Ayan can be surprised, but the court protocol was beaten into him so tightly that it became a natural reflex. He bent his head almost immediately:
"Sir!"
The General did not bother with any form of greetings and said:
"You're settling quite quickly, lieutenant."
Surprisingly, even though it was an obvious reproach, it sounded more like a caring note. General was a personification of kindness. Even people who knew him very well sometimes succumbed to his kind facade.
Has the General intended to blame him for the basket with whom he had nothing to do? Or does he watched the cell from the very beginning and saw his interaction with a maid?
"Flexibility is important in Nue," General did not give him time for some sufficiently bootlicking reaction. "If you decide to stay with us."
"E?" it caught Ayan by surprise. He didn't hear about anyone who gets a choice in the case of Nue. Although if it was the choice between execution squad and staying in Nue, then it would probably make sense. In such a case there would be nobody to tell about it.
"Nue is not a jail," explained the General friendly: "At least not officially. The Palace Guard of Her Imperial Highness is understuffed permanently. Someone with your abilities is welcomed with open arms. When you don't want to stay, Zimo will naturally transport you back, " he waved behind himself.
Finally, Ayan's mind took note of an person that accompanied the General. He didn't understand how can be so easily deceived. In addition, by someone who he has met and knows his magical aura. A beautiful boy who transported him to Nue. He was no longer in white. In ordinary clothing, he was not so breathtaking. When he blinked at him, Ayan came to the conclusion that General's note was just about the maid ...
"Before accepting, you should know that if you break the heart of some local lady, admirers of Princess Aida could be considered pleasant afternoon distraction with friends compared to local angry boys," smiled General.
"It will be honored to serve and protect the princess of Nue, General," Ayan didn't think too long. Although it was not an executioner or Nue offer, he wasn't so far away from it.
"Great!" General patted him over the shoulder. "Report to headquarters."
And suddenly Ayan was alone in the cell. The door is still open. When he should report, he concluded that he was allowed to go through the door. But literally came into the jailor carefully carrying a bowl with fruits and a giant fork into it.
"This was a short visit. Here," the jailer handed him the bowl.
"How do I get out?" Ayan asked.
The jailer pulled him out of the cell to the corridor, closed carefully, and pointed to the left:
"Still straight."
Then he hastily runs on the opposite side to the depths of prison.
Ayan wasn't sure exactly what exactly happened. In the prison of the Imperial Palace Guards, his release would accompany incredible paperwork. Also, no one would leave him just without escorting in the corridor. Shouldn't secret police take such things more seriously? But who was he to judge the way General managed Nue? He went outward with a sharp step.
On the way, he missed several men in uniforms, but nobody pays attention to him. As if he was invisible. He didn't even know how and he stood on a busy street in front of thebuilding and looked at a decorative inscription `Swallow's Nest`. Funny name for the residency of the secret police.
"How can I get to the town headquarters?" he asked the first person he met.
The answer came in the form of incomprehensible grinding and waving hands to the high tower in the walls.
"The General has let you out!" he was stopped by the enthusiastic female scream. Maid from prison, in an apron with printed lemons...
She ran out of the shop labeled `Mr. Larse Exotic Fruit`. If something could be concluded from it, then that she had nothing to do with prison and was, in fact, just a messager. Other reprehensible negligence in prison.
"Miss," he bowed slightly.
"Nana, lieutenant," she blushed and curtsied.
"Uncle Albi cut it so beautifully!" she almost melted over the bowl in his hand. He was not accustomed to such a reaction. The fruit bowl had more charm than him.
"I'll give you one silver!" she pulled out the aprons a coin.
The truth was that a little money wouldn't hurt. The bowl content could eat the elephant, but not a man, and wear a fruit bowl around the city was not practical. Lightly hurt, because he should still be the center of her attention, he took a coin and handed her a bowl. She ran away.
Ayan richer of silver stepped toward the town headquarters.
&&&
When Zimo accompanied the general back to the study, he asked initiatively:
"Should I watch lieutenant, sir?"
"Just let him tread water," General replied coldly, but it amused him.
Entrust lieutenant to the greatest supporter of Princess Aidy wide far away? He could imagine quite well the welcoming to the town Zimo can prepare.