“Of course! Crassus hammered us in his studies with the heroic history of the black people and the endless war with the red. And your careful multi-moves as an example of a brilliant strategy. Then I realized that I would never do that when I became a commander.”
“And you were sure that you would become him?”
“Yes. Either everything or nothing. As if I was born with this, you cannot understand. I'm the chosen one.”
“I am also the chosen one!”
“Well then, all the more so why are you upset?” Lis turned to Tol. “Tol, better gather everyone in the square. We will reward those who have distinguished themselves and set them up for the trip, and take this shit off!”
Tol frowned, but nodded.
“Yes, sir,” he said, saluting Lis.
“There are still a lot of things to do with packing up,” said Lis, “so nobody must sleep!”
“You are the commander-in-chief, you don’t have to delve into loading supplies and check every soldier,” Kors said.
“No, Kors, you don't understand. I am the source of this fire, and I am setting this whole thing on fire. From my attention and participation, it will flare up. It will go out without me.”
“Okay, Alis, can I help you with something, although I don't have any more subordinates?”
“You can.”
“Tell me what to do?”
2
Help
Kors knocked and entered Lis and Karina’s room. He saw that Lis was alone, he was sitting at the table with his head in his hands. The papers on the table were scattered around, and several were scattered on the floor. Lis raised his face at the sound of the door being opened, he was still shamefully painted: vertical black stripes under his eyes, a red tip of his nose and a sloppy red mouth from ear to ear. The dye faded a little, but was still very visible. When Lis lifted his head from his folded hands, the bell in his nose tinkled out of tune, too big, it almost lay on his lips, covering them.
“Good evening, Alis.”
“Ah-ah, Kors,” drawled Lis, grimacing slightly, and in an unconscious gesture reached for his mask, which was lying next to him on the table, but at the last moment, as if having changed his mind, he didn’t bring it to his face to close it, but, annoyed, he threw the mask aside, onto the bed, only the clasps clinked loudly.
This involuntary gesture of understanding his shameful appearance, embarrassment and shame from this did not hide from Kors, he grinned.