Chapter 60 Best Intentions
The quarters of Steward Hector.
The senior servant of the castle used the key to open the door and enter his chambers. He closed it with his left hand and held a candle in his right.
Marco put his forearm around his neck and covered his mouth with a cloth napkin he had in his other hand. Yegor hurried from his position in the shadows and grabbed the dagger from his belt. Gunther arrived a little later, and the man dropped the candle to the ground before he could take it. The candle went out, and the four of them were plunged into complete darkness. Marco pulled the man against the wall and held him with all his might.
Marco shouted: Light, light.
Gunther took the candle from his waistcoat and the box of matches. He dropped one match but was able to light another. After a minute of struggling, he illuminated the room. Hector tried to free himself, but Marco was too strong. Having transported nobles and merchants for two years, his arms were like steel. Yegor approached and pressed the dagger against the cheek of Hector.
Marco whispered in his ear: Calm down or he will kill you.
Hector opened his mouth to scream, but Marco pushed the napkin inside. Marco punched the man hard in the kidney and Hector stopped fighting. The young man dragged him to a chair and made him sit down. He kept his forearm around his neck and Yegor again shoved the dagger in front of his face.
Gunther approached: Am I familiar, pig? Are my eyes similar to those of a girl you threw into the bed of a viper?
Marco grabbed an arm and bent it behind the chair, adjusting his forearm over the face of Hector to expose his throat to Gunther. Gunther drew his dagger and placed the blade against the throat of the frightened man. His hand shook from anger.
Gunther: Do you remember my sister? A kind girl. A girl who would never harmed anyone. Do you remember her? I thought of killing the king with my dagger, but I cannot. Today I can kill the pig who chose her as his victim. Are you ready to die?
Gunther tried to slash his throat with the dagger. He tried to move his arm with a swift cut. But it did not move. He was breathing heavily, filled with rage, but he could not kill him. Gunther simply froze in place for several seconds.
Marco: Blondie, now!
Gunther withdrew the dagger from his throat, sheathed it and stepped back.
Gunther cried a little: I am weak. I cannot. I cannot avenge her.
Marco: Fuck!
Yegor pushed Gunther aside and looked Hector in the eyes.
He placed the tip of the dagger near one of his fear-filled eyes.
Yegor: Dlya Kerstin.
Yegor quickly stabbed him in the eye.
Yegor: Für Kerstin
He stabbed him in the other eye.
Yegor: For Kerstin.
He stabbed the man upwards under the chin and pushed the dagger into his mouth and behind his nose. Strange gurgling noises started in his head.
Marco let go of the man, who fell to the ground and writhed horribly.
The three young men stared at him for three minutes as he drowned in his own blood. Gunther appeared ill. Marco stared with indifference. Yegor stood taller.
Marco: We must get out of here. There is to be more blood tonight.
The stone nest.
Grey Wing and Red Sunrise returned to the nest almost simultaneously. The two Pegasi, exhausted, landed only ten minutes apart. The assistants worked as a perfect team, as always. Nestor got off the saddle with a big smile.
Nestor: Boys, it is like in the time of Clemente. Pegasi landing one after another. Strong men and boys working like fingers on a hand. Our nest can do whatever is necessary. Dearest, food and cider for these heroes.
Corsino found he could not look at his teacher.
While the Pegasi were being looked after by the others, the Master Rider looked for Floriano.
Nestor quietly: Flori, have you spoken to Chara?
Floriano: No. Is it necessary?
Nestor: Yes. She is your passenger. You are responsible for her physical and mental safety. I understand you are young, but a rider must be strong for others. Do you remember the time you spent with me in the rear saddle on Gray Wing?
Floriano: Yes. You were always like what I imagined a father would be like. I understand, sir.
The two hugged and the young man went to look for the new rider.
The small room of Chara.
She was sitting on her bed with her back to the wall. Her legs were bent up to her chin, and her arms were wrapped around her legs. When a soft knock sounded on the door, she wiped some tears from her face and spoke in a low voice.
Chara: Come in.
Floriano entered and stood in front of her.
Floriano: Chara, are you well? There will be food and cider soon. Nestor is in a good mood with everyone. You are a rider, you should be there.
Chara: I am not hungry. I am a failure.
Floriano: Stop it, fuckbrain! Sometimes a Pegasus rejects a rider at first. Everyone knows how difficult it is for you to be the first woman in the nest. You are not a failure. You are a hero to Bonita and... and to me.
Chara spoke with disbelief: To you?
Floriano: Of course! You are quick and brave. And you are not so ugly anymore.
The young woman laughed sadly: Thanks, fuckbrain.
Floriano took her hand and gently helped her to her feet. He hugged her and whispered in her ear: You are a good woman, and you will be a great rider. Chara moved without thinking and kissed him.
Floriano stepped away from her with a surprised look: Chara, what are you doing?
Chara: I... do not know.
Floriano: I do not see you that way...it is strange.
Chara started breathing rapidly: Go away, please go away.
Floriano: I am sorry...
Chara shoved him in the chest: Go away!
Floriano left confused and sad.
Chara collapsed to the ground and cried again.