forums.rs

Forums

Feel the Silence

Quick find code: 49-50-531-56681643

of 97
Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
I had dreamed of it. But I was scared of what it meant, and how we could make it work. But we could have tried, if you hadn’t thought the army was the way to appease my father – that was exactly what he wanted!
And now it’s too late for me to tell you these things. It’s too late to get back all the time we lost---
Gods, I’m such a fool”
The curl of the l trailed off, and Gray knew that was where she had crumpled the note in frustration and tossed it on the floor. He paused in the rose gardens and sat on a bench, heart pounding. Carefully, he folded the note and placed it in his pocket. He tangled his fingers in his perfectly combed hair and pulled hard.
No. It was too late for doubts now. He had done what was right. Justine might be in pain now, but she’d thank him someday.
And Lucas, if he made it out of the jungle alive, would someday thank him too.
Childhood flings were never meant to last.
“My Lord Gray.”
He rose quickly and bowed. “My Prince. I was coming to see you.”
“And yet here you are, sitting in the gardens,” James teased. “Not as young as you once were, Gray? You look a tad pale.”
“The heat got to me.” He patted at his hair. “I have the reports. Shall we go up to your office?”
“It’s a nice day, and hotter inside, I assure you. Here is fine.”
Gray handed over the reports, including a list of the soldiers headed for Karamja that did not contain Lucas’ name. James read them over in silence, and then sat next to Gray, and for the next hour they discussed the war and the next possible steps. Now that they controlled Falador, James wanted to push into Kandarin territory and force their advances to retreat to defend their own country.
“If we can keep up the momentum, we could wound them permanently. Make them agree to terms that would prevent another war like this,” James said eagerly.
“While it’s a noble intention, we don’t have the supplies for that. Falador wiped us out.”
“Can’t you get more?”

11-Aug-2010 17:37:51 - Last edited on 11-Aug-2010 17:38:39 by Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“My Prince, have you looked into your coffers lately? You don’t have the money to pay for more arms or soldiers.”
James stared. “How is that possible – I’m the Prince, I’m rich!”
“No, you’re not,* Gray said. “Your father put this war in your hands and proceeded to devote his attentions to those new additions to the palace your mother has so longed for.”
The young Prince balled his hands into fists. *That’s ridiculous.”
“A word often used to describe our beloved King, I’m afraid.” Gray shrugged.
“There must be some other way. Maybe they’ll agree to a treaty now.*
*Diplomacy always fails, my Prince. Besides, you’ve gained no new ground yet – that’s bad politics. If you give up now, it’s like everyone who’s died has died for nothing.”
“Then I have to push into their territory.”
“Yes.”
“But you said I can’t!”
“Then you’ll have to find a way to get money, Prince. Or hold your ground, let the Kandarins make the next move. Sit tight. You read about the squad going to Brimhaven?”
“Yes, yes.*
*That’s what you do. Wait for them to capture the colony. Stay put, discreetly get troops to the island. Then you attack Ardounge.” Funny, Gray thought, that the future of the war lay in the hands of the likes of Lucas Val’Eyra. For the first time, Gray found himself hoping the boy might live after all.
“Brimhaven,” James repeated dubiously. “So I just wait?”
“Yes. Focus on those pesky raids in the south. Wait for Brimhaven.”
James nodded slowly. There was a long silence.
“Well, if that’s—“
“How is Justine?” the Prince blurted out.
Gray placed his hands in his pockets, brushing the letter. “Not well,” he admitted. James scuffed the gravel with his shoes. “She might like to see you,” Gray suggested. “Maybe you could cheer her up.”
A soft, knowing laugh. “I highly doubt she wants to see me, Gray.”
He shrugged. “You never know. I’d best be going. Best of luck, Prince.” He bowed and walked away, hands tucked his pockets.

11-Aug-2010 17:39:17

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Really? I like it. I wouldn't want to live there, but I think as a place to visit it's good. I guess I just love the atmosphere...it's relaxing. You feel so cut off and isolated from the world, and I find that to be nice. But I get that feeling all over Italy, so maybe I'm just weird :P

16-Aug-2010 00:42:41

Dragride2742

Dragride2742

Posts: 67 Iron Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Hello everyone. i am bffmco and i would just like to say that this is a very good story, but that doesn't even begin to say how great this story is. crystal smee you are an amazing writer and i hope that you will continue to do so with vigor and pride. lastly i do hope that you will add to the story soon, the wait is killing me!

-------------------------have a good one----------------------

------------------> bffmco

24-Aug-2010 16:23:56

The contents of this message have been hidden.

24-Aug-2010 16:56:10

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Lucas tore blindly through the courtyard, his head down to hide the tears burning in his eyes. Thankfully, nobody cared enough to stop him and talk – his voice would have given him away, and he would’ve been the laughingstock of the entire army. The last thing he needed was for everyone to see him crying. He ran into the barracks, planning to lie down until he got himself together.
Inside, however, he found Sorokin getting dressed. Lucas jerked to a halt and stared at the ground.
“You want to head over to the infir—you all right, man?”
“Yeah, fine.”
“This about that girl of yours?*
*That girl is my fiancée,” Lucas said.
“And she’s treating you like crap. Still no word?”
“Nothing,” Lucas said, collapsing onto the bed. He rolled onto one side so he could wipe his eyes without Sorokin seeing. “Gods, how am I supposed ot keep fighting if there’s nothing to live for?”
“If this girl is the only thing you live for, what the hell are you doing out here risking your life?”
“I had to be a soldier,” Lucas said tiredly. “Her father thinks I’m weak.”
“And joining the army somehow makes you strong?”
“Well, yeah.”
“Did he tell you that?” Lucas was silent. “So it was your idea? Being here only means you’re a coward. If you wanted to prove him wrong, you should’ve stayed at fought for her!”
“You don’t know him. There was no other way.”
“That’s what he wanted you to think! Anyone can see you’re not cut out for this!’
“No, I’m not. But I had to prove I could be. I had to prove I had earned the right to marry her.” Lucas sat upright now, waving his hands wildly, his voice breaking on the words. “If I survive, what else can he say against me?”
“You are so foolish, man!” Sorokin shouted. He angrily began to fold the shirts on his bed and throw them into his bag. “You shouldn’t be here, okay? You made a mistake. Her father sent you out here to die.”

26-Aug-2010 22:22:54

Quick find code: 49-50-531-56681643 Back to Top