Chapter 10

The feast was in full swing. More delicacies landed on the tables, so there was roasted poultry, steaming mushroom stew with cracklings and thick slices of smoked ham. The room was filled with the smell of fresh bread and deliciously tickling the noses of the feasters, the aroma of a roasted pig, which must have been left in the herbal brine to gain aroma. The servants brought more jugs of wine, red and strong, imported from Bazaldia.

"Well," Uncle Belmor began, "My brother is doing really well on his way to become the ruler of all of Hadgard."

Gorsep smiled carefully as he watched the eaters. Uncle licked the duck fat off his fingers with visible satisfaction.

"And rightly so." Gorsep heard from the left side the familiar squeaky voice of Nadrif, the ruler of the fortress in northern Arpins. "After Jadnar's death, no one had enough courage, wit and money" a murmur of amusement passed through the room "to unite all six principalities. And Orchad and Katamir are becoming more and more of a thread, lack of strong power and the fact that we are divided will kill us."

The feasters at the high table nodded expressing their support. Gorsep was silent, he knew that Nadrif was trying to win his father's favor, he had a big red nose, equally great aspirations and a daughter to be married. He looked at everyone gathered. Before leaving for Kanror, Hadbel had to convince some of the smaller fortress lords, intimidate others, and even get rid of two. Now everyone seems to forget about it. The Equerds are a proud people, as hard as the rocks upon which their kingdom rests. They live by mining iron, silver and even a small amount of gold. The land is not very fertile, so a large proportion of young men are trained to become soldiers. Formerly hired as mercenary troops or caravan guards, today they have a chance to rule all of the Hadgard.

"Long live Hadbel, the future ruler of Hadgard!" The toast of Angel, the commander of the Gardynian's guard, pulled the prince out of his thoughts, instinctively raised his hand and made the toast. Belmor seemed to be in high spirits all the time, smilingly entertaining his mother with conversation, leaning over to old Egrid, the ruler of the western part of Arpin, who was the only one who unhesitatingly supported Hadbel's aspirations.

"Prince, tell us about the victorious capture of Kanror!" Egrid asked

Gorsep had no conscience to refuse the old man, though he had no desire to tell stories.

"I'm not an artist, but I'll try to put the story of the battle into beautiful words. In short, when we arrived at the place, Odegon and his army were blinded by the glare of the sun reflecting on our armor and swords. The brave soldiers of Equerdow quickly captured the city, it lasted only ... three days." Saying this, a slight smile appeared on Gorsep's face "then the time of blood came, because what was old had to give way to a new power. And so Hadbel took his place on the royal throne and Odegon's head, impaled on a stake, reigned in front of the main gate of Kanror. Well, as my father says, a ruler should never lose his head in difficult situations or he may lose the whole kingdom." The revelers roared with laughter, and, tapping their knives on the tabletops, expressed their approval of Gorsep's talent for short and accurate phrases. The prince was taking another sip of wine as Jaset approached him.

"Sir," he whispered in his ear, "a man asked me to give this to you." So saying, he handed him a ring with two silver towers. "Let him into my chamber" Gorsep ordered and played with the ring for a moment, then put it on his finger. He finished the glass and gestured to the maid hurrying with a jug, that he did not want a refill. Then he stood up, and only then did he realize that all eyes were on him.

"For today, enough greetings and toasts for me, I am still tired from the hardships of the long journey and the past fight. You, dear friends, feast." He smiled and left without further explanation.

He walked along the corridor, feeling the coolness of the ring on his finger, the echo of his footsteps bouncing off the stone floor. The door to the chamber opened with a slight creak. In the glow of the fire lit in the fireplace he saw a dark figure. Without saying a word, he walked over to the chair and sat down comfortably without suggesting that the newcomer do the same. The man was about 40 years old, with light stubble, shoulder-length tangled hair and soiled clothes, which proved that this man hadn't had time to rest. His blue eyes were darting around and his cheeks were red from the wind. The prince felt his uncertainty. The silence dragged on, Gorsep savored every moment, he didn't like traitors.

"Prince," the man decided to break the silence, "you know what brings me here."

"Do I know that?" He asked, feigning surprise.

The man nervously licked his thin lips and stepped closer to the fireplace.

"We agreed, the prince's words must mean something." He tried to make his voice firm, but the dryness in his throat made it sound less manly than he intended.

"It was only thanks to me and the secret passage that you managed to conquered Kanror so quickly."

"Yes, Red, my word means something," Gorsep said, emphasizing the word "mine." Then he got up and went to a casket on the table, opened it and took out a pouch that sounded like happy silver coins. "Your payment." Gorsep tossed the pouch to Red, who deftly caught it on the fly. Then he nodded goodbye and headed out.

"Red" the prince's voice stopped him halfway "where is Setia?"

The hardness disappeared from the prince's voice, the mercenary looked intently at the prince. There was a new opportunity for easy money, he could feel it. He might squeeze something else out of this smart-ass princeling.

"I can track down anyone for the right price." Red took the initiative and extended his hand significantly. Gorsep took another pouch from the box and handed it to Redrick. When their hands touched, Gosep grabbed Red's right hand and pulled him tightly to himself, and at the same time with his left hand, he put a thin dagger to his ribs. In a voice devoid of any emotion, he whispered in his ear.

"Don't betray me Red. I am unforgiving."

The mercenary felt a trickle of sweat trickle down his forehead and nodded slightly. Gorsep released him. He looked him straight in the eye and said calmly.

"Find her."

Red left without a word. He put his hand to his right side, it was bleeding slightly. Fucking, bloody prince, but soon. No one will mock him with impunity. Mercenaries have their pride too.