Mark of the Fool

Chapter 437: 'Protect'

Alex had met Cedric in Coille Forest a long time ago.

The Chosen was as boisterous as he was friendly; the type of fellow who made even Alexwhod desperately wanted to avoid all the Heroes at the timewant to sit down and have an ale with him.

He wasnt anything like the Chosen that Alex had imagined: the fountain overlooking Alrics town square that paid tribute to the Five Heroes had depicted their leader as a shining paragon. A haughty-looking, fine featured young man who looked like he would press his own judgement on others while directing all his meagre kindness toward himself. The type of man who wouldve been described as a paragon of goodness in the past, but also the sort of man revealed to be vile in later tales told by others.

In short, the sort of fellow who would have gladly lectured a defenceless Fool on godly duties, forced all the grunt work on them, and perhaps even shoved them toward the front line when it came time for battle.

But that wasnt the sort of man whod walked out of Coille Forest. It wasnt a man with eyes full of judgement and a self-righteous sneer on his lips, it had been Cedric; a shirtless, woad-tattooed warrior, with an easy smile, an easier kindness, and the strength of several bulls.

Alex well remembered that strength from when the Chosen had helped him up off the forest floor. At the time, it seemed an impossibility for so much power to be stuffed into one human form, and Alex would never have believed thatonly a year and a half laterhe would be as strong.

But, not only was the Chosens might far beyond preternatural, his speed also matched it, which was something Alex learned in the most abrupt and personal way when Cedrics fist caught his jaw.

The first thing he thought waswell, nothing. There was a brief, wondrous moment in time where he was fairly sure the soul had been punched out of his body. He fully expected to be watching himself from the after-world, stupidly wondering why he was lying in the snow with his head on backwards.

The pain came next, bringing with it two bits of good news. First, that he was still alive, which was a fairly nice thing to be most of the time. Secondly, that the Chosen had obviously held back; after all, Alexs head hadnt been blasted off his neck and sent flying halfway back to the castle.

The Fool stumbled backward, holding his jaw as the world tumbled around him.

Then something like thunder exploded; familiar yet menacing.

One word echoed through his mind: Protect.

Oh shit, Alexs thoughts came as if through mud.

Theresa and Hart were yelling.

Cedric swore.

And Claygon attacked.

By the time Alex fully realised what was happening, his golem was already lunging for the Chosen, war-spear thrusting, fire-gems blazing.

Bloody he Cedric blurred to the side as the spear came down.

There was a terrible ripping noise.

Snow exploded in a geyser as the war-spear tore through frozen earth.

Hart drew his sword a breath before Theresa, yet both hesitated, unsure of what to do.

Drestra rushed between the golem and the Chosen, hands raised. Stop! Stop!

Cedrics morphic weapon flared out into a shield. Oi! Oi! Shes right, easy now, big guy!

Whooom!

Fire-gems flared bright.

Claygon! Alex cried. Claygon, Claygon stop! His hands waved desperately, his mind reaching through the link to touch Claygons thoughts. Its okay. Im alright, he said gently.

Protect, the golems voice ground like gravel. His body hesitated, but his mind blazed with the overwhelming urge to guard, crush, and defend.

Its okay. Alex calmly went to his golem, placing a hand on one of his marble arms. It was hot. Very hot. Im alright. Cedric and I are having a disagreement, is all. And we shouldnt solve all disagreements with violence.

He opened with violence, Theresa growled, glaring at the Chosen.

Ayemaybe not the wisest thing Ive done, the Chosens tone was cautious, though his eyes were blazing and fixed on Alex. He still simmered with anger.

Your words say that, but you look like youre ready to use that other fist, the huntress took a step toward the Chosen. You wont touch him again.

Oh, by the spirits, Drestra swore.

Emotions flared in Claygon, threatening to ignite.

Guys! That kind of talks not helping! Alex said sharply. Im trying to calm things down, and any other threats are going to set him off.

Hewants violence. Claygons voice boomed in his mind. Hewill get violence.

For a brief instant, Alex wondered how his golem had developed such a bloodthirsty streak; he immediately realised that son had taken after father.

No, Claygon, no one wants any more violence, Alex said gently.

I dont. Drestra glared at Cedric.

Oh come off it, that deserved a punch. Maybe ten, the Chosen growled.

Dont be such an idiot, the Sage fired back.

Idiot? Do you have any He whirled on her, eyes narrowing. Oi, whyre you actin like its no big deal? Djyou know?

The Sage went quiet for a heartbeat.

The Chosens face washed crimson. Oh thats just bloody great!

Cedric, Alex said gently I get it, if I were in your shoes, I mightve punched me too

Oh, if you was in my shoes, is it? The Chosen scoffed. You gots any idea

The golem took a step forward. Cedric tensed.

Both of you! Alex said, his voice growing firmer. Can we not do this? Please!

Im tryin! So ya need ttell yer mate tback off! the Chosen snapped.

Im trying, the Fool said, his voice growing hard.

You started this. Theresa pointed one of the twinblades swords at Cedrics chest. You dont get to complain.

Oi, fine thing for you tsay, aye. I threw one wee punch, then this one He nodded toward Claygon. Tries tskewer me!

It wouldnt have happened if youd acted like an adult, Drestra snarled behind her veil. This is your fault.

My fault? Oh, oh, so its fine when all o yous get mad about secrets an lies, an start talkin like we need to gut every bloody priest in the land, but oh, lets blame ol Cedric fer bein a wee bit mad at secrets an bloody lies! An

Hey, all of you shut up for five seconds. That includes you, Claygon. Youre grinding your feet loud enough to wake the dead. A deep voice cut through the din.

A shocked silence fell. Every eyeincluding Claygonslooked at the Champion.

Hart had sheathed his sword, his arms were crossed. This is gonna sound strange coming from me, but lets use our words instead of cutting each other to pieces in the snow, alright? Specially over something we already kinda knew.

Waitalready kinda knew? Cedric looked at Alex. What, did ytell him too?

Hey, Im just as confused as you, Alex said. Whatre you talking about, Hart?

The Champion looked at the others, his expression growing bewildered. What? I thought it was obvious.

Whatre you talking about? Drestra demanded. I just found out about twenty minutes ago! How did you know?

Hart shrugged. Gut feeling. He nodded to Alex. After our side-journey to Crymlyn Swamp, I got to thinking about things. I mean, if the church was lying to usand maybe our own damned god was toothen what the hell else did we miss? Who else was lying to us. So I started thinking about all the people Ive met since this whole mess started.

He looked at Alex. Then I thought about you and the way you fight. And the more I thought about it, the less sense you made.

What? I make perfect sense! Alex snapped, offended.

Maybe to a drunk. Look, when you fight, you never do anything directly. And you should. Youve built all that muscle, but you never use a warbow. I thought maybe you didnt have time to learn how, but a crossbow? Any serf can pick up one of those and use it as long as theyve got eyes and the muscle to wind it back.

He made a winding motion with those enormous hands. Hells, you never even throw a punch and youve learned all that fancy magic, but you never blow anyone up like this one does. He jerked his thumb toward Drestra, who went red.

Then the Champion pointed to the castle. Then theres Baelin. Youre so chummy with that big, bad wizard-chancellor of yours that youre basically his grandson.

Now it was Alex who blushed.

But, when hes going into battle, hes carrying weapons and wearing armour. And youre not. Hart looked Alex up and down in a way that made him feel naked. And its not just Baelin: your girlfriends carrying swords, Khalik has a sword, Thundars got a maceeveryones got weapons...everyone but you. Even your bloody golems got a weapon, and heis a weapon. Carrying weapons is smart, if youre getting into fights. He blew out a misting breath. The Ash Ravens have gutted our fair share of wizards stupid enough not to have a weapon as a backup. All they rely on is their magic. Everyone needs a back up, its stupid not to have one.

He jabbed a finger toward Alex. And you arent stupid. So I thought, why the hell doesnt he carry any weapons when everyone else does? Maybe he cantOoooh.. And I figured that you were probably the last member of our five maner, four man, one womanband. And thats that. I thought everyone else knew.

WhaBut Alex stammered. But Iyou cant just draw a conclusion from something like that! There could have been a dozen other explanations! Thats not how logic works! Or science!

Well, I dont know any of that fancy, science stuff. Hart shrugged. But I was right, wasnt I?

Ibutwha

Oi! Cedric looked at the Champion, his expression utterly offended. Ifn ythought o all that, why didnt ybloody say somethin? Matter o fact, y talked me outta thinkin that somethin wasnt on the level wit him!

Yeah, so? Hart gave the Chosen a look like he was talking to a very slow-witted sheep. Didnt you hear what I said? I figured it out after we went to Crymlyn. Back when you were going on like a madman after the double dungeon

Madman!? Cedric cried.

Yeah, madman. I didnt have any damn idea that anything was off with Alex. I learned stuff later and I changed my mind. Even a loopy dog would understand that much. He squinted at the glowing set of scales on Cedrics chest, then looked at Alexs shoulder. You two sure your Marks didnt get switched or something?

Cedric and Alex made choking noises.

Butwhy didnt you say anything! Drestra demanded. Night after night, I was lying awake thinking about this! You didnt say a word!

He shrugged again; the gesture made the Sages teeth grind behind her veil.

Hart didnt seem to care one bit.

I figured if Id figured it out, then the wise Sage wouldve.

Drestra joined the choking noises.

Hart looked at Theresa. Now, now, no ones going to start cutting apart your boyfriend so I think you can put your swords away, eh?

The huntress looked away briefly, then slowly sheathed the twinblade.

There we go. Hart dusted off his hands. And now no one dies in the snow. Thats pretty nice, isnt it?

Okay, okay, hold on now, Alex said. Okayeven if you figured it out, he said, refusing to accept hed been seen through in such a simple way. Whyre you acting like its no big deal?

Ya! Drestra said. I spent nights lying awake

You said that, Hart pointed out.

Its important.

Its really not.

It is! She snapped. How come you dont seemupsetor arent thinking about it?

Because its not that important, Hart said. So what if hes the Fool? Hes been helping us, hasnt he? Havent you? He looked at Alex.

Er, yes, but the Thameish wizard began.

Well, there you have it. The Champion interrupted, spreading his hands. Hes helping us. Whats it matter if he tells us hes got a glowing Mark on his shoulder? And if he was going to betray us? Id just cut him in half, which I wont have to do because hes still helping us.

Yes, but

And there you have it, Hart continued. Guess the only one that isnt a Fool around here is me.

A stunned silence filled the air.

Then Alex heard a strange sound.

A sound that was between a cough and the grinding of rock on rock. It was rhythmicwarm somehow.

The young wizard slowly looked at Claygon and realised what he was hearing.

Laughter.

His golem was laughing. FatherI think I know what humour is.

And Alex wondered when it was that hed lost complete control of his life.

Well, Hart said. If youre all done acting like little kids, lets get down to business, why dont we?

Aye Cedric said slowly. The anger was gone from his eyes, well most of it. He still looked a little peeved at Alexand was shooting Hart dirty looks. Sorry for the punchsort of. Be best if ystart talkin. Yshould have yer say an tell your story.

Alex sighed.

He really needed to start making that pamphlet.

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