“If you told the truth and my guys bring him here, I promise I won't hurt you anymore. But for cutting one of the guards, I'm afraid I will have to hand you over to the law. However, if you cheated, and he is not there, then I am afraid that this night will seem to you the longest in your life. Here, drink! and he threw a glass of water in Unya's face. “In general, you are very beautiful,” said Hort. Then he thought a little and turned to his guard, who was also in the room and was working on the cut on his leg: – Go out and see that no one comes in, and for one thing, look, why the hell are these mediocrities making so much noise there. He, in turn, obediently got up and hobbled to the door. As the door closed, Hort walked over to the decanter of wine. Without haste, he poured himself a mug, and after draining it in one gulp, he began to unfasten the belt on his pants. “You know, I’ll probably do you a favor. For what you have done, you will be put in prison, and for a long time you will not see a man who can please you. But luckily for you, I'm ready to help you with this, he slowly moved towards her, going behind her. “It’s in your best interest to be good. After these words, he tore her clothes, exposing the delicate skin on her back.

At that moment the door banged.

“Damn it, I told you not to bother me!

But they continued to knock on the door.

– Well, that's it, someone is going to get it right now! Hort said irritatedly as he fastened his belt. As soon as he opened the door, he received a crushing blow to the bridge of his nose, from which he threw his hands up and fell flat on his back. He died even before his body touched the floor.

Una looked up, but the picture floated before her eyes. She saw a silhouette approaching her. Suddenly she felt a wet cloth covering her bare back.

– Here are the bastards, said a familiar voice and Una breathed a sigh of relief. Hold on to my neck, Tan said. After that, exhausted, he lifted her in his arms and carried her to the exit. The bodies of dead soldiers lay everywhere, but she did not notice it. Una only looked at him.

It was raining outside the window …

The sun blinded her eyes. When she woke up, she caught a cool breath of wind with her nose. Una was riding a horse, leaning her elbows on something solid, and at first did not understand where she was. She jerked violently.

– Hush, Tan muttered, displeased with the disturbance of the calm rhythm of movement. – How do you feel?

She glanced at him, then at the left hand, which had been finished and bandaged. The jaw ached. Dried drops of blood tickled in my nose.

–Things are good! Where are we?

“We're going north,” he said quietly. You are hungry?

– Damn!

– That is great! I also need a little rest. It is very difficult to move in the rain at night.

They turned from a forest path to a small edge, in the center of which a centuries-old tree spread its branches.

“I think this is a great place,” he said with a slight smile. Then he jumped off his horse and helped Una down. Athanasius walked over to the second horse, which was tied behind. He took off a couple of sacks and went with them to the tree. Putting them down, he noticed that Una did not move from her place and guiltily stood there where he had just put her. He exhaled heavily, took a waterskin out of the bag, and walked over to her. – I bet you are thirsty, hold! holding it out to Unya. She took and hugged him to her chest.

– Forgive me! She said.

– For what?

“For telling them where are you?