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

[standvastig]

[Just like that, Hendrik's mood sinks. His eyes shut, his hand clenches again, and he takes slow breaths to attempt some measure of calm. Jasper's hand goes unnoticed.

It is not like this has not happened before. It has happened while he was not general, for that matter. It is never an easy situation.

It simply hits harder than it has in the past.]

...Please do. They deserve the best support.

[leitstern]

Of course.

[The way his friend acts prompts him once more into silence. He looks across the bed from pillow to edge, head to feet, trying hard to keep concern from clouding his expression. His nose wrinkles in an awkward manner.]

Hendrik, do you want me to continue? This topic seems to be upsetting you.

[standvastig]

[It takes a moment, but Hendrik shakes his head. Some of that familiar resolve is in the action, even if his expression is more somber than usual.]

I should know. I need to know. Those men depended on me.

[Past tense. For both them and himself, with their own troubles.]

Please allow me that selfishness.

[leitstern]

[Jasper requires a moment to process the request but nods in acqueiscence.]

Very well. Like I stated, His Majesty and I are ensuring those men unable to resume service are properly considered. Tomorrow our plan is to confer upon the reassignment of your duties.

[His acknowledgement of the end of his friend's active service hangs on the air. He holds his silence but resumes in seconds.]

It is much to think about.

[standvastig]

[There it is. The army and the kingdom move on without him. His duties will find their ways to others' hands and be dealt with in the best way possible. If it was ever more obvious that he was one of many in service to the kingdom and could be replaced, he cannot recall.]

Thank you.

[He swallows a breath that threatens to choke him, coughing once and trying to control his breaths shortly after. He swipes his hand across his eyes, though there is no moisture gathering there.]

I ... am sure you can handle it with His Majesty. You have always been incredibly capable.

[leitstern]

[What an unhappy sight. Jasper finds himself unable to tear his eyes away. He rubs one hand across the other, wondering if there is anything to say. If there is anything he should say.

He says nothing about the praise for his skill. He is proud enough to take the compliment without protest.]

Hendrik...

[What can he say, indeed?]

[standvastig]

[And now he is concerning Jasper again. He shakes his head, letting his hand rest over his stomach.]

I have faith that you and His Majesty will have the kingdom under control.

[He sighs, his gaze slowly averting away as he tries to think of something else to say.]

Everything else will come after.

[leitstern]

Indeed.

[Jasper closes his eyes. This attempt to consider his feelings lightens the burden upon his shoulders. He rubs one with his hand before massaging the back of his neck. Meetings with His Majesty are already presenting him with unique challenges.

But for now his attempts at assistance must focus upon the future; upon Hendrik's needs without agitating his feelings.]

When does the physician believe you can resume eating properly?

[standvastig]

If the medicine does not upset my stomach and my fever subsides, within a day or two.

[His reluctance to talk about his condition is palpable, but he knows not talking will simply make this more uncomfortable.]

I am to rest in the meantime. Exercises will ... apparently come once magical mending no longer shows any effect.

[leitstern]

[Jasper crosses one leg over the other. It is visibly soothing to hear his friend speak of rest and recovery; his shoulders relax and his posture loosens. He hardly wishes to think about more of their life splintering apart.

His lips twitch in the corners. His face feels the need to smile at Hendrik showing steel enough to speak - but this hardly stands as the time to smile. He nods instead.]

That stands to reason. Surely you already feel improvement, then?

[standvastig]

[The question prompts another shake of the head.]

More work was done this morning to ... clean the wound. There was only so much they could do yesterday.

[His eyes flicker over towards his shoulder, but do not remain there for long. He can at least look over at Jasper -- and in his general direction, if that gets too uncomfortable -- with little strain.]

I am still spending most of my time bedridden. Hardly an improvement.

[leitstern]

I can see that.

[Swift and harsh. There are few occasions when he acts the opposite. Never had it been different even as children. His eyes dart towards the window; returning to Hendrik after a second.]

Perhaps I must gather more books to prevent this mood of yours.

[standvastig]

Perhaps you can find a book about having lost an arm.

[The remark is made dryly, not to be taken seriously. He knows Jasper is trying to help.]

Everything will be fine.

[...He would just have to find a new definition of what was 'fine' for himself.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper shrugs and angles his head. Elbow upon the armrest, chin on his fist. He frowns at Hendrik with such tremendous force that one can imagine his gaze pinning the unfortunate man to the bed.]

Funny. You act like everything will be boring.

[He looks bored after that.]

[standvastig]

[Jasper's comment does not garner much of a reaction from Hendrik. While his everyday had not been exactly the same, he had a routine and took pride and comfort from the work he did. He had not been so new to his position anymore that he was nervous about his duties and the responsibilities he would have to bear.

His life had been completely upended, but he was alive.

Bitterly, he finds himself thinking that that in itself is not new to him.]

And?

[leitstern]

[Bitterness makes Jasper scowl. His honest belief is that his rude words are - at least - honest and nostalgic. There is comfort in being true to each other - peace in how their relationship has lasted this long.]

That is your problem, Hendrik. Not mine.

[standvastig]

Indeed. It is my problem.

[Did he ever imply otherwise...? Nothing about his situation was anyone else's fault, even if there was a restless pang of wanting to place blame somewhere else.]

Please do not think otherwise.

[After a thought, he starts pushing himself to sit up in bed long enough to fetch the book Jasper had tossed earlier. To make it easier to grab later.]

[leitstern]

[Leaning forward, driven by the desire to assist, Jasper perches on the edge of his chair. He falls back after a moment. His hands slap the armrests.

His sharp laughter pierces the air.]

When have I ever lost sleep over your problems?

[When has he not? His Majesty had ordered him to help Hendrik with his nightmares, after all.]

[standvastig]

[Silence. Hendrik exhales sharply as he falls back against his pillow, book in hand. That done, he looks over at Jasper and simply stares at him for a long moment over his laughter.]

Why are you laughing?

[Perhaps he had missed something. He can't read the emotion in that laughter at all.]

[leitstern]

Because the irony is delightful?

[Perhaps it is a terrible idea to roll his eyes? Oh well.]

Honestly. You are utterly dense.

[standvastig]

[Once again, Hendrik hardly reacts. He pulls his shoulders back, grunting at the pain it causes him, before looking at Jasper with renewed focus.]

Are you going to explain? If you cannot tell, I am not feeling well.

[If Jasper is going to be this way, he can be annoyed as well.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper shakes his head. His fingers rise to glide across his face - where they press and rub against the bridge of his nose.]

I am laughing because of our memories as boys. Am I permitted to feel nostalgic?

[standvastig]

[That tells him nothing. Hendrik responds to Jasper's continued ... amusement with annoyed silence. For good measure, he turns his face away to frown at the ceiling.]

[leitstern]

[Legs unfold. Fingers leave his nose. Posture changes and emotions boil. Jasper adjusts himself to sit straight to the point of rigidity. His voice is an octave lower than normal and pressured by frustration.]

Must you sulk, Hendrik?

[standvastig]

What would you have me do, Jasper? Share in laughter I do not understand?

[The words are snapped, his voice rising as he shows he is more than a little agitated.]

There is a door if you do not wish to see me sulk. You are free to use it.