Damian Black - The Order of the Night (English Version)

The Way Home - Chapter 11

Some time later.

Of course, they couldn't find a single path in the north.
Now the north wall was visible again in front of them.
The sun shone down on them from the clear sky and warmed their tired bodies.
Everyone was exhausted and Liz was back to normal. Again, apart from the volunteers, no one spoke to him.
But he was looking forward to something, according to their stories, the headquarters of the order was huge.
Magnificent as a king's castle and over 350 members of the order were stationed there.
The king's palace is also said to be not far away.
As long as nothing came between them, they would be there within two weeks. Grinning, he sat on his horse and sang songs with the volunteers, listening to their stories and enjoying their company.
"Psst, Damian."
Confused, he looked up when Selim appeared next to him.
He hadn't even noticed that he had ridden far behind the Scouts.
The others seemed exhausted from the long hike through the snow. Without looking over at his friend, he nodded slightly.
"Listen," the boy whispered. "We're still friends. Don't forget that."
"Yes of course." A smile crept over his lips. As soon as this stupid ban is lifted. They could train together again and play cards like before.
"Do you know why all this?"
Carefully he turned his head so far that he could see Selim out of the corner of his eye.
"No, but apparently an order from above that affects all of us."
"I see, has that ever been the case with someone?"
Selim shook his head.
"No, not even with Aidan. Although he also came from outside."
The soldier saw through his question immediately. So it really only concerned him.
"Not even with you?"
"No." His voice became so cold that Damian didn't dare to ask any further. "Nice that you talk to me." He said instead.
"Well, the back row and the singing of the volunteers makes it possible."
A grin spread across his lips, just before there was another cold, fake expression.
"You seem to get on well with them." "Yes, there are great people."
"That's nice, luckily they were here."
"Why didn't we talk earlier?"
"Kim has been watching me closely until now."
Damian nodded, Kim was socially awkward but breaking rules was not possible with this soldier by your side.
"When that's over, we'll play cards again." He promised Selim.
"If course."
Still looking ahead, he assessed the distance to the great wall. About three hours more and then the north would finally be over for the first time.
Selim began to whistle softly.
"I miss you, my friend."
The whistling stopped immediately. "And I miss you."
"I'll go back to the others. Before they notice we're talking."
Under no circumstances did he want his buddy to get in trouble because of him.
He let himself fall back again.
So that Selim rode alone after the others and he was surrounded by the volunteers again.
As if on orders, Yaşar, Susy and Josy were at his side.
The two women happily talked to each other about the delicious food their parents made at home.
They really seemed to be looking forward to it while Yasar was silent next to him.
Before he looked at him and said with a smile.
"I'll miss you already."
"Me too, maybe I'll see you again on another mission."
Damian gave him a friendly clap on the muscled shoulders and the man started to laugh.
"Let's hope so, maybe you'll be a private or corporal by then."
They both started laughing.
"I doubt that badly." Damian poked out while laughing.
"The three of us would definitely be on your side."
"Naturally."
His gaze shot over to the two women who were grinning at him.
"If that were the case, I would never sell you for a road toll."
"We know this." Josy assured him.
"That's exactly why we would be with you." Susy continued.
"After all, we are your friends too." Satisfied, he closed his eyes for a few seconds. As long as he could, he would be an ally for these people too.
For them, he would even stand up against Liz too.
Because these people had ended his loneliness when he almost lost his mind because of it.
Meanwhile the others, with the exception of Selim, had only stubbornly obeyed the orders from above.
His hand slipped over his mare's neck as the wall in front of him grew bigger and bigger.
The way back seemed a lot shorter to him because he already knew it.
He was looking forward to the bed in the wall building.
That was pure luxury compared to the wooden boards in the huts and the cold cave floor.
Would he now actually be ready to sacrifice his comrades for victory. The thought shot through his mind so quickly. That his gaze automatically slid to the soldiers in front of him.
Perhaps, except for Selim, he would be willing to sacrifice them.
But he actually wanted Liz with him too, but because of the attacks Kim would also be necessary.
Aidan well he upset him, but he was also incredibly smart.
No, it would still not be possible for him.
Did he hate now, the second thought shot through his mind as if by order.
He put his hand on his temple.
Why right now, no he didn't hate. Actually, he was pretty happy, even if it was tough at the moment.
He had made friends again, as soon as the order from above was gone, everything would be the same as before.
"You're brooding again." Josy hit him on the leg and brought him back to the present.
"That's really not healthy."
"You go crazy when you do that." Yaşar added, but this time Damian just nodded.
"What's the matter?"
"I was just wondering what I would sacrifice to win." He explained his thoughts to Susy.
"And?"
"Everything except my friends."
"Yes, I am with you there."
She said and Josy and Yaşar nodded in agreement.
"There are things that you just have to protect. That includes friends and family."
She looked at him now with an urgent look. As if she wanted to read his mind. "But sometimes you have to sacrifice that too."
A gloomy mood crept over him now, looking for help he looked at his other two friends who were looking forward seriously.
"No, I promised you that." Unintentionally harsh, the words came out of his mouth.
"We know this." Josy said now and smiled again. "But you never know what will happen."
She explained, even lifting a finger.