Octavius POV

Chapter 20: One big lie

It didn't matter to me what Jedediah told me, I just couldn't believe it. I collaborate with him for 13 years now and he didn't let me down once. So now I'm sure Jedediah didn't abandon me in the snow. Everybody tells me he left me behind to die, even Jedediah himself, but I still won't believe it. Maybe it sounds stupid, but I even trust him more than before. Because if it is true he lies about the night in the snow, he lies to protect the alliance. But why would he also lie to me then?

Anyway, I started to miss Jedediah. Agrippa and I don't talk too much to each other and I honestly don't even want to talk to him. Again a week had past and nothing happened. It was Jedediah's turn to come to the Roman Empire to train with the sword. I waited patiently at the fountain till he would come. I just hoped he would come.

I was surprised when I noticed it, but I'm not ashamed of it. Jedediah, my ally and enemy, became also my friend. But don't get me wrong, I still want to rule his land and I'm willing to fight for it. But I don't want Jedediah as my slave like before. I will let him go and I won't take his freedom from him when I defeat him. I respect him and that makes it so hard to humiliate him. And to be honest, I rather fight with him then against him. Even though I know our friendship is one big lie.

I thought about this, while I waited for him. And finally, after a few hours, I saw Jedediah appear.

"You are still here," Jedediah said and strangely it didn't sound surprised.

"I don't have anything better to do," I lied. "But for a moment I thought you wouldn't come anymore."

"Well, I thought I was not welcome here anymore." Jedediah spoke slowly and soft.

'You're always welcome here,' I almost said, but I stopped myself just in time. It would've been too far to say something like that. "Of course you're still welcome," so I said. "I will definitely show you when you're not welcome anymore."

"You didn't really got the chance to say or do anything last time," Jedediah said and he sounded normal again. I knew it was true and I had so many questions for him. But I just struggled and tried to show I didn't care anymore.

For a moment we just looked at each other and none of us said a word.

"We didn't even say each other's name," Jedediah said suddenly, while he skewed his head a little bit. I startled when I realized he was right, but I stayed at east. I knew there was no problems, because Jedediah spoke so calm and easy.

"Jedediah," I said like nothing was going on.

"Octavius," Jedediah said back. Finally Jedediah walked towards me and sat beside me on the edge of the fountain.

After a little while we started to talk and made jokes about the giants. Everything was okay, everything was alright. Like two friends we sat there besides each other. And I saw him like a friend. Somebody I truly trust for my live, even though I still remember it is a lie.

"You know," Jedediah said after some time. "Even Jacob talks bad about the giants and that says a lot."

"Jacob," I said softly and thought for a little moment. "You're old friend who you recognized as your little brother."

Jedediah looked shocked at me. "How did you ever remember that? I told you definitely years ago."

"You speak more often about Jacob than you think, believe me," I answered him.

"Of course," he said like I was wrong. "You also talk about that other boy. Grapa, or something."

"Agrippa," I corrected him.

"Whatever," he struggled. "But I don't really understand what's going on between you two."

"Well, neither do I," I said honestly for once. Jedediah looked astonished at me.

"What do you mean?" he asked after a while. "I thought he was a friend of yours."

"Yes, that's what I thought first," I answered and tried to hide the storm inside me.

"Is something the matter then?" Jedediah asked and that was the moment when I couldn't get a hold of myself anymore. I stood up and finally I burst out.

"Yes," I started, speaking harder and faster than Jedediah was used of me. "Yes, there is definitely something the matter. More than 33 years ago my father, or actually my uncle, got killed. He got killed by the persons he called his friends. I inherit his name and he gave me the task to lead the Empire and to protect Rome. But I don't know how, I'm not a great general like him. And what if Agrippa and Quintus also want to kill me? Especially Agrippa, he keeps secrets for me, I'm sure of it. All alone I have to defend my father's name, while I have to fight against three giants and a group of cowboys who attack my city and my friends want to kill me." When I finally stopped my raging I turned around and looked at Jedediah who still sat there as easy as always.

"You really have a few problems," he said soft and with calm eyes. Because of his calm eyes and the way he spoke I also felt more comfortable. Jedediah stood up and walked towards me. "What was your father's name?" Jedediah asked when he stood before me.

"Julius Caesar," I answered him.

He nodded one time, looked straight in my eyes and putted his hand on my shoulder. "You can tell Julius Caesar you're not alone anymore," Jedediah said clear.

And on that moment I knew this lie, who I called our friendship, wouldn't go away.

And finally, here is chapter 20! I really missed this. :S

But now I'm back! :D I hope you really enjoyed this chapter. At least thank you for reading it this far. I can't tell you enough how much it means to me, so thank you! Please, tell me what you think about my story in a review. I appreciate them all! :D