Erona couldn't sleep. Various thoughts swirled in her mind. Ironically, one day you are the daughter of a wealthy merchant from Bazaldia and the next you are a commodity sold in Hyperion.
Hyperion, the largest slave market in Orchad, located at the junction of the borders with Gardynia and Bazaldia. So close to her homeland and yet painfully far away. Just remembering it made her shiver. She had to run around naked and endure being slapped and groped by potential customers. She turned on her side, sleep simply refused to come.
She listened to the calm, regular breathing of the prince lying next to her. He was handsome, but would life as a slave lover by his side be her goal? She was pulled out of her thoughts by the soft creaking of the door. In the moonlight, she saw a shadow sneaking silently. She elbowed Gorsep, he did not speak, but his breathing rhythm changed, he was awake. The shadow approached the bed, swung and at the same time Gorsep grabbed the attacker's hand, and Erona screamed and ran out into the corridor calling for help. The prince twisted the attacker's wrist in a deft motion and knocked him to the ground. Nervous and emotional, he dragged the struggling man to the smoldering fireplace to see his face.
"Red?!" Gorsep did not hide his surprise. He has just offered that man a pouch full of money for a new task.
"Spare ... and I'll tell you who hired me.'' He gasped hoarsely.
"You treacherous dog," Gorsep's eyes narrowed, "I'll make you talk."
"They'll kill me before the prince does. I'll tell you who and I'll find Setia." Red begged. Gorsep considered all the possibilities for a moment.
"Who?"
"Belmore and Angel"
"Who else?"
"I don't know, I only spoke to the two of them."
"Betray me and I will find you, this is your last chance."
"I will not fail you, Lord.
Gorsep nodded, then took the hot wood from the fireplace and burned Red's left hand with it. The mercenary howled in pain and the stench of burning flesh spread throughout the chamber.
"Remember my grace and if you feel like betraying me ever again, then look at your hand, believe me that I can do far more unpleasant things to you."
Behind the door, footsteps could be heard, Jaset's men rushed into the chamber and Eron, wrapped in a cloak, pale with fear. Gorsep noticed the absence of the fortress guards. So Angel...
"Lord, what happened?" Jaset asked.
"Nothing, take this mercenary out and lock him in a cell, when I give the order, you will let him out of the fortress gates. And call everyone to the main hall."
"Now at night?" Jaset confirmed
"Yes. Now at night. Erona, get dressed, you will accompany me."
Gorsep was the last to enter the great hall. They were all there, Belmor, Angel, Nadrif the silent Hornzer, old Egrid the concerned mother asking about the reason for the meeting, and Gorsep's entourage led by Jaset. Next to the prince, Erona walked proudly with her head held high. The joyful mood of the feast had already evaporated from the room. Everyone was watching the young prince tensely.
"Tonight there was an attack on my life, the would-be assassin however was caught and luckily he gave me the names of the traitors."
The great hall grew even quieter. His mother's face turned pale, Gorsep shook her hand and continued.
"I decided to immediately explain who is behind this attack."
"Of course," Belmor stood up, "an attack on a member of my family should be severely punished immediately."
The prince studied his uncle's face for a moment, which, like a mask, expressed nothing.
"Yes, thank you, uncle,'' He said as he looked around the gathered people. They sat, swallowing nervously, Nadrif clenching his hands until his knuckles were white. Hornzer stared at the floor, only Egir stared him straight in the face. Angel sat very still, occasionally glancing toward the side entrance. Gorsep, however, made sure that no one disturbed them, the door was closed and Angel's men, after a short clash, were under guard.
"We are a nation of soldiers, highly trained in their craft." - Gorsep calmly walked behind the backs of the gathered. He held a dagger in his hand. "However strangely the guards failed today and let an assassin into my house."
Angel felt compelled to answer this charge.
"My lord, excuse me, but …" The commander of the guard did not finish speaking because Gorsep cut his throat with one cut. A gurgling sound, Ledwira's muffled scream, and Angel's body fell to the floor. The prince stood over the corpse and calmly watched the growing pool of blood. Then he bent down and carefully wiped the dagger on the clothes of the former guard commander.
"This traitor did not act alone, he had the support of a person whose betrayal hurts me especially." Gorsep straightened up and looked at Belmor. There was silence for a moment. Finally, the uncle looked him straight in the eye and said surprisingly calmly.
"What are you implying?! His voice was firm and resonant. "I am your uncle and I have stood guard over my brother's house all the time, faithfully serving and supporting him."
Ledwira nervously stared once at Belmor and once at her son.
"Is that true, my son?"
Gorsep nodded.
Belmor stood up abruptly, knocking his chair over.
"I will not be insulted by a kid, what evidence do you have against me? What a lack of gratitude for all I have done for you!" The uncle looked straight into his nephew's eyes and challenged him. He put everything on one card.
"I have the assassin's testimony."
"It's a slander! Some random mercenary's words are more important than mine?!"
"How do you know it was a mercenary?" asked Gorsep calmly and Belmor's face turned red with anger. He clenched his hands into fists and roared.
"Don't twist my words to your liking, I'm innocent. I am your father's brother, so watch your mouth!"
"You are also a member of the royal family, next in line."
"I won't listen to it anymore." Belmor looked up at the gathering, his head held high, then headed for the main exit. The others sat paralyzed, not knowing what to do. Gorsep threw the dagger and placed it in his uncle's back with one practiced move. Belmor fell to his knees, instinctively reaching for the dagger on his back. The whole scene played out in absolute silence, you could hear the wheezing breath of Belmore fighting for his life.
"The ruler should not lose his head - said Gorsep - nor can he leave the traitors alive, because he will constantly have to turn around. For fidelity - loyalty, for betrayal - death."
With these words Gorsep headed for the exit, stopped for a moment on the steps and looked at the lifeless face of his uncle. For a moment he thought he was looking at his father's face.
"You can go and rest, the attractions are over for today. Jaset, you become the new commander of the Errid's Keep."
Jaset nodded and wordlessly motioned for the men to clean up the corpses.