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The moon hung like a sharp sword over Tivol, the capital of Suthering. The stench of horse urine, which evaporated when it landed on a stone hot under the scorching sun during the day, was hardly drowned out by the rose oil. Drunken swearing was heard from the tavern. The slums on the outskirts were strikingly different from the luxury to which Still was accustomed.

– Well, have you seen enough? Satisfied? – Lewis asked.

– You are always dissatisfied, Lew! People live like this for years and don’t complain,» Still said.

– Those are people. They are accustomed to poverty. And you probably would have died a long time ago from inhaling horse urine.

– You might think you’re not used to luxury! But I want to know how ordinary people live. The time will come when I will replace my father. When I ascend the throne, I need to know the people well.

Lewis was silent for a while, thinking. How long has he been accustomed to luxury? Who loves the king’s illegitimate children? The courtiers wrinkled their noses, disgustedly whispering the offensive nickname: «Bastard!» The common people called him «the king.» He had to spend the night in pigsties, and sometimes even on the road. His life changed on the day when Dinor rode with his army through the lands of Lorraine. The King of Suthering decided to pick up the exiled boy. It’s always a good idea to have your opponent’s enemy on hand, especially when he has royal blood in him. Lewis grew up at Dinora Castle in Tivol.

– Just don’t tell your father that I brought you here! Lewis said.

– What are you afraid of? – asked Still. – We will walk a little around Tivol at night, and return to the castle before dawn. Father won’t notice anything, you’ll see.

– Not the best place for walking!

Still put a finger to his lips.

– Do you hear? – he whispered.

– What should I hear?

– You were born with a wine cork in your ear! We need to take you to a healer. Don’t you hear?

– What are you talking about? – Lewis asked.

– Steps. Someone is coming for us!

Someone threw a bag over Still’s head. The prince, without hesitation, hit his attacker with all his might on the bridge of his nose. When Still removed the bag from his head, he saw crossbow bolts pointed in his direction. The guys were surrounded by armed men.

– Better not resist, boy! – said one of the bandits. – If you behave like good boys, not a single hair will fall from your heads.

– What do you need? – Lewis asked. – We don’t have any gold with us!

«We’ll search your pockets ourselves,» said the leader of the robbers, «the slave buyer will pay well for your carcasses.» Muscular, these are exactly what the quarry needs. His convoy is passing nearby, we’ll offer you a couple of strong slaves.

The veins in Still’s cheeks bulged with anger.

– Slaves, you say! I’ll show you the slaves now!

He took from the sheath that was hidden under the flaps of his cloak, a sword decorated with precious stones with a silver hilt.

– Come on, boy! – said the robber. – Throw the sword on the ground immediately. Otherwise I’ll shoot.

– Try it!

– Hey, Jim, you lied! – one of the bandits shouted. – You said that no one would look for them. But I recognized him. He rode next to the king at the Spring Festival. Look at his sword! This is the royal sword. Jim, what have you gotten us into? He’s a prince!

– And what? – said the leader. – Do you think they don’t give enough for princes? Do you know how much Silver will pay for his head?

Still looked at the enemy without blinking.

– So Silver is involved in this?

– Grab them! – Jim shouted. But the bandits shook their heads in confusion.

– Sorry, Jim, but we don’t want to get involved in your games. I’m leaving.

– And me too.

– And I.

A minute, and there are three people on the street. Jim switched the crossbow from Lewis to Still. He realized that the advantage was no longer on his side and began to run. Bandits are brave people when there are many of them. And alone they turn into cowards.

– We must not let him escape! – Still shouted. – Follow him! We have to give it to dad! He knows something about my brother!

They raced through the slums. But Jim knew these places better. Lewis threw the knife and hit the bandit in the leg. He fell to the ground.

– Please, just don’t kill! Jim groaned. – Although, you can kill. I’m now a non-resident anyway. Silver has ears everywhere. If he finds out that I was caught, I’m dead!

– You will come with us! Still said.