�Who killed,� I was shaking with rage.
�Who killed whom Maro?�
�Who killed them!� I couldn�t believe Juilu�s stupidity.
�Who�s them Maro?� She persisted.
�Who killed my parents, who killed them!� I screamed at them all. Juilu looked absolutely crushed. The man came over to me and grabbed my shoulders fiercely.
�The same people that have been beating you, the same people your parents trusted,� he started.
�But how! They�ve always been here, beating on me! How could they have killed them?� I was calming down a little, letting depression hit me fully.
�Did you always see both of them all the time? Or was it one at a time?� He asked patiently.
� I didn�t bother to notice, just living was enough, but yes, it was generally one at a time,� I said wanting to run. After not looking at anyone for a few minutes I was aware of the strange silence that came. Not like you�d think though, almost a deceitful silence, one that had much more to tell then was led to believe. Scared even more, for what could be worse then what I was going through, I shuddered.
�And?� Despairingly I said.
�And, well we�ll tell you later Maro, you need your rest, especially after remembering what was happened. I hope you can forgive us our bluntness, but it was for the best. Your parents left me in charge of something that has a great deal to do with you, but for now you don�t need to know about them. You need just to rest,� the man said. At that I was returned to my bed. I needed to talk to someone. To confine in someone. To know that their pain was mine. Despairingly I looked beside me. Misheno was to my left and someone else to my right. Would Misheno listen to the pathetic complaints of a crazed 13 year old? No. I wouldn�t bother her. I wouldn�t bother anyone. But I was going to run, and they couldn�t stop me.
I awoke in the middle of the night. No one was near me that was awake or could stop me. I struggled against myself to get out of the hospital bed. As my feet touched the cold stone floors I looked for my cloths. They were on a chair not two feet from my bed. Excellent. I slipped over to my cloths and started to get changed. Misheno sighed. I froze aware of my nudity. I silently scrambled to get my trousers and tunic on. She didn�t wake up. As I finished dressing myself I heard voiced. I flung myself back into the bed and pretended that I was asleep. The Doctor passed and I heard him shuffle down the row. I hopped out of bed, adrenalin pumping, and stealthily went for the door. I eased it open, and slipped out. So far so good. Hearing the quiet jingle of chain mail, I dashed for a hiding spot. The guard walked by me not noticing me at all. I crept out of the Hospital. Once in the streets I knew were I needed to go.
As I reached the doors for the Tyquino headquarters I wondered when they would figure out I was gone. I had bunched up my blankets to make it look like I was still asleep instead of prowling about the streets. I opened up the doors and went in. Heading for my �wing� of the building I encountered no one. Every one was at home, safe and sound never dreaming that their fifth in command was taking to being a coward. Opening my office doors I saw a fire roaring in my fire place. My heart beat quickened. The strange man spun around in my chair and looked at me. My eyes flew open and I started to shout as a gloved hand covered my mouth. I drove my elbow backward, striking the person behind me in the gut. As they reeled backward I span towards them and swiftly brought my elbow crashing down in between his shoulder.(Now knowing that my opponent was male.) He spanned down on the rug covered floor and stayed there. The strange man pushed me aside and check on his accomplice. After standing up, he grabbed me gingerly by the shoulder.
�Now why on Earth did you do that Maro? What has Jerome done to you?� he asked angrily pointing to the man.
�He came up from behind me, I didn�t know what he was meaning to do!� I hissed in self defence.
�No matter,� was his reply. Jerome groaned quietly and started to get up. The strange man gestured toward my office.
�Nice office, Maro,� he said calmly.
�It is the office of the Fifth Commander of the Tyquino maufia, Weapons Major and Councillor for those in need,� I replied heading for the closet. I needed a change of cloths.
�Ah, but it�s after hours, Fifth Commander, what are you doing here, why, you should be resting!� he said menacingly, obviously mad at my formality.
�A Commander is always able to access his office, after hours or no. I need a fresh set of clothing and gear, then I will talk to you. Until then, gentlemen, please wait in the lobby,� I said staying true to my rank. The look of surprise mixed with anger and pride was in the face of the pair as they left. I strode to my closet and got out what I needed. I pulled out fresh black trousers, crimson tunic, full length fur-lined garnet cloak, leather boots, Trignot, dagger, Topinop and other such accessories. After changing, I combed my hair back and packed my other cloths, weapons and everything else I could carry. An impatient knock at my door reminded me of my guests. Realising again that I was only 13, I bayed them enter. Jerome stayed outside.
�Aren�t you dressed up Maro,� the strange man said as I took my seat behind my desk.
�Not at all, what is you name, if I am to address you properly, sit down please,� I said now feeling competent to deal with anything. I had nearly forgotten about Paluquo, but remembered again as he curled up in my lap, his scales clashing with my outfit. For once, I was in charge. Lacing my fingers in front of me, I looked at the two men with what I usually reserved for my subordinates. I could tell that they were annoyed with my sudden overflow of confidence and pig-headedness.
�My name is of little importance, and I�d curb my cockiness if I were you,� he threatened menacingly. The comment had little effect on me, for I had been beaten worse then anything this man could put me through. I glared at him defiantly. Who was this man that continued to mess up my life?
�So what am I to call you? Sir, Mister, You, I really don�t know. Please tell me something to call you, or I will resort to merely nothing,� I said in a voice I hoped sounded unshakable. The man was livid, apparently at my disregard for his statues.
�Fine, you must indeed call me something Maro, but I remind you to respect me. You don�t even know what I could put you through. The name you may refer to me by is Hanz Ettelweh, or just Hanz. Is that sufficient?� He looked amused.
�That will indeed suffice. So, Hanz Ettelweh, why have you decided to intrude upon my life? Do I have to the privilege of knowing why my parents left me with those savages? Why they left me here, in something that must be close to hell?� I remarked in clipped tones. Sadly the man looked down.
�You speak so cruelly of them, I had hoped that you may show more compassion towards your dead parents, but...�
�No, you have no idea, not a clue what I have put up with. Do not talk to me about �compassion towards my dead parents�, for where was their compassion for me? I�m not a selfish boy, as you may know, but they left me. They abandoned their only son, to people that would have me beat daily, in hopes of breaking exactly those things previously stated, my compassion and my hope,� I reamed. How could he even say that?
�Your not listening,�
�No, I�m not. Not after all the lies that I have been fed in the past years of my young life by adults. Not children, but adults. I have been forced into my maturity, into a position in life faced by people many years my senior. Do not lecture me,� calm defiance and loathing crept into my voice.
�Have you ever been beat? And I don�t mean by an equal, I mean by someone three times as old as you, I mean in all possible ways!� I battered. He didn�t know, how could he? He took a few cautious breaths.
�No,� he started to fiddle with his cloak clasp. I hadn�t noticed it before, but it resembled Paluquo stunningly.
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