Setia had been bustling around the cave since morning. She had less than two weeks left to return to Emfer and she still had to prepare a few things. Today along with Moros, they were going to Kanelin. It was the second largest town, a day and a half from Hiron's house and two days from Emfer. Moros was pleased with the change, it was interesting to sit and watch the ore being smelted, but lately Hiron had only been working on Setia's mask. He claimed that he needed some more time and dismissed any additional questions with a wave of his hand or silence.
Moros helped harness the cart and sat down in it expectantly. Setia soon joined him and, waving her hand in farewell to Hiron, they set off. They covered the path leading through the White Canyon the slowest, then entered the main road connecting Fenigrid with Basaldia and turned right. This road was wide and more comfortable. Moros decided to talk to Setia about his future. He felt awkward, but he knew he had to bring it up.
"You know, Setia, I was wondering - Moros, who had given the reins to his companion since entering the main road, nervously rubbed his hands together - I was wondering what I should do next."
"What do you mean? " Setia looked at him carefully.
"I have been dependent on someone my whole life and there is always someone who takes care of me. I never had to make any decisions, I just did what I was told. Now I'm free, but I don't really know what to do with my freedom."
Moros fell silent
"I see - Setia said after a moment of silence - I must admit that I have further plans for us."
"What plans?" Moros got curious.
"You see, I don't have anyone and I'm starting a new stage in my life. If everything goes well, I will soon become a duchess. I need trusted people around me - she pulled the reins tighter, because the gray horse strayed slightly from the road.
"Our destiny was joined by Ualas in the swamps. If you want to leave, I can't keep you because our accounts are settled. However, I hope that together we will be able to make every dream come true. What do you want from life?"
Moros thought for a moment and then answered seriously.
"The thing is, I don't know. I don't want to be just an errand boy and be dependent on someone for the rest of my life. I want to achieve something, be someone…" Moros apparently lacked words to express the thoughts swirling in his head. After a while, he looked at Setia and asked.
"What plans were you thinking about?"
Setia took a deep breath and, brushing her hair back from her face, decided to reveal to him some of the ideas that popped in her head.
"Listen, you will come with me to Emfer as my younger brother…"
"Brother? - Moros was surprised, - we don't look much alike." He smiled, showing charming dimples in his cheeks.
"You're a brother from our father's second marriage - Setia said - such things happen. We come from a rich aristocratic family settled in Katamir."
She made a haughty face when she said this and Moros laughed.
"And now the most difficult part." Setia had felt this burden for a long time and was wondering how to tell Moros so that he wouldn't take her proposal the wrong way.
"So pretending to be an aristocrat for a slave isn't a challenge yet?" Moros joked.
"This is a challenge for a former mercenary too, but it's about something else. - Setia clicked to encourage her horse - My future husband - here she took a short pause to gather her courage - has a penchant for men."
Moros frowned and was silent for a moment, as if this information had yet to sink in.
"What do you mean?" The tone of his voice revealed some anxiety.
"You've probably seen and experienced more than one thing in your life, so you know what I mean." Setia didn't feel like explaining everything to Moros in a more detailed manner.
"Yes, I know, but what do I have to do with it? You probably don't think... I never .."
"No - Setia interrupted him - it's about something else. I need your support. You and I will be alone there. I must admit that it will be difficult for us at the beginning. - Setia brushed a stray strand of hair from her face again - I need to have someone there on whom I can absolutely rely on."
"What should I do?" There was still tension in his voice.
"First, pretend and keep your eyes and ears wide open. - she explained briefly - and to get Tenderd's attention…"
"Pretend to be an aristocrat, pretend to be your brother, pretend to be interested in Tendred - he started listing - there's a lot of pretending." Moros pursed his lips.
" I don't know if I can do it. I'm afraid," He admitted with disarming honesty.
"Tendred is not eternal, he is only the key to the gates of Fenigrid." Setia's voice was steely. The young man realized that she would stop at nothing.
"Just think, a former slave and a former mercenary will come to power in the entire principality."
Setia looked at Moros and for a moment he felt a chill running down his spine.
"So, do you want to fight for big dreams with me, or do you want to try your own luck, for example in Kanelin? It's your choice and your decision." She concluded in a firm tone.
Moros fell silent, he had no idea what to do without Setia. He had no money or connections. He was either alone or with her. Somewhere inside, something quietly whispered to him about a sense of power, money and a comfortable life. He, a former slave on his way to honors that ordinary people could not even dream of. Theoretically, it's within reach, but what if they recognize it? If they find out who he really is. And Setia's future husband felt that she was not honest with him. He was afraid of what else she might ask him for.