The Mist and the Lightning. Part I

"Fuck you, put it on if you want! You're unbearable like that!"

"You're like two stubborn donkeys," Enriki shook his head.

Nikto bent to reach for the mask on the floor, and his hair spilled touching Orel's hand. Orel shivered and while Nikto was straightening, he had time to pass his palm over one of blonde strands. Tol opened his mouth in surprise seeing Orel's expression. Enriki rolled up his eyes. Nikto turned to Orel and met his eyes. For a few moments they looked at each other, then Nikto turned away and put on his mask.

Chapter 7

Morgan Talas

Orel was galloping along quiet side streets, as usual, and the others followed him. Suddenly he stopped his horse abruptly; it reared, kicking, nearly tossing Orel off. Several riders appeared from behind the corner, blocking their way.

"Damn you, who are you?" Orel was enraged. "Get out of my way!"

The riders didn't move, baring their swords threateningly. One of them raised his hand signaling his wish to speak.

"I'm Morgan Talas," he said loudly. "If you don't know me yet, you'll get to know soon. And don't bother with introducing yourself, I know who you are. You're the dirtiest and most disgusting man in this city, prince Arel Chig!"

"Wha-a-at?" Orel growled pulling out his sword from behind his back.

Lis, Enriki and Tol did the same. Nikto rode up to Orel.

"Calm down, Orel, he talks loud but he won't fight, he's shit scared of you."

"Who's that? What's he doing in my street?"

"It's Lamy's boyfriend."

"Lamy?"

"The girl whose head you cut off by mistake."

"Aah, I see. So, do you want to fight me?" Orel raised his head proudly. "Do you want to get revenge for your wench?"

He swished his sword.

"Come here! Your head will join hers."

But Morgan seemed not to hear his words.

"Nikto?" he said quietly. "I didn't doubt you'd be with them."

Nikto turned to him.

"Think whatever you want."

"You ruined Lamy. She thought you were her friend and you set her up! At first you took her soul, then her life! You cursed devil, why did you need her?"

"Talas, get out of the way," Nikto said. "You have no business to be in this street."

"And what business do you have? The fallen lords have given you their souls, haven't they? Be damned, you, for giving this devil the power to come out by daylight!"

"Are you going to fight?" Orel lost his patience. "You have more people than we do but we'll check what your people are made of!"

Morgan made his horse step back.

"Why should I fight you, you're already dead men!" he said arrogantly. "Your death will be long and painful. The devil will take care of it!" He pointed with his chin at Nikto. "I don't want to give you an easy death in a battle. You deserve hell!" He laughed.

"But I really feel like giving you something," Orel said.

Morgan got pale.

"Listen, devil, I'll find justice for you! There is god stronger than your father, and you'll feel it soon. Black glass won't save your eyes from the daylight, no matter how many lives you will take to pay for it!"

"Are you talking of the god of the Upper world?" Nikto asked. "You're just a fool!"

Morgan bared his teeth and started making a strange sign with his palm.

"Now!" Orel shouted and his horse cut into the crowd of Morgan Talas's frightened men. One of them fell, not even his steel armor saving him from Orel's sword.

"We're retreating!" Morgan yelled.

Orel and his warriors didn't chase them. Tol was laughing like mad.

"I've never seen such a fool before! He's like a little dog, barking but afraid to bite!"

"Morgan does everything quietly," Nikto said. "If he gets you alone, he'll do you away quickly."

"What a bastard," Enriki winced.

"I won't leave it like that," Orel said to them. "He's got on my nerves."

"It was his intention," Nikto said. His voice was cheerful but because of the mask one couldn't see whether he smiled or not.

"Let's go," Lis said, "he might call for a patrol and we don't need it."

"Bet on it," Nikto confirmed.

"Now, now, let's go!" Orel put his bloodied sword back into the sheath. His horse hopped over the spread body easily and galloped forward.

Chapter 8

At 'Backara'

The riders reached 'Backara'. Servants already started lighting torches on the facade of the building. Orel rounded the hotel through the side arc and dismounted in the backyard.

"The main entrance is not for you, sirs, is it?" Nikto asked.

Orel passed Beauty's bridle to a servant. "I don't want to reveal myself today."