When they were far enough from the scene, Han and Berfin stopped in a secluded corner. Berfin's health had improved somewhat. After killing the bastard who had inflicted this trauma on him with his own hands, most of the fire inside him had extinguished. Now he could think and act more clearly.
- What are we going to do? Do you have a plan?
- (Han looked up at the sun just rising behind the mountains.) We have two options. Either we stay in the city and hide. Or, we'll join those who have to leave the city shortly for work and depart from here. I'll leave the choice to you; you decide.
- Let's get out of here. Even if we're caught, I won't surrender until I'm dead.
- Okay…
…
It wasn't difficult for Han and Berfin to leave the city. They mingled with the farmers heading to their fields outside the city in the early morning hours and the lumberjacks heading to the forest to collect firewood.
The soldiers guarding the gate didn't interfere with these farmers and lumberjacks much. They provided for two of the city's most essential needs: food and warmth. Naturally, they were protected by the governor's office, as long as they didn't overdo it or cause trouble.
Farming and logging weren't as easy as they seemed. Some of those who eagerly set out for work in the morning would regret it by evening. Therefore, there were new faces among those who emerged each morning.
The soldiers were accustomed to the ever-changing workforce of farmers and lumberjacks. That's why, even though they saw Han and Berfin leaving the city early in the morning among the crowd, they said nothing and let them leave.
After Han and Berfin left the city with the crowd, they stayed among the farmers and woodcutters for a while longer and walked with them. When they were too far from the soldiers' sight, they abandoned their own group, met on the road leading to the capital, and set off for the capital.
This is enemy territory. Enemies could appear from anywhere. Walking in the middle of the road, visible to everyone, would have been a major problem for them. So they left the road and traveled through the forest, over the mountains, and along the banks of the rivers to the nearest town.
It took them more than a day to get here. They took almost no breaks and slept very little. Still, it wasn't until noon the next day that they reached town. Now, as they stopped at the base of a rock near the town, Han explained his plans to Berfin.
- Senior! You must wait here. I'll go to town, get two horses, and come back. You know our enemies are everywhere. The two of us together would attract a lot of attention. My be alone makes our work easier.
If I don't return in an hour, or if you encounter any trouble, don't wait here; go to the riverbank we passed this morning. Wait there for another hour. If I don't see you here, I'll come there. If I don't come there, don't wait for me and leave this town immediately. Okay?
- Okay…
Han left Berfin and went into town. He was very careful, constantly on the alert for any potential enemies around him. He wanted to detect any unusual behavior, any unwelcome glance, and expose his enemies, but it didn't work out as he planned.
Everyone in this town was busy with their own business. They were caught up in the hustle and bustle of daily life. No one paid any attention to Han. Han walked calmly and approached three men unloading their supplies from a cart on the side of the road.
He wanted to know the location of the town's local horse dealer, but they ignored Han and continued talking among themselves.
- Hey, don't you believe me? What I said is true. My cousin said he was at least five meters tall.
- Don't be ridiculous. Since when has a red orc been this tall? They are no more than three meters. Your cousin is lying.
- You're the liar. Okay, I admit my cousin exaggerates things a bit, but she doesn't lie. She went to see her last night. They put her in a steel cage. And the steel cage was as tall as the casino ceiling. That's how big that red orc woman was...
- I worked on the construction of the casino. The height of that place isn't more than four meters. She would have to be smaller to fit in the cage. So, like I said, the red orcs is about three meters tall...
- Stop arguing. We don't care how tall the orcs is. What matters is that she brings money to our town. Even though she's only been in our town for two days, there's no end to the number of visitors. That, one of them is here...
(When the workers' eyes turned to Han, the boss continued speaking.) You've been listening to us for a while. Tell us what you want. If you're asking where the red orc is. (He extended his arm and pointed to the end of the street.) There is... You can find him at the casino at the end of the street.
- Please forgive me. I just wanted to ask if you knew of a place where I could buy a horse. I didn't mean to bother you or get in your way.
- Chief! Don't scare the kid. I'll show him the way. (He put down the box he was holding and came over to Han. Pointing to the street where the casino was.) You remember the casino the boss mentioned earlier, right? The place where you can buy horses is behind it. Now, go to the end of the street. Then turn left. After passing two buildings, turn left again, and there it is. You can't not to see it.
- Thank you. I wish you good work.
As Han walked away, the workers started making fun of his way of speaking. The worker next to the boxes warned his friend, who was looking after Han.
- Excuse me. I'm bothering you, but... Could you help me get these boxes off the cart?
- What an idiot I am... Please excuse me. It's my fault. Of course I'll help you.
- Thinkyouu...
- Hahaha...
- Stop making fun of, mind your own business. It's not right to make fun of people behind their backs.
Han walked calmly down the street. He didn't seem to be in a hurry, but he was paying close attention to everything around him. When he finally arrived in front of the casino, a familiar scent filled his nose. Han had lived with red orcs for years. He would never forget that scent. It was the scent of a red orc.
One of the casino workers ran out and stood next to the security guard at the door.
- Cousin! I can't take it anymore. Damn this orc. We're both women, but she won't let me near her. And she smells so bad. The more I treat her gently, the more vicious she gets.
I'm done. Two days is more than enough for me. Find another employee. I'm leaving…
As the female employee quickly walked away, the security guard saw Han peering into the casino.
- If you want to see the red orc, you have to come by eight in the evening. There's no way you'll see her any other way.
Han's gaze remained unwavering. He didn't even blink, thinking he might see the red orc inside that casino. Something inside him told him he should go inside, but the security guard grabbed Han's shoulder, pulling him back to his senses.
- Stop staring like that. You can't enter the casino at this hour. I said eight in the evening. Didn't you hear me?
Han turned to the security guard, nodded in greeting, and then walked away. His heart and feet didn't want to go, but he had to buy two horses for their journey. He picked up his pace and arrived at the horse dealer's place on the back street.
Just in front of the stables was a small, fenced-in area used for training and showcasing horses. Three horses were calmly walking in this area. Han moved forward and approached the man who was leaning against the fence, watching the horses.
- Hello sir. I want to buy two horses. Please, could you show me the person from whom I can buy horses?
Here's another one. Children of wealthy families from surrounding towns. You can't tell by their clothes, but you can tell immediately by the way they talk. Stupid kids who can't hold down a job. These are the kids who aren't allowed to leave their towns because they'll bring shame on the family name.
They come here secretly to see the red orcs. Because the red orcs live in the south of the country, and northerners have no chance of seeing even one red orc in their lives unless they travel. This kid ran away from his family and came here secretly. Now he needs a horse, does he? Rich stupid kid, Equals, easy money...
- I'm, i'm selling. You said, "I need two horses," right? Four gold coins is all it takes for two horses. You can buy any two of those three.
- Four gold coins? You can buy at least two hundred horses for four gold coins. Are you trying to fool me? Do I look like a rich man who can't count money?
The khan wanted to stop shopping and leave immediately, but he didn't know if he could find another horse dealer. He had to continue bargaining and buy the two horses he needed. He and the Yaver had previously bought two horses, and he knew how much they would cost.
But now he was in a hurry and didn't want to waste valuable time bargaining. So he offered the seller four times the price of one horse.
- I'll give you twenty silver coins for two. What do you say?
- No. You're offering too little. You have to give me at least two gold coins. Then you can take the horses and leave.
- (Han threw a disgruntled look at the seller and made another offer.) My final offer is forty silver coins for two. If you accept, take it. Otherwise, I'm leaving.
- One... One gold coin. I can't sell it any lower. (Han grew increasingly angry at his situation. He didn't have a single gold coin, so he turned to leave when the salesman stopped him.) Wait, okay. I won't make things difficult for you. Fifty silver coins, fifty silver coins, and the horses are yours. What do you think? That's a good deal.
Han was furious because he knew he had been cheated, but he couldn't waste any more time here. The enemies were dangerous, and time was precious. He immediately paid fifty silver coins and took the two horses, and left.
As Han turned the corner with the horses and rode away, someone else came up to the vendor.
- You sold the horses while I was gone, didn't you?
- Yes, boss. I got twenty silver coins for the two horses. A profitable trade. Here's your money.
- What fun do you get from deceiving people? The horses were worth five silver coins at most. You sold them for four times as much. (She grinned slyly and warned her employee as she put the money in his pocket.) Don't do that again. Deceiving people is bad.
- Okay, boss.
As Han passed the casino with the horses, his gaze caught the casino again. He wanted to go in and take a look at the red orc, but now wasn't the time. He had to go to Berfin side immediately. Just then, a luxurious horse-drawn carriage stopped in front of the casino. As the area suddenly filled with mounted guards, Han quickly left to avoid being caught.
When he couldn't find Berfin at the first meeting place, he went to the second meeting place. Berfin was hiding in a secluded corner, anxiously waiting for Han. When Han arrived at the meeting place with the horses, Berfin ran to him.
- We're leaving now. Hurry up. We can't wait here.
- What happened?
- He came... He is here. The man who kept me in prison for months. The same man who calls himself the Night Lord and wanted to kill my grandfather. I saw him entering the town with his men.
- (When it became clear from Berfin's nervous, rapid speech that she was anxious, Han interrupted her.) Senior, calm down a bit. Let's sit down and talk. You need to tell me what happened more clearly. Don't hold anything back...
- (Berfin sat down where Han indicated and, calming down a little, began to recount what had happened.) My grandfather took us out one day. It was my birthday, remember?
- Yes.
- That day, you told my grandfather about a blond man who was following us. My grandfather had killed that man. This man who calls himself the Night Lord is his brother. He had made elaborate plans to kill my grandfather. The events that took place in the border town were a trap set for my grandfather.
He conspired to get my grandfather out of the military camp. When I came to replace my grandfather, he captured me, took me captive, and kept me as a weapon against my grandfather.
At the time, I couldn't understand how he had captured me, but when that bastard confronted me, I understood everything. That treacherous bastard had exposed everything about my grandfather, about our family, about you and me. That man knows all our weaknesses.
- Are you sure he's in town?
- Of course. I'll never forget the emblem on his horse-drawn carriage. Its emblem featured a spear-wielding horseman on horseback. I know that carriage. They're in town.
Han stood up suddenly. "The carriage in front of the casino. So, they were the ones who tried to capture me." Then he felt a deep pang in his heart. "That red orc... No, definitely not... She can't be my mother... She's at home, not here... But... What if she's here... It's eight o'clock... He said eight, right?"
Han had to find out if his mother was in town. But he couldn't take Berfin with him.
- Okay. Don't wait any longer and set off immediately. I, i have to get back to town. I'll catch up with you in an hour or two.
- No, i won't let you…
- Don't worry, I'll definitely catch up with you before you reach the next town. Come on, get on your horse and ride away.
- But…
- Berfin! Don't make me repeat my words. I said I'll catch up with you. Get out of here now.
Han never called Berfin by her name. He always referred to her as "senior." But now Han was very serious. Even though Berfin wanted to stay with Han, she didn't want to encounter the man who had held her captive again. It was a difficult decision, but... She jumped on her horse and rode away.
Han, meanwhile, approached the riverbank. He washed his hands and face in the cold water, then mounted his horse and rode toward the town…