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Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“I don’t see the point of this,” Lucas admitted. “So, what? Now I’ll be able to run away really fast when the Kandarins come at me?” He felt foolish asking; he did*’t want Sorokin to think he was an idiot, but he did*’t see how running speed would help him except in escape.
Sorokin laughed. “You want to fight, you need stamina. How’d you feel by the end of the night in Falador, huh? You crashed, right? You need to be able to keep going. They tire you out, they’ll kill you. The only way you build stamina is by pushing yourself further than you can already go.”
“It doesn’t feel like it’s getting better.”
“It will. Look, I promise. Not today, not tomorrow, but eventually. It won’t happen overnight. But it will happen slowly, and you’ll just notice it all of a sudden. You’re getting stronger, Lucas my friend. So hate me for this if you want, but if you wanna survive out there, you’re gonna run with me.”
Lucas wiped his arm across his forehead and took a deep breath. “I think I’m good.” He tried to rise, and every muscle in his body cramped, and he almost collapsed. “This is pathetic,” he hissed through gritted teeth. “I’m pathetic. I can’t even run five miles.”
“Aw, don’t say that. You’ve had Jonah’s training too.”
Jonah had been making his team work out every day, once it was definite they would be in Port Sarim for at least a few weeks. It wasn’t fighting training, just more stamina-building. They’d been running as well, but just short jogs throughout the army compound and the city, and muscle-strength – push ups, ab workouts, lifting weights. That alone would have been more than Lucas could handle. This was the first physical training he’d ever received in his life; studying in the library and running errands around the castle hadn’t exactly demanded much physical strength. He’d always been lean, but without muscle.

04-Sep-2010 22:18:53

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
And now in addition to Jonah’s mid-morning workouts, he was waking up before dawn to exercise with Sorokin, and spending his afternoons exhausting himself in the infirmary. The force they’d beat back at the beach weeks ago was sending raiding and scouting parties throughout the countryside, and the victims, not just soldiers but civilians, poured into the small town for aid.
“You’ll get there,” Sorokin said encouragingly, and tried to pat his back, but Lucas brushed him off. This was stupid. He came out here to become a man, and men were strong. Lucas would be strong too. He forced himself to his feet through the pain. “Let’s head back. We’ll walk like we did yesterday.”
“No,* Lucas said.
“You want to run it?”
“Ah – jog,” he said. *I*ll do the best I can.”
Sorokin followed him on the path through the trees back to the garrison, bellowing encouragement as they went.
***
James paced outside of the large mansion belonging to Gray Val’Myren. He’d tried not to come. Really. Or that was what he told himself, anyway. He wanted to see Justine; she was always somewhere in his thoughts, nagging at his mind, no matter how much he fought it. And at first, he had fought it – he knew she belonged to someone else, but somehow that made him only want her more. He’d spent hours wondering about her and Lucas; what things they had done together, if he had really made her happy. And now that Lucas was gone, his heart longed to stop fighting what he felt for her. She’s free now, I could be with her, he kept thinking, and then – no, her heart will always belong to him.
And yet, after talking to Gray…well, a few days later, here he was. He just had to see her. He had to know if she was all right. If he could somehow ease her pain. Something told him he might only make it worse, but he refused to believe that. Now that he was outside, however, his doubts crept back in.

04-Sep-2010 22:19:33

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
He chewed his fingernails, staring at the door, wondering what to do. He’d seen a maid glance out from behind a curtain a few times before dodging back into hiding. He should have come through the back gate, so as not to attract attention to himself. But he felt awkward, formal, and he felt he should call on her like any other visitor.
He’d been pacing for almost an hour now, his thoughts switching back and forth until he thought he might lose his mind.
Suddenly, he heard a voice. “Are you planning to loiter around my door all day, or do you have something to say?”
He jerked his head up, startled, and found Justine standing in the doorway, her arms folded. Her long chestnut hair billowed around her shoulders in matted tangles; she looked as though she hadn’t slept or bathed in days. She wore men’* clothes that did*’t fit properly – Lucas’ clothes, he realized. “Uh, hi,” he said.
“You came here to say ‘uh, hi’?” she mocked. “What do you want, prince?”
Prince. Right. He was the prince, for gods’ sakes. Get it together, he thought sternly, and walked toward her. “I wanted to check on you. See how you were.”
“Well, you can see. Look your fill.” She spread her arms, inviting him to scrutinize her body. He did*’t need to look closely to see how she was. Her pain was written all over her face. He admired the fact that she wasn’t afraid to show it. What did she want to hear from him?
“Well…it looks like you’re having a rough time of it,” he said finally.
She was silent for a long time, emotions warring on her face, until she burst out laughing. James felt a small tinge of pride. He could make her laugh! “Well, my lord, you certainly know how to make a girl feel special.”
“I’ve been worried about you,” he admitted. “And, uh, it looks like I’ve had good reason to be.”
He sensed her hardening, pushing him back, away from her. “Why? Because I’m grieving?”

04-Sep-2010 22:20:15

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“I hate to see you so upset.”
“What’s it matter to you?”
He inched closer to her. “Come on, Justine – you know I care about you.”
“If you did, you wouldn’t be here, prince.”
“See, that’s the part that doesn’t make sense to me!” His frustration boiled over, and for a moment he was lost for words, gesturing wildly as he tried to gather his thoughts. “Gods, Justine, I cannot even imagine the pain you must be feeling. It’s obvious you’re hurting – and you have every right to be! But shouldn’t you be with people you care about, instead of hiding away in your home, alone with your thoughts – and your father?”
“I’m not hiding,” she snapped. “But I can’t be around you, James. Don’t you get it? While Lucas was dying out there, I was…I was at galas, kissing you! I don’t deserve to feel better, or to be cared about, and I most certainly cannot be with you. I betrayed Lucas. He’s gone, and it’s too late for me to make this up to him. But I have to try.”
“So what, I can never speak to you again? You can’t punish yourself forever! You have to move on!”
“No, I don’t.”
He took a long, calming breath, and stepped even closer, invading her personal space, grabbing her arms and pulling toward him. The suddenly closeness was intoxicating, the feel of her skin under the pads of his fingers, the way he could gaze into her eyes and see each individual, curling eyelash. “You blame yourself – but Justine, you’ll never get Lucas’ forgiveness. He’s gone. So you have to forgive yourself. And when you decide you’re ready for that…you know where to find me. I”ll be waiting. Because you’re worth it, Justine. You make me happy – and I could make you happy too.” He released her, staying close for one more second, before he wrenched himself a way and set off down the street for the palace.

04-Sep-2010 22:20:53

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Some time later, James knocked on the door to his parents’ apartments, then opened it without invitation. “Come – oh, son, it’s you!” The King had risen from the armchair in his sitting room, and now jovially approached James, arms spread for a hug. James pushed him away.
“No thank you, father,” he said coldly.
“Why, that’s no way to speak to me!” his father said.
“Let’s talk.” James led the way into the parlor. “Is mother here?”
“She is resting in the bedroom. Will you sit?”
“I don’t intend to stay.” James clasped his hands behind his back and studied his father. The King, once a powerful, imposing man, had dwindled to someone rather frail and pathetic. His skin hung loose over his bones; his hair had turned white, flecked with gray, and his entire faced seemed to droop downward. He wore expensive, ornately adorned robes, and yellow furry slippers. James closed his eyes for a moment, bracing himself to do battle. The less time he spent here, the easier it would be to leave. If he let his father speak, he’d get drawn in, and lose the power his anger gave him. He said, “Your chambers look different.”
The king smiled wanly. “We’ve improved them, yes.”
“How much did that cost, father?”
“It was nothing we couldn’t afford.”
“Where did the money come from?”
“What are you insinuating?” the king shot back.
James refused to be goaded into fighting. He turned his back, running his fingers along the gilded mantelpiece, examining the tiny painting of his parents together, when they were young and beautiful. “I would like to know why you are emptying our coffers to expand your chambers when we are in the midst of a war.”
“I told you months ago, son, the war is your responsibility, not mine.”
"Why, because you’re too damn lazy to deal with it?” James hissed, then gathered himself.

04-Sep-2010 22:22:28

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“I’m handling the war just fine. But I need money, and you, dearest King, cannot just wash your hands entirely of the issue and spend all of our country** money for your own luxuries.”
“Don’t presume to tell me how to spend my money, boy!”
James whirled back to face him. “Don’t presume to hand me a war and not give me the resources to end it. Your foolish expenses are costing me the respect of my entire team of advisors.”
“And what about your foolish luxuries, boy?* The King snarled. “Have you thought what respect your own actions might cost you?”
“What are you talking about?”
“That girl, James, that stupid Val’Myren girl. If you need money to solve this war, go get money. Don’t waste your time lusting after a girl and then come whining to me! Everyone knows she is already claimed by a servant boy – she’s no good for you.”
“Lucas was killed in the war,” James said quietly, bowing his head.
“She’s been sullied by him nonetheless,” the king said dismissively. “Find someone of your own caliber.”
“I can’t please you, can I?” James cried, finally losing his temper. “I’m winning us this war, and you don’t even acknowledge that. You don’t pay any attention. And I find a girl of high breeding, someone who makes me happy, who I could see ruling this country at my side, who is perfect, and all you have to say is that I’m too good for her?”
“You are.”
“I’m the prince! I’m too good for anybody! I might as well enjoy the company of the woman I choose to be my wife.”
“And you have chosen her?”
“Well, I…” James paused. “Perhaps. I don’t know.”
“Well, I’ll decide for you then. Leave off from her. Now, go end this war.” The king turned away, shuffling back into the sitting room. “Always a pleasure to see you, my son,” he called over his shoulder.

04-Sep-2010 22:23:36

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
James quickly fled for his own chambers, where he sank down at his desk, quivering with rage. Who was his father to tell him he could and couldn’t be with? He snatched up pen and paper, and scrawled a quick note to Justine.
“I know I said I’d wait, but the truth is, I’m an impatient man. And seeing you today, furious with me, was better than not seeing you at all. Please – all I’m asking for is the pleasure of your company, just for a short while, and nothing more. I would love to have dinner with you, if you would consent. Whenever you feel comfortable. Sincerely, James.” He gave it to a page in the hallway with instructions to deliver it right away. The prince lay back on his bed and closed his eyes, praying that she would accept.

04-Sep-2010 22:23:50

Dragride2742

Dragride2742

Posts: 67 Iron Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Hah,hah..hah...h-hah *whimper* HAH, HAH..........*total meltdown*. WHY SCHOOL WHY! no but really i strongly dislike school; even more-so now, but i did like the add. lucas's docter friend-whose-name-escapes-me is a great charicter. p.s. this took me a long time to write for i am useing my handy-dandy DS I $ IN STORES NOW!$. all in all taking as much time as this to write my message shows how much I love this story.(wow p.s. is longer than the real message!)

06-Sep-2010 04:05:14

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