Hefri spent this evening alone in her chamber. She set the table with a purple tablecloth and a LiqBoard laid in front of her. Its blue screen was the only source of light, casting a sharp glow on Hefri's face and her long lavender nightdress. A green line on the screen quickly filled the loading bar but for Hefri it seemed like time slowed down. The spark of bliss glimmered in her eyes and joy grew inside her because of the happy occasion.

The bar on the screen disappeared and a portrait of a midlife woman showed up. A blurred fireplace in the background cast warm, orange light on her green dress and long, pale beige hair. Gentle green eyes looked at Hefri from under a thin fringe.

This view sent a shiver of euphoria through Hefri's body. The corners of her lips raised, releasing a warm, honest smile.

"Hefri, great to hear from you!" called the woman, waving her hand.

"Hello, mum," said Hefri, restraining the rapid surge of happiness. "Sorry for these months of silence." She clenched and relaxed her fists. "Is everything all right? Is dad ok?"

Hefri's mum, Ithrunn Ulgrehildottir, grabbed her knees and leant towards the screen. "Better than ok!" she answered, smiling warmly. "Because of your bonus, I was able to hire staff." She stood straight and counted on her fingers, "A caretaker, a physiotherapist... it was enough even for a cook!"

She sighed and lowered her head. The high-spirited spark disappeared from her eyes as she averted her eyes. "I just... don't like the way we earned it."

Hefri twisted the corner of her mouth in a disenchanted expression and said forcibly, "This is my job. Being at war is my job." She glanced down and continued in a calmer voice, "All three of us were aware of the danger when I was leaving home." Without waiting for her mother's response, she changed the subject and her look became sweet-tempered again. "Better tell me if dad's disease still progresses."

"No, not anymore," said Ithrunn. The previous tension seemed to leave her body. "He got some stronger medicines." She grabbed her arm, burying her fingers in a soft, green sleeve of her dress. "Even if we worry about you, we know the new king takes good care for you."

Hefri only nodded half-heartedly.

"And of us too," added Ithrunn, gazing at the window with long, brown curtains.

Hefri only stared at the corner of her room, avoiding her mother's look. "Sure he does..."

A couple of days later Andvari strolled down the streets outside the castle, glancing over the market stands. The streets were surrounded by a few stories tall tenement houses and only a couple of vehicles slowly weaved between the wide pavements. Many balconies were decorated with vibrant blooming flowers, long ivies or potted berries. The majority of market stands stood under the cloth halls and their advertising banners hung on the wooden pillars.

As usual, Andvari chose the late morning for his stroll, so he didn't need to slip away from groups of curious citizens.

He took the last bite of pine cookie and wiped his sticky hand inside his pocket. His eyes fastened on a small banner in the shape of a cogwheel. He was looking for shops exactly like this one. He quickly headed towards it, forgetting about the sugar in the corner of his mouth.

Approaching the booth, he swept the display cabinet with his eyes. Plenty of small items laid behind the glass: spools of colourful wires and cords, soldering pens, cogs of all sizes, 3D pens, tiny saws and other things that Andvari used for his robots.

"Vardir Andvari?" called a raspy voice from deep inside the booth.

Andvari raised his head. An Ifrit approached the counter and rested his hands on the counter. His hands had four fingers, and each of them was tipped with a short, triangular claw. His skin colour and structure resembled sun-cracked clay. Two sandy-brown horns decorated his reptile head and calm, yellow eyes with vertical pupils glanced from under calloused eyebrows.

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"Welcome, Vardir, what brings you here?"

"Hello." Andvari nodded and took a scroll out of his pocket. He unrolled his LiqBoard and knocked its surface. The device turned on and the screen lit up. He tapped the screen a few times and turned it towards the Ifrit. "I'm looking for that piston. Do you have one?"

The Ifrit scratched his chin. "Hmmm, I will check." He trotted deep into the booth, disappearing from Andvari's sight.

Neither of them noticed a hooded person, who observed them from a narrow aisle.

A few minutes later Andvari walked away with his hands in his pockets. Even though the warm sunbeams and aromas of tasty snacks let his senses mellow out, he didn't lose his vigilance. A nervous movement in a nearby aisle caught his attention. He still casually strolled the stone pavement but his eyes glanced towards the aisle from time to time.

When he walked past the narrow lane, a hooded person called him in an exhausted voice, "Excuse me, Vardir."

An elderly, bald Celestian in ragged clothes sat next to the wall. He grabbed his sleeve, uncovering thin, veined hand. "I lost my LiqWatch, so I can't pay. Could you buy something for me?"

Andvari stopped and turned towards him. Usually he wasn't one of those who ignored simple request for help and whenever he could, he offered his assistance or a word of advice.

"Sure, what do you need?"

The stranger tucked himself with a grey robe and pointed at a blue booth. "Please check that booth and buy me the strongest drink."

Andvari twisted his mouth and raised his eyebrow. That request caused an instant revulsion in him. He understood that the stranger may have a problem but he didn't want to feed this addiction. "Are you sure you don't want any food or drink? An alcohol-free one?"

The Celestian giggled without amusement and snorted. "Come on." He helplessly swung his hand. "Since I lost my food bank subscription, my stomach gets drier every day."

Andvari took a step back. As far as he knew, the different social service subscriptions were withdrawn for good reasons like committing a severe crime or trying to scam the system. He looked at the Celestian suspiciously. "Why did you lose it?"

The stranger sighed. He folded his hands and covered his mouth. "I will tell you if you promise to believe me," he whispered in a conspiratorial tone.

"I will." Andvari looked at him more friendly, hiding his distrust. "Feel free to tell me."

The Celestian spread his arms and shook his head. After a few seconds in that position, he suddenly drooped his hands on the ground with a loud clap. "I don't know."

"How?" Andvari asked pretentiously. "Everyone gets information about it."

The hooded man shrugged as if his whole life lost its meaning or if he was ready to accept what fate brings. "I went to the bank, wanted to take my supply, and they said my subscription is over. I checked it and it was just deactivated. My sister and my friend lost it too." He stretched his shaky legs and his joints cracked with a brash crunch. "So you see now, I have nothing else to do. Just drink until I die." Smacking his dry lips, he sighed like he was taking his final breath. "I guess it won't take much time."

Andvari opened his eyes wider and the corners of his lips drooped. He hardly ever saw people in that deep state of resignation and powerlessness so listening to the stranger's words gave him mixed feelings. He wanted to offer his help but the stranger could be lying.

"I will order something for you, something warm and..."

"Don't bother, Vardir..." The Celestian turned around in a hunched position and rested his head on his knees. "I know you have other things to do."

Narrowing his eyebrows slightly, Andvari reached his hand. "I can help," he stated.

"No," said the stranger, covering his head with his loose sleeves. "Help me forget it or leave me alone." He gave Andvari the last, freezing cold look and curled himself up again. "Go."

Sighing crossly, Andvari stretched his neck and drooped his arms as a token of his defeat. He shook his head and marched away, dividing his anger between himself and the Celestian. He could have done more but he was afraid that his effort would be in vain. He couldn't bring everyone to their senses. The stranger was right. Andvari had more important thinks to do than talking with someone who didn't even try to listen.

Even though he took the stranger's words with a grain of salt, he couldn't help himself from being suspicious of King Ivendir. He recalled this recent chat with Arnorsson. The Militia Commander witnessed a fight about the new taxes. Andvari wondered if this is somehow connected to the sudden cuts in food subscriptions.

Is that a coincidence? Or... he spoke to himself, marching down the streets with his hands in his pockets. The king? Is it his doing? He shook his head with disbelief but something inside agreed with his previous thought. ...is he really that greedy?

Checking his pocket over and over again as if he carried a handful of pure diamonds and gold, he headed towards the castle walls.