Chapter 26

Atnar was practically beaming with joy, which was irritating so early in the morning.

"And how's the delivery for the prince going?" He asked and Setia sensed something fishy in that question.

"Okay, and how's your performance? Does it pay off?" Setia didn't want to make any confessions

"Good too." Atnar happily gobbled the warm stew, looking at the girl every now and then.

"You sang a beautiful song in the market square." Setia remarked.

"Which one, I sang a lot of them." He replied, smiling slightly.

"The sad one, about Hadgard."

"Aah, the ballad, I like it too." - Atnar took a sip of beer

"Have you ever heard the name Korfid?" Setia asked innocently.

"This is a temple containing an amulet and directions to the gates of Hosard leading to an underground kingdom inhabited by creatures of darkness thrown into the abyss by Haleon - Atnar was getting excited - there are treasures hidden inside the labyrinth. Do you know this story?"

"Yes, I know this one." Setia looked at her interlocutor, he had cheerful, sparkling eyes and a slight smile on his lips. Women probably liked his company, he had his own charm. Atnar noticed her curious look and took it as a clear interest.

"I know many stories, I can sing them to you in private." Saying this, he leaned slightly towards her. The mood changed immediately.

"Maybe some other time." Setia raised her cup of wine. "Let's drink to interesting stories."

Atnar picked up his almost empty beer mug and then Setia's well-known Timor entered the inn. At the sight of her, he bowed courtly and, to the surprise of those gathered, walked straight to the one-eyed young woman

"His lordship invites you to a meeting. Saying this, he moved away, letting her know that it should be now.

"Thank you, I have one more thing to do, then I'd love to go to the castle. I know the way, I'll be there in a moment." Setia decided that the advantage in the negotiations should be on her side. She will start by changing the date of the meeting, the prince must have the impression that she does not care that much, the stakes are high. Surprised, after a moment's hesitation, Timor withdrew and left.

After a moment of silence, Atnar put the spoon aside and, looking at Setia carefully, asked

"Who are you?"

"A beautiful young woman." Setia smiled charmingly, hoping that the headband did not destroy all her charm.

"Well, you must be really special." There was a note of irony in Atnar's tone. "So far, the prince was rather interested in young men.'' While saying this, the musician gave her a flirtatious wink.

Setia was speechless for a moment, then calmly stood up and, looking at Atnar, added,

"We all change, don't we? It all depends on the situation and the people around us." Her voice was full of self-confidence.

"Yes, but some changes will be hard to believe." The musician raised his mug and saluted it to Setia . "For changes!"

Setia left the inn, everything started to fall into place in her head, she already knew the reason for Tendred's disfavor and banishment from Emfer. It was a problem, but she could turn it into an advantage in the upcoming conversation. She walked along a well-known route, passing tall brick merchant houses on the right. The smell of roasting meat came to her from the open window. Emfer was a wealthy city, but Tendred's needs were clearly greater. You could see it in his castle. Expensive, sophisticated furniture, decorations, or even an order from Hiron, which was also expensive and to be honest unnecessary. The prince lived beyond his means, although the wine they served her was poor.

She finally got there. The guards let her through without a word, she passed through the carved main doors, and went straight to the room she was last time . There was a surprise waiting for her. As soon as she reached the hall, she heard hurried footsteps behind her, Timor caught up with her and, in a breathless voice, announced that the prince would receive her in his private apartments. She followed the servant. There was a side exit from the vestibule where they were located, then she went up a spiral staircase to the tower, there was another narrow wooden bridge with a roof, and that's how she found herself in the next tower, the middle one. It was as she had suspected at the very beginning. The central tower was a private part of the castle. It was the most difficult to access and was additionally secured with metal grates, which were now open. However, she saw no guards anywhere. She only remembered the two downstairs. She only knew Timor from the service, and on the way she saw a woman carrying laundry. Timor opened another door and Setia entered the prince's private chambers. The room was quite large. On the left she saw another door, probably leading to a staircase. There were three tapestries depicting fighting heroes on the walls. Beautifully decorated weapons were placed between the tapestries. By the window there was a wide bench covered with animal skins and pillows. In addition to two chests with decorated fittings, there was also a shelf with several books on it. The prince himself was sitting at the table in a careless pose and drinking something from a gilded goblet. On the table there were fruit, sliced cheese, meat, bread and honey cookies, the same ones she had the opportunity to try yesterday. A carved candlestick hung from above. However, it was not lit because the southern light coming through the windows filled the room with brightness. The prince rose when he saw her and came closer. He was tall and slim. His movements were refined, as if everything had been carefully practiced first.

"Hello, my intriguing temptress." Tendred handed her a cup of wine. Let's drink to a good start of our cooperation.

"An interesting proposition and a good toast." Setia took a sip, this time the wine was not watered.

"I understand that you have thought about our conversation yesterday and want to discuss the details."

"As I mentioned, the offer is very tempting, but we don't know each other, so how can I know that it's true? You know everything about me." 

Tendred spread his hands to the sides in a theatrical gesture.

"What do you want to know and what security measures do you need?" 

Setia took another sip of wine, then sat down on the chair Tendred had shown her.

"First of all, how much money do you have and where did it come from?"

"I have several chests of gold, silver and valuables. Let's say it's... a family legacy." She said carelessly.

"Are you an aristocrat?" He asked in disbelief.

"I can be - Setia shrugged, - if it is to be an important point of our further cooperation."

"So you're not, so where does this wealth come from?" The prince looked at her suspiciously.

"Earned through hard work, my father was the commander of a mercenary army." Setia decided to tell part of the truth and slightly embellish it.

Tendred raised his eyebrows in surprise, put down his goblet, and stood up.

"I understand that your father is no longer alive, what about the army?"

"Dissolved, but the wealth remained and so did its heiress."

"Heiress - Tendred, walking around the room, slowly said this word - well, I don't know yet why you want to support me?"

"I want to lead an aristocratic life with a victorious husband." Setia finally put her cards on the table.

"Husband! - Tendred laughed - Do you think you could be my wife?"

Setia decided to ignore the mockery in his voice, to gain time she took another sip of wine and helped herself to a yellow plum from the table.

"I don't see much competition - she said, calmly eating the juicy fruit - no one is eager to enter into marital alliances. Probably some stories about the prince could discourage potential…. aristocratic candidates." While saying this, she smiled, letting the prince understand that she knew about the rumors. 

"The situation in Fenigrid is bad, you have to fight for power, and that involves risk."

"So why do you want to risk it, knowing all of this?" Tendred sat down and watched Setia intently.

"Because I like challenges and I know how to achieve the intended goal."

The prince stood up again and walked to the window overlooking the inner courtyard of his stronghold. He was thrashing around, she saw it.

"Do you know how many estates similar to mine are part of the Duchy of Fenigrid?"

"No." Setia replied, watching his back.

"28. Errid is one of the smaller estates, it belonged to my mother. She brought four of them as her dowry. I only got this fortress." - Tendred's voice was absent. He stood there, leaning against the window frame, staring into the distance.

"I must have fallen really low because some random girl wants to buy me for a handful of gold. - he turned around and wrinkles of anger appeared on his flawless face - For me - he shouted louder - the prince, the rightful heir of Fenigrid!"

Setia remained silent, remembering how, while negotiating subsequent orders with her father, they endured the contemptuous tone and insults. In this way, the aristocrats masked their helplessness and, under the guise of pride and proud behavior, tried to hide the simple, obvious fact that they were dependent on those they despised. They needed them. They needed them to perform tasks for them that were simply beyond their skills, that were disgusting and unworthy of the great aristocrats themselves. However, they wanted them to be fulfilled without getting their plump white fingers dirty.

"For a handful of gold." She repeated Tendred's words like an echo. 

"In every handful of gold I offer you there is a part of my soul, mine and my father's. For many years we performed various tasks for the well-born and the nouveau riche, some so scary and elaborate that no simpleton would ever dream of doing them. - Tendred stood speechless, staring at her face flushed with emotion and her dark eye fixed on him - So know that every handful of my gold is of great value. I want to change my life, and so do you. The question is whether you have the courage to do so?"