Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Feb 11, 2010 18:21:31 GMT -5
As I stepped out of the Palace for the first time in a while, I found I had to adjust to the wide open space that stretched out before me. Truly, the palace seemed like a tiny dungeon cell compared to what was waiting for me on the other side of its walls.
Something else was waiting for me as well, or rather, someone...
It would have been hard not to see him, the brilliant red of his hair stood out in any crowd. He was dressed in a new red doublet and black breeches that I had never seen him wear before, in addition to his boots, which I could have sworn had become a part of his leg by now. Yet even if he had blackened his hair and worn green I would have still known him. One does not easily forget the sight of one's own brother.
"Landis!" I hailed him as I approached, wondering at one he was thinking. His head was bowed, so I could not see his eyes, and his posture as he leaned against a tree did not betray any hint of his emotional state.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 11, 2010 18:31:57 GMT -5
I had hastened to the palace as soon as I'd heard that Emile was due to be released from his term of exile from the outside world. It should have been a joyous occasion, but instead it was tainted with ill tidings. The absence of my brother's beloved weaponry and armor told the tale, though I was loathe to believe it.
When he called my name, I raised my head and pushed off from the tree, keeping my hands at my sides lest I found the urge to lash out at him to be too strong to ignore.
"Ill met, brother," I said softly when he came within hearing distance, fixing him with my most fearsome glare.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
|
Post by Émile d’Ames on Feb 11, 2010 18:37:39 GMT -5
He wouldn't have had to say anything to me, one look at the state of his eyes told me more about his anger than if he had spoken a thousand words about his feelings.
"Landis, I know you must be...disappointed..." I began. "But they were going to make me leave you again, you and the City of Elua, and I...could not do that!"
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 11, 2010 18:44:27 GMT -5
I held up a hand to stifle any further excuses that were on their way out of his mouth. "Enough of this, Emile, I tire of your excuses. You brought all this down on yourself and on our family, and I shudder to think what father will do when he hears of this, and he will, brother, he will." I narrowed my eyes as I examined him. God he was skinny, almost too skinny for a trained warrior.
"Have you been taking your meals with any regularity?" I asked, folding my arms over my chest.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
|
Post by Émile d’Ames on Feb 11, 2010 18:46:23 GMT -5
If there was one thing I knew, it was that it was not wise to lie to my brother.
"No," I admitted. "I have been fasting during my time of exile."
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 11, 2010 18:52:40 GMT -5
"Oh, and now we see how your fasting is repaid!" I exclaimed, nearly striking him but restraining myself. "Not only have you brought dishonor on yourself and your family, but you have been abusing your body as well?! What would have happened, I ask you, if the Queen had been attacked and you were too weak to pick up your sword to defend her?!" I took a step closer to him. "Damn you and your penance, Emile, and your foolish pride!"
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Feb 11, 2010 18:57:31 GMT -5
His words hurt me, even worse than the Prefect's had, for he was my own flesh and blood.
"Landis, please," I pleaded. "I have already endured one tongue-lashing from the Prefect. Can I expect no succor from my own kin? For Elua's sake! You promised me you would stand by me, or have you forgotten that letter you sent to me?"
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 11, 2010 19:05:52 GMT -5
"I remember," I answered. "But you must understand, my brother, that you have done a very foolish thing, and while I have a certain obligation to love you, as you are my little brother, but my forgiveness is another matter entirely." I stroked my chin thoughtfully, a most delicious way of communicating my displeasure suddenly entering my thoughts.
"However," I continued. "I have decided I will give you a chance to redeem yourself. All you need do is perform one simple task, a quest, if you will, like in the wondertales."
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Feb 11, 2010 19:10:51 GMT -5
"Beg pardon?" I asked, completely flabbergasted. One moment he was angry with me, and the next he was proposing that I embark on a quest like a knight in the old tales? What I would have given for a glimpse into his mind.
"What sort of...quest...did you have in mind?" I asked, trepidation in my voice. He was offering me a chance to earn his forgiveness, and I was not about to renege on two such offers in one day.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 11, 2010 19:14:38 GMT -5
I smiled, but I did not doubt that there was a predatory gleam in my eyes.
"Oh, do not fret, dear brother, it is a simple task," I purred, holding up one finger. "You will bring me an apple that can restore my youth."
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Feb 11, 2010 19:16:23 GMT -5
I gave him an incredulous look. "Landis, it is not fair that you should send me on a quest to find something that does not exist..."
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 11, 2010 19:21:15 GMT -5
I smiled. "Oh, but it does, dear brother. It is all a matter of looking in the right place." I waved my hand dismissively. "Now, off you go, I will be waiting for you at Mandrake House. Consider yourself fortunate that I did not impose a time limit on this quest." I gave him another smile before turning and walking away. It would have been fun to watch him agonize over the situation, but I had other things to do.
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Émile d’Ames
Military
Anathema Cassiline; Guard to the Queen
"To conquer oneself is a greater victory than to conquer thousands in a battle.?
Posts: 463
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Post by Émile d’Ames on Feb 11, 2010 19:28:07 GMT -5
I was left glaring at my brother's retreating back. How terribly unfair of him, forcing me to win his trust by running hither and tither for a fruit with unbelievable properties!
And yet, he was my brother, and I had to wonder if my brother, even as angry as he was, would deliberately set me a task that would ultimately end in failure when the stakes were so high.
At last, I sighed, loudly, and decided to begin my search for this mysterious apple my brother coveted.
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