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]

[He sighs, though he should have expected the question. He scratches high on his injured shoulder as he answers.]

I do not care. Three slices? That is enough.

[Just having to do this is causing his appetite to dwindle.]

[leitstern]

[One slice drops onto the plate. Two. Three. Jasper drops his knife against the table and returns his attention to his apple tart.]

Hendrik. How long do you wish to bet His Majesty shall take to arrive? I imagine the smell is luring him down already.

[standvastig]

[The question is met with a faintly irritated frown. His mood's already taken a hit for the evening.]

Is that to say you wish to leave? We can leave.

[leitstern]

Hardly! Where is the sport in that?

[Jasper refuses to snort or frown. That same wry smile he once used as a boy brightens his face once more.]

Let us stay and catch the look on his face.

[standvastig]

[Hendrik averts his eyes to that smile. Is he supposed to find this endearing? He doesn't know what he's supposed to think of this.]

He already knows that we know about his secret, Jasper.

[leitstern]

[Lips slightly turn in the corners. Jasper begins struggling to understand what he must do to cheer up his friend. One cannot read a child's adventure book to a young man who has lost a limb.]

Obviously? Come on, Hendrik. Surely you want to surprise him a little? It does His Majesty well to keep his spirits up.

[standvastig]

[An uncomfortable silence follows as Hendrik tries to make sense of what Jasper is saying. Keep His Majesty's spirits up? His voice is quiet as he reacts.]

His Majesty needs his spirits lifted?

[He hates that the question passes his lips at all; it should be obvious why the King would be feeling that way.]

[leitstern]

Of course. He loves you, you know.

[You. Hardly plural. Jasper's mind doesn't make the connection.]

[standvastig]

[How does he even acknowledge that? Hendrik's hand curls into a fist briefly before he turns to look at Jasper again. He takes the fork and stabs the sliced meat without fanfare, awkwardly adjusting his grip before taking it to his lips and eating it.]

[leitstern]

[Jasper says nothing about Hendrik's unspoken emotions. What is there to discuss? He collects a few strawberry tarts on a plate - leaving one for the late arrival.]

Shall we wait up for him? Or do you intend on retiring to your quarters?

[standvastig]

I had intended to go elsewhere before returning to my quarters.

[Hendrik stabs the next slice of meat that Jasper had left for him, frowning contemplatively. His eyes wander back to the vegetables he had set aside.]

...Very well. We can stay here awhile.

[leitstern]

[The large plate slides across his fingers forcing him to adjust his hold; balancing it across his arm he grips it by the edge. Hendrik is still a thought.]

Help yourself to more potatoes. I doubt anybody else might.

[He might be concerned to watch his friend suffer and likes to see him eat well.]

[standvastig]

I will probably take one back to my quarters.

[At least the potatoes were things he could eat without assistance. He takes his time with the last slice that was cut, though it is soon also dealt with. He doesn't savor anything of the act.]

You can go back to your snacks, Jasper. Thank you for your time.