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Randy1012
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Étienne LeChevalier

Here be the logs of Étienne LeChevalier, the star-crossed Musketeer with a dark past.

If his player ever gets around to writing any, that is...
4/Mar/05, 6:29 am Send Email to Randy1012   Send PM to Randy1012 ICQ
 
Randy1012
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Recruitment, Part One

Étienne LeChevalier made his way down the street, his breath fogging in the chilly morning air, caused by the cold and drizzling rainstorm from the night before. To keep himself warm, he wrapped his cloak tighter around himself and then, tipping the brim of his hat up, he looked up at the sky. Although one wouldn't be able to tell from the cold, it looked like it was going to be a beautiful day. His gaze lowered and fixed upon the headquarters of La Lanterne, and with a deep breath he trudged toward the door. As he approached the building, a pair of guards stationed at the entry perked up. "And you are, sir?" one of them inquired.

Étienne halted a fair distance away from the guards and saluted. "I am Monsieur LeChevalier, sirs," he responded. "I have an appointment with Captain Rois et Reines this morning."

The guards gave each other a look and then nodded in unison. "You're expected, Monsieur, " the first guard spoke up. "The Captain's office is the third door on the left." The silent guard opened the door for him.

"Merci beaucoup," Étienne replied before stepping into the building. Once inside, he took a moment to look around and enjoy the warmth before walking down to the hallway, stopping at the Captain's door and knocking politely.

"Come," came a voice from inside.

Étienne opened the door and entered the office of Jean-Marie Rois et Reines. He closed the door behind himself before speaking up. "Captain Rois et Reines," he said, taking his hat off and bowing respectfully. "I am Étienne LeChevalier."

Captain Jean-Marie Rois et Reines, looking a little tired even at this early hour, nodded and gestured for Étienne to sit. "Good morning, Monsieur LeChevalier..."

"And to you, sir," Étienne replied meaningfully. He sat down in the chair in front of the Captain's desk, resting his hat on his lap. "I take it you received my letter..."

Jean-Marie nodded again. "Yes, I did, and I reviewed it carefully," he said. "You say you were once a Musketeer?" he asked.

Étienne hesitated, trying to think of how to explain it. "Ah, yes, sir, I was. I...left the Musketeers a few months before...well, before all this madness began. But I thought that, with its current troubles, Montaigne needed all the help it could get. Then I found out about what you were doing here in La Motte, and I sent my letter in advance before making my way here."

"Yes..." the Captain said slowly. "My problem is this, Monsieur: I realize I cannot know every Musketeer in Montaigne personally, but I do not recall the name LeChevalier at all. An unusual name like that would stick in my memory..."

"Ah, yes, of course," Étienne said. He hesitated again before continuing. "When I was a Musketeer, I went by the name of Étienne Rayure. I don't think we ever met personally..."

Jean-Marie looked at Étienne for a long moment, repeating the name quietly. After a moment, his face fell. "I remember you now... Your request is denied," he said.

Étienne shook his head, as if he had been expecting this. "Sir, you don't know the whole story," he began, and then hushed as Jean-Marie's face hardened.

"Monsieur Rayure, you were convicted of murder and attempted rape. The woman you claimed was your true love testified against you," the Captain said.

As if Étienne needed to be reminded. He scowled as the mention of her brought up some unpleasant memories. "She lied," he protested. "She didn't want the other nobles thinking that she consciously chose to be with a common-born man like me. I did not murder Monsieur Deneuve; he attacked me, we fought. He fell on my dagger. He was drunk and incensed."

"And do you have any more evidence of any of this than you did at your trial?" Jean-Marie interjected, looking more tired than angry.

Étienne sighed and shook his head slowly. "Only my word," he answered truthfully. "There was a time when I thought that the word of a Musketeer was good enough. But I was wrong then, and apparently I still am." A look of sadness marred his features for a moment.

"Monsieur, you have put your finger directly on the crux of my problem," Captain Rois et Reines replied. "A Musketeer's word has to be above reproach. You, on the other hand, were caught in a situation that, if your story is indeed truth, you should not have allowed yourself to be caught in. All the evidence was against you."

Étienne shrugged. "What can I say?" he asked. "I was a foolish boy who thought he was in love."

Jean-Marie sighed. "We all were, at one point. But most of us embarrassed ourselves in much less dramatic fashion." He regarded Étienne for a moment. "Monsieur Rayure, I want to believe you, but I cannot afford to take a risk on you."

Leaning forward slightly, Étienne tried to reason with Jean-Marie. "Captain, do you seriously believe that if I was a cold-blooded murderer I would risk returning to Montaigne--even in its current state—and identifying myself in person to the former Captain of the Musketeers?" he asked.

Also leaning forward, Jean-Marie immediately replied. "I do not know what to believe about you, Monsieur. Daring is not exclusively the province of virtue. What I do know is that if I allow you to wear the Lanterne tabard, when your past becomes known to the people of Bascone--and I do mean 'when,' as there would be no 'if' about it--the trust of the people in La Lanterne would be in jeopardy.

"Throughout their history the Musketeers were able to function in the way that they did precisely because their honor was sacred to them," Jean-Marie continued. "Any stain upon that honor had to be dealt with decisively, or we would lose the trust of the people."

Étienne sat back slowly and sighed again. "I'm not trying to make excuses for what I did," he said quietly, looking down. "I killed a man, and nothing I could do can change that. I only want people to know that I acted in self-defense, not bloodlust. And that is exactly why I decided to escape rather than face my punishment; l'Empereur's system of justice was a joke. I hear that is the very reason why this hell has fallen upon Montaigne in the first place," he finished, glancing up at Rois et Reines again.

"Accurate as that may be," Jean-Marie replied, "it is not the issue at hand here. The issue is that these people never knew Étienne Rayure, the man who was a commendable servant of the people. They will hear tales of Étienne Rayure, the man who killed a father for protecting his daughter--and they will believe them. People in Montaigne are somewhat justifiably quick to believe the worst of their neighbors and protectors..."

Étienne sat back and listened as Jean-Marie gave his little speech. While his face betrayed no emotion, inside he was seething. At last he realized the truth of why Captain Rois et Reines was refusing him entry into La Lanterne.

With a frown on his face, he began to speak in a mutter just loud enough so that Jean-Marie can hear him. "Something tells me that Gregoire Deneuve was more interested in protecting his own image than in protecting his daughter," he said, his head shaking in disappointment.

"This was a mistake," Étienne added, his voice resigned. "I'm just wasting my time here. Once a noble, always a noble." With that he stood, looking down at Captain Rois et Reines. "I don't believe we have anything else to discuss, Monsieur..."

Jean-Marie stared up at Étienne. His eyes flashed for a moment before he got control of his anger. "Indeed we do not, Monsieur Rayure," he replied. "You know the way out." With that he went back to his work.

Étienne bowed and put his hat back on. "Good luck to you and your men, sir," he said, and then turned on his heel and walked to the door, one of his hands clenched into a fist. Jean-Marie made no attempt to try to stop him, and Étienne quietly closed the door behind him, deciding that slamming it wouldn't make him look or feel any better.

Last edited by Randy1012, 4/Mar/05, 11:25 am
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Recruitment, Part Two

Étienne paused for a moment outside the door, leaning back against it and heaving a sigh. "You and your big mouth," he admonished himself before shaking his head and walking out of the headquarters building. He nodded crisply to the guards, his face disturbingly lacking any kind of emotion, and made his way down the road, back the way he came. He noticed another man walking slowly up the street in his general direction, wearing a Lanterne tabard. The man looked a little distracted, as if deep in thought. Étienne stared at the tabard as he walked toward the man. As they passed, he looked up at the man's face and nodded in greeting, failing this time to hide the anger and disappointment on his face.

The man's eyes finally focused and he looked Étienne over. "Where did you get that tabard?" he wondered, pointing to the remains of Étienne's uniform.

Étienne stopped and turned to face the man, looking down at his tabard before speaking. "It belonged to a man I knew," he replied.

"I see," the man responded, looking over Étienne's weapons. "Are you a recent arrival in town?"

Étienne's jaw worked angrily. "Oui, and it seems that I've already overstayed my welcome." He sighed and looked around. "Is there something I can do for you, Monsieur?" he asked impatiently, wanting to get as far away from Bascone as possible.

"Yes, but not if you're leaving," the stranger replied. He extended a hand. "Martin du Vraise."

Étienne stared at Martin's hand for a second before taking it in his own and shaking it once. "Étienne LeChevalier," he said slowly, regarding Martin carefully. "What is it that you need, Monsieur du Vraise?"

"To put it simply," Martin began, "I need people who can ride hard, fight like they mean it, and think for themselves. I'm commissioning a Patrol unit and I need volunteers," he added.

"Doesn't La Motte already have La Lanterne for that?" Étienne asked, blinking in confusion.

"Yes, but right now the ratio of Lanterne to townspeople is roughly a thousand to one," du Vraise answered. "The Patrol is what keeps Bascone safe, by dealing with what dangers arise before they reach the town."

Étienne paused and looked back to La Lanterne headquarters, thinking about it. He came to La Motte to join La Lanterne and help the people, as he felt that they were the only ones in Montaigne left who were worth saving. But perhaps joining this Patrol could help him accomplish that goal in the future. Finally he nodded. "Alright, Monsieur du Vraise," he agreed. "Where do I sign up?"

"Right here," Martin answered. He pulled out a badge bearing the 10th Patrol's insignia from his pocket and handed it to Étienne, who looked it over with interest.

"And here I was expecting some kind of grandiose oath or something," he said, a slight grin on his face as he remembered taking the Musketeer's Oath in front of the monument to Bastion.

"Not exactly," du Vraise replied. "The basic idea is that since I'm in charge of the 10th and I've taken an oath, it's up to me to make sure you don't do anything to disgrace the badge..."

Étienne nodded, glancing down at the badge in his hand again. "That makes sense," he said before pinning the badge on the left of his chest. "So now what, Monsieur?" he asked, a slight giddiness suddenly coming over him.

"Now I go recruit the rest of your comrades," Martin answered. "We'll meet tomorrow night at the Two Mirrors. Do you know where that is?"

Étienne shook his head. "I'm afraid not. As you guessed earlier, I'm new here."

Martin nodded and gave Étienne simple directions on how to find the place. "If that gets you lost, just ask anyone in town to point it out," he added. "It's sort of a landmark..."

Étienne nodded again. "Merci. I shall see you tomorrow then, Monsieur du Vraise."

"I look forward to it, Monsieur LeChevalier." With a nod, Martin turned and continued his wandering down the street, though a little less distracted now...

After watching du Vraise walk for a few seconds, Étienne called after him. "Monsieur!"

Martin turned. "Yes?"

Étienne hesitated for a moment, and then gave Martin a smile, as well as a Musketeer salute. "Thank you," he said.

Martin smiled and returned the salute. "No, thank you." He turned and continued on his way.

Étienne watched Martin go, and then walked off down a different street, deciding to get himself acquainted with his new home...

Last edited by Randy1012, 4/Mar/05, 11:28 am
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Re: Étienne LeChevalier

<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: finishes his stretches and draws his spear, swinging it around in a series of motions, waiting on Etienne to finish with Hengist::
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::after a few minutes, he walks back out of the stables, taking off his musket and pistols and setting them aside before drawing his rapier and main-gauche:: Vincent: It's nice to finally have someone to spar with. Fighting one's shadow gets tiresome after a while.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: nods:: Etienne: I can imagine. Well, shall we begin? :: steps backwards into a low defensive stance with his spear:: You do not spar with the other patrol members?
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::shakes his head:: None of them seem interested, and nobody else has offered. ::he brings his blades up, and eyes Vincent for a moment before stepping forward, his rapier slashing in::
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: brings his spear around to delfect the slash, bringing the blunt end around to take a swing at Etienne's legs:: That's a shame.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::jumps over the spear and swings his main-gauche around at Vincent before he completes his movement:: Well, I mean no offense to my teammates, but none of them really seem interested in anything that deals with the Patrol when we're not, well, patrolling. It's frustrating, but I'm used to it now.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: rolls to a crouch to dodge the main-gauche, spinning around to face Etienne, before stepping into another defensive stance:: May I speak freely?
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::steps back, annoyed by Vincent's constant defensiveness, and nods::
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> Why did you join the Tenth Patrol? :: steps forward, extending his arm and shooting his spear along it towards Etienne, keeping a loose grip on it as it slides though::
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::moves his blades into a scissor and catches the spear between them:: I was in Eisen when the Madness took hold of Montaigne. When I found out about the formation of La Lanterne, I traveled to La Motte to meet with Captain Rois et Reines and request permission to join. He denied me. As I was leaving, I ran across Corporal du Vraise, and he ended up recruiting me.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> I couldn't just stay in Eisen and watch my country collapse upon itself. As a former Musketeer I felt that it was my duty to volunteer my services. La Lanterne didn't want me, but the Patrol did. So here I am...
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: nods, pulling his spear back:: And do you regret that decision?
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::frowns:: Yes and no. ::he feints at Vincent with his rapier, and then brings his main-gauche in for an attack:: On the one hand, I'm finally serving the community again, and helping to bring at least a little hope to a country that hasn't had any for so long. But on the other, I sometimes feel like I am the only person who takes the Patrol seriously.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: doesn't bother with the spear since Etienne is too close and draws his broadsword with his free hand, blocking the attck:: I see. :: slides back a few steps and swings his spear at Etienne's legs once again:: So why haven't you requested a transfer to another patrol?
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::he jumps backward to avoid the long spear and moves into a guard position, focusing on Vincent's new movements now that his broadsword is also out.:: I'm not sure, really. Maybe I feel like I'm needed here, or I don't think any of the other units would accept me.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: nods, pushing his offensive, thrusting with his spear in a faint before spinning to slash with his broadsword once he's close enough:: I hope you don't mind me saying this but I think I'm starting to regret my decision when I requested this temporary transfer.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::doesn't visibly react to that, as he's concentrating on defending himself.:: Why is that?
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> Because I was expecting a real patrol. :: continues his assault:: No offense of course.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::ducks under a swing of Vincent's broadsword and catches his spear in a scissor again. This time he pushes the spear down and steps on it, knocking it from Vincent's hands. He raises his rapier to Vincent's throat.:: None taken. ::he holds there for a moment, then grins and kicks the spear back up to Vincent, stepping back:: So instead of a real patrol, what did you find?
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: grins, catching the spear and spinning back into a defensive stance once more:: Something else. :: looks around:: Should I be blunt? Or would you prefer a sugar coated version?
<Etienne_LeChevalier> Oh, please, be as blunt as you like. I have a thick skin, monsieur. ::he dashes forward and slashes first with one weapon and then the other::
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: steps back and spins his spear to deflect the strikes, bringing his broadsword from behind his back as if from nowhere, thrusting it at Etienne:: This patrol seems to be a group of skilled, well intentioned people. However, they seem to know nothing of protocol or rules, and Corporal Du Vraise seems like he is the type to step back and complain about the state of things rather than act to change it.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::nods:: That's a fair assessment, and true enough. We have improved since the beginning, but judging by what happened this morning we still have a ways to go... As for the corporal, unfortunately I must agree. He's an able enough commander for the most part, but recently... ::he pauses and glances around, and sighs:: I must admit that I have lost some confidence in him.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: raises an eyebrow:: Oh? And why is that? :: looking around as well::
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::frown:: I mean no disrespect to Martin, but a good commander shouldn't allow himself to be overcome with pride that leads to rash decisions. It was a voluntary mission, so all of us hold some of the blame, but it was he who came up with that expedition.
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A Conversation Over Breakfa--err, Weapons

<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: nods, moving to circle Etienne slowly, more interested in the conversation than the sparring now:: True. Does he do that type of thing often?
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::he shakes his head:: Not that I can recall. Only his recent behaviour has been like this, and I'm not sure why. I don't know if it's just stress or something else.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: raises an eyebrow once again:: Something else? Like what? Surely it can't be Corporal Gerac's opinion of him. I would hope he wouldn't let personal things affect his judgement as a leader.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::he hesitates:: You're not saying that he's let other people's opinions of us and his leadership are what's causing this, are you?
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: shrugs:: I am only going on what I have observed thus far. You know him better than I do, what do you think is the reason?
<Etienne_LeChevalier> I honestly don't know. I'd like to think not, but what else could it be?
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: shrugs again:: I don't know. Have there been any changes recently that might have caused it? Perhaps the incident with Herr Molyneux?
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::considers that:: Nicolas has been a source of frustration for Martin for a while now. There was one time when Nicolas fell asleep while on patrol. Instead of disciplining him, Martin partnered Nicolas with Monsieur Beck because he didn't want to deal with it...
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: looks surprised:: He did? So he just made it someone else's problem and ignored it?
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::realizes what he just said and frowns:: Yes.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: shakes his head and frowns as well, thinking::
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::he raises his weapons again, but his heart's not really in it anymore:: I feel like a traitor for saying all this...
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: sheaths his broadsword and sticks his spear in the dirt, leaning on it:: A traitor to whom? Your team? Or the Corporal? Which is more important in the end?
<Etienne_LeChevalier> Well, the unit, of course. But it's still wrong to speak out against your commanding officer like this...
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: thinks for a moment then speaks again:: That is where our views on the patrols differ I think. I believe that the rules, protocols, and overall mission of the patrols does not come from one individual. And it shouldn't, no one should be above reproach or critism. Just because someone is a Corporal doesn't mean they do not make wrong decisions.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> Of course not, but it's still not my place or your's to say anything about it. At least not publically. The Patrol is not a democratic institution.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: nods:: Of course. But we are free to have personal opinions. And if we thought it important we could always take the matter to the Captain and let him decide, since it *is* his place.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::he sheathes his blades:: I don't know if that's a good idea.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: continues to lean against his spear:: It is your choice. But based just on what I have witnessed so far I don't see how it could be anything but a good thing for the patrol as a whole.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> Telling the Captain of La Motte that we aren't confident in our corporal's ability to lead, which could possibly lead to Martin's removal and a loss of unit morale, would be a good thing?
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: shrugs:: Would you be upset if that happened and someone more capable took command?
<Etienne_LeChevalier> Personally? I think Martin is a good man who usually means well, so yes, I would be. But as a patrolman, whose opinion unfortunately means more than my personal one,...no, I don't think I would be. I'm not sure about the others, however. For all I know I could be the only one who feels this way.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: shakes his head:: You are not alone in your opinion. I agree with it for one. And I have to believe there are others, this type of behavior cannot have gone unnoticed by everyone but you.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::shrugs:: Maybe, maybe not. I'm not going to go around asking.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> I wasn't suggesting you should. And I did not say all of this to try and get you to speak to the Captain. I simply thought you were someone I could talk about this with. I don't know what you will do with the information you have, but I know what I will.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> Why would the Captain believe the word of a man who hasn't even been with this unit for a week?
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: shrugs:: He likely wouldn't. But the Snow Foxes are at least a somewhat respected patrol. :: pauses:: I intend to continue to observe things as I have been and if this problem continues I will bring it to the Captain's attention. It is my duty as a member of the Patrol.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> ::nod:: I understand.
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: nods, standing and pulling his spear out of the ground, returning it to it's place on his back:: I'm betting that we will have this conversation again after the next patrol. I will check with you before speaking to the Captain, to see if you wish to join me there.
<Etienne_LeChevalier> Very well. If you'll excuse me, Monsieur von Stroheim... ::he nods, then goes to his things and turns to head inside::
<Vincent_von_Stroheim> :: nods, saluting Etienne:: Guten tag, Herr Le Chevalier. :: takes out his spear and runs through some practice drills::

Last edited by Randy1012, 28/Jul/05, 10:42 pm
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A Small Ray of Sunshine

The still afternoon air rang with the booming pop of musketfire, sending a small group of birds, frightened by the noise, into the sky. Étienne took his eye off his musket's sight and observed his target as the smoke from the gunpowder cleared. A cloud of dirt, dust, and strands of burlap, sent into the air by the impact of the musket ball into the sack full of dirt, dispersed as Étienne stepped forward to examine his work. When he reached the sack and noticed his shot hadn't come anywhere close to the bulls eye, and was in fact barely within the crudely-painted target at all, he grabbed the bag (which was quickly emptying itself of its contents thanks to the large hole in the front and the larger exit hole on the opposite side) and tore it off of the post with a snarl, throwing it into the air and watching it land several meters away with a graceless thump.

"I don't think that was really necessary," came a high-spirited voice from behind him. "Most men don't need to be thrown quite so far after being shot..."

Étienne spun around on his heel and was greeted by the sight of Camille Montrichard, the slight woman standing near the firing range with one hand on the pommel of her rapier and the other on her hip, her perpetual smile as bright as ever. The former Musketeer rested the butt of his musket on the ground, leaning against the barrel of it. "Yes, well, they do when my aim is that poor," he replied sullenly.

One of Camille's eyebrows went up. "Someone's in a bad mood," she remarked, her smile becoming a grin as her fellow Patrolman muttered something about stating the obvious under his breath. "What's gotten you so down, Monsieur LeChevalier?" she asked.

He shrugged. "Let's just say that myself and the rest of my Patrol aren't exactly seeing eye-to-eye on a few issues..."

"You mean the situation with Corporal du Vraise?" Camille clarified. "I heard about how La Lanterne found him drunk in Madame Marie's, and how you and your newest patrol mate, Monsieur von Stroheim, rode off to Bascone in a haste after finding out about it..."

Étienne scowled. "Theus help me, word travels fast in this damned place," he mumbled under his breath before looking back up at her. "Please don't think ill of me, Camille," he pleaded. "I was thinking only of the Tenth's welfare. Martin hasn't been an effective commander for some time now, and his sour mood was affecting the rest of the unit."

Camille nodded, her eyebrow still arched, which just made her look that much cuter. Étienne was beginning to have difficulty staying focused on his anger. He sighed and looked away from her for a moment, shaking his head. "Alright, so it still is," he conceded. "Probably even more than it was before. Maybe I was wrong about the whole thing; maybe I shouldn't have gone to the Captain and told him about Martin. Maybe I should have just let this whole thing work itself out, but damn it, I wasn't sure if it ever would have! Martin's crossness, not to mention his relationships with certain other members of the Patrol, was splintering the group and damaging our effectiveness as a unit.

"You were there at the gargoyles' nest, you saw the way Selena snapped at Sergeant Etalon when she confronted Martin. That wouldn't have happened a couple of weeks ago, but now it seems like that kind of behavior's become commonplace around here!" He let his musket clatter to the ground as his hands moved about in his excited state, and now he let it lay there as he folded his arms across his chest, not caring that he looked like an angry little boy right now.

The Lancer shook her head and gave Étienne another smile. "For what it's worth, Étienne, I believe that you did the right thing. You're right, Martin's attitude was having an effect on all of you, and the best way to fix the problem, I think, was to give him some time off so both he and the rest of you can cool off and refocus yourselves again. Your Patrol has a lot of potential, but it's difficult to realize it when you're all snapping at each other and anyone else nearby..."

Étienne listened to Camille's advice and nodded slowly. It was exactly how he felt; despite the way he acted towards his teammates, he thought they all could really become something great, maybe the greatest Patrol in La Motte, if they could just get themselves together and actually start working as a unit. He certainly hadn't done his part in realizing that, however, and for that he felt ashamed. It's hard to feel better than everyone else when you're just as guilty as they are.

He finally gave her a smile, albeit a very small one, and was about to thank her when he realized the time of day. "Don't you and the Lancers have the evening patrol tonight?" he asked her.

Camille looked back toward the Patrol headquarters and nodded. "Yes, we're getting ready to head out soon," she answered, facing him again. "But I noticed you over here and thought I'd see how you were doing first. From the looks of things, my visit was well-timed." She gave him a smirk then, and Étienne actually chuckled.

"Well, I can't argue with that," he admitted with a smile, running a hand through his hair and rubbing the back of his neck. "You've certainly brightened my day, Mademoiselle, just as always...and for that I thank you," he said, giving Camille a bow. "Good luck on your patrol tonight."

She gave him a grin and nodded. "Try not to get anyone else in trouble while I'm gone," she said with a wink before turning and heading back to the headquarters.

Étienne watched her walk away, his smile widening. He slipped a foot under his fallen musket and flipped it up into the air, catching it gracefully. He used it as a crutch to lean on again as he watched Camille and the Lancers mount their horses and start off on their patrol. Camille looked towards the firing range and gave Étienne a wave as she saw him there still, and he returned it happily, still smiling.

It was only after the Lancers had disappeared from his sight that he remembered they would be pulling double-duty for a while, what with himself and the rest of the Tenth being grounded until further notice. His smile quickly faded. I doubt she'll be that happy to see me again after she finds out, he realized. He sighed and slung his musket over his shoulder before stalking off toward the headquarters, his good mood quickly clouding over once again.

Last edited by Randy1012, 28/Jul/05, 10:50 pm
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Randy1012
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Big Damn Heroes

<Ron_SWEF> It takes about two hours for the three riders to pick their way through the morass and back to where the Lancers were supposedly trapped...
<Ron_SWEF> They find themselves on the shore of an impromptu lake, with at least a hundred yards of water seperating them from a low-lying island packed solid with people, wagons, and horses. And it's still raining...
<Ron_SWEF> <<<Begin>>>
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby frowns:: The water's risen at least a foot since I left...
<Etienne> ::looks around:: Well, looks like all we need is a bridge to appear from out of nowhere. No problem.
<Halden> ::furrows his brows as he looks over the situation:: Etienne: Brilliant.. If you happen to be hiding one in your saddlebag, now would be the time to use it..
<Etienne> ::moves to check his saddlebags:: Hmm, looks like I left that bag back home...
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby smiles weakly, but she's obviously worried:: We've got a lot of wounded with us, people who can't swim on their own. Also, none of those wagons are watertight. When I left, the water around the hill was deep enough that my horse had to swim...
<Halden> ::shakes his head and thinks for a moment, scanning the area to see what they have to work with::
<Etienne> ::Étienne is also looking around, his mind whirling as he tries to think of something:: I don't think we're going to be able to get those wagons out of there. There's no way we can get anything stable enough for them to cross.
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby nods:: If it came to it, just getting the supplies out would be something. Or if necessary, focus on the people and forage off the land.
<Halden> Etienne: And even if we could, there isn't much time.. ::frowns:: Gabby: If there's rope on the wagons, we could try using some of the wood from the wagons for floatation and reeling them in.. :pauses, before adding:: But that would only work for those conscious enough to hold on.
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby nods:: There's rope, I'm pretty sure we were careful to pack things like that for every group.
<Etienne> ::starts checking his own gear:: Both: How much rope do you have on you?
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby checks her saddlebags:: Thirty feet, looks like.
<Halden> ::sighs and shakes his head, getting ready to dismount:: Both: I can try to swim across and get the rope.. If it's long enough, we can use it as a safety line for the swimmers to hold onto. ::pauses, frowning:: I don't know how to get the more severely injured ones across.
<Etienne> ::nods:: I was just thinking the same thing...
<Halden> ::dismounts and winks:: Etienne: Well I said it first.
<Ron_SWEF> If we break down the wagons as you suggested, perhaps we can make a raft...
<Etienne> ::nod:: Gabby: Maybe more than one, if there's enough wood and rope.
<Halden> ::shrugs:: Gabby: we can try it.. But the safety line seems like the best option in case we run out of time.. ::glances at Etienne:: Etienne: We can both go across, and one of us can come back with one end of the rope while the other stays behind to help..
<Etienne> Gabby: How long ago did you leave to find us?
<Ron_SWEF> Do either of you know anything about carpentry? ::frown:: My extracurricular skills are entirely useless here...
<Ron_SWEF> ::thinks:: Four, maybe five hours ago? It took me a while to find you.
<Etienne> The water only went up a foot or so in that amount of time; we should be able to put together some kind of raft before it gets too high. But I don't exactly have much experience in raft-building, no.
<Halden> ::quirks a brow at Gabby:: Gabby: I do, actually. I can't say I'm too good at it, but raft-building is hardly high-art..
<Etienne> Just as long as it can stay afloat, that's all that matters. Let's go...
<Ron_SWEF> ::nods and smiles a little at Halden:: All it has to do is hold together and float...
<Halden> ::nods and holds out his hand to Gabby:: Gabby: Might need to take your rope, just in case.
<Ron_SWEF> ::pulls out her coil and hands it to Halden:: I'm staying behind, then?
<Etienne> ::nod:: Gabby: It'd probably be better if someone stayed on this side.
<Halden> ::nods again and plants a kiss on her hand before taking the rope:: Gabby: See you soon.. ::tosses his arm through the coil and starts off into the water::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby nods, then leans over in her saddle to kiss Halden just above his cheek wound:: Be careful.
<Etienne> ::smirks as he hops down to the ground and follows Halden into the water:: Take care of yourself, Étienne...
<Halden> ::calls back to her as he wades into the water:: Gabby: I'm always careful. ::winks::
<Etienne> Halden: Except for the time when you get your face cut in half... ::gives Halden a smug grin before diving into the water and starting to swim across to the "island"::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby mumbles:: Says the man with the very impressive facial scar... ::then she smiles and starts riding along the water's edge to look for other ideas. She also takes their horses with her, so they won't wander off...::
<Halden> ::starts to make a face at Etienne but winces in pain instead:: Etienne: Yeah, yeah.. ::swims after him::
<Ron_SWEF> ::the water is cold but not unbearably so, and after they get a ways from the 'shore', they can see bushes and then trees below them in the water. Eventually, though, the find themselves approaching the hill::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Cami fights her way through the crowd as they approach:: Are you two alright?
<Etienne> ::wipes some water from his eyes:: Camille: A little waterlogged, but otherwise we're fine. Looks like you people could use a hand.
<Halden> ::makes his way up onto the hill and nods to Camille:: Camille: We're the rescue.. ::looks around:: Now, how much rope do you have?
<Ron_SWEF> ::Cami thinks for a moment:: Almost enough to rig a ship, and enough canvas for the sails. Too bad we don't have a hull... ::shrugs and smiles, despite the situation::
<Etienne> ::looks at the wagons:: Camille: Looks like you've got plenty of building material to me...
<Ron_SWEF> <Cami> ::shrugs:: I guess you have a point. I've spent the last couple hours cursing a lack of pitch, I'm afraid. ::smile:: Scared spitless, really.
<Halden> Camille: Well, we've got a Plan A and a Plan B. One consists of getting those able to the other side by means of a safety line, while the other involves the building of a raft.. ::looks to Etienne::
<Etienne> Halden: Let's get started on the raft. That way we can carry supplies and anyone who can't swim.
<Ron_SWEF> <Cami> Right... First job, unloading wagons and figuring out where to put their contents...
<Halden> ::nods:: Etienne: There's no reason why we can't do both at once, as long as we have enough rope.. That way if one fails, we still have the other option.
<Etienne> Halden: Assuming we do have enough rope... Well, let's get moving before that water gets any higher...
<Ron_SWEF> ::lightning flashes to underscore Etienne's statement::
<Etienne> ::looks up at the sky:: Very funny.
<Halden> ::moves over to the wagons to dig through their contents in search of building materials::
<Etienne> ::grabs Camille's hand as she starts to walk off, pulling her back:: Camille: Are you okay?
<Ron_SWEF> ::Camille pulls off her broad hat to let the rain wash over her face for a moment:: Between you, me, and the hundred and fourteen other people on this hilltop, I'm not. I made a terrible mistake, and I've spent the last several hours expecting to see everyone die because of it...
<Etienne> ::gives her a smile:: Camille: Well, fear not, mademoiselle, for your knight in shining armor has arrived to save the day. ::looks down at himself:: Well, your knight in soaked, muddy clothes, anyway... ::puts a reassuring hand on her arm:: Don't start doubting yourself now. We've still got to save these people.
<Ron_SWEF> ::Camille smiles a little:: I'm glad you're here, Etienne... Makes me wish I'd learned how to swim, though.
<Ron_SWEF> ::Halden finds a couple hammers, a lot of rope, and no nails. There's a fair amount of iron barstock, but that's not exactly helpful at the moment::
<Halden> ::looks over to Etienne and holds up the rope he found, along with the rest that's over his shoulder:: Etienne: Think this'll be enough?
<Etienne> ::lets out a little laugh:: Camille: Plenty of time for you to learn, though after this I wouldn't blame you if you didn't want to see another drop of water ever again... ::looks over at Halden:: Oui, that should do fine. ::makes his way over to him:: What do you need us to do?
<Halden> Etienne: We need to get the rest of our materials together.. Try and remove as many solid pieces of the wagon as you can. ::looks around:: Cami: You wouldn't happen to have any barrels, would you?
<Ron_SWEF> <Cami> Several, actually. Full of lamp oil.
<Halden> Cami: If you empty them out and plug them back up, we can use them to help keep it afloat. ::starts piling the rope up::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Cami nods and heads for the wagons:: One nice thing about the rain, there's no way in Legion the oil will light... ::lightning flashes and Cami winces:: Okay, that was a stupid thing to say...
<Etienne> ::Étienne goes to help unloading and breaking apart wagons. He looks up as the lightning flashes again:: Okay, from now on, nobody else is allowed to say anything foreboding.
<Halden> ::frowns a bit but continues working, moving over to help with the wagons once the rope has been gathered::
<Ron_SWEF> <Random Guy #36> You mean, like "we're never going to get out of here alive"? ::lightning flashes::
<Ron_SWEF> ::the oil barrels are carefully rolled out of the wagons, and their contents start draining onto the 'lake'...::
<Bahime> :: backstrokes through the water, watching the living beings scramble to save themselves from something their bodies are 80% made up of::
<Etienne> ::Étienne is still helping take apart wagons while some of the peasants cover up the supplies taken from them::
<Ron_SWEF> ::some of the peasants get the idea of pouring the oil on the canvas to make them more waterproof::
<Halden> ::carries some of the wagon pieces over to his designated 'building area'::
<Ron_SWEF> ::as the barrels empty, they are rolled over to Halden as well::
<Halden> ::starts laying out the framework for the raft, hoping he can keep it all together given his resources::
<Etienne> ::after a helping take apart wagons for a while, Étienne finally takes the rope set aside for the safety line and ties it off on this end, then starts swimming back across to the other side::
<Ron_SWEF> ACTION: Half an hour passes, and the water rises another inch or so. Etienne reaches the shore, but Gabby and the horses are nowhere in sight. Halden's making progress on his raft, though he's having to practically invent knots to hold it together...
<Etienne> ::looks around, holding onto the rope. He starts to shout:: Gabby! Gabby!!!
<Ron_SWEF> ::there's another flash of lightning, and Etienne hears a whinny somewhere to the south::
<Etienne> ::he looks around for a moment, not wanting to leave the rope and risk it getting pulled into the water. Finally he locates a tree close enough and moves over to it, tying the rope around the sturdiest branch he can find. Then he quickly heads to the south::
<Halden> ::begins tying the canvas to the bottom and fastening the barrels to the sides:: Cami: We won't know if it will work until we try it.. Try to get the ones that can hold on started down the rope, just in case this doesn't work.
<Ron_SWEF> ::Cami nods and goes to talk to people::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Etienne eventually finds Gabby half a mile away, shoving a tree limb at a mass of mud and brush clogging what looks like a ditch. She's also using a steady stream of words she must have learned at her previous night job...::
<Etienne> ::since he has no compulsions about swearing, he ignores that as he rushes over to her:: Gabby: What are you doing?!
<Ron_SWEF> <Gabby> Trying a hunch... If I can push this <expletive expletive> out of the way, maybe the water will have somewhere else to go...
<Ron_SWEF> ::people start filing into the water, pulling themselves along the rope::
<Etienne> Gabby: Would you like some help?
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby hands him the limb:: Be my guest... ::pant:: I am NOT a brawny masculine type...
<Halden> ::puts the finishing touches on his giant rope tangle-, er, raft:: There! Now someone get the people with the worst injuries and the most valuable or salvageable supplies over here..
<Etienne> ::gives her a charming smile:: Gabby: Don't be so hard on yourself, mademoiselle. You're perfect just the way you are. ::he moves to the mass clogging the ditch and starts trying to push it out of the way::
<Ron_SWEF> <Cami> The people first, the supplies can wait. ::frowns and looks around:: Do you think someone can follow that rope and lead a horse at the same time?
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby gives him a quick smile as she squats down to rest a moment:: My kingdom for a shovel...
<Halden> ::shrugs:: Cami: Maybe. I don't know if the raft can hold them.. But then, I'm not sure it can even hold us yet. ::helps loading the sick and injured onto the raft::
<Etienne> ::grunt:: Gabby: My kingdom for some sunshine and a set of dry clothes... ::keeps shoving at the clog::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby stands up and gets down into the water, digging at the mess with her bare hands:: Too bad neither of us have kingdoms...
<Ron_SWEF> <Cami> ::loading people on the raft as well:: I meant a person pulling themself along the line and leading a swimming horse...
<Etienne> ::raises an eyebrow:: Gabby: You obviously haven't heard any of my stories...
<Ron_SWEF> <Gabby> Heard them, I have. Believed them for a single moment, I haven't.
<Etienne> Gabby: What is so unbelievable about me defeating the Schattenmann and being crowned the new Imperator of Eisen?
<Ron_SWEF> <Gabby> ::still digging at the muck and managing to cover herself in it quite nicely:: You almost had me until you mentioned your romantic interlude with Fauner Posen...
<Etienne> ::tries to look defensive, though it's hard to emote when you're straining to push a rather heavy object:: Gabby: So I may have exaggerated a few minor details...
<Halden> ::nods at Cami:: Cami: I know. What I'm saying is, it's the best option for getting them out until we know what this raft can handle.
<Ron_SWEF> <Gabby> And I really don't think I can or would want to believe the part about the schnitzel-eating contest in Freiburg...
<Etienne> ::chuckles:: Gabby: Those Eisen certainly do have funny games, huh?
<Ron_SWEF> ::Cami nods and starts having people lead horses behind them::
<Ron_SWEF> ACTION: Gabby starts to reply, but right about then is when her efforts and Etienne's finally shifts the mass of muck. The force of dammed water suddenly flowing sweeps her off her feet and down the ditch!
<Etienne> Whoa! ::quickly holds out the tree limb for Gabby to grab onto::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby manages to grab onto the branch, but with the water rushing around her, she can't pull herself out::
<Etienne> Gabby: Just hold on! ::starts moving back away from the ditch, trying to drag her out of it::
<Halden> ::grabs one side of the raft and yells for people to help him get it into the water::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Etienne almost manages to pull her out of the ditch, but then Gabby loses her grip on the branch, screaming as she shoots downstream::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Cami and the others push the raft into the water, careful not to jolt the people resting on top of it::
<Etienne> Gabriella! ::drops the branch and jumps in after her::
<Ron_SWEF> ::perhaps it's due to Etienne's greater size giving more to push against, or being closer to the lake, but Etienne finds himself pushed very quickly down the ditch. It's hard to say how long exactly, but eventually his hand closes on Gabriella's ankle::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Cami waves to a couple people in the water, and they lead a pair of swimming horses over to the raft, tying their reins to it so that the big animals tow the raft behind them as they head for the far shore::
<Etienne> ::as soon as he grabs hold of Gabby, he draws his bayonet with his free hand and tries to stab it into the ground to keep the two of them from going any farther::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Etienne manages to scrape up a lot of dirt, but he isn't able to sink the blade in deep enough to slow them sufficiently::
<Halden> Cami: Keep getting them out on the rope.. ::makes his way over to the rope and into the water, trying to keep up with the raft in case it starts sinking::
<Ron_SWEF> ::Cami nods and keeps directing people along the rope::
<Etienne> ~Oh, this was a fantastic idea...~ ::manages to sheathe his bayonet and then starts grasping about for something to grab onto with his hand::
<Ron_SWEF> ACTION: Moments later, Etienne slams into something - Gabriella. Apparently she just discovered an old log in the ditch the hard way, and Etienne has now discovered her in similar fashion...
<Etienne> ::grunts with the force of the impact:: Gabriella: Fancy meeting you here...
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby doesn't respond. In fact, she doesn't seem conscious. More specifically, she's bleeding from a head wound.::
<Etienne> Gabriella? ::pushes himself up and turns her over so he can get a better look at her:: Can you hear me?
<Ron_SWEF> ::she doesn't respond, and she doesn't seem to be breathing either::
<Etienne> Oh, no... ::he picks her up and carries her out of the water, lying her back down on the ground and wiping the mud off of her face, looking over her wound:: Gabby! Gabby!
<Ron_SWEF> ::she's got a nasty scrape on her head, but the fact that she's starting to turn blue seems more urgent::
<Etienne> Mon Dieu... ::turns the woman over onto her side and starts smacking her back, trying to get her to cough up the water in her lungs and wishing there was an easier way to do this::
<Ron_SWEF> ::three or four smacks later, Gabby vomits up mud and water, coughing::
<Etienne> There you go, there you go... ::gives her a couple more smacks before moving around in front of her, a relieved smile on his face:: You have got to have the worst luck I've ever seen, mademoiselle...
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby smiles weakly, looking like she wants to vomit again:: Maman always said it was the good girls who died young...
<Etienne> ::grins:: Gabriella: Lucky for us, that doesn't hold true... We'd better get back to the others. ::moves to help her up:: Can you walk?
<Ron_SWEF> ::Gabby stands up slowly with his help:: It looks like I can, for the moment. ::sigh:: You know, I'm starting to miss that night in Vergogne, spiders and all...
<Etienne> ::Étienne just laughs as he carefully leads her back to the "lake"::
<Ron_SWEF> <<<Fin, It Would Seem...>>>
15/Apr/06, 8:36 pm Send Email to Randy1012   Send PM to Randy1012 ICQ
 


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