– Those? – He nodded toward the freaks. – They're Lillédir, small but very harmful and dangerous scoundrels who live in the forests of Emmerlend and prey on lonely travelers. They attack in droves, and all that is left of the poor fellow is a gnawed skeleton. So, Sylvia, never wander the woods alone… Kungen, what have these creatures done to get here? – Evans turned to the lion.

– Oh, these creatures are here for a reason," the lion explained. – They ate the son of one of the high noble courtiers. Yakub has sentenced them to death. Tomorrow at dawn they will be beheaded.

– So your brother is not only the king, but also the chief royal judge? – I asked Evans ironically.

– That's right, and now you will be given a fair royal trial," the lion said.

– It doesn't look like it's going to be a fair trial," I said gloomily, and looked at the lion hopefully. – But the king will not execute us, will he? We have done nothing wrong!

My question went unanswered: Evans, frowning and serious, strode toward the king's court, the lion didn't even nod, and the jailer, clinking his metal armor, must not have been allowed to speak in the presence of the king's familiars.

"Come on, strength! I need you now more than ever!" – I thought and tried to knock the jailer down with telekinesis, but I failed. Then I tried to get into the lion's thoughts, but he suddenly laughed out loud.

– Nice try! You're fast! But your powers won't help you! You're in the palace of the King of Emmerlend! Do you think he hasn't protected himself from criminals like you? Jakub is a great magician, and there is no equal! – laughed the lion. – But thank you, now I see that you are very dangerous and should not be let out. But don't be upset, my master will take care of you… Or maybe he will execute you… Who knows, it all depends on his mood.

Instead of answering, I sarcastically sNorded: ah, it seems that King Jakub is justice itself! Good mood – pardoned, bad mood – executed!

We came to a stone archway covered with emeralds, which immediately lit up with a blue flickering light.

A portal. But where does it lead?

– Follow me," the lion commanded and disappeared into the portal.

But we were not given even a second to think: the jailer roughly pushed Evans and me into the blue glow, and in a moment we were in a huge, bright hall with dozens of high-ceilinged windows with multicolored glass, which made the hall seem incredibly mysterious and even cozy.

"The ring!" – I remembered, and glanced at the emerald Derek had given me: surprisingly, it was calm and unburned. Had it stopped working? Evans and I were in danger!

Then, as I looked around the huge throne room, I noticed that there was no one in it but me, Evans, and the lion. The lion Kungen was seated on a high, golden throne cut with blue veins of some liquid metal. Next to it was a lower throne, but just as magnificent.

Suddenly, my stomach ached as if my stomach had been kicked by a strong man's leg, and I gasped.

– What's wrong? Sylvia, are you sick? – Evans asked, leaning in close to my face.

– Can I… Can I ask you to let me sit down? – Instead of answering my friend, I turned to the lion, barely getting the words out of my mouth.

– She needs a chair! – Evans said firmly. – Come on, Kungen, you're not so cruel that you're going to let her take this pain standing up!

– A chair for my guest! – King Jakub's beautiful velvet voice suddenly filled the hall, a snap of his fingers, and a chair appeared behind me.

Without a word of thanks, I hurriedly sat down, put my palms to my stomach, and closed my eyes. It must have been Lucifer's golden mark that was causing me this pain. Was its creator unhappy that I was away from my spouse? If not, what could it be?