– The city is hidden behind that hill over there. We need to put on cloaks and hide our faces under hoods. – Evans' voice snapped Sylvia out of the cruel captivity of her painful musings. The girl glanced absent-mindedly ahead and saw tall, sharp spires rising proudly above yet another green valley. But she wasted no time and did what the healer had asked her to do.

Evans himself threw a cloak not only over himself, but also carefully wrapped Astrid in his spare, thinner one. He had to wake her up to do so, but thankfully the rest helped the girl come to her senses. Protecting Astrid from the eyes of strangers was necessary, for her skin glittered with such rare gems that if some greedy mage or robber saw them, she could simply be killed by being dragged into a dark alley.

– We must keep a low profile. We can't be seen," Evans whispered to the girls as they entered the city gates, which glowed with a green magical glow.

Instead of answering, Sylvia and Astrid pulled their hoods even lower over their faces, and the group made their way to the food market without adventure.

The day was in full swing: the small but densely populated city, which also received thousands of visitors every day, was buzzing like an enormous swarm of bees in a too small hive. The tall stone houses resembled miniature palaces with their beautiful stucco and pointed tower spires, on which large bright green flags with the image of a golden, wide-mouthed lion flapped proudly in the wind.

As he looked up at one of the flags, Evans grinned oddly, but it didn't escape Sylvia's scrutinizing gaze. Still, she didn't question him, wisely deciding that, sooner or later, he would share his dislike of the flag with her. Or maybe it wasn't his dislike for that green and gold cloth that was eating him up, but for the ruling Vallas dynasty?

"Well, he must have his reasons. This is not the time or place to try to have a heart-to-heart talk with him," Sylvia remarked to herself.

– Fish! Fresh fish! Just caught it today! – suddenly sounded right above the girl's ear, and she flinched slightly in surprise. Fortunately, the hood remained in place.

– Beauty! Take the fish! I'll bet my mustache it's the tastiest you'll find in all of Emmerlend! – The fat merchant, dressed in a yellow long dress and a black apron, grabbed one of the large fish with blue scales and shoved it right under the demoness's nose.

A sour, urine-like odor touched Sylvia's nostrils, and she turned away in disgust.

– I know, I know, it smells awful, but it tastes just mmm! – laughed good-naturedly at the merchant.

– We don't want your fish! – Astrid intervened in a disgruntled tone. – It stinks all over the street!

– And it's good that it stinks! More stink – more customers! – winked at her with a quick wink at the fat man.

– Let them buy! Leave us alone, you old fool…" but Astrid did not finish: Sylvia grabbed her by the elbow and gave her a good shake.

– Remember, we mustn't draw attention to ourselves! – hissed the queen in the ear of her raging companion.

– Silence! – Astrid whispered guiltily.

The company quickened their steps.

It was not easy to get through the crowd, and the companions held their hoods tightly so that they would not inadvertently fall off and give them away.

Evans steadily led his friends into the heart of the city, when suddenly he grabbed them both by the waists and pulled them sharply against him, causing Sylvia's breath to hitch, and Astrid to let out a short, nervous laugh.

– Shh… Don't move! – whispered the healer imperiously. – The city is full of royal soldiers, and they know my face quite well....