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Post by ivory on Jun 20, 2009 9:45:25 GMT -5
Adrian's sported irritation at owing Henry a fair share of his sums quickly evaporated at the ever closing distance toward land. His few days on board the ship would hardly be missed, except for his encounters with The Dougal, but he figured he'd see him on land too, so all in all, it was more than ready to get off.
Mischief probably was too, he thought with a frown, wondering slightly again if he was alright. He had a tendency to kick out when he was frightened and Henry had seen to it that he hadn't enough to pay for more than a tenth of a stall.
He didn't really blame the knight, after all, Adrian was the one who betted first. The Skandavian was well over her fighting level, or at least that's what he thought. He'd never think that again. From now on he was never betting against Katrina...unless she was missing a leg, her weapon was lost, she'd been recentally blinded, and was not currently fighting a master swordsman or of other weapon. She wasn't as good as Dougal, but she was quite a ways up there and had garnered his respect extremely well. Now if only she wasn't so good at cards...
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 21, 2009 21:10:53 GMT -5
As the vanguard of the Araluen Army was pulling into port on the Skandian ships along with half the Scotti Army, the rest of the Scotti and Araluen armies were boarding more ships to start sailing over.
The western Scotti army had made the march in record time, though some of their supplies were still on the way. They had been escorted by a rather large Araluen force from Norgate to Araluen to ensure that they were not planning on raiding or looting any of the Araluen fiefs inbetween.
King Duncan rode his white stallion among the Araluen encampment outside the walls of the city and offered up encouragement to the men and officers, leaving a feeling of excitement and anticipation in his wake.
Everyone was now assembled and he needed to get them loaded on the boats before any fights broke out between the Scotti and the Araluen's. The Scotti were going first. No way was he going to leave them here with less than his full forces. He intended to have them dropped off in their own country for the return trip, but he was worried about getting them off his land right now.
He watched them loading onto the ships for the ride down the river and out to sea. They couldn't get out of his country soon enough for him.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 22, 2009 5:52:44 GMT -5
Katrina walked up to Dougal and stood beside him at the railing, watching the shoreline come into view.
"So..." She paused, not sure what to say. "Guess this is good bye for a while." She glanced sideways at him, wondering what was going on in his head. Was he sick of her following him around the ship? "My orders are to secure La Rivage first and then head towards the front with the Scotti." She figured maybe to keep things on a professional level would make him more comfortable.
"You going to send a messenger back if you need some help in your assignment? His Majesty said I was to use the Scotti to back you up if you need it."
It was rather lame, but she couldn't just let him walk off the ship into danger without saying goodbye at the least.
She had been putting Henry off all through the voyage, even though they were essentially sharing a bed, she hadn't allowed anything to happen between them and she knew Henry was getting very frustrated. She just couldn't get Dougal out of her head in the evenings and didn't think it was fair to Henry to be with him when she was thinking of another. He said he understood, but she wasn't so sure. Maybe it would be easier once they were all off the ship and going their seperate ways.
She gingerly rubbed a bruise on the other cheek from the one that Dougal had given her the first day out. That bruise was now a sickly yellow, but it was starting to fade. She was sure she looked horrible and so turned back to the sea. No wonder he didn't want anything to do with her. What man did want a woman who lived like a man, killed like a man and was covered with bruises and scars like any common warrior?
She waited for his answer to her lame question, wondering if he was just going to walk away from her.
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Dougal
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 597
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Post by Dougal on Jun 22, 2009 6:24:39 GMT -5
OOC: Sorry for the late, poor quality post. I was out at Lake Cargelligo with the band all weekend and was up most of last night writing up part of an assignment.
IC: Dougal heard someone starting to walk up behind him and he smiled. From the sound of their footsteps they were trying to keep their approach secret and probably didn't think that he could hear them over the sounds of the waves and the sailors going about their business. More fool them. Dougal's paranoia and ability to sense danger was being emphasised by the up and coming campaign. As the person came closer and closer, Dougal analysed their footsteps and came to the conclusion that the person wlaking up behind him was Katrina. The footsteps were softer than a mans and whoever was behind him had a limp. Yep, it was probably Katrina. Moving to one side so that Katrina could lean agains the rail if she wanted, Dougal waited for her to speak. He jsut didn't quite feel like starting the conversation in his current state. Who knew where it might lead?
"So, guess this is good bye for a while."
"Yeah."
There really didn't seem to be anything else to say, and Dougal wasn't sure what to make of Katrina's sideways glance. Normally he could read people like a book, but his confusion over his own feelings seemed to be clouding his judgement. Was Katrina preparing to make another attempt to start a relationship or was this just innocent. After all, she and Henry had been very close during the trip.
"My orders are to secure La Rivage first and then head towards the front with the Scotti."
There was an awkward silence as they both tried to think of something to say, and then Katrina broke the silence.
"You going to send a messenger back if you need some help in your assignment? His Majesty said I was to use the Scotti to back you up if you need it."
Katrina turned away from Dougal and stared out at the sea. He could see that she was beating herself up about something, and he was pretty sure that he had a rough idea what was going on. It seemed that Katrina was trying to have a relationship with Henry, but she couldn't quite go through with it because of him. Being torn in two directions had obviously taken a toll on Katrina and she was currently beating herself up over it. Or at least that was how Dougal interpreted it. There was a silence of a few seconds as Dougal tried to figure out what to say next, but then he found what he hoped were the right words.
"Look, Katrina, I'm sorry I stopped any relationship from forming, but it was the right thing to do. Me? I'm a half-Skandian bastard with few morals and no property to my name. You're a rising knight with a great career in front of you, and I know that some of the things that I've done would shock you. Any relationship we did have would end badly for both of us, and I don't want that to happen."
Dougal took a deep breath and then continued with his attempt to get everything off his chest. He wasn't normally this emotional, but he was riding high on the anticipation of a war and also on the low brought about by the resurfacing of many memories that he'd buried long ago.
"It probably won't make you feel any better but, if the circumstances were different, I would've kissed you back that day."
He turned so that he was facing Katrina and dropped his emotional mask for just long enough for Katrina to see the truth in his statement. He wasn't sure if he'd complicated the issue further, but he was hoping that his honesty and explanation as to why they could never be together would help salve Katrina's worries.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 22, 2009 10:59:39 GMT -5
"Look, Katrina, I'm sorry I stopped any relationship from forming, but it was the right thing to do. Me? I'm a half-Skandian bastard with few morals and no property to my name. You're a rising knight with a great career in front of you, and I know that some of the things that I've done would shock you. Any relationship we did have would end badly for both of us, and I don't want that to happen." Dougal said to her.
Katrina listened as she watched the waves rolling towards the shoreline that was becoming more distinct by the minute. She looked at him when he said he had no property. His background and financial background didn't matter to her. She would inherit her father's property. At that time if she wasn't married, she would be forced to marry or loose it all to the church or state. Women were not allowed to own property except through their husband or other guardian's name.
She didn't really care if she kept the family estates or not. The military supplied all her needs. Still, there was retirement to think of.
His next statement about doing things that would shock her made her thoughtful. She had done some things that he would undoubtedly be shocked at too. But if he truly had no morals, that would be an issue between them. She had a pretty strict moral code. But in the relatively short time she had known him, she thought that his actions had already contradicted that statement. He had morals. Maybe they weren't the same as hers, but he did have some morals anyway.
She still didn't really understand why it would never work out or why he was so convinced it would end badly. All relationships ended at some point. She took it to mean that he couldn't bear to be hurt again like he was before. She knew how he felt. She didn't want to go through pain like that herself. Thus the walls she kept around herself. Walls that she would be willing to let him breach.
His next statement completely threw her off-balance; "It probably won't make you feel any better but, if the circumstances were different, I would've kissed you back that day."
She didn't know what to think, or to say. She stared at him and saw the mask drop away from his face and knew what he was saying was true. There were feelings there for her. She was sure of it now. So why did he push her away?
She stared at him for a full minute, a look of confusion on her face, then she realized it must be because he couldn't bear to be hurt again. Or maybe he didn't want to get in Henry's way.
She wanted to step closer and have him gather her in his arms and tell her he was kidding. She almost did, knowing she would be forcing him to accept her, or push her away, but then she stopped and turned back to the sea, gripping the railing tightly. He would push her away again and she couldn't take that humiliation. She felt like a thousand eyes were watching them. Henry was watching them.
She wasn't sure what to say. Part of her wanted to shake some sense into him, but that would hardly help the situation. She opened her mouth to say something, anything, and then shut it again. She couldn't think of a thing to say.
Finally she decided to accept the inevitable, that he was going to keep pushing her away. She wasn't the type to fling herself at a man normally and had felt rather foolish following him around like a lost puppy for the past several days. Whatever his reasons were, it was obvious that he wasn't going to change his mind.
"Ok. I am not sure what to say to that, to be quite honest." She turned back to him. "But I am not going to throw myself at you or pine my life away waiting for you. It seems to me you can't make up your mind on what you want. Your head is fighting your heart, I think."
"But it seems pretty simple to me, either you want me or you don't. If you do, then stop pushing me away." She said emphatically. "If you don't, then that is fine too. I won't let that interfere with our friendship. I respect you both as a warrior and as a man and hope you feel at least that much towards me. Especially since we are going to likely be working together at some point over here in Gallica."
She looked back at him, half afraid she had said too much. "Either way, we need to maintain a working relationship, at least while we are over here in Gallica." She looked at him sheepishly, "I hope that you would like to maintain at least a friendship as well, even after we go back home."
She thought about what her life could be like years down the road. He was nearly twice her age and surely he would be retiring soon, if he wasn't killed in battle. Had he ever thought about life after the military? She debated on bringing that up. "Besides, who are you going to hang around with once you retire?" She teased. Then she realized that he might take that as a jab at his age, "not that you are close to retireing or anything like that." she added hastily. She turned back to see that the shoreline was only a half hour away at the rate they were going, her face going red again.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 22, 2009 11:36:59 GMT -5
_____
Henry turned his back on Katrina and Dougal and twisted a piece of straw in his fingers as he watched the ripples in the wake of the wolfship.
Shamus stood next to him, leaning his back against the railing and watching Katrina and Dougal. He noticed that a great many men were watching them too.
"It must be hard for her," Shamus nodded towards Katrina and spoke softly to Henry. "living in a man's world like she is, trying to blend in, but sticking out like a rose among the brambles."
"Very poetic." Henry said crossly as he ripped a piece of the straw off and tossed it into the sea. He didn't feel like talking right now. He would be very glad when they docked and Dougal was off on his own mission. "What does she see in him anyway?" He glanced over his shoulder and saw her staring out to sea.
"No idea. She hasn't even looked twice at me." Shamus had a look of hurt on his face. Henry looked at him sharply and scowled.
"Not you too." Henry glared. "Is every man on this ship in love with her?"
"All but the one she wants it would seem." Shamus laughed. "But I never said I was in love with her. I just am not used to being ignored by women. Most of them fling themselves at me everywhere I go. I don't think that thought ever entered her mind." Shamus didn't take his eyes off Katrina. "I must say she fascinates me - probably because she didn't look twice at me."
Henry knew why Katrina hadn't looked at Shamus romantically. She had told him that Shamus brought up the old memories. He looked too much like her long dead lover. She would never have been able to love him, even if Dougal or Henry weren't in the picture. But he wasn't about to tell Shamus that. The man knew too damn much already. "mmmhhmmfff" was Henry's only response.
Shamus glanced at him and shrugged. "You will end up with her. There goes Dougal pushing her away again, the fool." Shamus could see Henry fighting the urge to turn around and look. "Now she looks like she is going to throw herself into his arms - no, no, she has turned back to the railing -"
"If he has hurt her again -" Henry whipped around and looked at Katrina and Dougal. He let the threat fade away. Katrina looked confused and then she turned back to Dougal and said something to him, her professional mask was back on. Henry turned back around, deliberatly forcing himself not to watch. "I could do without the play-by-play if you don't mind." He said to Shamus.
Shamus chuckled, "sorry Pal. I will try to contain myself." The smile slid away from Shamus' face. Apparently Henry didn't yet realize that he had won and how lucky he was. Or unlucky. Shamus wouldn't want to live with a scorned woman, especially one who was lethally trained in the use of sharp weapons. Good thing they were going to war. He almost felt sorry for those Aslvaian bastards. He smiled at his own wit.
Henry stood silently beside him, leaning on the railing.
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Dougal
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 597
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Post by Dougal on Jun 22, 2009 17:06:58 GMT -5
There was a period of silence after Dougal spoke and he could see the confusion on Katrina's face. Had he said the right thing? He'd wanted to help Katrina get over him, but it didn't look as though his speech had had that effect. Katrina seemed more confused about him and his motives than before, and Dougal wondered if he was giving off mixed signals. Yes, it looked like he'd made the mistake of sending mixed signals to Katrina and now she had no idea what to say. Stupid stupid stupid! You should know better than this!
At last, Katrina spoke and spoke well. Dougal had never picked her for the type of women who would pine away after someone who didn't lover her back, and he hadn't expected her to chase him as hard and for as long as she had already. By the sounds of things, the chase was over and Katrina wanted a straight answer from him. Did he want her or not? For Dougal, this was a very difficult question because he both wanted Katrina and didn't want her. Some of the things that he'd done, they would cause Katrina to run from him in horror, he was sure, and he respected her too much to want to let that happen. On the other hand, Katrina was probably his only chance at being happy. She was his equal in so many ways and probably soon be superior to him in them. But was a short, happy life with an equal worth the sadness that he would feel once the relationship ended? There, he had the answer right in his hands. No, it wasn't worth it because he would also be worrying that the break-up was going to happen. He would probably be able to hide it from Katrina, but it would colour how he acted and treated Katrina. He would be more likely to bring a break-up about when thinking like that.
"Besides, who are you going to hang around with once you retire?"
Although she didn't realise it, Katrina had just thrown Dougal off track. What was he going to do when he retired? He could teach the new recruits, he supposed, but he wouldn't be able to do that forever. What then? Most of his men were far younger than himself and the few friends that he had had while in the regular army had either retired or forgotten about him. He would just be a lonely old man, living off a pension and wishing for better days. Or would he? Maybe he could find a widow his age who wanted some company or maybe there was a prostitute out on the street who wanted to get out of her job? But would he be happy? With the widow would probably come resentful children and with a prostitute would come all kinds of things, not the least of which would be memories of Rhianwen.
That name again. It always came back down to her, didn't it? She was the one who had ruined him emotionally. He'd always been a hard man, he'd almost had no other choice growing the way he had, but he'd become even harder after her. More ruthless and vicious and less caring. He hadn't been able to have a relationship since and now here was the opportunity to have one with someone who was equal to him. A woman who had been through the same trials that he had and had come out of them with far more ease than he had come out of his heart break. And he was pushing her away. Was that the right thing to do? Was he cutting off his right arm when there was no cause for it? Dougal didn't know the answer and the more he thought about it, the more confused he was. His heart said yes, but then was it simply because he had been so long without female companionship? Was he wanting to use Katrina to make himself feel better? If so, then pushing her away was the right thing to do.
Why care you? You've done so much for your country and you deserve some sort of reward. Katrina's willing and you feel some sort of attraction to her.
"Katrina..."
Dougal took a deep breath.
"Katrina, I...I, no, I can't. Um. Ughhh."
Everything but the word Katrina was muttered under his breath and Dougal turned away for a second as he grappled with his feelings. If he said yes, he would be hurting Henry and possibly making an enemy. He needed some time to think and so turned back to Katrina and asked her something that he'd been wondering for some time.
"What's the go with Henry? You've basically been sharing that cabin for days now, but you still have strong feelings for me. I...I'm just not sure what to make of that."
He hung his head, hoping that Katrina didn't take his question the wrong way. He just wanted to stall for time, not make her feel even worse about herself.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 22, 2009 18:14:55 GMT -5
Katrina glanced in Henry's direction and saw he had his back turned and she sighed and turned back to look out at the waves and gather her thoughts.
"First of all, nothing has happened between he and I physically - yet. Not for his lack of trying, though." Katrina blushed a bit. She never had been able to talk about this stuff when it concerned her, though she could tell dirty jokes with a straight face.
"As you know, he wants a long-term relationship with me. I have been delaying him, making up excuses. It is a terrible thing to be doing to him, and I know it, but I just- well -- can't figure out what I want really."
She looked back to see how Dougal was taking this. "I guess what I am trying to say is that if I were certain that there is nothing between you and I, then I would let things progress with Henry, but that I have been holding him off in the hopes that you would change your mind about me."
Now she was really blushing, having laid bare her soal to him. "Why does Henry even put up with me? What I am doing to him is terrible. I must truly be a horrible person." She said softly, almost so soft that no one could hear her. She stared at the waves without really seeing them.
After a moment of awkward silence a new thought occured to her. "Maybe it is a timing thing." She didn't look at him, she didn't want to see the rejection in his eyes. "Maybe it is not our time. Maybe it is Henry's time right now." She looked up at him questioningly.
"Just maybe there will be a time down the road when you will feel differently and Henry won't be in the picture anymore or something. And then it will be our time." She wanted to hang onto that hope.
Since she didn't want him to dash that hope, she didn't give him a chance to deny it. She leaned forward slowly, standing on her toes and kissed his cheek for a long, slow moment while giving him a hug. It was the type of kiss given between very close friends before a long parting, but she poured her heart into it. "Until then, take care of yourself, Old Man." She said as she pulled back, "I don't want to have to stand over your grave crying my eyes out." She grinned sheepishly, not really kidding. She would be devastated if he got killed in the campaign ahead of them.
"Promise to call for my men if you need them." She stepped back from him and glanced over at Henry again. But she managed to smile back at Dougal, not wanting to leave with anything negative between them. The professional mask fell back in place. The walls went back up, yet she hesitated in case Dougal had changed his mind, giving him one more opportunity.
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Dougal
Apprentice Messenger
Posts: 597
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Post by Dougal on Jun 23, 2009 17:26:25 GMT -5
Dougal listened to Katrina's explanation and understood where she was coming from. She had mixed feelings about what Dougal supposed you could consider the two men in her life and she wanted a fall back plan for when Dougal showed himself to be a lost cause. The thing was, he wasn't sure himself if he was a lost cause or not. Still, he hated it when Katrina began beating herself up over her actions. As far as Dougal was concerned, her actions were understandable and justified, even though he had a fair idea about he would feel if he was in Henry's place. Perhaps the fact that he could imagine himself in Henry's place was a sign that he was letting go of his emotions and becoming more objective, just like he should be at all times? No. In the awkward silence that followed, Dougal began to wonder if he should just give Katrina a hug and raise her spirits. It would probably do wonders for him as well, although it would probably hurt Henry badly and set up a feud between them.
"Maybe it is a timing thing. Maybe it is not our time. Maybe it is Henry's time right now. Just maybe there will be a time down the road when you will feel differently and Henry won't be in the picture anymore or something. And then it will be our time."
Before Dougal could agree or disagree with her, Katrina stood up on tip toes and kissed him on the cheek while hugging him. He stiffened at first and then found that his heart was racing at the close presence of a women who he respected greatly. He found himself giving Katrina a little bit of a squeeze, but it was stiff and awkward. Was it an indicative of the long time since he'd hugged anyone or did it show that he really wasn't interested in Katrina? He supposed it didn't matter. Katrina had suggested a viable alternative that might come to nothing anyway. Yes, he could live with that.
"Until then, take care of yourself, Old Man. I don't want to have to stand over your grave crying my eyes out."
Dougal laughed good naturedly at Katrina's "Old Man" jab, but he knew that there was a good chance that he was going to die. Then again, there was a good chance that he would die whenever he went into battle. Still, he now had an incentive to keep on living. Katrina had suffered enough in the lead up to the war, so it would probably be a good idea to give her one less thing to worry about after the war.
"I'm Dougal remember? I kill entire armies with a single sword blow."
Katrina stepped back and put her mask back in place. The conversation was over and it was time for them both to go their own ways.
"Promise to call for my men if you need them."
Dougal didn't laugh this time and simply nodded.
"I promise. And Katrina?"
Dougal's voice became a little bit more tender. He wasn't sure why, but it probably had something to do with his mixed up feelings for Katrina. He would hate to see someone like her hurt or dead.
"Look out for yourself and watch your rear."
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 23, 2009 17:54:34 GMT -5
"I'm Dougal remember? I kill entire armies with a single sword blow."
Katrina snorted, remembering Adrian's hero worship of Dougal. The tension between them eased a bit.
She felt him stiffly hug her back, though he didn't seem truly uncomfortable with the hug. He was probably just way out of practice. She hadn't given too many people hugs over the last five years either, but probably a great deal more than Dougal had. At least he hadn't tried to hit her. She almost grinned at the thought, thinking it funny.
"Look out for yourself and watch your rear."
Serious again she nodded, "I promise." She gave his hand a squeeze and then walked back over to Henry and Shamus, her face an unreadable mask.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 23, 2009 18:22:17 GMT -5
Shamus couldn't seem to contain himself, Henry thought as Shamus said, "She is stepping in close and - she kissed him." Henry closed his eyes and clenched his fists. He wanted to look yet he didn't want to see.
"On the cheek, as if only friends." Shamus finished after a pause for dramatic effect.
Henry spun around and saw Katrina just finishing her kiss on Dougal's cheek. His spirits rose just a notch. Maybe Shamus was right.
Katrina and Dougal exhanged a few more words and then Katrina approached. She didn't appear to be upset. Henry glanced behind her to see what Dougal was thinking then back to Katrina.
"You ok?" As always, his first thought was of her and her welfare. However he couldn't keep the irritation out of his voice entirely. He was tired of being jerked around. He wasn't going to follow her around like a puppy forever, he thought crossly. Ha! who was he kidding? Yes he would. He couldn't help himself.
Katrina walked up and pulled him a few feet away from Shamus and whispered in his ear, "I am yours if you will still have me. Though I sure as hell don't deserve you." She looked into Henry's eyes and wished she felt the same passion for him that she felt when she saw Dougal.
She felt something deeply for Henry, but it was entirely different. Maybe that was normal. Maybe people were not supposed to feel the same way about different people. Maybe each love was different. She didn't know. Her exprience was too limited.
Henry could hardly believe his ears. Was it truly over between her and Dougal? She was going to stop chasing after him now? Then another thought occured to him, that he was second best. She was settling for him because she couldn't have him and his irritation returned.
"I don't want you to want me just because he has given you up." Henry said gruffly and grabbed her arms at he shoulders and set her gently back a step from him. "I want you to want me, just for me." He picked up his gear and walked off to another part of the ship away from Katrina and not too near Dougal.
As he stood there, watching them dock the ship, he wondered if he had been too hard on her. He had just turned his back on her right after Dougal had. What would she do now? He couldn't help it, he turned around to look at her and was surprised at what he saw on her face.
Katrina was standing there where Henry had set her down, not saying a word. A look of admiration was on her face as she watched Henry stalk off. Finally! Finally he had gotten angry with her. Her respect for him went up another notch. She was glad he wasn't going to let her abuse his feelings towards her. Now she was going to have to work to get him back. She deserved this. She deserved his anger because she had treated him so badly.
Katrina stooped down and picked up her gear and couldn't help but smile to herself. The smile was a bit savage, a little on the wild side.
The wolfship was pulled up on shore by the Skandians and people started off loading their gear.
Katrina nodded to Shamus, "Let's go check in with Sir Horace and find out what his orders are, then I will go meet with your Scotti council."
She would give Henry some time to himself and sort this out with him later. Right now she had a job to do.
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Post by Brandwyn on Jun 24, 2009 17:09:15 GMT -5
(OOC: The story now picks up on the Gallica Board in The Front board. Katrina, Henry, Shamus and Adrian can be found in "Engaging the Enemy", Dougal and the SWC characters can be found in The Front board.)
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