| Logs |
2011 March 09
| Neverneverwhere |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
 |
| Realms: Taps Logs |
Hope You Got Your Things Together
Chanticleer is given a bunk in one of the tents and some well-deserved wine to drink before he gets his few hours' sleep. Some of the men want the story, but word is given around that the sidhe is to be left alone until morning. Chanticleer is grateful for that word; it lets him get some really much-needed sleep in for the night. Elsewhere Alg too curls up relaxedly, smugly pleased with his hiding place. No one bothers the mighty hunter unless he wishes to be bothered!
When the sun starts shining through the walls of Roy's tent, Pierce is already gone for the morning. The king stirs, nuzzling into Suraksha's hair sleepily. Mmmm. Arms full of warm and familiar body. Then it starts to actually register. He raises his head slowly and peers around, hair falling into his face. When he sees Pierce is gone, he nuzzles back into that wealth of dark hair and begins seeing how many kisses it takes before Suraksha wakes.
Suraksha is pretty lost to the world... but not so lost that a lovely and affectionate lover can't eventually call her back from very deliciously tingly dreams! She mmms with sleepy pleasure, nuzzling into the warmth and wriggling closer, sighing contentedly as she slowly awakens. Once she's fully awake she's quite happy to return the favor! Roy is sleep-tousled and drowsy, but he's awake enough to say, "You got the damnedest habit of doin' jest exactly what you wanna do. Cain't decide if it's charmin' or irritatin'."
Suraksha beams drowsily at Roy, "Aww, you say the nicest things!" She giggles, letting her fingers explore under the blankets as she yawns, then adds, "Umm... so what did I do that I wanted to do that was charmingly irritating?" She blinks again as she sleepily studies Roy, then sighs happily and nuzzles up under his chin again, mumbling, "'ve I tol' you you're 'dorable inna morning all rumpled?"
Roy finds his irritation has melted away somehow and he makes some quite happy noises as her hands go exploring, "Mmmm? Runnin' off like that while Pierce went all momma hen on me."
Suraksha awws in commiseration as she slithers happily under the covers. For a moment her voice drifts muffledly back, "And he left this morning too... isn't Pierce a nice man?" After that, though, she's busy doing her best to distract Roy entirely -- and perhaps to help a little with the energetic buildup she promoted the previous day! There are some situations in which Roy is quite easily distracted; this is one of them. Of course, he realizes she's changing the subject on purpose, but there's no way he can bring himself to protest -- not when he so enjoys the new track their conversation has taken, at least.
Outside, people are beginning to stir for the day -- including Chanticleer's tent-mate, who offers to bring back food for the sidhe. Chanticleer yawns as he stretches. "Neh, but thanks. I'll go with you to the cook, actually." He grins wanly. "I need to wake up sometime." Once he leaves the tent, Chanti finds himself rather the center of attention. Since Suraksha still hasn't come out of Roy's tent and Alg is nowhere to be found, the sidhe is the only source the men have of any information about yesterday's denouement.
Chanticleer is a little surprised, but tries to describe what happened in as great detail as possible. He doesn't want to leave anything out, either for their information or for their entertainment -- except the parts where Suraksha turns into a tiger, of course. The men hang on the sidhe's words, not seeming to notice the careful glossing of the presence of a large and deadly cat.
Suraksha sighs contentedly some time later, curled up on Roy with her head under his chin and his arms wrapped warmly around her. She's more awake now, and musing aloud, "Roy, sweet man, I have a question, please? Why, uhmm... why does everyone seem to feel you've forgotten the dead that helped you achieve the throne?" She thinks a bit, then curiously adds, "Have you thought about something like... ohh... like a city-wide holiday on that day, to commemorate them?"
Roy sighs at the question and strokes Sura's hair quietly for a moment, "I truly ain't got no idea, cherie. There's a coupla memorial statues to 'em. Mebbe they think I oughta've taken in all the families left b'hind."
Suraksha sighs softly, running one hand gently over Roy's front, "I'm sorry, sweet man. Well... if a holiday's not feasible, could you maybe... hmm... well, Renoir's not very rational, I fear, but might any of the other prisoners give you some idea why they feel that way?"
Roy kisses the top of her head and says, "I can declare a holiday, I s'ppose. But talkin' to the rest of 'em might gimme an idea where to start."
Suraksha smiles quietly, "Sounds good to me, lovely man. You can only try your hardest, after all... past that, there's not much a body can do." She thinks for a moment, then adds in a far more alert and conversational voice than before, "Also... hungry!" She sits up a bit, sniffing the air, then announces happily, "I smell bacon -- and maple syrup!" She giggles, nipping lightly at Roy's ear and wriggling, "C'mon, let's go eat!"
Roy is slower to get out of bed than Suraksha, watching her pull her clothes on. He chuckles, "Sorry we ain't got steaks for ya."
Suraksha grins cheerfully at the king, "Oh, bacon works just fine too!" Since she's only got a long, clean tunic by this point, it doesn't take her long to rinse off and get dressed. She swiftly braids her hair, adding, "For me, it's really a lovely hot bath I'm currently longing for!" She thinks about that for a moment, then grins, "After breakfast, of course!" She tosses the completed braid over her shoulder, where it bounces lightly off her small rump as she yells, "Last one out's gotta pay for breakfast!" and darts for the doorflap, giggling!
Chanticleer is already eating dinner with the men, listening to their own stories and catching up on what's been going on in Baton Rouge. He realizes halfway through the scrambled eggs and the sausage that he's been eating breakfast, not dinner. It occurs to him they'd been up for way too late the night before.
Roy pulls on his trousers and a loose shirt before getting into his boots and chuckling, following his lady-love out of the tent, calling, "I'm payin' for the whole shebang, cherie! And you ain't likely to get a bath in a bivouac." He nods to the guards outside the tent.
The barefoot, bare-legged, coltish-looking woman pauses, her woebegon expression dramatically overstated, "Awww! You take all the fun out of it!" She giggles, then trots over to get food, beaming at the cook. Without meaning to, she causes a few of the less... experienced young men to cough over their food and stare wide-eyed after her.
Alg comes bounding out from under a wagon, startling two of the guards as he leaps right over them to get to Suraksha, "Alg hungry too!" She laughs and ruffles his spiky headfur as he rubs casually against one of her legs, like a cat, "There's plenty for all of us, sweetie." She'll get a bowl each for herself and Alg, handing the goblin the first bowl, then accepting Roy's plate as well. She grins as she shyly asks if she might have a bit more, please? Her bowl is quite stuffed as she heads back to Roy with her hands full. This time she has no trouble balancing the utensils, and she laughs softly as someone murmurs in awe behind her, "How'za bitty li'l girl like that eat so much?!"
Chanticleer swallows the egg and sausage he'd been chewing on, stifling a laugh at the murmur. He doesn't answer, naturally, but it's hilarious all the same. Roy snorts and puts his hand on top of the man's head, turning it in a direction other than Suraksha's derriere, "Ain't you never heard 'bout not judgin' a book by its cover?" He scoops up his own breakfast and spots Chanticleer, waving to the sidhe.
Chanticleer smiles and nods to Roy, giving a half-wave/half-salute to the King. Roy has improved a lot since he was last here; the sidhe has gained a lot of respect for him since that first day Suraksha showed up. Chanti wonders if he would want to go back... then decides no; his place for now is on the road with the caravan. The time of selling his sword is past. Suraksha giggles up at Roy, her eyes sparkling with mischief, "Oh, so you're saying the insides don't measure up to the cover, eh?"
Roy kisses the tip of her nose and says, "I'm sayin' there's more to ya than meets th' eye."
Suraksha grins up at Roy again, clearly delighted at his reaction. She smiles down at the men sitting where Roy is, politely asking them if she might have a little bit of space so she can sit next to Roy? The guards are hastily courteous in shifting over for her, and she wriggles in next to Roy on the big old fallen log they're using for seats around the fire. She dedicates herself for a few intent minutes on simply tidily devouring part of her breakfast... then she sighs contentedly, glancing around, and says curiously to the guards, "So... all of you here. Do any of you have an idea how Roy might convince the folks back home that he's not forgotten those who died in battle with him, during the taking of Baton Rouge? Or any idea why this keeps happening? Is it that the families are destitute or something? Surely they can't all be?"
Chanticleer swallows the last bit of food from his bowl, moving the short distance to the dish-washing rack as he listens in on the conversation. This is of concern to him. He doesn't work for Baton Rouge's crown anymore, but it's important to the Lady; and, well, he's still fond of the place. Alg grunts and mutters to himself, still messily wolfing down his food. Chanticleer doesn't find a rack, and remembers the patrols they went on. He rinses out the bowl with water and sand, making sure it's clean before returning it to the pile, and resuming his seat.
There are some murmurs of confusion around the circle. One or two of the men shift uncomfortably. Roy is looking around, checking to see who looks like they might have an idea. Finally one of the men speaks up, "The families aren't destitute, ma'am. Some of the ones that were in power aren't any more."
Chanticleer taps his chin. "Are they jealous, then? Or... pining after the 'good old days'?"
Suraksha nods interestedly at that person, swallowing the bite she's chewing before she says, "So... the folks that are angry -- none of them are actually in financial peril?" She pauses, her eyes narrowing in thought... then says slowly, "How about all of you? How are your families set up, should something bad happen?" She quietly notes who shifted uncomfortably -- those she wants to speak to later, in private, to see what they know that they do not wish to mention publicly.
Roy listens intently while not seeming to. Another of the men, with a deep voice, rumbles, "Most of the folks that were rich under the old regime either ain't rich no more or ain't in town. None of 'em are beggars or nothin'..." Another picks it up, "But they aren't living off the fat of the land like they used to. Used to be a lot more people starvin'."
Suraksha nods interestedly, eating as she listens. She finishes her bite, then says thoughtfully, "So you'd say... hm. It sounds like what you're telling me is the folks who're agitating against Roy are either formerly affluent... or slightly deranged, like poor Renoir and Mami Chat?"
There's a few snorts at that. John speaks up, "Renoir was in love with the cousin that died. Plus, he was in big with the old regime. As for Mami Chat... who can say."
Chanticleer asks carefully, "About how many of the old regime are still out there?"
Roy perks up a little at the question. "Been wonderin' that myself. Thought most of 'em fled." There's some talk around the circle of men and numbers as low as, "a couple," and as high as, "Dunno, mebbe twenny?" are tossed around.
Chanticleer grimaces. With 'twenty,' that means a lot of people may be taking advantage of any sort of weakness perceived in Roy. The guards should try to get him back to Baton Rouge as soon as possible. Suraksha listens to the guards talk, pleased to see how quietly loyal they are. When the conversation dies down a bit, though, she repeats her previous question, "So have you all provided for your families should something happen to you?" Again, without being obvious about it, she's watching carefully for those who look uncomfortable. She figures those are the ones Roy might want to see if he can help a little, as a good patron. No sense in leaving emotional chinks like that in the men and women who are his main protection, after all.
There are a few uncomfortable-looking men around the circle, but there are also several who nod to her question. More than half, however, make some sort of comment about not having a family to worry about. It's true most of the men are in their late teens or twenties, but it's a large number of unattached males. Chanticleer nods a little; he's sure death isn't the first thing to come to mind for a guard, even a king's guard. He's glad some have provided for their families. It's not a comfortable question to answer.
Suraksha is not really surprised to see Mary is one of those without families. She eyes the woman thoughtfully, wondering if the guard would like meeting Hippolyta and Philippa... or maybe even traveling with the caravan. She wonders also what caused Mary to apply for this job. Roy doesn't really have the rep for being a, umm... equal opportunity guard employer! She grins and cheerfully nudges Roy, "So, in our caravan we make sure we know who's the inheritor of property in case of accident... and I have on occasion given loans to folks who needed to know their families were safe before they left. Can you do something like that for those of your guards who need it?"
Roy arches a brow and says, "Cherie, I ain't best with that kinda stuff." He turns to Pierce and asks, "We keep up with alla that?"
The chirurgeon nods, "We do. When the men sign up, their next-of-kin goes into the ledger along with their name, age, and so forth. Those with next-of-kin, that is."
Roy nods, thinking on that. He looks at Suraksha and says, "We take care o' widdas an' orphans, too. Or I will, if we ever get some 'cause of a guard dyin'. It ain't come up yet." A moment later he adds, "Well, not since the takin' o' the city."
Pierce says, "Well, back then there was no treasury to speak of. There are some folk employed at the palace now that got their job because someone in their family died in the battles to put Roy on the throne."
Suraksha frowns thoughtfully, her gaze going to Pierce, "So- oh!" She smiles at Roy as he answers her question. She has a few more bites of food, then thoughtfully glances at one of those who looked uncomfortable, "So if I just randomly point at someone like... like you?" she grins at the guard, "then you or Pierce could tell me how your family is set up for in case of your death?" She checks the man's chakras, curious as to his reply.
Chanticleer taps his chin. Clearly Suraksha thinks there's going to be more fighting in the near future. The young man Suraksha points at blushes and ducks his head, mumbling, "My missus works at the palace. We got a bit put by."
Suraksha blinks curiously at the young man, and her voice gentles, "I apologize; I don't know your name, and I'm being terribly forward, I know. May I ask why you're concerned, though?"
The young man blushes again and peeks up at Suraksha, then looks away, "I ain't concerned, ma'am." He doesn't seem to be lying. He just seems to be shy -- perhaps because she looks half-dressed right now.
Suraksha grins reassuringly at him, "All right, I'll ask someone else, if you don't mind, then?" She lets her gaze idly scan the guards for a moment, as if she's picking randomly again -- and to give them a moment for one of them to speak up if they wish.
Several of the guards around the circle are looking thoughtful at her questions, as if they hadn't really considered it. No one seems to really want to speak up, though, and the next guard she points at actually squirms a little bit, "Ain't thought much about it either, ma'am. My ma is my next o' kin. My pa left her some land when he died, so she don' need much from me." One or two others volunteer their plans. Only a couple seem to have some sort of savings set by. It would seem guardsmen are perhaps a bit impetuous by nature. Roy is chuckling a little and turns the tables slightly. He looks at Chanticleer, "What 'bout you, Chanticleer?"
Suraksha grins amusedly at how, umm... short on planning the young are! She says nothing more, though -- she's put the thought in their heads, and that's the best she can do for now. Neither Roy nor Pierce are dumb, after all; she suspects they'll soon quietly make sure no one is blackmail-able in that fashion. Chanticleer purses his lips a little, then says in answer to Roy, "No immediate family, no." He adds, smiling, "None who would be coming to try and collect on any wages owed, or death-payouts."
After breakfast the men start breaking down the camp for the journey back to the city. Their objective, after all, has been met -- even if they aren't the ones that met it. Chanticleer helps to break down, but mostly assists Suraksha and prepares Chevrefoil. He isn't going to ride Chevrefoil back, not when the other guards are walking, though he does hope Suraksha will accept the ride; despite her eating earlier, he suspects she's still hungry. Suraksha cheerfully asks Roy and Pierce -- so the doctor can grab Roy immediately if necessary -- who amongst the guard will be continuing onwards to check on Lafayette Carrefour, while Roy heads back to Baton Rouge. "That was the original goal, after all, wasn't it?"
Roy points out a contingent of perhaps six guards who are packing their things together and looking over a map, "They are. With Mami Chat gone, pretty sure he's gonna be jest fine."
Suraksha looks relieved, "Ah, good! Glad to hear it." She smiles up at the king, adding, "So... you planning on being busy when you get back? How're you going to sneak secretly in?"
Roy chuckles and says, "Me an' Pierce'll break off outside the city and use a back entrance ta the palace. Ain't the first time I hadda sneak in er out."
Suraksha nods thoughtfully, "All right. I think Chanti and I may veer off too... we want to go say hello to Froid Jacques again, after all."
Roy chuckles, "He ain't real happy wi' me. Don' like havin' someone on his ass alla time."
Suraksha grins at Roy over her shoulder as she gathers up her small bag, "No! Really?" She's set to walk along with everyone else; the horses drawing the wagons don't need her weight added, after all. She heads on over to Chanti, Alg pattering along relaxedly with her, "So is it all right with you if we stop by Froid Jacques on the way home?"
Chanticleer nods, "Sure! I was hoping we could stop by him as it is."
Suraksha beams and looks pleased, "Excellent! I think he's just the person to give Mami Chat's staff to."
Roy's tent and belongings are packed up by the guardsmen, and the pack animals are being loaded. There are perhaps half a dozen horses that seem to be other than pack animals; two of them are brought over for Roy and Pierce. It's Mary leading them. Suraksha stays well away from the horses, not wanting to cause any shying into the actual swamp. She catches Roy before his belongings are all packed, though, and asks for the staff, please?
The staff is returned to Suraksha without comment, though the men seem distinctly nervous around it. Once upon a time that might have been called superstition; now it's just called caution. Suraksha is relieved when Roy makes sure the staff is returned to her; she has no idea if it has any magic wound into it, but wouldn't be surprised in the least if it did -- Mami Chat planned ahead, after all. It would be truly unfortunate if someone loyal attacked Roy because of the staff, and Sura plans to be sure that doesn't happen.
Chanticleer provides a length of cloth to wrap the staff in and keep it out of view and isolated from touch, in case that might help. Suraksha thanks Chanticleer and happily does so. She's relieved she has the staff for another reason too, actually -- now if a horse shies violently away from her, folks will assume it's the staff, not her! Roy and Pierce are the only ones mounted on the returning party. The other horses are given to the guards going deeper into the swamp. Two of those men are small, dark-skinned, and almost identical. They stay afoot and ahead of the mounted men. Sura ties the staff across her back, then wanders up near Mary at one point and smiles, "Hi! Umm... may I ask you a question? Those two men up front -- do you know if they're supernaturals?"
Mary looks where Suraksha is pointing and says, "They aren't. Not directly. The story is that their great-grandma was a fairy or something. Mostly, they each seem to know what the other's thinking, and they can track almost like bloodhounds."
Suraksha raises a curious eyebrow, "Really? Interesting!" She will walk along next to Mary for a bit if the guardswoman doesn't seem uncomfortable with her. The smaller woman grins, "So despite all his grousing, Roy managed to find replacements for Alg and Chanti immediately?" Alg mutters disdainfully, trotting past Suraksha to circle the two men and sniff intently at them. The two small men recognize Alg and offer their hands almost as one. They speak quietly to the goblin, who perks up and seems to know them as well. Suraksha watches for a moment, then raises her eyebrows again, "Ah... so they've been guards for a while then?"
Mary nods, "For a good while, yes. I think I was a replacement for Chanticleer and Alg -- myself and George." Pain flickers across her face for a moment.
Chanticleer hmms softly at the two men, and tells Suraksha, "Actually, I remember them. Sort of, at least. Guillaume and Edouward. Creole. They're also what someone called 'Irish Twins' once. Guillaume is older than Edouard by only ten months. They never really mixed with the other guards much." He huhs, adding, "I guess they got a promotion?"
Suraksha is happy to introduce Chanticleer to Mary, and she nods thoughtfully at his words. "What are Irish twins?" She watches Mary's face, then says softly, "I am so sorry. Is there anything I can do?" She thinks a moment, then tilts her head inquiringly, "Why did you join such an old-boys network, if I may ask?"
Mary actually smiles a little, but it's a tight smile, "I'm the youngest of twelve -- and the only girl. I'm used to it."
Alg comes bounding back from talking to the two guardsmen, checking with a glance that Suraksha is fine and with Chanticleer. After that the goblin importantly trots to the front, leading the group in. Suraksha smiles in quiet sympathy at Mary, "I see. Well, at least Roy is fair -- if he sees any of the men trying to push you around he'll put a stop to it." She doesn't mention -- she doesn't need to, she knows -- that the men are unlikely to try any crap like that where it can be stopped, of course. Instead the Hetaera muses aloud, "Would you be interested in meeting some of the warrior women of the caravan, Mary?" Internally she hopes the expedition stays as slow going home as it was going out -- she's running on limited energy right now, and she knows it.
Mary shifts her pack -- which is no smaller than any the men are carrying -- on her back as she thinks about the offer, "You got a lot of that kind?"
Suraksha smiles thoughtfully, "Well... not really. All of us can pick up a weapon and use it if necessary, of course -- that's sometimes critical, on a caravan. But the Amazon girls? Yes, they're definitely women warriors. They trained many of the rest of us to shoot and to ride, in fact." She grins mischievously, "Well... those of us that can, at least. I'm a horrible rider, I fear!"
Chanticleer is somehow not surprised Suraksha is offering to take in Mary, though a part of him is amusedly wondering if Roy will think the Lady is purposely poaching his retinue! Roy catches the last part of this as he trots up beside Suraksha and he laughs, "Damn, cherie, tryina steal another one?"
Suraksha blinks up startledly at Roy -- then laughs, "Nooo! No, you great silly -- I'm just trying to make sure she's where she wants to be!" Ruefully she adds, "You know as well as I do there are men who consider a woman guard as a personal affront. Who wants to put up with that crap?" She carefully steps so the horse doesn't suddenly catch her scent and do something embarrassing, like shy off the trail and into the stream flowing nearby.
The horse seems a little restive and Roy has to rein it in tightly, smirking as he does so, "An' if they do, they can kiss their job g'bye. Mary di'n't get the job 'cause she's pretty. She got it 'cause she can kick ass an' take names. Found 'er inna tavern winnin' a brawl." Mary clears her throat and glances away, seeming bashful about that.
Suraksha snorts amusedly, "Oh, yes, that sort of man will always conveniently be a pest in public... and Mary will, of course, run immediately to your Captain of the Guard if she's pestered." She smiles at Mary, adding, "Hopefully the brawl wasn't due to someone being a pest there too?" Chanticleer blinks a bit in surprise -- not that he thought Mary was incapable of that, but rather where Roy says he found her. Suraksha grins and adds, with her nose upturned in teasing hauteur, "Besides! I did not steal Chanti and Alg!"
Roy arches his brows, "You di'n't, huh?" He calls to Chanticleer, "Were you stole out from unner me, Chanti?"
Suraksha gives Roy an incredulous grin, "Roy! Majesty, just what do you think you're doing? You be nice to Chanti!"
Chanticleer is cheerful, but does hope this does not turn uncomfortable. Still, Roy seems satisfied and happy, as well as comfortable with the number of guards -- and most of all, has done well after Alg and the sidhe left. He gives a start at the direct question, "I can't rightly say that I was, Sir, I must admit!" Suraksha giggles at the sidhe's reply.
Roy snorts, "Damn. Well, there goes the biggest part of my argument." Suraksha laughs delightedly, and Roy grins comfortably. Mary clears her throat and says, "No'm. Actually, I was a little drunk and got belligerent over a game of cards that I thought I was being cheated in." Roy speaks up, "Probably were, too, seeing where you were an' all." Mary ducks her head slightly and then goes on, "The fellow I punched and called a cheat had a lot of friends."
Suraksha smiles at Mary, puzzled as to why the girl is suddenly so shy... then she blinks, covering a grin. Could Mary have a crush on Roy? The woman is right where she wants to be, then, if so... although it'll give poor Mary no good in the long run. Sex with Roy would utterly destroy her rep as a guard. "Well, if you'd like to meet the Amazons, Mary, do stop by sometime when you're off duty, all right?" Suraksha feels a little sorry for the poor girl, and hopes she herself is wrong about a possible crush. Instead she asks Roy, "So, a day to get back, just like it took to get out here?"
Mary nods and says, "I heard stories about the warrior women of the plains. I think I'll do that." Roy shakes his head and chuckles, muttering about stealing all his guards as he urges the horse on up the line to check on the rest of the men. He confirms they expect to take a day to get back, so they might have to camp for the night again. Suraksha looks relieved at that news, although she's careful to not let it show on her face while Roy is watching.
Chanticleer smiles wryly and says softly, "He's maybe a little right, Lady."
Suraksha gives Chanti a curious glance, "Who, dear? Roy? In what way?"
Chanticleer smiles, "Just kidding, actually. I meant he was maybe a little right in that you stole me from him. Though at that point I was looking to be elsewhere. I'm very glad you came by when you did and offered to take me on."
Suraksha chuckles at Chanticleer, "I didn't steal you, dear -- you're your own person! I just offered you another path." She laughs suddenly, cheerfully adding, "If anyone 'stole' you, it'd be Sna'tha!"
Chanticleer laughs quietly, "A good point, yes!"
The prisoner is on one of the pack horses, strapped across its back like another sack of meal -- Roy doesn't think the man will willingly or easily walk back under his own power. Suraksha walks with everyone else during the tramp back to town, but rapidly realizes she's still exhausted. When they pause for lunch she's very quiet, struggling not to fall asleep where she sits. Chanticleer murmurs to Suraksha, "If you wish to take a nap while riding Chevrefoil, I'm sure he won't mind. Er... if you even can, that is. Is there anything I can do for you?
Suraksha tiredly gives Chanticleer a grateful look, "Oh, would you mind? That'd be simply lovely!" Ruefully she whispers to him, "I'm trying to not be a drag on the group, but... I'm really fighting falling asleep, I'm afraid. I've got to eat first, though... or I'll collapse when I least expect it."
Roy too notices Suraksha is nodding, as he makes his rounds of the men at luncheon. He crouches beside her, voice soft so as not to be overheard except by Chanticleer, "Y'all had a lotta excitement. Cain't blame ya fer bein' tired." He quietly makes sure his own rations are given to Suraksha.
Chanticleer smiles quietly, nodding. "I've found a few ways to sleep in the saddle during long marches, and Chevrefoil will understand."
Suraksha gently squeezes Chanticleer's hand in relief. She's stifling a yawn as she smiles sleepily at Roy, "Sweetie, I can't eat all your food -- that's not fair."
Roy smirks and pats his stomach, which isn't at all flabby, "I can miss a few meals."
Suraksha is hungry enough that her stomach growls audibly -- which embarrasses her, "Oh, dear. I -- I guess I should eat, definitely." She doesn't want Roy to know she's this tired due to being a shapeshifter, but she also doesn't want to fall over during the march. She hesitates, then offers to share with him instead? She's hungry enough by now that she neatly wolfs her own food, but she manages to stop herself in time with Roy's.
Roy shakes his head and refuses, "Go on, cherie. I won't fall over from hunger and you look just a little peaked." Suraksha wavers a bit, anxiously checking -- they're not short on rations, are they? Maybe... maybe she and Alg could go hunting if so? Roy reassures her they're not at all short, having expected to be gone longer than they have been. He smirks at her anxiety and says, "Don't make me force-feed you, girl."
Suraksha sighs in relief, "Really? Oh... oh, good." She blinks at Roy's 'threat' -- then giggles tiredly. With that, she swiftly consumes Roy's lunch as well... then nearly dozes off again as she waits for the rest of the men to finish lunch. Chanticleer, while Suraksha is catnapping, asks Chrevrefoil to let Suraksha sleep while the stag carries her. He's not quite sure how the fey stag does it, but Chevre does seem to be able to moderate his gait a little and make it less abrupt and bouncy.
After lunch Suraksha climbs up into the saddle with a bit of help from Chanticleer, and an apology to Chevrefoil. She manages to stay mostly upright, although it's clear she's occasionally dozing off in the saddle as they go. The rest of the day goes as might be expected: the men walk. The horses walk. The time passes. Roy, along with Pierce, is constantly on the move along the line of men. They both seem concerned with the guards, making sure no one stumbles or goes off the path into the swamp.
It's just barely evening when Roy calls a halt, and the men go to work efficiently setting up camp. Mary pitches in and does just as much work as any other guard. Chanticleer gently nudges Suraksha to let her know they've arrived at the place to camp for the evening. Suraksha is feeling much better after food and rest! She opens her eyes and smiles down at Chanticleer, whispering thanks to him and Chevrefoil both.
Suraksha helps with setting up as much as she can, although she's not entirely sure where she's useful here, and she doesn't want to get in the way. She's also careful to keep the staff neatly and firmly bound to her back as well. She will quietly check with Chanticleer: does he have a place to sleep? Is that tent he was in last night still available to him?
Chanticleer nods. "I've a place, yes," he says, smiling. "They've been very good at allowing me to sleep with the troops again. There shouldn't be any problem with me sleeping in the same place tonight."
Suraksha is relieved to hear that; she already knows Alg sleeps wherever he wants to! She sidles up next to Roy at one point when he's alone, tapping his shoulder so he'll bend down enough for her to whisper, "Can I share your tent with you and Pierce tonight, sweetie?"
Roy smirks and murmurs back, "Naw, but you can share it with jest me. Pierce already said he's gonna bunk with the boys tonight. Seems t' think I might want some privacy."
Suraksha blinks, then giggles at that, leaning against Roy as she hugs him, "Oh, lovely! Thanks so much, sweet man." She adds apologetically, "Sorry I'm so grubby -- I didn't really pack for a long trip, I'm afraid!" Roy, having noticed Suraksha's exhaustion through the day, is rather tender that night with her. In fact, he rather spoils her, making sure she gets plenty of rest -- though he's not above seduction if she seems up to it. Suraksha enjoys herself tremendously that night -- she's almost startled at how sweet Roy is!
The next day they only have a few hours' easy marching before they heave to in sight of the city, and Roy and Pierce have to take their leave to get back to the palace. If Roy's mount doesn't spook, and Chevrefoil is willing, Suraksha will lean over to give Roy a kiss before he leaves. After that she smiles down at Chanticleer, pushing herself back to sit behind the saddle, "Let's go say hello to Froid Jacques, yes?"
Chanticleer nods to Suraksha, smiling as Chevrefoil heads off at pace to the city ahead of the troops. Alg stares with narrowed eyes at the troops, then decides they should be able to find the mansion-palace without him at this point, especially since the city is in clear view. He turns and bounds after his companions, well pleased with a job well done.
Suraksha wraps her arms about Chanticleer's waist, adding quietly to him, "I'm going to be glad to get this staff safe and sound into Froid Jacques' hands. Bet he'll be glad to hear the guard can leave him alone now too!" She smiles ruefully as she adds, "I think I want to talk to Damballa too, if I can. I want to know if we're right in what we're assuming regarding Mami Chat's death."
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