[Ridge]
"There's just no fooling you, huh, Ridge?"
I grit my teeth, grinding them together. A million different emotions are rushing through my veins right now, threatening to give way to an explosion of rage. I feel sick.
In order for a person to feel betrayal, they first have to have felt some semblance of trust. I'm not someone who trusts others very easily, but I was so excited to be friends with him. He comes off as such a likable person, and he's the first person, besides Kadeeth, that I've gotten along with this well.
My hand settles on the end of my sword, tucked away in the sheath Kadeeth bought me after my acceptance into the Academy. Martina's eyes follow my movements.
"You better have a good excuse." I grind out.
He holds up his hands cautiously, gesturing for me to calm down, "Now wait a minute. Don't jump to conclusions-"
"Then stop giving me reasons to." I unsheathe a sliver of my sword, a small warning. Considering how undermined emotions are, especially among the Knight community, one thing they definitely didn't teach at the Academy was how to control your anger. No, rage is a virtue for a man. We channel that into our fighting.
"You know me, man! I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize yours, the Riddothas, or the General's military efforts." He takes a step forward, rounding the desk he was crouched behind. The candle flickering on the desk behind him has been put to good use, only a small lump of wax remaining.
"I don't know you." I shift into a basic stance. Now my body covers the majority of the door behind me, the only viable exit.
"You do, and I get that you might be doubting that right now, but I need you to trust me." Another step forward, "I'm a commoner, just like you. My family lives near the eastern border."
He continues making slow progress towards me. His hands remain up, trying his best not to provoke me. In any other situation I might find it funny that he's treating me like an animal that could be spooked by even the smallest movement.
"That doesn't give you the right to steal from your Masters." I draw my sword out another inch, and he stops inching closer. His subtle glances at the blade reveal his hesitation at approaching me any further right now.
"I'm not here to steal. It's just like what I said in the hall, I'm stressed over the letter from the General. I need to know if my family's okay." His eyes turn pleading, he really does want my approval, "I need you to understand."
"Enough!"
"Ridge!" His face hardens in determination. He's not begging anymore, he's made up his mind. Either I believe him or I don't, and he's prepared to deal with the consequences of both options. Well, I'm not.
I don't want to experience the feeling of fighting a friend ever again. The night with Kadeeth was bad enough, and there weren't even swords involved that time. I keep my sword at the ready, but look away from him for a minute. When our eyes meet again I've made up my mind as well.
"Explain."