«My lord!» - the nephew collapsed to his knees again, «the healer said we had very little time.»
«I understood!» - Leo snarled and clenched his fists tighter. «Well, I'll settle one more vexing matter at the same time.»
Prince Leo was on his way. He took with him a mute slave, provisions, and a couple of spare horses. Without stretching the unpleasant for long, he rode out of the castle gates already at noon, leaving behind young parents, filled with sadness and hope.
It was three days' journey to the kingdom of Rau. Leo rode and thought about the fact that somehow, incomprehensibly, he and his sworn enemy had returned at the same time. What if not evil fate?
Would the madness they had done in the past be repeated between them? Will there be war again?
No, from the height of his life experience and unlived life, Leo understood that the second chance he was given was not for him to waste his time so futilely.
He wanted to save the child in the first place. Seeing the parents' pain and the baby's suffering was too much, even for him. But this sneaky Rau... what would he demand in return?
Suddenly Leo stopped dead in his tracks, pulling the reins sharply so that the horse nearly threw him off.
«What if this pervert demands me in return?»
Leo's eyes darkened with anger. More than anything, he hated the claims of others. But here's the irony, he himself was walking with his hand outstretched, and he should bow down to those damned Rau. He probably won't be allowed on the doorstep.
Ages of hatred and enmity would surely be a sign of things to come.
The slave obediently stopped beside his master and awaited his action.
Leo decided to change course and headed to spend the night in the little town where he had had fun earlier. Having no trouble finding the Nine Beatitudes, he summoned the landlady.
«Where is the young man who was here three days ago?»
«Gone,» replied the hostess indifferently.
«So soon,» confused Leo.
«Hmm,» the woman shrugged. «But he left something for you.»
«А?»
The woman went out and returned a short time later with a small parcel.
«Here.»
Leo took it and went out. He had no reason to linger here any longer. It was just that in a moment of confusion, when his feelings were stirred to the extreme, he suddenly remembered the soft, silky skin of another man...
Stopping at the hotel, he opened the parcel and found the veil there. Now he had time to examine it. It was made of the finest gashes and studded with tiny jewels. The color of the cloth could only be seen if it was folded in several layers; it was a deep purple.
Leo rubbed his forehead. It was all his damn disease. When he was younger, his parents had similarly gone with a bow to Rau to cure his ailment, but they had refused. Wasn't this what sowed the first seeds of enmity between the kingdoms?
As Leo traveled, he saw that the world had changed beyond recognition. People were dying along the roads from starvation and disease. It was as if nature had rebelled against the human world and was trying to drive them out, like parasites on her body.
When Leo was a little boy, he had a period of regret that he was not born with the seed of a mage. They were admirable heroes in the little boy's eyes. They controlled the weather, the amount of snow and rain. They could stop the sweltering heat or pacify the raging winter.
With their staffs, they could perform miracles.
They knew all the secrets of healing and stopped many terrible diseases.
Their hearts were filled with kindness and courage. They vowed to protect all living things and serve for the good of the people.
Wasn't that what caused them to sacrifice their lives to stop the destruction and horror that was caused by a monstrous war?
In that battle, it was not the people who were terrible, but the monsters who had infiltrated the world, feeding on malice and hatred. They were the ones who devoured and destroyed. Leo got a bad headache as he remembered what had happened.
Proving who was stronger, who was bigger, who should submit to whom, they all went crazy. The mages were on their knees then, begging for an end to the feud, talking about the consequences, but the pride and arrogance of their rivals would not allow them to take a step back.
And then... Leo didn't remember what happened next. They simply destroyed each other, with no compassion. He'd never even met the cocky young man.
«But now I guess I'll have to.»
Leo closed his eyes and tried to sleep on the uncomfortable hard bed. On the floor slept his faithful slave.
But no one was sleeping in Rau's palace this late at night. The son spoke to his mother for more than six hours. He learned that the latter had in him the precious seed of love for men and all living things. Only this, coupled with the gift and knowledge of mages, would bring their clan back to life and save the kingdom.
But Galh thought bigger and further. He wanted to correct all the stupid mistakes of the past. In the pause that arose, he did not notice how his very aged mother, who was holding on with the last of her strength, fell asleep in the middle of the conversation.
The servants helped her to her room, and his son wished her good night and returned to the room himself. His mother told him that there were secret scrolls in the palace treasury. Without hesitation, Galh went downstairs and closed himself in the great room, alone with the secrets of his gift.
At dawn he emerged from there full of strength and with a smile on his face. The young man had a staff in his hands. He ordered a gathering of everyone in the courtyard.
People were still stunned by the young prince's return, and rumors of it were constantly passed from mouth to mouth.
When everyone was assembled, the prince got down on one knee and bowed to the people.
«I, Prince Galh, the last of the mage caste, swear to serve the people and protect life, to help the poor and needy, to care for those in need by giving my life for the good of others, and may the ancient forces that bring light help me in this!»
After these words, a bright flash erupted from the prince's staff, and sparks of light showered everyone, as if a thousand stars had fallen from the sky.
While the people were still stunned, the prince loudly announced, rising from his knees:
«If anyone is sick, if you have problems with the dark forces or other problems, or if you know someone who needs help, come to me. I will receive people from dawn till dusk!»
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