pro_patria_mortuus | (no subject)

Entry tags:

(no subject)

Harry Percy is thinking of trying to join Security. So, apparently, is Brienne of Tarth.

And, it seems, both of them want to learn more of unarmed combat, and ways to join or stop a bar brawl without the dangerous escalation a sword brings. A good goal, and a sensible one. Even without the question of Security work, it's sensible.

Bahorel agreed, when they brought the question to him. Which is why he's arranged for Enjolras to join himself and the two of them in the practice room they use for sparring.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

"If you need help..." She trails off awkwardly. "He wasn't quiet about it at all, no. He declared it freely, with no secrecy, and seemed very pleased at the prospect."

"Our countries have their disagreements." There's an understatement. "History says he will do this; him, and many other English kings; so there's likely little to gain by acting against him here." National politics are never as punchable as Bahorel feels in his soul they somehow should be. He is forever angry about this. "And we can hardly cross back over to our France in any era, to try to intervene." He looks at Brienne a moment, and then grins. "Ah, but remind me when we're done, there's something about our history I think you'll find interesting." Brienne could be an artist's very vision of Jehanne d'Arc, all earnestness and conviction as she is.

Harry's been trying to focus on grappling with Enjolras and ignore them, because it's not his conversation, and he does like Bahorel, but-- act against him? Intervene?

"And shall I go, that thou canst plot against my country's king in peace?" he snaps, once he has freed himself from one of Enjolras's holds.

Bahorel laughs. "I've said nothing here I've not said to your country's own king, to his face. Much less, in fact. You may ask him about it. Hah, I want a recording of that if you do; if he tries to make me sound diplomatic about anything, I'll box him." He'll box Hal anyway, but hey, moreso. He looks at Harry a little more seriously. "Would you like it better if I cheered for the invasion of my country?" Some men would, but Harry's never seemed the sort to expect that.

"No indeed," Harry replies. "And therefore I ask it not, and speak not to thee of it-- ere now."

Enjolras has been listening to this in silence, watching the others' faces. His eyebrows rose a little at Harry's irritation, but that's all.

On the one hand: this is the king whose father Harry Percy died rebelling against, and whose own hand and sword killed Harry. My country's king, he says now, as if he owed any loyalty -- and does he feel he does, now, still? -- and as if any king can hold legitimate power.

On the other hand: he's an Englishman, the only one of his nation in this room, and friends with most of the Amis despite the long and bloody history of warring across the very Channel that King Henry plans to cross. It's one thing to build a bridge of friendship across that divide, but another thing to transfer his loyalties across it. He hasn't, and they'd never expect him to.

"Thou knowest," he says now, quietly, "that it's not the people of thy nation we'd oppose, except in defense of France." That's more for Brienne's sake than Harry's. Of course Harry knows, or he wouldn't be on friendly terms with any of them.

"But it's true," and this addressed to Brienne, "that we knew of his aims, and that it's nothing in our reach now, so we may as well leave the whole matter there. Thank you for the warning. It was kindly done."

That's as much peacemaking as he's likely to do. These are thorny issues, and if Bahorel and Harry want or need to argue them out more, he's hardly going to try to stop them. But if it's only a brief flash in the pan of temper, Brienne of Tarth doesn't need to be in the middle of it just for passing on an honorable warning.

Brienne shrugs, slightly embarrassed. "'Twas no trouble." She hadn't meant to start a quarrel, nor had she considered that Harry Percy would be so eager to defend a king he'd tried to overthrow. But even if she'd known, she would have given the warning regardless.

She finds it odd, though, to hear Enjolras say it's not the people of thy nation we'd oppose. Don't the people follow their king? But then, Enjolras and Bahorel have strange ideas about that, as well.

For Harry, it's a chain of logic that is clear and natural. He must believe, true though his cause was, he was fairly and honestly defeated. Given that, despite his father's disloyalty, despite his own reckless ways, it must be that Hal earned his throne.

And besides-- and this, even if pressed, he would not know quite how to say-- if he will not stand for this King of England, this King the strange ways of this place has gradually brought him to respect-- then what country can he stand for? Is he still English at all?

But no one does press him for a motive, so he says to Enjolras, "Ay, I know it." And to Brienne, "'tis done, and far away, and matters not. There is none of us shall see it. --but come, what now shall we try?"

What now--? Hmm.

Bahorel thinks a moment, then grins. "Here, Harry; want to fight about it?" And because Harry's not one to always understand a joke right away, and they are really practicing here and not setting up their own real fight, he adds "--You're both as likely to be breaking up a fight as getting attacked yourselves--and with people you don't want to hurt too badly."

Harry is, yes, caught off-balance by the joke-- but just for a moment! He gets it now! And he nods. "Ay, a wise thought."

Brienne watches Harry and Bahorel as they move onto the same mat, Enjolras off to the side.

She remembers that Security officers are in charge of breaking up amorous encounters as well as fights, and wonders if Bahorel will suggest they practice that as well. The sudden thought makes her blush--but surely not even he would be so shameless. Brienne pushes the foolish thought out of her mind. When Harry and Bahorel begin their mock-fight, she will slide between them to impose peace.

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only