Pics and Fics
So newtypeshadow put up this meme newtypeshadow.livejournal.com/591925.html and got lots of fun pics. And I couldn't resist writing something for one of them. So crvcifix gets two fics for the price of one pic ( img201.imageshack.us/img201/2834/eugeniorecuencoduelfs9.jpg ) and I hope does not mind. ;)
Duels were one of his least favorite assignments, Rathel reflected as he stood there, quietly holding the umbrella for Lord Jannefrey. It wasn’t so much the weather, for the same enchantments on his coat and hat that would repel stray bullets guided most of the snow away. More it was that duels were deadly boring.
There wasn’t even any chance of finding out what Lord and Lady Jannefrey were trying to kill each other over, because whatever unpleasant marital argument had spawned this challenge they weren’t talking about it now. Both of them were silent and serious in their intent. Rathel cast a brief glance at the other Blackcoat who was acting as Lady Jannefrey’s second, but Nafren’s expression was the same stony mask he was working to maintain on his own features. Rathel couldn’t help but think of Bryn, with both fondness and the faintest touch of envy.
Bryn was assigned to serve at Lord Sumelwyne’s party this evening. Likely tonight he’d return with tales and gossip about all the nobility. In fact Bryn would probably be able to tell HIM the reason behind this duel.
The loud crack of the pistols brought his attention back to the duel. He and Nafren both watched impassively as the first shots whistled past them. A second shot rang out, and as blood bloomed on the back of the Lord’s coat, Rathel reflected with some amusement that at least tonight he’d have some tidbit to tell Bryn. Lady Jannefrey was a marginally better shot than her husband. That was interesting.
It was only a shoulder wound, he noticed, but one wouldn’t know that from the Lady’s reaction. The moment Lord Jannefrey dropped to his knees, the Lady was at his side, cradling him in her arms and weeping as though someone else had fired the shot. Rathel cast one more glance at Nafren, caught the slightest arch of one of the older man’s brows. And then they were both back to their duties, silently gathering and boxing the pistols and folding the umbrellas before they walked their separate ways.
Rathel frowned faintly as he headed back toward the Hall, wondering how many hours it would be before Bryn and the rest of the Blackcoats assigned to the party returned. Tonight in their room, he and Bryn would hold each other, and he would tell Bryn the outcome of the duel, while Bryn told him the latest gossip of the city. They would laugh at Lord and Lady Jannefrey and decide, as they decided almost every night, that the nobility was crazy. And that it was just as well they didn’t realize that the famed Blackcoat discretion did not apply to other Blackcoats.