Jedediah POV

Chapter 40: The decisive fight

I have been through a lot since I've been in this museum, but I never thought my own boys would outcast me. I sat there as an beaten up man in the Roman Empire. My own people called me a traitor and the Romans looked hostile at me here. Oh well, except two of them. And I was glad Girl was also here in Rome. But the worst was still that also Jacob turned his back on me. I truly never saw that before.

"Octavius, what should I do?" I asked without looking up.

"You're talking again, that's a step forward," he said like it was all a joke. I looked annoyed to the ground and refused to look at him. "The only thing I meant to say with that," Octavius said, while he laid his hand on my shoulder. "Is that sitting here and looking angry at the ground won't help you. You have to do something."

"But what can I do in for crying out loud?" I yelled and jumped up at the same time.

"You could start to stop shouting," Octavius said and looked at me with calm eyes. "Maybe my men would accept you then and they will stop to see you as an enemy."

"So I could really take a Roman army and attack my boys," I said soft and slowly. "I'm sorry, Octavius, but if I have to choose between my people and peace, I will choose for my people." I still didn't look at Octavius, but I knew how he looked back at me. He didn't replied, because he knew I was right. He knew he would do exactly the same.

But suddenly something happened what got our attention. There was a lot of yelling and I could see why. Jacob ran through the Roman city, but he got chased by some Roman soldiers and it didn't take long before they catched up with him. I wanted to help him, but Octavius grabbed my arm and someone was faster than me.

"Anybody who will touch him one more time, will regret this for the rest of his life," Agrippa yelled, when he walked towards Jacob with his sword in his hand. Immediately the crowd made room and left Jacob alone.

"Guardian!" Jacob said relieved when he saw Agrippa. "Marcus, you have no idea how happy I am to see you. Please, can you take me to Jedediah?"

"I can take a guess," Agrippa said, while putting his sword away. "And Jedediah is that way." He pointed at me with his chin and Jacob immediately looked straight at me. He smiled and it seemed he was even more relieved than before.

He walked towards Octavius and I, together with Agrippa. And he putted me in an embrace the moment he reached us.

"And I'm even happier to see you," Jacob said, still holding me. I just stood there and waited for what was coming next. Hugging isn't something I should do daily. "Jedediah, you need to come back to the Wild West with me," Jacob said, finally letting me go. "William tries to get everybody against you. He really thinks he's the leader already. Please Jed, you have to come and convince them that peace is for the best."

I looked at him and was little confused. I didn't even understand how he came here. "Why do you think they would listen to me?" I asked after a short time.

"William said it himself," Jacob replied. "Everybody listened to you for a long time now. You always leaded and protected us and showed us the right way. Most of them didn't forget that and they are still willing to listen to you. But the longer you wait, the harder it will get. We should go to the tunnel now." So that was how he came here and another question ran through my mind.

"I never showed you the entrance of the secret tunnel," I said with a strict voice.

"I followed you one time, but that isn't important for now, Jed," Jacob said almost panicking. Both his hands laid on my shoulders and he looked almost begging at me, but I don't think he noticed. I smiled a bit and nodded one time.

"Thank you for warning me, Jacob," I said to him. "I should've known... I'll leave immediately."

"Yes, and I'm coming with you," Jacob said.

"Jacob, I don't think that..."

"I was your little brother, right?" Jacob said and took a step backwards. "I'll always stay by your side."

"Alright then," I sighed, but I also smiled again.

Jacob and I walked towards the fountain, together with Octavius and Agrippa. Just before I wanted to crawl into the secret tunnel, Octavius laid his hand on my shoulder.

"I'll wait for you down on the flour with an army," he said firm. "If they agree with you, I'll be there to make peace. And otherwise we'll be there to fight one last all decisive battle." His words were short, but clear. I nodded and crawled in the tunnel to the other side.

"Jacob," I said when we both stood in the Wild West again. "I want you to go to my tent and take the Roman sword. After that you come immediately back to me." Jacob nodded one time and I was alone before I knew it. But I kept on walking through the Wild West and it didn't take long before some noticed me. Some looked glad or relieved, but others looked angry. And suddenly William stood before me and pointed a gun to my head.

"You don't ever have to come here again, traitor," he said to me.

"Shut up and give me a chance to explain." I didn't feel like listening to his lies again. "Listen, it's true that Octavius and I are friends and it's true that we talked about peace already. But we thought about this so many times. This war rages for 54 years already and we both didn't even conquered one inch. We fight because that's what we should do, like some wild animals working on instincts. I have enough of that, but I would always be loyal to you, as you were always loyal to me. So I ask you now: what is it going to be: peace or war?"

Nothing much happened and I was afraid I lost this fight. But fortunately Jacob came running towards me and gave me my sword.

"This is a Roman sword," I said to William. "Your gun doesn't work, but those swords do. As you all can see, the Roman army is waiting for us for one last battle. The one who loses this battle, loses the war. We would probably lose this battle and maybe even die, but I will die beside you. Or we make peace with them."

"Peace," one of the boys said. It was Jacob of course.

"Peace," said also another one. I could hear the word more and more times from different persons and then even William lowered his gun.

"That's settled then," I said softly. I wouldn't waste any more time, so I took a robe and let myself lapse down to the ground.

I saw how Octavius walked towards me before I even reached the ground. We didn't need any words for this moment. Two smiles, one firm handshake and one embrace and the peace was sealed.

Wow, chapter 40...

Oh well, I'm sorry that I'm too late for those days. I kinda forgot about. *getting mad at myself and cursing myself* Anyway, I still hope you liked this chapter.

Next week will be the last one.