"Let's start with the Seine," Vladyka said, shifting his gaze, "raise your head."
The elf obediently complied.
"How many mistakes do you think you've made, Sen?" How can you even call yourself the king of the elven race after that? The true king is not the one who was lucky enough to be born into a royal family, but the one who surpasses everyone else in his qualities. Do you understand that all the people are judged by your actions? Moreover, your current actions have judged the entire empire. And what did you do when you were in an emergency situation? I succumbed to emotions, like the last boy.
Suddenly, the lord sitting on his wooden throne was next to the elf face to face.
Do you know why you are still alive? Vladyka asked calmly.
Stunned by the lightning movement of his master, and simply simply suppressed by his will, Sen could not even speak, and horror was read in his eyes.
"Nn.. no… no." Gathering his strength, he barely uttered one single word.
"In the end, being on the verge of a choice, you nevertheless came to the aid of Kio, risking yourself and, more importantly, your sister, for the sake of your allies, for the sake of the empire. I appreciate it. You can consider that this choice sealed your fate.
Not even a moment passed, as the Sovereign sat on his throne again, simply disappearing from the very place where he had just been.
"As far as I remember, only an elf can hold the post of king," Inmir continued his monologue. And since Sen has lost his abilities at the moment, I want to congratulate Leiko on her new position as queen of the elven race. Objections?
Of course, there were no objections.
"Now, Leiko.
- Yes, sir!
"Your brother made a lot of mistakes, because of which he lost his strength and status, do you understand that?
— Yes, master.
"Okay, but you also have to understand that many of the mistakes he made, you avoided only because your brother managed to get ahead of you. Therefore, I hope that you will be wise enough not to repeat them.
"Yes Lord, I will try my best!"
"As for you, Sen, you have already been punished enough, and besides, it makes no sense to unnecessarily punish someone who already understood what was wrong.
Ynmir turned his gaze to the kneeling Tiara.
"Take these two and return to the empire.
- I'm listening.
When Tiara, Sen, and Leiko left the place, the still bowing Kyo remained motionless.
"You disappointed me the most," the Lord's formidable voice made the body of a true person tremble with fear, "I can forgive a lot of these children, but you, the person who has been accompanying me for so long, should already understand some basics of elemental wisdom. Tell me, what an arrogant fool you had to be, so that after learning about the whole situation in which the elves fell, you would not ask for help? After all, it was enough to say a word in the throne room then, and I would have provided you with an assistant, but you, following the lead of your inner individualist, backed by egocentrism, decided that you could handle it yourself. What do you think would happen to you and these two now if I hadn't attached an observer to your body?
The man who bowed before his master was silent, he had nothing to say in his defense.
"Sometimes, one single mistake can ruin the whole thing, at your age it's time to know that already." Well, enough of the lyrics, from now on you are forbidden to set foot on the land of the empire, and generally leave this island. You will live here and supervise the construction of the city that I want to build, take that girl that collects flowers as an assistant. And yes, all runestones are already deactivated, all movements will only go through Shu. You'll get further instructions later, okay?
- Yes, sir! Kio answered, bowing his head even lower.
* * *
- What it is? the elderly merchant asked the head of the city.
"This is an updated map of the desert of death, which was given to me the day before yesterday by the authorized representative of the Great United Empire, whose territory, as you can see, is very vast and literally separates us from the entire mainland," Bolin said, burying his face in his hands, without a share of emotion.
- What is this nonsense? What other empire, I don't know about it, - the merchant shouted, - if you don't want to trade with us, or something doesn't suit you, then say it straight, and don't invent some kind of game!
"Stop screaming," the head said calmly, "this is not a game, but an official map that was provided to me, while saying that any violator of these borders will be subject to measures, which I, however, have already announced to you. And yes, they were aware of your caravan, and they said that they would let you in as an exception, they would also allow you to return to Hordnock, but that's all.
- Brad, who are they, how dare they, I will complain! I have many connections and...
Bolin's stern look interrupted the merchant, who had again turned to shouting:
- You can do whatever you want, it's your right, I just gave you what I had to. How you feel about it is up to you.
"I didn't expect this from you, Mr. Bolin, I don't know what kind of tricks with some kind of empire there, but it smells bad, and such a respected person as you should not have resorted to such cheap insinuations. I'm disappointed, sorry.
"Oh yes, by the way…
Stopping in the doorway, the merchant turned around:
"What else," he snapped.
- The man who came to me said that he would also visit Hordnock, and I suppose he would report everything the same as me.
- Yah? But I doubt it, because you don't understand who in Hordnock and they won't let you in, and if he also declares such nonsense, then he will be thrown into prison with rats or hanged as a saboteur or a swindler. It is only in this village that is called a city that any madman is taken seriously. And in normal countries, they are spat on in the squares. Believe me, you will regret that you broke the contract with us.
"I didn't break the contract, I just told you…
- Enough of this nonsense! Do you think that I will believe that you have come up with some great empire there, just to scare us? Padi found more profitable suppliers and now you are telling us fairy tales? How low, goodbye!
Slamming the door, the merchant went to his still unloading caravan.