"So." Krasala - she had no last name, nor maiden name - ran a hand back through her short blond hair. She was quite aware of the aesthetic advantages of growing it out, and that her husband would very much appreciate it. But, having been on the Force longer even than she, he understood the martial appropriateness of it just as she did. "You're the infamous Moon who is always driving Swordsman crazy. And now we have to guard you."
"We" was Krasala and her brother Slade, whose hair was only a bit shorter than Krasala's, and spiked. He currently sat on the other side of the homicidal-looking princess, the three of them on the floor of her bedroom, leaning against the bed.
"What of it?" above-mentioned-homicidal-looking-princess replied.
"So." Slade repeated. "Shall we just sit her silently, or do you have anything interesting in your life?"
__________________
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag. - Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
"My husband wants me to see him off on his lovely mission with your rotten commander...& that's what I intend to do, whether you like it or not." Moon jumped to her feet, thankful that she was still agile enough to do so. She sniffed. "And we shall see about this 'guarding'. I have no need to be guarded." She began to walk toward the door with purposeful strides.
__________________ "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."
And before she could protest, Slade stood before her, holding the door open. A ring of metal-on-metal from behind her announced that Krasala had drawn one of her two long daggers; Slade's open hand carried a long, thin, sabre. "Let us go see him off, then, if we are in time. But you will have to come to terms with the reality that we will always be guarding you."
__________________
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag. - Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
"Damn you, Nękos...." she muttered, & exited the room. She hurried through the corridor, outside, very aware of her guards. This, she thought, is going to get very old, very fast. "Can you at least give me some BREATHING room?" she growled as she went.
__________________ "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."
"If I wanted to deny you breathing room," Krasala replied sweetly, hooking an arm around Moon's shoulder, "I would do something like this." She planted her cheek right against Moon's, rewarded with a violent shake that dislodged her. "See? It's not so bad like this. We have to stay close enough to keep you safe. And when you get to know us, we're really not that bad."
__________________
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag. - Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
"I'd rather get to know the plague," she muttered. Then, she said aloud, "And what do I need to be kept safe from? I'm married...to the son of the one who hunted me in the first place." She considered her situation, & in a bemused way realized that not even Lord Tellurine would be after her now.
__________________ "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."
__________________
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag. - Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
"Because he cares about you more than you can imagine," Krasala said simply.
__________________
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag. - Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
"So I've been told," Moon replied, a little less cold than before, & kept her steady pace. "But there is no need. I am in no danger here." She paused, but continued her walk, then continued in a low voice, "This is ridiculous...he & I are going to have a little talk about this before he leaves. And how can Meekal allow this?" She didn't know how, but oh...she'd make them both pay.
__________________ "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."
"Meekal allow it? I wouldn't imagine he has much of an option," Slade began.
Krasala finished it. "He does not know what specific dangers there may be, but he assumes they are everywhere. And he does not wish to risk you again while he is gone. You should hear how he berates himself for the times he has left you."
__________________
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag. - Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
"He...what?" Moon stopped. She turned on her guards, brows knitted in confusion. "Meekal does what?" She looked from the man to the woman, completely clueless about what they were talking about. When did Meekal leave her?
__________________ "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."
Krasala smiled. "No, I apologize. Meekal does not have the control to allow it or not; Nękos, is the paranoid one."
__________________
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag. - Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
"He...Nękos...is what?" A light was dawning in Moon's mind. But still, she was confused. "Wait...stop...please, explain this to me." She would have blamed her state of mind on being upset that Meekal was leaving, or even her pregnancy, but this utter confusion made her almost dizzy. She had the distinct feeling she was missing a piece of the puzzle, & maybe these guards would be useful afterall.
__________________ "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."
"Very simply, Nękos is unbelievably paranoid." Slade had removed a small, whittled piece of wood from a pocket, and was now chewing on it. "Not that I blame him."
Krasala: "The fact that something happened to you just about every time he was more then ten feet from your side really didn't help. Like I said, you wouldn't believe how much he regrets letting that all happen to you, just to try to give us a break before. Didn't want to tear me away from my Ozz, see. Well, he doesn't intend to make that mistake again."
__________________
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag. - Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
Moon looked at Krasala. "What?" Then she looked at Slade with a look that could kill. "And what's that supposed to mean?" Moon looked back at the woman again, & said, "Surely he doesn't blame himself for what has happened to me in the past..."
__________________ "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."
Krasala nodded. "He does blame himself for allowing it to happen - hence, your current company. Not bad company, though, if I do say so myself."
"And please, spare us the looks," Slade implored. "I mean no offense to your new husband; I speak only of the Swordsman's stubborness."
__________________
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag. - Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
"Yes, well..." Moon began to walk again, her new shadows matching her stride, to her surpreme annoyance. "I'm stubborn too. And as much as I love my 'current company', this is not going to last." She glared sideways at Slade. "And I was referring to that 'not that I blame him' comment. Why should you not blame him for being paranoid?"
__________________ "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."
__________________
It is the soldier, not the reporter, who has given us the freedom of the press. It is the soldier, not the poet, who has given us the freedom of speech. It is the soldier, not the campus organizer, who gives us the freedom to demonstrate. It is the soldier who salutes the flag, who serves beneath the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protestor to burn the flag. - Father Dennis Edward O'Brien, USMC
"No. He's not a very 'touchy, feelie, sharing' kind of man." Moon sighed. "Just when you think you're getting to know him, his walls go up...then he pushes you away. It's so frustrating...so irritating...and yet so sad." She looked to Krasala & said, "In the past, I would have loved to know him. To really know him. Yet he made that impossible. And so I gave up without even trying." She shook her head. "I just don't understand him sometimes."
__________________ "Words are, of course, the most powerful drug used by mankind."
Linear Mode
