? The Path of Fire (Path of Light and Fire Book #1)(Completed) ?

Chapter 1.2: The Hero Price

"I should end..." Sabin started.

"What is this stupidity?"

Sabin looked up to see Lord Dopal standing just inside the gate, Aegis at his side.

Sabin flung the dagger to the side and kneeled.

Takuya pushed to his feet, brushing the dust from his clothes. He strode to his father quickly.

"Father," Takuya complained, "This ruffian assaulted me. He was about to take my..."

He was interrupted as Lord Dopal slapped him hard across the face, knocking him to the ground. Takuya had a look of shock on his face as he looked up to his father that probably matched Sabin's.

If he'll do that to his son? Sabin's shock quickly turned to fear.

Lord Dopal glared at his son and pointed towards the manor. Takuya shot a look of pure hatred towards Sabin before leaving, and Sabin knew that their conflict was far from over.

Dopal's gaze then fell on Sabin. He was an imposing man, even in a simple blue robe and glasses. He looked as though he had been dragged from his study to see his son fighting. His gray hair contrasted with his black eyes, making his stare all the more menacing.

"My lord," Sabin said.

The Lord's gaze did not shift an inch. He said nothing; he simply turned around and headed back towards the manor, the guard following.

Whispers and looks of pity were flashed in Sabin's direction and he pushed himself slowly to his feet.

Shaken, he didn't hear Aegis's words. He felt the familiar weight of his father's arm on his shoulder and he allowed himself to be taken home.

Sabin could feel the clamminess of his pillow as it stuck to his face. He removed his shirt to get release from his self-inflicted heatwave, but it did nothing to satisfy his discomfort. Spurts of sleep were interrupted by Lord Dopal's cold stare, causing him to wonder if he would be taken and when. As the sun peaked through his shade, he knew that his battle with sleep was over, but another was on the horizon.

He quickly pulled on his faded breeches and shirt, rolling the stiffness from his shoulders. If the sun was up, Aegis was in his shop and would probably need help with the fire. As he cut through the kitchen, he noticed Kaita had left her basket, likely with the remaining sweetcakes. He paused, knowing that even if he could, he wouldn't change his actions.

"See you're up," Aegis said, wiping sweat and soot from his brow with his forearm. A bamboo barrel filled with coal lay close by with the lid off and Aegis chucked his scoop inside. "Got some errands I want you to run, and then I want you to practice with your bow." As Sabin looked to his father, he noticed his expression was relaxed and focused as if this were another day. Like nothing happened yesterday. How can he be so calm?

"I assaulted the Lord Dopal's son!" he screamed in anger. "It wasn't some quick thrashing in front of Kaita's house like last time. He was right there, watching."

Aegis frowned at those words. "Are you still worried about yesterday?"

"Of course, I'm worried!" He shook his head at his father's demeanor. "I'll never be a knight now. I may not even be alive tomorrow..."

Aegis shook his head and mumbled, "The hero price."

"What?" Sabin asked.

Aegis stood and locked eyes with his son. "The hero price is the consequence of doing the right thing. There are men, selfish and greedy who will stop at nothing to get what they want. There are sacrifices of the mind that good men make for the betterment of all. Sacrifices of the heart..." Aegis trailed off for a moment as if reliving an old memory. "That my son is the hero price."