“Chew faster,” she said. “We have to go.”

- Where? - I did not understand the girl.

- You will see, - the robber sat down on a stool, - Someone wants to talk with you. I advise you to tell the whole truth. Or I'll give you guts. Do you understand?

- What is incomprehensible! - grinned Feira, - Only you do not scare me with death. I myself was a slave. Has seen enough.

“Something you have become brave,” Eva was surprised. “You don’t call me a mistress and be rude.”

“I remembered something,” the girl climbed down from the couch, “But I will tell only the woman who came here.” And you no longer touch me. And you can shove a dagger in your ass.

“I’m giving you now ...,” Eva began to slowly rise from the stool.

But the door swung open and that woman in a long cloak appeared on the threshold. The robber hastily stepped aside.

- Do not touch her! - a woman said in a powerful voice.

“There was a hunt,” Eve grinned and went out the door.

“Feira,” the woman took a black cape from under her cloak. “Put it on and let's go.” And do not be afraid of her.

They again spun through the streets for a long time, entering either one yard or another. It was already quite dark when the trio came to the river, where a big boat was waiting for them, and at the oars there were strong girls in leather coats and short skirts. Each one had a short sword gleaming on its belt.

“These are my sisters,” said the woman, sitting down at the helm.

When everyone sat down, the girls together took up the oars, and the boat slid across the water. Eva, who settled on the nose, gave commands, warning about shallows and rocks.

- Where are we going? - could not help herself, asked Feira.

“To the camp,” the woman in the raincoat answered shortly, “It's not far away.”

Ava raised her hand, and the girls raised their oars. The boat gently crashed into the wet sand. The robber jumped ashore and pulled her further ashore. All began to unload. From the thickets of hazel came another "sister."

“Is everything calm, Misa?” The woman asked.

“Yes, Tilla,” she answered.

- Tilla? - at Feira by surprise, her legs buckled.

“Yes, I'm alive,” the woman replied.

- A ring?

“This is the ring of one of my sisters,” said Tilla, “Milard’s people took it off her finger.” It is almost the same as mine. Only the stone is a bit lighter.

- Is she alive? The girl asked in a stuttering voice.

“No, she fought bravely and accepted death with honor,” Tilla turned away so as not to show her tears, “She was one of the best.”

The woman quickly turned and walked down the path. Feira and the rest of the girls followed her.

***

The death row, as Milard himself called it, was dark and damp. There was no daylight penetrating, the air was stale because there was no ventilation. Slippery from moisture and mold stone floor was not even straw. Only pitch darkness and oppressive silence.

Four hours Milard "talked" with the prisoner without witnesses. He did not torture the princess, did not beat her and did not rape her. He just asked the girl about her friends, and, making sure that she did not know anything, he finally left him alone. Summoning the blacksmith, the Lord ordered to chain Ilma into heavy chains and a collar and send him to the basement. There she was chained to the wall and left to wait for death.

Ilma sat on the ice floor and begged the Gods to end this nightmare as soon as possible. She was not afraid of the upcoming execution. She waited for her as a deliverance. The whole body has turned into one continuous unfeeling mass. It was more terrible than the most sophisticated torture, and the princess even caught herself thinking that she regretted that she was not subjected to torture.

How much time she spent in a stone bag, Ilma could not imagine. But once a bolt creaked, and Milard entered the prison with a cheerful gait, accompanied by a guard who carried a chair.Sitting down on him and stretching his legs, the Boss looked at the camera with a contented look and grunted vaguely.

“But it could have been different,” he said thoughtfully.

- What do you mean? - asked the princess.

“If you weren't so obstinate,” the young man drawled, “I would be sitting warm now.”

“In a cage with a chain around his neck,” Ilma continued, “And you would have mocked me with ecstasy.”

“Well, the chain is on you now,” Milard grinned. “And there is a cage, only stone and cold.” But here I can give you a lot of "pleasures."

“You can, I have no doubt,” the girl agreed, “Once you succeeded.”

- So why did you run away? - Lord burst out laughing, - You will not please you.

Ilma did not argue. She understood that this monster wanted to break her spirit, turn into a nonentity that would crawl on his knees in front of him, begging for mercy. From the Queen of slaves will not remain a trace. She will be cursed and forgotten, and his power will be consolidated. What more to wish for?

- Not! - the princess firmly decided, - I, Ilma Brok from the Brokas clan, will never be a litter to a tyrant. May I die, may they forget me, but my conscience will remain clear!

- Why are you happy? - noticing a smile on her lips, asked Milard, - Still hoping for a miracle? There will not be this, can you believe my word.

“You would go,” answered Ilma calmly, “You have many other concerns.” And do not worry about me.

Shrugging, Milard rose from his chair and slowly walked out. The guard, having measured the prisoner with a corny look, took the chair and locked the camera. Silence again.

A few days passed, but Milard never came to visit the captive. Ilma had already begun to think that he had forgotten about her. But once the door swung open. The look of the Boss was preoccupied.

- Trouble? - with a mock asked Ilma.

“The execution will take place tomorrow,” the young man calmly replied. “I have come to tell you about it.”

“You made me happy,” the princess chuckled wryly.

“It’s not too late to fix everything,” Milard came close to the girl, “Just tell me, and I will cancel the execution.”

- What do you expect from me? - Ilma stared at her tormentor.

“Recognize me as your master, humble yourself,” his voice quivered, “And I will make you my personal slave.” I will be with you tender and affectionate. You will have the power, wealth, power.

- This has already happened, - the girl turned away, - And you know how it all ended. You gave me to your dogs.

- I promise! - the young man grabbed the princess by the shoulders, - You will be inviolable!

- I do not believe you, - Ilma tried to escape from his hands, - What are your vows worth?

“I can replace the stake with another death,” suggested Milard.

“Don't,” the princess lowered her head, “you go.” Leave me alone before dying.

“But I can't be that simple ...,” the young man hesitated.

“You can,” said Ilma indifferently.

- I love you! - Milard squeezed her shoulders again and suddenly dug a furious kiss into her lips.

“I will still be your most archenemy,” the girl said when he pulled away from her. “I hate you!”

- Bitch! - the Lord howled and gave Ilma a strong slap in the face, - You have worn out my whole soul! You ..., You ...!

He wanted to hit Ilma again, but at the last moment he lowered his hand and quickly went out. Already at the door Milard turned, but said nothing when he saw the princess's mocking glance. Cursing, he slammed the dungeon door shut.

Early morning was cold and overcast. Heavy gray clouds hung over the town square, threatening to crush it. It began to rain light rain, accompanied by strong gusts of wind.

The people, wrapping their cloaks and pulling their hats up to the eyebrows, went to the place of execution, complaining about the Gods and their ruler. But no one wanted to deny himself the pleasure of seeing the execution of the Slave Queen. Neither did they want to be late for the beginning of the ceremony. And by ten o'clock the whole square was packed to capacity. Those who did not have enough space near the scaffold, climbed onto the roofs of houses or leaned out ... Read more →