Between Gates (The Gate Chronicles Book 1)

Chapter 6: Trouble Brews

“You would throw that in my face. Andrew the brilliant! Everyone loves you. You became general. You make the decisions. I had better follow or else you will throw me in jail!” Amory taunted.

His bitterness ran deeper than Andrew had expected. “It’s not like that, Amory. Just because you weren’t picked for general doesn’t mean people don’t like you. I’ve seen how the people I can’t deal with react to you. They respect you, and they listen to you because they like you. I can’t lead them well; you can.”

“Liar. You lead everyone well. Even the troublemakers respect you. When you give a command, they all jump to obey.” Amory sat up, a sneer on his face as he leaned in closer to his brother.

Andrew sighed, ignoring the close proximity his brother insisted on maintaining between them. “No, they don’t. Those who follow you rarely do as I say. They are completely yours. Amory, why not help me? The only way I can handle them is with your aid. So why withhold it?”

“Because you aren’t worth it, little brother!” Amory hissed, smiling. The smile never reached his blue eyes though, and Andrew felt chilled.

“You always used to tell me that I’d do great things, Amory. Remember that? You’d whisper it to me at night after father had beaten you for defending me. And you told me that when our little sister was taken to live with our mother and we were left. I remember, even if you don’t.

"And when we came here, you told me to try hard because for the first time, I had a chance to make something of myself. So I did. I tried hard, and I saw you give up. I tried hard, and I became general. But you weren’t happy or proud of me. All I wanted was just one smile, one pat on the back. Just one little gesture or word to let me know you approved of me. And what did I get instead? I got hostile, empty silence.”

“That’s right, Andrew. Blame it all on me. Anyone could see that you usurped what should have been mine. Was I supposed to praise you for it?” Amory snarled, his face red, an angry leer disfiguring his mouth.

Andrew felt his heart sink. His brother was cruel and hard now. He no longer knew who Amory was. “What happened to you, Amory? You used to be so loving… So kind… I used to be able to look up to you. Now though, you’ve lost all kindness and love. I can’t even talk to you without you exploding at me. Why are you so bitter?” Andrew asked.

His heart felt heavier with each word, and each one of his words seemed to fall on his ears like a death knell.

“I’m bitter because you destroyed me!” Amory shouted, standing up to pace the sparsely furnished room.

“That’s not fair or reasonable, Amory!” Andrew protested, pain filling him at his brother's words.

He had done all he could to succeed because Amory had told him to, because he had admired and loved his brother. And now, after he had succeeded, his brother hated him for it. Blamed him for it.

“Oh, yes it is, Andrew!”

Andrew turned away. His face set with determination. “Go away, Amory. Stop causing trouble, and don’t force me to put you under guard or in a cell.”

“Oh, I’ll leave all right! I can’t wait to leave. You know something, Andrew? You just don’t know how to lose once in a while so that others can have something they want too.” Amory spun to face his brother, his eyes glittering with rage.

Andrew ignored the comment. It stung, but he wasn’t going to respond to his brother. If he started talking, he’d break down and cry right in front of Amory. And weakness wasn’t something that Amory could see right now. He’d jump on it and bring Andrew down if he showed any hint of weakening.

Amory stormed out of the room, heading for his barrack.

***

When he got there, his best friend Bjorn Fjordell was the only one there. Bjorn looked up as Amory entered. Amory slammed the door and turned to Bjorn, eyes blazing.

“What’s up, man?” Bjorn asked.

“We’re leaving.” Amory gave a wicked grin. “My brother practically told me to. He also told me to stop causing trouble, but we’re not going to do that. Go spread the word quietly among our followers. I’m going to get some stuff before we leave. Tell them to be ready to move out quickly tomorrow morning around dawn. There won’t be much time.”

Amory glanced around the room, and then murmured, “We’re going to take East Gate over, and then we’re going to rule the world. See how my bratty little brother likes that, eh?”

Bjorn laughed. “Aye. We’ll see how your snot-nosed brother likes that, alright. I bet he comes crying and begging for mercy when we’re through.”

“I hope so.” Amory rubbed his hands together, glee lighting his eyes where a moment before rage had shone. Amory’s jaw clenched in a way that Bjorn had learned all too well meant trouble. His eyes lit with fire and brimstone. “Indeed we will, Andrew. Indeed we will,” He whispered.