Chapter 29

In the middle of the night, Najana was woken by a loud knock on the door. It was raining heavily, so she opened it carefully, making sure the water did not get inside. She almost didn't recognize Washar.

"What happened?" She grabbed his hand and led him inside. The prince's mouth curved in a painful grimace.

"Haven't you heard anything?"

"Only rumors," she admitted, "but if it's true, you have no idea how sorry I feel for you."

Washar sank heavily into a small chair in the hallway. When Najna crouched beside him, he hid his face.

"I'm a fool! You were right! If I had listened to you, maybe my family would survive..."

"You couldn't predict it."

"You did. You warned me."

"It was Naimoor, right?" When Washar didn't answer, she narrowed her eyes angrily. "Of course it was him. Tell me the truth and I will go to the palace and drown him in his blood!"

"No! Don't go there unless someone gives you an order," he warned "and if you would be there, avoid Naimoor at all costs... it would be best for you to escape the capital. My youngest brother knew what he was doing when he set off on his journey! It's good that he doesn't know anything." Washar looked back at her. "Don't let him touch you, no matter what he promises you. Don't look him in the eyes. He is terrifyingly powerful. It's like he has the power of two people in one body."

Tears glistened in Najana's eyes. She embraced Washar and kissed his forehead just like she did when they were young and learned how to enchant.

"Wherever you go now, can I visit you there?"

"Of course. It's just that I... I won't be able to leave. They'll send me to our gold mine. I have to leave after my father's funeral."

"To the mine?! She repeated and quickly wiped her tears with her sleeve. - My heart breaks when I see you surrender."

"There's nothing I can do..."

"You can! Let's kill Naimoor! What prevents us from joining forces? Then we will have two powers too!"

The prince pulled away from her when he heard the offer.

"Now probably the whole city knows that I murdered my father. They consider me a monster who sold his soul to demons. Naimoor is controlling me. I can't hurt him, and to make matters worse, I'm afraid he could make me hurt you. You are the last living person in this world that I love. I don't want you to become his puppet. I don't want him to take away your humanity, just as he did with me! " after these words he stood up. "Be careful. When you would have some spare time, ask people about this damned inventor from the Sekania. Come to when you'll learn something... if you won't find anything, come too. And, please, avoid Naimoor. At all costs."

*

Epag was a small city, officially Velikanian, but it was difficult to do the simplest things there for people who didn't speak Madegaldian.

When Galaspiael told Kalena that she and Zarkin would stay with ex-Okiani, the girl thought they would live in an elegant home. So she was surprised to see that it was an ordinary tenement house, good for the average townsman.

The host came to greet them personally.

"When His Majesty sent me a letter, I almost died of fear," he began after casual greetings. "I thought he's dead, and that's a funeral call. Is he good?"

"He was perfectly well when we left," Kalena replied.

Okiani, who renounced their duties, for example in favor of children, could live outside of Kagolania. They did not lose their titles until the end of their lives, and they had to appear in their homeland only for the funeral of the king. Takiwa was such an Okiani.

Inside the house smelled like roast duck. It was dim inside. Only windows in the rooms, lanterns lit the kitchen and corridor.

"How long have you been married? He asked as they climbed the floor. Kalena and Zarkin exchanged smiles.

"We're not married!" The boy quickly denied. "We just travel together to perform the task entrusted to us by the king."

"Ah, your task. I think I can help with it. I will tell you everything at dinner. There is only one problem because I was convinced that you would be a husband and wife, that's why I prepared only one bedroom."

"That's not a problem," said Kalena, "someone will simply sleep on the floor."

On the first floor, the smell of roast duck was replaced with the smell of dust and antiquities. The bedroom they were supposed to sleep in was really small, but that wasn't a problem. They didn't come to sit at home.

They ate late dinner. In Velikania dinner was normally held much later than in Kagolania.

"It will be easy for you," said Takiwa, "he doesn't live far, you'll cross two streets and be there. This man is named Gesha. He's from the Righteous Conspiracy."

Zarkin tilted his head back and began to swing in the chair.

"How will we know what book is it without a title?"

"This man has only one book," said Okiani, "that's why he didn't want to sell it. He was supposed to destroy it, but he kept it himself and tried to learn. However, he failed to gain any special abilities."

"What is it about?"

"I'm not entirely sure myself," Takiwa admitted, "but in my opinion, it's a description of plays that can only be mastered by a king or emperor." No wonder such an ordinary Affiliate failed. His Majesty will certainly go much better.

Immediately after dinner, they went to the place indicated by Takiwa. A large tree was growing next to Gesha's house and they decided to climb and wait for the right moment. After a few minutes, someone left and quickly headed for the market. They didn't know if it was a host, but they slipped quickly through the open window.

"What a smell!" Zarkin winced as he accidentally smoothed incense smoldering on the window. Kalena silenced him with a gesture.

"Someone might be here! You're not sure he lives alone, "she whispered. "Search! Take all the dressers and cabinets on the other side, I'll start with this one. If we don't find anything, we'll move somewhere else."

The room they entered served for a small armory. There were blades of all kinds, some hung on the walls as trophies, others standing on special bases, and others in cupboards and shelves. From finger-sized knives to huge am-shen, very similar to those used by Gyeul.

"Nobody could hold them, right?" Zarkin pointed at the two largest swords. "They have to be only a decoration?"

"They are old," she said, "but they were hardly created to serve as an ornament. Look at the hilt, it's worn more than on my swords. Someone used them often."

"Some giant with exceptionally long arms?" He joked but became serious when she didn't laugh. "How old are they?"

"I think... those blades were made before the great war. He had similar then, remember? When he attacked Galaspiael."

"I was too busy saving my life to watch the fight of the ghost and your master," Zarkin hissed ironically.

"I would like to learn someday how to fight with them. For now, it is inconceivable to me, but since I chose this weapon and I should learn about its different types."

"Well, unfortunately, I can't help you with this. If it were a very big bow, I would know what it is about. We're going, or do you want to take one?"

She shuddered at the suggestion.

"We can't take them!"

"In my opinion, we should take as many things as possible. If we steal weapons and money, people would think that the owner had been attacked by robbers and killed defending the belongings. If only the book disappears, suspicion will fall only on those previously interested in it," he explained. "That means the Scribes' Association or Okiani Takiwa."

Kalena winced. She stepped out into the corridor behind Zarkin and, although she had done nothing yet, felt a growing sense of guilt.

"How is it?" She asked, patting him on the shoulder.

"what?"

"How is it to kill someone?"

"It's normal." The boy shrugged. "Nothing is exciting about it. I have never killed for pleasure or fun. It was always in self-defense."

"Have you feel any terror afterward? Self-loathing?"

"Not at all," Zarkin pushed his arm on the door and entered with a bow ready to shoot, but there was no one in the other room either. He gestured for her to follow him. "Everyone kills, Kalena. Death is everywhere. Animals kill each other to get food and protect themselves from danger. If they can't do it, they die. People, like animals, have an instinctive need to live. They don't want to die, that's why they kill. You have the choice: it's either you or him. There is nothing unfair about it, he has the same choice and, like you, will choose himself. He won't spare you if you attack him and lose. Besides, was it your idea to come here? No, it's just Galaspiael's obsession with a book, and you just follow the order."

"What if Galaspiael gave me the order to kill you?" She asked and pursed her lips, suppressing internal anger caused by his earlier words. "Would you take it so lightly too?"

"If Galaspiael had sentenced me to death, you would have to follow his order, like this one," he answered calmly. "That's normal since Silver Guardians are his most loyal servants, right? It's also not surprising that I would not make it easy for you. I would fight with you for my life and our friendship would no longer matter." He paused because he came across a wardrobe with clothes. "Oh, maybe he has a belt studded with precious stones? I have to get one if I have to work in a palace."

Kalena hissed when someone opened the front door.

"It's him! He's back!"

"Come on!" The boy grabbed her hand.

"Where are you going?! He will get us like on a plate!" She protested, and he sighed softly.

"So? I'll shoot him faster. Maybe we'll find out something interesting."

The first floor had a lot of places where they could hide. They hid opposite each other, Kalena behind the high wardrobe, Zarkin in the passage leading to the second corridor. Suddenly they heard a conversation from the ground floor.

"Please come in," Gesha said to the visitor in pure Madegaldian. "I'll bring both swords in a minute. When can I expect them retuned?"

"Why don't you trust me?" Asked the guest. "Relax, nothing will happen to your collection. I hope that they prove useful and I can win all the duels with them. I don't like to make up the road when going to Sekania."

"Maybe some small treat before the journey?"

The man asking for the swords said something in a low voice. To overhear the conversation, Kalena and Zarkin had to move a little closer. The men, as if sensing that someone eavesdrop on them, began to speak to each other almost in a whisper.

"After the emperor's death, this is not the same palace. Since these purges began, I am afraid to go to the capital."

"Maybe you're right. Washar might accidentally kill you" there was a soft snort. "I breathed a sigh of relief when he was banished. He always seemed strange, but what he did... I have no words to describe how frightening it was. Demons drool at the thought of devouring his soul when it reaches hell."

"He won't be released from the mine to battle?"

"And why not? Such madmen will be useful in war."

Kalena and Zarkin looked at each other.

"I never liked Madegaldian language," he confessed, "I don't understand anything, especially when they speak so quietly and quickly. He said something about the war, did I hear right?"

"He said," she nodded, "about the war, the purges, and the death of the emperor. We have to write to Galaspiael, something bad is coming up."

Prince Washar. Kalena repeated the name in her mind several times to remember it well. Zarkin suddenly slapped her shoulder.

"Stay here and watch! I have an idea where this book might be."

"Where?"

"Remember what Takiwa said? Gesha is trying to learn from the book. I think it might be somewhere in his bedroom. When he will go upstairs, give me a sign, I will leave and we will fight him," he added, trying to calm her down. Kalena nodded and crouched near the stairs. She was already getting ready for the confrontation. She was sure that they would not be able to leave Gesha's house unnoticed. When both men said goodbye and the host directed his footsteps upstairs, she had her am-shen pulled out and ready.

Gesha quickly noticed that he was not alone. He turned to Kalena, an expression of absolute rage mixed with surprise on his face. However, before the girl could make any move, she heard a whistling just above her ear. She screamed when he fell to the floor.

"No offense, but I've seen turtles react faster than you," said Zarkin.

"Is he dead?" the girl stammered.

"He's alive. I just poisoned him. You better look at what was in his bedroom!" He handed her the book and took off his quiver so that she could look inside. Half of it was filled by carefully packed gold jewelry. "I also took a dagger because it has a nice handle." He threw the quiver on his back and headed for the exit. "Are you going or do you prefer waiting for him to wake up?"

*

On the same day, Kalena wrote a long letter to Galaspiael, in which she told everything and asked for further instructions. She wanted to go back to Kagolania, but she felt that it would not be possible. She expected that the news about the war that would ignite his curiosity, and she would be sent even further, maybe even to Madegald.

Zarkin was pleased with the spoils he brought with him. He planned to sell them as soon as possible and was not happy that the trip could be extended.

"Maybe let's not wait for an answer?" He suggested. "After all, the king wouldn't send you for a book if he didn't want to read it quickly."

"Until we receive a clear order, we can't leave!" The girl suddenly jumped up nervously. "Don't you think we should go back there? I'm afraid someone noticed us when we left!"

Zarkin laughed and looked at her pityingly.

"You're so innocent it's cute. Where should we go back? Today we didn't leave the house, we weren't at Gesha's. Do you remember when I told you to cover your face? Even when someone notices two people coming out of there, there is a small chance that they will associate them with us."

"I hope so."

Zarkin fell silent for a long moment.

"When we were traveling here, I saw a very beautiful place," he confessed, "it was on the hill. "A big white tree."

"White?" She repeated, somewhat distracted by such a fast change of subject. "For sure?"

"With white leaves. I mean, they were so light that they seemed white. I would like to live there with Mei someday."

"You mean… on the tree?"

"Oh, not on him!" He shouted with irritation. "Just nearby."

The girl had the impression that it was a completely different Zarkin than the one who claimed that there was nothing wrong with killing. He allowed the boy inside him, he wanted to forget about to show up. She smiled and sat down next to him.

"If you care about her, go to the palace tomorrow."

"I don't want to."

"Zarkin, you wanted to punish her and all you do is punish yourself! I know she regrets what happened, but he is afraid to ask you for forgiveness. Though to be honest, she shouldn't be the one apologizing!" Kalena added sharply. "We'll get a reply from Galaspiael in a few days, you'll be back in time."

She expected to his protest, but instead, Zarkin just nodded.

"I acted like a brat. I will go there tomorrow and fix everything."