Reflection of the night
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The Countess walked steadily to the iron bars and looked at the three young men in turn, as if she had poor eyesight.
– This is the first time I've seen them, – she finally said, turning around.
– Well, I thought so, – said the captain, with a quick glance at the three prisoners, who blinked innocently.
– You haven't changed your mind about crossing to the mainland? The path is not close. It is also unknown how your relatives will meet you. And there are suitors for you here. If you want, I'll introduce you to the miller, he's a well-to-do guy. And it will feed you and your brother.
– Is he cute? – The girl smiled coquettishly.
– Well, not the Raven King, of course, or his dukes, but still.
– Ah, – said the Countess.
– Come on, silly girl, do you dream of a king too?
– Oh, really, Captain, – Anna said indignantly. – I can't even dream of it. And they say that he is not so handsome.
– That's right, – said Arthur. I saw him once, – she said, noticing the Raven's scowl, – from a distance. – Pretty girl, how do you like me? – He winked at Anna.
– She needs just such a rogue, – The captain said angrily, shaking his fist at the young man and slamming the door.
Anna calmly sat down on a stool and looked at the prisoners.
Anna, – Robin's voice was frighteningly gentle. – You're coming with us now, and everything will be fine.
Anna looked at the boys and felt the call coming from all three of them, which for a moment made her uneasy.
– I'm sorry, but that's not possible, Your Majesty.
– You think you can stand up to us, Countess, – Arthur said hoarsely.
– You and the boy will not be harmed, – the Falcon promised, his fathomless green eyes flashing.
– Why should I oppose you, Lord Kern? – the girl asked. – You're in a cage, aren't you?
All three of them smiled.
– I like it when you play the fool, you can continue this activity at your leisure, and now there is no time, – Raven said, forming a ball of energy between his palms and grabbing the bars to bend them.
Anna was smiling at his surprised face when the attempt failed.
– There is no need to strain yourself so much, Your Majesty, – she said without mockery. – The thing is, the bars in this cage are cast from the ancient bell of Selbornus, the metal of which holds back all magic. It's all the fault of the ignorance and mismanagement of officials. A stroke of the pen and here – in a worn-out police station there was such a treasure.
– Even this metal can't hold us for long.
– That is true, – said the Countess. – He can only hold such powerful mages for three hours. That's just enough time for me to leave.
– Anna, don't make me be cruel, – Robin said, gripping the bars with his hands and glaring at her.
He sensed that the Falcon and the Bear were already testing the cage for strength and using all means to break it quickly. Now you just need to distract the girl.
– I have never provoked anyone to do this, Your Majesty, – the Countess replied.
– My woman leaves the palace without permission, breaks into the vault, and injures three dozen warriors. Isn't that a provocation?
– Only I can call myself yours, – Anna's voice was steely.
The king's face twisted in anger.
– And if a man does it?
– Without a woman's consent, that would be nothing, – the Countess chuckled.
Arthur and Edward also shared a faint smile.
– Even if the words are the king's? – Raven asked.
– Even if the words were uttered by the deity of the Piran peasants.
– You have a lot of audacity and stupidity, Lady Raine, – Arthur said harshly. – A woman cannot survive without the protection of a man.
– However, I have been able to prove the opposite many times, – Anna said calmly.
– I am not trying to impose my opinion on you, my lords, but I believe that a woman does not need a man at all.
The movement in the cage froze.
– Yes, just as a man doesn't need a woman. We don't need each other without love.
There was a moment of silence in the room. August stirred on the bench. He woke up and looked at Anna.
– August, are you going to eat?
He nodded his head in the affirmative. The Countess sat down beside him and opened her bag, taking out vegetables, bread, and fruit. Augustus looked much better and ate his food with an enviable appetite. After eating a few good bites, he noticed that he and Anna were not alone. Arthur winked at the boy.
– Anna, – Augustus said, surprised. – And what are the king and my lords doing here in such clothes and behind bars?
Lady Rain yawned, covering her mouth with her hand.
– I don't know what their plans are. But if they've changed their clothes, it means they don't want to be recognized.
– They must be hungry. Can I give them something to eat?
– Sure, do whatever you want. Just move carefully, you're still weak.
The child took a large dish and, putting food on top of it, carried it to the cage. Arthur took the food from the boy with a smile and thanked him. Augustus immediately turned around and handed him a pitcher of water. The Falcon and the Bear devoured the food greedily. Robin also took a few slices of bread and vegetables, keeping his eyes on Anna and noting with satisfaction that the magic they had unleashed was beginning to work.
– We'll be back at the palace soon, – he said to Augustus, biting into his bread.
There was fear in the boy's eyes. He turned to Anna.
– We're not going back, – she said. – His Majesty is joking. Here, give it to him, and he'll stop having fun.
With that, the Countess handed the scroll to the boy. Chuckling ironically and taking the unfolded paper from the child's hands, Robin turned pale. Edward and Arthur went over to him and looked at the scroll, too.
– No, there's no hurry, – muttered the Bear. – Where will we find soldiers to face the two armies?