Three days of continuous flight on a snow-white owl have passed.
From a bird's-eye view, the family watched as the majestic snow-capped mountain range gave way to green treetops. The mountains, strewn with green forests, alternated with bare rocky peaks, where the snow had not yet completely melted, despite the warm climate of the receding province of Sveta. These contrasts of nature created an amazing picture full of harmony and tranquility.
The sun was slowly sinking towards the horizon. The last rays played on the snow-capped peaks of the mountains, creating the illusion of a scattering of precious stones. The shadows from the high peaks stretched further and further away, as if trying to reach the farthest corners of the earth.
Below, between the mountain slopes, in the shaded corners, small mountain lakes lurk, like mirrors reflecting the firmament. The wind gliding over the peaks brought with it the smells of wild nature and freshness, as well as forest sounds.
In this place, where the sky seemed so close that you could almost touch it with your hand. On the edge of the earth and sky, time seemed to freeze. Katerina, watching this peaceful landscape, felt her taut nerves relax slightly. She didn't dare let her guard down. However, the realization that they had finally left the province of Light and reached the province of Endless Forests gave the worried mother a little comfort.
The Province of Endless Forests was also part of the Great Roman Empire. The patron god of this territory was Artemis, the goddess of hunting, who did not like the lively urban atmosphere at all. Although she was Apollo's sister, it was rumored that the relationship of the divine relatives was not good at all. These rumors were fueled by the eternal disagreements of their clergy.
The territory of the Goddess of Hunters was an endless forest inhabited by many magical beasts. Beech, fir, and maple trees grew everywhere here. Wild deer pranced in packs at a fast pace, running away from the pack of greedy wolves. A lynx was watching them on a hill, waiting for the best moment to attack. Only occasionally could small settlements be seen.
"Mom, come down! I'm tired," Katerina heard Grace's exhausted voice.
Looking at the children and seeing the obvious signs of exhaustion, Katerina realized how badly such a sprint had affected them. Despite the fact that Snowball moved very smoothly, making it possible to fall asleep, it was very difficult for the children to really relax at such a height.
Gray looked worse and worse. Although Katerina magically healed the damaged area, no one canceled the blood loss. It was very ruthless to require a child in such a state to continue traveling, but she had no choice. Who knows how soon information about the incident will spread.
As soon as the Roman Empire confirms the status of the "harbinger of Darkness" and hears the will of the god of Light, the Senate will react immediately. All borders will be carefully guarded. A squad of elite Dragonriders will be sent on their trail. Even Katerina, at her best, will find it difficult to fend off their well-coordinated teamwork. The Roman Empire was awarded the title of the strongest human Empire for a reason. What can we say about the dissemination of information on human territory?
Although Katerina used any methods to throw the bloodhounds off the scent. She understood that once their location was discovered, they would be surrounded. Further escape will be almost impossible. She needs to use all means to ensure that her group remains unnoticed. After thinking about the current situation and analyzing all possible scenarios, Katerina decided to give the children the opportunity to relax a little on earth.
"Sure, honey, we're going down now. Give Mommy some time to find a suitable place," Katerina replied, stroking the children on their small heads.
"Umu,– Grace sighed wearily, enjoying her mother's caresses.
Noticing a small crevice in the distance, which was well hidden and in a fairly safe position, Katerina told Snowball to head there.
"This is a good place, mistress," Cassia remarked after surveying the area.
"Thank you, Cassia. You have no idea how glad I am that you are with me. I'm sure the children also appreciate that you stay with us even in such a situation," Katerina replied, revealing her innermost thoughts to the only person who always supported her.
"Ma'am, you don't have to say that! You saved my life, raised me when my family turned their backs on me. It's the least I can do. Please don't be so polite to me. I am honored to be your maid," Cassia said, lowering her head in embarrassment. Although she was grateful for the kind words of the hostess, she really did not like her melancholic mood.
"You're right, then I won't be too polite. Fu-fu-fu. Here's your next assignment. Clear the area of wild animals. Don't kill, it will leave traces. Just take them away. I also need you to find the fruits of the Korite tree. I'll make a simple hair dye out of them. Grace and I have hair that stands out too much in the crowd," Katerina gave instructions.
"Yes, ma'am. Is there anything else?"
"From now on, I need you to disguise yourself as a man. Until we board a ship and leave the Alaz continent, you will be my husband. From now until the end of the journey, we will be the Ashfords, who are going on a trade mission to the Vampire capital. My name is Luvia Ashfort, and you're Cassius Ashfort. The children's names will be Alexander and Anna. I'll try to cast a reincarnation magic on Gray so that he has cat ears like yours. Our legend must be perfect. Is everything clear?"
"Um, yes, ma'am," replied the maid, who began to blush with embarrassment and excitement, imagining the scene described.
"My dear ones, let's play spies with you for a bit. From now on, you can only call me Mom, and Cassia – Dad. Address each other only as "brother" and "sister". Whoever calls the real name first loses. The loser will have to behave like a rooster all day and speak only with the sounds of "Crowing". Fufu fufu, won't it be fun?" – Katerina very cleverly provoked the children to a game that would make it easier for her to escape from the territory of the Roman Empire.
"I'm fine, Mom," the children replied. Although they really wanted to fall right to the ground and immediately fall asleep, Gray and Grace still remembered the rules of the game, which they found very funny.
Katerina deftly lit a small fire, spread a blanket for the children that appeared out of nowhere, and told them to go to bed, promising to disguise them tomorrow morning. Watching the children immerse themselves in the world of dreams, lying in their arms like two little kittens, the mother forced herself to smile. She will protect her beloved ones at all costs. As she looked at their cute sleeping faces, listening to the crackle of the campfire, her eyes shone brighter and brighter. Those eyes reflected all the madness she was holding back.
[Initially, we flew northeast from Lutetia, but after two hundred miles we headed south. A little trick with a substitution will delay the pursuers for a few more days. We must keep to the southeast in order to enter the Magic Empire and reach the port of Stormdale. Due to the surrounding terrain, we must not encounter the border troops while taking precautions. It's a pity we can't use the teleportation array. Ah, if Auntie Albedo were here, I wouldn't have so many problems.]
[Disguise should come in handy after arriving at the Magic Empire. To completely conceal our identities, we will need a reliable legend. Cassia will take care of it. Hmm, come to think of it, in the Roman Empire, the feline tribe is treated like slaves, but in the Magic Kingdom, it's different. I've heard that Duke Beningham is quite fond of beastmen. Tsk, that old pervert, you need to stay away from him. But in case of emergencies, I can take advantage of it. Cassia will play the role of a wealthy merchant-neko may promise him to deepen the Duchy's relations with the kingdom of the beastmen for a couple of services. But this is a last resort. I'm sure she can fool the horny bastard.]
[We need to get to Stormdale Fort by all means and rent a ship to Nightingale there. I hope we get a captain who's not too law-abiding.]
Katerina's thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a broken branch. Turning her head towards the noise, Katerina noticed an approaching figure with an elegant silhouette. The figure slowly approached the campfire, her movements were very dexterous. Such movements could only be made by a very experienced huntress who was used to tracking prey while remaining unnoticed.
Katerina immediately realized that the sound was deliberately made to warn her of her approach. Only a fool would believe that someone with such instincts could accidentally step on a dry branch. Assessing the skills of her counterpart, one word came to the woman's mind: "hunter." The most unpleasant opponent in the current situation.
Although Katerina appreciated the gesture of "greeting" the other party. She couldn't let her guard down. Not in her situation. If the gray-haired woman were here alone, she would not mind having some fun. But her children were here, sleeping not far from her, so her whole posture screamed caution.
Katerina bent down slightly, picked up a branch lying next to her, and bent down to stir the logs in the fire, effectively shielding her peacefully sleeping children with her body. Although it seemed like her posture was very open, it wasn't. At the slightest hint of a threat, she was ready to blind the enemy with a bonfire and unleash the most ruthless attack.