CHAPTER 27
Matthew
I was attending another meeting, only the whole room was silent as we awaited our two missing participants; Stryker, of who’s whereabouts nobody knew anything at all, and Theo, who Johnathan had sent to go and look for him.
The commander was evidently growing increasingly impatient. Just as he opened his mouth to grumble something, the door slammed open.
“Guys, I walked in on Stryker and the ice queen.” Theo yelped, scurrying into the meeting.
Ah. That explained it.
The whole room roared with laughter; Nikolas and Johnathan were the only ones who didn’t seem remotely amused, the latter’s eyes narrowed at Theo.
“Sir, I- I’m traumatised, it’s not my fault!” He exclaimed, squirming under his intense stare.
The commander sighed heavily, exchanging an exasperated look with Nikolas before stating “we’ll start without him. The kid clearly has other…priorities.”
More sniggers filled the room.
I felt sorry for him already, because I knew Johnathan would be making sure that he faced the consequences of his actions.
“As you all know, the ships are set to sail tomorrow at dawn-“
I shuddered, grimacing. I’d been on more ships these past few months than the whole of last year here and I was really getting sick of it. Pun intended.
“We shall arrive in Stadal by early morning and move in on them, block off all exits. The middle guard will be lead by queen Eleanor, constable Edgar will lead the cavalry, constable Silas will lead the vanguard and marshal Wilbur will lead the rearguard. Do you all have clear who these figures are?”
A murmur of ‘yes, sir,’ rippled through us.
“The cavalry will be going through first. The rest of the troops will stay down, allow them to pass, rise up and hammer them, got it?”
More ‘yes, sir’s.
“You are my vintenary, as you should know, and so are commanded by me. You follow my orders. You don’t question them.”
That being said, he began announcing each of their roles. Theo, as I’d expected, was a billman. Stryker was part of the archers- Johnathan mumbled something about having to strangle him as he said so- and Jack and me were listed in the cavalry.
It was all very well, but we’d all mix into the same rank within the chaos of the battle, I knew that much.
“Before we leave, you are expected to meet at the armoury and gear up. Meeting dismissed.”
Johnathan pulled Theo aside as the others left, hissing- not quietly enough for me not to hear- “once he’s done, refer as such to your partner and pray add that his commander is one step away from wringing is goddamn neck.”
It was said extremely calmly, but the threatening undertone he managed to insert was more than evident.
“Yes, sir.”
“He’s in a mood with hotshot.” Theo explained unnecessarily as he approached the door me and Jack were waiting by, “I am too. I was seconds away from tearing my eyes out.”
“Well, was she hot?” Jack asked as I chuckled under my breath. I would never want to walk in on Jack, either.
Theo shrugged “I saw more of Stryker, Jack. Why do you think I’m so traumatised?”
He cackled.
I noticed Theo surveying him with a furrowed brow and clapped a hand on his shoulder “all good?” I asked quietly “that all it was about?”
“Hm?” He turned to face me, meeting my concerned gaze “yep. Just trying to figure out if your best mate over here hates me or not.”
My eyes flickered to Jack, who had lost interest in us and was talking to one of the guards outside the door “I don’t know either, to be honest. I don’t even think he knows.”
Theo pinched the bridge of his nose “brilliant. I-“ he interrupted himself, something catching his eye. I followed his gaze only to spot Stryker jogging down the hall, hair half ruffled and belt still undone “fuck. Did I miss it?”
Theo’s eyes narrowed “I am going to kill you. Do you know what you did, Stryker? You scarred me. For life.”
Stryker blinked at him, unbothered “oh, please, it’s no big deal. Is Johnny pissed? I bet he is. Shit-“
“He wants to wring your neck.” Jack supplied happily, turning back towards us “I suggest you get in there and try to explain yourself, though that seems hard considering Theo burst in yelling exactly what he saw.”
It was Stryker’s turn to look annoyed, turning to glare “really?”
“Scarred.” Theo repeated flatly “for life.”
He groaned, cringing at the closed door “wish me luck.”
The three of us burst into a cackling fit when outraged shouting immediately followed his entrance.
Theo
“How’s Matt?”
Me and Stryker were on the ship, leaning against the railing on deck watching the water splash against the boat as we ploughed through it, along with a large amount of armed men.
I had been introduced to the armour that morning, and now felt weighed down by the colossal amount of metal designed to protect my body: gauntlets and a helm which I’d temporarily removed, vambraces, greaves, cuirass and about seven other parts.
I felt like I could hardly move, let alone fight.
Stryker had been the one to ask.
“Don’t know, haven’t seen him.” I replied quietly “imagine being seasick dressed like this.”
Stryker grunted in agreement. “Look for him.”
I was planning on it.
“You see Raven before we left?” I asked instead of replying.
My partner glanced at me and nodded slowly “made me promise I wouldn’t die.”
“Typical.” I mumbled, recalling my mother. It must be a woman thing. Shaking my head, I muttered “and are you okay? Been eating and stuff?”
He nodded again, avoiding my gaze.
“Stryker.”
“I have. Just not much.”
“You can’t-“
“Matt’s rubbing off on you.” He straightened, eyes growing sharp “I’m good. Promise. Go find your boyfriend.” He lowered his voice on the last word.
I hesitated “we’re not-“
“Fuck off. Go.”
I scurried away to do just that, guessing by his tone that he needed space, cringing for the loud metal-against-metal sound my armour was making with every step I took.
It didn’t take long to find Matthew, sitting alone by the bowsprit, head bowed.
With a small struggle I sat beside him “okay?” I asked, making my voice as gentle as possible.
A head shake.
“Sick?”
A nod.
I winced sympathetically “you been sick?”
Another nod.
“Shit, Matt.”
“It sucks on here.” He whispered, not raising his head.
“Yeah. I can imagine.” I leant back “Jack leave you alone up here?”
“No. I told him to fuck off.”
“Huh. Stryker told me the same.” I mused.
Matthew raised his head to look at me. His face was white, taking on a green hue, and his hair stuck to his forehead, damp with cold sweat. He’d arched an eyebrow “oh yeah?”
“Hm. Think I was prying too much.” I reached out, brushing his hair off his forehead “yeah, you look like shit.”
“I feel like shit.” He grumbled, squeezing his eyes shut again “I can’t even- stupid armour.”
I could definitely agree with that.
“And stupid massive floating can above water.”
As if on purpose, the ship jolted, moving upwards over a wave before slamming back down into the sea.
Matthew groaned, scrambling to his feet in record speed, holding onto the railing and heaving.
I winced.
“Fuck.” The lad choked, retching again “this is-“ another one “a goddamn-“ and another “nightmare.”
“Would seem that way.” I commented dryly.
He collapsed back beside me, shuddering, metal clanging “my mouth tastes like shit.” He whined.
“Don’t have any water. Sorry.” I apologised quietly, examining his face “this how the rest of the boat ride is gonna go?”
A soft, airy hiccup left the boy, followed by a rather loud gurgling noise from his stomach.
“Unfortunately.”
It was exactly how the rest of the boat ride went.