Bakhchisaray. Lady Camilla

Abruptly, without a report, the door swung open, and Aidar with Tamerlane dragged in a plump Slav with pig-like eyes.

"My venerable Lady! That fat worm is Irene's accomplice," Aidar said pointing to Valentin.

"Listen you up, three fools! I don't need her accomplices, I need that despicable snake!" Lady Camilla replied sharply.

Aidar and Tamerlane rushed to their knees in fear.

Lady Camilla sat down at the table and rang the bell. Jalil, her secretary, entered the hall and bowed to her.

"Jalil, send these three boobies to the galleys for three years," She ordered him.

"Domina, have mercy!" Aidar exclaimed.

"?!... Yes, of course, I got excited," Lady Camilla agreed, "just then, a vacancy for a eunuch opened up in the harem."

"Oh No!" all three exclaimed.

"And?"

"We will wave oars that the drum will not keep up with us!" Aidar assured her. "We will not shame you, lady!"

"But it's hot in the galleys, you'll sweat," with pity said Lady Camilla.

"No, not at all! Besides, what could be better than a friendly male team," Aidar begged her. "And in the port they will bring us the best girls, they will consider it an honor to be with us!"

"Well then, so be it," She waved to Jalil for the end.

Three would-be rowers crawled out of the chamber on their knees.

***

When the cell door closed behind them, Tamerlane wept bitterly, "They could have made us eunuchs!"

"You are fine, what have I got to do with it?" Valentin pleaded. "Am I the Great Warrior of Astrakhan, should I row a galley?"

***

Lady Camilla sighed and looked out the window with deep sadness. "No one can be trusted, no one can be entrusted with anything to be done. They couldn't even catch that damn Irene. But in fact, she is just a performer, it needs to get to Bernard, who ordered to kill my husband. So, can they be instructed to get to Bernard if Irene was not dealt with?"

Tears ran down her cheeks.