War Camp, Glacia, Autumn,

[glacial_witch]

Between what Dinah and Momoko had found and the fact that winter was very, very close now, it was time to take serious action. There had been skirmishes up and down Glacia ever since they had fled the capitol, but nothing definitive. Karla still held the north, Hobart the south. And with winter practically breathing down their necks, things were

Comments

[apocalipped]

"I thought staring at those bloody things until I couldn't see straight anymore was my job, luv," Jonothon noted, quietly stepping up to peer down at the map that Karla was trying to focus on. "This one doing any tricks for you yet?"

[glacial_witch]

"No, but I'm hoping that if I stare at it a few more minutes, it will," Karla told him. "If I have my way, I'm going to make it sit up and beg."

Or maybe that was her plans for Hobart. One of those.

[apocalipped]

"Mmmhm. How about telling me what you have in mind with this mess, then?" Jono raised an eyebrow, giving her a wry smile. "Maybe I can throw in my own two cents here, luv."

[glacial_witch]

"Winning all the things forever and then being ushered in on the shoulders of the people who spat at us last time?" Karla offered, not at all helpfully. "Though, I suppose, that's more like my endgame than an actual plan."

[trigons_child]

Raven warmed her hands by a brazier and gratefully accepted a glass of mulled wine. She studied Karla for a moment, then moved closer to lay a hand on her arm.

"When was the last time you slept?" she asked.

[glacial_witch]

"Last night!" Karla protested--only to fold guilty a moment later. "Not for very long, though. Having trouble sleeping."

[trigons_child]

"Let me help you tonight?" Raven said. "I know you are concerned about Glacia and your people, but you must keep your own strength up as well. A rested mind is a clearer mind."

[glacial_witch]

Karla was tempted to argue (when wasn't Karla tempted to argue?) but only out of sheer stubbornness. "That'd be nice," she murmured, turning to give Raven a small smile. "I'm trying not to drink up all the sleepy-time tea. I know there are other people who need it, too."

[blondecanary]

Dinah had just come back from doing a patrol around the surrounding area; she rubbed her hands in front of the fire. "So. What's new? Or not new?"

[glacial_witch]

"A whole lot of not new," Karla said, glowering a little more at the map. "I'm hoping you and Momoko will be willing to go over what you found again?"

Karla had read their report, but she wasn't sure if anyone else had. Not to mention, hearing it again from the girls directly could only be beneficial.

[blondecanary]

"No problem," Dinah said agreeably, reaching for a cup of the mulled wine. "Fresh eyes and ears can't hurt. Especially ones more familiar with the area." She took a sip, and said, "Want me to start, or wait on Momoko and other people?"

[glacial_witch]

"Whichever you'd prefer?" Karla said, giving Dinah one of her increasingly-rare smile. "I'm not exactly in a rush to hear it all again, to be honest."

[heromaniac]

Momoko was going to totally be spoiled by mulled wine. SPOILED! She was moving to sit at the table, goblet in hand, trying to talk the boyos into playing Cradle with her: "But it's to relax!"

And it was, too. Not that she could admit that it was more relaxing to needle the guys about it than actually playing.

[glacial_witch]

"The next person who asks if I need a nap is going to be forced to play with us," Karla muttered to Momoko as she started scooping up the maps that littered the table.

[heromaniac]

Momoko shifted her elbow off the map (JUST THE CORNER, JONO! NO HARM, NO DISRESPECT!) so she could have the one without tugging.

"That's a stupid thing to ask; it's obvious you do." She rolled her eyes, letting her latest victim escape before she could use the apparently legendary 'big eyes' on him. "Has anyone asked if you've eaten?" Momoko reached for another goblet and poured Karla some wine.

[glacial_witch]

Karla was going to respond to that by sticking her tongue out and giving Momoko a raspberry. That very mature counter aside, she was also going to take the wine.

Karla had priorities.

"Your face needs a nap," she mumbled, not at all sulkily.

[not_a_parakeet]

Warren was a little later for the meeting than most, yes, and he looked a little on the tired side as he finally made his way into the tent.

He could think of ways he'd rather have spent his day than trying to reason with landen farmers talking about deserting in the hope of helping their families get through the long winter ahead. He'd seen more than he'd care to admit off with a severance pay of sorts. They wouldn't get any use out of soldiers who didn't want to be there in the first place, after all.

"Any good news on this side of the tent walls? Anybody?"

[glacial_witch]

Karla kissed his cheek. "I love you?"

Did that count?

[not_a_parakeet]

"Actually, that's some news that I can get behind," Warren murmured, offering her a ghost of a smile as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "My best guess is that I've managed to convince about a quarter of those talking about deserting to stick around. None of them made that decision lightly in the first place, and their families take top priority, right now."

[glacial_witch]

"I understand," Karla replied, clinging to his arms. "I know you did the best you could. And, well, I can't blame them. It's not like they knew what it could entail, not really. Even with Jono and Julian trying to explain."

How to comprehend war after fifty thousand years of peace?

"Thank you for trying, love."