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Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Lucas sat in the hold with the other men, waiting for Jonah and Travis to begin talking. The room was thick with nervous energy – between the recent death and the anticipation of landing at Karamja, they were too keyed up to speak. The time was finally here. Lucas himself felt a flutter of nerves, but also excitement. He felt like he was finally ready for this. He hunched on the bench and studied the commander, who looked haggard, with deep circles under his eyes and stubble on his cheeks. Usually so calm and still, the commander’s hands twisted in fists at his sides, and every so often he nervously chewed on his fingernails.
Lucas shook his head sadly. So his commander was a drunk.
It was going to be a long trip across the island.
How could Jonah let himself go like that? He was responsible for leading them. What kind of example was he setting? The man he’d secretly hoped could be his mentor…was a lousy drunk who drank too much and let his men die.
Sorokin slipped into the empty space next to him. “How you doing, man?” he whispered.
“How’s he doing?” Lucas replied, nodding toward Jonah.
Sorokin stiffened. “Don’t worry about him. I got it under control.”
“He should have it under control.”
Sorokin turned to face him, gripped his shoulder tightly, and said, “Forget about this, Lucas.*
*What’s he going to do in the middle of the jungle, huh?”
“I said let it go,” Sorokin insisted.
“Why are you defending him?”
“Because we all got problems, man. He’s the best commander I know. Losing Derrick is rough, but sometimes bad stuff happens. If you could forgive him for that, you’d see what a great man he is.*
*I thought he was a great man until the storm.”

15-Jul-2011 17:24:40

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“Well maybe he’s not the great man you thought he was, but give him a chance. We all make mistakes.”
He was cut off when Travis motioned for silence at the front of the room. Frustrated, Lucas gathered himself to hear their orders, and suppressed the image of Martin diving in front of him. We all make mistakes. Yeah, no kidding.
“Okay, boys, let’s get down to business. First things first, our plan.” He looked at Jonah, who nodded almost imperceptibly. “Well, as you can for yourselves quite clearly, this nice map we have is, well, pretty much blank. That’s because we have almost no information. You know this. We know the colony’s somewhere up in here,” he pointed to the northwest region of the island, “on the coast. That’s kind of all we’ve got. We’re coming in over here,” he pointed to the eastern region of the island, “so they don’t know we’re coming. We have to get from here to there.”
Jonah stepped forward to speak. “The natives hate all of us alike – they resent the intrusion and won’t take kindly to us marching through their land to cause more trouble. We move quickly and quietly and try to stay the hell out of their way.”
“The map’s pretty simple, this is uncharted territory. We don’t know the terrain. We’ll be figuring out our route as we go. There’s some mountains, some jungle, and not a lot of trails. We’ll try to stick to the coast, but once we get close, we’ll have to go inland to remain undetected,” Travis added.
“Get to the colony, destroy it, destroy any ships we see, and sail for home. Simple. Straightforward. Can you handle that?”
There was a murmur of assent from the men. Jonah sighed. “Then prepare to land, men.”

15-Jul-2011 17:25:16

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
***
Justine carried a stack of sheets down a narrow corridor of beds to the last row, where she quickly began assembling the empty cots. They were bringing new bodies in today, and the beds were filled almost as soon as she dropped the pillows down. The air was rank with blood and sweat, heavy with the scent of death underneath it all. Despite the best efforts of Justine and her colleagues, the hospital was a dying ground – by the time they reached Varrock it was often too late.
It was her second day at the hospital, and she was already exhausted. As a mere nurse, all she did was run errands, change sheets, and clean up after patients, but she loved every minute of it. It felt good to participate, to help these good men. The hospital was overflowing with victims of the war. Inside these walls, it did*’t look like they were winning the way everyone claimed. She heard all the news as soldiers gossiped with each other about battles. Despite winning Falador, the border was still rife with small clashes, and a northern offensive was gaining ground. Most of these men came frm that region and were frustrated with their inability to push the Kandarins back. They did*’t feel guilty for letting down their country; it was nothing so noble. They just hated Kandarins and they hated losing.
Justine checked in with the head nurse and was directed to do rounds of the patients, seeing what they needed and providing whatever comfort she could. She moved slowly down the rows of beds, eharing multiple requests for wives and families to be written to, for food and drink, for news – all reasonable requests. Then there was the man who asked for a sponge bath while leering unashamedly at her, and similar inappropriate requests that she declined firmly. Clearly, being a soldier wasn’t a mark of noble character.
She stopped at the bedside of a young, handsome man swathed in bandages all up his arms and across his chest. He smiled as she approached and asked his name.

15-Jul-2011 17:25:45

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“Mason, and you?”
“Justine.”
“Justine, why, that’s a beautiful name,” he drawled.
She smiled shyly. “is there anything I can get you, Mason?”
He shook his head. “Just the pleasure of your company is enough, miss Justine.”
Justine laughed at his forwardness. There was something irresistible about the way he talked. “Well, I’m flattered,” she said, unsure of how else to respond. He was certainly handsome, with dark wavy hair and a thin black beard. His eyes were a startling green, and she could see enough around the bandages to understand he was strong from months of fighting. He also looked to be quite a few years older than her.
“May I have a look?” she asked, motioning to the bandages.
“Go right ahead.”
She peeled the wrappings back as gently as possible, but she heard him moan with pain. He was covered in blistering, searing red burns. He must be in so much pain! she thought. It looked as though he’d been doused with fire.
“How bad is it?” Mason asked.
“You’ll live.”
“Oh, well, isn’t that reassuring.”
She dropped them down and reached to her cart for fresh cloth. “I’ll have to change the bandages.” A moment, while she held them, mentally preparing to face his brutal injuries. “You probably don’t want to look.”
“I don’t want – sweetheart, you probably don’t want to look. Me, I’m used to it.”
“I can handle it.”
He whistled. “You’re a tough one,” he said, but he held still and looked stolidly away while she unraveled the bloody bandages on his right arm. It was gruesome, but she found the work methodical and peaceful, if she tried not to look at the blood for too long. It took her mind off everything, as it demanded complete concentration. Mirienne had given good advice – she hadn’t had a headache all day.
“You’re awful quiet, Justine,” Mason said.

15-Jul-2011 17:26:30

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“I’ve just got things on my mind. And I’m trying not to hurt you.” She dabbed ointment on the wounds, and he hissed through his teeth.
“Well anyone who works with his hands knows it’s a whole lot more interesting if you talk while doing it. Why don’t you tell me what’s on your mind?”
She hestitated. “It’s, um – I’d rather not.*
Maston chuckled and resettled himself on the pillows. He lifted his arm so she could wind fresh cloth around it, then offered the other arm for the same treatment. “Fair enough. Don’t want to talk about that, how about you tell me what brings such a pretty young girl such as yourself to be working in the hospital for poor idiots what got on the wrong end of a Kandarin sword?”
She dropped the roll of bandages and used the moment it took to recover them to compose herself. “What if that’s what’s on my mind?” she said weakly.
Maston put his free hand over hers. “My apologies. How about I tell you why I’m here?”
“I think I can guess,” Justine laughed, waving the bandages at him. Then, as she began to re-wrap the left arm, it occurred to her that maybe he needed to be distracted from the pain just as much as she did. “I’d love to hear what actually happened, though,” she added.
He grinned widely, contagiously. “Well, it was totally heroic…”
***
James sat at his desk, trying to read the reports before him. His head was killing him. He’d read the same sentence over again about twelve times now. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t focus. His office felt like a prison, with the too-close walls beginning to suffocate him. His desk was piled high with various documents and reports, many awaiting his signature. The only light came from the sputtering candle next to him. It was dull work, and nothing could make him get it done.

15-Jul-2011 17:27:08

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
His mind kept wandering back to the encounter on the street with Justine. It was the first time he’d seen her in weeks and he’d been caught completely off guard. He hadn’t meant to be so cold. But that was what she wanted, wasn’t it? For him to keep his distance? It hurt though – the sight of her smile when she saw him, it had made him so happy…
He slammed his head down on the page. Here he was, supposed to be directing a war, and he was distracted, smitten by a girl.
It was in this position that Gray found him a few minutes later. “Are you all right, Princeling?”
James jerked upright. “Yeah. Fine.” He rubbed his eyes and studied Gray. “What can I do for you?”
“You have a visitor.”
For a moment, his heart jumped. Could it be*
*The King of Falador has finally arrived.”
James let out a breath. Of course. “He made it out of Falador, finally?”
“Not without a few scratches. The fighting out there is bad, as you well know.”
Is that what he was supposed to be reading about? Well. James pushed back his chair and straightened his clothes. “Has my father been notified?”
“He specifically asked to see you.”
James raised an eyebrow. “Well, I am honored. Lead the way.”
As they walked down the corridor, James remembered an issue that had been bothering him. “Gray, what’s our intelligence situation?”
“Intelligence? Half your advisors are idiots, so—“
“I mean spies.”
“Of course. Well, that’s not really my jurisdiction. You should ask your intelligence ministier.”
James laughed. “Well, that makes sense…I did*’t know I had one.”
“That’s because he’s a drunk and hasn’t shown up to meetings for most of your lifetime,” Gray sneered.
“Would you like to take over for him?”
Gray stopped in his tracks. “Really? You think that’s a good idea?”
“You’re my closest advisor. And I trust you, Gray.”

15-Jul-2011 17:28:05

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Justine’s father smiled. “I would be delighted, my Prince. I’ll get started right way.”
James offered him a hand, and Gray shook it. “Thank you, Gray. I appreciate this.”
“Please,” Gray said, “The pleasure is all mine.”
They continued walking, and soon reached the chamber where the King of Asgarnia awaited them. They paused at the door, and Gray nodded deferentially. “He’s inside. I’ll let you two talk alone. We’ll speak after.”
“Thanks.” James entered the meeting room and closed the door behind him. The King of Asgarnia rose from his chair and offered a hand. He was a grown man, though not old; there were a few lines on his face and a few streaks of gray in his hair, brought on by the war. He was dressed in plain travel clothes without any of the trappings of royalty, and there were dried bloodstains on his shirt. He looked pale and tired.
“Your grace,” the King greeted. “I sincerely apologize for my appearance.”
“Please, your grace,” James laughed. “It looks like you’ve had a rough time of it. And call me James, if you will.”
“If you will call me Richard,” the King replied. James shook his hand earnestly.
“Sit, Richard.” They sank into their respective chairs. James regarded the older man warily for a moment. “I must say, I was surprised to learn that my father was not invited to this meeting.”
Richard smiled dryly. “Prince, I think we both know that you’re the one really in charge of this war. I meant no offense, and I have done harm –“
“No. I was honored. Just surprised anyone would make such a bold move to recognize my efforts.” A beat. “We should get into the business of it, then. How was your ride?” He leaned over and lifted a tray of drinks off the cabinet, and offered them to the King.

15-Jul-2011 17:28:35

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
Richard accepted it gratefully. “Rough as hell. It’s a mess out there, Prince. We may have won Falador, but they’re not giving up. It’s just small skirmishes, practically every day, somewhere along the northern border. They’re pressing inward. This is how they fight best – not in the large confrontations, but sneaky, dishonorable attacks and then withdrawing. It’s a new type of warfare.”
“How’s the city?”
Richard shook his head, downcast. “Ruined. It’ll take years to rebuild.” He took a long pull from the cup.
James leaned forward earnestly. “How can I help?”
“This is why I risked coming to you. Communication right now, the mail, the roads – it’s a mess. I wanted to make my appeal in person. I hate to come begging to you, after you’ve already done so much…I know this isn’t your war, James.*
*What are treaties for, cousin?” The Prince said with a small smile. “Your war is my war. We’re in this until the end.”
“Thank you,” Richard said tightly. “I know this is much to ask, but we really need is more men. Reinforcements to the north. My men are stretched so thin – the order of the White Knights is practically gone, my mages are almost all dead. I have almost nothing left.”
“Our numbers are thin, too. We sent all our reserves to Falador,” James warned.
“You have men stationed in the south though, yes?”
“Do you think it’s safe to leave the south unguarded? What if we throw all our weight north and they just send another round of ships?” James thought of the mission to Karamja, and prayed it would succeed soon, so this threat could be eliminated. He debated mentioning the mission, and tried to imagine what Gray would do. No…the fewer people who knew, the safer. He could give Richard the good news once it had been done.

15-Jul-2011 17:29:07

Crystal Smee

Crystal Smee

Posts: 7,994 Rune Posts by user Forum Profile RuneMetrics Profile
“It’s a risk I think we have to take. I’m hoping if we could force them into one more large battle, maybe it would be enough to beat them back for good.”
James leaned back in his chair, considering. Finally, he said, “I won’t claim to have a good understanding of military tactics. I’m learning, but honestly…I’ll have to confer with my advisors. I will call a meeting, and you should make this appeal to all of them. Together we can reach some sort of agreement, I’m sure.”
Richard rose and offered a hand again. “That sounds fair enough. It takes a wise man to know when to ask for a help.”
“Or a scared one,” James said, and laughed weakly. “I wish you hadn’t needed to come to me.”
“Neither do I. But I trust you and I can win this war, Prince.”
They released hands. James called for a servant to show the King to his rooms, and then went in search of Gray.

15-Jul-2011 17:29:24

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