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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 20, 2010 22:51:07 GMT -5
By the time I caught up to Emile he had completely left the Palace, his boots crunching on the snow. A blast of cold air made my skin pimple with gooseflesh. I had not anticipated walking over long distances in the cold, and the fur from my costume was rather ineffective at protecting me.
"Brother! Wait!" I called, seeing him pause in mid-stride, as still as a statue. "What is the matter? What did that woman say to you?"
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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 20, 2010 23:01:41 GMT -5
When Landis addressed me I spun around to face him. "Why did you lie to me?!" I demanded, going straight to the heart of the matter. "I trusted you, Landis! Why couldn't you have left well enough alone!"
I closed the distance between us so that we stood a mere hair's breadth from each other. "I promised the Queen that I would complete Elua's Vigil, Landis. I promised her, and you had to lie to me about matters of state!"
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 20, 2010 23:07:25 GMT -5
I let out a long sigh. "Brother, I did this for your own good. Would it be your undoing if you spent just one night in merriment? You have always said you wished you were able to attend the Longest Night fete, why do you shy away from it now?"
I touched his shoulder, a comforting gesture. "I fear for you, Emile. You are trying to be something that you are not, and 'tis hurting you..."
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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 20, 2010 23:19:11 GMT -5
I slapped his hand away. "Stop it, Landis! How could you do such a thing? I trusted you, and you betrayed my trust! You lied to me, brother. Tell me, was the cake a lie as well, or was it just the 'someone is trying to assassinate the Queen' portion?" In a way I was grateful to have some outlet for my rage, but rage, as my instructors always said, was also blinding. I could not see that my brother had the best of intentions, I could only see the thin web of lies that he had woven.
Before I could stop myself, I shoved him, hard, sending him sprawling into the snow. "Son of a whore!" I spat. "Viper's brood! Lying sack of horse shit!"
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 20, 2010 23:53:04 GMT -5
He shoved me, hurtful names on his lips, and I fell backwards into the snow with an audible thump. Before I could react, he was on top of me, and suddenly my focus was less on convincing my brother to stand down and more on defending myself from his blows.
We rolled around in the snow like wolf pups at play, only this was hardly play fighting. Emile had the training to best me, but I was more accustomed to using my hands to restrain, to punish if necessary. He slapped me, I seized his wrist and bent it backwards, causing him to cry out in pain.
We continued like this until we both bore plenty of bruises. He had a cut on his cheek where I'd scratched him, and my side ached when I tried to sit up, glancing around at the snow that we had scattered in our wake.
"Brother," I panted, noticing how he had tears in his eyes. "I...cannot go on...I don't think..."
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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 21, 2010 0:07:51 GMT -5
"Nor I," I agreed, letting my head fall back into the snow and staring up at the night sky. "Ah gods, look at us, fighting like foxes over a piece of meat..."
I sat up. "I apologize, Landis, you're not a viper's brood, but I--I wish you would be honest with me!"
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 21, 2010 7:15:38 GMT -5
"If I am a viper's brood, then you are as well, being my brother," I replied, rising and brushing the snow from my clothes. "Come on now, young son, before you catch a chill..." I rested my hand against his back and propelled him towards the Palace. "A stay by the fire and a glass of wine will warm you up, and then you may do as you please, either stay at the masque or return to Elua's temple."
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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 21, 2010 7:26:21 GMT -5
The prospect of sitting in front of a warm fire seemed like a godsend, as the fight had taken all the warmth from me. "I would...like to see the play at the hour of the sun's return, but I would prefer to do so in the company of my brother, and you sound as if you will leave me there alone." We crossed the threshold into the palace, and my body instantly warmed. "I suppose you are bound for Cereus House, then?" I had expected as much, that he would attend the masque at Cereus while I froze half to death in Elua's temple.
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 21, 2010 7:30:53 GMT -5
I nodded. "But of course, brother. I am more accustomed to the company of other adepts than the peerage." I paused to adjust his mask and brush the remaining bits of snow off his costume. "Will you promise not to murder anyone by night's end if I leave you to your own devices?" I teased.
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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 21, 2010 7:34:41 GMT -5
I punched him playfully in the shoulder. "Oh yes, my lady mother! My, how very masculine you seem today, mother! Pray tell, where is my idiot brother, Landis?" I scowled. "Honestly, Landis, I am a grown man and I can take care of myself, but I believe I will leave the foiling of plots to others."
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 21, 2010 7:43:32 GMT -5
I took his punch with good humour, though my shoulder protested. "If anyone asks, simply tell them that you are a member of Her Majesty's royal guards and you have been given time to yourself, any guard in the palace will recognize your voice, brother. You must learn to use your position to your advantage, at times." I held up a finger before he could reply, launching into a brief explanation of the play and what to expect so he did not look quite so shocked when it began. "If you wish to return to the temple, I will leave the carriage and the driver for you," I finished. "Enjoy yourself, you fussbudget, or I'll bring my whip and my fellow adepts for a visit when next we meet." I grinned. "Do you want to be around when that happens?"
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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 21, 2010 7:48:32 GMT -5
I listened carefully to his explanation, exclaiming "Elua, no!" in response to his query, which made him laugh. It was good to see him in high spirits after our fight.
I paused at the door of the Great Hall. "This is where we part, brother, try not to break too many hearts at the fete." I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. "And...thank you..."
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Post by Landis d'Ames nó Mandrake on Feb 21, 2010 7:54:50 GMT -5
I smiled. "I will always be around to bring you to your senses, Queen's Protector, now go!" I opened the door to the Great Hall and gave him a shove over the threshold. "Eat, drink, be merry, and for Elua's sake, find a girl to bed before it drops off!"
His next words were muffled by the door, but I knew them to be curses, most likely uttered by our father at one point. I could not help but smile, and there was a spring in my step as I hied off to Cereus House.
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