All Of Us - Part 1: Summer

Chapter 42 - The battle of Heno

- Dæor -

"Thanks, Brin," Keiti beams as she takes the mare's reins. "Mah pleasure, Keiti," Brin booms back through his reddish-brown bread. "Make sure to kick their asses out there, alright ?"

"For sure, Brin, thanks." We watch him stride away and disappear into the forest. Keiti sighs happily. "What would we do without him ?"

"Yeah," I smile. "Brin is amazing. He helps us out despite the work on his farm. He really cares about our cause," I assert, stretching out. "You ready ?"

"As I'll ever be," she replies, winking. It's a ritual between us, this exchange. It gives us courage, hope, a feeling that we're not alone. She claps me on the back. "Don't take too long to say your speech. We don't have all day," she advises, before walking off to go see Gail and her brother. I turn around to smooth my horse's fur, simultaneously overhearing their conversation.

"Lino, I've explained it to you already. You simply can't come with us. I'm sorry."

"No, you're not ! You're leaving me here to rot ! I'm meant to fight !"

"My decision is unquestionable."

"But, Gail... He might be there ! Please-"

"Hey."

"Oh, hi, Keiti." They move out of reach, leaving a trembling Lino behind. He's furious.

I sigh and push away from my stallion. "Lino," I nod as I get closer. "Next time, alright ? You already did go to the Summer Palace."

"That was three months ago !" he yells, spinning on me. I can see the beginnings of tears in his eyes, though he is forcefully trying to hide them. "Dæor, you used to understand," he pleads, grabbing my sleeve. "Do you remember ? Back when Gail and I joined, when we would speak about killing Thar and the King ? You understand, don't you ?"

"I do," I admit, looking away. "Then let me come ! Please, Dæor, please..." I open my mouth as if to say something, but then our eyes meet. His are blue, as clear and pure as the sky. They're wide open and brimming with tears he no longer bothers to hide away. He forces his eyes open, not wanting to blink. Bo used to do that, too.

"I can't," I finally reply, tearing my arm away. "I can't disrespect Gail's decision." He clenches his jaw, resentment shining in his gleaming eyes. "Sorry, Lino," I apologize, turning my gaze away. I slowly turn and walk away, careful not to turn back. I can feel his cold stare in my bones.

I do understand Lino. I feel it too, the desire to kill, to avenge, every single day. Like an itch you're dying to scratch. But it's an itch you'd die for to scratch, and I can't let that happen to Gail. I can't destroy her like I destroyed myself.

"Now, be careful, alright ?"

"Pish posh. I ain't gotta be careful. I'm too talented fer that."

"Ah, just shut yer gob, will ya ? I'll take care of him, Eva. I promise."

"What're yer saying ? You can barely take care of yerself, doofus !"

Eva's to my right, surrounded by Thet, Ian and Aline. They're all going to Heno - she's staying here. We can't afford Guards to see her on our side.

I haven't really spoken to her ever since I told her about Bo and Ma and my village. I haven't been avoiding her, I just take detours when I see her in the mess hall, or the kitchen, or the main hall, or the training room, or... Alright, maybe I have been avoiding her. And making things worse.

"Ian, I'm serious. Be careful."

"Ah, alright. Just for yah."

Out of the corner of my eye, I see her smiling, before turning to Thet. "You too, Thet." She leans over to give him a hug, and I feel a twinge in my chest. "Bye, friends," she waves, as they get onto their horses. "You know, nobody says that," Aline tosses over her shoulder as she rides towards the edge of the forest.