Ayan looked around curiously.
The room certainly fulfilled the reputation of the Imperial Secret Police. The primitive shake meadow. A small barreled window just below the ceiling served as a draft source than the light. A stone wall and floor. The necessary atmosphere was complemented by the ceiling hook and the drainage channel on the floor. He seemed almost like home. The Imperial Palace Guard had similarly cozy accommodation facilities.
"Lieutenant," his savior bowed politely and walked through the iron door out.
Ayan slowly settled on the ground. Whatever was waiting for him, he had a busy night and a moment to calm nerves and perhaps even little sleep would be welcome. So he left his thoughts freely.
He was absolutely sure that he is no longer in the capital. General, in addition to the job of the secret police boss, also have a second job. Guardianship of Her Imperial Highness Az, Princess of Nue. Most likely he was in Nue.
Nue was one of the most guarded towns of the Empire. Not because of General, but because of Princess Az. As an imperial princess, she should live in the Nuorgo Palace in Tulin. This was a place where all the daughters of the Emperor were living.
But Az, although the imperial princess, was not the daughter of Emperor.
Just a few weeks after awarding the title, she acquired the fiefdom and was whisked to Nue. But since she was still the imperial princess, the city's security was equal to Nuorgo Palace.
There was no safer place for Ayana.
The Fanclub of princess Aida could be renowned for ingenuity how to deal with everyone who offended their idol and willingness not to limit its activity by borders of Empire, but Nue was a big no-no even for them.
But if he truly was in Nue, he just got out of the puddle under the gargoyle.
Nue was a traditional placement for offenders, which could not be officially sent before the military court. For anyone from the Imperial Palace Guards, the journey to Nue was a one-way ticket.
More accurately, there was one way out. In a coffin. Although the coffins were no longer as many as they were the first few years after reporting Princess Az to Nue, it was still at least one to the month. One would say that the insignificant princess closed in the fortress in the middle of Black Forest will have a somewhat smaller guardian consumption.
"Barely arrived and got a greeting gift already? The General turns it upside down here again!" interrupted his thoughts a massive male voice accompanied by harassing keys.
Ayan quickly got up and subconsciously settled a non-existent uniform. It would not seem polite to sit at the first meeting.
"At least you clean up here," the female laugh replied.
"After the last cleaning you can still eat from the floor," said the male voice.
A surprisingly handsome prison girl with a giant fruit basket walked into the cell. When she saw him, she inspected him carefully from head to heel then flipped a huge basket without visible efforts only into one hand and theatrically covered her eyes:
"Why didn't you give him any clothes?!"
Ayan object inside. He was not definitely naked. He was wearing underwear. Due to the circumstances, even one of his best. He held the opinion that to healer and on his own execution, one should take decent underpants at least.
"He just arrived," an old jailer joined the cell. In one hand, he held a giant bundle of keys and in the second neatly folded slightly uniform of the palace guards. He threw the uniform after Ayan.
Ayan dressed hastily. To his surprise, clothes fit as his own. Perhaps it was his own. The stain on the pants was quite familiar.
Maid with basket stood there all the time, covered her eyes, and watched him over the gap between her fingers. When he button up she put the hand down and giggling said:
"Welcome to Nue, Lieutenant. Her Imperial Highness sends a small welcome gift."
And she handed him the basket.
Ayan looked questioningly at the jailer and the jailer coughed lightly. After all, they were in prison that had certain standards.
"It's a gift from the princess!" the girl turned to the jailer disapprovingly.
"Even if it was a gift from the emperor, I must inspect it first!" she got answers in style usually used when explained the rules of decent behavior at the table to a child for the tenth time.
The basket changed direction and ended in the hands of the jailer. The maids aimed at the door, but before she left, she turned and winked at Ayana. Ayan winked back politely.
The jailer sighed and started with an inspection of the basket. When he pulled out a big knife, rasp, and a picklock he didn't look surprised. From his bored expression could be concluded it was a common part of gift baskets from the princess.
The jailer tossed the massacred watermelon back to the basket. Then he sliced apples so neatly that they could be dried as fruit chips. After several minutes of slicing and peeling he shifted a basket with flowing fruit salad towards Ayan:
"Bon appetite!"
Ayan almost jumped when a gray-haired man appeared behind the jailor and commanded:
"Bring some bowl and spoon!"