featherleg ((I had fun with this one :3 ))
((Hopefully this establishes the "hate" and perhaps personal reasons for being there))
Rowlin made his way around the camp,the snow was cold as it was the night before, but the softy ground which his feet would fall into, indicated that snow had recently fallen over the night. This was perfect, it was too good to their advantage and a clear indicator of more snow soon to come. He noticed soldiers clamping around her highness's quarters, and for a moment he blanked out. Was she asleep, or out or did something go wrong?
She's fine... perhaps she asked them to meet up? He considered.
"Rowlin!" Jakup rushed over to greet his friend. "I did as you requested and listed everyone based on skills, preferences, and crosses that could assist certain pairs." He handed his friend a script. "I-I've also added some notes to personality, this will give us a clearer view on who's
willing to jump into the fire."
"J-Jake!?" Rowlin flinched at the last comment. "Don't ... n-no don't-"
"-Come on now, it's what-" Jakup was aggressively cut off by Rowlin's Elbow nearly missing his jaw. "I'm sorry..." He now apologized seeing his friend was agitated by the direction their talk was headed. "I merely joke though, I wont set any lives at risk." He assured. "We wont pull that card, and I'm certain we wont need too." He nodded firmly.
Rowlin looked away briefly, "Don't mention -him-please..." His voice was soft but stern.
"Apologies.." Jakup glanced away.
"What keeps her in there so long?" Muttered Grayson as he impenitently tapped the ground.
"Perhaps a meeting that is at a standstill?" Added Vidal. "For all we know, they might be trapped and not wanting to tell us."
Drew snickered in disgust, "I doubt we be goners. So far we haven't seen the heart of battle as has the other groups. For all we know, it might be another relief mission, and they just don't know how to tell us without breaking our excitement for blood."
"Come on now, we'll get something out of it soon." Ungus assured. "but-there was note that orders would be given come morning by someone other then her. A new adviser as noted."
"New adviser? Who in the right mind would make the trip out here to give us orders? We're a group left for dead." Grayson stepped out from the rest.'
"You are also on that blasted mindset of death?" Drew raised a brow. "Come now, we are not gonners, yet."
"Don't be so sure" Vidal added. "Silence has been afoot since we arrived, now to tell us otherwise would leave no doubt of our end."
"Can we not wait a bit and see what outcome steps out?" Ungus tried to calm the routey group down.
"I agree with Ungus on this one. Can we just stay here like gentlemen and wait for something to happen?" Jakup commented calmly.
The group instantly stopped bickering then backed away from Jakup.
"-Right..." Jakup glimpsed away,
The hate is clear as day... "Ungus is right in extent. There is a new adviser, and it would be best to open an ear and hear what is to say. Orders have been prepared and it is in our best interest to keep moving."
"And who is this new adviser?" Drew stepped forward with a defensive glimmer in his eyes.
"Ah-" Jakup raised a finger at the thought. "That would be Rowlin-" He turned quickly towards a callout from the group.
"ROWLIN!?" Grayson cried out in disgust. "A fever must be a foot to create such a blasted story. To make him of all of us an adviser to her?" He shook his head. "This is a joke gone too far. Even them inside must be currently laughing at this ill tone joke."
"Sorry Jakup, as okay you may seem; this has gone far enough." Drew walked over to Grayson. "You are okay, but your standings with
him, drop your status beyong belief. I will not, and cannot accept this nor believe it." He spit against the snow at such a horrid thought.
Vidal walked over to the group, "We may be goners, but such a thought is out of line. If they want us to die they should speak to our faces, not through that boy." He stomped against the snow to show his frustration, before joining the group standing before him.
Ungus standing all alone glimpsed away. He wanted to say something, but he also didn't want to be outcasted by the majority. Minority vs. Majority, this was a tough call. He took in a deep breath then shook his head, "I-I'm sorry... but if this is a joke, we better be left in the open to die." He dragged his feet over to the group.
With that victory Grayson snickered, "This joke is at its end. Now come boys, in we go and demand for answers instead-" He turned away from the two on their own, then slowly took a step towards their commander's quarters. "My lady-" Grayson spoke with a most earnest tone, but that was short lived as he yelled out in pain to his wrist being caught in a whip. The whip dragged him back and away from the direction he was once heading towards.
He turned his head to the source of the whip, his eyes furious at the result. "J-Jakup....." His voice held anger.
"S-Stop it now.." Rowlin softly pleaded.
Jakup shook his head with a rather pleased smile " Come now, you dare say that to my face? I invite thee to bring all concerns to the table." He dragged Grayson against the snow, tightening the grip of his whip on the fellow knights wrist. Once close enough he released his hold then lightly shoved Rowlin right in front of him.
Grayson marched right up to Rowlin with an agitated expression burning up front. "Come here and act as though you have all the experience of a seasoned knight? Walk here, step down these paths and gain trust from uppers without lifting a finger? To us, you are a rookie, a lowland being whom should follow the crowed not lead it! So.." He scruffed Rowlin's collar, "Why hence you come to play? Are you a lord, connected to blood, someone of family, or in any ways able to buy your rank?" He pushed Rowlin back, "Tch, corruption lives everywhere, but this war is no game. Boy go home, where you can play without any consequences. We shant want you nor do we need you, now run; run with your mutt whom stands by your side!"
"Aye no words now?" Drew taunted in amusement. "Boys must be at home with mother. Now consider it, and go while you can. Before death pends you as it does us..."
"You all have priorities, and instead I see you all here playing a game." Approached a much older figure with a calmer tone. He was sturdy and nearly rough around the edges as a clear sign from his experiences. "You were given an order and you are all still here. Such a shame to see you all here."
"D-Derrick?!"Called out Vidal in surprise. "How goes it good knight?" He stiffened quickly without thought.
"Yes, what brings you here so late in the morning?" Drew backed away.
"Surely news of something to come?" Ungus added.
"How were the rounds?" Grayson added.
"The rounds?" Derrick leaned towards the group, "I wouldn't know, seeing as the morning rounds are standing on their hands bickering over childish things. We have advisors, and it is wise to listen." He nodded to himself.
"But that kid, this is a joke-" Grayson stumbled further back.
"Age means nothing in the line of war. Kill or be killed, act or be dead. My young lad-now is not the time for such acts. Listen to orders and get started with the rounds."
"Y-Yes...." The group nodded. they all held their thoughts, but they respected Derrick to no end, he was a knight older to them all who has seen death time and time again. But still Rowlin? this was a joke gone too far.
Rowlin was silent listening to everything, this was beyond the way he wanted to go. off course they would act in such a way, he was young, and in such a short time landed on the front lines. Without blinking he was asked for advice and now here he was standing on a rock, with all hate pointed at him. He snapped out of it with Jakup's shove, "Y-Yes.. well my associate here will help sort the groups. Work double time, and we'll keep quiet as to our delay in the start." He nodded firmly then sent the group away with his friend. He waited for a moment before letting out a sigh of relief, had Derrick not come he would have been here all morning with a group ready to pierce him.
W-Wait... Why is Derrick here? This isn't his front... His attention soon turned towards the knight. "So-what brings you out to the depths of nothing?"
Derrick turned his head to face the boy, "Well my young lad I bring news from your home. Well home front, if we speak in tachtical terms."
"All good and all but-I-I don't exactly have anyone close waiting on the homefront....." Rowlin blinked now at the thought. "Parents? Not exactly reachable...last time I checked the grave..." He glimpsed away. "A-Also... had this been a message there would be any messenger bring this here, why you specficially, unless it is another accusation from home?" He tilted his head.
Derrick laughed a little too loud for comfort, "Boy-this can be both good and bad. An accusation perhaps? But it may be news of a devil from your past. Too be more exact your brother who may be peeking out from his grave."
"Riddle me not, I do not play that game with the dead." Rowlin twitched on the edge. "Dead is dead, and gone is nevermore..."
"Perhaps, but this is on the low. Only the homefront low.." He leaned in to whisper, while he held out a package for the lad. "Your brother has been spotted, or at least claims cry out to be his ghost."
Rowlin leaned back now, "This is a joke, a joke I refuse to take part in. Him, alive? No-That cannot be right. If people wish to blame me for his death, blame it too my face. To claim him alive, may they die in peace. I laugh not, nor wish too... this is sick far too sick."
"Relax.." Derrick placed a hand on Rowlin's shoulder, "The courts hold no grudge, the homeland holds no grudge; his death was victory to our front on the line. You personally saw to his final resting place, hence all is good; he saw you one last time. But this news of him appearing worries me a little; may someone be trying to soil his good name?"
"What have these sightings claim he has done?" Rowlin opened the package to read the reports.
"That this individual walks with few more, stopping harm before it has come.." Derrick replied softly.
Rowlin nodded, "No harm yet I see... good for now it seems." He relaxed slightly then turned to a different page. "I ask one more thing-"
"-The link I presume?"
Rowlin nodded.
Derrick sighed, "Your brother's dying wish is completely done. The records as always show you and him as two different people, not siblings, family nor blood in the matter. You and him are people not connected by records or law, but-" He crossed his arms, "I see no reason to have done this in any way. Why make yourself nonexistent to reality? No one outside your homeland knew you were brothers, nor did you do anything wrong? Whether you enlisted the resistance, being his brother would bring no difference."
"And that's where you are wrong.." Rowlin shook his head at the thought. "If word from the courts hit beyond the shores, I would have been enlisted in these fronts faster then we blink. It would be out of pure pity, and sorrow for loosing such a mind. They would give it too me, and provide me with everything by blood right. I don't want it given, I want it earned. Earned from the bottom, then go up by my own efforts. No platter, no gold, I fought my way here, and I will give it my all."He nodded firmly.
"But you also will tell me want my brother always told me." Rowlin crossed his arms at the thought. "This is no place for you, death awaits us all. Turn back-tch just like those boys before us." He shook his head now.
"Well..." Derrick taunted, "I could say that, but you've herd it far too long. It didn't stop you from following him, so why would I stop you here now?" He stepped forward then gazed up. "Boy you've grown quite a bit, I think he would have enjoyed you at his side. Now if you need me I shall be here for a few days to assist. I shall aid, and advice as I did to him back in the day, farewell young man."
Rowlin blinked watching Derrick go, he took everyhing into thought, especially the package in his hand. It contained reports of the rumored accounts, and personal letters that never left his quarters. There was still things that had needed to be recovered despite the year come pass.
"Rowlin...." Jakup approached now with a thump on the head, "Come on lets go."
"H-Huh?" Rowlin blinked.
"I sent everyone out as you asked, now it's our turn to go before they think we stayed back." His friend added.
"R-Right.." Rowlin nodded, "But first let's drop this off at our quarters, It's more stuff recovered from my brother's visits on the front lines." He softly stated.
Jakup nodded, "Well quickly then, quickly now so we can get a move on."