Alkadia part 13

Meanwhile, near the port of Cavardet, a carriage pulled up. It was richly decorated, drawn by four beautiful Svanetian horses. The door opened, and a man stepped out. He was richly, fashionably dressed, well-groomed, and handsome. His hair, streaked with gray, only added to his charm. A sword with a gold hilt hung from his belt...

"Akad, pull out our little dove!" he said, as if into thin air. But a moment later, another man, well-built, with dark skin and fair hair, emerged from the carriage as well. When he reached the ground, he reached in and pulled the girl out. She was unconscious, pale, dirty, and exhausted. Akad slung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"I think we need to tidy her up a bit before we let her go alone to the Continent. What do you think?

" "I agree. He might be unhappy to see her in this state."

"Yes, yes... He'll be of no use to her, exhausted and injured like that.

" A silent understanding reigned between the men. The girl was laid on the ground, and the unknown man began making strange movements with his hands over her, muttering something under his breath. If he could, he would have "enchanted" her in the carriage, but he needed plenty of space for everything to go smoothly.

A delicate cloud of dust slowly began to rise above the prone figure. After a moment, it covered her completely. It swirled in the air for a while, then slowly began to descend.

Someone observing from a distance would probably have been horrified by the sight. The figure, who had been dirty and in torn clothes just a few minutes ago, now looked... different. Her previously dirty face was clean. Her arms, legs, and neck too. As was her entire body. Her hair, previously disheveled and with bits of mud tangled in its strands, was now beautifully combed and shiny. Instead of her worn-out outfit, she was dressed in a new, blue velvet dress and on her feet were elegant slippers.

However, the man's spell hadn't worked completely, because the girl, although she had regained her color, still looked mortally tired and sore. Akad noticed this.

"No, no... My power, as you can see, isn't adapted to such magic? It would be different if it were my profession," he said, looking at the result.

"So, boss, shall we get going? The ship won't wait for us forever.

" "Have you looked around, Akad? No one saw us?

" "No, boss.

" "Are you sure?" the man asked.

"Don't you trust me?" Akad replied with a question

. "Fine. Let's go."

Akad picked up the girl again and threw her over his shoulder again. He followed the man toward the port. They disappeared around a bend. The carriage pulled away.

Akad had made a mistake. SOMEONE had seen them. And now that someone had emerged from his hiding place. It was a boy. A typical poor city dweller. He had tousled, dark, mid-length hair. Large eyes. He was short, poorly built, thin as a stick, yet his arms were quite well-muscled. He was clearly terrified. His hands, young, yet worn out by hard work, were shaking, and his eyes widened, looking even larger than they actually were.

He—raised in the belief in the one god, Laiwe—was now seeing truly satanic tricks... His young, trusting mind couldn't comprehend it. He'd thought such a thing didn't exist... And now he was seeing IT with his own eyes... It was too much...

The boy began to scream and run... As far away from that place as possible...

But after a moment, he stopped dead in his tracks and, without knowing why, turned around and began following the two men. Some strange force was pulling him towards that unconscious girl...

The sorcerer walked ahead. Akad followed, carrying the girl on his back. It didn't matter that people looked at them strangely, and children began to cry at the sight of the huge, terrifying man.

"Finally, Akad! We're at the port. We'll get rid of that... what's her name...

" "Alkadiana, boss.

" "Oh, I always forget her name. So, will we finally get rid of Alkadia?" I was getting tired of chasing them. I don't understand why he's so keen on having her with him. Her powers are practically undiscovered. She's only recently discovered what she's capable of.

"But she's approaching the age when her powers will unleash and explode with full force. And he wouldn't want that. She could spoil his plans...

" "Such a beautiful girl..."

The delicate scent of seawater hung in the air. He could hear the sound of waves crashing against the quay and the loud chatter of sailors on their ships.

There were many ships moored in the harbor. But the sorcerer knew exactly which one to look for. He was already approaching.

"Galagam Snifor!" someone shouted. The man turned sharply and almost collided with a man.

"Fool!" the sorcerer shouted. "Don't call me by my name in this city! To you, I'm 'BOSS,' understand? Nities?

" "Oh, right... I'm sorry... BOSS. I forgot." Galagam eyed Nities suspiciously.

He was the captain of the ship they were approaching. He was about fifty, with long gray hair and a matching beard. He might have been handsome once, but time hadn't been kind to him. He had almost no teeth. His face was marred by dark spots and freckles. He was dressed in black trousers, high boots, and a long gray coat. Underneath, he wore a white linen shirt, and a rather large belly spilled out from under his belt, which Nities liked to stroke from time to time.

"There it is!" This is my boat, boss... - he said in a low voice.

"Well, Nities, nothing's changed here.

" "My 'Terror of the Seas' is still holding up," the captain said proudly. "Which, unfortunately, can't be said for me," he added sadly.

"Don't worry, old man!" Galagam said. "Everyone breaks down sometime." He laughed.

"But you still look pretty good...

" "Because I take care of myself. I eat healthily. I don't drink as much as you do. One glass for lunch, one for dinner..." the sorcerer said as he climbed aboard. "Besides, in my profession, I have to look my best."

Nities sighed and shook his head. He was about to say something, but stopped himself. The sailors looked suspiciously at the captain's companions. Meanwhile, he led the sorcerer and Akad below deck. He fumbled for a moment at the door and opened a small cabin for them. There was only a single narrow bed, and beside it a small table with a candle. It was the only light. Akad laid Alkadia on the bed.

"Listen, Nities." "Galagam began, seeing how he was looking at her. "You can't even touch her the way you're thinking. If you want to get dirty, there are plenty of prostitutes on the street. Stay away from her.

" "But why..." the captain asked, disappointed.

"You can't. My employer is to receive her intact, and you are to see to it that she remains so. I'm not paying you for physical pleasures. Is that clear?

" "As clear as day..." Nities muttered under his breath.

"Okay, then. Now I'll get to the point. Alkadia is under the influence of a certain spell. She'll be unconscious until you give her this." The sorcerer pulled a vial of clear liquid from under his cloak. "She's to receive it the moment you dock at a port on the Continent. Not before, not after. You'll tell whoever picks her up that her condition is the result of seasickness. Do you understand me?

" "Sure, boss." "The captain said, taking the vial of magic liquid and lying down on the table. "I only have one question. If she's unconscious, how am I supposed to feed her? She won't survive such a long journey without food.

" "I've taken care of that too. See that powder?" Galagam pulled out a small box and opened it. "Just put two pinches of this stuff in a glass of water and pour it down her throat. That's enough. Oh, one glass a day, remember.

" "I'll remember.

" "And you're not to let anyone near her, understand?

" "Yes, don't worry, boss, no one but me will see her. You've got that

." "I'm counting on it. Okay, we have other duties waiting for us. I'll leave her in your care." He

was about to leave when Nities's expectant gaze stopped him. Without a word, he pressed the purse into his hand. It clinked temptingly, and a broad smile spread across Nities's face.

"Don't drink away that money right away. Invest it in a ship. And just try to touch her, and I wouldn't want to be in your shoes. "

Nities wasn't thrilled, but obediently locked the door and ushered the guests outside.

"I give you my word, boss, that this little one will be safe with me.

" "I trust you, Nities. Don't disappoint me. "

He extended his hand to the captain. The captain shook it and shook it.

"We're going, Akad. I'm counting on you. Have a safe journey..."

Nities nodded and watched Galagam and Akad go. He weighed the money bag in his hands. He looked around. The figure of a long-haired boy caught his eye. He was sitting on a barrel, staring at Galagam with frightened eyes. The captain wasn't surprised. Everyone was afraid of the sorcerer... In fact, even he was afraid of him. He turned on his heel and began giving orders to the sailors in an angry voice.

The boy watched the ship sail away. But at the same time, he felt something else drifting away with him... Something very important to him... He wanted to cry, to throw himself into the sea, and forcibly stop the ship, but with all his remaining willpower, he suppressed the thought. He stood on a barrel to get a better view. He didn't even try to wipe away the tears that streamed steadily down his cheeks...