At the same time, Bjarni Arnorsson and Captain Ermdahr drank bottle after bottle, sitting on the top of a hill and talking about more or less important subjects. The sun was hiding behind the distant mountains, casting the last, timid beams on them. The grass and bushes stood completely still, illuminated by the golden light.

"Weird how the whole factory case went silent so quickly," said Arnorsson. He sat with his legs curled up, resting his hands on his knees. His fingerless gloves, boots and leather jacket gave him a careless appearance even though this set costed way more than the monthly income of an average citizen. He lifted a purple opalescent bottle and poured its content down his throat.

Ermdahr focused on birds crossing the sky in a V-shaped flock. His short, sandy hair was tied up in a pigtail, which made him look younger by half, and his green, simple shirt brought him closer to a peasant. Blending into the crowd was exactly his intention. Boring and detailed conversations with other officials would thwart his plans for an unproductive evening.

"Are you still up to this?" he asked, vacantly gazing at the hills in front of him.

Arnorsson lowered his eyes. "Someone has to set things right."

"Aren't you afraid?" Ermdahr grabbed a bottle.

"Afraid of what?"

After taking a few vast gulps, Ermdahr said, "I don't know." He paused to swallow the burp welling up in his throat. "Death... maybe?"

Arnorsson snorted and twisted his mouth. Standing face to face with death was his job. Most importantly, he put the good of Helvetto as the top priority. "Die or live under these commands." He rolled his faded eyes. "Plenty of choice..."

Ermdahr lifted his bottle and shook it. Only a few droplets dripped down the glass. "Shouldn't we find a more powerful ally?"

Arnorsson stared at him with his eyebrows raised. "You're the Vardir's Captain, only the Commanders themselves are more powerful than you." He took a few sips, disregarding the Captain's remark.

Ermdahr tried to smile cunningly but his sloshed expression resembled a sinister cartoon villain. "Exactly."

Understanding the Captain's words took Arnorsson a few seconds. When he realised what he heard, he snorted violently, spitting out purple liquid through his nose. The alcohol left a few wet stains on his shirt. Clearing his throat, he wiped his mouth with his fist. "Don't go crazy!" He knocked his forehead. "None of them will agree!"

"I have..." whispered Ermdahr but Arnorsson pointed at him.

"They possibly may disagree with him but they'll ne...ver do what we plan." He pierced Ermdahr with a comically sinister stare. "They're Vardir. They pledged jol... loyalty."

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"I can try," said Ermdahr, spreading his arms carelessly. "I even know who will... who... who I will choose."

Arnorsson exhaled. He had no chance to win an argument with his drunk companion. Accepting his failure, he said, "Then just... let me know."

"Erilaz is out insant...in...stant...ly," began Ermdahr. He prised the cork off. It rocketed up with a popping sound, and the beer inside hissed like a furious snake. He leant towards Arnorsson, covering his mouth with his arm. "I know I shouldn't say this. He's my commander but... He may hesis...he...si...tate to make another dramatic decision."

"Yeah. He's not ready," Arnorsson tried to cut this discussion off.

"And Hefri?" Ermdahr glanced towards a hill with the castle on top. "She's pretty hard to control. She has do... to do it willingly." He looked questioningly at Arnorsson. "And how can we be certain of her intent?"

Before Arnorsson gathered his thoughts, Ermdahr had raised his finger and continued, "I have one candidate." Ermdahr stared at the sky, smiling slightly. "He killed one traitor before, he may be able to do it again..."

"Andvari?" asked Arnorsson in a thin voice as if he was taken by surprise. Shaking his head, he added, "We all remember his honourable deeds but..."

"A little effort," said Ermdahr and raised his eyebrow, "and all honour will be his once more."

Arnorsson shrugged and shook his head again. He understood he was a bit too drunk to make a critical analysis of this subject. He felt how his head sways like a log on the sea. Arnorsson was sure that Ermdahr wasn't in a good shape too and he just speaks whatever comes to his mind. Despite Ermdahr's condition, something in his words resonated with Arnorsson.

Arnorsson's head, however, was too heavy to let him think. He leant on the rock behind him, complaining in his mind, Ermdahr, stop drinking... please.

Two minutes after hitting the ground, Thelrim finally moved. He rested his hand on his forehead. He felt an unpleasant pressure and twisted his mouth. A large, purple-red bump expanded on his head.

No, he thought, not again...

With a heavy sigh he lifted his upper-body. Then he rose to his knees. He heaved one knee, leaning his hand on it. Wiping his damp forehead, he took a deep, trembling breath. The blood on his sleeve dried a bit, leaving reddish brown stains. A little stinging ran down his scratched forearm. The pain almost left his body, but he had bigger things to worry about than a big bump and four deep scars on his forearm.

I can't be weak... He stood up, still covering his forehead. His legs quivered slightly. Damn it, I can't be weak!

He forgot the itchy feeling on his hand and the throbbing pressure in the right side of his body. Anxiety dominated his mind first, then expanded to his whole organism. He clenched his teeth, realising his failure.

If I'm weak... He glanced at a few little drops of blood on the floor, I can't protect Helvetto...and the king.

A vivid memory flickered in his mind. He failed an important person before and the fear of the next failure clutched his heart. Andvari's father, Imolvi Aldenarsson, sometimes appreciated Thelrim for his successes, especially when Andvari failed. Thelrim was the last one to believe in Imolvi's treason. Imolvi always emanated with the aura of a clever and helpful neighbour. After some time Thelrim understood Andvari's decision to kill his father but he was sure he could have found another solution. He decided he didn't want to have anything to do with Andvari's family ever since.

If I couldn't protect Imolvi, he said to himself, marching towards the exit, I may not be able to protect my world...