Grancourt Family/Recovering in Reeds
Contents
Recovering in Reeds
(After a glorious battle defending Reeds from the assault of Mesh and Plergoth, Thrydwulf and Queen Martana are the only Heenite's wounded in defence of the Vlaanderen Capital)
Thrydwulf finally awoke to find himself in the healers tent. There were noises outside - loud noises of a bustling city, and before opening his eyes he took in some of the sounds.
Not too far away he could hear the soft tones of a light-spoken man trying to calm down a woman who was obviously trying to make her way out of the place he seemed to be in. "I recognise that voice..." he thought to himself.
As he listened to his Queen argue with someone he guessed to be a healer that she was "fit enough to walk on her own two legs, and not be carried by some silly stretcher" he realised that he must have been wounded in the battle, and was currently in a healers tent somewhere in the city of Reeds.
Outside, the bustle of the city seemed to be going about its usual day. He could hear the traders already set up their stalls shouting out prices of the local foods, and his first thought was "how long have i been out?!" but then he heard the healer telling the Queen: "one day in bed with a wound like that is NOT enough. I don't care if you are the Queen of Heen, you're in Vlaanderen now!" and suddenly it dawned on him that they must have won the battle!
As he began to become more fully awake, Thrydwulf began to remember the events of 2 days previous. Opening his eyes, he bagan to sit up, and suddenly felt the pain in his head, and thought back to the battle.
"The last thing i remember is the Heenite Camels sweeping the walls...Jadine on my right, and Fror on my left. I can't remember how many Mesh and Plergothian soldiers we decapitated in our charge, but it was a lot. I think it was about then that i saw the mace heading my way..."
Thrydwulf reaches up to feel his head, and feels a slightly sticky mess - wincing under the pain he feels the wound lightly. A gash about 2 inches just above his temple, seeping out through the bandage around his head. "Wow, i think that was rather lucky! Its a good job the mace didn't connect properly..."
As he slowly sat up, Thrydwulf heard the healer walking over to him.
"How are you today High Marshall Thrydwulf?"
"Well, surprisingly, it doesn't hurt too much..."
"Yes, that would be the brandy."
"oh, so that would also explain my headache?"
"no, that's the wound. Can you see ok?"
"well, are there two of you or just the one?"
"that's my apprentice."
"are you doing this on purpose?"
"doing what, sir?"
"confusing the hell out of me?!"
"of course no High Marshall...why would we do that?"
"i don't know, i think its the brandy. You do know that i don't drink..."
"...ah..."
"i thought so...you can leave me now."
Thrydwulf grimaced and lay back down. As he did so, he heard Queen Martana speaking to a messenger to write down orders.
"Time to move back home...
I wonder if my legs will work, thankfully i only have to walk to my camel. I wonder where he got too!"
King Valhalla Enters the Healers Tent
Valhalla walks into the tent of High Marshal Thrydwulf, a healer and his apprentice are standing over him.
Val How is he?
Healer He is awake my lord, though he requires rest, as does Queen Martana for that matter.
Val I doubt even I could get Martana to take a step back for a day, in fact I wouldnt dare stand in her wake, you can ask her yourself.
The apprentice laughs to himself as Valhalla smiles.
Val You may leave us.
The healer and his apprentice leave the tent.
Val Long time no see Thrydwulf. We havent yet exchanged pleasantries since your arrival here last minute, its been a long time. How are you feeling, that little cut isnt going to keep you down is it, warrior of Heen?
Valhalla smirks.
Thrydwulf Asks About Fror
Thrydwulf hears voices enter the tent, and turns his head towards the noises. After struggling to sit up, he decided that the bump on his head was probably going to make walking to his camel a very eventful trip...
"Ah, King Valhalla! Just the man...although I seem to have forgotten what it was I wanted you for!"
"Long time no see Thrydwulf. We havent yet exchanged pleasantries since your arrival here last minute, its been a long time. How are you feeling, that little cut isnt going to keep you down is it, warrior of Heen?"
"Keep me down? What are you talking about! I am up...well, almost. True it took me almost an hour to get to this sitting position, but i'll manage it."
"Well, High Marshall Thrydwulf, it seems that your army was greatly needed in Reeds, and we are grateful for it. We are sorry that yourself and your Queen got hurt, but it seems you have been keeping our healers very busy!"
"I suppose so. I wonder where my own healers are? And how many men i have left. I also wonder how long it will take me to walk out of the tent and find out for myself!"
"We could have someone find out for you, if you are too weak..."
"Did those words ever leave my mouth? I remembered what it is i wanted to ask you now. Did my good friend Fror come and see me after the battle? How is he?"
Painful Laughter
Ah yes, Fror was here for a while though his duties required him elsewhere my friend. He knew you would be safe here so he didnt feel too bad about leaving you behind. Anyway, speaking of healers, Martana seems to be giving my personal healers a run for their money, she wont keep still, its like trying to bandage a cat, you'll get clawed!
Valhalla laughs to himself, as does Thrydwulf.
Though dont tell her I said that, its one thing to get on the bad side of your enemy, but to get on the bad side of a woman and a Queen no less, not even I would be left standing!
Valhalla and Thrydwulf laugh. Though Thrydwulfs wounds have not healed and he coughs as he laughs.
Take it easy for a few hours my friend, you will be escorted back to Heen by personal Vlaanderen carriage, as will your troops. But for now, rest, you look like you need it.
Fror's Duties
"His duties? Are you serious? Fror with Duties? Are you sure he meant duties?"
"Well, that's what he said?"
"Haha, that old dog! I'm sure he's off somewhere with the Vlaanderen locals, probably drinking them under the table or stealing their daughters..."
"Hmmm, perhaps that's what he means by 'duties'?"
"Most Probably King Valhalla, if I know Fror (and i do), I'd say there will be no fewer than 3 women within 2 feet of him...i don't quite know how he manages it!"
"Hmmm, well you should get some rest. I think it is time I saved some of the locals from this Fror chap - he sounds a bit like a roughian to me..."
"He's harmless if you let him be. I guess he's just missing his usual traditional sing and dance with me! Let him know i'll be up in no time"
As Valhalla left the healers tent, Thrydwulf started to lift himself off the bed inch by inch, his head throbbing so much that everything appeared red.
I must find my steed and make my way home. I wouldn't want to be the last one here- imagine the stick i'd get when i reached Heen!
