The Fall Of Imbria (The Fendara Series. Book One)

Chapter Seventeen: Cassius

Throughout my life I've been groomed to be a leader. Something I take rather serious and a task I am honored to uphold.

My other responsibility, being a sibling.

A brother to my sister's and Augustine, was and has always been, a back and forth relationship. Up until the attack it wasn't too bad, just simple and occasionally argumentative, like normal.

But before even that, I was forced into a role and made a decision at too young of an age. The repercussions of which were bloodied memories I will never forget.

No one but my Father knows of what happened that day. The day the war struck, houses set a flame, ash in the air and smoke coating our lungs.

I remember waking from my slumber to the smell of burning wood and the sound of crackling fire in the distance. Soon after followed a loud bang from down the hallway leading to the kitchen. My curiosity at the age of thirteen, got the better of me, I got up and followed that sound.

Quiet as a mouse I was, not a creak under my bare feet as I trailed that old floor and my fingers brushed the wall. When I reached the end I peaked around the corner. There stood my Father Ephraim fighting off what looked to be the last of three men, the other two covered in there own blood and laid out on the floor.

My eyes caught my father's, but that brief moment was to long, it was an unintentional distraction. Unfortunately the roughed up stranger took his opening and swung his fist so hard at his face it sent him falling to the floor. Slowly the intruder turned around, until finally he saw me and stepped towards me with heavy footing.

Paralyzed with fear I didn't move, just watched as he got closer, the evil grin on his face wider. But out of the corner of my eye I saw my Fathers sword on the ground in the doorway to the living room. If I could convince myself to move I might be able to grab it and defend myself but I didn't, still I stood unwavering in the most cowardice way I could've.

Before the terrifying man touched me my father snatched him from behind by the shoulders, turning him around and smashing a meat tenderizer to the side of his temple. The intruder just wobbled on his feet, dizzy from the damage to his face.

Suddenly I found my feet moving and my hands latched to the hilt of the sword, the weight made my arms shake that day, sometimes I can still feel it.

Feel the pain I felt when I launched that sword into that man's back and out of his chest cavity.

Still feel the blood running down my hands and off my elbows onto the floor.

It took days to get the crimson color from under my fingernails, weeks to touch a sword. But when my Father looked at me standing there all bloodied after I killed that man. . . His words will never leave me and will drive me to be more than I am today.

Always.

"There are things you must do to protect what is yours, to protect your family and the ones you love. Whether they are your blood or not, more blood will be spilt as long as you live and you will learn as you grow, to fall asleep without a second thought. Because you know deep in your heart, in your soul son, this is what it takes to be a good man."

"A leader."

Today that voice rings louder than ever, as I prepare myself for the battles ahead.

Completely armoured and weapons sheathed, everyone gathered at the black gates to the giant house beyond them.

"I can go in alone." Simon insists.

"Simon." I drag my hands down my face. "Do spare me brother, the long ass conversation where I convince you I'm going in with you. Just for you to agree anyways"