The Plague

I deserved all that pain the coat treated me, even hard work couldn't ease it and there was a lot to do. The resources were gathered for the army we planned to go with against the monsters. We also had to feed the prisoners, because starving them would make them want to break free, but most of them were just simple humans. They were fine until their basic needs were met. The old lady also added to the water, which was given to them, a strong sleeping brew, so they actually didn’t make many problems.

The time was going fast. I was not afraid of the battle seeing other heroes, befriended with ogres coming with tribes and dwarves who brought with them all new machines, which couldn’t be tested in war conditions. Their king seemed to be really excited about that part. The days were dividing us from that and it was getting harder to hide the taking over the city, because more and more king’s people were going through it to get to the mountains. In my opinion maybe a few knew what was going on but the rest were just following orders. It worried me a bit that it would be discovered too soon, however I had a feeling that Ned already knew that and that he also counts on meeting with me. He sacrificed so much and was working so hard to make that plan go well, so I was sure he wouldn't miss the opportunity to show off the results. Just in case I was discussing the possibilities of making the unwanted guests go around the city.

“What keeps people away is a disease, but we don’t want a plague here. Maybe convince them that we have it in the city, would that be enough?” I was thinking loudly. The old lady put away something from the stove and made sure the brew was fine.

“That’s something we could do. Depends on how good of an actor you are.”

“I was pretending to be someone else for over a century. I think I could handle this too.”

We quickly prepared a scenography, graves outside the city, next to the gates, which were closed. My covered face looking over it. We just did it right before the elves tropes were getting closer to the city. Among them I noticed members of their gerousia. One of them decided to ask me angrily, why I was not letting them in.

“I am afraid that’s not possible. The plague won't stop until the very last of a human here.” I coughed. “Not that many left. I can’t let you in, so you won't catch it too.” Someone next to me made an agonizing sound. The elf took a step back. “Go around the city, better this to the left, at the right as you see we created a cemetery, so please respect that.”

“As you wish.” The elf tried to look as a kind person, but the plan being so close to being executed it was harder for them to pretend and hide the disgust on their faces. “Is there a point to wish you going better soon?”

“No. Terminis is already doomed.”

I looked him in the eyes, he just smirked and turned around to the rest. After quick discussion they finally decided to take the route to the left. However we were observing them for a while until they really were gone.

“They are so confident, that it's already a win for them,” commented one of the heroes, The Bear Hero, when I took the shawl off. His symbol perfectly captured his huge, muscular silhouette. I was sure if he decided so, he would kill me with bare hands without a problem. “Would you mind joining the meeting with the other heroes?”

“No. Is it held right now or later?” I knew that there was no way for me to say no. That invitation wasn’t optional, but mandatory. The question asked only to keep up appearances.

“Now. We are waiting only for you.”

I understood that they didn’t know me and they were suspicious because they have never heard about the Fish Hero and never saw him registered, however I didn’t like them being so openly unfriendly to me. It’s not like I wanted to be a leader or be respected, because that's how I was used to being treated. The more I was thinking about it, the more I wanted to use my second chance as Eric the Fish Hero, not Eric, the king’s hero, the greatest of all time.

With ogres seven heroes came, dwarfs brought three of their own, so the group gathered in one place was truly splendid, however we couldn’t call ourselves a team. Some symbols I have already known like sunflower, deer, bear, and eagle, because there are heroes who used them in my glory days. There were good people and I knew that those who decided to take the same symbols were the same, they just didn’t trust me enough, like they directly announced when I entered the room. I felt offended at first, but I didn’t have much to explain. The accusation regarding the show I put off with the Terminis’ citizens and the others just felt excluded and needless.

“I am not used to cooperating with others,” I tried this as my first line of defence.

“None of us is,” mentioned one of the dwarves’ heroes. “Still it would be nice to have us included in tour actions, even though we knew you were to one start doing something about that matter.”

“Are we not worthy of your trust, Fish Hero?” Someone else asked.

The question after question made me feel like I was being embattled. I wanted to hide in the corner to hide and cover my ears, so it stopped. Then all the negative thoughts I was doing quite fine with lately hit me back twice as strong. What if they found out who I am? How would they believe me, if they can’t trust me as the FIsh Hero? I don’t want to be a leader! I don’t want you to follow me! Why are you assuming that?! Those nonsense accusations of me trying to take over them and everything else helped me get back to my senses again. I slammed my hand at the table and made the room silent again.

“I admit I should be more open about my actions here in Terminis, but that doesn’t change the fact that we all are heroes. And I am sorry for the lack of communication from my side.” Surprisingly my voice was steady and my back was straight. “And we all here have one primal duty to help and protect the others. I don’t want to be in charge, but the battle is coming and we can’t waste our time on fighting with each other. I want us all to stand in the first line shoulder to shoulder against the monster's army and elves’ plans. Nothing more and nothing less than doing our job. If any of you is experienced in leading or fighting in such a battle, please be in charge.”

No one stepped forward, so I left the room to be back and watched over the city gates. The Ma tribe was still nowhere to be seen.