Fifth Dispatch - [written]

[captainhornblower]

Tuesday, 21st June

One possession of mine that I am quite eager to have back has yet to appear in the shops here. At least, I have not yet seen it.

If someone would be so kind as to suggest where I might look (if one thinks one shop might be more likely than another) or where I might find a replacement, I should be grateful. The pistol itself has no particular sentimental value, but I do prefer one at hand, should I need it.

[Horatio waits a second, studying what he's written.

Honest enough. He would like a pistol. But, he hopes, noticeable enough to catch the attention of someone. He knows nothing about the filters still, so he cannot hope to privately write to Grell Sutcliffe, and if he writes her name... The others will involve themselves.

Perhaps he can draw her into some communication with this.

Satisfied, he signs.]

Hornblower

Comments

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[Horatio looks over at Archie before reaching over. He settles one long, thin hand over Archie's and gives a slight squeeze.]

I saw the blood, Archie.

I don't know what I'd have done if you hadn't woken up.

[He won't say he's glad. Not with how difficult it was for Archie to say it...

But if it sparked some mercy or compassion from Grell...

He gives another squeeze to Archie's hand.]

[action]

[simplestgift]

You would have waited a week till I came back. It might have been a longer week than usual, but eventually I'd have come back. And life would have gone on.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[It hardly seemed real. To hear death so lightly discarded. But it was reassuring, in a way. It gave him a "worst case" scenario, should his challenge to Grell end badly.

But he nodded, his voice quiet.]

And life would have gone on.

[action]

[simplestgift]

[More hesitation.] But I didn't put myself there deliberately. I would never do that to you.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[A considerable pause from him now.]

And if our positions were reversed, Archie? If I'd been stabbed in the back, left to bleed to death, and been kept unresponsive for a week with another week's bedrest.

What would you do?

[action]

[simplestgift]

I wouldn't make things more difficult for you by getting myself killed. Moreover, I'd give myself a fighting chance by not going in alone. But I'm not Horatio Hornblower.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[He sighs.

At least he's actually thinking about what Archie's said?

Sort of.

A little.

He opens his mouth to speak, but nothing comes out, and Horatio hangs his head a bit. A challenge issued and accepted... To even think of backing out would be cowardice. And to plan an ambush for someone willing to meet one-to-one... And an ambush would only invite retaliation from any allies Grell had.

Folly and fool-heartedness on the one hand, daring and calculation on the other.

Trust your intuition.

His intuition.]

If a group goes against her, Archie... What's to stop this from escalating? We do not need another war.

[action]

[simplestgift]

[We don't need another corpse, either. But why is he trying to talk Horatio out of this? Always before, he knew Horatio would be safe--because he would come after him. He'd even drafted Bush once, to do that. Nothing he says will change anything. Nothing he says to Horatio, anyway.]

Just...be careful.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[He tried to smile, though the expression didn't reach his eyes.]

I always am.

[action]

[simplestgift]

No, you're not. [A sad smile.]

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[A quiet sigh, and he can't quite look at Archie. He's not sure whether it's really a good thing or not...]

I've learned to surrender.

[action]

[simplestgift]

You knew how long ago, but only when you had men about you to protect. Would you surrender to save yourself?

[action]

[captainhornblower]

If the chance is given, perhaps.

[No.]

[action]

[simplestgift]

...I'm coming with you.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

We didn't agree to seconds.

[But it's not a "no," at least.]

[action]

[simplestgift]

You're not going to a duel, Horatio. You're going to a massacre. You need me by your side.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

I will see if I can modify the terms.

I'm not going to give her an excuse to do worse.

[action]

[simplestgift]

She doesn't need an excuse, Horatio. You mean nothing to her.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

She spared you once, Archie. If you come along and she knows nothing about it? She may not be so kind again.

[He'll gamble his life without a second thought... but he'll worry about Archie.]

[action]

[simplestgift]

And she might spare me again. She didn't want any of this.

[action]

[captainhornblower]

Let me speak with her about the terms. [His sense of honour will allow nothing less. ...At least right now.]

[action]

[simplestgift]

Very well. [Not like he's letting you do this anyway, H.]

[action]

[captainhornblower]

Now. [A squeeze to Archie's hand.] Rest.

We'll get you home tomorrow. I think you'll like the house.

[action]

[simplestgift]

[He squeezes back.]

Where is it?

[action]

[captainhornblower]

[Now, Horatio can manage a smile, however faint it might be.]

Just behind the library.