Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
TYNAN
My eyes landed on the map that Hanoch spread in front of me on the wide, scratched up wooden table.
The dull morning light struggled to fill the room and the fat, smoking candles were already lit.
I did not need to be in the castle, but I hated to owe anyone anything and I knew that Hanoch would have questions.
My brother did not hide his underlying intentions while collecting the information.
From what I understood, he did not trust the council and was preparing for a conflict in the future.
I did my best to recall everything significant, everything that could be of use, but there were so many things I did not know; particularly about the stationing of troops and supply channels.
When I left the clan, I did not know that I would be voluntarily working with my older brother, nor depending on the hospitality of the clan.
I had become indebted to them for providing us food and shelter.
Hanoch sat back in a chair and closed his eyes.
“Rough night?” I asked.
“My youngest is teething,” Hanoch sighed, rubbing his forehead.
I remembered him being wild and uncontrollable, he was not a natural born leader.
Unlike Quirin, he did not care about the legacy of the clan.
The girls in the city occupied all of his attention and the list of his girlfriends multiplied every couple of months.
He was much older than me and did not notice my existence when I was a child.
Seeing him married and a father was strange, he looked like a completely different person. I returned to the maps.
“How about you? Did you find anyone after Gabrielle?” he asked and I shook my head. “I’m sorry, Ty.”
I clenched my jaw, feeling a spark of irritation. I did not need anyone’s pity, especially his.
“I see that you still have your friends. I have to say, I always envied your group. That kind of loyalty is hard to find in real life. I’m glad you’re still close. I never had that,” he added.
I nodded, not willing to talk about my personal life.
The memories of my childhood crashed into me, and I was unable to stop the visions from my past.
The frozen air around me, the dusty circle of the training ground.
I remembered clenching my sword, my body was not as strong as the others at the age of twelve, but I had the technique.
I glanced at the stands, seeing a younger Frid with her two thick braids in her gray flying suit.
Victor stood beside her with a scowl on his face.
Solomon sat on a tree stump looking strangely tense.
His hand clenched and unclenched the handle of his ax.
This Dreich was unlike any other. The wall of hate that I felt from everybody was almost tangible, only my stubbornness helped push me further.
“Begin!”
I cleared my head, concentrating on Hanoch who looked so smug.
He wore his hair long and took good care of his clothes.
He was sixteen and the slight mustache that he tried to grow made me want to laugh.
Hanoch rotated his blade in his hand, showing off in front of the girls.
Involuntarily, I glanced up, and caught a glimpse of Gabrielle who looked pale, her hand covered her mouth, her brown hair shined in the sunlight when she moved.
I shifted my foot and returned my gaze back to Hanoch who started circling me. I did not want to wait any longer and launched at him, making him take a step back, blocking his body with his blade.
“How dare you, bastard!” he hissed.
Hatred filled every part of my soul as I drew back and adjusted my sword.
Hanoch moved as fast as lightning and I flinched, avoiding his attack at the last moment.
He danced around, mocking me in front of the others.
I did not need to look up to know that my enemies enjoyed his little exhibition.
I moved my blade, following his body around the arena.
Hanoch lowered his sword, showing the audience that I was not a real threat and it made me launch at him first. The impact of two blades clashing, sent a vibration up my forearms, shoulders and back.
Hanoch towered over me, making our duel hardly fair.
But, the exercise was not about fairness; it was about finding another way to make me bleed, and I knew it.
The next moment, Hanoch pushed me back, and I could not keep my hold on him.
His knee jerked up in the air and he connected the blow to my stomach.
The impact took all the air from my lungs and a potent metallic taste filled my mouth.
I fell, too stunned to continue. I was not so dumb as to think that it was over.
I waited for the final blow. Hanoch turned to the stands with his arms raised as if the fight was already over, but I knew better.
“Finish him!” the cold voice ordered, and I knew there was no point in fighting back.
He was about to leave the arena, but those words made him stop.
He paused before entering back into the circle.
I watched him through the dark hair that covered my eyes and I caught the hesitation on his face.
He swung his fist and got me right in my jaw.
For a brief moment, a flash of light and then unimaginable pain exploded in my head.
I fell to the ground feeling the clumps of dirt on my face and the sharp, excruciating pain in my jaw.
I wanted to scream, but instead, my eyes flew open and I pushed myself back up.
“Stay down!” Hanoch whispered.
But I sat back up, not taking my eyes off him.
“Again!” the voice growled, and I could plainly hear the cruel edge to it.
Hanoch prepared for the next blow, and this time there was no triumph in his eyes. When he struck the side of my face for the second time, blackness swallowed me whole.
For a moment, I closed my eyes, trying to shake off the vision. The man who stood in front of me was older, wiser. He was not cruel, he never was. All of us were tainted by the clan, by all the rules, and expectations. The world was different back then.
“Did you have any luck with Sage?” Hanoch asked.
“He’s gone. I stopped by yesterday and earlier this morning,” I responded.
“The old drunk is onto something.” Hanoch sighed.
I looked down at the map, not intending to respond.
“Who’s the redhead?” Hanoch continued, and a possessive voice roared deep down in my chest.
“She’s a friend.” I forced my voice flat.
“She’s very pretty.”
“Stay away from her,” I could not keep my voice calm any longer.
“A very good friend then?” Hanoch smirked.
I only looked at him. In my mind, my hands wrapped around his neck and I lifted him up in the air. I knew that he was no match for me now. I had the advantage of height and combat experience.
“Don’t worry. I’m a changed man.” He raised his hand with the wedding band.
I watched him in silence, trying to calm my violent thoughts. My reaction surprised me. The way I felt about her was painfully obvious. It was strange and uncomfortable, and I had to get it out of my system.