Part 20

Justin was a body changer and those were rare. The body changers shifted in physical appearance judged by what feeling they had connected to certain personas. Justin Gideon was the hate in Justine and I had only seen him once before. But now he was always out. He didn't treat anyone horrible and the people of Westerville called him their king and just thought of him as a gift from the gods. But I wondered how long it would take for Justin's hate to die and for Justine to come back and be the queen she was born to be. A week? A month? A year? A decade? Forever?

I will not bring you all through the planning and meetings we had before the battle. It was long and tiresome but I will tell you this. Not all of my brother's so called loyal soldiers stayed by his side when the city was taken. Some decided to go home and some decided to run. It didn't matter that they let us down. What mattered was that the people was on our side and they were not backing down. We rode out from the city to meet Sue in open battle and left the city watch to keep the city safe. But the majority of the inhabitants joined us in battle. We must've been a funny sight. Some riders and foot soldiers in full armor and some just peasants with pitchforks or sticks. But we all had one thing in common… our faith in Wes and our longing to take down the evil queen. Speaking of my brother, he is still not showing his face to the crowd.

He keeps wearing that armor and helmet he got so that no one can see his face. He only takes the helmet off when he's alone with Chris and I or with the Warblers that are closest to him. I think he doesn't want to show the people of Westerville how young he is because they would probably not think he knows what he's talking about if they did see him. And speaking of being alone with him… there's where Chris and I are right now. Chris and I were sitting cross-legged on the floor of the tent while Wes was standing watching the fire pit. His helmet was on still, but he had unhinged that chainmail veil or whatever you call it that blocked his face other than the eyes. He could easily hang it on again if someone entered.

"The battle will most likely be tomorrow", he said and Chris and I looked at him.

"We know", Chris said. "And we're ready."

"Are we?"

"Yes", I said. "Wes everyone will follow you because you follow your heart. Grandpa always said that you are sure to do impossible things when you follow your heart."

"And this is an impossible battle."

"Nothing is impossible when it comes to you", Chris said. "Just look what you have managed to do so far bro. You have gathered a whole people around you, from all classes and places. Everyone follows you because they know you are right and that you know what you are doing."

"If I knew what I was doing we would've won a long time ago", Wes said with a soft smile. "I just pretend to know what I'm doing."

"Well you're doing it so well that everyone believes you", I said and smile. "And in you as well. We all believe you can do great things Wes."

"Yeah", Chris agreed. "We all know you will face the queen and defeat her, magic or no magic we all know you can do it."

"Ah but we three can do magic", Wes said and smiled at us.

"The soul connections aren't magic", I objected.

"Oh then what would you call it and why is it only the three of us who can do it? Not even people in Soulheim are as 'powerful' as the three of us."
"Well… we use it more often", I said and Wes smiled and then looked up as Hunter entered.

"Wes", he said. "There's a young man here and he wants to meet you."

Wes sighed and put up that chainmail-veil again to mask his face.

"Send him in Hunt", he said and Hunter nodded before leaving. The flap that served as door opened again and in came a young man with brown hair and green eyes. He was a few years older than my brother and he looked as if he had been travelling far.

"Welcome", my brother said. "I'm the King of Thieves, who are you?"

"My name is Joseph Hughes", the young man said and looked at my brother and bit his lip. "I am looking for someone and I think he may be in your army."

"Who are you looking for?"

"A member of my nomadic tribe", Joseph explained. "I come from a nomadic tribe far north from here, in the mountains beyond Lima. My friend was part of the tribe but…"

"But what?"

"He was left with our tribe by a woman who didn't want him. She told us to take him because she could not care for him… I've been told this because I was just an infant when this happen… the same as him."

"Who is he", my brother asked.

"His name is Austin, Austin Diaz."

I saw the sadness in my brother's eyes but Joseph didn't seem to as he kept talking:

"At first everything was fine but then we started to realize that this person has magical powers and well… one day…"

5 years ago

Joseph had been looking for his best friend the whole day. Last he saw Austin's friend's adoptive father and leader of the nomads, a man named Kodiak was leading him off into the woods. Kodiak's wife had taken Austin in because they had lost their own child. Joseph and Austin were the strongest twenty year olds in the group and had always been best friends but now Austin was gone. Joseph knew that something had happened in the forest earlier that day, Austin refused to tell them but he had told his adoptive father. Kodiak was a good man, a very protective one as well. He had never been fond of the boy though, especially not when strange things started to happen around him. Joseph looked around and then suddenly heard Kodiak sing softly:

My worst fear
I hold it now
I always knew that this would happen
Though he's a child it's in his blood
And he will grow
So now it's clear what I must do
I know too well what he'll become
For as long as I draw breath
I'll remember

Joseph felt dread in his stomach and ran up to Kodiak.

"Where's Austin", he asked and gripped the man's cloak. "Where is he?!"

Kodiak just gripped his arms and held him at arm's length, looking at him

Kodiak: No turning back
What's done is done
I have seen what they can do
He can't be saved by you, by me
It's too late

"No, I won't let you do this", Joseph yelled. Since he lost his parents at a young age Austin was all he had. "How can you think-"

Kodiak : No more fighting I'll be obeyed
I'll stand my ground
Don't dare defy me
I know his kind
I know the truth
I will protect us

He grabbed Joseph's arm and dragged him towards the horses that were ready to leave. Joseph struggled against the grip.

Kodiak: No other way
Open your eyes
It's there to see
No other way
He's not one of us
And never will be

"Kodiak just listen to me", Joseph begged.

Kodiak: No more to say
He is what he is
And that won't change
There's no other way
I am leaving him here
And here he'll stay

"He's done nothing wrong!" Joseph yelled as tears streamed down his cheeks. Kodiak twirled around, gripped Joseph by the shoulders and pulled him close… looking murderous.

Kodiak: He was up in the trees
Using their magic
And in time it is us
He will hurt
"No", Joseph sobbed.
Kodiak: Nothing and no one
Will stop him becoming
What he is
And was by blood

No other way
He won't come between me
And those I love
Believe me when I say
With my body and soul
This I vow

" But I need him!" Joseph yelled and pulled loose and made a run for it but Kodiak gripped his arm.

Kodiak: No, no other way
In spite of your pain
It will be done
No matter what you say
He never was or could be
Be my son
There is no other way

"I won't let him near the rest of the tribe again", Kodiak panted, struggling with keeping Joseph still. Joseph stopped trashing and his shoulders slumped.

"I understand", he said. Kodiak let him go and Joseph walked up to his horse, took the pack attached to the saddle, strapped it on his back and took a walking stick. Kodiak watched him and felt confused until Joseph started to walk towards the forest.

"Where are you going?" Kodiak asked.

"To find him", Joseph answered, tears going down his cheeks. "We'll live away from the family."

" For how long?"
"For as long as he needs me and I him!"

"You can't", Kodiak yelled and gripped Joseph's shoulder. "I won't be able to protect you. Joseph don't do this please."

Joseph turned to his leader and the hurt in his eyes had Kodiak let go of his arm.

"Kodiak I'm his best friend", Joseph said and hurried off. Kodiak watched him go and felt a big weight on his heart. He looked at the ground and sang softly:

No other way
I should have done this before
Long ago
And from today
Though they'll think of me cruel
They won't know
There was no other way.

Present day

"When I found the place where Kodiak had tied Austin up there were only dead wolves and burnt grass around", Joseph explained. "Whatever happened Austin got out of there alive and I've spent these past 5 years searching for him. But he's always been one step ahead of me. I've followed in his steps, learnt what he has and now I'm asking you your highness… where is he?"

Wes looked at Chris and I and I got the hint. I patted Chris' shoulder and we left the tent. We hadn't gotten far before I heard the horrified cry that must've belonged to Joseph when he found out his best friend was dead. Chris and I joined our friends by one of the fires. Justin was there also. Everyone was telling stories from their childhoods or just fairytales. I sat down beside Tina and felt her take my hand. We have become very close and I told Wes and Chris that if I survived the battle I would kiss Tina and ask her to marry me. I was sure she felt the same because she moved closer to me. Artie was just finishing telling the group the story of the magpie and the princess. Chris and I shared a look and snorted.

"Enough with the moral stories", Puck said.

"Oh story", Brittany said and turned to Justin. "Do you know a story Justin? Can you tell us one please? A sad story."

"Um well", Justin said.

"I love sad love stories don't you", Brittany asked Tina. I knew what Brittany was doing. She was trying to kill the hate in Justin by making him share his love for Austin with us all and sadness was something Justine felt… maybe we'd get her back.

"Um", Justin said and got up so that everyone could see him. "Once upon a time there was the uh… the um… the sun and…"

"Sing it Justin", Sunshine ushered. "Sing."

"Oh…" Justin said. "Um…" He sighed and then sang:

Once there was the sun
Bright, and warm, and wonderful
Shining like the love within my heart

We could all picture him and Austin out doing something like riding in the forest or dancing or just being together in each other's arms.

Now there's no more sun
Winter has killed everything
And although it's dark December
Forever
I'll remember sun.

"Winter has killed everything, even the sun", Justin then said and looked at the sky. We all saw it though... Justin was shifting somewhat. It was like Justine was trying to get through but then his eyes narrowed and the hate took over again. "And that winter is your mother Brittany and I hate her. She will pay." Justin walked away, still a man and still full of hate. I sighed and looked at Brittany.

"You tried", I told her and she nodded. I knew Brittany was feeling guilty because it was her mother who was behind this. I turned to Tina as she asked me to tell a story of my home but before I could open my mouth a trumpet sounded and we all flew up. The queen's army had been spotted. The war was upon us.

TBC Check out me tumblr if you want ;) it is eraman's warblers in one word and without this: '