***

He woke up, chilled to the bone. The sun did not break through the cracks between the boards, which meant it was night, Tan thought. Rising from the chair, he caught himself thinking that the pain in his side had practically passed, and he could move without much discomfort. But Una's absence worried him. He wildly wanted to eat, his stomach "rumbled" with displeasure. Tan lit a candle and tried to find food, but to no avail. But I found an excellent whetstone on the shelf. Faced with defeat, he decided to pass the time by sharpening his sword. The sword was glorious, Ancalite steel, a comfortable handle, perfectly balanced, it lay in the hand like a native.

On the street I heard someone talking and laughing. A group of people was approaching the barn. Athanasius abruptly stopped his work and began to listen attentively to what was happening on the street.

– Ahahahahahaha, if she told the truth, ahahahahahaha, I will make him kiss my boots! Said a rough voice.

– No, no, if he is really there, then I will lead him through the streets absolutely naked, ahahahahaha! – said a voice belonging to a young guy.

– Enough, you fools, be more serious – said the third. I doubt that he is sitting locked in a shed, waiting to be captured. She just gave herself some time. But at least we can profit from what is inside. Considering what she had with her, I hope she hid much more here.

“So it seems to be here,” said a gruff voice.

– It seems, answered the third. – Yunas, open the door.

– Yes! the guy said enthusiastically.

Tan, stepped back and hid behind an old canopy hanging on the wall.

A few seconds later three men entered the barn. They were the guards of the city gates. They had characteristic stripes on the right sleeve in the form of two towers. The one that was in charge was without armor at all.

– Which was required to prove, he said. The girl deceived us. Oh, and the boss won't like it. We do not waste time and get to work.

– Heh, a man with a thick beard on his face and a rough voice laughed, who began to rummage on a wooden shelf nailed to the wall. “I think she’ll lose another finger for that, and then Hort will give her to us.” Here I will show her a real man, he said with a laudatory smile.

After these words, his head split in two. Blood and brains splashed in all directions. It collapsed silently, taking the wooden shelf with it. The other two did not even have time to understand what happened. Athanasius trotted across the barn, knocking out the teeth of the young guy along the way with a blow of his hand. In two jumps, he was next to the third. He tried to remove the sword from its scabbard, but the sharp steel severed his hand and dug deeply to the side, cutting the body to the spine. He let out a shrill cry and immediately fell down dead. Tan turned and walked slowly towards the guy who was on all fours. His whole face was covered in blood. The pupils were dilated, and the eyes were chaotically looking for salvation.

– Where's she? growled Tan.

The guy's jaw was broken and his teeth were knocked out. He explained with difficulty that she was being held in custody at the northern gate of the city.

– How many Soldiers are there?

He showed seven fingers. Then he received another blow to the face, from which he lost consciousness. Tan quickly put on a gray hooded cloak and walked out.

***

It was raining outside the window …

– Well, well, well, Hort said affectionately, stroking Unu's head.

Her face was smashed, her clothes were torn and stained with blood. She pressed her hands chained to her chest. On the left, part of the little finger was cut off.