As soon as Belisarius woke up in the morning, he went downstairs to the inn for breakfast. His mind had been so full the night before that he hadn't even put a single bite in his mouth. The inn they were in was one of the few in the city. This inn, which looked like an architectural masterpiece compared to the rest of the city, served foreigners coming to the city. The owner of the inn was a foreigner and had to pay Sanguinar a lot of money to build his inn. He was also involved in trade, so his business was booming.

A breakfast of mostly dairy products was prepared for Belisarius. Most of it came from animals raised in Rhazgord and was tasty and reasonably priced. Belisarius was enjoying his meal when the doors of the inn opened. He did not bother to look back at the entrance door behind him. He preferred to savour the slightly sour cheese in front of him. He had just put a piece of cheese in his mouth when he heard the innkeeper hurrying around and saying something in Rhazgord language. He turned round and saw the innkeeper talking to Corvus, who was waiting outside the door. Behind Corvus were two Rhazgord warriors, one of whom was Zarqa.

Corvus was obviously asking where Belisarius was. Belisarius rose to his feet, glad that his friend, who had been wounded the last time he had seen him, was all right. This gesture made Corvus recognise him. He interrupted his conversation with the innkeeper and hugged his long unseen friend.

"If I had known you were coming, I would have come to meet you."

"You know I couldn't entrust the things you need to someone else. Besides, I couldn't miss the chance to escape from Adler."

The two laughed and sat at the table at Belisarius' invitation. Corvus' face fell when he saw the food on the table. This did not go unnoticed by Belisarius. "I didn't know you didn't like cheese, if you want something else I can order it for you," he said playfully.

Not wanting to spoil the mood, Corvus immediately changed his expression, but he had to express his discomfort. "I like cheese and the other food on the table." He pointed at the innkeeper and said with an angry expression on his face, "But I don't like these bastards buying it cheap from us and selling it at high prices on fancy plates." Although the innkeeper could not hear what Corvus said, he realised from his actions that he was not saying good things.

Corvus' words reminded Belisarius about the old man he had seen the day before. Seeing that he had left the bacon he had dipped his fork in, Corvus put a piece of cheese in his mouth to cheer his friend up. "These things happen, Belisarius. This is our reality. Enjoy your meal." he said. After a moment's pause, he said in a slightly worried tone, "I saw you at Rhaz yesterday. What did you think of my fight? Wasn't it barbaric?" Belisarius noticed the concern in Corvus' voice.

"I don't know if it was barbaric or not, but one thing I do know is that I pity the next person who will face you!"He continued without stopping to change the subject and distract his friend from his worries. "I saw what you said... I mean, I saw the tricks of those merchants yesterday. An old man tried to sell his precious swords for nothing. Why don't you intervene?"

Corvus bowed his head. He knew the situation and felt ashamed. "Because we cannot intervene. No one comes to the Rhazgord for trade except these. The roads are dangerous. There are many merchants who think we will eat them if they come upon us." Pointing to the milk on the table, he said, "If these crooks don't come, we won't have anything to eat except the milk you see here and the cheese next to it."

Belisarius was silent for a few seconds. He was thinking about something. He took a bite of the butter he spread on the bread and turned to his friend.

"If you provide security, we can establish a trade route between Adler and here. It would be profitable for both sides, and you would be free of crooked merchants." Belisarius said in a very serious tone what Corvus had already thought. Corvus's hand went to his forehead. It was something he always did when he was thinking about something important. After a few minutes of silence, he gathered his thoughts.

"The problem is that no one wants the job. No warriors want to patrol the roads. Mercenary labour is more profitable. If we don't provide a good salary, they won't come. My father is the only one who can give enough money, but his head is like a stone. The merchants already in the city keep sending him gifts. My father won't give it up easily."

Belisarius did not know Sanguinar Saakhar, but he was sure he could persuade him. However, remembering Corvus's anger last night, he could not help thinking that if his son was like this, what would the father be like? He was looking for a solution when his thoughts were interrupted by Corvus' sigh.

"We haven't seen each other for a long time and look what we're talking about!" he looked at the innkeeper and continued, raising his voice for him to hear. "We can't have guests of the Tiamats in a shithole like this, can we? There's a place for you and your men at Sanguinar's Manor! Call your men and we'll get you settled in a proper place. Then we'll take you on a tour of the city." As Corvus said this, Belisarius, who was not yet full, quickly stuffed something into his mouth. As he chewed, he went upstairs to prepare his men.

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When Belisarius came down, he reached into his pouch to pay for lodging and meals, but the innkeeper stopped him in his haste. "If you think I would charge the guest of the future leader of the Tiamats and the beautiful kingdom of Rhazgord, I am sorry, but you are mistaken, my lord," he said as Corvus' cruel gaze scratched the back of his neck. Belisarius wanted to insist on paying, but Corvus would not allow it. "Let him count it as payment for the goods he buys cheaply and sells expensively, Belisarius" he said. The merchant responded only with a false smile. Corvus' words convinced Belisarius and he and his men headed for the door. As the group left the inn, Zarqa made sure to spit in the face of the innkeeper.

Corvus and Belisarius decided to continue on foot. Zarqa took Belisarius' men with him and led the horses. Corvus, Belisarius and the warrior made their way through the city streets.

Belisarius said with a mischievous smile, pointing to the warrior who followed them two steps behind, "I did not expect the great warrior Corvus Tiamat to travel with guards." Corvus did not seem pleased with this situation either. "You've met Kaelyra, haven't you?" he said. The only thing Belisarius remembered about Kaelyra was her anger. "Yes. We had the chance to meet her yesterday. She was scary, to be honest."

After a short laugh, he said, "I can imagine what happened. Kaelyra's anger would scare even my father. She's actually a very nice and intelligent person, but I made a bit of a mess yesterday." He looked a little embarrassed. "Kaelyra's like a big sister to me, and she worries about me a bit too much. And this friend -he gestured with his head to the warrior who had followed them a few paces behind - she sent him to follow me. I pissed off a lot of people yesterday."

Belisarius knew some of the details of yesterday's events. The innkeepers had been talking about it all night. "It's not hard to see that you pissed off a lot of people." From the first moment they had left the inn, they had been met with threatening looks from many people. But not everyone hated Corvus. A few metres in front of them were two seven or eight year old boys who were excited to see Corvus and were whispering to each other. Belisarius pointed to them. "But you have the respect of many people too."

All along the road they were watched by eyes full of anger, respect and admiration. They were approached by many people who wanted to talk to Corvus, at least briefly. The majority of those who tried to talk were young and beautiful women. Corvus, however, responded to people in a stern and cold manner. Although it was obvious that he was proud of every praise he heard, his reaction seemed weird to Belisarius.

"You should be nicer to people. After all, they will serve you in the future."

Belisarius' words caused Corvus to slow his pace and become a little demoralised. "Remember where we are, Belisarius. If I'm nice to them, if I bend down to talk to the children or shake everyone's hand, they'll believe I'm on the same level as them, that I'm flesh and blood like them." He looked as if he could hardly believe his words. "I have to be unapproachable. If I am not unapproachable, they will be emboldened. They will stand up to me and challenge me and my rule."

Belisarius understood his friend, but he didn't agree. Most rulers cared very little for the people, but they did not compete with them. That was not the case in Rhazgord. The ruler of Rhazgord had to be the strongest. Stronger than anyone else in the land. The rulers of Rhazgord didn't want to fight people every day. They didn't need to be rulers to fight every day. That's why they drew a very clear boundary between them and their people. Proving that you were superior to them was not enough to guarantee the reign. They had to be unapproachable. Like a god, unreachable, even if one climbed to the highest point of Mount Rhaz.

As much as Belisarius wanted to say something, he restrained himself. It was clear that his friend did not like to talk about it. They were getting close to Sanguinar's Mansion. They would have plenty of time to discuss this and similar matters.

One of the Mansion's guards approached Corvus in a hurry. Belisarius only understood the word 'Kaelyra'. This word caused his face to turn yellow like Corvus. Corvus turned to his friend and said, "We'll get you settled in the evening. I think we should go to the army quarter. I have something to do there too." The reason why Corvus made this offer was definitely related to the mention of Kaelyra's name. Belisarius, who was afraid of Kaelyra, nodded the offer without thinking. The two were walking away with their backs to the mansion when a loud shout caused the two friends to freeze in place.

"Can we escape?" Belisarius said in a whisper. The words came out of Corvus' mouth helplessly; "No one can escape."