The Fifth Academy - Fantasy Direction / #Wattys2018

Chapter fourteen. Dead!

By Jason, flashback

Well, actually, I had quite not a bad time in the merman-king's underwater Palace. Of course, I properly apologized with big tears on my eyes (that was actually the lake's water) and husky bitter voice (more from the anger then from any regret) several times before his giggling daughters and the King himself. All this looked very sincerely, and the girls even had kissed me goodbye. Each several times.

Although it looked for me that I left the Great dining hall like years ago, the travelling via underwater portals was fast, and I managed to arrive at the middle of the party – drunken orcs and kissing sweet couples were everywhere. People were laughing, dancing, talking loudly and even singing.

Wanting to stay unnoticed, I sneaked to my caserne, to be more precise to the common bedroom of my squad. There I quickly took off my wet armor, throw it unceremoniously to the floor and fell on the closest bed from the ten available. My lids were so heavy that I closed it once... twice...

"Jace! Jason! Wake up!" Sounded the familiar voice above me, it was full of anxiety and pain. "Wake up, Capitan! Sun-crash!"

I was immediately awake and abruptly sat up on the bed, rubbing my sleepy eyes. Luckily, we, solders, had a special training and could wake up in short order after the special word. "Sun-crash" was the alarm-parole of my squad.

"What happened?" I asked with a big yawn, looking straight into the wide-open with anxiety Phil's brown eyes. He stood in front of me, dressed in the Firesteel's uniform and fully armed. He had no wounds, no any marks of struggles or traces of the battle. However, his slim hands were slightly shaking.

"So, that wasn't my dream!" I exclaimed, standing up abruptly. Our night flight, mermaids, Max's betrayal – all the events rushed into my mind. I grinned smugly. It seemed, they didn't manage to steal the Princess without me! They came back, ashamed and beaten. Well, judging from the sour look of Phil, the situation must be desperate. Had they stolen Drago instead of Gabrielle? That couldn't be! I needed to see Max immediately and give him a good scolding. Let's see how he would explain to me everything and beg my forgiveness! How his brains would help him this time?

"Where is Max?" I asked directly, folding my arms on the chest. "This simpleton needs a good trashing! Bring him to me!"

Phil's sunburn face paled to the ashen color. He sighed deeply and painfully. My heart had sunk involuntary. What happened?!

"Max is... he is dead!" answered Phil with a bitter shaky voice. "Drago cut his throat!"

"What? What the hell are you talking about?" I cried and gripped his slim shoulders. Suddenly I forgot all about "giving Max a good thrashing" and even his "treacherous betrayal". Dead? My best friend, the closest one, who had been even more important to me than my own older brother and father, was dead! The family wasn't very fond of me – Arest was always too perfect and my Daddy was usually too ashamed of me. Max was dead! Murdered! Why? Oh! Why I let him fly alone? Damn this Rocky! No doubt, he tricked Max into the trap! Curse this stupid oaf Drago! I am going to kill him!

"That's my fault, Capitan! Max... He wore the Paladin's helmet, he had the Paladin's sword! He moved like you, he even talked like you!" Phil explained with sorrowful voice, biting his lower lip severely. "He had no idea that according the old legend the Paladin's sword could be used only by the hero's true descendent. If anyone another tries to hold it, he will be punished by cruel death!"

"Where is his body?" shouted I, holding the Phil's shoulders and shaking the poor lad. "Tell me!"

"He is lying unconscious in the infirmary now, but the wound is mortal!" breathed the boy, closing his tired dark eyes. "Jason! Better not disturb..."