Reflection - Chapter 1.1
anonymous
March 11 2010, 19:29:30 UTC
Note: This chapter is mostly exposition, as I’m setting everything up. Apologies if this is dry! Writeranon promises it will get better!
Chapter 1 - 1
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Winter was ending, and the last of the snow fall remained in patches and muddy wagon roads. The strong frozen bite to the air was finally receding, leaving a dull chill behind. Alice stopped her horse at the crest of the hill and stared at the meadow below. White tents of all shapes and sizes were staked and spread over every available area, leaving only pockets of space for small fireside gatherings and narrow walkways. Surrounding the expansive camp was a makeshift fence of thin wooden logs lashed or nailed together in a haphazard fashion. Thin plumes of smoke arose from large tents or tiny tent-side firepits.
Alice glanced to the sky; the sun had only just crested the eastern horizon. It’s still early… I have time to turn around.
Cursing the bubbling nervousness that settled into her stomach, she stared at the forest and let her mind wander. Last night she had felt so sure, so certain of her feelings. Two days prior, Matthew was drafted. A sealed letter arrived at their residence, via military courier, and she watched her twin’s shoulders slump as he accepted it.
No, it’s too late now. Matthew already left for the academy… I have to do this. I’m protecting Matthew… he’ll be safe! Alice nodded to herself in reassurance and urged her horse forward. I just have to be careful not to give myself away. Keep my voice low… and use the name Matthew suggested…
The sun continued its steady rise into the sky, and Alice finally came to the gate where two soldiers stood guard.
“Name and purpose?” Came the short, flat question from the soldier to her left. “And be quick about it.”
Alice nodded and dismounted in one fluid move. Reaching into her heavy coat, she pulled the draft notice from one of the inside pockets and handed it to the guard. “I’ve come to fulfill the draft in place of my brother.”
Damnit! That wasn’t good enough. I’ve got to lower my voice more without it sounding forced…
The guard eyed her for a moment before reading the notice. “And why is your brother so unfit to serve that one as… young as you must replace him?”
Young? But I look just like Matthew. How…? She struggled to keep her face neutral and breathed in, ignoring the suffocating pressure on her chest. “He is under the protection of the academy.”
Better… a little forced but… better.
The soldier heaved a sigh and thrust the papers back at her face. “Good enough. At least you had the gall to take his place.” He waved his hand at her and allowed her passage into the camp. “Go find Gilbert, he’s in charge of camp operations for the time being.”
Relief flooded her, and she struggled to keep a triumphant smile from splitting across her face. Grasping the reins, she tugged her horse forward. The camp was surprisingly active, considering how quiet it seemed from afar. Men appeared to be stirring from their bedrolls and joining the others in the mess, where breakfast was being served to the early risers. After finding the posts where the other horses were, she tied the reins off and left after giving her horse a goodbye scratch on his neck.
Chapter 1 - 1
++
Winter was ending, and the last of the snow fall remained in patches and muddy wagon roads. The strong frozen bite to the air was finally receding, leaving a dull chill behind. Alice stopped her horse at the crest of the hill and stared at the meadow below. White tents of all shapes and sizes were staked and spread over every available area, leaving only pockets of space for small fireside gatherings and narrow walkways. Surrounding the expansive camp was a makeshift fence of thin wooden logs lashed or nailed together in a haphazard fashion. Thin plumes of smoke arose from large tents or tiny tent-side firepits.
Alice glanced to the sky; the sun had only just crested the eastern horizon. It’s still early… I have time to turn around.
Cursing the bubbling nervousness that settled into her stomach, she stared at the forest and let her mind wander. Last night she had felt so sure, so certain of her feelings. Two days prior, Matthew was drafted. A sealed letter arrived at their residence, via military courier, and she watched her twin’s shoulders slump as he accepted it.
No, it’s too late now. Matthew already left for the academy… I have to do this. I’m protecting Matthew… he’ll be safe! Alice nodded to herself in reassurance and urged her horse forward. I just have to be careful not to give myself away. Keep my voice low… and use the name Matthew suggested…
The sun continued its steady rise into the sky, and Alice finally came to the gate where two soldiers stood guard.
“Name and purpose?” Came the short, flat question from the soldier to her left. “And be quick about it.”
Alice nodded and dismounted in one fluid move. Reaching into her heavy coat, she pulled the draft notice from one of the inside pockets and handed it to the guard. “I’ve come to fulfill the draft in place of my brother.”
Damnit! That wasn’t good enough. I’ve got to lower my voice more without it sounding forced…
The guard eyed her for a moment before reading the notice. “And why is your brother so unfit to serve that one as… young as you must replace him?”
Young? But I look just like Matthew. How…? She struggled to keep her face neutral and breathed in, ignoring the suffocating pressure on her chest. “He is under the protection of the academy.”
Better… a little forced but… better.
The soldier heaved a sigh and thrust the papers back at her face. “Good enough. At least you had the gall to take his place.” He waved his hand at her and allowed her passage into the camp. “Go find Gilbert, he’s in charge of camp operations for the time being.”
Relief flooded her, and she struggled to keep a triumphant smile from splitting across her face. Grasping the reins, she tugged her horse forward. The camp was surprisingly active, considering how quiet it seemed from afar. Men appeared to be stirring from their bedrolls and joining the others in the mess, where breakfast was being served to the early risers. After finding the posts where the other horses were, she tied the reins off and left after giving her horse a goodbye scratch on his neck.
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