"I just don't know any of you. And I don't travel with strangers."

The situation was heating up; a few more sentences and a heart-to-heart conversation would turn into an altercation. I felt my heart beat faster, and my anger was growing like waves before a storm. We were all on edge, and even the slightest push could lead to an explosion.

The situation was defused by a cheerful, cocky laugh. Aglon, who had not taken part in the conversation, laughed happily, pointing a finger in my direction. He was amused by the green foliage that covered my body from head to toe. These were the side effects that Nix had warned me about when he was treating me for snake tree venom. Since then, whenever I get angry or argue with someone, I am instantly covered in green leaves - from head to toe. It was a kind of "Orqualian neurodermatitis." I was called a bush, a walking salad, and a green beret because of the foliage.

Now, seeing me like this, Aglon couldn't help but laugh. His mood was transmitted to most of the tavern's patrons, and jokes began to be heard from all sides as if I had become the object of general merriment.

"Are you with us or will you stay here and put down roots?" Basil asked sarcastically. This question caused a new wave of loud laughter. One after another, caustic comments began to be heard around:

"Hey, buddy! Are you a fruit or a vegetable?"

"Will you also be evergreen in winter or will you turn yellow in autumn?"

"Your greenery will certainly not hurt my oxen!"

"Gentlemen, do you by any chance need a guide?"

"Who said that?!" Basil jumped up, looking around the room in search of a cheeky wit. - "Well, who offered their services here?! We just need a guide!"

Silence fell in the tavern instantly. The laughter magically died down, and the visitors returned to their conversations as if they had lost interest in our company. I was not alone in my dislike of the White Mountains and mistrust of such a dangerous expedition. But what could I find there, except for problems?

My friends had only one chance to get into the White Mountains - to persuade Pete. It was unlikely that there would be another guide in these parts who knew this path so well. But they had no idea that persuading a stubborn old warrior was like trying to destroy a stone wall with a ping-pong ball. To be honest, I hoped that his refusal would put an end to all this talk, and we would finally be able to make a deal on my terms.

But suddenly everything went wrong. Someone I had not expected to see appeared on the horizon - Bruno. He was an old acquaintance of ours, who had once led a detachment guarding Abdomen's caravan.

A tall, stocky, self-assured guy, Bruno immediately stood out for his strength and reliability. He was the type of person who could be trusted with an important task, and he would do it without further ado. Responsible and conscientious, he earned his living by odd jobs, never shying away from hard work. Despite our past disagreements - and we managed to get into a fight once - I always had sympathy for him. All that was in the past, and now before me stood a man who was ready to take on a new task.

Bruno, clearly drunk, was unshaven and smelled of something stale. He staggered up to our table, looked at us with a dull look, and, with a slurred tongue, muttered:

"I'm a guide. I'm ready to take your company anywhere. When do we leave?"

I just groaned, clutching my head with both hands, which was now throbbing with a dull pain.

"Where did he come from? And why now?"

To avoid seeing the joy on my friends' faces, clearly pleased that they had finally found a replacement for Pete, I quickly left the hotel. The air in the room was stale, filled with a mixture of the aroma of roasting meat, wine fumes, and sweat. Only outside could I breathe more freely, allowing the fresh air to clear my head and clear my thoughts. The green leaves that covered me like a strange natural shell began to crumble, falling softly to the ground.

"Let them grow," I thought, watching them form an intricate pattern on the ground. — "Leaves do not argue, do not blame. Unlike my friends. But what difference does that make? My friends are adults. They are independent and, as they think, brave. They are drawn to where no civilized man has gone before. They want to see new places, to mine gold, and to discover unknown lands. Why should I stop them?"

"Yes, I am afraid for them. They are my friends, almost like brothers. But the truth is that they are not ready. They still do not wield swords well and have not mastered the magical powers that they have barely begun to understand.

So why am I so angry? The answer is simple: because they are no longer controllable. I hoped that they would remain obedient in a foreign country where every decision could be the last. Like Ena's father, Python. This man, Pete, has not yet allowed himself the slightest disobedience. But my squires ... they staged a real mutiny, a mutiny on a land ship!

"Although, why am I surprised? Before leaving for Orkvalia, I carefully studied each of my friends: I know who they are and what they are capable of. These people have been with me since childhood. I cannot turn them into centaurs, as happened with brothers, I cannot subjugate them as simple subjects. They are not just allies to me. They are childhood friends, and our bonds, as Oceania said, are our protection. The stronger they are, the stronger the field surrounding us.

Still, it is my fault that they rebelled. They have not yet realized what an adventure I have dragged them into. And I'll have to justify myself to them eventually."

I cursed nervously, feeling the tension in my veins growing. My anger and disappointment betrayed themselves. The leaves that had just fallen began to cover my skin again, shoots growing faster than I could pluck them.

"Damn it, this ridiculous sight irritated me even more. The longer I think about it, the worse it gets. I need to calm down."

To pull myself together, I switched my thoughts to the letter that my lost brother, Serge, had left me. The lines of his note passed on through strangers, came to mind. It was written using runes that I still couldn't fully decipher. Something about it was troubling me.

I still couldn't find all the answers. Each time I deciphered another symbol, I seemed to get closer to understanding, but still far from the goal. This letter accompanied me all the way, like a ghost of the past, haunting me.

I continued to think, trying to comprehend recent events and find at least some kind of solution. My thoughts returned to the runes again:

"Berkana..." This rune symbolized solidity and calm, its magic inspired balance, stabilized the mind and soul, and calmed the stormy flows of magic. Berkana is a sign of development, but quiet, and measured. As if it hinted at a long path, unknown and full of discoveries. The White Mountains... why not?

Orkvalia, Forbant, the capital of an alien world... None of this has tired me. I found Pete, who disappeared six years ago, and now I have the answers I've been waiting for. In my backpack lies the Key that opens the Portal to our world, like a reminder that we can always return. In addition, I have news about my brother, Serge. This is certainly a good sign.

But there is another side. Sasha ran away from us. His disappearance left a faint trace in my memory, like something missed, but not critical.

I am more concerned about the behavior of Pete and his daughter Ena. There is a hidden anxiety in their eyes that does not leave me. It is as if they are afraid of something, but who or what - I still cannot understand.

During previous trips, I understood well that scaring Pete is not an easy task. His courage has always served as a guide for me. Especially when he's with a sword - a calculating, precise, masterful fighter. We didn't quarrel, we understood each other without words. That's why I was surprised by his offer to accompany us to the White Mountains.

Pete had been missing for many years, but instead of resting outside the walls of his native village, he decided to accompany a group of rather impudent adventurers to unknown lands. This question worries me.

But on the other hand, if you think about it, we really could use a walk in the mountains. An attempt to implement our plans with Nix during the trip to Forbant did not bring the desired result.

"The fish didn't bite." Or maybe the bait worked, we just didn't notice it..."

This thought suddenly brought me back to calm. The greenery stopped growing, and I removed some of the leaves from my face and neck.

Ena left the inn and quietly stopped next to me. Her small hand gently brushed away the leaves that I could not reach. Her touch was so light that I involuntarily held my breath.

"What are these leaves stuck to you?" she chuckled, but her gaze was soft, almost caring.

"Just a little greenery. They help me hide in the bushes," I tried to joke. "Did we wake you up with our screams?"

"No," she answered, shaking her head slightly, "I woke up myself. But why are you here, not with your friends? Did you fight?"

"Not exactly. It was a brief argument, nothing more."

Ena glanced at the inn:

"I saw Bruno sitting at the table. He wasn't there when I fell asleep."

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"He volunteered to accompany us to the White Mountains."

She winced, her eyes widening momentarily as if there was more to the news than she was willing to let on. But Ena quickly regained her composure, wrinkling her nose and pretending to continue brushing the leaves off my shoulders. Her fingers brushed my skin again, leaving a subtle warmth behind.

"I just came from there. I'm tired of sitting at the table. Want to walk with me?"

I didn't have the strength to refuse such an unobtrusive request of a pretty girl. As if exchanging telepathic signals, we wandered to the lake, which lay not far from the village of Swifts.

Somewhere in the reeds, a heron screamed shrilly, and mockingbirds mocked it. The mirror-like surface of the lake reflected the clouds running across the sky. In the crystal clear water, a small fish played its games, something like a crayfish crawled along the sandy bottom.

Touching the surface with my hand, I felt how soft and warm the water was. I would like to swim!

If I said - I must do!

Without a second's hesitation, I took off my outerwear and jumped into the sky-blue lake, disturbing the peace of the underwater inhabitants. Ena laughed happily and leaned over to splash water on me. I dove and splashed around like a small child, enjoying the freshness of the lake water, persuading the girl to join me.

- No, - Ena shook her head. - Another time.

I dove and saw something like a huge spreading tree approaching me from the depths of the lake. Not wanting to tempt fate, I rushed to the shore.

Ena turned away, allowing me to wring out my wet clothes. After that, we returned to my friends.

The tavern was stuffy and noisy, the smell of sweat hops and musty food mixed with drunken voices, creating a tense atmosphere, imbued with a sense of a brewing scandal. This evening was no different from the others - in such places fights broke out over trifles, fueled by alcohol and forgotten common sense.

Basil firmly held one of the locals by the shirt, preventing him from hitting Theodore. The drunk man's fists were shaking, but Basil didn't let go, gritting his teeth with tension. In the other corner, Bruno, his legs wide apart, pressed his chest against another peasant, his face flushed from shouting.

"You won't like this, believe me!" he shouted in his drinking companion's face, his booming voice drowning out the noise of the hall.

Alex seemed to be the only one who didn't care about the commotion. He leaned back in an old, creaky chair, leaning against the wall and immersed in sleep as if nothing was happening except his fatigue.

Michel and Nikos tried to restrain the disputants, not letting the tension spill over into a fight. They gently pulled away those who were already grabbing mugs, ready to throw them in the face of another.

"Hey, come on," Nikos tried to defuse the situation, "there's wine and food on the table, what else do you want?"

On the rough wooden table, chunks of roast meat were steaming in clay bowls, the gravy mixed with spices spreading an appetizing aroma. Fresh vegetable salads lay in golden bowls.

My gaze stopped on the meat platter, and my stomach immediately reminded me of itself. Having stabbed a juicy piece of meat with a two-pronged fork, I greedily brought it to my mouth.

Bruno, without much ceremony, let go of the peasant and, breathing heavily, sat down next to him.

"What a crowd here," he muttered, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "I wish I could eat in peace for once. Is it good?"

I nodded silently since my mouth was full of delicious food.

"These guys," he nodded at Michel and Nikos, "dream of going to the White Mountains. Well, that's not that hard. I have already led caravans to Diodorim and Bolokoo. They need me, that's clear. And you? Do you need my services? "

I wanted to answer this good-natured, albeit slightly drunk man with the following:

"I am sure we do. We need people like you to go to the mountains - a platoon, or better yet, a whole company. As far as I know, the White Mountains are inhabited by wild mountain tribes whose lives are shrouded in darkness. I do not wish to encounter them. I do not know how Pete will behave in such a situation, and I rely on my squires only to a certain extent. "

But instead, with a suspicious grimace on my face, I said completely different words:

"Are you sure you want to be our guide? We are not locals, and we do not behave as you are used to. "

"Scared, huh? " he chuckled. - "You must think that it is easier to manage a dozen soldiers whom you see for the first time? We have known each other for a long time, and I am not afraid of difficulties that I have not yet plunged into. As for the trip to the White Mountains, I just want to test myself once again and find out what I am capable of."

I liked these words. The former captain spoke quite sincerely, I believed every word he said. He did not invent some incredible story about wanting to see other countries or other people. He did not lie about being enterprising and ready to go with me to the ends of the earth. What I like most in people is restraint and loyalty to their word.

"What about your old job? How did Abdomen decide to let you go?"

"He didn't tie me down. I worked the hours I was hired for. He had no complaints against me, and my complaints against him don't count. So I'm free."

"Telina let you go too? I thought you were having an affair?"

Bruno smiled, making it clear that my question was not entirely appropriate. Something like regret flashed in his gaze as if there had been hope for a relationship, but something had gone wrong. Lowering his head, my future guide said dully:

"She likes heroes like you. Young, famous, daring. Compared to you, I'm not a hero. Besides, if you remember, I lost the competition at the fair. I didn't even make it into the top three. And when I had the chance to get to know Telina better, I didn't take advantage of it. Tell me honestly, are you angry with me for that stupid prank?"

"No, I'm not angry. It was a long time ago and has nothing to do with our conversation. Let's not keep stones in our bosoms, let's forget this little quarrel. To be honest, I've long since thrown everything out of my head. If you want to be our guide, follow my example. We have a long road ahead of us, and we must trust each other. I can't promise you an easy journey and I don't even know what awaits us in the White Mountains."

"You intrigue me," Bruno said cheerfully, his eyes sparkling with curiosity. "I've long wanted to try myself in a different role. I'm tired of accompanying traders along the same road; I want new impressions, fresh sensations because life is not only routine."

In my soul, I felt joy that Bruno would be my guide. He was not only an experienced guide, but also a wonderful person with whom it was easy to find common ground. I didn't want to quarrel with this nice guy. But at the same time, the devil of temptation sitting on my shoulder made me say the following:

"Did your friend Gregor send me anything? Have you forgotten anything?"

In an instant, Bruno's expression changed. His cheerful mood dissolved like morning fog.

"Gregor!? Friend!?" - He raised his eyebrows sharply, his eyes darkened and acquired a prickly expression:

"You're right. Gregor is my friend. But only a brainless bastard like me could come here, sit at the table, and persuade you to take me on as a guide. You saw my plan! I'm surprised how easy it was for you," Bruno sighed heavily as if the weight of the whole world was on his shoulders.

"But before you send me away, listen to what I have to tell you," he continued, his voice becoming serious.

"Gregor was my friend once. We walked together in taverns, fenced with swords, and took part in street fights. It was the time when I served Prince Erri-Ben Almarin, lived in the city castle, and guarded it.

Six years ago, on one of the ordinary days, I was in the castle, on routine duty, and I was entrusted with guarding the prince's chambers."

His voice became quieter, and I noticed how he froze, plunging into memories.

"My attention was drawn to the noise coming from the castle gate. I looked out the window and saw two travelers unfamiliar to me. One was young, the other - elderly. It seemed to me that I saw a father traveling with his son. These people did not arrive at the prince empty-handed. In a cart harnessed to two oxen lay some kind of long bundle. The travelers looked very tired, their dirty and dusty clothes spoke of a long journey and hardships. Because of the dirt, I could not see their faces, and, frankly speaking, I was not particularly interested in them. All I managed to notice was how the travelers parted right at the gate: the old man led the oxen, and the young one, throwing the bundle over his shoulder, headed straight for the castle."

There was sadness in his voice as if he was reliving that moment again.

"The mysterious bundle did not give me peace," - Bruno's voice became muffled as if he was seeing the scene before him again.

"The captain led the strange guest into the hall, and the prince, contrary to his habit, ordered everyone to leave the room. Usually, the prince received guests surrounded by advisers and noble ladies when the halls were filled with the glitter of decorations, exquisite clothes, gold, and light.

But this time he changed his tradition. Instead of a rich envoy or a high-born lord, a traveler was brought into the throne room - exhausted, in shabby and dusty clothes, with the same dirty bundle on his shoulder.

And here's what was strange: the prince immediately, without saying a word, ordered everyone to be removed from the room, remaining alone with the guest.

As soon as I saw this, an ancient curiosity spoke up in me. Yes, we all want to know more than we should, and that night this desire took possession of me completely.

I could not resist and, as if hypnotized, hid behind a column at the entrance to spy on my master and his mysterious visitor."