He rode like the wind for many, many days, travelling through rough lands towards east; through high mountains covered in pine forest he rode, over the countless nameless creeks and rivers, by deep, dark lakes whose waters gave no reflection of the stary night sky...

He was ridinig alone - after many battles in northern Italy, (where he earned glory and prestige as one of the Dukes of Duklja that fought most valiantly in the recent wars) scarred and tired, he could not rest; for the moment he was waiting on for so long had finally drew so close that he could almost taste it. His warband, his fellow kinsmen and servants, his pages and brothers in arms he left in Lombardy under the command of a loyal captain - they will look for a ship to get them over the Mediterranean sea, while he rides alone towards the capital of Byzantium.

Twenty first day of his epic voyage was nearing its end, when he finally set foot on the cultivated regions that surrounded Constantinople, the City of the Emperors. Harsh mountain climate that bothered him for so long was left behing him; instead, warm coastal air mixed with the salty smell of the sea filled his nostrills, while a light southern breeze swept down the waving sloops covered in wheat.

Dusan pulled the ribbon and Black Wind slowed down to pace speed. The sun was setting in that very moment - it seemed like it was being swallowed by the gray, western seas... Then, he turned east, and saw something that forever remained in his mind afterwards - there where the orange rays of a dying sun glimmered on the windows of high towers, palaces and domes he saw hundreds of reflections, thousands; a sight worthy of a poem. Constantinople. It was not a case that it bore the name City of the Emperors. It was magnificent.



Right before the sun sat completely, Dusan saw one giant dome that dominated all others, with a great cross of pure gold attached on the top of it - the legendary Haigha Sophia, the mother of all orthodox churches, the pride and glory of the great City. It was the Temple where, Dusan hoped, the happiest moment of his life will take place. It was the place where his dearest Love and he will say the words, and participate in the traditions that will bound them for all etternity.

Somewhere, somewhere down there, between those thick circling walls that surrounded the City, she was preparing for dinner, after a hard first day of the Tourney that was being held in the honour of their marriage... Alas, no matter how hard he pressed his great black war horse, he couldn't get there on time, to enlist for the big event. He was sad because he couldn't participate, because he couldn't take the scarf of his beloved and charge into the fray, like some valourous knight from the tales of the bards and minstrels... Ah, it was most dissapointing indeed, most disapointing...

But what happened could not be undone. Dusan just hoped that Camy is alright (knowing well of her fighting desires, and joy that she had when she was in the heat of battle), and, deep in his heart, that she will win the Tourney.

"Come on, Black Wind...", he whispered to his horse's ear, "there must be a door down there that will stand between us and the night. The air smells of rain, storm is coming."...

..."A bed for me, and a place in the stable for my horse, that's all you can do for me, good man. " - tall, dark haired knight stated, while his deep blue eyes glimmered lively on the light of a burning torch. Thunders roamed somewhere above the roofs of Constantinople, and first drops of rain started to fall. The inkeeper (big, fat fellow with yellow teeth and greasy hair) gazed suspiciously in the direction of the man that spoke, obviously calculating how much money he could get out of this particular customer. Knight's equipment was a bit battered (his mail was coroded on a few spots, his helmet and greaves too), but his tabbard, black as night, and a necklace in a shape of a raven (of pure silver) seemed expensive; so he asked one silver denarii for the night. He was surprised and was still blinking in disbelief when the man smiled and threw him five coins.
"Book me up for five nights. And get me something to eat when you catch some time. And wine!"...

There was much for him to do tomorrow, and in the upcoming days. But he was not concerned. All that remained for him to do, he will do for the future days of happiness and joy, when Camy will finally become his, in front of God and the whole world. What bigger motivation could he wished for...?

First day of the Turney was finally over. It was a very hard day for Lady Camy. She fought in all three disciplines and only luck made her win the first round of duels and joust. She has always lived intensively each moment of the fights or duels she was taken part in, but this time… her thoughts were far, far away… and her concentration to the fights almost absent.

This Turney, the gift that Protosebastos Smelgar offered to her and to her beloved Dusan… a Turney to honor their own wedding, the special moment that they have been waited for so long. When he has left with The Dukljan’s army to the north of Italy, he promised her that he will return in time for the Turney… but the Turney already started and he was not there, beside her.

Laying on a divan, in the inner courtyard of the palace that was their home while staying in Constantinople, she was watching her children playing around the beautiful fountain from the center, but all of her thoughts were wandering through the Northern Italy. Her worries have become stronger when the guard that has been sent, in a hurry, to Nis, to ask about Dusan, returned. No one from her beloved Dusan’s home had news about their master. They also haven’t received any news from him, since his departure.

Waving a polished stick in his little hands, Nicolas, her younger boy, shouted to his elder brother, Alexander:

Alexander, let’s play the Turney! I will be Zmeu and I will win in front of you – the Denmark’s king, Maleus, Zmeu’s opponent from today’s duel. Then, you willl be Smelgar and I will be Gollwitzer… and of course that you will win the fight.

Alexander took another one of those polished sticks and looked to Sabbas, his mother’s guard, which approved that those were the correct results of the fights. Since their mother considered them too young to witness the Turney, on their returning home, Sabbas reviewed to the boys all the knights and the fights that have taken place in that day.

Seeing her boys running around the fountain and dueling with those sticks - using also some easy fight positions that they have learned from her - a shadow of a smile covered her sad face. She was trying so hard not to show her worries in front of her children, but her green eyes usually so bright and joyful were now dark green, covered by a thick cloak of worries.

Dareia, her only daughter and her first born child, was watching closely her little brothers not to hurt themselves. Seeing her mother so lost in her own thoughts, came to her. She sat on the divan beside her mother and took her right hand into hers.

Mom, don’t worry… he will come. You know that’s a great distance between Italy and us, and the roads are not so easy to go through. He will come … he will be here, just in time for the wedding.

Camy looked at her beautiful daughter, smiled and kissed her gently on her forehead.

You are so right, my dear. He will be here just in time.

Suddenly, the sky was illuminated by a lightning and thunders started to drum over the city. Camy looked on the sky, seeing the dark clouds that were gathered above them.

My dear, take your brothers and let’s go inside, it will start raining soon.

The common hall of the tavern "Two Swords" had seen better nights than this one. Even though a great Turney was held in the city, this particular inn didn't have many guests. The "Two Swords" was located on the western part of the City, at the end of the mighty harbour. It was the only building on a small portion of land that stood deep in the murky waters of the Bosphorus. The only construction near it was the famous chain house, whose foundations were cut deep into the hard rock of the bay. The great chain, a brilliant invention of Byzantines, now layed below the surface of the sea, making the port open for the incoming ships. Only a small part of it, a few giant tilts, were above the water and were showing the hidden defense of Constantinople's harbour.

Inside the common room, the atmosphere was sleepy. It was a shady place, lighten up by four torches and few candles that shone mystically on the heavy tables made of oak. Five or six grey looking fellows, three pilgrims on the way to the Holy Land and one monk sat all around the room. One talkative guy, honest hard working peasant (who worked on the estates of the Protosebastos), was sitting in the corner and was the only one that talked loudly, adressing the man on the other side of the table. From the way he looked like, it was obvious that the other man was a nobleman. Black cloak, still dirty of the road, couldn't hide his mail, nor the hilt of his masterly crafted sword.


''The melee was the most interesting event today, m' Lord...'' said the peasant after sipping some of his beer,'' Everybody agrees. I was in the first row, right beside that greedy bastard of a merchant, Paradopoulos. The guards tried to throw me out (cause I got that seat from a bookie) but I fought like a lion til the melee started - then they had to release me, as the Protosebastos wanted absolute silence for his speech to the knights and ladies that came to honor the great Turney and two souls that will soon be bound in the holy matrimony. Ha! I fooled them! After the speech (which was long and not very entertaining, as it was full of terms I didn't understand completely(and I was not the only one)), a sudden blast of cheers announced the start of the games.

As I said, melee was the first on the list, and the best - ah, you wouldn't believe how many great knights gathered on the Tourney field! How many beautiful equipments, shiny armors, helmets polished like glass with colorful plumes that would make your heart sing of joy... Crests on every shield, a tower there, an eagle here; prouncing horse on this one - dreadfull griffon on the second... It was beautiful, I tell you. When the charged, we sang - when they crashed at each other we sang even more. Ha!



They fought for more then half an hour, I swear my eyes they did. And fought like fiends from hell! In the end, there were only two of them standing - one of our lords, Zmeu, and no other then the most beautiful lady of our Court, our lovely Lady Camy! There was no mistake - it was her! I saw her armor once when she rode side by side with Protosebastos Smelgar, I think they were headed towards Italy; I could never forget her crest (I know them all, cause once I wanted to enlist to become a page to one wandering knight), nor her sharp, deadly beautiful spear. Was made here, that spear was; and I tell you - it is the best damned piece of weapon that ever left the blacksmiths shop. Forgive me for swearing, m'Lord, I got carred away...
Our Lady Camy, stratega of the county of Vidin, is worshipped around here, did you know?

The face of the hooded nobleman turned pale, it could be seen even throught the shade, while his blue eyes started to glimmer with an angry passion. He didn't interupt the talking fellow, but it was obvious that something wasn't right.

''Yes, yes, Lady Camy... Oh, Lord, what would I give for a different blood than this one I have running through my veins! If I was a nobleman, man, I'd do everything to win her favour! Everything! You wouldn't believe how many young knights bother her every day, visiting her in her palace, trying to win her... Damn, I curse my blood! I curse it! If I could just be a nobleman for a one day, I would call all of those young scoundrells on to a duell, and beat the c.. out of them, just for her!
Excuse me, m'Lord, I am terribly sorry for my faul words, it wont happen again, I promise! " the peasant had obviously drank too much beer for his own good, and started blabing like a man possessed. He wasn't able to see that, under the hood, the man before him was listening to his every word with a deadly carefulness, and that every time the old drunkard mentioned Lady Camy's name, the knight only just held his hands from grabbing the sword and jumping on his feet.

''Anyways'' peasant continued,''Zmeu started the fight, dealing a strong horizontal blow from his mighty mace. Our Lady dodged and responded with a heavy strike that almost pierced right throgh the armour on lord Zmeu's right shoulder. That stroke could've killed him!
Then they started fighting across the whole field, dealing blows, dodging, then striking again; they were so fast that you almost couldn't see their movements. In the end though, the Beauty pierced lord Zmeu's shield but the weapon got stuck inside it, which he used to end the fight with a single blow that struck Lady's left arm. It was a very hard strike, and she couldn't go on fighting.

''Was she hurt badly?! " suddenly shouted the cloaked knight, this time grabbing the poor peasant and rising him from the ground like he was a puppet. " Was she?!"

'N-no, no, NO m'Lord! No! She wasn't! Please let me go! Our Lady is just fine! I heard that her arm was painfull, but not too much... Please, put me down, m'Lord!"

The knight threw him back onto the bench where the peasant was sitting a few moments ago, then gave him a few coins.

"Thank you for the story. - he stated, his voice cold and precarious - But if I hear any more talks of Lady Camy in an unapropriate way, I will personally cut off your head. Yours and everyone else's."

Stefan Dusan Nemanjic (it was, of course, him) walked through the front door, stepped out on the rain and headed through night and storm towards the coast. The thunders roamed, mixed with dreadful sounds that giant waves made with every time they battered the stony shores.

He needed to settle his thoughts. He needed silence. He needed Her...

They’ve just entered the house when the storm unleashed her powers over the city with an overwhelming power. Bright lightnings streaked the dark dome of the sky transforming the night into day. Thunders, echoing on the city’s walls, seemed more deafening than they usually were and the wind blew with such great power that almost bend the trees to the ground.

Soon after dinner, Alexander and Nicolas went to sleep. Tired, after the Turney play, they’ve fallen asleep immediately even the sounds of nature were crossing the thick walls of the palace. Lady Camy went to their room to cover them and kiss them good night. Exiting their room, she met Dareia on the hallway.

Mom, I will go to sleep too. I’ve just came to say to you good night.

Camy embraced her daughter and kissed her on both cheeks. Good night, my princess. Sleep well.

Dareia turned around and headed to her room, but after a few steps she turned her head towards her mother and said smiling:
Mom, you should go to sleep too. You look tired, and tomorrow you’ll have a hard day at the Turney again. You should rest yourself.

Camy smiled: Thank you for your concern my dear. That’s what I had in mind.

She stayed still for a few more moments, watching her girl until she opened her room’s door, and then turned around and walked slowly towards her own room.

Just a couple of steps left between Camy and her room’s door when quick steps echoed behind her. She turned and saw the old Sephora. Sephora was an old woman that she had found in Vidin when she was appointed as Stratega of the shire. Camy took Sephora into her home to take care of her children when she was not around, but Sephora also took care of her wounds and bruises after each battle and duel.

Carrying in her left hand the sackcloth with her oils and moistures, Sephora continued to run towards Camy.
My Lady, you fought again with those big knights and look at you… all covered with bruises. I have to take care of them. The wedding is knocking at the door and I want you, my lady, to be the most beautiful bride that ever existed on this Earth… but with your arms and legs covered with this purple spots, it will not be possible. I can’t let that happen… so let’s get rid of them right now. Look at that ugly bruise made on your left arm, by Sir Zmeu’s mace. Thanks God that your armor is strong enough and resisted to the blow without allowing it to scratch your skin and crush your bones, but the force was strong enough to make this ugly bruise. I’ll anoint it with my secret moistures and tomorrow you’ll feel no pain anymore and the purple color will be gone in 2 days.

While talking, Sephora reached Camy. Without stopping talking, she grabbed Camy’s left arm with her right hand and dragged the Lady after her, towards the door. Camy let herself dragged by the old woman without saying anything, just smiling like a naughty girl caught in the act. Reaching the door, without letting her Lady’s arm, Sephora opened it using the same hand which carried the sackcloth. After both of them were inside the room and the door closed, the old woman finally let her Lady’s arm and in a hurry put her sackcloth on a near table. In a blink of an eye, she was close to Camy again and with quick hands, started to untie Lady’s home dress, letting it to fall down to her feet.

My beautiful Lady, come now and lay on the bed. said her while she was helping Camy to lay down on the clean sheets which covered the bed. Camy, again, let herself on the old woman’s hands and laid on the bed, letting her back open to Sephora hands. Instantly, all the little bottles with medicinal or perfumed oils, all the little bowls containing also medicinal, moisturizing or perfumed creams and some clean bandages were scattered on the little cabinet that was standing at the right side of the bed.

Sephora started with the Lady’s left hand putting some creams, that only she knew from what they were made of, on the bruise and on a bandage which took it’s place on Camy’s left arm right above the bruise. The same procedure was made, or just some creams and oils applied on the other bruises from her arms, legs and back, depending of their severity. After that, soft and sweet smells filled the room. Sephora started to massage Lady’s skin and muscles with perfumed oils.

All of this time Sephora didn’t stopped talking.
You know, My Lady, that after my treatment you’ll wake up in the morning like a fresh rose from the garden and you will be able to fight again in the Turney, like nothing happened today. You know, my beautiful Lady, that I’ve prepared a special moisture for the night before your wedding. I’ll massage all of your body with it and your skin will become so soft, soft like a rose petal. Your beloved knight will not know in your wedding night if he touches you… or a flower. My dear Lady, you should not worry, your loved one will appear soon. He didn’t fight so hard to conquer your heart, just to let you alone in your wedding day. He will come, you’ll see… he loves you too much to stay away from you, my sweet Lady… I know it. But, if he will not come… God forbid, I will break my cane on his back when my steps will cross his. How could him, let my beautiful and sweet Lady, alone and heart-broken on the most beautiful day of her life…

Those hands were magical… all her pains disappeared instantly and all of her muscles relaxed. But not only her body… her mind and conscience relaxed to the point where Sephora’s voice blended with the storm’s noise, without understanding the meaning of old woman’s last words. A sweet and warm sensation conquered all of her body and mind and she slowly fall asleep.

Sephora finished the treatment, covered her Lady, gathered her bottles and bowls and left quietly the room.

Camy was dreaming… so peaceful and happy… her mind wandering back in time at all the beautiful moments that Dusan offered her on the Dukljan Castle walls… on the Cretan shores…

He stood on the cliff, above the dark abyss, listening to the sea waves thundering on the stones below. Hour before the dawn, it was still very dark and earie. The sea could not be seen yet, nor the stormy sky above - they were both hidden in the impenetrable shroud of darkness.
As the night lingered, the rain slowely began to diminish, until, just before the dawn, it stopped. With first light of the day, mists came, thick and gray, rising silently from the Bosphorus like a legion of strange, spine-chilling ghosts. The sky finally appeared, turning from deep blue into purple; when the sun shown its face for the first time on the eastern horizon, just below the steel shroud of clouds, it spread its bloody rays over them, painting them in red and golden orange...

Standing on that cliff above the sea of fog, Dusan witnessed the birth of a new day.



All his thoughts were directed toward the city; soon the red sun rays will shine upon the glass windows of Her chambers, maybe even sneak inside and paint her beautiful face... Maybe she is awake just as he is, maybe she is on that same window, watching the dawning of a new day... looking towards the west where he is, thinking about him...
Soon, she will start to dress up, she will call for her maids to help her prepare for the second day of the Tourney. She will ride on to the Tourney field with her lovely head held up high, while her long, blond hair, unleashed, fly freely on the morning wind. Many knights and nobles will kneel before her, asking for her hand to kiss it, looking at her with sparkling, hungry eyes; hoping that they'll somehow manage to win her heart... Dusan's face turned pale again, as did his left hand that gripped the hilt of the sword; "Bastards", he thought "using my absence to sneak up on her like wolfs in the night. Well, the wolf leader just came back, my dear friends - and he will not forget. "

Suddenly, he turned around, and examined the nearest bush that still layeth in deep darkness.

"Come out now", he said while drawing his sword. The scabbard, still new, was not oiled up, thus the sound of a metal tarring over metal sounded awfully loud. "Come out, before I go there and drag you out by the hair."

Three silhuettes emerged from the dark, all of them hooded.
"Well, I be damned", said the nearest of the three "You do have a keen nose, m'Lord."

Dusan recognized the voice - it was the peasant that told him the story about the Tourney.
"Your stink I'd recognize from a hundred miles, dog. What do you want now?"

"Oh, no need for such words, m'Lord. We don't want much - just all of your possesions, if you be so kind. I heared you have a lovely thick purse, and wanted to ensure that it doesn't bother your lordship anymore... Is it not kind of me?"

Tall knight listened to his words, then smiled with all his heart. Unpleasantly surprised, the thiefs drew closer, step by step, towards the cliff Dusan was standing on.
"You smile, m'Lord? We amuse you? I'm so happy about it! Now, it'll be of great help if you do not resist, and put down that sword of yours. It's slippery up there, and the edge is near; we wouldn't wont you getting hurt, would we men?"

The other two whispered something and continued closing the ring around the knight. When they reached the positions they had in mind, they all stopped.
"Now then", peasant stated, checking the edge of his axe "we would really like if you could remove your purse, your pendant, your armour and, lastly, if you could put that sword and kick it in our direction. If you please, m'Lord."

"I have told you that I will behead you if you talk of Lady Camy, back there at the inn. Fortunatelly for you - you haven't done so yet. Thus I'll give you one more chance to back off. Remove your faul presence from here, and you will keep your head. This counts for you two as well. Last chance to walk out of here with your lives."

In response, they attacked.

The peasant was the nearest; he attacked like a wild hound, with a wild swing that was meant to cut the knight in half, from head to torso. But in the last moment, Dusan slided to the left, almost lazily, and cut his opponent with a mighty strike over the neck; robber's head fell on the stony cliff, followed by a fountain of black blood, and rolled down the sloop.
His body didn't even touch the ground when the next attack came, by an old short sword. It was a pretty clumsy effort, as it was aimed towards Dusan's left arm, which clearly was out of that particular weapon's reach. The hooded knight then dodged, putting himself in a fine position to strike again; he severed the hand with the next blow, the hand that held the sword, and its owner screamed so loudly that his voice echoed over the stones of the shore.

Before you could blink, the man with the severed hand and the one still unhurt started to run wildly for their lives towards inland, leaving their killed leader.
"I told him we should've used the crossbow, god dammit, I told him!!!"

Dusan could've launched his sword in the back of one of them, but after a moment of thinking, he decided to let them go. When they cleared from the sight, he kneeled next to the dead man and cleaned the sword over his tunic. Suddenly, he saw a piece of perchament with a broken seal tucked in the thief's inner pocket. When the Duke of Nis removed it and spread the paper, he saw only a few words written in a hurry:

QUOTE:
You will find him at the inn of the "Two Swords". Talk to the innkeeper, he will direct you. The reward will be granted after the job is succesfully executed. 200 silver denarii, as agreed. You will raise them at the usual spot.

I remind you: make it to look as he had an accident - that is essential. You have 5 days. Do not fail, or there will be circumstances. Report to the inkeeper after the job is done.

R. C.

Dusan stood up and hid the letter inside his tabbard. What could this mean? Payed assassins sent to kill him... And payed well, by the looks of the mentioned money... 200 silver denarii, a small fortune! R.C.... He wasn't familiar with those initials... and the seal on the letter was too damaged to be readable.

Thoughtful of the precarious position he foun himself in, he returned the sword into scabbard, kicked the body of the dead man over the edge (not something he enjoyed but was needed in order to secure his cover) and quickly left the cliff. He knew who was the man he will talk to next. Soon after, the sound of many trumpets announced the start of the second day of the Tourney. He will have to finish up this issue that occured fast - he could not stand anymore the pressure of being so close to her - and not being with her, holding her, kissing her...

Camy...

The moon was shinning on the Dukljan Castle’s walls just for them - 2 shadows embraced in the night. Every touch of them, every one of their kisses made the air around them vibrate of passion.

Will you marry me, my Love? Will you be my wife, in front of everyone, in front of the whole World? Will you…? asked him.

Upon hearing his words, a strong sensation of warmth crawled, slowly, up on her shivering body, from her feet towards her face. Still feeling the fire of his lips she answered at once, without doubts or restraints:

Yes, my love... for a thousand of times: yes! I am… But she couldn’t finish the phrase. The surroundings started to quiver, shattering into pieces. Shocked, she freed herself out of his arms and looked at him; but nothing on his face showed that he was aware of what was happening around them. Dusan? asked her with a lower, frighten voice. His face was still, petrified…like in a painting. She tried to touch it, but he slid, slowly, away. Terrified, she watched him, being, slowly, pulled back from her by an invisible force… and he was just standing, having the same look on his face. Still looking terrified at him… stretched out both of her arms, trying to catch him, but… her hands went through him. Dusan!!! she shouted with all her strengths. Dusan…

A bright and powerful white light arose, suddenly, all around… and reduced her to silence. The light, hurting her eyes, forced her to close them. But it was so powerful, that went through her eyelids, continuing to provoke her pain. She closed them tighter and got her right hand, up to cover them. Not seeing anymore, she felt a warm breeze touching her cheeks. Soon, the pain was gone, and she slowly opened her eyes, one by one, but keeping them partially covered by her hand. She looked around…

The Sun started its journey. Emerging from the stormy waters of the sea, its bright, golden rays cut their way through the dark clouds of the storm, opening clear passages towards the City. Those dark clouds of the storm, so dreadful during the night, finally surrendered in front of their power. Slowly retreating over the sea, they left the sky above Constantinople, wide open for the Mighty Sun. A new day of life was beginning.

As the sun was continuing its way on the sky, bright and warm rays started to knock, gently, on the cities windows, announcing the born of a new day. One shy, little ray chose one specific window to knock on. She took a peek inside … a young woman, partially covered by a silky sheet, was, peacefully, sleeping inside. On her face, with a little, happy smile blooming on her red, velvet like lips, you could read that she was dreaming… a beautiful dream of happiness. Her long, blond hair, spread over the pillow, was surrounding her face with a golden aura making her look like a heavenly angel. The little ray felt the urge of touching her red lips and crossed over the window. But the sun was not high enough and she could reach only the skin of her legs. The woman's skin was warm and so soft, like the silk from what, the sheet which covered her during the night, was made of. As the sun was going up in the sky, the little ray crawled, slowly, up on her legs towards her torso, caressing the skin of her uncovered body parts, as if it was a lover's hand. Finally, the little ray reached its target: her red lips. But she couldn’t stay there, warmly caressing them, too long.

The sun continued its journey on the clear sky’s roads dragging after him the little ray. She was forced to leave the woman's lips, reaching her closed eyes. The happy smile from the woman’s lips disappeared, tension taking over her face. Her arms, lying along her body, started to tremble. With all of her body gripped by convulsions, she fought with her inner demons, until her right hand was raised to cover her eyes. Dusan!!! she screamed and raised herself from between the sheets with a terrified look on her face, while all of her body continued to tremble crazily. She looked around… even that she recognized her own room, fully illuminated by the sun, the frightened look from her face didn’t vanished. She sighed and remained still for a few minutes, trying to stop the crazily beatings of the heart and regain her calm.

Finally, fully awaken and in complete power over her body, heart and mind, she rose from the bed. She inspected her bruises: still at their places but no trace of the last day’s pains. She smiled, thinking for a second, how fortunate she was to have Sephora taking care of her. She quickly dressed up a pair of black trousers and a green cotton blouse. She started to comb her long blond hair, restraining its rebel curls into a pony tail. Ready to leave the room she headed to the door. Reaching halfway of the distance she felt a strong urge to untie her hair and let it flow down on her shoulders, in a blond curled cascade.

She left her room, crossed over the hallway in haste, looking all around for someone… but no servant was at that hour in the family rooms level. In the same haste she went down the stairs till the ground floor. Here, she finally met Aelia, one of her maids.

Good morning, My Lady! ... My Lady, you should have called one of us to help you dress up. said the young maid, quickly moving around her Lady, arranging and stretching some folds on her clothes.

Good morning Aelia. Did any news or persons arrive during the night? asked her impatiently, having her face glowing of hopes.

Aelia stopped and looked down to the ground. She knew very well who should have come or about whom the news ought to be.

No my Lady, no one came … and no news arrived during the night.

A big disappointment could be read on Lady Camy’s face while she repeated with a low voice.

No one came … and no news arrived during the night. … Thank you, Aelia.

She rushed towards the palace door. After a few steps she stopped and turned towards Aelia:

Please tell Sabbas to wait for me in the armory, in about an hour.

Yes, My Lady, I shall tell him. … But where are you going alone?

I’m going to take a ride on the beach. I’ll be back in time for leaving to Arena. she said and closed the door behind her.

She run to the stables, took her Lighting and rid out of the City, towards the beach. Reaching the wet sands, she let her horse free to ride at its own step. Still under the power of the morning’s nightmare, she finally allowed her tears to flow down on her cheeks, but they were immediately wiped up by the warm morning’s breeze, which blew from the sea. She let her horse to walk on the beach for a while; the breeze blowing through her hair, making it fly around her head, wiped up all of her tears and chased away the nightmare’s influence.

Reaching a little bay of the coast, she dismounted, and sat down on the sand, still moist after the previous night’s rain, facing the waves which were breaking near her feet. She sat there… her mind traveling to the Italian roads looking for him. Many months have passed since his departure and the need of feeling his arms around her have become stronger and stronger, day by day. He needed him beside her… not only because of their wedding. She couldn’t imagine herself aging without having him close to her. She had her children… the only motives of happiness in the times when he was away, but they will grow, taking their lives in their own hands…

He will come! her heart cried. Dusan, my love, come to me. she whispered and her words flew towards Italian roads on the breeze’s wings.

She mounted Lightning and rode in a hurry to the City. Arriving home, she went to the armory. Sabbas was already there... waiting.

Please help me put my armor on, Sabbas and let’s go to the Arena.

Soon after that, they entered through the Arena’s gates, listening to the sound of the trumpets.

It was a beautiful, clear morning, with fresh essencies rising from the coastal forests. The air smelled of recent rain, but the clouds were sailing west, leaving the great city, letting the Sun shine bright above the breath-taking domes, triumphal arches and towers.

The inn of the "Two Swords", located on the Via Militaris, started to wake up. Stable boys were being sent to the stables, girls were already returning from the springs with buckets full of crystal clear water; three lumberjacks from the nearby village were going to the forest, with big axes on their shoulders, singing merrily. It was an ordinary day for these people, just as any other - the big Turney that was taking place not far from there meant nothing to them - the tickets were expensive for their empty pockets, and there was a lot of work to be done...

Lumberjacks were just preparing to start their daily job when they saw a man, covered in black cloak, walking out of the nearby pine trees. His hood was removed: long, dark hair flew freely on the morning breathe. It could be seen from a far that he is handsome, although his face was pale and his eyelids darkened; like he was very, very tired. But his strong jaw and hard pressed lips showed determination and readiness to do whatever he had on his mind.

Three man greeted him with respect (as they could see, by the looks of his clothes, that he was a member of a higher class), but he, obviously lost in his thoughts, didn't answer. Instead, he continued walking in long strides down the sloop, until he reached the Via; then he headed towards the tavern.

The day had started very nice for Ephialtes, the innkeeper. He got his delivery of fresh mead on time, payed a smaller price thanks to the nice little scheme he conducted with his staff (they staged a robbery not far down the road) and was now enjoying his first cup of tea, sittinig on the porch of the inn. Everything was at its rightfull place.

"Watch out with that bucket, stupid!". he shouted at one of the girls, who almost fell over a stone that somebody digged out of the road. "If you destroy it - you'll pay dearly."
He could not stand clumsiness. What could he achieve, if he was the clumsy one? Nothing. Everything he had, he built it with his own two hands; all the money he had stashed to buy a small title he collected himself. Sometimes his work was not in order with the laws - but what can a man do? A business man always has to look for the opportunities that will maximize his profits - if that means he has to cross sometimes on the other side - so be it. Ephialtes thought of himself as an opportunist in every aspect of his life.

"Where is that son of a whore, Andronicus? He should've been here hours ago... If he messed up this time, I'll have him skinned alive.."

As he was observing the Road, his inner peace was suddenly utterly staggered. He was not yet sure, but down the stony path it seemed he could see a black silhouette moving in the direction of the tavern. He rubbed his eyes in disbelief, but the silhouette remained. Soon after, it was obvious that it wasn't Andronicus. He waited just a bit more - when he saw the face of the approaching man, he finally understood.

"My God... That cursed whelp!", he cried, jumping on his feet and storming towards the stables with a frenzy look on his face. "Move out of the way, idiots, out of the way!"
He slapped one of the stable boys over the head, then charged inside. There were three horses; one was a working rag, the other a big war horse; the third - a small riding pony. Ephialtes grabbed the ribbon of the war horse, jumped on its back (it was unsaddled) and stormed out.

It was as he thought it was. The man in the black cloak was none else but the knight he talked to last night, the one that was to perish by the hand of Andronicus. He was running like a deer towards Ephialtes, with a disturbingly dangerous look on his face.
"He cannot match with a horse, no matter how fast he runs!", inkeeper thought, just a bit calmer,"He'll wear off soon enough. But what am I going to do with him?"

He was still beating the horse with a riding stick when he heard a clear, sound whistle. Then a call followed, by a deep voice:
"Black Wind!"

Almost instantly, no matter how much he was hitting it, the horse stopped, turned around and went in the direction of the knight. When it became obvious he cannot do anything to stop it, Ephialtes fell off its back and started running. In the meantime, the horse and the knight caught up. Dusan checked the wounds on the horse's neck and head, made by the stick, then after whispering a few words to its ear, he jumped on his back.

It took him two minutes to catch up with the inkeeper, kick him in the head, tie him up and awake him from unconciesness.

"Good morning.", he said, sitting on one giant root that stood above the ground. The light wind was blowing from the west, making the branches above them whisper.

Ephialtes watched him with eyes full of fear. He was trying to move, but his hands and legs were tied barbarically; he was at the mercy of the man before him. He cleared his throat and started talking with a low, sycophant like tone:

"Good sire, why are you doing this to me? Why? What have I done so that you treat me like this? I beg you like a christian begs another christian - loosen these ties a bit at least, I cannot feel my hands...", then he started crying.

"The ties will stay as they are. You don't need hands. Take a look at this letter, I believe it has something to do with your person."

Ephialtes glanced the piece of perchament, and made an even more pathetic look on his face.
"I am sorry, m'Lord, I can't read... It must be some sort of a mistake..."

The knight then drew his sword: a beautiful, templar steel, with a glowing red hilt. The steel top, sharp as a razorblade, touched the soft skin of the inkeepers neck.
"Then I don't need you anymore. Say your prayers, dog."

"Stop!" - Ephialtes cryied in panic, "Stop, I beg you! Sheathe your sword, I will tell you what you need to know! By the love of the Almighty, I swear I'll speak the truth! Just spare my life. I am nothing, nobody... Just a mediator in the case that concerns you... I never meant you any harm, I had to do it, I have children I need to take care of...Please listen to me! Please!"

Dusan removed the sword, sat back on the root and put the weapon over his knees.
"Speak."

The inkeeper started talking instantly.
"I got a strange letter a few days ago, when I was attending my business in the City. In it, there was a business offer, one of those that you just can't refuse. It was obvious that the person that wrote me knew that I can arrange these kind of deals."
"What was the deal?"
"Well, I was to organize your... your assassination. I am sorry once more, please, you have to believe me. I hate deals like this, and I was about to refuse, but the man offered me 300 silver denarii. No one in sane state of mind could refuse that amount of money... I agreed to do the job. I knew that you were coming down the Via Militaris, and that you would pass by my inn. I knew how you look, and when I saw you coming inside and asking for a room, I thought to myself - "This is all God's doing."
Then, I organized some men to actually do the job. Andronicus, the nobleman that had lost everything due to a gambling debt, agreed to do this for me. He and his men, whom you met, were to actually find you and...kill you."

"Beautiful. Tell me one more thing, and I'll spare your life - Tell me the name of your errant-giver."

It was obvious by his reaction that this was the question Ephialtes was afraid the most.
"If I tell you that - he will kill me."
"If you don't tell me that, I will kill you."
"Alright, alright... It was Duke Raynold, Raynold of Chartres."

Dusan was surprised.
"The famous Lion Paw?"
''The very same..."
"Why?"
"Because... Because of a lady, m'Lord. This is your wedding Turney, and his last chance to do something about it, I think. It is well known all around the City that he is mortally in love with your future bride. He even tried to abduct her (she doesn't know anything about it, of course), but didn't succeed in entering her palace. He disguised himself as a beggar. Can you believe it?"

A storm was raging inside Dusan's soul. When he heard the innkeeper's words, he gave all the strength he had left to surpress this new wave of terribly strong emotions.

"Tell me where I can find this Duke of Chartres" - he said, out of himself of anger - "Tell me!"
"He can be found in the inn of the "Serpent and a Frog", downtown, near the City Hall. You can't miss it. Please, please don't tell him I betrayed him. He's insane."

Duke of Nis jumped on his feet, got on his horse's back and charged straight towards the City. His mind was full of fear - if Raynold tried and was not succesfull in kidnapping Camy, he could try it any moment again. Oh, he will find this Lion Paw! He will find him, and slay him.

They were a little late. The trumpets, announcing the Turney’s second day, have already started to fill the Arena with their sharp voices. The crowd, gathered again to see the famous knights and their shiny armors, was acclaiming frenetically. Heated discussions could be heard, there and there, about whom will be winning each of the duels. Everyone had his favorites… talking highly about their preferred Knight’ skills and weapons.

They’ve advanced towards the Arena’s stables, keeping their horses at a low pace for avoiding all the belated people which were rushing to their places. They were just a few steps apart of the stables when she heard a voice over the Arena’s noise, somewhere in her left side.

Good day, Lady Camy!

She turned her head in the direction of the voice.

Good day to you, too, Duke Raynold! answered her, putting a formal smile on her face.
Not this man, again! she thought, keeping her smile. Duke Raynold, was the last person which she would have wanted to meet in that day.

Raynold of Chartres it was a handsome man, rich and with some power in his region, considering some other Ladies opinion. But she never could see those in him and she couldn’t like him from the beginning. She only could see him as an arrogant and selfish man, which loved to show a very aggressive attitude towards the poor peasants or to those that he considered to be lower in rank than him. It was also true that some stories about his connections with some sordid bands of thieves and vagrants had reached her ears, but no one was ever able to prove those stories veridicality.

From her first meeting with Raynold of Chartres, she was able to catch some evil looks into his eyes and to discover shadows of maliciousness into his words, deciding to avoid him. But, for so many times he unexpectedly appeared in the same place where she was. Only once he talked her about a closer relationship between them… but she declined his offer. From that moment he has never spoken again about that subject, so she happily thought that he has changed his mind. She has never told Dusan about that, considering it an unimportant issue. But he continued to make his appearance around her… always when Dusan was away from her.

Duke Raynold hurried his steps towards them. They stopped when he reached them. He stretched his right hand waiting for hers, for the courtesy kiss. She offered him her right hand. He kissed it and then placed his left hand over hers, keeping her hand longer then the etiquette allowed. She looked at him raising her left eyebrow and forced her hand out from his.

Excuse me, Duke Raynold, but we are in a hurry. and continued their way. He followed them.

Reaching the stables, Sabbas dismounted his horse, and went in her right side. He offered his right hand to his Lady, to help her dismount as well. Duke Raynold reached them and did the same gesture, staying in the left side of her horse. Camy saw him, but she accepted Sabbas’ help.

While Sabbas was taking the horses in the stable to have his Lady’s horse prepared for the joust, Raynold of Charles approached her, again.

Lady Camy, I don’t see your future husband around. Is it possible for him to miss from the Turney, which honor both of you? asked him, with an evil look in his eyes.

Dusan will arrive soon. He was delayed in the army, in Northern Italy, but he will be here soon. answered her with an irritated voice.

Are you sure, My Lady? The journey from Italy to Constantinople is very long and dangerous and you never know what could happen… especially if you travel alone. Maybe he is lying dead in a ditch by the roadside, killed by some thieves or vagrancies. You could never know.

Cold shivers passed through all her body when she saw that image projected in her mind.

Duke Raynold of Chartres, do you know something that I should know? asked her, raising her tone. But, her voice was trembling.

Of course that I don’t, Lady Camy. I don’t know anything about your future husband… why should I know? said him making an innocent face. And he continued, with a big grin on his face. I’m so sorry if I provoked you any inconvenience with my silly words.

She frowned. Have a good day, Duke Raynold of Chartres. And she turned her back to him, heading to the stables.

The image of her beloved Dusan, killed, accompanied her during the duel and joust. She lost both of them. Her heart was crying. She didn’t care anymore about the Turney. She was devastated at the thought that he could be dead. After the joust, she ordered Sabbas to prepare her horse for leaving immediately. She was not able to stay there, anymore… and they left the Arena.

The road between the Arena and home was passing through a small grove. A beautiful place and mostly preferred by the young lovers from the City. But at that hour of the day, they were the only people passing through that place. They were riding in silence. Sabbas felt that is something wrong with his Lady, but he didn’t dare to ask or to disturb her from her thoughts.

Suddenly, their horses started to nervously neigh, raising in the air their front legs. While they were trying to calm them, fifteen massive men came out from behind the roadsides’ trees and surrounded them. They all were wearing shabby black cloaks and hoods, being all armed with long knives, axes or rusty swords.

One of them, probably their leader, addressed to Camy:

M’Lady give us all your silvers and jewelry, if you and your servant want to keep your lives.

She looked towards Sabbas with an accomplice look, switching, afterward, her look towards the man.

As you can see, we are coming from the Arena, where I’ve participated to the Turney. Do you think that in this kind of situations I would wore any jewelry or fortune with me?

While she was speaking, the men tightened the circle around them. Finishing her words she looked again to Sabbas. He threw her the spear and grabbed his sword. They dismounted. Sabbas stroked both of the horses gently on their back. Understanding the sign, the two horses broke the human circle and stopped at a short distance, waiting for their masters.

The attackers split into two groups. Five of them pointed their weapons towards Camy and the rest rushed over Sabbas. While the first five thieves were waiting their turn to attack Camy, the rest of them attacked Sabbas simultaneous. She gripped her hand on the spear and waited for the first attacker. The first vagrant approached her, waving his sword. He attacked; she avoided his blow and slipped her spear between his arms. The sharp top of the spear pierced the man’s chest and he fell. The second one attacked her. Her spear pierced the man’s right shoulder, his axe dropping to the ground. The next three fell as easily as those before them, hit by her spear. She rushed, then, towards Sabbas who was still facing five men. He was severely injured, but continued to fight and defend his Lady. Before reaching him, she saw him falling… hit by a powerful axe blow.

Get her boys and I’ll double the promised amount. a voice from her behind spoke.

She knew that voice. Shocked, she turned her head towards the spot where the voice spoke and saw Raynold of Chartres, coming out from behind an old, big tree. She looked at him just for a second. A powerful blow hit her head from behind. Her sight darkened and she fell, loosing her conscience.

As the day lingered, Stefan Dusan Nemanjic, Duke of Nis, was already finding his way out of the city. The short excursion to the "Serpent and a frog" brought little satisfaction for this man's soul; the person he was looking for so eagerly was not there anymore.

"They packed up and left a few hours ago", stated the short, shabby inkeeper, while holding a big cup in his hand, "all fifteen of 'em."

"FIfteen?", Dusan interrupted him. That number told him something was not right. The usual escort for a man of Duke Raynold's position was usually five men: a page, an armorer, two stable boys and a banner carrier.

"Yes, that's what I sad, is it not?", answered the irritated tavern master, not used to being interrupted. "Fifteen men, plus the lord himself, all on horseback. Damn, had a big problem getting all those horses in my little stable. What can you do - an inn in the city, little space..."

"I don't care. Which way did he go, have you seen it? And before you start complaining, I'll tell you this - 2 silver denarii just for that information."

"Call it a three silver pieces, and you got yourself a deal."

"Agreed.", Dusan took three coins and handed them over to the inkeeper. "Mind you that if your intel is incorrect, I shall come back. And I wont be taking just the money you owe me. This is a very important issue."

"Go to the Belgrade Gate, that's all I know."
The knight nodded, left the inn and headed throught the mass towards west...

... After an hour of battling through the thousands of people (it was a market day), he stumbled upon a beautiful, green grove, that he loved so much in the days of his youth, spent in Byzantium as a page. Memories arose in him, thoughts of a distant past... When he saw the grove, he immidiatelly thought of Camy. Oh, how much she and him would enjoy the quiet solitude of this place, holding each other, saying love words, full of passion...
"We will come here soon.", he promised to himself, and to his lady."We will..."

Black Wind's steps drew him closer to the grove; the horse started acting nervously, hunching its head up and down, making strange sounds.
"What is it, Black Wind? What's wrong, boy? You smelled something?"

As the horse didn't stop even after Dusan cuddled it over the mighty mane, he dismounted and started checking the surrounding area. Surprisingly, nobody was around. Certain uncatchable calm was in the air, strange peacefulness that sent uneasy chill breeze up Dusan's spine. Something was wrong here.

He gazed over the big oaks and birch-trees again and again, looking for something, something that would provide an answer to his restlesness.
"Wait here.", he said to his horse, then continued walking towards the trees and little ponds hidden behind them.

Suddenly, he stepped onto a piece of metal. When examined closely, he found out that it was a part of a scale armor, a small, nietly polished scale. Covered in blood. He picked it up, with an even stronger feeling of vexation, and again moved forward. Soon, he understood that it was not a coincidence he stumbled upon a clue like this. Only a few steps after, he found even more evidences. A lost belt, a piece of a broken blade, bloody dagger forgotten under a bush of green grass. These clues would be easily readable to a child.. Not to mention him, who was a skilled hunter and tracker. He was standing upon a battlefield. And a bloody one, he reckoned when he examined the ground more, as he found many deep stains of blood.
"Maybe a few hours old, not more...", he thought, touching the dry grass.

While inspecting the blood stains, his face turned pale. He jumped, ran a couple of feet to the trees, and picked up a small piece of tattered cotton clothing underneath one gigantic root. It was green.
"Is it possible...", he whispered, holding the fabric, examining it with anxiety and crazy glow in his eyes. "She loves green... and this is way too fine for a commoner to wear... Is it possible..."

His soul filled up with utter terror, anchoring him to the ground so strongly, that he couldn't move for a whole minute. Every kind of awful thoughts stormed his mind during that dreadful minute, thoughts he thought would make him go crazy. It was the worst moment of his entire life.

Slowly, he began to return back to life. His usual cold and rational temper started to fight the dread, and after a couple of moments, won the battle; he again regained total control of his mind. The terrifying thoughts remained, yes, but resolve appeared, resolve hard as a stone, and awful, white anger. He moved, and with that move, he suddenly found strentgh and will to do what needed to be done.

He closely examined the rest of the grove (it took him fifteen minutes to do it), found the tracks that led out of it, back on the road, and further down, through the city. With cold calm he jumped on his horse, and followed the traces. The information he gathered a some time after, while riding down the road through the city, emphasised his worst fear - a group of horsemen, all dressed similary, led by a big, stone faced lord went through that area several hours earlier. A few additional coins did their job - Dusan also found out that the lord held a woman in front of him while riding, and that the band had a man strapped over horseback of one of the horses.

Rumours of such a band followed him all the way to the Gates. He didn't stop though, but kept going, and soon after he was finally out of the City walls, through the Belgrade Gate (second Military gate) and on the Via Militaris. There were still many people on the road, but the trace the group left behind was still readable for a skilled tracker as Dusan was; after a mile, tracks were leading away from the road, down a small, dirt path through the woods.

The knight slowed his horse's step to pace speed, then dismounted. The Sun was nearing the western horizon; the evening shadows rised up and made the forest to the left and right seem impalpable and gloomy. Dusan thought for a second, listening to the silent sounds of the forest waking, then turned left and lost himself in the bushes, high oaks and elms. He kept the path always in his sight, and could've seen the tracks even though the dark slowly drew nearer.

Not long after, he stumbled upon a forest creek that merrily flew down into a small, pot-shaped valley. He followed it downstream, and finally cought a well known glance through the leafs. The light of a fire. Dusan stopped, found a suitable elm, stepped on Black wind's back, jumped, hooked himself up for the nearest branch and dragged himself up the tree. Soon, he was examining the whole valley, while orange Sun rays bathed his worried face.

Two hundred yards away from his watch tower, surrounded by thick forest, a large cabin with a stable attached to it layed on the bank of a creek. It had two floors, that Dusan saw instantly, and many rooms.




He immidiatelly started planning what he will do next. Near the house, almost right next to it, there was a giant ruin of a Roman aqueduct, all covered in bushes and grass, and thick green moss. It still had stairs that were leading in a direction away from the cabin. From that point, stable was the nearest building.

A cunning plan slowly began to form up in his mind...

She felt her head so heavy and her ears were humming. She tried to slightly move it. Sharp arrows of pain passed through her entire head. A grimace of pain appeared on her face, but every move of her face made the pain to grow stronger. Her eyes were shut. She tried to open them. First, the right eyelid … but she lowered it quickly. The slight raising of her eyelid made the pain in her head to become unbearable. She stayed still for a few seconds, waiting for the pain to disappear. Another few seconds of concentration and opened wide both of her eyes. She felt her head exploding of pain, the light was hurting her eyes, but she fought to keep them open. Slowly, the light became bearable to her eyes and the pain in her head diminished.

She looked around. White, empty walls were surrounding her. The room was small and light by only one small window, placed at the top of one of the walls. The window had no glass… just 4 iron vertical bars to prevent any intrusion. The only things in the rooms were the bed, in which she was laying, a chair in the opposite corner of the room and a little table placed near the wall from her left side.

Suddenly the door opened. An old woman entered. She carried a small vessel filled with cold water and some bandages.

Where am I? How did I end up in here? Camy asked her.

But the woman didn’t answer. She was looking to the ground. She approached. She put the vessel on the table and started to bandage Camy’s head. The cold water provoked shivers but took the pain from the back of her head instantly.

Why don’t say something? asked Camy again, but the old woman remained silent, continuing to put cold bandages at Camy’s head.

Seeing that the woman is not going to talk, Camy tried to remember all the things that happened. She remembered the attack. She remembered seeing Sabbas falling… so she asked again, knowing that she will not receive any answer.

Sabbas? Where is Sabbas? Is he alive?

As she was expecting, the woman didn’t answer. She continued to remember. She saw Raynold of Chartres face, exiting from the woods and anger filled her soul. She remembered a powerful blow, followed by blackness… and nothing more.

Suddenly, the door opened, again. This time, Raynold of Chartres, filled the empty space of the opened door. He made only one step in the room, but she could see that behind him were 2 massive men guarding him.

Why?!!

The pain she felt could be sensed in her voice, but her tone was strong and determined. He grinned.

Lady Camy, you are mine, now. Soon, you’ll become my wife. Your beloved, Stefan Dusan Nemanjic, is dead… killed by my men. said him, bursting in an evil laughter.

His words stroke her heavily. All of her body was passed by cold shivers but she shouted with a clear voice.

Never! I will never be your wife, you murderer!!!

She tried to jump from the bed and attack him, but all of her body deceived her. As she was trying to stand on her feet, she felt dizzy... the room started to spin, her legs failed to sustain her and she fall in her knees. Tears of helplessness filled her eyes. He was continuing to crazily laugh.

The old woman tried to help her lift up on her feet. He stopped laughing and came closer to help her.

Don’t you dare to touch me! shouted Camy and he stopped, returning to his previous place.

With the help of the old woman she stood up and then laid again on the bed. The room was still spinning and her head was hurting her badly.

We will see my dear, we will see. You have to rest now and recover … I want a healthy bride at our wedding.

He turned to leave the room. Stopped at the door and looked at her.

Ohhh, for your knowledge; Sabbas is still alive. Not too good… but still alive.

See you later, my beautiful bride.

He closed the door behind him laughing crazily. The old woman followed him and she remained alone.
She tried to think about the entire situation but her head was hurting so bad and she felt so weak … that she just laid there with an empty mind, for hours.