were distributing bowls of food to each other. Iziro and Wel sat in the front row, and they were served food that was much better than what they had been given yesterday.
“It’s beautiful here,” Iziro said.
“I like it here too,” the boy replied.
“You’re so skilled in magic – did your parents teach you?” Iziro asked.
“No, my parents died when I was born.”
“I’m sorry, I didn’t know.”
“It’s okay, I’ve gotten used to it.”
“No, you’re really good for your age. I used to think that you needed to chant spells for such magic, but it seems I was wrong.”
“No! That’s true. I’ve really mastered all this. They say I have talent. I can perform magic with the power of my mind. They say only the strongest mages in history could do that.”
– Isn’t it frightening to possess such power at such a young age? Sometimes it seems to me that magic turns those who wield it into something akin to the gods described in myths and legends of different peoples,” Iziro pondered.
“Not at all! I’ve learned to control it. And I teach myself new things to avoid accidentally harming anyone. I used to have problems with that…” Wel explained.
“I wish I were as disciplined as you at your age,” Iziro said.
“What about your friend? Is he kind too?” Wel asked Iziro. “Idia said he might be one of the most dangerous Raiderians among those we’ve known.”
“Where did she get that idea?” Iziro asked warily.
“She mentioned something about him not being an ordinary exile but an exiled king of all Raideria, and then she laughed. I defeated the king of the Raiderian Empire. Ha-ha.”
While Wel laughed, Rein was extremely uneasy. He tried to figure out the best way to leave before it was too late.
“I’ll step away for a moment,” Iziro said.
“Sure, the bathrooms are over there if you need them,” Wel replied.
Iziro went to free Rein from his earthen prison. However, by the time he arrived, Rein was nowhere to be found. “Did he manage to dig himself out?” Iziro wondered. Meanwhile, with a bag over his head, Rein was being led somewhere by a couple of burly miners.
They brought Rein, removed the bag from his head, and he found himself in a room with a decent view from the balcony overlooking the entire mine. Rein went to check the mine, hoping to see Iziro, but before he could get a good look, Idia’s voice came from behind.
“I apologize for how I treated you,” Idia said. “It wasn’t the best decision on my part.”
“Seriously, I haven’t eaten in almost three days, spent almost a day lying in the mud, and almost died for those who put me in chains and then buried me in the ground. You were right – this isn’t enough,” Rein replied.
Rein looked at the sword displayed on the wall, almost identical to his Reinian sword. He rushed to grab it, but before he could make a swing, Idia drew her own sword from its sheath at her waist and pointed it at Rein’s throat.
“Well, what’s it like being killed by an ordinary woman?” she asked.
“I’m still alive if I can talk…” Rein replied.
Rein casually pushed her blade away from his throat, once again cutting himself on the edge of her sword. In a swift leap, holding the sword in one hand and directing it with the other, he executed a slashing blow. Idia stumbled backward, almost losing her balance, but a wall behind her stopped her fall. Rein extended his sword towards her neck with his arm fully stretched. The blade of his sword almost touched her neck.
“Now I’ve killed you,” Rein said with complete seriousness.
“My name is Idia, in case you’re interested,” she said, smiling as if it was all part of the plan. “I was told you were almost dug out when they came for you. You dig quite fast, it seems. It’s respected here. But I thought that wasn’t the most dignified occupation for the king of all Raideria.”
“What?” Rein asked in surprise. “Where did you get the idea that I’m the king of Raideria?”
“I mentioned several times that I’ve been to Raideria. I heard such a legend there.”
“What legend?”
“A legend about an exile with a mark on his cheek who was the rightful king. Or something like that.”
“You do understand that a legend is fiction, right?”
“I thought so too until I put two and two together. You fight as if you were trained in a castle. You sometimes behave as if you grew up in a castle. You appear to be the age of the guy from that legend. And the mark of an exile from the empire on your cheek. You really stand out in that regard. Probably, it’s hard to notice it under the hood of the cloak you came in here with, but without the hood, only a blind person wouldn’t see it.”
Rein became noticeably uneasy.
“What’s your name?” Idia asked. “Does it start with an ‘S,’ if I’m not mistaken?”
“Who have you told already?” Rein asked angrily.
“Everyone I could,” she replied.
Rein got angry and grabbed her by the neck, pressing her against the wall. She dropped the wine flask in response. In return, she pressed the blade of her sword against his torso, causing another stream of blood.
“I should kill you and everyone you told because my life depends on it… But I can’t.”
Rein sighed, holding her by the neck.
“My name is Rein! That’s all you need to know. Forget it!”
After these words, he released her.
– I’m sorry! Those whom I told… they won’t tell anyone. I vouch for them. I had to protect myself so that, upon learning that I know everything, you wouldn’t kill me alone. I’m not your enemy – I’m a friend. Even if you can be quite rough at times.
– Where is my friend Iziro? – asked the still angry Rain.
– Your friend is fine; he’s with that boy – his name is Wel – at the evening campfire – that’s where we rest. I’m sure they fed him, and he’s in good health now.
– You say I’m your friend… Does that mean you’ll let me go? I can’t continue to stay here, waiting for those you vouch for to sell information about me to my enemies and come after me.
– Yes, you can go, but…
– What – but? – asked Rain.
– You’ll
