by Ervin Agayan
“It’s us one should be worried about,” joked Zens.
“I will meet you, Arsy!” promised Nesrin.
“I will be looking forward to our meeting, but make sure you settle accounts with Erathos first,” answered Arsy and added with a smirk, “or does his name make your legs tremble?”
“Mind your language, beast! He’s been lucky not to have met me yet; otherwise, he would be dead now!” barked Nesrin through his teeth.
“Get out of the way, Nihena!” said Arsy. “Let me see what this blockhead’s problems are.”
“Both of you, stop immediately!” demanded Nihena. “You should go, Nesrin. I will talk to you later.”
“I won’t leave you with him. It’s out of the question.” Nesrin shook his head. Nihena took her cousin by the hand and led him away by force.
“We could have grabbed him and taught him a lesson, if not for Nihena,” said Zens once the door closed behind them.
“Exactly!”
“I wonder if everyone in her family has problems in the head,” asked Zens.
“I don’t think so.”
“Then what does such attitude have to do with? Is it due to Erathos?” Zens scratched his head.
“It’s unlikely, but there must be some reason. We will have a chance to touch base with that Nesrin guy face to face. We live among fools; instead of making friends with us and joining forces against Erathos, they do quite the opposite,” sneered Arsy, shaking his head in disgust.
“Well, I have a good memory. I will remember every single offence until we make them pay,” uttered Zens menacingly.
“They don’t know who Arsy is,” his friend nodded approvingly, “but I am quite patient. The reason I keep silent is the training, but my enemies will soon be facing tough times,” pronounced Arsy expressively without batting an eye and added, “I don’t envy for them.”
In a few minutes, Nihena came back with Nesrin. Holding back his frustration with difficulty, Nesrin murmured the word “misunderstanding” somewhere in the phrase, apologized laconically, and the next second disappeared behind the door.
“Wow, Nihena, so you lay hands even on your relatives? And how badly did you beat him that he grew so mellow?” joked Zens.
“Guys, the decision to fight Nesrin could be the last of your lives. You have no idea how strong he is!” sneered Nihena.
“And why doesn’t your man of muscle participate in the search for Erathos?” asked Arsy.
“Who said he doesn’t? He has taken a few days’ break, but he will go back to his work.”
“Did you ever hear of mercenaries taking a vacation, Arsy?” exclaimed Zens.
“Sure thing, man,” he smiled somewhat slyly. “They are not fools after all; the longer they search for the victim, the more money they will get. You know how much they received for Erathos? And how much they will receive after catching him?! At this rate, he will hardly be caught in ten years, if they do actually catch him.”
“One more offensive word said in our address,” Nihena turned to Arsy with a menacing expression, “and you’ll be covered in bruises beyond count.”
“So he took a short vacation…that’s wonderful! Maybe Erathos is also vacationing?” At that moment he finally noticed the disgruntled expression in the blue eyes in front of him.
“What?! You can’t say I’m mistaken, can you?”
“More than a hundred mercenaries are constantly searching for Erathos,” clarified Nihena. “Nothing terrible will happen in a couple of days while Nesrin is taking a rest.”
The girl knitted her thin and trim brows and changed the topic. “May I know why you are still awake?”
“We were actually thinking we might have an evening with Nesrin,” smiled Zens.
“If you start a fight, the classes would have to be cancelled for days, if not months, depending on the time your bones would take to recover,” said Nihena caustically.
“And even the wooden block wouldn’t help? asked Zens.
“Depends on whether you can fight with a broken arm.” Nihena’s smile was more than venomous. “But I doubt it.”
“And you must be waiting to be thanked…” said Arsy with sarcasm.
“No, I’m not. I am only waiting for you to go to bed,” answered Nihena. “I advise you to be more reserved if you want to leave this place safe and sound, especially considering the number of mercenaries will be growing quite soon.”
“How come? Are they coming back for a group leave?” quipped Zens.
“No, it’s a different problem,” muttered Nihena thoughtfully.
“Maybe we are the problem?” asked Arsy with squinty eyes.
“Two cockroaches like you?” The interlocutor spluttered with laughter. “Even I could crumple you if I wanted to.”
“Then what are the problems? May we know?” Arsy was literally burning with curiosity.
Nihena obviously wasn’t eager to reveal the mercenaries’ secrets, but something in Arsy’s expression predisposed her for a disclosure.
“Well, you’ll find it out sooner or later. It’s actually the same problem: your ex-mate Erathos, damn him!” Nihena uttered the last phrase through her teeth.
“What has he done this time?” asked Arsy.
“Erathos is coming here,” said Nihena in a low voice, trying to hide the tremble in her intonation from the interlocutors, unsuccessfully. The trembling was caused by hatred, rather than fear.
“Here?” Arsy couldn’t believe his ears. “Right into the city?”
“Yes. Yesterday, he was somewhere near Morestan. In a few days, he will reach Mozakon,” answered Nihena, who had heard the news a few minutes ago from her cousin Nesrin.
Arsy was petrified. He had wrongly been considering Mozakon to be the safest place in Agastan and wrongly hoped Erathos wouldn’t search for him here, wouldn’t dare to come close to the city of mercenaries. He felt secure in Mozakon until he heard that terrible news. It seemed like he wasn’t protected even among mercenaries. From that moment, Arsy’s heart started beating faster and never slowed after that.
“It’s just one day to travel from Morestan,” said Arsy.
“Right, but he is traveling only at night and in a roundabout way not to be caught in a trap,” said Nihena.
“But does anyone assume why he might be coming to Mozakon?” asked Arsy cautiously, trying to calm his madly beating heart.
“And what do you think?” asked Nihena and added almost provocatively, “He was your friend, after all.”
“In fact, he is not coming here,” declared Arsy knowingly. “He simply wants you to think he is.”
“You are mistaken,” Nihena shook her head stubbornly. “He’s coming to battle with us.”
“No, I know Erathos pretty well,” insisted Arsy. “If he was eager to battle, he wouldn’t move at night and in zigzags to make things worse. You know why?”
“Why?” asked Nihena.
“The mercenaries pursuing him didn’t have time to come back to the city. He could catch you flatfooted then. That’s exactly what I would do, and I’m sure he’d do the same. By moving at a snail’s pace, he is giving a head start to the mercenaries. So where’s the logic?” asked Arsy shrugging his shoulders.
“I don’t know,” answered Nihena at a loss. “What does he need then?”
“I would love to know,” Arsy fixed his stare at the ceiling. “Perhaps he wants to spread panic to keep the majority of the mercenaries in Mozakon and throw them off his tail. There’s another version though.” Saying that, Arsy’s voice became more morose. “This might be a trap.”
“What kind of a trap?”
“Divide and conquer,” murmured Arsy thoughtfully. “As far as I understand, the number of his followers has significantly reduced, so he can use that factor and catch them flatfooted, not you. For example, our hefty Nesrin isn’t with them now, which makes things easier for Erathos.”
“Even if Nesrin is here, there are still dozens of other strong fighters, such as Dado,
Cathasto, Mostro, Gystren and others. Erathos definitely can’t show resistance to them,” declared Nihena confidently.
“You asked my opinion, and I shared it with you,” grumbled Arsy.
Arsy knew his ex-friend well enough to be absolutely sure about it. Erathos was good at playing bling and thinking a few steps ahead in the game.
“What do you suggest?” asked Nihena in a businesslike tone.
“First of all, we need to warn Dado, Cathasto, and the others. They must be ready for a stab in the back. If we prevent him from catching them flatfooted, you can know half of the job is done. However, the second part of the plan is the more difficult one,” said Arsy, shaking his head.
“And what is the plan?” asked Nihena impatiently.
His answer made her indignant.
“I have no idea.”
“Are you kidding me?” exclaimed the girl.
“Listen, I’m not a great strategist, okay?” he tried to justify himself. “I only know for sure that you need to make use of the element of surprise. We must think of something that would make Erathos put down his guard.”
Nihena fixed her frowning eyes on Arsy, trying to understand whether he really wanted to help them or if it was mere pretense. Pondering for a while, she went to the door and snapped, “I’ll be back shortly.”
“Damn it!” exclaimed Arsy, as the door closed behind her.
“What is it?” asked Zens.
“What a coincidence! We appeared in this territory almost at the same time.” Judging by his voice, Arsy was quite upset. “They might think I have something to do with him.”
“Oh, come on. Nihena didn’t say a single word with that regard,” said his friend to comfort him.
“Right, but she probably thought it. It might be the reason they don’t quite like us. They must be thinking I am working in tandem with Erathos, so they are waiting for the right time.
“As for Erathos,” Zen scratched his beard, “what do you think he’s really lost here?”
“As I said earlier, I don’t think there will be a confrontation,” yawned Arsy. “Probably, it’s a warning. If they continue hounding him, he will come to Mozakon, and I don’t even want to think about the consequences,” said Arsy worriedly. He was scared to imagine how the mercenaries would refuse searching for him. Nothing would save Arsy then…
Nihena came back shortly; apparently Nesrin hadn’t managed to go too far.
“I repeat it one last time,” she said with a commanding intonation, “go to bed!”
The next second, her tone became softer, and she pointed at the corner of the room:
“It’s been cold at night; there are some covers there.”
The guys obviously didn’t want to sleep, but making Nihena angry was something they wanted even less, so they lay down on straw without undressing. Nihena blew out the lamp and lay down a bit farther.
“It’s quite soft,” exclaimed Zens. “I was wondering how I’d be sleeping on the floor.”
“You see? And Arsy was complaining!” said Nihena.
“What did you decide about Erathos?” asked Zens.
“I simply told them Arsy’s opinion; it’s up to them now,” said Nihena.
“Eh!” groaned Arsy.
“What is it?” asked Nihena.
“I hoped I could feel safe here at least,” said Arsy mournfully, “but that appears to be impossible. Lying here, I picture Erathos coming here at night and accomplishing his unfinished work.”
“So, you think he’s coming here after you?” asked Nihena.
“No, I think he wants to frighten you, so you stop prosecuting him.” Arsy stayed silent for a while, but then added, downhearted: “But when he reaches here, he will settle accounts with me.”
“Then you have nothing to worry about,” smirked Zens. “Who’d search for you in such a cowshed?”
“And still I feel uneasy.” Arsy couldn’t quiet down.
“Stop whining,” snapped Nihena. “I am here, so I can protect you.”
“Will you protect me from Erathos?” asked Arsy in surprise.
“Yes, what makes you doubt it? Don’t you believe me?” asked Nihena in a challenging tone. “Damn it, I don’t know how to persuade our guys to take me with them during searches. I am confident about my strength! I am sure I can deal with him!”
“Your dad will never agree,” declared Arsy with confidence.
“Yes, I know,” answered the girl crossly and added in a resolute manner: “But some day, I will run away from home and set out in search of him alone.”
“Why alone? You can join us,” suggested Arsy. “We will welcome you with open arms, right, Zens?”
“Join a band of rascals?” exclaimed Nihena arrogantly.
“Look at it another way.” Arsy rose, leaning on one elbow to see his interlocutor in the darkness. “When Erathos comes after me, you will be by my side. I think it’s a perfect trap.”
“Actually, it’s not a bad idea. I’ll need to think it over.”
Nihena lay on one side and changed the topic of the conversation:
“What’s your son’s name, Zens?”
“Hakrik.”
“What? I guess normal names are on the wane,” laughed the girl.
“Pick a good name when you have a son,” grumbled Zens.
“You know, I just realized I also want to have children,” said Nihena quite unexpectedly.
“You will be surprised, but you will first need to get married,” wisecracked Zens.
“Not really,” smirked Nihena. “I can adopt an orphan. What would you say, Arsy?”
“I think you’d rather buy yourself a new doll,” scoffed Arsy.
“And what would you say, Zens?” asked Nihena.
“Arsy is right. Otherwise, the poor man will have no chances of survival.”
“But I will be a good mom.”
“You bet! The boy will have a tough childhood,” exclaimed Zens. “As if being left by parents is not enough, he will have to become a toy for some spoilt girl.”
“But you will help me to bring him up, won’t you, Arsy?”
“Okay, I will.”
“Zens?”
“My dear, don’t be silly,” warned Zens. “Children are not toys.”
“I am afraid you don’t know me well,” answered Nihena in a sarcastic tone. “Nothing can stop me if I am determined to do something. And who are you to prohibit me? You’d better help me with the choice of the name; Akrik sounds weird to me.”
“But why do you think his name will be Akrik?” wondered Zens.
“I’m speaking abstractedly. I mean, I will change his name if I don’t like it.”
“I hope your dad won’t allow you to do such a mad thing, like take custody of a child,” snapped Zens.
“I will go away from home if he does not,” Nihena threatened God knows who. “Maybe I should really join you. After all, my dreams are slowly coming true.”
“What dreams?” asked Zens.
“For example, sleeping in one room with the two most wanted criminals,” giggled Nihena.
“—who are more scared of her than she is scared of them,” Zens finished the phrase with a smile.
“Don’t worry, I’ve told you that, sometimes, I am really kind,” but after that phrase, certain commanding notes appeared in her voice again. “Enough chatting! Tomorrow, we must wake up at dawn and start training immediately. Don’t blame me if you sleep the day away!”
Then she turned on the other side and added after a while. “Good night, Arsy! Good night, Zens!”
“Good night!” answered Arsy and Zens almost simultaneously.
Sleepless Night
Arsy had another terrible dream that night. It started so well that even while awake, he couldn't dream that such was possible. He dreamed he was a king, and when he understood this stunning fact, he was curious to know who the queen was.
Excitedly, Arsy began questioning people. He was infinitely happy when everyone was
telling him that Princess Parelia was his wife.
He rushed to the castle, hurrying to see his beloved. Upon entering, he asked, “Where is my Parelia?” But no one knew where the queen was. They all shrugged their shoulders perplexedly.
Someone said, “Maybe she is waiting for Arsy in her bedchamber.”
Of course! How could he not have guessed at once that the princess was looking forward to meeting him in her room?
Arsy immediately bolted for the bedroom. He quietly opened the door and saw his Parelia—she stood in the middle of the room, her back turned on him. Arsy cried out joyfully, then walked over and gently hugged his beloved.
Oh! He had missed her a lot. He had dreamt of seeing her again! All his difficulties had already been left behind. Now, a beautiful future awaited him with the empress of his heart. But just at that very moment, when happiness from these thoughts had completely enveloped Arsy, the girl turned around. But, alas, it was... Elmunia!
Arsy stepped back in fear. Elmunia laughed heartily. At first, Arsy thought he had married her. He nearly fainted from this thought and turned pale with fear. But Elmunia calmed him down. She and Arsy's wife had decided to play a prank on him. His spouse was waiting for him in the next room.
Arsy was delighted to discover that this was a prank and even embraced Elmunia with happiness. He quickly walked into the next room and saw Parelia, who, a minute before Elmunia, stood in the middle of the room. Her back faced him. He approached and embraced her, began to kiss her hair and neck and to confess his love for her and repeat how he adored her.
Parelia turned to face him, look into his eyes, and reply that she also loved him... But Arsy's heart froze again with fear when he saw that the girl was not Parelia, but Ulania…
He woke up at that very moment in fright, his heart beating frantically. It seemed that it was about to burst out of his chest.
Elmunia wanted Ulania to be friends with Arsy and so offered her to him. Arsy didn't know what her actual aim was, but he didn't like this offer. He simply didn't like Ulania at all and could not stand her. However, Elmunia was not interested in Arsy's desire, neither was she interested in the fact that Arsy had a girlfriend. At first it was a friendly offer, and then it became somehow like an order—to get rid of his girlfriend and take up Ulania.