‘But why did you stay here?’ Scarlet asked, rolling onto his side and propping his cheek on his hand, ‘You wandered — for how many — eight years? Nine? Why did you come back here? What is this little town to you?’

The tauran shrugged. Huge, boulder-like muscles bulged on his arms.

‘I simply got off the ship. That's what I usually did. I don't know why. Maybe I wanted to visit her grave. Or maybe... No, I don't know. And I didn't know then, so I sat in the tavern all night. It belonged to an old man, and by morning a sailor who had drunk his last coin was trying to pay the tavern keeper with the little that was left in his bag. There was a worthless turquoise bracelet, a knife with a mother-of-pearl handle and a scroll. A scroll in a leather case, stamped with three petals.’ Asterius inhaled sharply, his nostrils flared, ‘I had enough money. In my wanderings, I earned well escorting the caravans of silk, porcelain and spices. I bought that scroll from the sailor. I bought the tavern from the old man. That's all. As it turned out, I enjoyed cooking and listening to the idle chatter of others. And yet, every sailor, every merchant, nay, every dog in this port knows that for scrolls bearing the three-petal seal, I would part with a golden écu. I had collected more than two dozen of them. To be precise, twenty-seven. I like to dream... When I read them, here, by the sea, I like to imagine that she is still alive, wandering somewhere in the world, writing letters to me. I know it is not so. I buried her myself and I know for certain that she... that she will never return to me. That she is no more. But... I like to think like that.’

The wind momentarily abated. The waves settled. A few black fishing boats with drooping sails glided in the distance over the dull shimmering pewter of the water.

A fierce white sun reigned supreme in the sky and its heat brought on a languid drowsiness, luring one to sleep. No wonder all southerners are lazy as cats.

‘I have seen many horrors,’ Scarlet said abruptly, ‘and caused many too. I am a soldier. You are one yourself. You understand. I thought nothing could frighten me. But you know... staying here on the shore, waiting for letters from a dead maiden... It's... It's terrifying. You've gone mad, you half-bull!’

‘What do you know of love?’ asked Asterius, looking at him from under half-lowered lashes as if he truly expected an answer. Scarlet flushed, bit his lip, and turned away.

Lady Isola. Ah, how his wretched heart ached and throbbed at the mere memory of her slender hands and heavy bosom, her curls as bright as the morning sun and her large, dark, agate-like eyes. A single glance from those eyes set his blood aflame with insatiable Greek fire. And with what tender joy she uttered his name!

He could have left the Order and stayed with her. Forever. Lived on the shore of the northern sea, in a castle of sullen grey stones that, under the rays of the morning sun magically acquired a tender pink hue. Was it worth the price? Was she, Lady Isola, the key to the iron cage of duty and honour, into which he had been confined by the Grandmaster? Was she worth renouncing the Order's dark secrets? The mercy of God, whose name was unspoken? The cruel joy of battles? The stern brotherhood?

No.

The silly cow was definitely not worth it.

Scarlet rose, brushed off his kilt and looked at Asterius, who was squinting — either from the sun or from the pleasure of basking in it. He spoke dryly:

‘It's time. The brothers are waiting. What should I tell them?’

Asterius stretched luxuriously.

‘Tell them... tell them the wrath of God has subsided. Tell them to find another pet beast for their amusement. Tell them I want to live in peace — for I am no human. Tell them my tavern serves excellent sea urchins. Tell them what you will. I don't care.’

The knight's eyes flashed with steely blue. Cold fury washed over his mind. He knew what to do — this insolent monster had given him the idea. Today, without even boarding the ship, he would ask White's permission to depart to one of the Asturian fortresses. He would spend as much time there as needed. And then…

‘I will return,’ Scarlet promised, ‘I will return to you, Wrath of God, and I will rekindle your wrath. I want to see how your tail grows back.’

Asterius smirked and without opening his eyes, said:

‘Go away, boy. You're blocking the sun.’

Gloria Mu, The Game of Jart, 2020

Translated by Yulia Badmain

Art by Aleks Klepnev

Published with author’s permission