Moros stood in the square, supervising the preparations, but his thoughts were still in Katamir with Machaja in bed. The steward woke him up from his pleasant thoughts.
"Sir, should we put the tables here?"
"Yes - Moros pointed with his finger - here across."
The servants together with the steward were busy setting up the tables and benches to sit on. Moros stood for a moment, listening to himself, "Sir" he used to say that to every free man. A slave has the lowest status in society, equal to an animal, well not everyone because such a war horse is worth several slaves. He had come a long way from swamps and despair to the position of the princess's brother, the lord of the castle. He wondered about the cost of this social advancement, he had just brought poison so he would take part in a murder. Death was no stranger to him, he had seen it many times. He got used to the senseless death of a tortured slave, or even there in the swamps when he shot Nagor and Setia finished the job without batting an eyelid.
Sometimes she scared him. His supposed sister in a silver mask with an iron will and a heart of gold. At least for him, for her adopted brother. Now she was calmly planning Tendred's death. He hadn't been able to look the prince in the eye since his return from Katamir. Moros felt disgusted with himself, he liked the prince of Emfer. Tendred was troublesome because of the unrequited love for him, but Moros didn't wish him death. Being a "master" also had its dark sides.
He felt the air filled with anticipation. The spring solstice would bring a new reality.
"How are the preparations going?" He heard the familiar voice of his almost-sister.
"Fine my dear sister, we'll have time to prepare everything."
"And Rosnar?"
"I showed him a place to camp and sent two wagons with provisions. Everything has been settled."
Setia unexpectedly leaned on his shoulder and put her hand on her stomach.
"Is something wrong? Are you feeling bad? " He asked, concerned.
"Take me to the castle." She said quietly.
Moros, with a worried face, took her by the arm without a word and slowly led her to the castle, accompanied by curious glances thrown at them furtively by the servants. When the main door closed behind them, Setia straightened up, winked at him and whispered in his ear.
"Life is one big show." After these words she went straight to her chambers.
Tendred was supposed to come tonight, Aktis will be here in two days. It has to be today. She took a bottle with a green cap out of the chest. She had never poisoned anyone, hand-to-hand combat was her domain, but what difference did it make. Death is death. She hid the bottle again and called the servants. She felt like taking a bath and then waiting for her husband. Tendred showed up on time, Setia with an eye patch in her nightgown welcomed him into her chamber.
***
"We have something to celebrate - she began - tomorrow I will show you our army, well the first mercenaries we have hired." Saying this she handed him a cup of wine.
Tendred smiled, sat down and took a few sips, Setia also made a toast.
"Aktis confirmed her arrival - he said, satisfied - everything is going according to plan. However, I have some concerns about your idea."
"What worries you?" Setia looked at her husband seriously.
"There's no other way to handle this? You know, this poison is…" He sighed, searching for the right word
"Are you afraid?" Setia looked out the window, then at the blushing Tendred. "I understand, if you want, I'll just drink it. The effect will be similar."
Tendred took another sip, put the goblet down and smoothed his golden curls with his hand. He always did that to cover his confusion.
"You're taking all the risk on yourself? I feel... ahamed."
"The plan is mine, the risk is mine too. I know the person who prepared this poison and I trust her skills. - Setia stood up and walked over to the table where dried fruit and nuts were lying - This won't be my first time."
"Are you sure about that?"
"Yes - Setia stuffed dried grapes into her mouth - you'll have to be very convincing in your despair."
Tendred smiled, raised the goblet up, raising a silent toast to his wife. Setia did the same.
"For love and dreams. Said Tendred
"And for the blood of our enemies." Added Setia.
Tendred came out of her chamber late, all content with a visible expression of relief on his face. Setia poured herself some wine and after a brief inspection of the darkened inner walls, she put Tendred's goblet aside. She waited. Jefre entered quietly and closed the door silently behind him.
"My husband is a coward - Setia said more to herself than to Jefre - he would never reach for power and power shall never belong to him. We should reach for power ourselves, no one else can give it to us.
"Why?"
"Because we will not be able to hold it. Because we will not respect it. Because we will not appreciate the sacrifices that were made to gain power. - Setia began to enumerate - And you, are you ready to reach for power?"
"I do not care about that." Jefre did not move from his place.
"What do you care about, cold-eyed Orchad?" Setia got up from the table and approached Jefre.
"You."
"Jefre - Setia laughed quietly - I'm not a stupid goose from the tavern that you want to drag to the hay. What do you want?"
"Excitement, a sense of domination and danger, sometimes blood and sometimes love and desire." Jefre was next to her in one step and lifted her up. Setia wrapped her legs around him the way he liked. She had the impression that his eyes were shining in the dusk of her bedroom.
"A great test awaits you, Jefe, and a big risk for me." - Setia whispered into her lover's ear.