[CLOSED] Colonel Henry Cosgrove - Southern Isles

[Genrin619]

Col. Henry Cosgrove paced the length of his study, deep in thought. The sun bathed the room in a golden, early morning glow. He had not slept, the thoughts of her face tormenting him as it had countless times before. Two years had passed since Olivia's death, that beautiful human girl with the brown curls he had once hoped to marry. He could remember her deep green eyes, so full of life and laughter, and how they had dimmed in her last days as she was gripped by a terrible fever. He still felt he could have done something more, though he knew the disease had claimed many despite the efforts of the best doctors in all of Otherworld.

A knock on the door roused him from his somber reflections. "Yes, come in," he said softly, voice filled with exhaustion and greif. He leaned upon the mahogany desk as a thick set man entered, clutching an envelope. His brown hair was mussed and he seemed to be out of breath, his face flushed with the summer heat. "Message for you, sir. From the Ziggurat."

"Thank you, James." James bowed himself out as Henry opened the letter:

Col. Henry Cosgrove -

Requesting your assistance in escorting medical supplies out to the Westland Woods. It is imperative that the village of Ardmore recieves this shipment.

He skimmed the rest of the letter and folded it closed once more. "You are leaving?" He turned to see Caroline Foster (a cousin of Lady Foster from the neighboring estate) peering at him anxiously. "Miss Caroline," he bowed. She curtsied shyly in reply. "Yes, I will be leaving soon."

"How unfortunate. I was hoping to become better aquainted with you at Lady Foster's ball tomorrow." Henrry drew a deep breath and smiled politely, "A true tragedy, but I am afraid I have no choice in the matter."

"Of course... Well, safe journey Colonel. Good day." He bowed to her as she left looking rather flustered. He felt deeply sorry he could not return her affection. "Perhaps one day," he mused out loud, "Perhaps..."  

[i am the abool]

Borus watched methodically as the sparks flew every which way from the well honed battleaxe he held in his hands. As his foot pumped the petal that spun the circular grindstone he couldn't help but remember the days when such a sophisticated way of sharpening his blade would have been completely alien to him, back when he would have simply spent a few hours running a whet stone over the blade and let any chips in the edge just be memento's of the skulls it had cracked open. These days though the military insisted he kept his weapon in "tip top shape." It was easier with the steel weapon they had let him have than it had been with an iron one at least, it was lighter and far more durable. He did miss the smashing force he could get from bringing down the heavy head of an iron battleaxe onto an enemies head. He knew that he was not likely to ever wield such a weapon again though, and he figured such was probably for the best.

When he felt that the axe's blade was quite sharp enough he stood and gave it a swing, feeling the weight and measuring it to be battle ready before tucking it into a loop on his belt. He caught the eye of a young recruit eyeing him warily, a look of subtle fear in his eye. Most of the soldiers had grown used to him and his monstrous appearance, but new recruits always had to spend a few months becoming accustomed to him and his beastly manner before they would let their guards down. It didn't help that the senior soldiers would tell stories of how he was a brute and once ripped a cadet’s arms off while he was screaming for mercy. He smiled at the recruit, and laughed as he turned away and made for the barracks. Such rumors bore no place in reality, or at least the part about it being a cadet. He wouldn’t still be a soldier if that had been the case.

Having had his laugh, Borus began preparing himself for the colonel's arrival. He had heard that there was a mission that needed running, and he planned to be ready to go when the commander arrived so that hopefully he would be chosen to participate. He had no reason to stay on the isles like the other soldiers who had families, and he quite frankly got bored out of his mind with patrols. He wanted to leave the isles, for a while at least, and wonder the world again. Somehow, he knew he wouldn’t have to wait very much longer.  

[Genrin619]

Henry led his horse to the stables behind the barracks outside of town. The sun beat down on him, making sweat beads on his brow. He took out his pocket handkercheif and dabbed it away as he looked out on the training grounds. As he approached, the commanding officer put his fingers to his lips and whistled loudly. The soldiers lined up quickly in a straight line. Henry paced up and down the line. He could easily sort the newly recruited from the seasoned officers.

After much contemplation, Henry selected three strong men - one of them had little experience, but showed promise. He sighed. "This is a very important shipment," he told the captain, "Do you not have any other soldiers?" The captain nodded toward the other side of the training field where a group of soldiers were comming to join the assembled ranks.

Henry peered at them carefully - one soldier caught his eye. The soldier had helped him before on various missions and certainly knew what he was doing - his old friend Robert. The colonel greeted him with a smile. "Ah, Colonel Cosgrove. Good to see you're still alive."

"And you. Have you come to join the guard," Henry asked. The man smiled. "You know me well."

Henry turned to escort the assembled guard to the stables, but Robert caught his arm. "Colonel, don't you need another?" He made a quick head count and took another look at the second group of soldiers. "You," he said pointing at a large soldier, "The pig guy. Borus," he said, reading the soldier's name off the captain's paper after he pointed it out. Borus's brow raised. "Yeah, you. Welcome to the guard. Grab your pack and get saddled up." He turned his back as the troops were dismissed and led the way into the shade of the stables. At least he seems intelligent, the colonel decided. That's a step up from last time...  

[i am the abool]

Borus was quick to join the line as the commander called them to attention, assuming his natural stance of as close to standing up straight as he could. The natural slant of his back made standing up completely straight impossible, but he did his best. He had not had many encounters with this colonel, and had never been on assignment with him. As the man went through his choices of soldiers he was pretty sure the man wouldn't choose him; he guessed it was probably a job for more civil looking individuals. Usually they only took him places where civilized people weren't around - woods and the like where the only creatures he could scare away were dears.

When the man turned and gestured to him he, turned to look and raised an eyebrow as he heard the words "pig guy" escape his lips. He took no insult at it though, more amusement than anything. He liked an officer who could be crass, though he did hope the man didn't keep it up the whole time they worked together. He had had his share of people call him a pig, and more than one man he had ripped the arms off of - one of the men even more than one time, though that was a story of its own. He was just glad for now to have a chance to get back out there and explore the world.

Hearing the colonel's orders, he have a quick salute before turning to retrieve his things from the barracks. He didn't have much to grab, just his travel pack and some prepacked travel pouches which he tied to his belt. He quickly strapped on the few pieces of leather armor he had, namely the pieces that he could wear without having to have it customized. His boarish figure kept him from wearing much of the armor the other soldiers could wear, but his hide was thick and well worn already, so he didn't mind.

As he came out of his tent and back to the training field he went straight to the colonel, the first one ready to go. That was of course because he had no need to prepare a horse; there were none that would hold his misshapen form. Even if one could, his hoofed feet would never fit in a stirrup without falling out. He was naturally able to go wherever a horse could anyway, so most of the officers didn't mind.  

[Genrin619]

Henry shifted in his saddle, left alone with the pig creature to wait for the other soldiers. He noticed several battle scars and felt a little more secure in his choice to include him in the guard, though he was still unsure if he was civil enough to escort the caravan to safety, or if he would just loot it and run off. Henry decided to keep a close watch on soldier Borus.

One by one, the others arrived and saddled their horses. He turned to them, relieved to have soldiers at his back. "It is essential that you understand the importance of this task we have been given. The caravan we are escorting through the Badlands holds medicine for the village of Ardmore. Several women and children have contracted a fever and will not make it to see the fall harvest if this shipment is appropriated by bandits. We must not fail. Is that understood?"

"Yes, sir," they all replied in unison. "Take your positions - two on each side of the caravan. Officer Robert, I want you behind," he gave a breif hesitation as he nodded toward the pig, "Borus on one side." As the others departed to take their marks, Henry caught Borus's eye. "You. How are you for speed? Will you be able to keep up?" Without waiting for reply, he said sternly, "I will not wait for you. You fall behind, then you are left behind. But I'd suggest a horse." With that, he headed to the front of the caravan.

Henry patted his horse gently and led the caravan forward to the Badlands. He knew he'd have to make one more stop before they entered that barren wasteland. Emergency supplies and barrels of brackish water were essential, but he would have to make sure they packed just the right amount. Too little and they would dehydrate and possibly die. Too much and they'd become a target. Henry would have to ensure that it would be just enough to cross the Badlands in three days without resting. If they failed to accomplish this, it did not matter how much they ended up taking; the bandits and other creatures would have their heads before sunset...  

[i am the abool]

Borus patiently waited for the other soldiers and sized them up as they arrived. They looked seasoned, but he doubted any had spent a significant amount of time in the Badlands. He was pretty sure their commander had not either, otherwise he would opt for a safer route. He had no doubt the reason for the colonel's choice was because the supplies were needed quickly, but he might as well be inviting attack by marching a caravan through the badlands with mounted guards. He certainly did not like the way the man acted about him not taking a horse. When the man turned away he remarked with a loud snort, shaking his head as he assumed his place alongside the caravan. The respect he had given the man earlier quickly turned to disfavor when he doubted his abilities.

As they set out Borus had no trouble keeping pace with the horses. His hooved feet even left tracks not too dissimilar to from that of the horses. He had traveled months through the baren rocks of the badlands without and trouble, the soft earth of this land was no issue whatsoever for him. As they traveled Borus took to eating his travel rations, slipping the chunks of hard bread and dry beef into his large boarish mouth as they went. He knew that they would have to stop once more for supplies before they made it to the badlands. He could repelenish the rations he wasted for excess then, but he knew that the more fat he could pack on before they reached his ancestral homeland the less likely he was to starve or dehydrate, which were both real possibilities. He was sure the others would see him as a glutton for eating all his rations so quickly, but he knew better then they did about the Badlands.  

[Genrin619]

They reached the Ziggurat of Azure city just as the noon sun reached it's peak. Henry gave commands for them to wait at the gates as he tied his steed and strode inside, anger coursing through him. He passed the traders on the lower levels, shouting their bargains on water and rudimentary supplies. He leapt up the stairs to the second floor, rushing past the ambassadors in their finery; up the stairs once more, knocking into people as he went and ignoring their indignant shouts until finally he reached the top floor, somewhat winded. He burst through the tall oak doors and into the room.

"What the hell were you thinking," he shouted, his voice echoing around the chamber. Everyone turned to look at him. The stunned silence stretched on, until at last a regally adorned young man in a high backed chair spoke. "Forgive my ignorance, but what's the problem Colonel Cosgrove?" The whole room bowed as the man spoke. Henry remained still, striding over to the table where the man sat, several other men and women on either side of him.

"Sending me on that route through the Badlands is suicide. And with an armed guard? That's the same as slapping the brutes in the face and daring them to take our cargo." The man raised his eyebrows in surprise. "Oh? I was under the impression that this was the swiftest route."

"It is. But if we cut south at the crossroads instead of north, we'll only lose one day and we will have our cargo. The cliffs there will give us more cover."

The man thought for a moment. "No," he said finally, "Stick to the route as planned. The south is vampire territory. You are dismissed." Henry was seething. "As you wish," he said darkly, glaring at the man.

Henry made his way back to the trader's floor to buy supplies, all the while thinking of every scenerio that could - and would - go wrong on the north route. As the merchant's servants carried the goods into the sunlight and loaded them in with the medical supplies, a devious plot came into his mind when he saw Borus. "Bring us another supply wagon," he told the servants. His eyes met the beady black eyes of the creature's and a devilish smile spread across his lips. How interesting, he thought with a chuckle.  

[i am the abool]

When the colonel left for the Ziggurat Borus turned to the other members of the guard for the caravan, looking between them. After a moment he spoke, "I'll be heading out to get supplies and be back in about an hour. Make sure at least two people are always with the load, lest thieves greedy hands get the better of them." He told them, knowing that their supplies would need guarding even in the city, if not especially in the city. He may be a brute, but he cared about keeping the supplies guarded. If it had been a load of weapons he doubted he would care at all beyond what his commanding officer told him to do, but he didn't consider that unusual at all.

Having said his part Borus turned and went into the city, immediately heading to the butchers shop to get some salted and dried meats for the road, then headed to the market to find a good supply of radishes, some hard shelled cheeses, plenty of water, and most importantly, his truffles. It was hard to find someone that sold fine truffles outside of the large city, they weren't really considered a delicacy. It meant that he would stock up whenever he got a chance to get to the city and the fabled truffle stand. By the time his hour was done his pack was half packed with truffles of different shapes and sizes, and he wore a large smile on his face. He had just spent his entire savings on food, but he knew that when the mission was done he would get more. He also knew that they were sure to run into bandits in the badlands, who were bound to at least have some coin.

As he arrived back to the wagon chewing on his first truffle already he saw the colonel coming over as well. He wondered silently what the man’s plan was, what sort of supplies he was planning to take, and how he was going to keep a good speed while carrying enough food to keep all those horses fed in the badlands. He personally believed that the only horses they should have were the ones pulling the wagons, but it was the colonel’s call. As the man gave him a devious look though he couldn't help but look about for a moment, seeing if there was any reason for the man to give the look, then swallowed and ask with a mouth still full of truffles, "What?"  

[Genrin619]

Henry beckoned Borus to his side as the second wagon was packed with the supplies. When at last they were done, he had the troops go to the market to stock their personal provisions. While they were gone, he switched the medical supplies with the provisions so that the medicine would bring up the back of the caravan. The soldiers returned.

"I took the liberty of splitting the medical supplies between us," he lied, "this way we will not lose all of them if we are attacked. You'll take the charted route with the first shipment and Borus and I will take the longer route through the cliffs with this last shipment. Don't stop for anything. Just remember, this cargo can be replaced. Just make sure you reach the destination. We still have half and we need you to act as nurses to cure the villagers. If it is a choice between your life and the cargo, give the cargo up and keep going as fast as you can. If you see bandits and know that you are outnumbered, drop the cargo immediately and keep going. Better to be a few vials short than a few men."

He led them to the edge of the Badlands and watched them depart, waiting until he was sure that they had drawn enough attention before setting off for the southern route.  

[00Rebecca_Chambers00]

I woke as the sun beamed on me. I slowly stood up as I looked around. My amber eyes looked around and saw there was cliff. The bad part is that I saw desert everywhere. I turned in each direction as I don't remember what happened. Look down and saw I had a bruise on my arms as if someone grabbed me. I tried to recall what happened but nothing came to mind.

The only memoryies I had was remember when I was three asking one of the "Mothers" if she really was my mother. I was a quiet child as I got along with everyone and learned. But deep down I felt like something was missing. The last place I remember being was at the orphange but Mother Marie told me to go pick some barries but after that I couldn't recall. I remember my name Keira Hatake my parents are unknown to me so I wouldn't know if that's truly my name.

I shook my head as I walked a few steps but I stumbled. I didn't know whete I am nor did I know how I got here. "Where am I at?" I asked myself as the sun made me felt like i was melting. Deep in my gut I felt like something happened. I looked at my arm as I noticed the bruised on my arm looked like finger marks as if someone grabbed me roughly.  

[Genrin619]

Colonel Henry and Borus made their way through the cliffs just as the sun was setting. It had been a long day. Henry led his horse on foot, making sure he would not slip. Eventually, they came to a point where the horse could no longer continue. "I guess this is it," he said, patting the white horse fondly, "You have to do it." The horse seemed to sigh and before their very eyes, it shifted into a young-looking man. Peering into his eyes, it was plain to see he was much older than he appeared, but not as quite as old as the colonel. He was also wearing a military uniform.

"This is John," he introduced him to Borus, "We've served in the army for many years. He's like a son and a brother to me. He's a shifter, and he prefers animal forms over human ones." Borus just nodded.

"They're just so damn confusing with all the emotions and contradictions," he said shaking his head, "I don't like it. Oh, and by the way, colonel," he said over his shoulder as he led the way down the path, "There's a young girl not far off. Just there," he pointed at the horizon. Henry picked up the front handles of the supply shipment and Borus lifted the back. "Let's go see this young lady. Human?"

"Smells like."  

[00Rebecca_Chambers00]

I tried walking again but I stumbled and the fell to my knees. I felt panic rise in me as I tried to stand but my legs wouldn't move. I sighed as I concemtrated real hard to remember but nothing. The more I tried to remember my head will start pounding. I stood up again as I felt week. I looked up to see the sun was setting. "This is not good."  

[Genrin619]

Henry followed John down the trail toward the human girl. She seemed to be further away than they initially thought; about three miles. He looked up at the outline of Ravenheart as the gate sounded, signaling the time for the vampires to awaken. "There's no time. Catch up on foot," he told Borus, handing this side to John. He closed his eyes, felt a rush of air, and appeared beside the cold and frightened girl. "Shh. Here," he put his red coat around her and picked her up. "We have to get you under cover. They'll be looking for more humans to catch." He held her close to his chest and sprinted toward the nearest cave. He set her down just inside and propped her up against a wall. "Be very, very still," he told her, drawing his sword and standing guard at the mouth of the cave.

Henry heard the shouts in the distance echo around the cave, accompanied by peals of laughter and chatter. If they caught her, she'd be put on a human farm and raised like cattle. And once they felt her blood was at it's richest... He suppressed the thought and braced himself. With any luck, they wouldn't detect her and they would pass by. He was more than capeable of fighting them off, but he worried about her getting harmed by a stray blade or arrow. And if he drew too much attention, they were sure to spot the medical supplies that were so desperately needed in the Westland Woods...

The voices drew nearer.  

[00Rebecca_Chambers00]

I was starttled as I saw a man appear next to me. I wasn't frighten until he picked me up and kept me in the side. I nodded as I looked at him and I willed myself not to shake. I heard laughter and talk as I felt chills spread througj my body as if it was all familar. Memories were coming back as I remember walking back to the orphanage and saw blood. Lots and lots of blood everywhere. I covered.my mouth so I wouldn't scream. I just wated for everything to be over with.  

[i am the abool]

As Borus heard the colonel tell him to catch up he turned to see what he meant, but found him to be completely gone. It took him a few minutes to for him and John to sniff them out as being near the girl that the shifter had detected before. How they had gotten there so fast was unknown to him, but he took no hesitation setting out in a fast pursuit, his hooved feet beating fast against the desert floor. It felt good to feel the hot dry air pump through his lungs again, and brought him back to days he had left behind long before.

He remembered the last time he ran in such a way was when he was charging a vampire, the torn leather made of tanned human hides waving in the wind as his tusks angled forward for the attack. He took down two before he was brought down by a swift club to the back of his head. He imagined they would have been enslaved him or finished him off if they thought he was alive, but very few creatures could have withstood the sort of injury. Out of the attack only two had survived, him and the one of his clan he loathed most of all, Merytle. It was rather ironic she survived, but at the same time not surprising at all. Luckily she had been enslaved and he had to deal with her no more.

His thoughts returned to the presents and the smells that now entered his nostrils, an all too familiar smell. He had smelt it that day, and that had been the last time he had smelt it in the badlands. Vampires. They were close to the human and the colonel, he could tell, and he knew that they were onto them. His guess was that the vampires had taken over his crew’s old job of capturing humans entering the Badlands, and had detected the new presence as soon as it arrived. He knew the colonel was trying to hide her, but the vampires would find them soon, they already had the scent. He acted fast and let out a shrill cry, loud enough to be heard for a mile in each direction at least as it echoed through the empty desert. He waited to make sure the vampires had started after him before he turned to run, intent to lead them away from the colonel and the wagon with the supplies. The vampires had spent plenty of time in the Badlands, he was sure, but they hadn't been raised there like him. He could lead them in circles and eventually lose them, while the colonel got back to the wagons and continued on. He would catch up later, but he knew the supplies were more important than him.