Farewell to Sergeant Bevan [David]

[Nicholas Ealing]

The gloom inside the Black Lion was contagious. None of the men seemed to be enjoying themselves, only a few were actualluy engaging in discussion and even then it was about such trivial subjects as the weather. Ethan had organised a feeble "Good luck and farewell" party for the retreating back of David Bevan and had roped his subordinates into joining him. They were less keen. The vast majority of the men had turned against the Staff Sergeant over his apparent disloyalty and the only serious discussion throughout the tavern was about that very subject.

"He's a traitor," grumbled Sergeant Coombe in his earthy, west country accent to a smattering of agreement. "Goin' off with those yanks. Leavin' us on our own and whatnot. He oughta be shot,"

"Perhaps a tad drastic," said Ethan dryly.

"I means it, sir," continued Coombe, louder this time. "Old man Patterson comes sniffin' around here, recruitin' members into 'is sinful regiment, offerin' money and whatnot for those what joined 'im! Did Adam not succumb to temptation? And for tha' very crime, 'e were thrown out from Eden, weren't 'e? The same goes for Sergeant Bevan, mark my words,"

"Mr Coombe," replied Ethan warily. "Are you suggesting that if Sergeant Bevan joins the 3ID, he will get thrown out of a very spacious garden?"

"You shouldn't mock the words of the lord, sir," answered Coombe stoutly.

"I'm not mocking the word of the lord, Coombe, I'm mocking you. Now go and get another bottle of wine. David should be here in a few minutes,"

"Yes, sir," mumbled Coombe, as he hurried off to do the Lieteunant's bidding. Satisfied, Ethan turned back towards Coombe's companions. It was the old bunch; the likely suspects.
Archer, Cavetty, Morgan, Howells, Cartwright, Pike, Fletcher...

Ethan raised an eyebrow in surprise. Sitting at the centre of the table was the young corporal Jack Diaz. He had a snarl on his face that Ethan had never seen before.

"You shouldn't hang around with these gentlemen, Diaz," he said carefully. "They'll soon fill your head with nonsence,"

"But they're right, sir," Diaz argued. "Bevan's a bastard,"

"That's enough, corporal..."

"And he's a traitor an' all. And after today, if he ever comes back here, I'll shoot him myself,"

Ethan stared at Diaz, a cross between bemusement and anger on his face. These men hated David. It was an overreaction surely but...Ethan understood the infantry's point of view. The men had served under David Bevan; they had sweat, they had bled, they had cried under his command. And now he was leaving them. And anger was a much easier outlet than grief.

But Diaz really seemed to hate him. Really, really hate him. And Ethan couldn't imagine why.

"Lieteunant," grinned Private Hughes, jogging up to his Commanding Officer. "It's David, sir, he's coming,"

[S.SGT David Bevan]

David strode quickly into the Black lion his men at his side. The place was incredibly silent compared to usually and all conversation was whispered. David kept his gaze fixed ahead he moved swiftly toward the center of the pub. He could see the men he had fought alongside were now scowling at him and whispering to each other he could not hear them but he knew what they were saying.

As David reached the center Private Mcarr once his friend smashed his glass and leapt towards David. David instinctively span on his heel and caught the drunks wrist firmly he then retaliated by throwing him over his shoulder and onto the ground. There was complete silence throughout the pub as all conversation stopped and all eyes were on Private Mcarr who lay crumpled on the floor sobbing pathetically. He watched as the men who most hated him now recoiled in fear many tried to sneak towards the doors. David decided that now that he had everyones attention was the time to speak.

"I am no traitor"said David loudly.

As he said this another Soldier leapt to his feet and charged towards David only to be restrained by Davids men.

"I am not leaving the Royal Welsh Fusiliers as a deserter I leave as I have been ordered to reinforce this Yank unit and teach them to fight like Welsh" he shouted at the sea of faces starring at him.

[Nicholas Ealing]

"That's enough!" bellowed the Lieteunant, glaring at the mass of faces before him. "That goes to you as well, Bevan," he added, nodding towards David. "I may not be your commander anymore but I'm buggered if I'm going to let you beat up my men. If any of you cause any more trouble, you'll be getting more than a whack from Sergeant Bevan. Do you understand?"

He strode over to the pathetic Sergeant rolling about on the floor and roughly pulled him to his feet.

"I'll have your stripes for this," he snarled. "Now get out! Maybe a couple of hundred laps might fix that brain of yours!"

Blinking stupidly, Coombe nodded frantically and stumbled out of the tavern. Ethan moved up the pub towards David, ignoring the mutinous eyes of his men.

"David, for god's sake," he hissed. "You couldn't have just ducked out of the way, could you? Now the men are spoiling for a fight. Congratulations,"

Ethan turned away from the Staff Sergeant to see Coombe's men before him. Diaz seemed to be their unofficial leader; he was actually shaking in anger. Physically shaking. Beads of persperation appeared on his pale forehead as his eyes narrowed.

"I fought for you," he whispered. "My men died in your name. And this is how you fucking repay us?"

Ethan was taken aback. The corporal's anger was so cold. So brittle. So unbelieving.

"Stand down, corporal," ordered the Lieteunant, Diaz ignored him with relish and continued to keep his fierce eyes glued on David. Corporal Jude Archer rose to his feet immediately and glared at David. He was a spindly man in his late twenties who never had a good thing to say about anything. Including David it seemed.

Ethan turned his gaze on Archer. Diaz may have hated Bevan but he was not a fool; he would not do anything stupid. Archer on the other hand...

"You're not wanted here, Bevan," he spat, raising a chair threateningly "Why don't you clear off and leave us alone?"

"Stand down, corporal," Ethan repeated, stronger this time, staring down the rebellion. "Both of you,"

Diaz didn't answer, his face so twisted with hate that it actually scared the Lieteunant. Archer shook his head defiantly and raised the heavy, wooden chair above his head.

"This is something I've got to do," he hissed. And with that, he brought the chair down hard on David's skull.

[S.SGT David Bevan]

David brought his left hand up at lightning speed to intercept the unexpected blow. The chair broke from the impact causing Davids arm to brake. David wasnt thinking about the pain he was fuelled by anger.

"I came here for peace now I'm gonna kick your ass" David dived forward and roared triumphantly as his foe crashed to the ground.

David watched as almost half of the soldiers in the bar got to their feet and came to Davids aid. Four Privates stepped forward and held Corporal Archer firmly against the table as another came and helped David to his feet. David now knew that combat was a great way to earn allies.

"Let him go" he said quietly and the Privates let the humiliated corporal escape them.

"It seems you have abused your rank Private Archer" growled David emphasising the word Private.

David his men and around ten other happier Privates made their way over to the bar where david was buying drinks for everyone who asked for one.

He soon noticed that he had spent ten pounds and the only people who had not hadf a drink yet were ethan and Archer he decided that Ethan was probable giving Archer a beating in some dark corner.

David and a strong Private named sandler began to have an arm wrestle with many others spectators. David was sure he was winning back their respect.

OOC: Plz dont close this for inactivity we just forgot about it but we will carry on with it VERY soon!

[Nicholas Ealing]

Archer staggered back with gritted teeth, a scowl spread across his weasel-like face. He turned to the Staff Sergeant, a deep fire of anger and hate burning deep in his eyes.

"You don't have the power to do that, Bevan," he snarled, dusting himself down and grabbing, to the mens' shock, a broken beer bottle from the bar and brandishing it dangerously towards David's face. The tavern suddenly grew silent and Nicholas cautiously moved to right behind the corporal and, in one fluid movement, he intercepted the weapon and, in turn, turned it on Archer himself. The man's eyes grew wide in fear and he raised his hands shakenly above his head.

"No," said Nicholas simply. "But I do. You are hereforth demoted from your post, Mr Archer, get used to being called private," Nicholas noticed that Archer's eyes were still firmly glued to the Lieteunant's weapon at his throat. "I'm not going to stab you, Jude," sighed Nicholas, dropping the weapon to the floor. "And it pains me to lose such a skilled Junior NCO, but I believe this constitues friendly fire, does it not? Now, away with you. Get back to your motely crew at the back and think about what you've done or it'll be the worse for you!"

Archer stared disbelievingly as the Lieteunant turned away from him and a second later, he darted off into the far corner like a scolded five year-old. Nicholas felt sorry for the young man. He was a fine soldier, even if he was a bastard. He'd regain his position soon enough, he told himself.

Nicholas moved over to David's side and nodded curtly.

"David, it's nothing personal, but I think it's best you leave," he said in hushed tones. "Most of the men seem to have vaguely warmed to you, I accept that, but there's always one or two who have too much to drink or have too much fire naturally in their veins. I don't want you to get hurt, never mind getting them hurt at your hand. I hope you understand?"

Nicholas took a step back and looked almost apologetically at the Staff Sergeant, waiting for his reply.

[S.SGT David Bevan]

David stared at the sharp glass that was held menacingly at his throat by Corporal Archer. He stealthily reached for his knife without moving his gaze from the Corporals eyes. As he reached down his leg to his horror there was no knife there. David then remembered he had given it to a friend before he left the barracks. He fought off the urge to just attack the man before him but he decided it would not be good to make other soldiers become violent.

He noticed in the corner of his eye Nicholas stalking silently towards the Corporal. David winked as a signal for Nick to the Lieutenant to attack. The Lieutenants hands quickly gripped he glass and prised it from the Corporals grip.

David watched as the Lieutenant gave Archer a bollaking. David smiled at Archer who became angered again but with his lieutenant in front of him it was not the time. David grinned to himself one last time as Archer retreated to a gang of rough looking Privates at the far end of the pub.

Ethan walked over to David and told him to leave apologetically. David nodded in agreement and added I will visit regularly. he stamped his heels loudly and assumed a attention position before saluting briefly and heading towards the door.

"Come on lads it's time we weren't here" shouted David above the noise that filled the room.

David walked quickly out into the freezing winters night and leapt into the driving seat of his jeep he lovingly referred to as Wolf. His men followed him the six of them crammed into the four seats.

Sergeant Evans turned to David with a intrigued look on his face "Where we going next then".

"I don't think we've had quite enough beer"replied David putting his foot down hard on the accelerator causing the jeep to jump forward and the tires screeched loudly.

"Next stop the Red Dragon Inn"said David happily intent on getting completely drunk before visiting his new barracks.

[Edward"Butcher"McMillan]

Moceration Post:

The following CP has been issued:

Ealing - 7CP

D. Bevan - 6CP

Both of you had good posts, the Lt.'s were just a bit longer.