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MoTF update: Nathaniel centric w/ Dimitri and plot details.
On with the Masters of Their Field art…
Part one plot details can be found here.
Part Two
-Towards the end of their trek, Dimitri tells Nate that he's attracted to him and then kisses him, but Nathaniel reacts badly, and the situation quickly turns into an all-out argument, ending when Dimitri walks out of their makeshift camp. He's back the next morning though, and they barely have time to start arguing again before running into a British patrol party.
-They're promptly arrested (once the British see Dimitri's uniform) and taken to a nearby fort where Julien—who's been promoted and now outranks Nathaniel—is in charge. Convinced that Dimitri is a spy, Julien gives orders to hang him the next day. Reluctantly, he does nothing to Nate.
- For the rest of that day and most of the evening, Nathaniel vacillates between whether to free Dimitri or not. Despite the fact that Dimitri is a Frenchman, Nate genuinely cares about him, and of course, there's still Wilmer to deal with.
-That night, Nathaniel rescues Dimitri, regardless of the consequences (which could very well be fatal). They travel through the first half of the night toward a garrison Dimitri knows is nearby.
-André Marien is currently in charge of the small garrison used as a way station for traveling French troops. It's temporarily unoccupied although it can comfortably fit two scores of soldiers or more if needed. Remembering Dimitri from a previous meeting, André welcomes them warmly. The two soldiers spend the night there at which point Nate also finally admits that he's in love with Dimitri.
-At first the men are certain they'll still be plenty ahead of Julien, but they underestimate him. Julien is relentless and now convinced that Nathaniel is a spy as well. He recaptures the duo about a day later along with the Canadian fur trapper/militiaman, André.
-Nathaniel and Dimitri try to explain about Wilmer, but Julien doesn't know whether to believe them or not. Even though he hates Nate, Julien never thought he'd be a traitor. He still won't let them go though. However, Dimitri has other plans. He manages to snatch Julien's pistol, and forces him at gunpoint to release them. With no other choice, Julien concedes to their wishes but insists on going too, and the four men (Dimitri, Julien, Nathaniel, and André) leave quietly.
-The fort is close, and they arrive mid-morning. Dimitri tells his uncle, who's in command of the fort, about Thomas Wilmer being a spy. Wilmer overhears this and tries in vain to flee.
-A scuffle ensues. With one of two pistols, Wilmer shoots Julien in the shoulder, and Nate chases Wilmer into one of the supply rooms. They both fire at each other, and Wilmer is shot in the chest and dies. However, his shot ignites some gunpowder stored in the room, and it explodes. Nate survives this, but his right hand is permanently and badly injured.
-After a few days of rest and medical attention, Nate and Julien make plans to return to British lines. Nathaniel and Dimitri say an awkward good-bye. Dimitri promises to find Nate after the fighting is eventually over, but Nathaniel (already upset over the injury to his hand) is very cynical, and their farewell almost ends in an argument.
-Dimitri's uncle, Michel, sends them back to the nearest British stronghold after giving orders that they be allowed through French territory unharmed. He also gives them a note explaining to their superior officers that Wilmer was a double agent and how Nathaniel and Julien helped stop him. It was a nice gesture, but obviously a letter from a French commander isn't good enough to get them out of hot water.
-Facing an inquiry and severe court martial for their very odd and somewhat suspicious [read: spy like] behavior, Julien and Nathaniel barely get out of trouble. Julien's family name and money saves him while a general who was friends with Nathaniel's father interferes on Nate's behalf. There are still black marks on both men's careers though. Especially Nathaniel's which is all but finished. Between his dubious dealings with the French and his crippled right hand, Nate ends up as an off-to-the-side desk officer for the remainder of the war.
[Note: Thanks to his training in fencing, Nathaniel is ambidextrous and can still write, etc. well enough with his left hand. However, active fighting—particularly loading a pistol or musket—in battle would be impossible for him. So would any other work involving the use of two hands.]
-After the French and Indian War ends, Nathaniel is offered another fairly menial job in southern Newfoundland. His main tasks there will be to run a small coastal command post, oversee training of some new troops, and to keep an eye on the still-French-controlled islands, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, right off shore and uphold good diplomatic relations with the commander of a small garrison stationed there. And the person in charge of said small garrison happens to be a certain French lieutenant…
And that's how it finishes with them being reunited in Newfoundland for a semi-kinda happy ending. XD
Oh and in case anyone was wondering, Saint Pierre and Miquelon are actually real islands conveniently near Newfoundland.
Watercolor expressions for Nathaniel. The first two are rather typical expressions for him, but the last is not a look he would have in public.
If there's one thing Nathaniel is very good at, it's fencing. He's been practicing since he was ten, and now he can use both hands almost interchangeably. Julien Marksby kicked his butt once though when they were teens. Yet another reason why those two don't get along.
Just a few arm sketches for fencing poses.
"Watching Over You"
Aw, sweet moment taking place while Dimitri and Nathaniel are staying the night at the outpost André's in charge of.
This is an early scene happening about a day or so after Nathaniel and Dimitri get separated from their troops and stuck with each other. The two soldiers are captured by Native Americans who happen to be on the French side, and the Indians assume Nathaniel is Dimitri's prisoner and tie him up and shove him on his knees, all the better to prevent an escape. (Off screen in the pic there are a bunch of Huron warriors who will shoot Nate if he tries to make a run for it.)
Unfortunately for him, Nate doesn't even remember Dimitri's name, just his rank. So he's saying "Lieutenant…?" to try and get Dimitri's attention and help. Nathaniel has heard rumors that the Native Americans scalp and kill British prisoners, and he realizes now that the only one who can currently save him is Dimitri.
And I actually wrote out the story for this part so here 'tis…
---------
The British captain knew he was in trouble up to his ears. Two Indians stood not very far away, muskets trained on him, and there were plenty more about the clearing. Even if Nate's hands had been untied, he wouldn't have made it farther than three steps.
Fear covered him like a cold sweat. Nathaniel had heard horror stories about scalping and torture, and he was humiliated to admit that he was scared. Pride demanded that he remain silent, but self preservation overruled it. Revolting as the prospect was, he would need the Frenchman's help. And that was when it occurred to Nathaniel: he didn't even know this soldier's name! At the river—bayonet and dagger drawn—the Frenchie had referred to himself as Lieutenant…something. Damn, the rank was the only thing Nate could remember. It was better than nothing though.
"Lieutenant…?" Nathaniel called softly, trying to get the other man's attention.
____________________
This was all going surprisingly well. The Indians had assumed Captain Merrington was Dimitri's prisoner and wanted to trade for him. Now all Dimitri had to do was agree and come up with a price. Supplies, of course; enough to get him back to his post. A triumphant smile snaked across the Frenchman's face.
"Lieutenant…?"
The voice was quiet, almost imploring and not at all how the Briton had previously sounded. Dimitri paused, grin sliding away as he glanced over his shoulder at the other man. Captain Merrington looked, well, frightened. He wasn't cringing in the dirt like a coward, but his expression gave him away. Dimitri sighed through grit teeth. Dammit, what had he been thinking? He couldn't just leave the man, British or not.
The Frenchman looked down at his hurt leg. Before the Indians had found them, Merrington had used part of his crimson sash as a makeshift dressing for the wound. The rough strip of fabric fit comfortably with the ends poking out of his white gaiter. Even though Merrington had only helped because he needed Dimitri as a guide, the bandage was still a nice gesture. And besides, with his leg injured, he would require help getting back to French territory, and it didn't seem as if the Indians would be volunteering their assistance…
"Brave warrior," Dimitri said politely to the Huron man in front of him, "please release zis man. 'E is not my prisoner but a messenger; I am guiding 'im to a great French chief north of 'ere."
---------
Ironically, if their positions had been reversed and they'd met up with British-allied Indians instead, Nathaniel would not have bothered to save Dimitri.
Whew, so there we have. Meh, I'm it's late/early… *goes to bed*
Part one plot details can be found here.
Part Two
-Towards the end of their trek, Dimitri tells Nate that he's attracted to him and then kisses him, but Nathaniel reacts badly, and the situation quickly turns into an all-out argument, ending when Dimitri walks out of their makeshift camp. He's back the next morning though, and they barely have time to start arguing again before running into a British patrol party.
-They're promptly arrested (once the British see Dimitri's uniform) and taken to a nearby fort where Julien—who's been promoted and now outranks Nathaniel—is in charge. Convinced that Dimitri is a spy, Julien gives orders to hang him the next day. Reluctantly, he does nothing to Nate.
- For the rest of that day and most of the evening, Nathaniel vacillates between whether to free Dimitri or not. Despite the fact that Dimitri is a Frenchman, Nate genuinely cares about him, and of course, there's still Wilmer to deal with.
-That night, Nathaniel rescues Dimitri, regardless of the consequences (which could very well be fatal). They travel through the first half of the night toward a garrison Dimitri knows is nearby.
-André Marien is currently in charge of the small garrison used as a way station for traveling French troops. It's temporarily unoccupied although it can comfortably fit two scores of soldiers or more if needed. Remembering Dimitri from a previous meeting, André welcomes them warmly. The two soldiers spend the night there at which point Nate also finally admits that he's in love with Dimitri.
-At first the men are certain they'll still be plenty ahead of Julien, but they underestimate him. Julien is relentless and now convinced that Nathaniel is a spy as well. He recaptures the duo about a day later along with the Canadian fur trapper/militiaman, André.
-Nathaniel and Dimitri try to explain about Wilmer, but Julien doesn't know whether to believe them or not. Even though he hates Nate, Julien never thought he'd be a traitor. He still won't let them go though. However, Dimitri has other plans. He manages to snatch Julien's pistol, and forces him at gunpoint to release them. With no other choice, Julien concedes to their wishes but insists on going too, and the four men (Dimitri, Julien, Nathaniel, and André) leave quietly.
-The fort is close, and they arrive mid-morning. Dimitri tells his uncle, who's in command of the fort, about Thomas Wilmer being a spy. Wilmer overhears this and tries in vain to flee.
-A scuffle ensues. With one of two pistols, Wilmer shoots Julien in the shoulder, and Nate chases Wilmer into one of the supply rooms. They both fire at each other, and Wilmer is shot in the chest and dies. However, his shot ignites some gunpowder stored in the room, and it explodes. Nate survives this, but his right hand is permanently and badly injured.
-After a few days of rest and medical attention, Nate and Julien make plans to return to British lines. Nathaniel and Dimitri say an awkward good-bye. Dimitri promises to find Nate after the fighting is eventually over, but Nathaniel (already upset over the injury to his hand) is very cynical, and their farewell almost ends in an argument.
-Dimitri's uncle, Michel, sends them back to the nearest British stronghold after giving orders that they be allowed through French territory unharmed. He also gives them a note explaining to their superior officers that Wilmer was a double agent and how Nathaniel and Julien helped stop him. It was a nice gesture, but obviously a letter from a French commander isn't good enough to get them out of hot water.
-Facing an inquiry and severe court martial for their very odd and somewhat suspicious [read: spy like] behavior, Julien and Nathaniel barely get out of trouble. Julien's family name and money saves him while a general who was friends with Nathaniel's father interferes on Nate's behalf. There are still black marks on both men's careers though. Especially Nathaniel's which is all but finished. Between his dubious dealings with the French and his crippled right hand, Nate ends up as an off-to-the-side desk officer for the remainder of the war.
[Note: Thanks to his training in fencing, Nathaniel is ambidextrous and can still write, etc. well enough with his left hand. However, active fighting—particularly loading a pistol or musket—in battle would be impossible for him. So would any other work involving the use of two hands.]
-After the French and Indian War ends, Nathaniel is offered another fairly menial job in southern Newfoundland. His main tasks there will be to run a small coastal command post, oversee training of some new troops, and to keep an eye on the still-French-controlled islands, Saint Pierre and Miquelon, right off shore and uphold good diplomatic relations with the commander of a small garrison stationed there. And the person in charge of said small garrison happens to be a certain French lieutenant…
And that's how it finishes with them being reunited in Newfoundland for a semi-kinda happy ending. XD
Oh and in case anyone was wondering, Saint Pierre and Miquelon are actually real islands conveniently near Newfoundland.
Watercolor expressions for Nathaniel. The first two are rather typical expressions for him, but the last is not a look he would have in public.
If there's one thing Nathaniel is very good at, it's fencing. He's been practicing since he was ten, and now he can use both hands almost interchangeably. Julien Marksby kicked his butt once though when they were teens. Yet another reason why those two don't get along.
Just a few arm sketches for fencing poses.
"Watching Over You"
Aw, sweet moment taking place while Dimitri and Nathaniel are staying the night at the outpost André's in charge of.
This is an early scene happening about a day or so after Nathaniel and Dimitri get separated from their troops and stuck with each other. The two soldiers are captured by Native Americans who happen to be on the French side, and the Indians assume Nathaniel is Dimitri's prisoner and tie him up and shove him on his knees, all the better to prevent an escape. (Off screen in the pic there are a bunch of Huron warriors who will shoot Nate if he tries to make a run for it.)
Unfortunately for him, Nate doesn't even remember Dimitri's name, just his rank. So he's saying "Lieutenant…?" to try and get Dimitri's attention and help. Nathaniel has heard rumors that the Native Americans scalp and kill British prisoners, and he realizes now that the only one who can currently save him is Dimitri.
And I actually wrote out the story for this part so here 'tis…
---------
The British captain knew he was in trouble up to his ears. Two Indians stood not very far away, muskets trained on him, and there were plenty more about the clearing. Even if Nate's hands had been untied, he wouldn't have made it farther than three steps.
Fear covered him like a cold sweat. Nathaniel had heard horror stories about scalping and torture, and he was humiliated to admit that he was scared. Pride demanded that he remain silent, but self preservation overruled it. Revolting as the prospect was, he would need the Frenchman's help. And that was when it occurred to Nathaniel: he didn't even know this soldier's name! At the river—bayonet and dagger drawn—the Frenchie had referred to himself as Lieutenant…something. Damn, the rank was the only thing Nate could remember. It was better than nothing though.
"Lieutenant…?" Nathaniel called softly, trying to get the other man's attention.
This was all going surprisingly well. The Indians had assumed Captain Merrington was Dimitri's prisoner and wanted to trade for him. Now all Dimitri had to do was agree and come up with a price. Supplies, of course; enough to get him back to his post. A triumphant smile snaked across the Frenchman's face.
"Lieutenant…?"
The voice was quiet, almost imploring and not at all how the Briton had previously sounded. Dimitri paused, grin sliding away as he glanced over his shoulder at the other man. Captain Merrington looked, well, frightened. He wasn't cringing in the dirt like a coward, but his expression gave him away. Dimitri sighed through grit teeth. Dammit, what had he been thinking? He couldn't just leave the man, British or not.
The Frenchman looked down at his hurt leg. Before the Indians had found them, Merrington had used part of his crimson sash as a makeshift dressing for the wound. The rough strip of fabric fit comfortably with the ends poking out of his white gaiter. Even though Merrington had only helped because he needed Dimitri as a guide, the bandage was still a nice gesture. And besides, with his leg injured, he would require help getting back to French territory, and it didn't seem as if the Indians would be volunteering their assistance…
"Brave warrior," Dimitri said politely to the Huron man in front of him, "please release zis man. 'E is not my prisoner but a messenger; I am guiding 'im to a great French chief north of 'ere."
---------
Ironically, if their positions had been reversed and they'd met up with British-allied Indians instead, Nathaniel would not have bothered to save Dimitri.
Whew, so there we have. Meh, I'm it's late/early… *goes to bed*