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 Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:19 am
Prolonged exposure to Locke did the Earl no good, and in addition to his increasing blood pressure, he could hear the rest of the hunting party milling about, uncertain without their leader. He had wasted enough of their time. "Likely people I care not to know, Locke," he scowled, "and if you can bring yourself to be wise instead of clever, they will be people you will cease to know, especially those touched by superstition. Mark my words, boy," and the contained anger made his voice tremble, "if I find you associating with such company, nothing, your rook or otherwise, will have been worth your while."
A sharp tug at the reins - his steed reared and galloped towards the waiting party. Thornley watched him leave, would-be relief entirely overwritten by a sense of fear and foreboding. Accordingly, his deer came running out of the leaves, butting against his calf - as he ran a hand over Mellt's head, he turned a haunted look towards his brother.
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:20 am
Barely a beat and Nifl had followed, as if sensing through that uncanny link it was no longer imperative to hide. She ran to her Chosen and pressed lightly against the side of his long legs, glancing up briefly before looking away, a warning of the thoughts that roiled behind that bloodless, thin-lipped face as he slowly bent to deposit the flagging worm into its cage and stood back up ramrod straight.
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:20 am
It was a while before Thornley could bring himself to speak, and still he could only ask: "What do we do? What the hell do we do about the ball?"
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:21 am
His face was white, but the high, flushed points of red across his pallid cheek showed plain it was not with fear. There was no longer room for fear, not with the waves of fury that burned and pulsed and had nowhere else to spill.
"I will think of something," the white-knuckled grip of his tight fists and the wicked glitter of turning gears in his wild green eyes made clear this echo was bravado no more, "we have one and half weeks to orchestrate a plan. I have some ideas. That presumptuous old fool...as if he could dictate who I am or am not to associate with, what I am or am not to do. I'll win this war yet, brother," he finished with a creeping, steel-edged, mirthless smile, "just you watch."
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:21 am
Thornley was not quite sure about the ominosity of this speech; that and the calling of their father a 'presumptuous old fool' rather made him cringe...but he felt a surge in his chest as he mentioned 'brother' - unironically, even, and so he smiled, once more filled with sentiment and bravado. "I will, and I will help you - whatever I am able, wherever I am able. With my unmatched strength and position I am sure to be of use, and when the time is opportune, brother," so he relished on his tongue, "I am at your service, and I will carry your bidding through with aplomb."
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:23 am
Locke frowned and raised a hand to flap away the heroism, not quite liking the intrusion of it upon his flight of grandeur - then thought the better of it, carefully rubbing his fingers together to clear away the dirt as he eyed the impassioned knight with a speculative gleam.
“Well. There is one thing you can do right now.”
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:23 am
"Anything that you ask," Thornley pulled his coat straight, and neatened his hair for a more proper, stately appearance. "I will go to immediately. You need only give the word."
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:23 am
Sweeping up the battered mug, he shoved it, squirming occupants and all, against the barrel chest.
“Pick up the rest of my worms,” he airily declared, already beginning the long stroll towards the speck of the manor just visible in the distance alongside his Guardian, “and follow us back when you’re done.”
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Posted: Mon Aug 13, 2012 10:24 am
Yet another belaboured sigh as Mellt pranced about him, and Thornley had to swat him away from consuming the wriggling creatures attempting their getaway. What Lord Thornley Ormonton promised, he would do - and so the future Earl of Ashford groaned onto his knees into the mud, and proceeded to retrieve worms in the most noble and manly way he could muster. END
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