The Warriors and their King

CHAPTER NINE

    Victor remained a safe distance away from Adriel as he watched her approach Adrianus who had gone to the back of the woods, arms crossed, mumbling quietly to himself. 

"Adrianus?" Adriel asked timidly. Startled, Adrianus turned abruptly and smiled when he saw her. "What are you doing here?" She asked curiously. 

"I might as well ask you the same question," Adrianus replied, stepping toward her. 

"I was looking for you." Adriel bowed her head.

"Oh." Adrianus seemed to be searching for words. "I just needed some alone time. But if your mother needs me, I'll be obliged to help."

Adriel shook her head. "No, it's okay. I just wanted to talk to you."

"I see," Adrianus said, shuffling his feet.

Victor clenched his jaw but remained behind the oak tree, fighting the urge to storm toward them and bring Adriel back.

"I've wanted to tell you how brave and fearless you are. You are someone I truly admire," Adriel said quietly. "You're one of the greatest Warriors I know."

Jealousy and anger stirred in Victor's heart and he was vaguely aware of some dark force laughing at him in his defeat, but he was too blinded by his emotions to call attention to it. 

Adrianus smiled, as if in triumph. "Thank you, Adriel. You really do have a kind spirit."

Adriel smiled back at him, oblivious and replied, "I don't want you to leave. I would miss you terribly."

Adrianus chuckled and took a step toward her. A surge of anger and panic welled up in Victor and he stepped out from the trees before he could stop himself. Startled, Adriel looked at him and Adrianus failed to keep the smirk off his face as if he knew all along that Victor was spying on them.

"Adriel," Victor managed. "I - I uh - do you want to go visit Olive now that we have our free time?"

Still startled, Adriel finally said, "Um, okay..."

She looked up at Adrianus who nodded at her, smiling. Adriel smiled back and Victor wished he hadn't seen a small blush on her cheeks.

"Let's go." He said, grasping her hand. He could tell Adriel was a little angry with him as she tensed at his frustrated grip, but didn't struggle. When they were well out of earshot from Adrianus, Victor stopped Adriel in her tracks.

"Don't you see what's going on here?" He asked her. Adriel frowned.

"He's not who he really says he is."

"How can you know?" Adriel asked him, crossing her arms.

"I can just - I don't know. He's...ugh. I think he's hiding something. I feel as if he's planning something..."

Adriel rose her brows. "Planning what?" 

Victor remained silent, trying to think how to explain why he thought Adrianus was...someone sent from the Evil One. 

She shook her head at him.  "How can you say that, Victor? A Warrior should never judge someone." 

Victor shook his head. "You don't understand. I'm just...concerned."

But he was more than concerned. He felt certain that something was wrong. As if the King himself was telling him so. Adriel stared at him, disappointed.

"Victor, I don't think I know you anymore." She said.

Stunned by her words, Victor shook his head. "You've been blinded, Adriel! And you don't realize it." He swallowed a burning sensation down his throat. "I don't know you right now either. You're not Adriel. Wake up! Don't you see what's happening?"

"What is happening, Victor?" She asked him, tears resurfacing in her blue eyes. "If you know, tell me."

"Adrianus is...someone I think...part of the Evil One's army set out to destroy us...Warriors," Victor blurted. It suddenly all made sense to him, but he realized that Adriel could not understand.

"I don't know what you're talking about," She whispered and swept by him. Angered, Victor let her go and then marched to where Adrianus was. He was gone. Victor yelled out his name, thinking he couldn't have gone far, but there was no answer. He went back to the Walters' home and found Adrianus in the kitchen, stoking the fire with Barak. 

"Adrianus, I need to talk to you," Victor said brusquely. Adrianus turned at Victor's tone, and said rather coldly, "Perhaps some other time. I'm currently working."

Victor was about to protest, but the look in Adrianus' eyes stopped him. There was a monster in there. A monster waiting to devour anyone who stepped foot in his traps.

Or maybe Victor was just losing his mind. Because everyone else seemed oblivious. Swallowing a lump in his throat, Victor replied, "Yes, of course. Whenever you're ready."

He left. Victor had one more chance. One more hope. Jose. 

He found him outside, talking with Phineus, who was carving an owl out of a scrap of wood. It always amazed Victor how Phineus could make something so remarkable out of scraps. Jose watched, beaming at Phineus' work of art. They both looked up when Victor approached them.

"See what a talented artist Phineus is?" Jose said, slapping Phineus playfully on the shoulder.

Victor nodded. He would've smiled on any normal day. But now, all he could think about was the strange darkness in Adrianus and the blindness in Adriel. 

Jose could tell something was wrong, so he stood up and said, "Let's speak outside, Victor."

They went out the back door, Phineus looking after them curiously but didn't say anything. 

"What do you think of Adrianus, Jose?" Victor asked.

"What I think of him is what I shall keep to myself," He answered.

"Why? You know something, Jose!" 

Jose looked at Victor, a sort of sadness in his eyes.

"What does your conscience tell you, Victor? All Warriors are gifted with wisdom and knowledge. You really don't need me to prove to you that this wisdom is true, do you?"

Victor was silent for some time.

"I want Adriel to learn from her mistakes," Jose continued,  "She's older, and she wouldn't have the practice of a Warrior if one was to keep her from all harm all the time. She needs to learn to fight on her own." Jose said. 

Victor swallowed. "What if she's in danger?"

"If it gets to that point, I will intervene. But for now, she is only being tested."

"Tested?"

"She needs to learn to gain wisdom and remember who she truly is. Adrianus is testing her identity as a Warrior."

Victor leaned against a tree, squeezing his eyes shut.

"You must be brave...and wise, Victor," Jose said, placing his hand on Victor's shoulder.

"I'll try to be," Victor said, "I'll try."