PeaceMaker

"As irreversible as death is, as unforgivable as betrayal is, that's how much our friendship had to last. You can call me petty for stressing over something as simple as this, but I could care less, my brother is on the streets right now, living a life you forced us into. Now that I found a way to save us, you come to take it all away," Boris yelled, "Unlike you, I am loyal, unlike you I look for ways to save rather than destroy, unlike you I treasure relationships over having webs of relationships in which I can snip off a friend and make myself another more self-influential one."

Boris walked to the door and wrapped his hand around it, "And unlike you, I will have the last laugh. So now," He yanked open the door, "get out of here, or I turn myself into the monster you are and ruin whatever chance of a future you have ahead of you."

**

APRIL 19

"Your majesty are you ok?" Litian asked as she huddled behind her king.

"Is he targeting you?" Dominic nodded, hiding the cut from an arrow that had whizzed past him aimed at Litian.

"... yes sir," Litian replied standing up.

Dominic stared at her through the slit on his helmet, his gaze still as piercing despite being hidden slightly by the helmet.

"Are you still resisting?" Dominic asked his voice rising, "LOOK AROUND YOU LITIAN!! There are people attacking us, every swing and slice of their sword is aimed at killing us!! This is a war if you need to be reminded about it, your fellow soldiers are risking their lives to win, some have already lost in life but hoped with their last breath that we take the crown and yet YOU ARE STILL BOTHERED BY WHAT SOME OLD INSTRUCTOR TOLD YOU WHEN YOU FIRST JOINED THE ARMY?"

Litian whimpered at Dominic's tone, his words sharp and brutal, but true.

"THIS IS NOT THE TIME TO BE REMEMBERING A DEAD PERSON WHO DOUBTED YOUR ABILITIES, HECK EVEN DOUBTING YOURSELF!!! You know that genders do not act as a filter for who can become a commander and especially not in my kingdom. So yet why are you beating yourself up over it?" Dominic yelled, "You are one of the most skilled soldiers that I know, and I DO NOT need to give you another speech in order for you to know that!"

Dominic broke his harsh gaze with Litian and pointed at the man who spoke to her earlier, "that person over there is someone who wants to ruin you to rub a single fact into your face, "you will never amount to me" and you acting this way is telling him he is right. STOP ACTING LIKE THE MAIDEN HE CALLS YOU OUT TO BE!!! Until you bring him to his knees before you, will you show him that you will NOT be underestimated."

Dominic picked up Litian's sword, "this sword was given to you by me because I expected you to be able to handle it! I THOUGHT YOU WOULD BE THE MASTER IT NEEDS!! Yet you stand in front of me, overflowing with potential and skill and yet held back by the flimsy chains of gender categories," Dominic shoved the sword into Litian's hand, " this is a war, our kingdom is at stake here, and you are their leader. So pick up this sword and fight. Never look back to see if people are watching so you can seem more than you are, you are Litian, you live for you not them. I NEVER WANT TO SEE YOU STOP OR HESITATE BECAUSE OF GENDER LIMITATIONS. You should win. You worked for it, you deserve it. SO GO OUT THERE AND KILL EVERYONE WHO DOUBTS YOU, if that doesn't work, you need to make up for sending harm on your king."

Litian grinned clutching her sword, "Yes sir."

"Go out there and don't make me make another embarrassing speech again in the middle of a battlefield, ok?" Dominic asked, thankful his helmet hides his blush.

"Yes sir," Litian saluted before running off with her sword.