The Fifth Academy - Fantasy Direction / #Wattys2018

Chapter sixteen. The fool

By Jason

I rushed out of the door, mad with sorrow and anger. How could they quarrel when Max was dying in front of their eyes? Rosaline was so cruel and stupid to send me away in such a crucial moment – the last minutes of my best friend's life! What could I possibly do with myself all this long unbearable seconds? The answer came suddenly straight into my throbbing head.

"Jason, how can you, being the true Firesteel Captain, appear so unfaithful now?" asked the familiar whisper inside my mind. "How dare you to stand still, when your Princess was so treacherously stolen? Are you sure that she is enjoying Drago's company now? How dare you even think that she is safe among these cruel barbarian orcs? Can you have failed to avenge the death of your closest friend?"

I stopped and gritted my teeth, waiting until my burning anger ceased. It didn't want to do so. I clenched my fists tightly and kicked in annoyance the nearest standing waste-bin. Actually, it looked more like the trash-heap, made of clothes and... parts of silver armor, stained with something dark-red and... teared the Firesteel's crimson cloak. I instantly regretted that I hit the stuff with my foot. It was rock-solid! I howled with the searing pain in my toe.

"Oh, hell! There are some damn bricks! Looks like... hey! There is Max's armor! His cloak and... here must be... Wow! The Paladin's stuff!"

Unceremoniously, I raked over the solder's bloodstained uniform and soon dug up two things, which I was looking for.

"Pray your Gods, Drago, and make your will!" I murmured through clenched teeth, brandishing the air in front of me with the mighty Paladin's sword. The hero's helmet was on my head. "I am coming and your death is my favorite companion!"

After a few minutes, I stood again in the common bedroom of my squad and was dressing, one thing after another, into my armor. It was dry and clean, thanks to the care of my obedient solder Phillip. He was nervously pacing between rows of neatly made up beds. His dark eyes were wide with anxiety and his voice shook with concern.

"I beg you, Jason! Please, don't do this!" he pleaded. "Don't fight Drago! He didn't want to kill Max! It was just a big mistake! Max... why did he wore the Paladin's helmet and pretended to be you? Wanted us to follow him? To obey his orders? We would do it without his pretense! So stupid and grave mistake!"

"This mistake could be paid only with orc's stinky blood!" I growled, adjusting my dragon-skin belt. "My solder, my friend is dead! That will not be forgiven or forgotten! I would avenge your death the same way!"

"But Max isn't dead! There was no volley!" replied the-dark haired boy, standing near my bed. It was made up too, Phil always carried out the orders very well. "You know, the great cannon always makes a volley if some Firesteel dies!"

"Did you forget the treacherously kidnapped Princess Gabrielle?" I snapped angrily. "Who, do you think, will rescue her?"

Phil looked confused and even ashamed, but the boy was really desperate. Perhaps, he was taught to say this by Max.

"You will start a war between us!" he cried, blocking my way to the entrance. I was ready to go and lifted the Paladin's sword. Phil gasped, gazing at the weapon with horror and shock. Perhaps, it was his "clever" idea to hide the stuff in the pile of Max's blood-stained uniform. "Where? How did you get this... them?"

His wide eyes moved to the Paladin's helmet. I didn't answer and motioned carelessly for him to clear my way.

"No, Captain! I don't let you go!" he cried with tears in his eyes, unyielding his sword and blocking my way. "He will kill you like Max! Or there will start a great war! His father won't forgive you!"