The girl Batmore and I picked off along the way was called Adalbjorg Hedvin. She was the only daughter of the northern jarl of the Coast of Iron Blades.
“I know our names sound unusual in these lands, but you can call me Ada.” I am in your debt, Mirre.
– Stop doing that. Any person would try to help in my place,” I was embarrassed.
The new acquaintance sat unevenly, leaning on one side, as if she could not fully straighten her back. She winced every now and then, clearly in pain, and I tried to turn the conversation to what was really important now: “No, Mirre!” Not just anyone. Only a very brave person with a caring heart would risk speaking out against six elemental magicians who are not burdened with either reason or conscience,” the northern woman objected, which embarrassed me.
– Did they hurt you?
– Nonsense! “It’s been worse,” the northern woman shrugged it off, but I didn’t believe her.
– Not at all! You should see a healer. Let's go to the station, there is a 24-hour first aid station.
– Perhaps you're right. That’s what I’ll do, only… Only now I have nothing to pay for their services,” she frowned sadly.
– Don’t worry about it, I won’t leave you in trouble.
– Mirre, I…
– No objections, Ada! You almost got killed! And then, when your things return, you can pay me back,” I reassured her.
– Thank you!
The Northern woman touched her forehead with two fingers and, with an unexpectedly graceful gesture, extended her open palm to me. A small ball flashed gold above her. He swam up to me and hovered, and suddenly pleasant shivers ran down my back, like when trying on a tailor.
– What is this? – I asked quietly.
– Oath of purity of intentions. If you accept it, just touch it.
“Ada… Really, it’s not worth it…” I stopped short, catching the northern woman’s gaze, and realized that if I refused, I would offend her to the core.
Sighing, she dipped her finger into the golden light, and her chest felt hot, as if she had sipped the cinnamon wine that we were treated to at the boarding house on New Year’s Eve.
“We are now more connected than sisters.” “You are my kyari, my savior,” Ada explained.
Her face suddenly blurred, and then I blinked, and two tears rolled down my cheeks.
–What are you doing? Are you crying, or what? – The northern woman frowned.
– No no! It's just… Everything is so unexpected. I lived alone for a long time, and just recently met my older sister. And now I have another sister.
The northern woman burst into a smile and hugged me by the shoulders in a familiar way, but immediately shuddered and again took the “hook” pose.
– Hurts?
“Stronger than we would like,” Adalbjorg answered with a dark smile.
Hearing her, Bathmore reined in his horse and began to choose a level road. We were just driving past the giant gas holder, and ahead there was already a station glowing with lights, where life was in full swing day and night.
– Ada, forgive me for the indiscreet question, but why did you need to get involved with this dubious company? Where did you actually come across them? – Unable to bear it, I asked.
