Bryan: change some double hyphens to mdashes

2007-09-14T04:46:16Z

change some double hyphens to mdashes

JonBuck at 23:43, 2 September 2007

2007-09-02T23:43:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:43, 2 September 2007
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	~~{{byline\|JonBuck}}~~
	By [[User:JonBuck\|Jon Buck]]		By [[User:JonBuck\|Jon Buck]]

	~~Claude~~ tried to put his ragged uniform into some semblance of order. Several days of dirt and sweat marred his most prized possession. Despite the fact that he had deserted Napoleon's army--though only when it had become very clear that the formerly great French Emperor's military genius had finally left him--he still considered his time as a grenadier unwasted. For a few glorious years France had ruled most of Europe, like Charlemagne's Empire a thousand years before.		{{dropcap\|C}}laude tried to put his ragged uniform into some semblance of order. Several days of dirt and sweat marred his most prized possession. Despite the fact that he had deserted Napoleon's army--though only when it had become very clear that the formerly great French Emperor's military genius had finally left him--he still considered his time as a grenadier unwasted. For a few glorious years France had ruled most of Europe, like Charlemagne's Empire a thousand years before.

	He and his two companions were the last of a dozen who had managed to escape the shattering battle lines. When Napoleon's own elite forces had been routed, it was time to flee. Four had been captured early in their retreat, two were dead of wounds, and three had gone home by themselves once they were well into France. He and Robert sat under an oak tree, waiting for the third--a short musketeer by the name of Denys--to return from scouting the unfamiliar area.		He and his two companions were the last of a dozen who had managed to escape the shattering battle lines. When Napoleon's own elite forces had been routed, it was time to flee. Four had been captured early in their retreat, two were dead of wounds, and three had gone home by themselves once they were well into France. He and Robert sat under an oak tree, waiting for the third--a short musketeer by the name of Denys--to return from scouting the unfamiliar area.

JonBuck at 23:39, 2 September 2007

2007-09-02T23:39:52Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 18:39, 2 September 2007
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			{{byline\|JonBuck}}
	By [[User:JonBuck\|Jon Buck]]		By [[User:JonBuck\|Jon Buck]]

JonBuck: New page: By Jon Buck Claude tried to put his ragged uniform into some semblance of order. Several days of dirt and sweat marred his most prized possession. Despite the fact that...

2007-09-02T22:25:22Z

New page: By Jon Buck Claude tried to put his ragged uniform into some semblance of order. Several days of dirt and sweat marred his most prized possession. Despite the fact that...

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← Older revision		Revision as of 23:46, 13 September 2007
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	By [[User:JonBuck\|Jon Buck]]		By [[User:JonBuck\|Jon Buck]]

	{{dropcap\|C}}laude tried to put his ragged uniform into some semblance of order. Several days of dirt and sweat marred his most prized possession. Despite the fact that he had deserted Napoleon's army--though only when it had become very clear that the formerly great French Emperor's military genius had finally left him--he still considered his time as a grenadier unwasted. For a few glorious years France had ruled most of Europe, like Charlemagne's Empire a thousand years before.		{{dropcap\|C}}laude tried to put his ragged uniform into some semblance of order. Several days of dirt and sweat marred his most prized possession. Despite the fact that he had deserted Napoleon's army—though only when it had become very clear that the formerly great French Emperor's military genius had finally left him—he still considered his time as a grenadier unwasted. For a few glorious years France had ruled most of Europe, like Charlemagne's Empire a thousand years before.

	He and his two companions were the last of a dozen who had managed to escape the shattering battle lines. When Napoleon's own elite forces had been routed, it was time to flee. Four had been captured early in their retreat, two were dead of wounds, and three had gone home by themselves once they were well into France. He and Robert sat under an oak tree, waiting for the third--a short musketeer by the name of Denys--to return from scouting the unfamiliar area.		He and his two companions were the last of a dozen who had managed to escape the shattering battle lines. When Napoleon's own elite forces had been routed, it was time to flee. Four had been captured early in their retreat, two were dead of wounds, and three had gone home by themselves once they were well into France. He and Robert sat under an oak tree, waiting for the third—a short musketeer by the name of Denys—to return from scouting the unfamiliar area.

	Since Claude had seen most of France during his numerous years of service he was very unsettled that they had stumbled someplace where he hadn't been. ''It's these hedgerows,'' he thought. They had encountered them that morning, following the overgrown labyrinth until its apparent end just past midday. Denys was scouting ahead to make sure they weren't stepping into danger. He was sure they were still going roughly southwest, but beyond that he just couldn't tell. And they certainly couldn't turn back.		Since Claude had seen most of France during his numerous years of service he was very unsettled that they had stumbled someplace where he hadn't been. ''It's these hedgerows,'' he thought. They had encountered them that morning, following the overgrown labyrinth until its apparent end just past midday. Denys was scouting ahead to make sure they weren't stepping into danger. He was sure they were still going roughly southwest, but beyond that he just couldn't tell. And they certainly couldn't turn back.
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	Obviously not thinking of food, Robert left the two of them and headed for the wine cellar in the hopes that there was something left. While Claude wouldn't have been unhappy with some wine in him himself, he found the manor's surroundings far more promising to fill his empty stomach. "The orchards are this way," said Denys, pointing to the left beyond the undamaged wing of the manor. "Down the hill. Wait until you see what's left of the gardens, sir."		Obviously not thinking of food, Robert left the two of them and headed for the wine cellar in the hopes that there was something left. While Claude wouldn't have been unhappy with some wine in him himself, he found the manor's surroundings far more promising to fill his empty stomach. "The orchards are this way," said Denys, pointing to the left beyond the undamaged wing of the manor. "Down the hill. Wait until you see what's left of the gardens, sir."

	They walked around the quiet remains of the mansion and found what must have been a grandly laid out garden. But the years--and the cows--hadn't been kind to it. It was huge, with silent fountains filled with rainwater used as giant birdbaths and a long pool filled with lily pads. A number of human statues--seemingly in random places--were nearly hidden in the wild growth that the cows found unpalatable.		They walked around the quiet remains of the mansion and found what must have been a grandly laid out garden. But the years—and the cows—hadn't been kind to it. It was huge, with silent fountains filled with rainwater used as giant birdbaths and a long pool filled with lily pads. A number of human statues—seemingly in random places—were nearly hidden in the wild growth that the cows found unpalatable.

	"The herb garden's still there. The stone fences kept the animals out," Denys reported. "And there's lots of edible greens. Then maybe later... Sir?"		"The herb garden's still there. The stone fences kept the animals out," Denys reported. "And there's lots of edible greens. Then maybe later... Sir?"
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	Although he thought he had seen Robert at the window of one of the second floor rooms, Claude doubted he'd find the man there. He considered for a moment where the wine cellar was likely to be in a mansion like this. The building was L-shaped, with the newest and most decorated portion facing the barely-visible road that led from the gap in the hedge. It was fronted by four great Roman columns and a large number of windows. Roughly half of the panes were broken, surprisingly few in Claude's experience. With the charred, missing roof it reminded him uncomfortably of Russia, where the people had burned their houses rather than allow the French shelter from winter's teeth.		Although he thought he had seen Robert at the window of one of the second floor rooms, Claude doubted he'd find the man there. He considered for a moment where the wine cellar was likely to be in a mansion like this. The building was L-shaped, with the newest and most decorated portion facing the barely-visible road that led from the gap in the hedge. It was fronted by four great Roman columns and a large number of windows. Roughly half of the panes were broken, surprisingly few in Claude's experience. With the charred, missing roof it reminded him uncomfortably of Russia, where the people had burned their houses rather than allow the French shelter from winter's teeth.

	Claude had earned his gray hairs on that expedition. And not just because of the winter. This time, just like then, he knew he was feeling the presence of the old magic. His father had proudly spoken of the wizards and sorcerers in their family blood; but all that had come down around their heads when the magic had ebbed over a century before his birth. It had been noticeably stronger when he was younger--even during the Revolution--but now it had effectively vanished from the world.		Claude had earned his gray hairs on that expedition. And not just because of the winter. This time, just like then, he knew he was feeling the presence of the old magic. His father had proudly spoken of the wizards and sorcerers in their family blood; but all that had come down around their heads when the magic had ebbed over a century before his birth. It had been noticeably stronger when he was younger—even during the Revolution—but now it had effectively vanished from the world.

	Except for a few places like this stagnant mystical tidepool. The magic that was left here felt like the gritty dregs in the bottom of a wine bottle. It wouldn't be long before it was gone completely.		Except for a few places like this stagnant mystical tidepool. The magic that was left here felt like the gritty dregs in the bottom of a wine bottle. It wouldn't be long before it was gone completely.
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	Robert mumbled a curse at him, but didn't try to make his unresponsive body rise. Claude decided to leave the man's doleful gaze and went to find the scout.		Robert mumbled a curse at him, but didn't try to make his unresponsive body rise. Claude decided to leave the man's doleful gaze and went to find the scout.

	A curl of smoke over towards the only intact outbuilding--one of the many stables--told him that Denys had found a suitable place. When he arrived he saw that the scout had smartly cleared an area near the entrance of the building, ensuring that it wouldn't catch fire. "Afraid there's not a scrap of hay to be found, sir," he said apologetically.		A curl of smoke over towards the only intact outbuilding—one of the many stables—told him that Denys had found a suitable place. When he arrived he saw that the scout had smartly cleared an area near the entrance of the building, ensuring that it wouldn't catch fire. "Afraid there's not a scrap of hay to be found, sir," he said apologetically.

	"There wouldn't be," Claude replied. But they were used to hard beds. He crouched down by the fire to warm himself, looking into the dark recesses of the huge stable that still smelled strongly of horse sweat and hay. The incoming storm was bringing chilly air with it, and days of wearing a sweat-soaked uniform hadn't helped much. He longed for a clean one, but after what he had seen that day he was beginning to wonder. Should they leave? Did this area have a rear exit? "How far did you go into the manor lands?" he asked Denys.		"There wouldn't be," Claude replied. But they were used to hard beds. He crouched down by the fire to warm himself, looking into the dark recesses of the huge stable that still smelled strongly of horse sweat and hay. The incoming storm was bringing chilly air with it, and days of wearing a sweat-soaked uniform hadn't helped much. He longed for a clean one, but after what he had seen that day he was beginning to wonder. Should they leave? Did this area have a rear exit? "How far did you go into the manor lands?" he asked Denys.
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	Robert made a noncommittal sound, then smiled like a reptile. "Would you like some, Captain?"		Robert made a noncommittal sound, then smiled like a reptile. "Would you like some, Captain?"

	Although some wine would have been great, Claude wasn't about to let his guard down in Robert's presence. "There's bound to be a well," Claude replied. He still had two full canteens, and planned to meter them out. Something had happened to Robert--and by the look on the man's face, was still happening. It was as if there was somebody else in the musketeer's mind, looking out of his eyes.		Although some wine would have been great, Claude wasn't about to let his guard down in Robert's presence. "There's bound to be a well," Claude replied. He still had two full canteens, and planned to meter them out. Something had happened to Robert—and by the look on the man's face, was still happening. It was as if there was somebody else in the musketeer's mind, looking out of his eyes.

	Robert stood up again and left the stable, mumbling something about getting more wine to go with their meal.		Robert stood up again and left the stable, mumbling something about getting more wine to go with their meal.
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	Another question that made no sense. If the looters took everything else, why would they leave good wine? "Perhaps I shall have a taste after all," Claude lied. "Since all we have are greens and some fruit."		Another question that made no sense. If the looters took everything else, why would they leave good wine? "Perhaps I shall have a taste after all," Claude lied. "Since all we have are greens and some fruit."

	They built another, smaller fire under cover while the storm strengthened. Each had kept only the bare essentials from their field packs, since they'd been lucky enough to be near the reserve encampment when the word had come about the defeat of the elite troops. They'd grabbed what they could--some canteens, a few rations--in the few seconds available to them before deserting. Claude set out an empty canteen with a funnel to catch the rainwater before joining the other two men around the new fire.		They built another, smaller fire under cover while the storm strengthened. Each had kept only the bare essentials from their field packs, since they'd been lucky enough to be near the reserve encampment when the word had come about the defeat of the elite troops. They'd grabbed what they could—some canteens, a few rations—in the few seconds available to them before deserting. Claude set out an empty canteen with a funnel to catch the rainwater before joining the other two men around the new fire.

	Denys drank large gulps of wine between mouthfuls of food. Claude took his place next to his rainwashed pile. "Go easy on that, scout. Or tomorrow you'll regret waking."		Denys drank large gulps of wine between mouthfuls of food. Claude took his place next to his rainwashed pile. "Go easy on that, scout. Or tomorrow you'll regret waking."
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	"He was drunk. And I wasn't planning on sleeping in this place, as you can imagine," Claude replied. "He wouldn't have caught me off my guard."		"He was drunk. And I wasn't planning on sleeping in this place, as you can imagine," Claude replied. "He wouldn't have caught me off my guard."

	"Perhaps, perhaps not. The fact remains you should feel grateful." She reached out and took his hands in hers. He hadn't felt a woman's touch in far too long. "Please, at least give me the benefit of the doubt. I was quite desperate, you see. If you concentrate, you can feel that this pool of magic has become shallower even in the small time you've been here. In another few years--five at most--it would be gone, and I with it." She tugged on his arm. "Come, I have some things secreted away in the mansion that I must fetch. Clothes and gold."		"Perhaps, perhaps not. The fact remains you should feel grateful." She reached out and took his hands in hers. He hadn't felt a woman's touch in far too long. "Please, at least give me the benefit of the doubt. I was quite desperate, you see. If you concentrate, you can feel that this pool of magic has become shallower even in the small time you've been here. In another few years—five at most—it would be gone, and I with it." She tugged on his arm. "Come, I have some things secreted away in the mansion that I must fetch. Clothes and gold."

	Her eyes glowed sea-blue. Claude's hands tingled where their skin touched. "It would be agreeable to have you as a traveling companion. A woman takes too many risks on her own." One shoulder of her grown just happened to slide down her arm at that moment, revealing a small portion of fair-skinned breast.		Her eyes glowed sea-blue. Claude's hands tingled where their skin touched. "It would be agreeable to have you as a traveling companion. A woman takes too many risks on her own." One shoulder of her grown just happened to slide down her arm at that moment, revealing a small portion of fair-skinned breast.

Sentinel - Revision history

Bryan: change some double hyphens to mdashes

JonBuck at 23:43, 2 September 2007

JonBuck at 23:39, 2 September 2007

JonBuck: New page: By Jon Buck Claude tried to put his ragged uniform into some semblance of order. Several days of dirt and sweat marred his most prized possession. Despite the fact that...