Post by Jacob Tanner on Jul 23, 2017 17:41:21 GMT -8
[From the chat]
Tanner stoked the flames. It being summer, the fire needn't be but half the normal size reserved for colder months. That meant he had to tend to it more often least it be extinguished by a stray breeze. Well, either him or Phillip had to tend to it. 'Being the two lowest ranking in the outfit did not come without its disadvantages' he had always said. And had been told.
No matter though, this beat clearing mud or chopping wood. Certainly less stressful than shinning the officer's armor. All he had to do was make sure the fire stay lit and bury it when the night was over. He would be last to bed, but it was worth the trade.
[Phillip] He returned with a bundle of sticks roughly the size of a small arm, sap and dirt caked sweat covering his face. He prodded Jacob with his foot, "Sire, would you be so kind as to point me out a spot to place these logs uve cut for ya?" he spoke in mock servility.
Tanner snickered and played along, "Are you talkin to me you useless maggot? Think I should come down ere, stopping my quest to save the damsel, and help you find a place for sticks? Are you a bit daft boy?? Put them down over there and get out of my sight!" he puffed out his chest in bravado.
[Phillip] Forcing his legs to tremble he dropped the sticks where told and then rendered a snappy salute, "Aye sire, the task is done. Thank you for not feeding me to the dragons!" he said with a 'pffffft' that lead to outright laughter.
[Sergeant Williams] "Whats all this joviality I hear coming from my two piss-ants?" the canvass flap from the sergeant's tent flopped open just in time to catch Phillip saluting. "Ohhhh so its make-believe time is it? I love this time of day where we stop work to have a bit of pretend fun," the sarcasm was thick enough to drown in.
Phillip and Tanner both snapped to attention and lined up side by side, shoulder to shoulder. He was a touch taller than Phillip, but it was only noticeable when they stood like this. Both of them felt their stomachs drop as sergeant Williams marched towards them, that evil half-smile stretching his taut face.
[Sergeant Williams] "Since we're in the spirit of nonsense, Ive got good news boys! Just heard from the queen. She says that due to some magic from the ethereal plane, all mud is now edible! Go on boys, grab your spoons and give it a go!" he pointed at the ground and crossed his arms.
Tanner stoked the flames. It being summer, the fire needn't be but half the normal size reserved for colder months. That meant he had to tend to it more often least it be extinguished by a stray breeze. Well, either him or Phillip had to tend to it. 'Being the two lowest ranking in the outfit did not come without its disadvantages' he had always said. And had been told.
No matter though, this beat clearing mud or chopping wood. Certainly less stressful than shinning the officer's armor. All he had to do was make sure the fire stay lit and bury it when the night was over. He would be last to bed, but it was worth the trade.
[Phillip] He returned with a bundle of sticks roughly the size of a small arm, sap and dirt caked sweat covering his face. He prodded Jacob with his foot, "Sire, would you be so kind as to point me out a spot to place these logs uve cut for ya?" he spoke in mock servility.
Tanner snickered and played along, "Are you talkin to me you useless maggot? Think I should come down ere, stopping my quest to save the damsel, and help you find a place for sticks? Are you a bit daft boy?? Put them down over there and get out of my sight!" he puffed out his chest in bravado.
[Phillip] Forcing his legs to tremble he dropped the sticks where told and then rendered a snappy salute, "Aye sire, the task is done. Thank you for not feeding me to the dragons!" he said with a 'pffffft' that lead to outright laughter.
[Sergeant Williams] "Whats all this joviality I hear coming from my two piss-ants?" the canvass flap from the sergeant's tent flopped open just in time to catch Phillip saluting. "Ohhhh so its make-believe time is it? I love this time of day where we stop work to have a bit of pretend fun," the sarcasm was thick enough to drown in.
Phillip and Tanner both snapped to attention and lined up side by side, shoulder to shoulder. He was a touch taller than Phillip, but it was only noticeable when they stood like this. Both of them felt their stomachs drop as sergeant Williams marched towards them, that evil half-smile stretching his taut face.
[Sergeant Williams] "Since we're in the spirit of nonsense, Ive got good news boys! Just heard from the queen. She says that due to some magic from the ethereal plane, all mud is now edible! Go on boys, grab your spoons and give it a go!" he pointed at the ground and crossed his arms.
They had hoped otherwise, but both knew well enough that this was not a joke--to delay further would make the punishment gradually worse. The two corporals retrieved their spoons with a deep regret at the fun they had almost been having. In unison they fell to the earth with their spoons pointing downward, ready for the thrust into the muck.
[Sergeant Williams] "That's it! Big spoonfuls now. Queen said this is prime stuff. Betta then steak even, can you believe?!" his voice condescended on their very souls.
The two boys each nabbed a spoonful of the wet dirt. The way it congealed together reminded Tanner of golem phlegm. Hands quivered as they brought it to their mouth and inserted the sloppy goop onto their tongue. Instantly their faces soured.
[Sergeant Williams] "Whats wrong eh? Not to your liking? Ill bet if you chewed it it will get better! Release the flavor sort of thing."
'I will not gag. I am stronger than this.' Jacob kept repeating to himself. The first bite wasnt so bad... It was the second and third, when the grit was really rolling around between gum and cheek that it got to him. Right before he could yak, the sergeant yelled at them again...
[Sergeant Williams] "That's it! Big spoonfuls now. Queen said this is prime stuff. Betta then steak even, can you believe?!" his voice condescended on their very souls.
The two boys each nabbed a spoonful of the wet dirt. The way it congealed together reminded Tanner of golem phlegm. Hands quivered as they brought it to their mouth and inserted the sloppy goop onto their tongue. Instantly their faces soured.
[Sergeant Williams] "Whats wrong eh? Not to your liking? Ill bet if you chewed it it will get better! Release the flavor sort of thing."
'I will not gag. I am stronger than this.' Jacob kept repeating to himself. The first bite wasnt so bad... It was the second and third, when the grit was really rolling around between gum and cheek that it got to him. Right before he could yak, the sergeant yelled at them again...
[Sergeant Williams] The disgust was in equal measure to the pleasure at the lesson he had just taught, " Oi! Spit that garbage out. You see where pretend gets you? Eating shyte! This isnt a place for fairy tales lads. This is a place where men carry the banner of Tyran. Why dont you act like youve got some bloody respect for the colors you wear and do the job you were told to eh?!" the words burned like a father's scorn.
[Together] "Yes sir!" they readily exclaimed as they spit the filth from their mouth.
Would there ever be a week where this didnt happen to him? Jacob had never thought he would be living in the high court of any palace, but eating dirt also hadnt been a place he'd envisioned being...
[Together] "Yes sir!" they readily exclaimed as they spit the filth from their mouth.
Would there ever be a week where this didnt happen to him? Jacob had never thought he would be living in the high court of any palace, but eating dirt also hadnt been a place he'd envisioned being...
