ENTRY IV

A horn echoed in the quiet night, the man that stood near the horn, was dressed in boiled leather and furs. This face was strong. Eyes keen. Sword ready.

Trees covered in moss, a dense forest, a wide field. Everything was quiet, calm.

A man appeared from one of the many guard houses stationed on the many walkways on the northern wall.

This was the largest fort it this region. I appeared from the bush, scouted the fort.

There are too many guard patrols in order for me to pass unseen There was no

Other way, I had to go around. Through hidden passageways and ob ruins, l went, until I found a staircase that led somewhere high above the ancient runs.

The fort could still be seen, no wonder why it has never fallen.

With a garrison that was large even for our standards, the uneven terrain, a constant supply of water, food- from the lower levels- there was no way to maintain a long siege. A man could try to block the trade roots, but the fort had many levels where farmers, sheepherders lived, there was no was no use trying.

It was time to leave, I won't find anything interesting here.

The forest was quiet, too quiet. Small rays of light appeared from the holes in the crowns of the magnificent tries. The off and on rays gave the forest a mysterious atmosphere that was great for wandering. A mysterious figure slowly walked down the clearing that went in two directions. The figure stopped, cleaned its face with its small hand and looked up at the sky. The sky was bright, cloudless. The figure moved its hair behind the ear.

"Don't pretend to be a man," I said under the signpost.

"How do you, I'm not a man?" the figure said.

"Clearly you are too small to be one of the highlanders of these parts, so you must be a woman."

"True," she replied.

"Great for me," I smiled. I bet that my fangs came out. It didn't stop her.

"And how so?"

"I have company."

"Great."

"We are going in the same direction."

"True."

I stood up, "you will need help on this road."

"Are you sure?"

"More than sure, the roads are dangerous."

"Everything has changed."

"True. Why?"

"Since the Empire of Jee took over."

"Jee?"

"Where have you been?"

"Far away."

"No doubt, miss…" I stopped.

"Oh, I have forgotten to tell my name," she glanced at me.

"True."

"I'm Zar… I'm Myuri."

"I'm Albin."

"That Albin?"

"Yes. Myuri," I paused, "I have heard about you."

"We know each other."

"How is that so?"

"We have met two years ago."

"We have?"

"Yes."

"Where did we?"

"Summer palace…"

"I remember. You have changed."

"So did you. I wonder, does that spark still exist?"

"Yes."

"A strange place to meet you."

"True, I had stranger."

"I can guess."

"You have no idea."

"Try me."

"Have you ever been to the fields of Pelvinor?"

"No. Where are they?"

"South, far away on the South."

We walked together.

"You are a strange type of a man," she said after some time.

"Am I?" I looked at her.

"You are, can't you see a woman that is interested in you after all these years? You say that the spark still exists and you do nothing."

"I do nothing? How is that so?"

"We have met recently."

"Have we?"

"Yes."

"When?"

"When you crossed the border of Aire."

"You're that woman?"

"Yes," she embraced me.

"It's too early for that."

"What, you want a nice, warm and cozy place to lay with a woman?"

"You want it here?"

"Yes."

"Very well," I started unbuckling my belt.

She moved closer, took off her coat.