Fic: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (8/13)
Sep. 27th, 2009 06:54 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
starsandseaTitle: The Cacophony of Bats Wings (8/13)
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, Barbara, Dick, Tim, Jim, Harvey
Word Count: 1683
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Betaed by the wonderful![[livejournal.com profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/external/lj-userinfo.gif)
mithen! :)
For a moment, everyone froze. The horns... The call to arms, for every man and woman able to bear them...
The courtyard erupted into movement again, this time chaos, and Bruce suddenly found himself the centre of attention. "Every man and woman able to bear arms, ready to depart." He ordered, already moving back towards the castle. "Dick, keep your men here until all are ready to leave. Captain Gordon, pick men to remain and guard the castle."
They nodded, shouting orders as Bruce felt his mind reeling. The horns... they had not been heard in years. The mercenaries? It must be. He felt a sliver of fear, quickly drowned by worry. He was inside the castle now, Ace trotting at his side, loyal as ever, Barbara and Tim and Stephanie just behind him.
"Bruce! My Lord!" Harvey appeared beside him, but Bruce did not slow down. "Let me ride with them." Bruce did pause now, looking at his friend intently. "Please", Harvey whispered, and Bruce nodded, reaching out to grasp Barbara's arm to prevent her from moving beyond him, Harvey already gone to arm himself.
"Barbara. I need you to stay here." He felt his youngest brother and sister pause behind them.
Barbara's eyes flashed with fire. "What?"
"I need you to stay here. In case we do not come back."
Barbara opened her mouth to say something, but Tim beat her. "We?" He had lowered the hood on his cloak and was looking at him with narrowed eyes.
Bruce took a deep breath. "I am going with them." They all opened their mouths to speak now, but Bruce cut them off with a slice of his hand. "No. I need you to stay here. All of you. If we do not come back... You need to be here."
"But-"
"No." His voice was forceful, commanding. The voice of the King of Gotham.
Barbara's eyes flashed again, but she nodded, slowly echoed by Tim and Stephanie. Bruce nodded as well, moving onto his room, relief flowing over him that he did not need to fight them more. He needed them here, for if he, Dick, Jason and Cassandra did not come back... The throne would still be secure, in the bloodline. Barbara would make an excellent queen.
He reached his room, finding Alfred inside, waiting for him. Somehow, he had known of Bruce's intentions, and had his armour ready for him. Ace whined at his feet, and Bruce took a moment to pet him thoroughly. The dog could not go with them, he simply could not keep up. "Stay. Protect." He instructed. Ace whined again, before licking his face, his hands. "Good boy."
He scratched his ears one last time, making Ace's tail thump against the floor, before standing, and letting Alfred clothe him in his armour.
*****
The courtyard was slightly less chaotic now, a more organized chaos. Barbara was overseeing things. Bruce paused in the doorway, settling into his armour, feeling its weight, the weight of the sword hanging by his side, the heavy cloak down his back, the helmet upon his head.
He could hear his heart thumping in his ears; excitement and anticipation curled in his stomach. He stepped outside and the courtyard stilled. "The Dark Knight!" People whispered as he passed.
Bruce knew his dark armour was gleaming dully, even under the grey skies. He paused next to Barbara. "I entrust Gotham into your hands, sister."
She nodded, inclining her head in a bow. "I will look after Gotham until you return, brother."
Bruce nodded again, then moved forwards, to where his horse, Kal's horse, was standing next to Dick's. Only half the men were ready to go, most of them Dick's men. He nodded at his brother. "I will take this first group. You catch us up with the rest."
Dick nodded, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, as well as a hint of awe. Of course, it had been a long time since he had worn his armour, since The Dark Knight had been needed.
Bruce was going to make up for lost time.
He mounted his horse, nodded at the ready men, then inclined his head at his siblings, at Alfred, Leslie and Lucius, at Ace, sitting at Tim's side. He took in the castle, the courtyard, the people. His people. His land.
Bruce took a deep breath, then nodded at Gordon who had mounted his horse. "Lets go."
*****
Night was falling. They had pressed the horses hard, but they were still too far away. Frustration curled inside Bruce, and he pushed it down, annoyed. Yes, they needed to get there as soon as possible, but it would not do any good for them to get killed or injured, or even be too exhausted to give aid once they arrived at the borders.
Gordon knew his men well, and had sent several on to scout. They could not be completely certain that this was not a trap to empty the castle of nearly all her defenders so it could be seized.
Bruce almost pitied anyone foolish enough to do so while Barbara was there to defend it.
The scouts had reported that Dick and his men were following, though they were many hours distant. They had also reported that the way ahead was clear, for now. Bruce frowned. It was possible they had missed something, and yet...
They needed to start looking for a place to camp. The moon was gone, and when it returned it would be too weak to light their way in darkness. Only in the direst need would they travel then, in the freezing night cold.
The shadows lurked about them, curling closer. Bruce looked at Gordon in silent question.
"They say there is a place a mile ahead, my Lord, that is well sheltered from prying eyes."
Bruce nodded in approval. "Make sure that Richard and his people can find us, if they press on."
Gordon nodded in acknowledgement. There was a cry ahead, moving down the ranks of men like a ripple. It seemed as if some of the scouts had found two soldiers of Jason and Cassandra's people. Bruce and Gordon pressed forward to see them.
"There were too many! So many... We were outnumbered, and had to scatter. I've never seen so many mercenaries... It's taken us this long just to regroup. The Prince and Princess sent us out, back to the castle, to get reinforcements, and with instructions to use the horns..."
Some of the soldiers started talking to them, calming them slightly. Bruce glanced up at the sky; dark clouds were forming, threatening snow. To fight in Winter was folly, for all sides involved. "We will have a war council once camp is set."
Gordon nodded again, and they pressed on to the campsite.
*****
Bruce had had his tent set up, and Gordon had quickly come in to start their strategy. Bruce had mostly taken off his armour - there had been no time for a squire to be found for him, nor would have accepted bringing a child into danger like this - and he was undoing his gauntlets. Candle light glimmered, casting eerie shadows.
"The lookouts report a fire a few miles behind us," Gordon reported as soon as he entered.
Bruce nodded. "Then Richard decided not to press on. Have you heard more from the two soldiers?"
It was Gordon's turn to nod. "They say there were many thousands of mercenaries. Many thousands."
Bruce drew a deep breath. None of them had expected this. Not for there to be this number of mercenaries. They had never numbered so many before. And how was it that they had all come together in the first place? This attack had obviously been planned for a long time.
Harvey slipped into the tent, starting his report. "According to the two soldiers, Prince Jason and Princess Cassandra's forces were scattered, but they have ordered their men to regroup in Bludhaven. The mercenaries have maybe divided their forces - some to attack Bludhaven, maybe, or just keep the men there - the rest to carry on into Gotham proper." Harvey paused. "We have nearly one thousand, five hundred men here, my Lord," he concluded.
Bruce nodded. "We can expect Richard to have about the same number. We do not know how many men Jason and Cassandra have left."
Gordon nodded again, sighing. "We can guess two hundred, maybe. Maybe. They might be able to bolster their ranks, if the people of Bludhaven rally, but... They are not known for being co-operative."
Bruce sighed. "We have nearly three thousand men, then. That is not going to be enough." He paused. "We must ask for reinforcements from our ally, Metropolis." He had had to remove Kal's ring from his finger in order for his gauntlets to fit. He had put it on a chain around his neck, and it now rested over his heart. Bruce could feel it, warm against his skin.
Gordon nodded in agreement. There was a flash in Harvey's left eye, but he nodded as well.
"Then see to it. Have the men continue to scout ahead, and..." He paused again, considering. They did not really have many options, outnumbered as they were. "Have someone relay a message to Richard's men. They are to go to Bludhaven and unite with the forces there. At least we know we will be coming in two directions, then, and may surprise the mercenaries."
Gordon and Harvey exchanged a look, before nodding and bowing, then leaving the tent. Bruce was alone for the first time that day. No Ace was there to lie at his feet and pet. No one.
He sighed, anxiety curling in his stomach. He could only hope he was doing the right thing.
*****
High above, into the freezing darkness of the night, fires were lit atop the mountain range that stretched from Gotham to Metropolis, lighting a message of need.
Rating: PG
Characters/Pairing: Bruce/Kal, Barbara, Dick, Tim, Jim, Harvey
Word Count: 1683
Disclaimer: I own nothing
Author's Note: Previous parts can be found here. Betaed by the wonderful
mithen! :)For a moment, everyone froze. The horns... The call to arms, for every man and woman able to bear them...
The courtyard erupted into movement again, this time chaos, and Bruce suddenly found himself the centre of attention. "Every man and woman able to bear arms, ready to depart." He ordered, already moving back towards the castle. "Dick, keep your men here until all are ready to leave. Captain Gordon, pick men to remain and guard the castle."
They nodded, shouting orders as Bruce felt his mind reeling. The horns... they had not been heard in years. The mercenaries? It must be. He felt a sliver of fear, quickly drowned by worry. He was inside the castle now, Ace trotting at his side, loyal as ever, Barbara and Tim and Stephanie just behind him.
"Bruce! My Lord!" Harvey appeared beside him, but Bruce did not slow down. "Let me ride with them." Bruce did pause now, looking at his friend intently. "Please", Harvey whispered, and Bruce nodded, reaching out to grasp Barbara's arm to prevent her from moving beyond him, Harvey already gone to arm himself.
"Barbara. I need you to stay here." He felt his youngest brother and sister pause behind them.
Barbara's eyes flashed with fire. "What?"
"I need you to stay here. In case we do not come back."
Barbara opened her mouth to say something, but Tim beat her. "We?" He had lowered the hood on his cloak and was looking at him with narrowed eyes.
Bruce took a deep breath. "I am going with them." They all opened their mouths to speak now, but Bruce cut them off with a slice of his hand. "No. I need you to stay here. All of you. If we do not come back... You need to be here."
"But-"
"No." His voice was forceful, commanding. The voice of the King of Gotham.
Barbara's eyes flashed again, but she nodded, slowly echoed by Tim and Stephanie. Bruce nodded as well, moving onto his room, relief flowing over him that he did not need to fight them more. He needed them here, for if he, Dick, Jason and Cassandra did not come back... The throne would still be secure, in the bloodline. Barbara would make an excellent queen.
He reached his room, finding Alfred inside, waiting for him. Somehow, he had known of Bruce's intentions, and had his armour ready for him. Ace whined at his feet, and Bruce took a moment to pet him thoroughly. The dog could not go with them, he simply could not keep up. "Stay. Protect." He instructed. Ace whined again, before licking his face, his hands. "Good boy."
He scratched his ears one last time, making Ace's tail thump against the floor, before standing, and letting Alfred clothe him in his armour.
*****
The courtyard was slightly less chaotic now, a more organized chaos. Barbara was overseeing things. Bruce paused in the doorway, settling into his armour, feeling its weight, the weight of the sword hanging by his side, the heavy cloak down his back, the helmet upon his head.
He could hear his heart thumping in his ears; excitement and anticipation curled in his stomach. He stepped outside and the courtyard stilled. "The Dark Knight!" People whispered as he passed.
Bruce knew his dark armour was gleaming dully, even under the grey skies. He paused next to Barbara. "I entrust Gotham into your hands, sister."
She nodded, inclining her head in a bow. "I will look after Gotham until you return, brother."
Bruce nodded again, then moved forwards, to where his horse, Kal's horse, was standing next to Dick's. Only half the men were ready to go, most of them Dick's men. He nodded at his brother. "I will take this first group. You catch us up with the rest."
Dick nodded, a hint of reluctance in his eyes, as well as a hint of awe. Of course, it had been a long time since he had worn his armour, since The Dark Knight had been needed.
Bruce was going to make up for lost time.
He mounted his horse, nodded at the ready men, then inclined his head at his siblings, at Alfred, Leslie and Lucius, at Ace, sitting at Tim's side. He took in the castle, the courtyard, the people. His people. His land.
Bruce took a deep breath, then nodded at Gordon who had mounted his horse. "Lets go."
*****
Night was falling. They had pressed the horses hard, but they were still too far away. Frustration curled inside Bruce, and he pushed it down, annoyed. Yes, they needed to get there as soon as possible, but it would not do any good for them to get killed or injured, or even be too exhausted to give aid once they arrived at the borders.
Gordon knew his men well, and had sent several on to scout. They could not be completely certain that this was not a trap to empty the castle of nearly all her defenders so it could be seized.
Bruce almost pitied anyone foolish enough to do so while Barbara was there to defend it.
The scouts had reported that Dick and his men were following, though they were many hours distant. They had also reported that the way ahead was clear, for now. Bruce frowned. It was possible they had missed something, and yet...
They needed to start looking for a place to camp. The moon was gone, and when it returned it would be too weak to light their way in darkness. Only in the direst need would they travel then, in the freezing night cold.
The shadows lurked about them, curling closer. Bruce looked at Gordon in silent question.
"They say there is a place a mile ahead, my Lord, that is well sheltered from prying eyes."
Bruce nodded in approval. "Make sure that Richard and his people can find us, if they press on."
Gordon nodded in acknowledgement. There was a cry ahead, moving down the ranks of men like a ripple. It seemed as if some of the scouts had found two soldiers of Jason and Cassandra's people. Bruce and Gordon pressed forward to see them.
"There were too many! So many... We were outnumbered, and had to scatter. I've never seen so many mercenaries... It's taken us this long just to regroup. The Prince and Princess sent us out, back to the castle, to get reinforcements, and with instructions to use the horns..."
Some of the soldiers started talking to them, calming them slightly. Bruce glanced up at the sky; dark clouds were forming, threatening snow. To fight in Winter was folly, for all sides involved. "We will have a war council once camp is set."
Gordon nodded again, and they pressed on to the campsite.
*****
Bruce had had his tent set up, and Gordon had quickly come in to start their strategy. Bruce had mostly taken off his armour - there had been no time for a squire to be found for him, nor would have accepted bringing a child into danger like this - and he was undoing his gauntlets. Candle light glimmered, casting eerie shadows.
"The lookouts report a fire a few miles behind us," Gordon reported as soon as he entered.
Bruce nodded. "Then Richard decided not to press on. Have you heard more from the two soldiers?"
It was Gordon's turn to nod. "They say there were many thousands of mercenaries. Many thousands."
Bruce drew a deep breath. None of them had expected this. Not for there to be this number of mercenaries. They had never numbered so many before. And how was it that they had all come together in the first place? This attack had obviously been planned for a long time.
Harvey slipped into the tent, starting his report. "According to the two soldiers, Prince Jason and Princess Cassandra's forces were scattered, but they have ordered their men to regroup in Bludhaven. The mercenaries have maybe divided their forces - some to attack Bludhaven, maybe, or just keep the men there - the rest to carry on into Gotham proper." Harvey paused. "We have nearly one thousand, five hundred men here, my Lord," he concluded.
Bruce nodded. "We can expect Richard to have about the same number. We do not know how many men Jason and Cassandra have left."
Gordon nodded again, sighing. "We can guess two hundred, maybe. Maybe. They might be able to bolster their ranks, if the people of Bludhaven rally, but... They are not known for being co-operative."
Bruce sighed. "We have nearly three thousand men, then. That is not going to be enough." He paused. "We must ask for reinforcements from our ally, Metropolis." He had had to remove Kal's ring from his finger in order for his gauntlets to fit. He had put it on a chain around his neck, and it now rested over his heart. Bruce could feel it, warm against his skin.
Gordon nodded in agreement. There was a flash in Harvey's left eye, but he nodded as well.
"Then see to it. Have the men continue to scout ahead, and..." He paused again, considering. They did not really have many options, outnumbered as they were. "Have someone relay a message to Richard's men. They are to go to Bludhaven and unite with the forces there. At least we know we will be coming in two directions, then, and may surprise the mercenaries."
Gordon and Harvey exchanged a look, before nodding and bowing, then leaving the tent. Bruce was alone for the first time that day. No Ace was there to lie at his feet and pet. No one.
He sighed, anxiety curling in his stomach. He could only hope he was doing the right thing.
*****
High above, into the freezing darkness of the night, fires were lit atop the mountain range that stretched from Gotham to Metropolis, lighting a message of need.
