Chapter 25

Chapter 25

Tendred straighten himself and looked at the young woman.

"So you are from Hiron." The prince supported his head with his ringed hand and watched her carefully.

"Timor mentioned that the goods were brought by a woman, but he didn't say that she was so beautiful."

"Only a true diplomat can say such words." Setia smiled at this unnecessary courtesy.

"I'll get to the point, prince. Here I have letters from Hiron with overdue debts and a bill for yesterday's delivery."

A wrinkle appeared on the prince's smooth forehead and a look of disgust crossed his face

"Yeah - he sighed - show me these documents." He stretched his hand towards the girl. Setia gave them to him, although she felt that he was stalling and wondering how to get rid of her.

More wrinkles appeared on his forehead as he read the bills. Setia knew how much he had to pay. It was a nice amount of 134 gold arens.

"A lot, was it calculated correctly?" The prince tried to keep his voice calm

"Yes, Your Majesty, the order partially included weapons made of Gardinian ores and even Catamaran steel. These are the highest quality products." Setia, sitting opposite the prince, carefully observed his face.

"Indeed, I will settle the payment in three weeks, I am waiting for taxes from the settlements under my jurisdiction." Said the prince in a light tone and put the bills on the pile of documents already lying on the table.

"Hmm, I see." After a moment's hesitation, she added. "Fenigrid is a rich country, isn't it?"

"Yes. The prince agreed without even looking at her.

"As far as I know, you are in the right to take over the royal throne."

Tendred smiled and leaned comfortably against the upholstered back of the chair.

"The fact that I am theoretically first in line for succession is a well-known truth, but as you can see, it doesn't change anything." An expression of resignation appeared on his face.

"But why?" Setia feigned surprise.

"Fenigrid is like a piece of meat thrown in a yard full of dogs. They all bark for their rights, but only the strongest will eat their fill. And it will be the one who will legislate for others." The prince did not hide his irritation with her inquiring.

"If I wanted to get my fill and I wasn't strong enough, I would look for an ally." Setia tilted her head slightly and looked the prince straight in the eyes.

Tendred looked carefully at the mysterious woman with an eye patch.

"The problem is that the strongest dog has already subdued everyone."

"So maybe it's worth bringing someone new into the game." Setia leaned towards the prince and leaned her elbows on the ebony table.

 "Someone with whom the other dogs will have to take into account.

Blue eyes looked at the interlocutor with slight surprise.

"Who are you thinking about?" He asked curiously.

"Someone who has a lot of money, can act strategically and is a completely unknown person in Fenigrid. Which will increase surprise and change the balance of power."

"You didn't answer who you had in mind." Tendred repeated emphatically.

"Myself." Setia leaned back into her chair. What she said surprised her, she felt her cheeks burning with emotion. It was as if the Uales themselves were dictating to her what to say.

After a moment of shock, Tendred laughed heartily.

"What can YOU offer to me?" There was clear disregard in his voice.

"I have enough gold to pay for a mercenary army. I know how to plan an attack and capture cities. I can give you everything you need to regain your rightful place." The Prince didn't even notice when this intriguing person switched to you with him. Setia calmly continued.

"The question is, what can you give me?"

"Who are you?" Tendred wasn't laughing anymore

"The ace in your sleeve." Setia got up.

"I'll be in Emfer until tomorrow, I'll leave at noon. Think about it, Prince."

Without uttering any more words, the former mercenary moved towards the door and straight at Timor, who was standing at the door with his mouth agape, clearly eavesdropping.

"You don't have to walk me away, I know the way."

As she walked down the corridor towards the exit, she felt the servant's eyes on her back. She needed to calm down, she felt dizzy. What she said was bold and crazy all at once. If the prince agrees to her proposal, he has a chance to change his life. She has a chance to create history, it all depends on the prince's level of desperation, and her own courage. After a few steps, his breathing and heart rate returned to normal.

When she entered the inn, she was struck by the smell of sweaty, unwashed bodies, beer, fried pork and, probably urine. The only inn in this town was buzzing with crowds of customers. The sweaty bartender persistently poured more mugs of beer, charging five res for each. Setia wanted to squeeze to the other side, where there were stairs leading to the guest rooms. Some drunk guy smelling of fish slapped her on the buttock. Setia turned around and, to the delight of the people gathered around, punched him in the jaw hard enough to make him fall to the ground.

"Ooo, that's a little punch." The man was amused though, babbling "I would pay for a slap." And as he said this, he winked at Setia.

"Great, then wait for me outside." Setia moved on. She heard a familiar voice amid the general commotion.

"Now sing about sweet Aktis!" Somebody shouted.

After a while, the first notes could be heard, Setia could see the musician who eagerly started to sing. It was a really lewd song about unfaithful wife Aktis having fun with her noble lover. What added even more spice to it was the fact that it was based on a true story. 

People burst into laughter and clapped to the rhythm of the song. Setia called one of the girls serving customers and ordered scrambled eggs and a cup of red wine. She sat down at the table at the end of which stood Atnar. Amid the musician's singing, interrupted by the laughter of those gathered, Seta wondered if she had done the right thing. She was actually acting on impulse. She had no desire to fight in someone else's interests for the rest of her life. Maybe her coming here will give her a new destiny. However, she had the feeling that she was missing something. Amid the general uproar, Setia ate scrambled eggs with concentration and then went to the rented room. Her sleep passed uneasily, she fought in Kanror again. She woke up early in the morning and started packing her things. She bought some of it and was also going to pick up food supplies to diversify the diet of Hiron and Moros. She felt inner anxiety and waited. Every time she heard footsteps in the corridor, she thought it might be a message from the Prince. Whenever no one knocked on her door, she felt both relieved and disappointed. She decided to go to the hall and eat breakfast.

There was no trace of yesterday's madness. The swept benches and floor were almost empty. Two people were sitting by the window and eating stew, talking quietly. Setia ordered scrambled eggs again, she did not succumb to the innkeeper's persuasion to taste the delicious goulash, feeling that it was yesterday's leftovers mixed together. As soon as she sat down, Atnar approached her. He smiled cheekily, asked for some stew and sat down next to Setia.