for fade_away

[ben_hassrath]

[ Overall, Cole had been an... unnoticed addition to their camp. People saw him, surely, noticed him, sometimes even spoke to him, but no one seemed to have anything much to say about him. Bull was thankful for this, thankful that the boy's arrival had not disrupted the order of things, at least as far as anyone else was concerned. For him, it had changed things a good deal. While during the day he went about his normal business, scouting at the edges of camp, hunting game in the forest to bring back for the villagers, and planning their next move.

It was night when things were different, where things had changed. Each night, Bull would light a fire, and sit with Cole, let the boy speak to it, to him. Each night, he sat with his hands tented at his lips, frowning. Everything was vague and in need of sorting out, very little of it making strong sense, but still he listened intently to every word. Cole's words troubled him, seeped into his dreams in the darkness. Despite this, he's grown fond of the boy, feels protective of him, even if he can't properly sort out every riddle. ]

Cole. [ The sky is darkening, and he finds the boy in one of his usual spots. ] Come.

Comments

[fade_away]

[It is an impressive array of scars. A life hard-fought, bits and pieces whispered to him from the flames. The past as well as the future, though of the fate of this evening Cole could not see.

There would be blood, one way or another. The question was just who it belonged to, and he wondered with mild curiosity if it was possible to die twice. He doesn't quite understand the Bull's concern for him - Cole has already died once, it isn't like he has anything to be afraid of. Even so, the caring kindles a warm feeling within, and he swears he's felt it before. That maybe he's been cared about in the past. Maybe he had a family, or friends before. Now... this is it. This village, this friendship is all he has.]

... You won't fall.

[The fire didn't tell him this. But if he's going to keep Bull in his sight and keep out of sight, anyone who tries to take the man on his blind side will find a knife across their throat.]

[ben_hassrath]

[ Bull doesn't know where that comes from, if it was whispered to Cole from the fire, and he doesn't care to ask. It doesn't matter. He likes to hear it, the reassurance, even if it's from a boy that speaks in riddles. He feels personally responsible for him, and if he has any say in the matter, the two of them will survive the night. Hopefully the same can be said for the rest of the village, for his men. Whatever happens, at least they are prepared for it, in some sense. They won't have their throats slit as they sleep. ]

Come with me.

[ He buckles a sword belt about his waist, in addition to the greatsword that is strapped to his back. A one handed sword will serve him if he needs to fight from horseback, and might provide useful in other situations. He knows Cole has his daggers, and offers him no sword. Outside, people move quickly, some to, others away, a hushed fervor overtaking the village. A horse is brought to Bull, and he mounts it, looking down at Cole. ]

Stick to the shadows, I won't be far.

[ There's commotion in the distance, the sound of shouts. It, whatever it is, is coming. ]