line up the dominoes / a light wind blows

[standvastig]

Where: Heliodor
When: A few years after Hendrik's promotion
Summary: A seemingly petty curse. A terrible incident on the battlefield.

[In the moments he is conscious enough to string awareness together, he sees blue. A blue sky. Light filtering through the trees. He tries to hold on to that sense, but it blurs under the pressure and pain of everything he feels. A wooden wagon, its wheels rolling over stones and holes in the road. Flashes of cold that bite into him when his skin doesn't feel hot and sweaty. Pain, pain, pain--

A particularly rocky patch of road jostles him against the burlap that provides little protection on the wagon, and merciful darkness takes him.

The field medics fight what the healers cannot, trying to keep General Hendrik's fever down while stemming the blood flow from the grievous wound that took the man's right arm. The giver of the wound -- a nightmarish dragon with teeth capable of piercing plate and chain both -- has the knights rushing back to Heliodor, touting more injured than previous campaigns.

The crowds that see the knights drag themselves back to the castle grounds cannot do much more than look on in shock.]

Comments

[leitstern]

[Jasper leans against the window. He takes a glimpse - Hendrik occupying the head of the bed and Carnelian beside it - and looks towards the curtain. He bristles with the confusion of having plans for assistance that might be rejected. Thins his lips. Notices his shadow and pulls away to stand against the wall.

The only casulty here is Hendrik's ego but he can hardly say that.]

Good news, I dare say, but you may have to drill it into the stubborn mule.

[standvastig]

Jasper...

[Hendrik doesn't have the strength to argue, but that exasperation (if that is what it is; he is in no state to dissect his childhood friend's feelings) has to be acknowledged in some way. Carnelian shakes his head with a wry curl of his lip, seemingly heartened by the small response.

"Hendrik, I want you to rest assured that your men and responsibilities are in good hands for the time being. I know you will not allow yourself to do so until such things are foisted from you, so I will be making a decree tomorrow that your men will be reporting to Jasper while you are recuperating."

Sharp, wizened eyes slide over to the man who seems to be trying to blend into the scenery.

"Unless your fellow general takes any issue with those plans."]

[leitstern]

[Clothes scrunch against the wall: his leather belt scraping against brickwork. He adjusts himself and alters his posture. Confident head. Straight back. Strong defiance all around. His gaze refuses to settle.

The work would burden him, yes, except he welcomes it regardless. It's a matter of pride.]

Absolutely not. Hendrik would be the one with objections, not I.

[standvastig]

["He would be. I agree."

Carnelian nods at his former ward, eyes lingering on him as he assesses his discomfort with the situation. He inwardly debates whether to speak with him immediately after or give him a day to think over everything; whatever the case, Hendrik is the one of more immediate concern.]

Your Majesty, Jasper will be fine for now, but--

[Hendrik bites his tongue when he notices Carnelian raise a hand to stop him, his expression falling into one of guilt. He should know better than to protest when his king speaks.

"You are a knight before you are a general, Hendrik. As such, it is your duty to ensure you are putting your best foot forward for your country." When Hendrik's brows knit together and he remains silent, Carnelian continues. "That means you must give yourself time to mend before protesting changes. You have a long recovery ahead of you."

The reminder of his 'recovery' prompts Hendrik to speak, his anguish poking through in how he cannot meet King Carnelian's eyes.]

I cannot simply recover from this, Your Majesty! How can I-- How can I...

[Carnelian gives Hendrik a moment to try completing that thought; he doesn't want to cut him off at every turn. But when the voiced thought remains incomplete, he decides to turn that into encouragement.

"I want you to focus on that. 'How can I?' I did not send you to Don Rodrigo to see you return unable to handle discouragement and failure."]

[leitstern]

Hendrik.

[Jasper ensures his sharp tone pierces the air from where he stands. His cutting voice is merciless in delivery but honest in approach. The memory of watching this man cry in the same manner as a boy is not one he wishes to endure for a period of time.]

Were I unfortunate enough to be lying in your position what would you have me do? Wallow in my bed or focus on escaping it?

[Suffer his depression or focus on recovery?]

[standvastig]

[There is a flash of hurt visible on Hendrik's face before it is overtaken by a numb frown. He doesn't think the comparison is fair at all. Jasper is well-balanced and has other avenues in which to contribute or find comfort. And he...

He is a cracked shield.

"This is still much, I know. The doctor said you are due medicine for the pain and a change of bandages. We shall see you moved to your rooms tomorrow so you can rest better."

Hendrik stiffly nods, reluctant to say anything after everything that has been said by both the King and Jasper. However, when it becomes apparent that Carnelian is waiting on him, he murmurs.]

I understand. I ... am grateful for the opportunity.

[leitstern]

[The words answer a particular question but open the door to more. Does Hendrik speak words they need to hear? Should he seek their leave? Is he lying? The man is as cunning as a rock.

He folds his arms across his chest but struggles to keep his fingers free from his hair. Strands are curled around his fingertips - and waved away.]

Your good arm can always be turned towards teaching. You have hardly lost your knowledge.

[standvastig]

[Hendrik grimaces at the suggestion, but presses his lips together for a long moment to school away any other visible reaction. He nods again.]

Teaching... Yes, I can do that.

[Reluctant. Unsure.

"In time, Hendrik. You need not make those decisions now." Carnelian stands, offering the injured man a light pat on his whole shoulder before stepping back. "The next step is to rest and see tomorrow."

Hendrik glances up at his king, unable to ignore the touch, before ducking his head in as much of a bow as he can in his current position. Carnelian's approval is silent before he looks to Jasper.

"Jasper, you should be off to bed as well. Double duty awaits you tomorrow."]

[leitstern]

[Disappointment creases the corners of his eyes. The unwillingness to sleep when his friend needs companionship conflicts with his desire to please - and he nods silently with the inten of remaining behind for at least ten minutes. He had often broken curfew to steal from the kitchens, after all.]

As you wish.

[Say more and he might well incriminate himself!]

[standvastig]

[If Carnelian suspects that Jasper intends to stay behind, he makes no comment, and he is soon swept up in talking to the physician as he heads towards the infirmary doors.

Hendrik shows a little more of his discomfort once the king is gone, but still holds himself mostly in reservation. Jasper has been rather harsh so far, and he doesn't wish to give him more ammunition for criticism.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper resumes sitting where Carnelian took over. Hands fold together in his lap and soon his index and middle finger are tapping his thigh. He leans his left elbow on the armrest and angles his head right.]

Perhaps I can stay thirty minutes.

[All Hendrik needs do is agree.]

[standvastig]

[The comment is met with silence and a tired look; the prolonged conversation hasn't done anything for Hendrik's pallor or fever, except perhaps make him forget about it for a moment.

He doesn't want to talk about his thoughts on the idea of teaching. Or the open-ended handling of his position as general. Or much of anything.

So he grasps onto what the King had been saying before he left.]

You ... intend to stay while they redress my wounds?

[leitstern]

[The disgruntled noise forced through his lips serves as his answer. He would intrude were it necessary but for now action goes onto the back-burner. He would not desire Hendrik's company for such private care but he would like to know he was there.

So he extends an offer.]

Only until then. Should you want the company, of course.

[standvastig]

[Once again, Hendrik does not answer right away, his breaths heavy as he grasps his sheets with a restless mind.]

I feel like I should sleep. I do not know if I can.

[Under normal circumstances, he would probably attempt to get up and try working himself until he was tired. That wasn't feasible now.]

[leitstern]

With your dilemma that is unsurprising.

[His eyes focus on that unsettled hand - closing partly as he battles his own restless mind.]

But I suppose boredom shall send you off if nothing else. I require slumber tonight and cannot shadow you all the while.

[standvastig]

I would not expect you to. You need your sleep as well.

[Unsurprisingly, others' needs go before Hendrik's. His eyes wander, seeking pockets of semidarkness. Ironic, considering his fear of the dark as a child.]

You should probably just go.

[leitstern]

Hendrik...

[The man puts other people's needs before his own - and his needs in this case are to be assured his friend will not turn him away. He lets his voice fall silent for a moment, fearing Hendrik might lose that determination that makes him special.]

If that is what you wish.

[Then he will go.]

[standvastig]

I will see you tomorrow.

[It is both a dismissal and assurance that he will be around. How much he will be around would be up for debate, though.

For now, he can at least meet Jasper's gaze with relative steadiness until he leaves. He quashes down any hurt from his friend's earlier words.

Teaching. Teaching.

At least he knew that Jasper thought -- rightly so -- that he had no place on the battlefield anymore.]