@epheemere LIKED FOR A STARTER
he’s tired. so bone- and soul-crushingly EXHAUSTED. he drags his hands up his face and through his hair, lightly tugging on the strands still mussed from sleep. it’s thinning somewhat, a thought that makes a worm of self-consciousness slither through his belly. maker, help him, he feels older than he is. with a sigh, he allows himself to brood but a moment later before he forces himself to his feet.
he dons his armor methodically, piece by piece, layer by CAREFUL layer. there’s COMFORT in the familiarity, of tying laces and fastening buckles, of the smell of metal and leather. his ritual done, he exits the temporary lodgings he shares with the other soldiers -- still softly snoring in the dark -- and begins to set up his usual camp at the bottom of the staircase with his make-shift table. he’ll send a RUNNER to wake them once dawn begins to lighten the horizon. they’ve earned their rest, in the aftermath of haven.
he carries a candle with him, and spreads his work out before him. this was the HARDEST part of commanding. he stares at the list of the dead, of the men he FAILED to save, dips his quill in his ink pot, and begins.