moisture in the tree.
– You can detach the branches for the fire yourselves, – Wel said, a bit less cheerfully.
They quickly managed to break off the branches from the tree. Rein used his sword to chop the larger ones. When it got dark, some sat on the fallen tree, some lay down with their backs against the fallen horse, and some constructed a makeshift shelter near the fire from branches and leaves. They were preparing rabbits on the fire. Everyone engaged in simple, friendly conversations despite their differences.
Rein and Wel sat in front of the fire, watching the food.
– Shouldn’t you be punished in Raidaria for your mark on your cheek? – Wel asked Rein.
– I hope for the best. And I don’t wear the hood for nothing.
– Brave of you! I could remove the mark if you want.
– Can you remove it? – Rein asked in surprise. – How?
The boy directed his hand towards Rein, strained, but nothing happened.
– Your protective seal interferes, – he said.
– Do you want me to remove the seal? – Rein asked with a smile.
– That’s the only way I can do it. It hinders me from using magic on you. I can even remove all your scars, even those you sewed recently.
– Do you possess life magic?
– I can’t resurrect, though, – the boy replied.
– You do have a talent… – Rein said.
– So, what do you say?
– I’ll remove the seal, and you’ll cast something bad on me… How do I know you won’t deceive me?
– Well, as you wish. I just wanted to help.
The boy checked the food’s readiness. After a brief thought, Rein said:
– Okay. Fine. If you’re not lying to me, then I must give it a try.
– Good, – replied the boy and looked at his seal hidden under his pauldron.
Rein removed his pauldron and took a knife used for cutting rabbit meat. He placed the knife in the fire to sterilize it, but the boy immediately took it out and heated it in a matter of moments.
– Thanks, – said Rein.
Rein took the knife and pressed the still very hot blade to his shoulder. When the skin made contact, smoke rose from it, and then with a swift motion, he cut off the part of the skin with the protective seal.
– Ahhhh, – escaped from Rein’s mouth. – That hurt.
– Ready? – asked Wel.
– Let’s do it!
The boy directed his palms at Rein, and a faint white glow began emanating from his hand, easily visible under the night sky. This white glow, resembling light smoke, first headed towards Rein’s shoulder. Fully healing his shoulder, the light penetrated through Rein’s armor and clothes to wounds that the boy couldn’t even see.
– Leave some battle scars at least, – Rein told the boy. – Let’s get rid of the stigma.
– As you wish, – the boy replied.
And the light moved towards his cheek. Rein placed his palm on his cheek, trying to feel the scar from the disgraceful brand left on him, but he couldn’t. He tried again but still couldn’t feel anything. Then he felt a tear rolling down his cheek. After that, Rein turned abruptly away from the boy with a smile.
– It’s all magic… – Rein said.
– You’re welcome, – Wel said.
– How do I fight with mages now? Without the mark, I’ll become a punching bag for them.
– A good mage won’t be bothered by your mark, but if you want, I can return it.
Rein turned to the boy in profile and nodded. Wel extended two fingers of his hand, and they ignited. Wel burned away the seal on Rein’s shoulder that had been there for many years.
– I thought you’d tattoo it with magic drawing on my body, – Rein said discontentedly.
– You’re welcome! – the boy said with an emotionless face.
At the same moment, Rein hugged the boy.
– Thank you.
– Wow! – the boy exclaimed unexpectedly. – You really shouldn’t have. It wasn’t really difficult for me.
The boy didn’t expect a Raidarian warrior to behave like that.
The campfire crackled, the sky was full of stars, and even shooting stars were visible.
…But suddenly, in the distant sky, a strange glow appeared.
– Do you see that too? – Rein asked.
– That light is coming from the direction of Rinfoll, – Acres unexpectedly said, lying on his makeshift bed. – I heard something cruel is happening there. They say King Alex sent a couple of personal mages there. They will surely have a significant battle.
– If seven hundred years ago, getting out of the jungles, Raidarians managed to capture Illyrion armed only with Raidarian armor, swords, and catapults to breach the Illyrian wall, then taking Rinfoll for them is just a matter of time, – Rein said. – And then, all the Last Kingdoms.
– The question is how many lives it will take, – Iziro said, looking at Rein.
– I’m only interested in where the Rabbit Hole is, – one of the smugglers said. – We were supposed to be in front of the cave.
– There it is, – Wel said, pointing to the rocky formation. – You just need to move that huge stone. I’ll move it tomorrow – today I’m tired. And now, I’m going to sleep.
Having finished the last piece of rabbit, Wel put the plate aside and lay down by the fire, closing his eyes. Soon, many followed his example, but Rein continued to gaze at the stars, leaning against his horse lying on the ground.
The next morning, Wel was the first to wake up, and Rein was the last. It happened due to an incredibly loud sound of grinding stones and crashing. The boy, in a stance, fists clenched, strained and slowly but surely moved an almost gigantic stone, resembling a rock.
– Well, lucky for the ruler whose servant this kid will be when he grows up, – said a robust smuggler who looked more like a Radianian than Rein, although he wasn’t.
– I won’t serve anyone! – the boy shouted. – Because I like freedom.
– I thought you serve Lady
