Athanasius could not refuse.

***

Amid the peaceful and soothing clatter of hooves, Tan, General Swann and a dozen soldiers headed to the capital! Anamut, was the concentration of Arkon's power and power. Tanu had a chance to visit it somehow. He was amazed at the skill and greatness of the mastery of the architects of his people! I was even able to see the castle of the king from afar.

– Why now? Tan asked.

– I suppose there are several reasons for this. Firstly, in two weeks the meeting of the high command will take place, where the question of the final stage of the war will be decided. And the advice of an experienced military leader will be extremely useful. Also do not forget that 20 years ago, King Virgil and King Orme made peace between our states. And on this occasion, the king wants to organize a feast and festivities. Of course, I understand that you have your own scores with the Wotans, but for me it is better to drink ale at the celebration of peace than to choke on blood in a war.

Tan understood this very well. Over the long years of service in the army, he saw a lot and agreed with the general. For all his hatred of Wotan, he even felt sympathy for King Orm.

Twenty years ago, Orme became a rebel general who overthrew his ruler, the brutal King Reim. And immediately after that, he made an appeal to end this senseless war unleashed by his king. When Athanasius was young and inexperienced, he assumed that Orma made the people king in gratitude for the liberation from the tyrant and the end of the bloody war. But now he knew that the power he received was due to the power that he had. There was an army behind him, that's the whole secret.

– You must understand, continued Swann, life at court is not sweet to me myself. However, this position opens up great opportunities and prospects. Tell me, how many senseless sacrifices could have been avoided if the council had people who know their business? Competent commanders who have fought more than once themselves?

There he looked at the general, and, meeting his eyes, nodded to him in approval.

After a few minutes of silence, and enjoying the chirping of birds and the sound of trees, General Swann continued.

– Tell me, how are you doing on the personal front?

The corners of Tan's lips lifted slightly. He could not seriously talk about such a topic. – Nothing serious. I guess I'm not made for family life.

– From what? the general asked. You're still young. Representatives of our race live on average about a hundred years. So you still have time to find that one. Have offspring. A reliable rear has not harmed anyone yet.

Tan retorted, – Well, judge for yourself, whose husband is always not at home, and who may not return from another campaign. Not an enviable share for a girl.

– So find yourself one that will share your hobbies.

– Warrior ?! No really. These are completely crazy. Don't you know.

Then the general and Tan burst into loud laughter. – It's better as it is. Everything suits me.

– Do not take an example from me, Mirra! I will have no one to bring a glass of water before I die.

–Tan smiled again. “We both know the servants will do it for you.

Swann laughed. – Your truth. Since I am destined to settle in the capital at the court of the king, it is useless to wipe my ass myself. I may be misunderstood.

And they both burst out laughing. Yes, so loud that the birds fell from the trees and flew along the edge of a small cliff, along the river, dodging between the branches of the bushes and flying next to the heads of the leading soldiers. In the distance, hills were visible, and from the left on the other side of the river, fields of wheat went into the horizon

Swann was one of the few people who entered the innermost recesses of the soul of Athanasius. Tan was overjoyed about this. After all, everyone needs a loved one next to him, even if this relationship is not by blood.

***

It was a grueling ten days. Due to the fact that the meeting was to begin fourteen days after the departure from the "Marne" building, it was necessary to walk seventy miles a day. Everyone was pretty tired. But it was necessary. And now ten days passed, and the general with his retinue was already approaching the borders of Anamut. It was immediately clear that this was the capital of a prosperous state. Long before the city itself, wretched hovels and shacks had replaced houses skillfully crafted by Mister Wood, with gardens, vineyards and landscaped grounds. Increasingly, patrols and checkpoints began to come across on the way. During these 10 days, the cloudless sky with the blazing sun changed to a more welcoming one with islands of clouds, but still sunny and blue. After another couple of miles the city appeared. The first thing that a traveler saw approaching the capital was two standing towers about 100 meters high, which settled above the rooftops and divided the city into northern and southern parts. One of the towers was occupied by the scientists of Anamut, and in the other there were soldiers who guarded the city. In the center was the king's castle. Although it would be more accurate to say, it was a complex of structures, which also included the future workplace of General Swann, the Anamut conglomerate. The meetings of which were attended by various representatives of state authorities, ranging from the military and ending with the masters of coins.

There were, of course, several passages to the city, but the central and largest was the Royal Gateway.

The general and his companions were in riding clothes, therefore, when they entered the capital, no one paid much attention to them. Another military who arrived in the city.

– Athanasius, find yourself a room in any of the visiting houses. And buy yourself some new clothes. You, however, are my confidant and in four days you will go with me to Duke Erhard. Bercy and I will stay at the Royal Guest Palace, at his invitation. You have a couple of days to spare, so don't waste them. Smiling at each other, they shook hands, and Tan headed towards his horse.

Suddenly the general called out to him. Turning around, he saw Swann throw something at him. After catching it, Tan realized that it was a bag of coins. He raised his head and looked at his old friend in bewilderment.

– Why are you looking at me like that, Athanasius? asked Swann, not hiding a smile. It is the king who pays you, not me. Then he climbed on a horse and with his retinue went further, deep into the city, where he was lost in a second among the people and stalls.

There he looked at the bag, smiled, tossed it with his palm and immediately caught it. Well, since the king pays for everything …

She lay on the bed and was fast asleep, her arms clasped to her chest. The sun had already risen and with its rays was trying to break into the room through the cracks between the curtains. He tied the laces on his pants and did not take his eyes off her back, remembering the night before. From what, warmth spread through the body, and a pleasant shiver ran. To be honest, he didn't want to leave, but he always felt awkward in the morning. Her name was Gertie. A typical name for an urban peasant woman. But working as a courtesan was much more profitable. He took a coin from the bag and placed it on a nearby bedside table. It was golden. About her monthly salary, but he was not in the least sorry for him. She honestly earned it by giving affection and love to Athanasius. He put on his shirt and quietly walked out, praying not to wake her up.

When he went down the steps and went out into the street, the merchants, beggars, common people, were already pouring out into the street and doing their own thing, as it seemed to them important to them. He looked up at the sky, which was covered with islands of clouds. What a blue and incredibly beautiful, Tan thought. Then he walked slowly up the street. Thus began his second day. The first, he spent looking for a room and washing himself of the dust from the field. The room in a drive-through house called "Spattering Efa", on the ground floor of which there was a small tavern, was quite tolerable and was not cheap by the city's standards. Having paid the owner of the house, for high-quality cleaning and looking after his room, during the absence of the guest, Athanasius went to the city. After passing a couple of streets, the pleasant name "Naked Chest" caught his eye. When he entered the establishment, he was immediately greeted by the hostess, who kindly inquired about the client's name, where he was from, and his preferences. And after a short conversation, she took me to the room, where Gertie came a couple of minutes later. It seemed to him that for a girl of her profession, she entered the room too timidly. Gertie was extremely sweet and polite. And after a couple of mugs of ale, not a trace of Athanasius's embarrassment remained. It was a wonderful night, and it seemed to him that Gertie was also delighted. Although one cannot plead with the fact that, like any craft, this is also taught, and perhaps it was just a skillfully played role. But this was the matter of last night, and now Tan had a task no less difficult than a sortie into the enemy's camp. He needed to find new pants and boots. He was very demanding and attached to his things. The same was true for clothing. Athanasius knew that buying new clothes from him could take all day. But Gertie advised him a couple of decent places where he would not be deceived and he might be able to find something for himself. Approaching the first place, near the entrance, Tan noticed a boy who was playing the pity. Having earned a little, he went inside. "Gostra Golka" is the name of the tailor's establishment. But, having heard from Tan his wishes, he said that there are not many craftsmen in the city who sew good-quality clothes for soldiers. Because it should be not only beautiful, but also durable, practical, comfortable and of course should contain the elements of protection. But he knows one such master and will gladly show the way. The tailor went out into the street and called the very boy who was sitting next to the entrance. When the boy entered, the tailor introduced him as his little son named Tin. Then he turned to the boy and said that he would take him to his uncle Bert, to which he silently nodded and went out into the street. Thanking the owner of the workshop, Athanasius went out after the youth. About a quarter of an hour later, the boy took Tana into some remote house, unremarkable, without any signs about the workshop located in it. But, opening the door, he immediately realized that he had come to the right place. There was a dim light from candles and oil lamps. The windows are curtained. There were wooden mannequins everywhere, as well as stacks of production material. Tan realized that the sewing man here knew his craft well. Tan also noticed metal plates and scabbard blanks. In the depths of the corridor, a strong man appeared, but as he approached, it was evident that he was already at an advanced age. The man approached Tan and greeted him with his right hand to his chest.