the land where they were born, so the list made it difficult to identify individuals who might belong to the same family. Knowing what families were a menace would be a great advantage, one they did not have.

“There seems to be a recurrent name here”, Marcus paused, his fingertip pointing to the words scribbled in lead ink. “Seumas and Anndra of Dail an Eich (Dalneigh), sons of Aengus. Who is this Aengus?”, he questioned, looking up to the frowning faces.

“We are not sure, Dominus. As I said, the villagers are not talking much”, Cassius replied, his fingers intertwined, resting atop of the wooden table.

“Well, find out then. I don’t care how you get the information. Just get it”, Marcus’ back reclined against the chair he was sat on. He felt like they were wasting his time with trivial details. He needed more than that.

“You didn’t get Murdoch’s wife to talk, even when she was hanged half dead in a cage off the main tower, after being brutally tortured and whatever else you inflicted upon her, and you expect us to get names just like that?”, Valerius’ insolence spoke for him.

Marcus’ eyes lazily locked on his commander’s. He should have his ill-mannered tongue cut out for such disdainful arrogance. Valerius’ Adam’s apple bobbed in his throat as he forcefully swallowed, his eyes slightly widened, realising his impertinence.

Whispers flew around the town; his name being cursed from mouth to mouth. Marcus was not too worried about whatever rumours they could spread about him. They probably would be true — he was no saint.

But Marcus had not been the one who had ordered such distasteful death upon Mòrag, wife of Murdoch. Agricola did, with no respect for his name when he dropped it mid-sentence. Marcus did not even lay an eye on her, even less a hand.

Let them all think what they might. Marcus was used to being the scapegoat of the governor — when something went wrong, Agricola would blame him. And when something went right, he would just take credit for himself, the evil, power-thirsty rat.

He looked at Valerius dead in his eyes, one cocked brow showing his mild incredulity.

“Do you have something to say, Valerius? I hear a certain condemning tone in your words?”, his voice was flat, devoid of emotion, but the reality was there was a raging fire within him he could not make manifest.

“Absolutely not, my lord”, the man bowed his head to him, his knuckles white.

“Then be gone. All of you. Find those two men or I will have you hanged too.”

The resolution in his tone scared the seasoned warriors, who quickly said their goodbyes and hurriedly left the premises.

Marcus’ elbows sunk in the wooden table, his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose. He was angry, but amongst all, he was tired — tired of masking, of cleaning up after Agricola’s hideous actions, of power plays, of trickery, betrayal and deception. He was surrounded by it all.

At eight and forty, he was tired of war and conquest. He had seen it all, lived it all. If retirement would be an option, he would gladly take it. But he knew — he would wield a sword till the day he died in a godforsaken battlefield, till Pluto welcomed him with open arms. Rome would not have him any other way.

Marcus Acacius was truly exhausted.

So it was him who had your beautiful màthair tortured and hanged in a cage until she greeted death. Your blood boiled as your breath quickened. The rage flickered inside you like wild flames burning down an entire civilisation.

When the rangers announced your arrival to a few selected loyal men who had stayed behind, they got out at night to cut the ropes holding the cage your mother had been thrown in. They did not want you to see such act of savagery.

Your kinsmen had really tried to conceal how badly damaged your mother’s body was. Despite the heartache, you had been grateful that they had gone to the effort of making her somewhat presentable. But one look at her mangled body had been enough to understand what type of wickedness you were up against.

In the dead of night, you had buried Mòrag, the woman who so selflessly gave you life, in the outskirts of town. Just like her other children and husband, she would not rest under the family’s chambered cairns. Your family had been wiped out of history as if they were mere droplets in a vast ocean of human tragedy.

With one ear flat against the wooden door to the great hall, you unknowingly squinted your eyes, trying to listen to the rest of the conversation. If someone caught you eavesdropping, you would have a lot of explaining to do. But so far your spying was being productive — you would need to warn your cousins when you got home that night.

The faint sound of approaching footsteps made your heart jolt in your chest.

“Cac (shite)!”, you swore, frantically looking for a place to stow yourself away.

Picking up your skirt so you would not trip, you hid in a nearby garderobe. The cupboard smelt sweet and musty — barrels of wine decorated the whole height of the stone walls. The scent was so intense, you felt it soaking through your skin, appeasing the craze that had a tight grip on your mind. The darkness that surrounded you only accentuated your sense of smell. Could you get inebriated just with the sugary aroma of grape juice?

When the booted treads slowly faded away, you quietly pushed the door open, emerging back into the cold corridor — the contrasting temperature between the garderobe and the hallway gave you goosebumps. Palm flat against the wood and the other hand tightly gripping the iron pull handle, you gently shoved the door back into its frame, hoping to make no noise.

“What are you doing?”, a deep, masculine voice startled you, making you jump on the spot.

A set of warm, firm arms wrapped around you as you stumbled with your feet. They enveloped you so steadfastly, your body involuntarily relaxed against the person behind you. Leaning back, your back met the cold touch of metal.

Swallowing a profanity that would bring a repenting clergyman down to his knees, you turned around, in the arms that held you tight, to face the embodiment of hate. Your hate.

Marcus Acacius was standing, all righteous and proud, intimately close to you. He was wearing an impeccable white armour with golden details. Two flaxen griffins adorned the center of the plackart, their claws wrapping around a floral design. Linen straps, snug around his hips, fell from his waist, covering the fauld and the tasset underneath.

Marcus’ body was a fountain of warmth, even with all the layers enfolding his frame. His arms, although tense around you, did not feel suffocating — in fact, they were almost coddling you into a state of ataraxia as your brain quietened. His hug exuded a sense of security you had not felt in years — as if nothing nor no one could ever harm you as long as you stayed in Marcus’ embrace.

You traced the topography of his plackart with your fingers, your palms resting against the alloy, as your eyes peeked up —he was considerably taller than you— and were met with the fervour of two brown irises. Their gravity pulled you in for an eternal second. With your face near his, you picked up on the tired bearing on his face, the wrinkles around his eyes, the hard press of his lips. A kempt but patchy beard coated his jawline, and salt and peppered hair curled at the nape of his thick, muscular neck — a stray silver lock caressing his forehead, asking to be tucked away.

Your fingertips suddenly itched with longing, your eyes slightly widened, and your mouth partially parted. And then you came back to reality with the full force of your conscience yapping at you. What the hell? You had to control the contortion of your face so your disappointment would not be evident. It’s because I want to slap him so bad, was your afterthought.

Something changed in his expression — Marcus suddenly let you go, leaving you cold again. As if it was a rehearsed move, you both took a step back, breaking the electric contact that snapped between your bodies.

You now realised his clean image was a shocking contrast to how you first met him. Covered in mud, blood and sweat, his untamed expression as he dispatched your father still haunted you at night. And that was how you had to remember him. Sinking his gladius in your father’s belly. And nothing else.

“Well?”, the General insisted after clearing his throat, his eyebrows knitting together as he folded his arms.

You rapidly lowered your gaze when you realised you had been looking at him too intently, too directly. A maid would have fainted at the audacity you had just shown him. But you were no maid — albeit he was not privy of such detail for obvious reasons.

You hoped he didn’t notice, although you could feel his eyes studying you eagerly.

“I— I was looking for wine, Dominus.” You faked the stammering in an attempt to convey innocence. “Cormag, the cook, wants a very specific wine to accompany your supper, Dux Meus (My General/Leader). I was making sure we had it.”

“And what wine is that, if I dare ask?”, he pressed with a steely voice.

Thalla gu taigh na galla (go to hell), you thought, browsing your brain for a quick reply.

“It’s a fine wine imported from Carmo, my lord.” Your father had been a wine enthusiast, so you knew some places he had his wine shipped from. Not that it really meant anything to you, anyway.

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw his arms falling to his sides, his threatening posture softening.

“Carmo? In the Baetic region of Hispania?”, Marcus’ incredulous voice made you glance up at him through your long eyelashes.

You nodded, your fingers laced at your front as you bowed your head again, showing a deference you didn’t really feel towards him. And you prayed there was at least a few drops left of said wine in one of the barrels, or you would be in trouble come dinner.

“That’s one of my favourites”, he let slip and you instantly knew he didn’t mean to say it out loud.

Feigning bravery, you fanned your eyelashes back at him, a half-smile softening your lips. The General almost looked mortified at the fact of letting a stranger know about his likes. You could see it in his eyes — the brief moment of asking himself, “What have I just said?” Although he seemed all stoic and unattainable, he was just a man. Just like any other.

“Is that so?” You did not wait for a reply you knew would never come. “I’ll try and remember that, Dominus, to make sure we never run out.”

He was a hard man to read, you would give him that. His expression didn’t flinch, as if your words had gone over his head. The only sign he had actually listened was a subtle tic on his jaw.

You just needed to drop some hints here and there, let him brew. If you were too obvious with your intentions, Marcus would become suspicious. You knew nothing about the man except he was a cold-blooded murderer, but perceived he was observant. Probably too observant.

“If you’ll excuse me, my lord, I wish to retire now so I can attend to my tasks.” Asking for permission was not something that came naturally to you, but it was a trained response you had learnt from your late husband.

“Take your leave then”, he granted, his hands hiding on his back.

You curtsied. “Thank you, Dux Meus.”

Marcus turned on his heels in a swift whoosh, the sword swaying in front of him, his fingers gripping the handle tight. He intuited his opponent’s next move before it happened, so he bent his knees and ducked his head right under the swing of Maximus’ gladius. With a wild, toothy smile, Marcus pulled back, weighing the blade on his left hand.

“So predictable”, he teased the commander, who was an old friend of his.

If one could have friends in the midst of war, that was. Their friendship easily transformed depending on the circumstances — in war matters, Maximus knew to respect Marcus above everything else. Outside of that, they just were two friends with a long history behind them.

“I’m being gentle, lord General. We have spectators, I don’t want to embarrass you. I know your ego is as fragile as a rose’s petal”, Maximus chaffed, a grin taking over his mouth as they circled each other like two lions on the gladiator’s pit.

Marcus’ tunnel vision had him so tuned in on his friend’s advances, he had not realised that a small group of people had gathered around the makeshift arena. Feeling a sudden heaviness weighing him down, Marcus combed the gathered faces in one sweep.

Until his eyes locked in on yours. He saw a glimpse of wonder metamorphosing into surprise in your emerald greens — then you quickly withdrew your eyes from his at the realisation of getting caught staring.

There was something about you that drew him in — something mysterious, uncanny, but also strangely enticing. Exciting. Your eyes spoke of mischief, of adventure, of the unknown. Of something eerie, almost witchy. The flickering, iridescent fire within them had him under a spell for a brief moment.

Marcus vividly remembered holding you against his chest, your soft curves perfectly moulding to his hard edges. Even through the armour, he had felt the heat your body irradiated, the way it seeped through to envelop him, soothe him. For a moment, having you between his arms felt just right. And that thought had unsettled him gravely, letting go of you as such wild, unnerving concept sank in — his mind point-blank rejecting the notion.

Despite his inner refusal, how you looked back at him would plague him. For days and nights on end.

Out of the corner of his eye, Marcus watched as Maximus inched forward, the sword aiming at his open flank. Just in the nick of time, the General’s steel deflected the attack.

“Getting distracted? That’s unusual of you, Marcus”, the commander jeered at him, closing in.

Marcus scoffed at his words, bluffing. But the reality was that Maximus had hit the nail in the head. Not that he was going to acknowledge it in public anyway. If he was to successfully bring Maximus down, he needed to focus on the task at hand and not think about a green-eyed nymph.

Studying his adversary’s body language, his feet dragged on the sand. Maximus was on edge, tense, too focused on his sword, so Marcus wagered a distraction would tip the scales in his favour. Maintaining eye contact, he slowly knelt, the fingers of his non-occupied right hand extended, palm down. Maximus’ brows wrinkled when he saw Marcus getting a fistful of sand and the General knew he had the diversion he was looking for.

With Maximus focused on his right hand, too worried with a cloud of sand that would get in his eyes, Marcus took the chance, quickly stood up and swung his heavy sword against his rival’s left loin. Maximus did not have time to prepare for the impact and so dropped to the ground.

Marcus smiled with sufficiency, straightening out his aching back, and offered a hand to his old friend.

With a grunt, Maximus accepted his gesture and got up, palming Marcus’ back soundly.

“You treacherous man, making me believe you were going to blind me”, he quipped as they both started to walk out of the circle people had formed around them.

“There is no treachery in the art of war”, Marcus replied, patting his friend’s back in playful jest.

A loud snort made Marcus look around him. He had no time to fully study your face, but he could swear you had made that disapproving noise before turning on your heels and trotting off.

Confusion and a smidge of curiosity settled in him — what had he done to gain your dissent when a minute ago awe darkened your eyes? The sudden change in your attitude left a lingering question in the back of his head as he and Maximus ushered towards the barracks in the northwest corner of the bailey.

“But you shouldn’t be serving, mo bhean-uasal (my lady)”, whispered the young lass, her hands twisting in her lap with nervousness.

“Shush, Brighid, lower your tone.” Anxiously you checked out your surroundings, ensuring you were alone. You were relieved to know you were. “You cannae refer to me like that. I’m just Callie now, remember?”

Upon your arrival to Inbhir Nis, Torcall and your father’s retinue —now yours, you guessed— had made everyone aware that the Romans thought you dead and hence, concealing your identity was of utmost importance. A slip of a tongue and you would be hanging in a cage too. Every passing day you feared someone might forget and show you deference publicly — but you had to trust that no one would run off at the mouth and rat you out.

“Duilich (sorry), mo bh— Callie. I—I promise I didn’t mean to”, she profusely apologised, her big wide eyes begging for your pardon. The wee lass could not stop fidgeting.

“I know, I know”, you tried to calm her down, placing your hand on her forearm. “But please, I need to take your place tonight.”

“Cormag will fire me for not turning up. I cannae afford that, my family depends on me.” Her pleading plucked some fast beats out of your heart.

“Don’t fret about it, lass. I’ll speak to that old crank of a man, he owes me. You’ll get paid, awright? He’ll be fine with it, I promise.” You gently squeezed her forearm, so your words would sink in.

Her eyes broadened in understanding. Before the girl could think about her actions, she jolted forward, her arms wrapping around your shoulders. You could only smile at her relief and let out a soft cackle when Brighid lumbered back, mortified.

“I’m so sorry, do Ghras (Your Grace).” Her excitement was so palpable the poor girl didn’t notice the second blunder.

“BRIGHID!”, a raspy threat left your tongue as you jerked her closer to you by the elbow. “For the love of Morrìgan, do watch your mouth!”

The young servant covered her mouth with both hands, her eyes speaking of self-reproach as it dawned on her. “I’ll have it sewn”, she muttered with great remorse.

The guilt splayed across her heart-shaped face brought a smirk to your lips. “Off you go now, before your runny tongue gets me into trouble.”

Brighid scurried away towards the barbican, and you hurried along to the kitchens. You followed the tangled web of corridors and passages thoughtlessly — you had played hide and seek countless times with your siblings between the stone walls, there was no nook nor cranny you were not familiar with.

The air got denser as you approached, the thick smoke of the open hearth filling your lungs. Repressing a cough, you entered the galley as good ol’ Cormag was shouting orders at the helping lads. The head cook had an aging face, creases around his grey eyes and bulbous nose, and a thick bush of white hair — hair strands shooting in every direction, almost comically. He was short and round around the belly, living proof of his good, delicious cooking.

“Keep fanning the fire, ye lazy ass! Don’t you see it’s going to die out? Faster, stronger! Aren’t you supposed to be young and full of life?!”, Cormag had wrapped his thick fingers around the brittle wrists of the lad, forcing his feeble arms up and down, fingers tight around a thin plank of wood. “Tiugainn (come on), with more enthusiasm, ye numpty!”

“Do you really think that’s how you motivate the young lads to do a good job, Cormag?” You questioned his teaching approach, with folded arms and a cocked brow.

An oath escaped his mouth as the cook turned around, his face downcast at your reprimand. “Callie!”

Thank the gods someone remembered how to approach you now. It came easier to Cormag though, considering that he was almost like family to you. The old man had seen you grow, having served your father since before you were even born. He was there, on the background, to wave you goodbye every time you had to return to Am Baile Ùr. And each time you came back, he had a full plate of haggis with a side of neeps and tatties waiting for you.

“No wonder your apprentices quit so fast if you treat them like that, Cormag. Have you no manners?” You kidded — the man had the filthiest mouth of the shire.

“I was raised by an ogre, young lady, of course I don’t”, he jokingly replied, cleaning his dirty hands on the apron tied around his round belly.

“Aye, and Nessie was your pet. I’ve heard that story before awright. I am still to see proof of such claims though.” Unfolding your arms you approached him, immediately going in for a bear hug.

Cormag palmed your back enthusiastically and you circled his stout frame, sinking in the comfort of his presence. In the blink of an eye, you were a five-year-old crybaby being consoled by a younger Cormag because there were no more mutton pies left that you could shove down your tiny mouth.

“I heard you were back, fear beag (little one). Wondered when you’d come visit this old git.” With a last squeeze, he took a step back, his hands placed on your shoulders. “Know you’ve probably heard this a thousand times now, but I’m truly sorry for your loss.”

His whisper was loaded with a heavy affection that shot your heart down to your stomach. Pressing your lips to stop your face from contorting at the memory of being alone in this world, you nodded, almost frantically, and sniffed. His eyes were a reflection of yours — the friendship between your athair and Cormag had been a staple in your life for as long as you could remember.

“But let’s not get all teary now!”, his demeanour changed as he rubbed your shoulders before taking a step back. “Got something for you.”

He turned around to rummage through a rattan basket on one of the counters. Cormag exclaimed an enthusiastic “Ha!” when he got his hands on what he was looking for. Then he presented his discovery to you with a flourish that made you crow.

When you saw the peachy plum on the palm of his hand, you almost squealed. “Plums!” You quickly snatched it, afraid he would take it away.

“I arranged for these to be brought from Fachabair (Fochabers). The cook who serves the clan chief there is an old friend of mine.”

“But Cormag, plums are not in season yet!” You marvelled at the sight, munching on the delicious fruit eagerly. Your eyes almost rolled to the back of your head.

“I know.” He winked at you mysteriously, but you didn’t press the matter if it meant you could get your hands on some more plums.

“I did come to you with a favour to ask”, you batted your eyelashes at him, anticipating his disapproval.

He looked at you, inquisitorial — it was his turn to fold arms at the chest. Cormag snapped his tongue as if to say, “do go on”.

“I already convinced Brighid so you cannae be mad at her. In fact, I promised her you wouldn’t.” You grinned at him, his face already puckering with exasperation. “I’m taking her place tonight as a serving maid.”

“Have you lost your damn mind, lass? Nay, I’m not having it”, he quickly dismissed you, grunting.

“I’m not asking for permission. I need to be there, I—” Just in time, you remembered that the two lads were still running around the fireplace, trying to keep the flames alive. “I’ll fill you in later, but I have to be there, there’s no discussion about it.”

“What? Serving that Roman scoundrel? There’s more royal blood in you than there is in him.” He was more offended than you were.

You laughed, patting his forearm. The old man already hated the Romans more than you did, and that was difficult to accomplish.

“Aye, and that’s not the worst bit, Cormag”, you teased him, because you knew he would lose his mind with rage.

“Enlighten me”, he said between gritted teeth.

“We are serving the Corma wine tonight with supper”, you pursed your lips, watching his reaction.

His round face turned all shades of red, and his nostrils flared. If it was physically possible, his ears would be steaming too, like a ceramic pot with boiling water over the open fire.

“NAY, OVER MY DEAD FUCKING BODY!”, he exploded, shaking his arms over his head in disbelief, and you burst into laughter. Cormag was too expressive. “Ah, no, NO. We are not wasting such finery on that murderous cunt!”

You blinked rapidly at him to appease his fury, but his rage just gleamed brighter.

“Well… I kinda told him we would. You winnae make me look like a liar, right, Cormag?”, you muttered, as if you were a child who had committed the grave felony of stealing a sweet off the counter.

“You did WHAT?!”, he snorted angrily.

“Tìoraidh (bye)!”, you effusively waved him goodbye as you bit into the plum, sprinting off and ducking when you heard the wooden spoon flying by your ear.

“Trobhad (come here)!”, but you had already turned the corner into the hallway.

Why he was so taut, he did not fully understand. Marcus’ body was in high alert, and he had his suspicions about the cause.

You were just a woman like any other. Sure, your green eyes flickered like hellfire, your red hair was so bright it looked like you were up in flames, your upturned nose covered in freckles twitched adorably, and the skin on your hands was unusually soft — but that was it, really.

So you were nothing out of the ordinary, he kept telling himself. But it was hard to keep to that line of thought when your breast would brush against his shoulder every time you approached to clear the table from empty plates, when your velvety fingers would briefly caress the back of his hand while reaching for his cutlery, or when you would talk too close to his ear, a tingling sensation on the back of his neck almost making him shiver uncomfortably.

Marcus did not know if you were doing it on purpose or not — your face had an innocent look to it that was hard to read for him. The most prudent thing would be to ignore it all — ignore you. Surely you were only being suggestive in his imagination. And he still had the feeling something had upset you that afternoon when you stormed off after his training session.

“How’s the wine, Dux Meus?”, your sweet voice trickled from your plush lips like honey.

The way you kept referring to him as Dux Meus unsettled him. The first time you had said it during your encounter in the corridor, it caused certain havoc in his mind — and body.

Although it was appropriate for his title, no one really referred to him like that. My leader, my general, my god. It was the last connotation what made him feel… uneasy, for lack of a better word. It just sounded too intimate, the way it would pour from your oval-shaped mouth.

Marcus blamed it on Latin not being your first language. If you knew how seductively it rolled from your lips, he was sure you would stop addressing him like that straight away. Which meant he should correct you, tell you to just stick to Dominus.

But for whatever inexplicable reason, he did not.

“It’s as tasty and earthy as I remember it.” He replied, his fingers wrapping around the chalice with more strength than what was necessary.

You smiled at him, one of your hands gently placed on his right shoulder giving him a subtle squeeze.

“I’m glad to hear it, my lord”, you mumbled, Marcus’ eyes following the movement of your hand when you broke contact.

You inched forward over his shoulder to grab the glass jug and refill his cup, gifting him with the sight of your generous cleavage — your breasts almost spilling over the neckline of the dark blue, linen dress that so tightly wrapped around your hourglass figure.

Marcus had to swallow hard, tension suddenly building up on his groin. Was he getting hard just by the mere touch of a woman? He sucked in his breath while forcing himself to look forward, not down.

He just nodded in reply, unable to find his voice. If he had talked, he would have just groaned in frustration. Marcus had to readjust his posture as he saw you walking away, your waist evocatively swaying sideways with every step you took.

“I’m sure the wine is not the only tasty thing around here.”

Maximus’ whispered jest forced Marcus to look in his direction, turning to his left. They, along with the other commanders and a few other people of importance, were sat on the table on the dais, facing the crowd. Other tables were scattered around the great hall, where some legionnaires were enjoying a meal and a drink, sharing a joke and bursting in laughter.

“I don’t follow”, he grunted, feigning ignorance, before taking a sip.

“Oh, you do follow. At least your eyes do.” Maximus mocked him while Marcus just sneered at him, eyes squinting. “No one would blame you though. We are far away in an unknown land, and we all have needs to satisfy. I myself am considering getting laid tonight.”

 “I did not doubt you would.” Men like Maximus had no consideration for their wives.

Neither does Livia, the intrusive thought wiggled its way through his mind. Despite the lack of passion in bed with his spouse, Marcus had been a faithful husband. While others looked for warmth in the folds of a pleasure woman after a battle, the General would tend to his wounds and rest, focusing on what next skirmish lied ahead.

And while he had been loyal although there was never love between them, Livia had been fucking the “love of her life”, as she had referred to the man stuffing her cunt full during his long absences. Marcus was yet to know his name. What he would do with that information, he did not know.

Thinking of his perfidious wife had an extinguishing effect on him. The strain against his subligaculum (underwear) had softened.

“You’re too tense, Marcus. You need to relax, have some fun. I bet you two denarii that she will fuck the stress out of you expertly, I can tell.” Maximus pressed maliciously, conscious of how uncomfortable the conversation would make Marcus feel.

“Just shut up, will you?”, Marcus snapped back, tired of his friend’s quips, and downing the drink in his cup.

Maximus laughed it off and turned to talk to Cassius when you sauntered towards the table again, stopping right behind him.

“More wine, Dux Meus?”, you asked, infusing your honeyed voice with a sweet touch of flirtation.

You bent over his shoulder again, hand lazily looking for the wine jug in front of him. His hazel eyes fell on your bosom again and your nipples involuntarily hardened at the desire you saw in him — you were sure he noticed them peeking through the thin fabric.

In your attempts to arouse him, your body was betraying you, getting warm in all the wrong places. As much as you wanted to be immune to your own provocative games, you were not. But it wasn’t him who made you wet with lust, you told yourself. It was your own actions, nothing else. The long game.

But Marcus quickly tamed his expression, grinding his jaw and looking away.

“No, I’m okay”, he rejected your offer, hovering his hand over the chalice so you would not pour more.

You forced your lips into a flat line. You needed the man to let go of his defences. Having him drunk would help with that. But not tonight, apparently.

You nodded.

“Of course, Dominus.” You placed the jug back down on the table, your left breast brushing his right shoulder again.

You bit down your bottom lip, your free fingers curling on the back of his chair. It’s just the game, you thought to yourself again, your core slick and hot.

Slowly you retreated to the kitchens, fully aware of Marcus’ eyes feasting on your body. You smiled to yourself — he might be a taut General, but he was just a man.

A deceitful man at that, who thought there was no treachery in the art of war. Was that how he defeated your father? With deception? You had been too far to see and hear how the fight between your father and Marcus had unfolded, but having been witness to how the General distracted his opponent that afternoon, you wondered if he had followed similar tactics with Murdoch. If your father’s demise was just a byproduct of Marcus’ boldness.

The memory of Marcus being your father’s executioner put out the liquid fire in your crotch. And rightly so.

It wasn’t long before the Romans started to vanish from the great hall, retreating to the barracks or to town, maybe looking for the comfort only a woman could offer.

When you walked back out to clear the last plates, you saw the General leaving the room. Alone. Where he intended to go you did not know, but you had to make sure he was not considering joining the men in town — if he was to choose a woman to enliven his bed, he should pick you.

“Isla, I’ll be back in a minute.” The lass gave you a puzzled look as the bits you had gathered previously clattered against the wooden table when you let go of them.

You hurried forward to meet him as he swung the double doors open, the cold breeze of the corridor filtering into the great hall.

“Dux Meus, wait please”, you interjected in the hopes he would stop walking.

Indeed, he did. His whole body stiffened, his fingers curling into fists at his sides. You were not sure what to make of that reaction — exasperation or frustration. You hoped for the second, especially the good kind of frustration.

As soon as you reached him, you placed a daring hand on his forearm — an unusual surge of energy sparked at the contact between your skins, giving you goosebumps. You quickly retrieved your hand with certain surprise, the tingling sensation evaporating right after.

“I trust everything was good?”, you queried, tilting your head to one side.

“Yes. Now I’ll retire to my bedchambers. Bonum noctis (good night)”, his words dragged for a second, “Callie.”

There it was again, your name falling from his lips as if it belonged to him. It angered and pleased you equally. If he pronounced it like that on purpose you did not know, but it surely felt like it.

Before you could come up with an answer, he trudged to his right and you took a step forward.

“That is not the way to the main bedchamber, my lord. You should follow this other corridor instead”, you pointed to the left.

He paused and turned around to face you. A lingering question danced in his pupils, but whatever it was, he did not say out loud. Instead, he nodded.

“I am aware. However, I have taken a different bedroom.” He did not give you an explanation, but you could have a good guess. Your father always complained his bed was like a blanket of spikey rocks. “I am now lodged in the second tower, the room in the top floor.”

You tamed your face into nothingness, but internally you flinched at his reply. He was sleeping in your room, in your bed. The thought of him naked with your bedlinen draped around his waist and thick legs made you gush. Fuck.

This was unknown territory to you — although you had been married for ten years, you had not known pleasure in the bedchamber. Iain just chased his own release, using you in disgusting ways, proving you that you were the problem, not him — that your womb was barren. You had been told by your friends that fucking was enjoyable for both parties, but you were yet to discover that. Maybe the dampness your legs harboured was a start?

“I see”, you curtsied, fingers laced on your back, looking up at him through your long eyelashes.

“How come you speak Latin?” His question blurted out, catching you completely off guard.

Marcus had a nick for inconvenience, forcing you to come up with lies on the spot. Luckily you were astute and creative.

“My late father was a scrivener to Murdoch. He taught me how to speak Latin, as it was his favourite language.”

“He passed?” You simply nodded. “I trust you still have family around though?”

You shook your head no. You killed them all, ye cunt. But you could not express your hatred out loud. Although when the time came, you would. Aye, you definitely would.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” For a second you believed him, his tone almost sorrowful.

“It was a long time ago.” You lied through your teeth, shrugging. “I’ll leave you to your rest now. Oidhche mhath (good night), Marcus.”

You heard a loud sigh being drawn into his lungs, possibly because of your cheekiness — calling him by his first name was a very bold move on your part. Maybe too bold.

Before he could reprimand you for your audacity, you scuttled back into the great hall, a sufficient grin tugging at your lips.

@orcasoul @immyowndefender @sjc7542 @fairiebabey

@thepalaceofmelanie @harriedandharassed @whoaitspascal87

@verybigvag @jessthebaker @ivoryandflame @missadangel @pepperstories

[scotianostra]

On February 16th 1954 the writer Iain Banks was born in Dunfermline, Fife

Banks was a son of a professional ice skater and an Admiralty officer. He spent his early years in North Queensferry and later moved to Gourock because of his father’s work requirement. He received his early education from Gourock and Greenock High Schools and at the young age of eleven, he decided to pursue a career in writing. He penned his first novel, titled The Hungarian Lift-Jet, in his adolescence. He was then enrolled at the University of Stirling where he studied English, philosophy and psychology. During his freshman year, he wrote his second novel, TTR.

Subsequent to attaining his bachelor degree, Banks worked a succession of jobs that allowed him some free time to write. The assortment of employments supported him financially throughout his twenties. He even managed to travel through Europe, North America and Scandinavia during which he was employed as an analyzer for IBM, a technician and a costing clerk in a London law firm. At the age of thirty he finally had his big break as he published his debut novel, The Wasp Factory, in 1984, henceforth he embraced full-time writing. It is considered to be one of the most inspiring teenage novels. The instant success of the book restored his confidence as a writer and that’s when he took up science fiction writing.

In 1987, he published his first sci-fi novel, Consider Phlebas which is a space opera. The title is inspired by one of the lines in T.S Eliot’s classic poem, The Waste Land. The novel is set in a fictional interstellar anarchist-socialist utopian society, named the Culture. The focus of the book is the ongoing war between Culture and Idiran Empire which the author manifests through the microcosm conflicts. The protagonist, Bora Horza Gobuchul, unlike other stereotypical heroes is portrayed as a morally ambiguous individual, who appeals to the readers. Additionally, the grand scenery and use of variety of literary devices add up to the extremely well reception of the book. Its sequel, The Player of Games, came out the very next year which paved way for other seven volumes in The Culture series.

Besides the Culture series, Banks wrote several stand-alone novels. Some of them were adapted for television, radio and theatre. BBC television adapted his novel, The Crow Road (1992), and BBC Radio 4 broadcasted Espedair Street. The literary influences on his works include Isaac Asimov, Dan Simmons, Arthur C. Clarke, and M. John Harrison. He was featured in a television documentary, The Strange Worlds of Iain Banks South Bank Show, which discussed his literary writings. In 2003, he published a non-fiction book, Raw Spirit, which is a travelogue of Scotland. Banks last novel, titled The Quarry, appeared posthumously. He also penned a collection of poetry but could not publish it in his lifetime. It is expected to be released in 2015. He was awarded multitude of titles and accolades in honour of his contribution to literature. Some of these accolades include British Science Fiction Association Award, Arthur C. Clarke Award, Locus Poll Award, Prometheus Award and Hugo Award.

Iain Banks was diagnosed with terminal cancer of the gallbladder and died at the age of 59 in the summer of 2013.

[fuckyeahgoodomens]

I've looked for this everywhere and can't find it, but I remember recently reading that David imitates several famous Scottish persons in the bodysnatchers episode. Do you happen to know who they are? I think maybe this was in an interview?

Hiya! :) The Prime X-Ray trivia says: Neil Gaiman suggested that people might complain that we never let David Tennant do his natural Scottish accent, so Neil thought it would be fun if David Tennant did as many Scottish accents as possible through the course of this chapter. David Tennant plays, from here on in, a variety of Scottish accents. From Iain Cuthbertson (‘Sutherland’s Law’, ‘Doctor Who’) to John Laurie (‘Dad’s Army’).

I am currently behind on interviews I'm afraid if he talked about more of them :) <3

[cjkie22]

A non-exhaustive list of why you should listen to hit dirtbag boyband Bears in Trees:

their music is really amazing. you'll love it.

especially if your Spotify wrapped was on the pov: indie side of things

and even if it wasn't.

songs for every emotion

absolutely beautiful lyrics

sometimes these lyrics make sense. sometimes they don't. that's part of the fun.

songs about platonic love !!!!!

songs for the queers! the aros! the aces! the enbies! the trans community!

my dad likes them. doesn't sound like a lot, but it's an achievement.

(more underneath the break)

iain (bass/vox/lyrics) has "ginger" tattooed on the back of their head. if that isn't iconic I don't know what is.

on the note of iain, they were the first person i was aware of that used they as a pronoun, and that changed my life

they have a discord server! it's a really lovely community. i am not biased in the slightest. (discord.gg/sandbox) (https://discord.com/invite/thesandbox) (i will personally send you an invite i don't actually know what the link is)

they should DEFINITELY be on the heartstopper soundtrack

if I'm remembering correctly in the tiktok where they said they should be on the heartstopper soundtrack, they also said 3 out of 4 of them were in some way queer. seems like a good thing to me.

they opened for you me at six earlier this year. it was my first time seeing them live. and WOW.

I met some of my best friends through this band. I'm not joking; big shout out to the mojo dojo castle house, I'll never forget that weekend.

they're hilarious on the internet

you might cry at several of their songs for a million different reasons

BearBerry records

they have a tumblr blog @/bearsintreesofficial (iirc). I'm not gonna tag them but

BiT gigs are a safe space. I may have almost fainted at my last one (new cross inn, August 2023) but I've never met so many kind strangers and genuinely lovely people

merch is super comfy and really cute.

it gives stardew valley and animal crossing (trust me I'm right)

after the new cross gig (sweatiest gig in the world), despite surely being exhausted, callum (uke/keys/vox) took my bereal and i got my mini lesbian flag signed by them all

I turned out not to be a lesbian, which possibly makes it funnier, but the flag is stuck on my wall still

cryptids would LOVE their band

dash.

there's also a community minecraft server for discord members

BiT postcards !!!!

gosh and the bit stickers

they covered stick season on an Instagram live

they also do the funniest twitch streams

iain and the mountain

the raccoon email address

george (drums/production) is elite. the drum fills in doing this again? iconic. also has a specific really cool shirt I want to steal

wedding. dress. tiktok.

callum doesn't wear shoes on stage. apparently this was common knowledge but it sure surprised me at new cross.

the austrian soft drinks advert

iain make up looks

callum plays the flute. I want to say classically trained flautist but i may be wrong.

none of them have EVER bribed any members of law enforcement

their songs are very tattooable

talking of tattoos, nick (lyrics/guitar/saw him play the uke on stage once) has L + R tattooed on his forearms (iirc). absolute genius and I am stealing it when I get more of my patchwork sleeve done

iain releases solo music to under the name pet yeti. it's ethereal. callum also plays flute on one of them.

trumpet joe

the four of them never look like they are dressed for the same event

someone once edited the bears in trees wiki page to say that Ryan Ross was in their band

silly geese

that time we got singing? poetry? performance art? of THAT harry potter fanfiction

according to tiktok, iain and nick once had to sneak into their own show because they were underage

nurby

I have a video in the depths of my camera roll of them covering Mama by My Chemical Romance on a twitch stream

sonick

all of them give me gender envy at different times

their newest single (bart's bike) features banjo

patreon content

yelling it gets better with a room full of people was a healing experience.

tilly

modern baseball and fall out boy adjacent in my brain

if you like bears in trees you're automatically hot and really cool

they did a song with noahfinnce and its really super good

callum also featured on a myriad song which is also really super good

bit songs feel like coming home. they feel like hot chocolate and a blanket on a cold night. they feel like a warm hug. they feel like surviving and falling in love with life again and overcoming the worst things. they feel like victory, because you didn't think you'd make it to adulthood. but I'm 20 now. and I'm still here. I've almost graduated uni. and that's what bears in trees feels like.

all of their songs!!!! amazing!!!!

please feel free to add to this list. I'm taking suggestions.

[scrapyardboyfriends]

Just when we thought the show couldn't get any worse they have Cain randomly cheat on Moira while she is undergoing brain surgery! I feel so sorry for the Coira fans, first the nonsensical Nate affair now Cain sleeping with his sister in law out of nowhere! Robron really did escape lightly in comparison. Imagine us all gearing up for Aaron devotedly sitting at Robert's bedside waiting while he has brain surgery but instead getting him going off and fucking John in the garage!

I just…have no words. They’ve been so bad lately with bogging down serious stories with unnecessary drama. I mean look at what was supposed to be a childhood leukemia story for Evan that turned into an illegal boxing story that was a vehicle to bring back Ross and now there’s just random gangsters running around. Like what even is happening with the baby at this point? Does anyone know or care??

But this…I just can’t on so many levels. Not only is it absolutely unnecessary to add this kind of drama to a brain tumor story, why is Iain so damn obsessed with destroying Coira with cheating stories. And no it doesn’t count as different just because it’s Cain this time. I just don’t feel like Coira can take another cheating story. And once again, so little reason and motivation for it. This feels like Chrissie thing but worse.

Coira is one of their most popular couples and yes they need drama but they had that with the brain tumor. It doesn’t have to be cheating drama. Especially when they’ve had so much of that in the past. And it was done so poorly too.

I’m sure they’ll come through this too but…at what cost. And when will people stop caring?

(This is one reason why I’d be happy for Ryan to keep turning them down. I don’t trust these people)

[cspasfan15]

TDA Orlando Predictions

Mini female

Top 20: navy Forrest, Elizabeth pugach, Amaya Rodriguez, Ella venerio, mila simunic, tinsley Wallace, Lainey Hess, Elliana macioce, Harper schwalb, Emma semtak, Reese braga, Marley Evans

Top 10: remi hilson, Antonia demartinis, Mikaela florez, leighton white, Amelia burres, lyric Simmons, Zoe ynguanzo

Top 3: Avery Altobelli, Sylvie win Szyndlar, Aliya yen, sienna dipietro

Mini Male

Top 3: jay ramos-Rivera, Rory Ross, Hudson Matthew’s, Isaiah santos

Junior Female

Top 20: Kendall brown, cydnee Abbott, Reagan Hess, Bianca rebellto, Elsie sandall, lily hackney, Estelle newsom, Leilani lawlor, Sara von rotz, Regan gerena

Top 10: olivia rose toneguzzo, madeleine shen, keringtyn spencer, ruby Arnold,Samantha geller, Berkeley scifres, Isabella zhong, Camila giraldo

Top 3: Helena olaerts, Anita Rodriguez, amabella tarrago, bristyn scifres

Junior male

Top 3: Gabriel gebara, Dylan Custodio, Josh Lundy, neo del corral

Teen Female

Top 20: ava d’ambrosio, miyah lagrant, Bella Rey d’armas, Jaya campagna Terrell, lekha rajkumar, savy luechtefeld, balbina cueva toussaint, joli du quenne, Brooklyn ladia, Stella eberts, Lilly Barajas

Top 10: desa jankes, Leila winker, braylynn grizzaffi, Hudson benayon, Hayley marshall, elie rabin

Top 3: Kylee casares, Bella rose Penrose, gracyn French, Giselle gandarilla

Teen Male

Top 20: Odin Baldwin, Nolan brinker, jack mckenzie, Holden griffin, nick d’ambrosio, Jayden hui, iain Cooke, jack Moore brown, Zolan laird

Top 10: Ryan Newman, Duane Ferguson, Sasha chernous, Anthony labritz, cam Williams, Angelo Durante, Jonathan archer

Top 3: Kylan wright, Blake metcalf, Kaden brown, garret sawyer

Senior female

Top 20: Elyse wingertsahn, Brooklyn law, Isabella bolivar Lopez, Ava Carroll, victoria reith, Gillian Gordon, Ellen grace olansen, sammi Chung

Top 10: preslie rosamond, sienna morris, Catherine Clayton, Savannah manning, Angel dimartino Palladio, Arianna quant, Lexi Blanchard, Ashley choy,

Top 3: Tatiana hagee, Sophie Garcia, dyllan Blackburn, sierra drayton

Senior male

Top 20: Patricio hoyo, Damian caraballo, Jayden lau, tyreke holt, Seth hendley, Anthony dessables, Alejandro Ruiz, Darius Goodson, Keaton Evans, Devon barner

Top 10: chance Phelps, skai llorente, cynsear epting, joshuah Rivera, Mekhi Johnson, Hugo Silva, Kaden Golding, Tristan gerzon, Jesse flaherty

Top 3: Nicholas bustos, Jackson roloff hafenbreadl, Sam Evans

[mybeautifulchristianjourney]

by Iain Murrary | To assert that the message of the cross is wholly one of divine love (as some have done) is to destroy its meaning. For it is only in the recognition of the holiness of God that the sufferings of Christ, which brought forth the cry, ‘My God, My God, why have you forsaken me,’ can be truly understood. Apart from divine justice that cry is inexplicable. In the words of Thomas Robinson, ‘Sin is nowhere seen so terrible, nor the law so inflexible, as in the cross of Christ.’…

[beardedmrbean]

“Cuckooing” could become a new criminal offence in plans under discussion by the Home Office.

A total of 48 MPs have backed a proposal that would make the act of occupying or exercising control over another person’s home in connection with criminal activity illegal for the first time.

The practice, known as “cuckooing”, is most commonly perpetrated by county lines gangs who often occupy a vulnerable person’s home to store or distribute drugs.

Problem highlighted in popular TV dramas

The problem has been highlighted in such popular television dramas as Line of Duty and Happy Valley - but is in itself not a criminal offence.

Sir Iain Duncan Smith has put forward an amendment to the Criminal Justice Bill that would make “cuckooing” punishable by up to seven years in prison.

The former Conservative leader has had a meeting with Home Office officials to discuss the proposals, which have the backing of 40 Tory MPs including Suella Braverman, the ex-home secretary.

Police visited more than 1,200 “cuckooed” addresses within one week last month, as part of a national “country lines intensification week”.

There are tools, both civil and criminal, available to police and local authorities to disrupt “cuckooing”, and perpetrators can be prosecuted for the crime that they commit within a property, such as drugs offences.

But backers of the amendment, including Sir Robert Buckland, the former justice secretary, believe that using a vulnerable person’s property as a base for such activities itself needs to become a recognised crime.

‘People with vulnerabilities being exploited’ 

“I think that ‘cuckooing’ is another example of how we can reflect the sad reality that there are still many, many people out there who have vulnerabilities who are being exploited by criminal gangs or more sophisticated operators, who use these people as a human shield in order to conceal their criminal activities.

“Therefore, I think anything we can do to strip away that last shield has got to be a good thing in terms of really meeting the criminality where it lies.”

He warned that currently victims of “cuckooing”, which can include people with mental health issues, the elderly or those with learning disabilities, currently risk facing criminal sanctions themselves for criminal activity going on in their home.

He added: “I think it is important that we seek to use the full force of the criminal law to tackle this type of exploitation.”

The proposed new law would mean that a person will have committed an offence if they occupy or exercise control over the home of another person in connection with carrying out a criminal offence.

‘Police need more powers’ 

Means of exercising such control range from the threat of use of force or other coercive behaviour, fraud, or the giving of payments or other benefits to achieve consent of the victim.

Louise Gleich, of the Joint Modern Slavery Unit at the Centre for Social Justice and Justice and Care, said: “The police need more powers to go after the criminals who cause such devastation in the lives of vulnerable people.

“Simply prosecuting offenders for other crimes takes no account of the harm done to the victims. Civil orders are inadequate to properly disrupt this behaviour and stop offenders just moving on to other victims.

“A specific criminal offence is needed and we urge the Government to use the Criminal Justice Bill to update the law.”

The Home Office said: “Cuckooing is unacceptable, and the police already have a range of powers to step in and protect vulnerable people if they are being exploited in this way, including possible jail time for the perpetrator.

“We will consider the amendment and engage with parliamentary colleagues in the usual way.”

[which-hospital]

I’ve actually kind of watched today’s episode already but I’ll put my post for it up tomorrow because I’m gonna watch it again with my mum, here’s my THOUGHTS ON NEXT WEEK’S SPOILERS though!!!!!

Okay, stuff I’m normal about first. Looks like they’re kicking off a storyline for Donna next week, which I’m pretty excited for. I didn’t think she’d immediately fit into Casualty in the way that she has but it’s like she’s always been there already. Plus, I love Donna and Rida together.

Iain and Faith stuff, but Faith is going to end the relationship. Like a lot of people, I’m pretty tired of the Faith storyline so I’ve still got nothing to say about it beyond the fact that it exists.

Jan and Ffion’s relationship is hard for me to get invested in beyond the fact that I love Jan because it always seems like it isn’t going well for them in some way or another.

Now for things I can’t be normal about:

“Sah feels guilty about their kiss with Paige the other week. With their conscience weighing heavily on them, Sah eventually tells Teddy the truth.”

it’s barely any more information than the 4 words (“Sah confesses to Teddy”) that we got from Radio Times but it confirms that the episode is going to deal with the kiss and that’s got me in a good mood. This is what a lot of people, myself included, predicted - Sah telling him as soon as possible just feels right for them. I think this also leaves us with a greater chance at polyamory than we would’ve had if they drew Teddy not knowing out. But I’m also wondering how Teddy’s going to respond. I’ll be honest, I don’t have a single clear idea of how his response will go. I expected the writers to drag out him not knowing for weeks and then he’d find out and die of heartbreak or something like that (I’m only partially joking) but with him finding out so soon afterwards, I’m wondering where they’ll go with it. There’s got to be more to this storyline beyond this and normally Teddy finding out would be like the climax of it, so the fact that it’s happening so soon has me tentatively hopeful.

I’m so excited, I’ve really been drawn back into Casualty by all of this stuff. Expect me to be insufferable with the spoiler updates over the next week.

[medievalandfantasymelee]

Summary of Qualifying Round Tilts

Sir Guy of Gisborne [Michael Wincott], Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) Def. Sir Guy of Gisburne [Robert Addie], Robin of Sherwood (1984)

Robin Hood [Richard Todd], The Story of Robin Hood and His Merrie Men (1952) Def. King Arthur [Graham Chapman], Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Arman [Matevy Lykov], I Am Dragon (2015) Def. Antonius Block [Max von Sydow], The Seventh Seal (1957)

Ivanhoe [Anthony Andrews], Ivanhoe (1982) Def. Edward III Plantagenet [Blake Ritson], A World Without End (2012)

Edward, the Black Prince [James Purefoy], A Knight’s Tale (2001)  Def. Henry VII Tudor [Luke Treadaway], The Hollow Crown (2012-2016)

Pero Tovar [Pedro Pascal], The Great Wall (2016) Def. Sir Thomas Gray [Nigel Terry], Covington Cross (1992)

Edward IV Plantagenet [Max Irons], The White Queen (2013) Def. Richard III [Benedict Cumberbatch], The Hollow Crown (212-2016)

Éomer, Son of Éomund [Karl Urban], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Gimli, Son of Gloin [John Rhys-Davies], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Elrond Half-elven [Hugo Weaving], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Elrond Half-elven [Robert Aramayo], The Rings of Power (2022-)

Mr. Tumnus [James McAvoy], The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) Def. Carlos I [Álvaro Cervantes], Carlos, Rey Emperador (2015-2016)

Niccoló Machiavelli [Thibaut Evrard], Borgia (2011-2014) Def. Niccoló Machiavelli [Julian Bleach], The Borgias (2011-2013)

Finan [Mark Rowley], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) Def. “The Sherriff of Nottingham” [Alan Wheatley], The Adventures of Robin Hood (1955-1959)

Sir Guy of Gisbourne [Basil Rathbone], The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) Def. Nasir [Mark Ryan], Robin of Sherwood (1984-1986)

William Thatcher [Heath Ledger], A Knight’s Tale (2001) Def. King Arthur [Charlie Hunnam], King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

Darkness [Tim Curry], Legend (1985) Def. Zbyszko z Bogdanca [Mieczyslaw Kalenik], Knights of the Teutonic Order (1960)

King Vortigern [Jude Law], King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017) Def. Uther Pendragon [Anthony Stewart Head], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012)

Corlys Velaryon [Steve Toussaint], House of the Dragon (2022-) Def. Simon Aumar [Justice Smith], Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

Asbjörn [Tom Hopper], Northmen: A Viking Saga (2014) Def. Connor MacLeod [Christopher Lambert], Highlander (1986)

Matrim “Mat” Cauthon [Donal Finn], The Wheel of Time (2022) Def. Prince Hamlet [Christopher Plummer], Hamlet at Elsinore (1964)

Lord Eddard Stark [Sean Bean], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Def. Lurtz [Lawrence Makoare], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Frodo Baggins [Elijah Wood], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Dong Yilong [Henry Lau], Double World (2020)

King Ecbert Ealhmunding [Linus Roache], Vikings (2013-2020) Def. Bofur [James Nesbitt],The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014)

Beowulf [Gerard Butler], Beowulf & Grendel (2005) Def. King Henry V Plantagenet [Kenneth Branagh], Henry V (1989)

King Arthur [Sean Connery], First Knight (1995) Def. Robin Hood [Sean Connery], Robin and Marian (1976)

Thorin Oakenshield [Richard Armitage], The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014) Def. Thierry of Janville [Jean-Claude Drouot], Thierry la Fronde (1963-1966)

Prince Hamlet [Laurence Olivier], Hamlet (1948) Def. Björn Ironside [Alexander Ludwig], Vikings (2013-2020)

Ser Criston Cole [Fabien Frankel], House of the Dragon (2022-) Def. Martin [Rutger Hauer], Flesh + Blood (1985)

Bard the Bowman [Luke Evans], The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014) Def. Perrin Aybara [Marcus Rutherford], The Wheel of Time (2022-)

King Marke of Cornwall [Rufus Sewell], Tristan & Isolde (2006) Def. Leofric [Adrian Bower], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022)

Amleth [Alexander Skarsgård], The Northman (2022) Def. Miles Hendon [Errol Flynn], The Prince and the Pauper (1937)

Ser Jorah Mormont [Iain Glen], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Def. Little John [Nicol Williamson], Robin and Marian (1976)

Odda the Elder [Simon Kunz], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) Def. Ser Barristan Selmy [Ian McIlhinney], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Nicodemus Ravens [Jakob Oftebro], Skammerens Datter (2015) Def. King Arthur [Nigel Terry], Excalibur (1981)

Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert [Ciaran Hinds], Ivanhoe (1997) Def. Sir Brian de Bois-Guilbert [Sam Neill], Ivanhoe (1982)

Robert the Bruce [Chris Pine], Outlaw King (2018) Def. King Edward I Plantagenet [Stephen Dillane], Outlaw King (2018)

Prince Charmont [Hugh Dancy], Ella Enchanted (2004) Def. Galessin, Duke of Orkney [Alexis Hénon], Kaamelott (2004-2009)

King Arthur [Richard Harris], Camelot (1967) Def. Ulrich von Jungingen [Stanislaw Jasiukiewicz], Knights of the Teutonic Order (1960)

Thomas Becket [Richard Burton], Becket (1964) Def. Brother Cadfael [Derek Jacobi], Cadfael (1994-1998)

Father Beocca [Ian Hart], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) Def. “The Mayor of Hamelin” [Claude Rains], The Pied Piper of Hamelin (1957)

Bronn [Jerome Flynn], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Def. Mikoláš Kozlík [František Velecký], Marketa Lazarová (1967)

Balian de Ibelin [Orlando Bloom], Kingdom of Heaven (2005) Def. Athelstan [George Blagden], Vikings (2013-2020)

Sultan Alauddin [Ranveer Singh], Padmavaat (2018) Def. Sir Tristan [Kingsley Ben-Adir], King Arthur: Legend of the Sword (2017)

Ahchoo [Dave Chapelle], Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) Def. Robin Hood [Tom Riley], Doctor Who: “The Robot of Sherwood” (2014)

Thranduil, The Elvenking [Lee Pace], The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014) Def. Vaisey, Sheriff of Nottingham [Keith Allen], BBC’s Robin Hood (2006-2009)

Cesare Borgia [Francois Arnaud], The Borgias (2011-2013) Def. Ancelyn ap Gwalchmai [Marcus Gilbert], Doctor Who: “Battlefield” (1989)

Prince Oberyn Martell [Pedro Pascal], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Def. Amarendra Baahubali [Prabhas], Baahubali Series (2015-2017)

Galavant [Joshua Sasse], Galavant (2015-2016) Def. Sir Galahad [Michael Palin], Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

The Kurgan [Clancy Brown], Highlander (1986) Def. Allan-A-Dale [Joe Armstrong], BBC’s Robin Hood (2006-2009)

“The Mute” [Jon Bernthal], Pilgrimage (2017) Def. Arn Magnusson [Joakim Nätterqvist], Arn: The Knight Templar (2007)

Uther Pendragon [Gabriel Byrne], Excalibur (1981) Def. Rilk [Jesse Lee Keeter] JourneyQuest (2010)

Alessandro Farnese [Diarmuid Noyes], Borgia (2011-2014) Def. King Alfred the Great [David Dawson], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022)

Ser Davos Seaworth [Liam Cunningham], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Def. Gest [Jakob Þór Einarsson], Hrafninn flýgur (1984)

Lin Shu [Hu Ge], Nirvana in Fire (2015) Def. Cesare Borgia [Mark Ryder], Borgia (2011-2014)

Charles Brandon [Henry Cavill], The Tudors (2007-2010) Def. Asneez [Isaac Hayes], Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Erik Thurgilson [Christian Hillborg], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) Def. Much [Sam Troughton], BBC’s Robin Hood (2006-2009)

Vlad III Dracula [Luke Evans], Dracula Untold (2014) Def. Chris Vexler [Karan Soni], Miracle Workers: The Dark Ages (2020)

Prince Chauncley [Daniel Radcliffe], Miracle Workers: The Dark Ages (2020) Def. Bilbo Baggins [Martin Freeman], The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014)

Aguilar de Nerha [Michael Fassbender], Assassin's Creed (2016) Def. Wil Ohmsford [Austin Butler], The Shannara Chronicles (2016)

Mordred [Jason Done], Merlin (1998) Def. Robin Hood [Kevin Costner], Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Murtagh Morzansson [Garrett Hedlund], Eragon (2006) Def. Geralt z Rivii [Michał Żebrowski], The Witcher (2002)

Turgut Alp [Cengiz Coşkun], Diriliş: Ertuğrul (2014-2019) Def. Elendil [Lloyd Owen], The Rings of Power (2022-)

Uglúk [Nathaniel Lees], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Azog the Defiler [Manu Bennett], The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014)

Prince Aemond Targaryen [Ewan Mitchell], House of the Dragon (2022-) Def. Kai [Michael Gothard], Arthur of the Britons (1972, 1973)

King Arthur [Bradley James], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012) Def. Arondir [Ismael Cruz Córdova], The Rings of Power (2022-)

Wen Kexing [Gong Jun], Word of Honor (2021) Def. King Arthur [Alexandre Astier], Kaamelott (2004-2009)

Sir Gwaine [Eoin Macken], Merlin (2008-2012) Def. al’Lan Mandragoran [Daniel Henney], The Wheel of Time (2022)

Hamlet [Iain Glen], Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1990) Def. Count Rugen [Christopher Guest], The Princess Bride (1987)

Inigo Montoya [Mandy Patinkin], The Princess Bride (1987) Def. Robert of Huntingdon [Jason Connery], Robin of Sherwood (1984)

Lord Tywin Lannister [Charles Dance], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Def. King Henry VIII [Ray Winstone], Henry VIII (2003)

King Edmund the Just [Mark Wells], The Chronicles of Narnia (2005-2010) Def. Merlin [Nicol Williamson], Excalibur (1981)

Gawain [Dev Patel], The Green Knight (2021) Def. Sir Elyan [Adetomiwa Edun], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012)

Boromir, Son of Denethor [Sean Bean], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Sir Percival [Tom Hopper], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012)

Sir Leon [Rupert Young], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012) Def. Merlin [Colin Morgan], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012)

Aragorn, Son of Arathorn [Viggo Mortensen], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Isildur, Son of Elendil [Maxim Baldry], The Rings of Power (2022-)

Samwise Gamgee [Sean Astin], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Rand al’Thor [Josha Stradowski], The Wheel of Time (2022-)

Chu Hun [Peter Ho], Double World (2020) Def. Ash Williams [Bruce Campbell], Army of Darkness (1992)

Khal Drogo [Jason Momoa], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Def. Loial [Hammed Animashaun], The Wheel of Time (2022-)

Gandalf [Ian McKellan], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Merlin [Sam Neill], Merlin (1998)

Gendry [Joe Dempsie], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Def. Ubbe [Jordan Patrick Smith], Vikings (2013-2020)

Sandor Clegane [Rory McCann], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Def. Sir Lancelot [Nicholas Clay], Excalibur (1981)

Will Scarlet O’Hara [Matthew Porretta], Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) Def. Phillippe Gaston [Matthew Broderick], Ladyhawke (1985)

Ahmad [Mahesh Jadu], Marco Polo (2014) Def. Glenstorm [Cornell John], The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

King Henry II Plantagenet [Peter O’Toole], Becket (1964) Def. King Henry II Plantagenet [Peter O’Toole], The Lion in Winter (1968)

Ahmed Ibn Fahdlan [Antonio Banderas], The 13th Warrior (1999) Def. Trumpkin [Peter Dinklage], The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)

Thraxus Boorman [Amar Chadha-Patel], Willow (2022) Def. Tyrion Lannister [Peter Dinklage], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Durotan [Toby Kebbell], Warcraft (2016) Def. Prince Daemon Targaryen [Matt Smith], House of the Dragon (2022)

Rosencrantz [Gary Oldman], Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1990) Def. Lord Harekr [Bradley James], Vikings: Valhalla (2022-)

Étienne de Navarre [Rutger Hauer], Ladyhawke (1985) Def. Prince John [Richard Lewis], Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Fili [Dean O’Gorman], The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014) Def. Renly Baratheon [Gethin Anthony], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Meriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck [Dominic Monaghan], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Fjölnir [Claes Bang], The Northman (2022)

“The Player” [Richard Dreyfuss], Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead (1990) Def. Ravenhurst [Basil Rathbone], The Court Jester (1955)

Prince Prospero [Vincent Price], The Masque of the Red Death (1964) Def. Francois Villon [Ronald Colman], If I Were King (1938)

Richard II Plantagenet [Ben Whishaw], The Hollow Crown (2012-2016) Def. Will Scarlett [Christian Slater], Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991)

Saladin [Milind Soman], Arn: The Knight Templar (2007) Def. Fezzik [André the Giant], The Princess Bride (1987)

Will Scarlett [Harry Lloyd], BBC’s Robin Hood, (2006-2009) Def. George Plantagenet, Duke of Clarence [David Oakes], The White Queen (2013)

Faramir, Son of Denethor [David Wenham], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)| Def. Richard Cypher [Craig Horner], Legend of the Seeker (2008-2010)

Francesco de Pazzi [Matteo Martari], Medici (2016-2019) Def. Geoffrey Chaucer [Pier Paolo Pasolini], The Canterbury Tales (1972)

Jareth, the Goblin King [David Bowie], Labyrinth (1986) Def. Jafar [Marwan Kenzari], Aladdin (2019)

Sir Guy of Gisborne [Richard Armitage], BBC’s Robin Hood (2006-2009) Def. Prince Dastan [Jake Gyllenhaal], Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time (2010)

Geralt of Rivia [Henry Cavill], The Witcher (2019-) Def. Roose Bolton [Michael McElhatton], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

“One-Eye” [Mads Mikkelsen], Valhalla Rising (2009) Def. Le Maître d'Armes (the fencing master) [Christian Bujeau], Kaamelott (2005-2009)

King Caspian X [Samuel West], Prince Caspian and the Voyage of the Dawn Treader (1989) Def. Edward Seymour, Earl of Hertford [Claude Rains], The Prince and the Pauper (1937)

Jon Snow [Kit Harrington], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Def. Ramsay Bolton [Iwan Rheon], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Haldir [Craig Parker], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Robin Hood [Douglas Fairbanks], Robin Hood (1922)

Gu Tingye [Feng Shaofeng], The Story of Minglan (2018) Def. Gündoğdu Bey [Kaan Taşaner], Diriliş: Ertuğrul (2014-2019)

Hubert Hawkins [Danny Kaye], The Court Jester (1955) Def. Saburo Naotora Ichimonji [Ryu Daisuke], Ran (1985)

Giuliano de Medici [Bradley James], Medici (2016-2019) Def. Jack [Tom Cruise], Legend (1985)

Sir Henry “Hotspur” Percy [Joe Armstrong], The Hollow Crown (2012-2016) Def. Prince Humperdink [Chris Sarandon], The Princess Bride (1987)

Robin Hood [Cary Elwes], Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993) Def. Jaskier [Joey Batey], The Witcher (2019-)

Prince Jingim [Remy Hii], Marco Polo (2014) Def. Ragnar Lothbrok [Travis Fimmel], Vikings (2013-2020)

Petyr “Littlefinger” Baelish [Aiden Gillan], Game of Thrones (2011-2019) Def. Gríma Wormtongue [Brad Dourif], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Madmartigan [Val Kilmer], Willow (1988) Def. Podrick Payne [Daniel Portman], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Hugh Beringar [Sean Pertwee], Cadfael (1994-1998) Def. Prince John [Claude Rains], The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938)

Prince Henry [Dougray Scott], Ever After (1998) Def. Massetto [Dave Franco], The Little Hours (2017)

King Henry V Plantagenet [Tom Hiddleston], The Hollow Crown (2012-2016) Def. Arthur Pendragon [Oliver Tobias], Arthur of the Britons (1972, 1973)

James Douglas [Aaron Taylor-Johnson], Outlaw King (2018) Def. King Richard IV [Brian Blessed], The Black Adder (1982)

“The Sherriff of Nottingham” [Peter Cushing], The Sword of Sherwood Forest (1960) Def. “The Red Death” [John Westbrook], The Masque of the Red Death (1964)

Philip II [Timothy Dalton], The Lion in Winter (1968) Def. “Man With Snake” [Barry John Clarke], Edward II (1991)

Prince John [Oscar Isaac], Robin Hood (2010) Def. Willow Ufgood [Warwick Davis], Willow (2022)

King Richard [Timothy Omundson], Galavant (2015-2016) Def. “Unnamed Elf Escort” (“Figwit”) [Bret McKenzie], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Mehmed II [Cem Yiğit Üzümoğlu], Rise of Empires: Ottoman (2020-2022) Def. Robert of Artois [Jean Piat], The Accursed Kings (1972)

Sir Lancelot [Luc Simon], Lancelot du Lac (1974) Def. Tormund Giantsbane [Kristofer Hivju], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Legolas Greenleaf [Orlando Bloom], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Shah Ala ad Daula [Olivier Martinez], The Physician (2013)

Rollo [Clive Standen], Vikings (2013-2020) Def. Sir Lancelot [Richard Gere], First Knight (1995)

King Henry V [Laurence Olivier], Henry V (1944) Def. Saruman [Christopher Lee], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003)

Théoden, Son of Thengel [Bernard Hill], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Steapa [Adrian Bouchet], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022)

Richard III Plantagenet [Aneurin Barnard], The White Queen (2013) Def. “Taunting French Guard” [John Cleese], Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Wat [Alan Tudyk], A Knight’s Tale (2001) Def. Ser Jaime Lannister [Nikolaj Coster-Waldau], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Kili [Aiden Turner], The Hobbit Trilogy (2012-2014) Def. Daario Naharis [Michiel Huisman], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Osferth [Ewan Mitchell], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) Def. Robin Hood [Jonas Armstrong], BBC’s Robin Hood (2006-2009)

Rodrigo Borgia [Jeremy Irons], The Borgias (2011-2013) Def. Jacques le Gris [Adam Driver], The Last Duel (2021)

Ivar the Boneless [Alex Høgh Andersen], Vikings (2013-2020) Def. Stannis Baratheon [Stephen Dillane], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Caspian X [Ben Barnes], The Chronicles of Narnia (2010) Def. Guildenstern [Tim Roth], Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (1990)

Robin Hood [Errol Flynn], The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) Def. High King Peter the Magnificent [Noah Huntley], The Chronicles of Narnia (2005-2010)

Peregrin “Pippin” Took [Billy Boyd], The Lord of the Rings Trilogy (2001-2003) Def. Little John [Eric Allan Kramer], Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

Uhtred of Bebbanburgh [Alexander Dreymon], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) Def. Robin of Loxley [Michael Praed], Robin of Sherwood (1984)

Sihtric Kjartansson [Arnas Fedaravicius], The Last Kingdom (2015-2022) Def. Robin Longstride [Russell Crowe], Robin Hood (2010)

Edgin Darvis [Chris Pine], Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves (2023) Def. “Cinderella’s Prince” [Chris Pine], Into the Woods (2014)

Tom Builder [Rufus Sewell], The Pillars of the Earth (2010 Def. Thomas Cromwell [Mark Rylance], Wolf Hall (2015-2024)

Adhemar, Count of Anjou [Rufus Sewell], A Knight's Tale (2001) Def. Sir Bowen [Dennis Quaid], Dragonheart (1996)

Azeem [Morgan Freeman], Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) Def. Prince Graydon Hastur [Tony Revolori], Willow (2022)

Tajomaru [Toshiro Mifune], Rashomon (1950) Def. Niankoro [Issiaka Kane], Yeelen (1987)

Will Scarlett [Patrick Knowles], The Adventures of Robin Hood (1938) Def. Syrio Forel [Miltos Yerolemou], Game of Thrones (2011-2019)

Geoffrey Chaucer [Paul Bettany], A Knight’s Tale (2001) Def. “The Sherriff of Rottingham” [Roger Rees], Robin Hood: Men in Tights (1993)

George, Sherriff of Nottingham [Alan Rickman], Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) Def. William Wallace [Mel Gibson], Braveheart (1995)

Sir Lancelot [Santiago Cabrera], BBC’s Merlin (2008-2012) Def. Sid [Luke Youngblood], Galavant (2015-2016)

Xenk Yendar [Regé-Jean Page], Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023) Def. Eamon Valda [Abdul Salis], The Wheel of Time (2022-)

Westley [Cary Elwes], The Princess Bride (1987) Def. Forge Fitzwilliam [Hugh Grant], Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)