METRO 1497 - CHAPTER 12 RESILIENT

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CHAPTER 12

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RESILIENT

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Cornelius shuffles behind Archeus like an unwanted shadow, boots dragging, pack slung over one shoulder. His hair is freshly cut, his clothes clean for the first time in days — but somehow he still manages to be ungrateful.

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Cornelius:(grunting, shifting the pack)

“These supplies are worthless. Too heavy. You don’t need all this junk to scout the land. You just use your eyes. That’s what real soldiers do.”

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Archeus keeps his eyes forward.

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Archeus:

“You haven’t traveled very far, have you?”

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Cornelius blinks, offended.

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Cornelius:

“I’ve traveled plenty.”

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Archeus:

Across a courtyard doesn’t count.

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Cornelius huffs and quickens his pace to walk beside him.

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Cornelius:

“Fine. Whatever. Just—where are we going?”

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Archeus:(sighing)

“I’ve told you a thousand times. The north.”

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Cornelius:

“Yeah, yeah, the north. But where in the north? I know all the hidden bases. We could run into something nasty if you don’t give me specifics.”

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Archeus keeps walking, but slowly turns. Looking Cornelius dead in the eyes.

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Archeus:

“You’re annoying me.”

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Cornelius grins.

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Cornelius:

“Good. At least you know what to expect.”

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Archues mutters under his breath with steady, measured steps, parchment braced against a wooden board, quill scratching furiously as he writes without breaking stride. The sound is sharp, irritating, almost rhythmic.

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Cornelius watches him for a moment, squinting.

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Cornelius:

“Why does your quill sound so angry…”

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Archeus doesn't look up.

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Archeus:

Because it's listening to you.”

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Cornelius blinks again. Archeus shakes his head, frustrated that he can write and walk while being annoyed at the same time.

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Archeus glances back over his shoulder, still writing.

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Archeus:

“Do you even know how to read and write?”

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Cornelius:

“I’m more of a heartfelt type.”

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Archeus:

“What you mean to say is that you’re illiterate.”

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Cornelius straightens, proud.

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Cornelius:

“I speak the Queen’s English.”

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Archeus:

“You mean the Queen who wants your head on a swivel…help us, please.”

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---Hours later--

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The light softens into gold as the sun dips lower. Cornelius has unsheathed the sword he's kept from his knight’s armor, swinging it in wide, dramatic arcs as they walk.

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Archeus ignores him, eyes on his parchment.

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Cornelius:

“You’ve got to swing it like this, otherwise it’s useless!”

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Archeus:

“Uh…certainly…”

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Cornelius:

“Pay attention, old man. You might learn a thing or two…”

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Archeus:

“I’m a scribe.”

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Cornelius:

“And I’m trying to keep you alive, Shakespeare.”

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Cornelius attempts a flourish, overextends, and immediately catches a cramp in his calf.

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He freezes.

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His face falls.

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He makes a noise somewhere between a gasp and a dying goat.

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Cornelius:

“Ah— bloody— hold on—”

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He limps after Archeus, dragging his leg dramatically.

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Archeus continues his pace.

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Switch scene

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