The Teenager

Having the old lady on my side was the best thing that could happen. The day when everything was supposed to start was getting closer so fast that every night I was sleeping worse. The worry was keeping me awake but I was refusing to get anything from the herbalist to make it batter. At least not without Rob being at my side again. Every night for two weeks we were preparing for the great action of taking over the city and we needed to hurry as more and more king’s people were coming.

The old lady gathered the most important people of Terminis to create a plan. As we just couldn’t get rid of the king’s people at once and for good, the decision was made to replace them with loyal Terminis residents, including me as the commander. The role I wasn’t happy about, but until it was the old herbalist decision there was no point in discussing. I thought to myself that I am not that stupid, but the last months made me realise that I should grow humble. Hearing all of these people considering things I would never notice or having so many versions of a back up plan just amazed me. Knowing all of that I have never felt more confident following someone's directions.

That also made me change my mindset. I was lucky that during my heroes I was doing so well being mostly on my own and that I have met the first Vini then and later Rob. Having people around, making a companionate team was actually nice. My mother nagged me often about it, that she would sleep better knowing that someone had my back watched. She was happy when I told her that I followed her advice, but never accused her for the fate it brought upon me, however I think that sometimes she felt responsible for that.

For the most part of the sneakiest tasks the old lady designated the kids for. In private I opposed that idea, but she just laughed in my face.

“You are really naive if you thought that you would keep kids away. Instead of risking their lawlessness to devastate our plan and put their lives in danger, better in my opinion give them tasks they are already good at.” Her explanation was actually logical, at least we would know where they would be.

The crucial point of our action was the synchronisation of our actions, so the replacing would happen at the same time. At least I convinced everyone not to kill the king's people but hold them hostage. There were some complaints about it being too complicated and too hard to execute, but soon the solution was found. The mountains had many secrets, one of them was a cave, which could easily be organised as a prison.

Terminis residents already knew where and when guards were spending their time, how their day was going off, just the commander was a mystery, especially after getting a lesson he became even more unpredictable. I couldn’t see myself as his tail, but the teenage girl assigned to keep an eye on him was doing an amazing job. Before a signal to start the attack was heard she led me through a city to a place where he was being, but she didn’t want to leave.

“He beat up my brother, just because he didn’t greet him quickly enough, which in my opinion he didn’t deserve at all.” Her voice full of anger made me shiver, that what shouldn’t fill her heart at such a young age.

“You know revenge is not an answer. You make it happen and then what?” I asked, planning how to attack the commander.

“I will feel better for sure.”

“Not you won’t.”

“Did you even seek one?”

“I should, but I didn’t.”

“Why?” Maybe I shouldn’t try to give her a pedagogical lesson…

“I didn’t think that I could actually get it, I was too weak and slowly immersed into the despair some people lately helped me get off.”

“So, are you going for it now?” She couldn't understand what my points were.

“No!” I whispered angrily, seeing her disappointed face I added. “But I want to go for a direct confrontation with that person.”

“I like you, so you better win it.” The teenager smiled at me and looked at the sky, the signal should be heard soon.

“Don't worry I will, I am the hero after all.”

It was nice to feel confident again. Hey, I have seen that side eye young lady! But I didn't have time to say something to her, because the night sky lightened up with fireworks.

Soon the commander ran outside and was trying to understand what was going on and putting on his coat. I threw myself on him, the distraction worked well, he was so surprised that he even noticed why he fell on the ground, however that bastard was fast and tried to get back on his fist before me. Maybe I am the one who just got too old. The youth had its own rules including strength and speed. Her right hook left him unconscious.

“Nice technique,” I whistled with approval, quickly putting the commander coat on myself.

“My father taught me.”

The girl smiled all proudly and ran for one of the people with a cart. I took the commander's body, put it on it and covered it with a blanket just in case. Fortunately, according to a carter for that moment there weren’t any major problems, just a few light injuries people earned during fights. Within minutes Terminis belonged to its citizens again. All of the king’s people were taken to the cave and replaced with our people. It felt weird to have a king’s symbol on my back again, honestly it felt like it was burning me, reminding me of my past and that I couldn’t protect the one I promised to serve, and his daughter too… I shouldn’t ever… I didn’t deserve it….