Adventure the Third

[philip_charming]

[Coming back to the cottage from the battle with the statue, Philip took care of his horse Samson, moving on autopilot... then just slumped in a chair even as the horse flopped onto a carpet nearby.

Just give him a minute, he'll reach for the bandages soon... Right now, he'll just sit and stare at his battered and aching hands.]

I helped today. I know I did. Lives were saved by my actions; mine, and those of others. But what do you say to the people that died anyway?

What do you do, when your best just isn't good enough?

Comments

[Video]

[akindofmagic]

[England's quiet and thoughtful a moment.]

Always managed to save your people then have you?

[Video]

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

My soldiers, no; my people, yes.

[His eyes stayed on England's, calm and steady; talking it out helps too.

So, thanks for that.]

[Video]

[akindofmagic]

You differentiate then.

[Video]

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

A soldier's purpose is to fight for his country in war. To lose him is regrettable, yet acceptable- at least, if he died to good purpose. That's why you have soldiers, why you have fighting-men; they- we- fight, even die, so that others don't have to.

So when they fall, then yes. It seems a failure in my eyes.

[Video]

[akindofmagic]

[England shifts a little when Philip says 'fight for his country.' But he listens to the rest and nods along in parts.]

Soldiers fall, that's the way of it. But you're quite right, fighting to protect others is a noble cause in itself.

[A pause]

Unfortunately the battlefield holds its own code more often than not.

[Video]

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

[Yeah, Philip hasn't cottoned on to the whole 'countries-as-people' concept JUST yet. He just thinks there's some folks out there with weird foreign names, and deals with it.]

So I've found. Which is one of the reasons I've made sure the battlefield was staged well away from the kingdom's people.

That really wasn't an option, this time.

[Video]

[akindofmagic]

[England sighs heavily.]

That's usually not an option as to where to fight.

[Video]

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

On the contrary. The choice of battlefield is often a crucial element in victory.

[How many lightsaber duels battles have been won or lost simply over possession of the high ground, for one example alone?

[Video]

[akindofmagic]

If you have the advantage yes.

[Video]

[philip-charming.livejournal.com]

If not, you still have the choice of where to fight back.

[Video]

[akindofmagic]

Perhaps.