“Beautiful cat eyes?!”

“Yes. My warriors called her that – Sigmer’s wild cat.”

“This is she, it can only be she.”

“Do you guess who I'm talking about?”

“This is Karina!”

“Yes! You're right! I remembered! He shouted to her several times: “Karin”.”

“He's with her again! He found her and returned!”

“Frankly, I understand him. I myself, having met her gaze only once, will now never forget her. I will recognize her from a thousand, despite the fact that I have not seen her face.”

“He returned her to himself,” whispered the red one named Igmer, “this black savage who killed him. He returned her, managed to survive among the blacks and rise. He gathered an army,” tears appeared in his eyes.

“Sir, did you come this way to find out the details?”

“Yes. I've heard rumors that Sigmer is back. But I couldn't believe it. Now I believe that it really is him.”

“And you left the Upper World for this?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me, how is lady Ethel?”

“All is well. She is a good mother and devotes a lot of time to her son.”

“Oh, sir Igmer, your grandson is probably already very big?”

“Yes,” Igmer smiled.

“You replaced his father.”

“It was not difficult, he is a reasonable and calm boy.”

“Sigmer doesn’t execute prisoners, he needs warriors. My man remained in his army. Soon there will be the first reports left at the appointed place. I will decipher them and pass them on to you.”

“Does he have many soldiers?”

“A lot, sir, and they all fight like the last time. I saw Zagpeace Gezaria. I saw Scavenger. They defended Crimson Rock with teeth and claws. They have gunpowder and have learned how to use it. More soldiers from the Black City came to their aid. We were defeated, and many reds again stood under the banner of Sigmer, they remember him and want to fight in his army. Their next target is the Ore town, there is no doubt about it.”

“It’s too risky.”

“And what does the mayor intend to do?”

“Kudmer clearly underestimates the threat. He believes that the fortress walls of Ore town are indestructible, and even a few thousand blacks cannot take them.”

“Has he sent to other cities and the capital for help?”

“No. And I think this is his big mistake. He is too presumptuous. He poorly imagines the strength of the black army.”

“But this is what you want? Isn't it, sir?”

Igmer was silent, thinking, finally he looked up:

“You are free,” he said. “Rest, you are wounded. I'll call you later, I need to think.”

“Thank you sir, I also think that Kudmer underestimates the enemy. They need to take the most radical measures to protect Ore town, this is a real threat.”

“Yes,” said Igmer.

And when the warrior left, he, left alone, squeezed his temples with his hands:

“You have managed to do it,” he whispered, “you're back. You have done it! You have done it! But how?!”

The Limit

Our morning is like night, and the night is for me…

Chapter two

Lis handed her a formless pile of black rags:

“Put it on.”

“Cape? No, please…”

“When we get back to the Fort, you'll wear it. And now you will put it on. Get used to it.”

“No, please…”

“Put it on! Chastity belt and cape, and don't leave the room without my permission.”

Karina slowly put on the shapeless bag that covered her from head to toe. The wide sleeves almost reaching the floor were sewn.

“I don't see anything, this fabric is too thick. I can't breathe!”

“Get used to it!”

It was impossible to move normally, breathe and see in the cape. Karina became scared, panic seized her:

“I can’t see anything! I can't see your face!”

“It's not a problem.”

“I can't move in it.”

“Learn!”

“I'm not a slave!”

“You are mine! You are my wife, my property and my slave.”