Sharpe's Exploits

[Lady_Mornington]

Justine de Villiers

"I'm sure that Milord Wellington will overlook the inconvenience of missing dinner when he hears what I have to say Major Sharpe."

Giving de Avellanos the shadow of a smile before holding her hands our in front of her, crossed at the wrists to make it easier for him to tie her up again.

"Did you by any chance take my sabre as well Captain? By rights it's yours and I do think it will suit you as well as it did me."

Turning again to Sharpe "Will I be given my own mount or do you intend for me to ride like a cavalry man's whore Major?"

 

[Katamari Roller]

Alfonso found it a bit difficult to suppress a laugh at Justine's comment, so he settled for a smile, and tied her hands not too tightly but well enough. Then, he saluted Sharpe.

"With your permission, sir, it might, as a matter of fact, be convenient to carry her weapon with us. Who knows what will happen if she really has something to tell Lord Wellington."

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

"Yes, I'm sure he'll be rivetted - so long as he has the slightest faith in your truthfullness." Sharpe rolled his eyes.

Leaving the tent finally, after taking the time to check Justine's knots, he led the way out of the tent and out into the sunlight. Spying Kate he offered her his arm and the two of them led the way to the horses.

"You up to a ride, Miss Savage?" he asked gently, before turning to horses. Pulling Justine's saber from the horse that she had ridden in on, he drew it and looked at the blade appreciatively.

"Now this IS a rare piece of beauty, isn't it?" he offered, before thrusting the blade deep into the earth, setting his foot against it and slowly pressing down until the thin steel shattered.

Removing the stub of the blade he thrust it home into the scabbard and threw belt and hilt to Captain de Avellanos. "Here - now it looks the part without being dangerous. Much like it's owner. That much sword I'll let her wear."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage / Justine de Villiers

Kate could hardly surpress a laugh as Richard took the dreadful woman's sabre and with an elaborate show broke it. It was not that she had been jealous as such, yet something about the woman colonel had grated against her nerves. seeing Richard cut her down to size felt surprisingly good. Getting into the saddle, smiling at Richard and de Avellanos as she had been furnished with a lady-saddle rather than a standard-issue one. Bringing the mare close to Richard's horse, and smiling shyly. "I always pictured that our first ride together would be on the hills overlooking Oporto but this'll do."


Justine did not move neither say a word as her expensive sabre was shattered. Keeping her face impassive as Sharpe taunted her. She had figured him out by now, and she was damned if she'd let him get at her. Turning to Alfonso; "Could I trouble you for some assistance Captain de Avellanos? Seeing as Major Sharpe is unlikely to offer courtesies to captured officers when there's a whore to attend." Keeping her eyes on Sharpe as she heard Madmoiselle Savage gasp in shock.

 

[Katamari Roller]

"Now, señorita Justine... please, contain your words a bit..." Alfonso stepped beside her horse, and put his two hands together so she could step on them and get up onto her ride. Sharpe was just inviting her to be rude, and she was raising up to the challenge. Alfonso wondered who would snap first, and was quite worried about the long ride that was ahead.

He still found it a bit hard to hide his disgust at Sharpe's attitude. Breaking a soldier's weapon was hardly a good way of establishing an amiable relationship...

When Justine was on her saddle, Alfonso offered her the broken sabre. If Sharpe decided he would let her wear it, well, it was his orders. Even if they were mistaken. Even a broken sabre could be used by a skilled, or desperate, enemy. With a swift jump, Alfonso mounted on his horse, and sat upright and proud.

"Ready to go, sir."

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

His hand had hovered near the hilt of the huge cavalry sword, but it hadn't been Justine's face that he'd watched. Instead he'd been studying de Avellanos. If the boy was going to give him trouble, it would have been then - but he meekly obeyed orders despite a slight curl of his lip.

No matter. The last thing that Sharpe gave a damn about was this youngsters opinion of his treatment of Justine.

He heard Justine's stinging rebuke and laughed, but didn't address her directly, instead speaking to Kate. "You must ignore her. She's been trying to get Captain de Avellanos or myself angry enough to hit her all day. Now she must think she can get to me through you."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

Kate was visibly taken aback by the insult hurled at her and Richard, and she felt her cheeks burn as she coldly returned the French colonel's stare. Reaching out for Richard as she haughtily turned away from the dreadful woman.

It was not the word in themselves. Kate knew full well her worth, it was more the way Justine de Villiers had spoken them. The woman seemed to be completely void of moral as well as sense of decorum and it rattled Kate that anyone could be as reckless and seemingly careless about her own life, given that she was at the mercy of enemy soldiers.

"Richard" she whispered "is she insane?" Wondering if she'd try anything that would put Richard or de Avellanos at risk.

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

"Quite likely, I'm afraid. Who knows what war would to a woman - especially her experiences. You'll have to be strong Kate - you wanted to make sure we treated her properly - there's a price for that, I'm afraid."

Sharpe swung himself up into his saddle and indicated that Justine and de Avellanos should lead off.

 

[Katamari Roller]

Alfonso nodded at Sharpe's indication, and led the comitive together with Justine, taking her horse by the reins and making it go alongside his. Truth was, he was in a bit of a good humour. Leaning towards Justine, he grinned like the accomplice of a funny, naughty crime.

"Seems Miss Savage does not appreciate you too much... and neither does Sharpe."

 

[Steiner]

Major Sharpe

"Captain! Why don't you quit gossiping like an old woman and keep an eye out for trouble instead. You're supposed to be guarding the bitch, not entertaining her!"

Sharpe growled, genuinely displeased with the rapport forming between prisoner and hussar. He was beginning to suspect that he should have left the man back at camp.

 

[Katamari Roller]

"Yes, sir! Of course, sir!"

Alfonso straightened up on his saddle, grinning. This kind of thing was best taken in good humour. All officers were like that. Perhaps if he was in the major's position he would have done the same. And, he was conscious of the danger Justine represented, after all.

But he did have a point in suggesting that he should keep an eye out. Meeting an English unit while carrying a French prisoner might not be the most pleasant of experiences...

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage / Justine de Villiers

"Yes I understand Richard" Kate kept her stare impassive yet the colour on her cheeks betrayed her feelings vis-a-vis the Colonel de Chasseurs "and if you get the chance, I'd like you to cut her down to size. Preferably with that sword of yours."

She smiled mischeviously as she saw Richard's reaction. She was acting out of charachter yet there was something about the Colonel that reminded her of James Christopher. The same devil-may-care appearence and the smug confidence that nothing could really happen to them. "Or you could ask Hagman to just shoot her. He's good with a rifle I've heard."

Kate's and Richard's conversation had not carried to Justine, although she'd seen the colour rise on the woman's cheeks. Smiling to de Avellanos as he spoke to her.

"Women like her are nothing but whores Captain. They tie up their lives around a man. If she doesn't want to name herself with her correct title then at least I should. As for Sharpe, he's a simpleton. A ruffian. Not a proper officer one might say."

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

She was still talking to him, Sharpe noticed. And he couldn't bark orders on the subject again without sounding like he was accusing de Avellanos of some deriliction of duty.

The young cavalryman's eyes scanned the countryside and he avoided staring solely at his captive, so for now Sharpe would be content. But the few words he could lipread of Justine's statement were worrying. It looked as if she might be trying to convince the young man to mutiny.

Shifting the rifle around to the front of his horse, Sharpe reloaded it and checked the flint. Then left it draped over the saddlehorn where he could reach it. If it looked like she succeeded he'd kill her first, and then gut de Avellanos.

 

[Katamari Roller]

"Hmmm..."

Alfonso avoided pronouncing himself about the subject, even if he thought Justine was speaking the truth. A woman didn't need to be a whore to love a man, but in this particular case, seeing how Sharpe was married... well, that was adultery, that's what it was.

He found that meeting Sharpe was quite a letdown. He had been told he was a good officer, but he couldn't treat a prisoner right. True, Alfonso had not been kind to her, but there was a difference. That was interrogation. This was just moving Justine to talk with Lord Wellington. A simple transport mission that Sharpe and Justine had made into a verbal brawl.

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

Kate brought her little mare closer to Richard's mount as they rode on, negotiating the somewhat steep path that led to HQ.

"Do you really think she's got such important tidings to bring to Lord Wellington Richard? It strikes me as odd to let someone like her do the negotiations in such case."

She smiled at Richard again, "Perhaps she's sent here to assasinate him? You may have to save his life again."

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

"That was definitely something I considered. One reason why I broke her sword. Now if she wants to fight Wellington she needs to go through me - and I have a full length blade."

He shrugged.

"I really couldn't understand sending someone like this to negotiate. As you say - her foul nature if bound to get the better of her."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Justine de Villiers

Justine smiled as she heard Sharpe's conversation with Madmoiselle Savage. Turning to Alfonso, and bringing her own horse closer in a deliberate gesture.

"It seemes that Major Sharpe fears I will try something dishonourable. I wouldn't want to unduely worry him so I will ask you to take the sabre, or what's left or it. Pity though, it cost me quite a lot."

Turning to Sharpe and Kate.

"This I belive, must be akin to a ride in the English countryside isn't it? The lord of the manour, his trusted friend," nodding to Alfonso "the caught vixen and of course the mistress." Smiling coldly to Kate "Do remind me to thank Milord Wellington for your graceful lesson Major."

 

[Steiner]

Major Richard Sharpe

"Well, I wouldn't know anything about that. Maybe if you'd been paying attention to what I could have taught you this morning, you'd have learned something that would make you a better soldier. To be honest those are the only sorts of lessons *I* learn from the enemy - how to fight them."
Sharpe seemed to muse for a second

"I'm a city boy, so I don't know MUCH about foxes, but some of my lads are country born and bred. One of them told me that there's a lot of romantic nonsense talked about foxes when, really, they're little more than cunning vermin."

Finally he ended with advice spoken in an even tone.

"It's up to you what you talk to Nosey about. That letter of yours will get you in the door, but it won't keep you in the room if you waste his time. Have you considered that he might want to avoid the political worries of being seen to negotiate with your master, and delegate you to a lesser official?"

 

[Katamari Roller]

Alfonso kept silent, out of prudence and convenience. Taking Justine's sabre with dignified care, he tucked it firmly under his belt. Truly, he was starting to despise the situation, and frowned as he stared dead ahead, willing the path to disappear more quickly.

He was starting to find that, as much a shy man as he was around women, perhaps he would prefer Justine's company to Sharpe's. Clearly, the man didn't know when to close his mouth, or didn't know when to consider it advisable. Making Justine angry right before going to meet Wellington was hardly the most prudent stance, he thought...

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Justine de Villiers

She smiled again as Alfonso carefully took the scabbard and what was left of her sword. His features a mask as he pointedly ignored both her and Major Sharpe.

"Oh don't look so dour Captain, after all you're going to see your Commander in Chief." Turning around to look at Sharpe "As for me, I do think Milord Wellington will not delegate this to a lesser authority than his own. Further couldn't help overhearing Madmoiselle Savage that you saved his life. My compliments on that Major and I can now see why you have managed to secure your commission."

Laughing again as she found the observation irrestibly funny.

"You really are his dog are you not Sharpe?"

Returning her attention to Alfonso again "When all this terrible business is overwith I would like to invite you to visit France. Perhaps I could show you another side to my country then what you have seen this far."

 

[Britwitch]

Susannah

Voices and sounds and images flashed through Susannah's mind as the fever raged. Flashes of wounded men interspersed with Patrick's smile and bright eyes. The voices of Miss Savage and the strained voice of the surgeon from the tent that day all blending together and churning over and over. She thought she could hear Patrick's voice above all else though as she drifted in and out of strange dreams and visions.

She felt hot and cold, burning up one moment and shivering the next. Several times she felt she could open her eyes and speak, to ask for help, to ask what was happening but she never quite managed it. Her lips murmuring every now and then, her eyes fluttering open but never quite focusing.

She was fighting, fighting with everything that was inside her. What she was fighting for she was not entirely sure but in the haziness of her mind Patrick's face was there almost constantly.

 

[Longleg]

Patricks heart skipped a beat with each murmur , the lass was a fighter no doubt about it.

"There there lass you just keep up the battle for a short while yet, Patrick is with you " He took her soft hands in his own careful not to hold too hard.

His eyes steadfastly on her own face ,worry inhabited his own as the candle light flickered he didn't notice as one of the camp woman came in and replaced the water bowl.

Time passed and Susannah's battle continued Harper with her every step of the way hand to hand heart to heart and his normally loud voice continued to sing softly.

As a tear fell.

And then another.

 

[Steiner]

Major Sharpe

Judging from the expression on his face de Avellanos was as sick of this ordeal as Sharpe was himself. He had no idea why the cocky bitch wouldn't just keep her mouth shut and ride to where she was going. He found himself out of his depth here - was she trying to needle him to put him off balance? Why? What on earth did she stand to gain from any of this?

"Captain de Avellanos will likely be seeing France himself in the very near future madam Colonel. He can draw his own conclusions then."

Finally the first cavalry picquets were visible - coming in from both flanks as they should. Sharpe waved to them with relief. Sullen Portuguese and malicious French - it felt good to be amongst friends again.

"We're about there now. Take it easily while the picquet sniffs us and agrees we're friendlies."

 

[Lady_Mornington]

Kate Savage

"Don't let her get to you Richard. You're better than that horrible woman"

Kate had whispered the reply as they drew closer to Army HQ. Kate felt Richard tense up and unconciously she looked around, wondering perhaps if there was trouble brewing. Not that she'd expect any but then again her knowledge of such things was limited.

"I think Lord Wellington will be awfully displeased with the Colonel. He's got quite the short temper as far as I know him."

She smiled at Richard again, the thought of seeing Arthur Wellesley putting de Villiers in her place was quite pleasing. Seeing him wink at her and knowing Richard was sure to feel the same.

 

[Katamari Roller]

The arrival at the picquet was almost calming. The incessant bickering might, just might, end once they reached Lord Wellington's headquarters. Alfonso had to admit that he felt curious about the man who was leading the defense of Spain and subsequent attack into France... specially because he had heard there seemed to be some kind of relationship between him and Sharpe.

What the relationship was, he couldn't begin to comprehend. A man of such talent and coming from a good cradle could have nothing to do with Sharpe, a man who had risen from the ranks. But... didn't Miss Savage say something about him saving Lord Wellington's life? That was quite probably a good reason for the two of them to be acquainted with each other.

Alfonso stepped in front of the group, and spoke in what little measure of Portuguese he knew. But he made sure not to get too far away from Justine. He looked at her, putting a hand on his pistol. Anyone would consider that a gesture of precaution about a prisoner's possibilities of trying to get away... but Alfonso was more worried about the picquet trying to get their hands on Justine. If the French cavalry was bad, Alfonso did not want to take his chances with the Portuguese...

"Major Sharpe and Captain de Avellanos, we are transporting a prisoner to be interrogated at headquarters."