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30 comments
Rathe understood that once Fleur made her concern clear that they had to go inside.
"Commitment"
Can't wait for the next chapter!!!
Sorry Darius -- folly it may seem, but sometimes such "folly" is very much needed.
Then he is trapped between Rathe and Fleur. I think he might admire Rathe a tiny bit (or look up to him) but could never admit that. Not to mention he is jealous of Fleurs feeling towards him. In some ways I now see Rathe as Father Rathe. The one smart, and mature, person in the group, watching over his two troublesome children.
While I dislike Fleurs attitude towards Rathe I can't deny she has a point about rescuing the girls (if they are there). Course I see it through the eyes of the hero not the eyes of Rathe who isn't exactly hero material. He isn't evil but he isn't a bastion of good either.
Rather strange Fleur, who has joined a band of despicable killers with hearts as black as the void, wants to make Rathe more "noble" and "heroic" at the same time. She is one confused lass who I suspect doesn't really know what she wants. Perhaps she only joined the DB as a twisted way of getting close to Rather or learning more about him. Plus a romantic idea of what it is to be an assassin (not that I can blame her for that considering how Grim is viewing the thieves guild lol). Who among us doesn't like the idea of being the scary, skilled, and ever so deadly lone-wolf assassin that no one wants to look cross-eyed at? Certainly to me that makes Rather very attractive! That level of confidence, skill, and power is very seductive and alluring.
Your writing is wonderful Jess ... I went back again to just take in some of the awesome shots. The close ups of Rathe being the cream of the crop - love his tilted almost cocky head shots. Really captured his personality. Such wonderful images that complimented the story so well.
The banter was right-on. Two scrabbling children with Dad sighing as he tries to keep them focused on the mission. Looking forward to more of your stories - I especially like how you manage to throw in humor without it being so over the top that it breaks the immersion of the story. It is a subtlety exaggerated real life style of humor that fits the adventure theme-tone of the story perfectly.
Father Rathe is soooo right. He's the anti-hero who has found himself looking after the 'wayward' children and is not happy or comfortable with this role at all. I suspect Astrid was well aware of this when she sent both Fleur and Darius with him; yet another of her ploys to push his buttons!
Very interesting that you feel bad for Darius. Most people see him distrustfully as an arrogant youth out to stir the pot. I love how you feel sympathy for him instead. You're such a sweetie! I have to admit, I did write him with a teeny bit of hero-worship going on towards Rathe (something that I may play up a bit as future stories progress). I'm glad you picked up on that.
As for Fleur, well, she's just so messed up. She needs someone to give her some intensive trauma therapy, some meds and possible some shock treatment! But again, you're right in that she joined the DB primarily to BE the danger lurking in the darkness, rather than the victim. But it's just so wrong for her. Rathe sees it. Darius sees it. I think even Astrid sees it (not that she cares). But Fleur... I don't think she can see it... yet.
You've made my day with your comments Jon hon. Thank you!!
Now the "inside job" of: "sneak and peek, then shoot, loot and scoot" ^^
I just loved how Fleur simply stood there during the fracas, apparently weaponless and totally vulnerable, luring those filthy, over-confident fools in, then: SURPRISE! Crispy-critter time! Mouhahahahahahaha!
BTW: Rathe could use a good shield specifically for anti-archer situations, though it would obviously be slung on his back when using a missile weapon or his twin Katanas....
When Darius yanked that obviously BARBED arrow out of Rathe's shoulder, I'll bet he damned-well did that deliberately, unlike in "Braveheart", when Hamish said: "Hold still Father..." and innocently tried to pull an arrow out of his dad's shoulder, only to cause him agony and earn a whack to the head for his inexperience:
"Aaaaaaahhhhh!! Ya IDIOT-boy!!"
First thing I was reminded of upon reading that part.^^
Besides that little act of semi-sadistic cruelty, and the shocking quasi-indifference and cold callousness to the possible plight of potential innocents on both guys' part, Darius seems to be very good at insinuating himself into peoples' good graces....talents that could easily come in real handy in case of any potential deviousness and dastardliness^^on his part....
Fleur once again displays her talent for sharp observation even in the stress and fog of battle...clever lass! This team of life-enders will ensure some more havoc to come!
Endorsed! Warm and kind thanks and cheers, dear!
So you've got your eye on young Darius then huh? I think most people do. Poor untrusted lad
Usually arrows to the shoulder are no problem for Mr Grumpy. He doesn't usually allow himself to get into situations where he gets hit. As you said, he's much more a man of 'sneak and peek, then shoot, loot and scoot'! Damn mages dragging him into all sorts of troubling situations... just because THEY have magical shields they can put up...
Pfft.
Thanks hon!!
It's just the favorite line of mine that I borrowed from the excellent and very entertaining "Rogue Warrior" series of novels written by Cmdr. Richard Marcinko, the VERY one who created SEAL Team Six.
Go figure...they've got video games out on him and his exploits now!
He has got ONE deliciously dark but massively gut-splitting sense of humour in his books that I've read...it just makes me howl, while the stifling and stupid bureaucracy he very eloquently details just makes yer blood boil!
Cheers, dear!