– And I'm incredibly grateful to her for doing it," I smiled softly. All my grudges against Evans were forgotten. But how many interesting Ц were revealed to me! – But you and Andrada have a close relationship, don't you think? I thought your only friend was Astrid.

– Andrada is not my friend. She's more of a mentor, a teacher. In the brief time I've spent in Sturfjell, she's taught me a lot.

– But you said Alviss was your mentor.

– Yes, of course, while I lived in the mountains. I escaped there when I was thirteen, and I went to town almost every day to learn wisdom from that old mage… It's a shame he's so adamantly opposed to our journey. The way we treated him, after all he'd done for me…" Evans didn't finish, but he grimaced and squeezed my palm harder.

– Okay. But what about Astrid? – I asked.

– Astrid… There's more to her than gratitude and magic," the healer said, resting his head on the bed. – We met when we were both eighteen. She was hiding in the darkest streets of the city, but I found her and took her into my home. We loved each other. We were lovers…

"I knew it!" – I smiled understandingly.

– … but after two years of relationship I lost romantic feelings for her and she became more like a sister to me than a lover. But she didn't accept my decision and got terribly angry… She destroyed half the artifacts I had in my house…" Evans sighed heavily. – And then she ran away, and I didn't see her until the moment she suddenly appeared before our eyes....

– You're full of surprises, Evans Vallas," I smiled involuntarily. – Now I could see why she'd been so rude to me. She's jealous of you.

– And for nothing. You are madly beautiful and sweet, Sylvia, but I have no romantic feelings for you.

– That's good to hear," I said, relieved. – I think if it were otherwise, this quest would have become unbearable for both of us....

– Hey you, in the cell! – suddenly interrupted us by a loud stern shout, and, turning our heads, we saw a burly jailer jumping up to our glass prison. Beside him, to our great surprise, stood a huge golden-horned lion. – The king has ordered me to bring you to him. No jokes! I'll beat you without warning!

– I think this conversation is over," Evans said with a sigh and rose to his feet. – My brother has deigned to send for us.

– Your brother's tongue is a sting," I said, rising as well.

– Hello, Kungen," Evans said, nodding to the lion. – It's been a long time.

– Hello, Evans Vallas," the lion replied in a beautiful melodic voice. – Honestly, I was hoping I wouldn't see you again.

– Truth be told, I was hoping for that too," Evans smiled.

"It must be the king's familiar! I've seen that lion before! On royal flags!" – I guessed and stared curiously at this magnificent familiar.

– Lead them, Vis," the lion ordered the jailer, and then turned to us again. – Don't try to escape, or I'm afraid I'll have to bite you.

The lion's last sentence made me smile.

What a sweet beast… So concerned about us, his captives!

The jailer opened the glass door without delay, Evans and I stepped out into a wide, clean, bright corridor, and, led by the lion, we walked forward in a chain. Glass chambers surrounded us, and each chamber was occupied by someone: they were men and women, old and young. In some of the cells were imprisoned small, looking like very ugly children with black eyes, creatures I had never seen before. When they saw me looking at them, they smiled broadly and predatorily, exposing many small, sharp teeth.

– Evans! – I whispered in my friend's ear. – Who are those strange creatures?