During their entire journey, both barely spoke a word to each other. Ero, in his anger that Alina still refused to refrain from accepting the assignment; she disliked how little he shared her worries and fears.
The familiar path seemed so long in the silence, even though they had only been on the road for the planned week. In the distance, one could already perceive the first signs of the nearby town. Like the ringing of the church tower clock. Even Belena sensed her mistress's excitement.
Their steps, with which they had previously leisurely pulled the burden, quickened. Probably, she looked forward to the warm stable after the long time, where she would be pampered by the stable boys with all sorts of treats.
Alina, too, had to admit, she enjoyed every stay in the stately estate, just outside Ylora. She, raised in simple circumstances, could not imagine how a family lived alone there. Upstairs and downstairs, rooms nestled together, which could accommodate a part of their students. Her small hut sufficed for her.
Beldor often talked about how he liked to invite guests, yet he never managed to occupy all the bedrooms after a party. She alone knew eleven of them, as well as some rooms whose function was unknown to her. The grand ballroom, dressing rooms for the ladies, and much more.
Near the house was the first stable with Beldor's favorite horses, a little further out the large breeding stables, and scattered over the entire property, which included several wooded areas, fields, and meadows, were the cottages of the servants.
Ero was accustomed to all the luxury from earliest childhood. Alina marveled at it with every visit.
"You're driving me crazy," Ero exclaimed. "You're crazy!"
They were just passing through the city gate to Ylora. Before they went to the judge's seat, they had something else to do. Besides, Ero agreed to buy her some clothes at the market.
"We're dead as soon as we get near that area!"
Those were the first words he had exchanged with her since the morning. Not a good basis for a discussion.
"Ero, please!" she addressed him calmly. "Do you think I enjoy this? Marno is as important to me as my own life. Wouldn't you act the same if it concerned your father?"
A barely noticeable emotion flickered across Ero's features, which Alina couldn't interpret. Was it possibly insight into her situation? She couldn't tell.
"For someone who claims to love his little daughter, he hasn't done much to prevent you from going to the slaughter," judged Ero.
"He wasn't right," Alina firmly believed. Her father found it very difficult to let her go. In doing so, she overlooked that Eros' words weren't so harsh solely because he was concerned for his own life. Both fell silent again on their way to the market until Ero broke it once more.
"Alina," he said with a heaviness in his voice. The boy swallowed and forced himself to continue speaking. "No matter what happens, I'll always be by your side. I won't stay with my father. I will protect you!" He took a deep breath, then got to the most important point. "I've never been a help to you before, but this time, I'm here for you. If you fight, I'll fight too. I'll be with you with my..." His words trailed off in a weakened voice, but Alina knew what he meant. He would protect her with his life, and the prospect held nothing comforting. Rather, it was painful.
"Please don't go alone," he begged her. He urged his mare into a trot and hurried ahead on the path before them.
Ylora was the capital of Uras and therefore one of the largest cities. Here, all trade routes seemed to converge, which made the market overcrowded. Many carts squeezed through narrow streets, often leading to arguments. Today, luckily for them, it was different. The city seemed sleepy, and they reached their destination easily.
A square with four lime trees, one at each corner of a podium. On some days, people crowded here to witness the cruelty. Often, Beldor himself took on this role, which earned the judge his reputation. Despite being hated and despised by so many as Ylora's executioner, he was actually a kind-hearted person.
They stopped the horses behind the courthouse. Here in the alley was the entrance to the dungeon, where their escort would first await trial, then execution.
In their country, many crimes carried the death penalty. It was a sad statistic that Beldor had silently followed for a long time.
Ero instructed her to wait. He dismounted from Falira's back and dealt with the two robbers alone. When he returned, he handed Alina the meager loot. Although the amount had been increased a few days ago, it would only be enough for a few weeks at school.
"Anyone who hinders King Selon's carriage ride beware," Alina said as she securely stowed the bag in a secret compartment. "A high bounty will be placed on them immediately should they escape the guards. There are a few coins for murderers of many families."
"The old king isn't that bad," Ero defended his master.
"You only say that because you used to sit on his lap," It took a small signal for Belena to start running.
"Don't tell me you believe everything people say," Ero laughed. "Wherever they report on my engagement."
Alina thought this was no comparison.