The Mist and the Lightning. Part III - стр. 3
"And now try to explain it to the others."
"Let's go downstairs." Orel got up. "I can even vote for it. You and Vil will be for me, Enriki, I'm sure, will not vote against it either. Four against three. Shit, Vil is convenient, after all, I can always be sure he'll vote just like me. Am I right?"
"Yes," Nikto smirked.
"Just don't express your wish to pair with Enriki, okay? Otherwise everyone will seize this opportunity and there will be no changes, and we need them."
"You said 'no', I got it. But it will be a difficult conversation."
"It is my problem, just keep silent."
"I always keep silent," Nikto said.
* * *
"Wait, there is one more thing before we have dinner."
They looked at him questioningly, silently, waiting what he'd say.
"My order is," Orel started slowly, lowering his head slightly. He saw them tense. "…I'm changing pairs," he said at last.
Everyone froze as if not quite understanding what he said. Lis was the first to regain composure.
"Who are you going to replace?"
"Everyone," Orel said. "I'm going to change ALL the pairs."
"And yours, too?" Lis's voice stayed calm but it was a pretense.
"No. I'm staying with Nikto."
"Ah," Lis said knowingly.
"Arel, changing pairs before an important fight is unreasonable," Squint-Eye interfered.
"Which way do you want to change the pairs?" Tol asked anxiously.
"Squint-Eye will stand by Lis, Vil by Enriki, you by Asa."
Tol really started back; he tried to say something but managed only a few hoarse sounds.
"Fuck you! You're completely insane!" Squint-Eye yelled. "It's nonsense!"
"Arel, why are you doing it? Why?" Lis asked tiredly.
"No objections!" Orel shouted. "That's it! I have decided, and it will be this way!"
"But can you at least explain us why?"
"It will be better this way. Is it enough for an explanation?"
"No, it is not enough." Squint-Eye nervously pushed his hair away from his face. "Changing pairs before a fight! Do you want to kill us? Do you want to ruin everything? At the very last moment? We fucked with this Bey for so long! We nearly lost everything! And now, when we have a real chance to end it, when we finally have a really good plan, you start fooling around! Arel, the fights will be hard, won't it be better to keep us the way we are used to, at least for a while? After that you can replace us, you can put me with Asa, can put Vil with Lis – whatever you want but after the fight!"
"No. Now," Orel said firmly.
Squint-Eye waved his hand hopelessly.
"No one changes pairs before a fight," Tol interfered. "I remember it from school."
"Shit! You were going to school?!" Orel yelled, unable to stand it any longer. Tol decided it was safer to keep silent. "I'm tired of your displeasure," Orel continued, and by his voice they felt they had got to him. "You always dislike everything! Whatever I do! Whatever I suggest! In reply I always hear: 'Arel, it's stupid! Arel, it's dangerous! Arel, it's wrong!' I'm not sure any more if you need me at all! Maybe you'll lock me in the dungeon and go on with your business as you feel like?!"
"Don't exaggerate," Enriki, who had been silent till now, said at last. "I don't mind if you change our places."
"You have nothing else left!" Lis snorted.
"Fine, maybe," Enriki shook his head jerkily. "Arel does everything right," he said as calmly as he could but his voice betrayed him, ringing with resentment.