Fighting our friends always takes more courage than fighting our enemies.
Reconciliation
The next morning, Alex entered my room without knocking. I didn't look at him; I just lay there silently. I could feel the blanket close around me and hear the bed creak softly. He didn't say anything, but I knew what he meant. He didn't have to yell at me, he didn't have to lecture me. All it took was one angry, indignant look, and I sighed resignedly.
"I know, mate," That was all I said.
With a look, he assured me he'd be grumpy and pouty for a while about Mazen joining our ranks.
"I need him," I added defensively.
Alex's look was now decidedly offended.
"You know he's a strong ally," I tried to soften him.
But a murderer! his eyes said though he would have bitten off his tongue rather than speak. A despicable, maniacal murderer!
"I can keep him in line," I said.
He looked at me in disbelief.
"Seriously," I insisted, "I have my methods."
He gave me another skeptical look. I closed my eyes for a moment before looking at him again. I sat up.
"I have a bad feeling," I confessed.
If I were friends with a sadistic black magician, I would have a bad feeling about it too! Although the anger in his eyes didn't completely disappear, his expression became more worried. But it's not just that, is it?
"No," I admitted, "I'm probably a little afraid of what I'm starting. Will I really be able to go on living the way I have been? Am I not putting us in more danger?"
Alex's gaze was both soft and encouraging as if to say, If you don't take the throne, do you think they'll leave you alone? That's nonsense, and you know it.
"You're right," I sighed. "They really wouldn't leave me alone."
"And we're making quite useful alliances by consolidating your status," Rolo entered from the balcony. "There's Behemoth, Willingham, and even the other kings. All useful."
Rolo stepped beside Alex and grinned mockingly. "Don't change your mind at the last minute, Your Majesty!"
A similar grin came to my lips. "It's refreshing to think that even talking to a future king can't change your manners."
He shrugged. "Because it's still you…"
Alex chuckled. They looked at each other and grinned almost simultaneously. Alex seemed to be putting off fighting and grumbling about Mazen for a while.
"Whatever happens in the future…" he began.
"…we'll be with you till the end," nodded the kid.
I grinned.
"And not just us two but the others as well," Alex continued. "Need more?"
I nodded. "You're right. So, shall we go for a little exploration of the estate?"
Before we could move, Alex held up his hand, his expression serious again. "Shay, I need you to understand something," he said, his voice low and firm. "If Mazen steps out of line, if he poses even the slightest threat to you or any of us, I won't hesitate to take him down. I need your word that you won't let your guard down around him."
I met his gaze, understanding the gravity of his words. "You have my word," I said. "I won't let my guard down."
I won't drink fae wine with him ever again.
Alex nodded, satisfied for now.
(...)
As we walked through the estate, the morning sun cast long shadows across the meticulously manicured gardens. The estate was both a sanctuary and a prison. It offered comfort and protection, yet it was also a constant reminder of the high stakes we were playing for. Every corner of this place seemed to whisper of hidden dangers, secrets, and the weight of the decisions I was making. It was easy to feel overwhelmed.
As I took in the sight, I heard the faintest rustle behind me. Turning, I saw Mose.
"Hey," Alex greeted him.
Rolo pursed his lips.
"Mose, is everything alright?" Alex then called out, trying to keep his voice gentle and reassuring.
He looked up, his face a mix of relief and embarrassment. "Oh, it's nothing. Just… dealing with some stuff."
"Hey, what happened?" I raised an eyebrow. "You look like you were chased by a mad dog."
Mose glanced around furtively before leaning in closer, his voice dropping to a whisper. "I had an encounter with Crimson earlier. He was… intimidating."
"What happened?"
Moses took a deep breath, his hands shaking slightly. Then he sighed and started telling the story.
He almost jumped when the door burst open. Startled, he spun around on his heel. The vampire was already a few quick steps from him.
"Where are Shaytan and the rest of the wretches?" he demanded.
Moses steeled himself, remembering the advice that the best defense against a monster was to attack.
"Why do you ask?"
Crimson was visibly surprised that the kid had the nerve to talk to him.
"None of your business, little one," said the vampire ruler. "Spit it out, because I'm in a biting mood."
Moses wanted to shudder at the way Crimson looked him up and down, then licked his lips. Instead, he stood his ground.
"Is that a threat?" Mose asked, his voice hardening. He was no longer the defenseless, Unfortunate Mose. Not anymore.
"Heh," the vampire grinned. "You've got more guts than I expected. You can take that as a threat."
"Okay," nodded Mose, taking a needle out of the hem of his shirt and sticking it in his fingertip.
Crimson must have smelled the tempting scent and heard the round drop of blood explode into atoms on the floor with a deafening boom. He froze, able only to move his eyes to the floor. He felt both surprise and resentment, seeing the expensive parquet floor covered with marks and runes. Moses seemed to guess his thoughts and answered the unspoken scolding.
"Don't worry about the parquet, I'll have it restored before I go," he said. "I'm sorry for the harsh treatment, but I don't take well to feeling existentially threatened. I'm going to loosen the shackle, and I want you to answer my question, okay?"
As promised, Crimson could speak the next moment.
"You're going to die, bastard!" he snarled through his teeth.
Mose never would have thought such a thing possible, but Crimson summoned all his strength and broke free from the weakened shackle. With a few steps, he closed the distance between them and leaned into the paralyzed little mage's neck.
Then, at the last moment, he changed his mind. He pulled out the garlic hidden under Moses' clothes and made a disgusted expression. Seemingly he couldn't decide whether to laugh or sigh.
"His court is full of idiots," Crimson said too quietly for a human to hear, turning his back on Moses.
Mose stood still for a moment, unable to believe what had just happened. Finally, a satisfied smile tugged at his lips.
"It worked!"
I sighed, looking at Mose with a mix of frustration and concern. "Mose, never confront another king on your own without backup."
Moses looked slightly sheepish but nodded in understanding.
"You showed courage, but you also showed a lack of strategy. It's not just about bravery—it's about making smart choices," I added.
He looked down, clearly affected by my words.
Alex's concern was evident. "You need to understand the stakes," he said softly. "Bravery is important, but so is caution."
Rolo, ever the skeptic, raised an eyebrow. "Ah, yes, the classic 'garlic under the clothes' strategy. Genius, really."
Moses shot him an annoyed look. "It worked, didn't it? Crimson was repulsed, and that's what counts."
Rolo smirked. "Sure, it worked. Or maybe Crimson was just repulsed by your idiocy. It's hard to say."
I stepped in before the argument could escalate. "Let's focus on what's next. Mose, I appreciate your courage, but next time, think before you act."
Moses looked chastened but nodded. "Got it."
"Good," I said, smiling slightly. "Now, let's shift gears. We were planning on a game to lighten the mood. Care to join us?"
Moses raised an eyebrow, clearly puzzled. "A game? In the middle of everything?"
Alex grinned. "Yes, a game. It's a way for us to unwind and keep our minds off the more stressful aspects of our lives."
Moses nodded, a hint of curiosity in his eyes. "Alright, I'll join. What's the game?"
(...)
Alice was sprinting as fast as his legs would carry him, but the distance between him and his pursuer was closing rapidly. His heart pounded so fiercely that he thought it might leap out of his chest. After a few more desperate leaps, the wolf lunged forward and knocked Alice off his feet.
He sprawled across the clearing with a startled squeal. Alex, in his wolf form, briefly pinned him to the ground, flashing a playful grin rather than a menacing snarl. Then, he was off again, running even faster than before.
Des, who had tried to strike the wolf with a branch, missed as Alex deftly dodged the blow.
"Don't worry, I'll get revenge for you, darling!" Des declared heroically.
"But you're a rabbit too!" protested Alice, still trying to catch his breath.
We were playing Rabbit-Wolf-Hunter. The game is simple: there's a wolf, a hunter, and a bunch of rabbits. If the wolf catches all the rabbits before the hunter catches him, the wolf wins.
Des's frustration only seemed to fuel Alex's mischief. With a swift, almost comical leap, Alex grabbed the tree branch with his teeth and yanked it from Des causing him to lose his grip and stumble. With a swift flick of his tail, Alex knocked the surprised hunter off his feet and continued his chase.
"That's cheating!" Des shouted, shaking his fist. "Come back here, you oversized chihuahua! Are you scared of a little bunny?"
Alex, ignoring Des's outburst, continued his pursuit of the remaining rabbits. After a while, he slowed to a limp jog, fully aware that the forest was as much his domain as it was mine. Just then, he felt a small weight on his back. Turning his head, he saw the black cat sneering with an air of satisfaction.
It seemed that this time, the wolf had been caught. I grinned as I emerged from the shadows.
As I was walking toward them, I couldn't help but let out a chuckle. Alex, caught by the black cat, was now a bit less agile, his playful bravado dimming as he glanced back at me with a sheepish expression.
"Looks like Rolo got you first, Alex," I said, stepping into the clearing.
Alex quickly darted behind a cluster of large trees for cover, his movements swift and somewhat comical as he tried to shield himself from view.
Rolo, in his feline form, leaped gracefully to a nearby bush, where he transformed back into his human self. As the black cat vanished and Rolo emerged, most of him out of view, I could only see his hand reaching out expectantly.
I couldn't help but chuckle as I reached into my pockets and pulled out two small, enchanted pouches, each designed to hold clothes for quick changes. I tossed them towards Alex and Rolo with a grin. "Here you go, gentlemen. Try not to get too distracted by the foliage."
There was a brief moment of shuffling and rustling, punctuated by the occasional muffled curse and the sounds of fabric being pulled on.
"We really need to work on finding better hiding spots," Alex called out from behind his cover, his voice tinged with amusement. "You know, ones that don't require a degree in gymnastics to use."
"If you weren't so eager to chase me all over the place, we might've avoided this situation," Rolo replied.
Alex emerged from behind the tree, now dressed in his usual clothes and looking slightly disheveled but composed.
"Alright, Mr. Feline Dignity, do we have to wait an eternity for you?"
Rolo eventually emerged fully clothed, adjusting his shirt and pants with an air of practiced nonchalance.
"I'm just glad the bushes provided adequate cover," Rolo said, rolling his eyes. "And that my dignity survived."
Des chuckled, his face flushed with a mix of amusement and exertion. "Well, if it makes you feel any better, I'm sure the local wildlife enjoyed the show. Especially the squirrels. They've been getting quite an eyeful today."
Alex snorted, brushing off some remaining leaves from his clothes. "I'm more concerned about the fact that we might have accidentally started a new tradition. Imagine the chaos if this becomes a regular thing."
Rolo smirked. "If that's the case, I expect an audience that's not made up of such curious creatures."
"Curious creatures, indeed," Mose commented as he arrived. Well, it was no surprise that he was the first bunny that Alex caught. "However, I think the real takeaway here is that we should be careful about the 'magical' part of magical pouches. The last thing we need is a wardrobe malfunction in the middle of a real battle."
"That's true," Alex said, still grinning.
As we made our way back to the estate, the bond among us felt stronger than ever. The lighthearted banter and playful teasing had brought us all closer together.
"I don't know about you all, but I'm ready for some food and a drink," Alex suggested.
"Uh-uh,"Des hummed in agreement. "Sounds perfect. I've worked up quite the appetite running around like a lunatic."
Rolo nodded. "Agreed."
Mose nodded approvingly.
"It's lunchtime anyway," I shrugged.
"And you, love?" asked Des clutching Alice's hand. "A little snack for you and me after lunch, how does that sound?"
"A snack? I think I need a full meal first," Alice replied.
"You two are impossible. Let's not turn every meal into a romantic escapade," I said.
Rolo chuckled at the exchange, shaking his head. "Alright, lovebirds, let's get moving before Alex eats everything in sight."
Alex rolled his eyes, but a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Hey, I can't help it if I have a healthy appetite."
Des, still holding Alice's hand, gave him a playful wink. "Come on then, let's get some food. And maybe, we can all agree on dessert later."
I rolled my eyes.
Later, after lunch, I asked Rolo about his name. We had moved to a quieter part of the castle, away from the bustling preparations and the excitement of the impending coronation.
"Hey," I began, sitting down beside him, "you mentioned something about mage names. Can you tell me more about yours? Rolandiel, right?"
Rolo's expression shifted slightly, a touch of reluctance appearing on his face. He hesitated for a moment, his gaze drifting to the garden's lush greenery. "Ah, Rolandiel. That's a bit of a personal topic," he said, his voice guarded.
I sensed his hesitation but pressed on gently. "I need to know how to call you."
Rolo's shoulders relaxed slightly, and he let out a soft sigh. "Well, mage names are significant. They aren't just names; they carry a deeper meaning, a sort of wish or blessing for the mage's future. It's a tradition that's been around for centuries."
He paused, clearly mulling over whether to share more. "When you're from a magical family, it's expected that your name will reflect something meaningful about your lineage or personal qualities. But if you're not from an old magical family, like me, the name you receive is a bit more… well, it's more like a prophecy or guidance."
I leaned in, encouraging him. "And what does Rolandiel mean for you?"
Rolo's expression turned thoughtful. "Rolandiel means 'Keeper of Ancient Wisdom'. The first part, Roland, signifies renown or fame, and the second part, -riel, implies a guardian or keeper, often associated with wisdom or ancient knowledge."
He looked away, his gaze lost in the distance. "It's a name that carries a lot of expectations. My parents hoped I would be someone who preserves and shares ancient knowledge, someone who stands as a guardian of wisdom."
I nodded, sensing the weight of his words. "It sounds like a name with a lot of depth and responsibility. And from what I've seen, you seem to embody its meaning well."
Rolo's demeanor softened, though he still seemed a bit uncomfortable discussing it.
I could see the hesitation in Rolo's eyes as he spoke. "They gave me this name because I was not good at casting magic."
My eyes widened but before I could ask he continued.
Rolo chuckled softly, a hint of bitterness in his voice. "My parents had a different vision. They thought I would excel more in preserving magical knowledge rather than wielding it. They imagined I'd spend my life collecting magical books, guarding them, and being a keeper of ancient lore."
He shrugged slightly as if the weight of the expectation still hung around him. "They hoped that by giving me a name tied to wisdom and guardianship, I'd find my place in a different way."
I could see the conflict in his eyes. "So, did the name influence your path?"
Rolo nodded, a reflective look crossing his face. "In a way, yes."
He looked away, the corner of his mouth twitching into a wry smile. "At first, I tried to accept it. After all, it was their hope for me. But as I grew older, I began to rebel against the very essence of my name."
Yep. This is who Rolo is.
Rolo sighed, his gaze intense. "My name felt like a shackle, an expectation I was supposed to fulfill. Instead of accepting the role of a passive keeper of knowledge, I wanted to actively shape my own destiny. I pushed against the confines of my name, pursuing areas of magic that my parents never envisioned for me."
He leaned back, his expression a mix of defiance and contemplation. "I wanted to prove that I was more than just a passive observer. I sought out new forms of magic, and explored areas beyond what my parents knew of."
I could see the fire in his eyes, a clear testament to his struggle. "And did you find what you were looking for?"
Rolo nodded, a spark of satisfaction in his gaze. "I think I found my own niche."
He met my gaze, a hint of pride in his voice. "Rebellion wasn't just about rejecting expectations—it was about finding my true self within those expectations and bending them to fit who I wanted to become."
"So how should I address you tonight?" I asked him.
He paused, his gaze reflecting a mix of seriousness and amusement. "You could use Rolandiel if you want to acknowledge the full weight of my name and its meaning. It's a bit more formal and carries that sense of expectation."
He shrugged slightly. "I'd prefer you call me whatever you think suits the occasion best."
I smiled. "Okay."
It was clear that despite the deeper meanings and expectations associated with his mage name, Rolo was grounded in who he was and how he preferred to be seen.