Chapter 47

Kalena stared at the hastily extinguished hearth, not knowing what to do.

She deluded herself that maybe it was a coincidence, that maybe only one unit had been ordered to return, and Galaspiael was with another somewhere in the Sekania. Intuition, however, suggested her to follow the traits and Najana's attack made it clear she was right.

Najana attacked her suddenly, completely surprising. The black outfit made her almost invisible at night. Kalena wanted to use enchanting in a panic, but nothing could cast fire energy. She pulled out am-shen and shielded herself from a blow to the head. She was angry at herself for being caught up in such a senseless fight and could waste time again.

She pushed Najana to the ground, and quickly got on the horse and followed the footsteps. She realized, however, that her opponent was not going to give up easily. She tried to lose her, but she couldn't.

"Leave me alone!" The girl shouted, stopping on the road. "I don't want to fight you!"

The woman only adjusted the black scarf covering her face and surreptitiously pulled out a small arrow, which she quickly hid on the inside of her hand. Kalena noticed this seemingly insignificant move. The blade must have been soaked in poison. She was going to engage Kalena in close combat to hurt and escape in a good time.

Both dismounted. Kalena regretted very much that there was no fire somewhere nearby. She wanted to finish it as soon as possible and move her way.

She held the opponent at arm's length and made sure not to get closer. She wanted Najana to make the first move. She was surprised that a woman could be so strong. She was fast, but she managed to get used to fast opponents, while training with Jun.

Kalena tried to bring her down, knock and possibly break a bone. She didn't want to kill. She felt no need. Suddenly she noticed that someone was passing nearby, carrying a source of light. The flame almost immediately moved toward her hands, then left and right. She surrounded the attacker and burned her.

After that, she immediately ran away without looking back. She had to escape as soon as possible and cover her tracks. After an hour's drive, she came across another Madegaldian camp and came as close as possible. She managed to hide and overhear the conversation of two guards.

"... If they hadn't been ordered, they would have stayed," argued the elder one "why are you delving into the subject?"

"What is more important than guarding the occupied area against the enemy?"

"As far as I know, only Prince Washar's unit has left. The rest is still there as we are. Everyone who stays close to the palace has a better life than ordinary people, it has always been this way. Maybe Washar wants to repay his sins? He led a captive."

"Just one?"

"Maybe there was more, but he dragged the other personally behind him" Certainly, he was a Sekanian general or someone important. He drove quickly because he probably wants to make it on time for the next military meeting. He hopes to give the prisoner to the emperor and to get allowed to come back.

"He should not come back. It was because of Washar that so many of us died. If it wasn't for him, these dogs from Kagolania would have no way to defend themselves."

"The emperor will decide."

Washar. It was not the first time Kalena heard of this Madegaldian prince. She needed nothing more, she already had her purpose. She quickly moved on, heading steadily toward Madegald. Galaspiael, however, was not on his way to the imperial palace.

Some clarity of mind returned. He still felt like dying, but it was better compared to yesterday. He felt good enough to fully understand where it is led and in what position he is.

He knew that he would not return from the mine and would never see the world again. The prospect of a long life at Washar's grace scared him. Also, the news of Kalena's death, which he could not constantly forget, caused in his heart a pain worse than wounds on his body.

Because he had no strength to go on foot, he was allowed to ride on the cart with the wounded, because there were only a few of them. They stayed on one side and looked at him with hateful eyes. When the meal was distributed, one of them took Galaspiael's portion bread and water.

After an hour of careful gouging, he managed to untangle the chain and lean out on the edge of the carriage. He waited patiently for them to reach the hard ground. He had everything planned. When Galaspiael noticed a large protruding stone, he jumped out to hit his head. He had no other idea, and he might not get another opportunity.

Someone grabbed him and held him tight for a moment, but finally, let go. Galaspiael did not expect this and hit his head harder than he thought. Darkness covered him entirely.

*

Mei and Zarkin arrived in Yagn-Sho a few days later than planned, because on the way the girl had to deliver some package, which she did not want to tell too much about. Later she explained to Zarkin that this is her job.

"I had to make a living somehow when I left you. It's quite a risky job, but if you're good, you can even be hired by sekanian courtiers. I smuggled before I left for At'insha."

"Have you been to At'insha?" He asked. "How is it there?"

"It's hard to describe this country, you would have to go there with me to understand my delight. It's wonderful. Really wonderful. I wanted to stay, but I missed you, so I returned to Kagolania, and I won this house in a bet with one man. I had no fewer adventures than you, my dear."

When they arrived, Zarkin had a rather unpleasant surprise. Someone found his old bow and brought it to the quarters. The boy acknowledged the gift with a soft sigh and dropped it on the floor.

"Now that we're here, maybe we can find a way for you to regain your sight," Mei raised her bow and leaned against the wall. "I remember how you looked after it, don't destroy it now."

"What do I need a bow for?" He asked bitterly. "I won't be able to shoot anyway. If I could see, I would follow Kalena and help her save the king. Or I would stay here and help you."

"As always, he complains about something," Rikken entered and closed the door behind him. "You won't even say hello to your master?"

"Good morning," he muttered, without even tilting his head toward him. Mei bowed and smiled.

"Nice to see you again, Master Rikken."

"You too. And it's nice to see you too, my student, "he added, which caused Zarkin to be irritable. "Don't worry, it's not the end of the world."

"We'll find a way to help you," she added.

"But it will take time," Zarkin snorted. "And until you find the way, I'll be sitting here at your mercy."

"Oh, you won't be bored You can't see it, but you probably remember how to make some of your mixtures? They will be useful."

"I may remember," he grunted, "but I'll need help anyway."

"I have one more task for you," Rikken handed Mei a crumpled piece of paper. "We were able to save it from Kalena's house. Lin-Si knew that a passage from the palace led to it and sent someone for a dynamite recipe. If you can produce it according to the recipe, we will be one step ahead."

"In which language is this?" Mei straightened the paper. "I've never seen such an alphabet in my life."

"It's not an alphabet. Galaspiael wrote it with signs he had invented himself. Apparently, after reading some of the ingredients will be incorrect, but Kalena revealed which one before leaving."

"Cleverly played."

"His Highness thought through everything. If anyone wanted to read the recipe, they would have to find the two of them. The emperor had a treasury and people trained to protect it. He probably didn't think they would ever fail, so he didn't care about other safeguards."

Zarkin stretched and stood up.

"Probably the king knew both parts of the code, only Kalena didn't know his." He knew that what they were doing was dangerous and he did not want to expose her to danger." Zarkin sighed "Mei can handle reading and preparing it alone."

"She'll have to. But I know that when it comes to poisoning people, you have much more experience." You will give her orders, as in the good old days. I will give you the key to the prince's studio, you can use it."

Mei wanted to sit next to Zarkin and tell him something, but Rikken gestured to her. They left the room and headed for the exit door in case the boy wanted to eavesdrop.

"Something happened?" She asked slightly worried.

"Please don't tell him he'll regain his sight again." He looked at her sternly. "Have you seen his eyes? They cannot be restored to their former condition and he must accept it. Stop giving him false hopes and he endures this situation so badly."

"I don't want him to completely lose hope that he will get better one day," Mei replied calmly. "It would break him now. When he accepts it more, I'll tell him the truth. I really love Zarkin."

"I know. Me too. That is why I am afraid that he may suffer unnecessarily. You do what you want, but please don't lie to him. Let him get used to it."