“I think I have found the inspiration for a new work.” declared Manfred Von Deyl enthusiastically. "The delightful story the hunter told last night will be the core of the plot."Elysia looked at him doubtfully. They advanced along the western flank of the caravan, keeping between the chariots and the ominous mountains.“Perhaps the hunter's story is more than just a tale, Manfred. Many ancient legends contain real facts.”"Of course! Of course! Who better to know than me? I think I will title this work Where the legends walk. Think about it: powerful spells that make the earth rumble, and the metallic sheen of legendary weapons gleaming in the haunted light of the moon. Imagine the figure of the god of the dead who remains unbeatable in the midst of battles."Looking at those accursed elevations, it was very easy for Elysia to imagine such things. Of all the people following Baron Von Deyl, only three people dared to enter the hills. During the day, Dr. Stock and Mrs. Winter searched

As the first light of morning appeared, Elysia watched warily as Frey inspected the rubble of the ancient stone arch. The stench of stale air and rotting bones rising from within nauseated him. She turned to look down the mountain, where the surviving outcasts were setting up funeral pyres from the remains of the chariots to cremate the dead. Nobody wanted to bury them so close to the mountains.Elysia heard Frey growl with fierce satisfaction, and she turned around again. Frey was expertly running his hand over the broken stones, on the surface of which the engraved runes formed a faint web, and then he raised his eyes and gave her a wild smile.“There is no doubt, catgirl; the runestones that guarded the entrance were split from the outside.”Elysia looked at him as suspicion washed over him. She felt enormous fear.“Looks like someone has given the Von Deyl Curse a hand.” she whispered. ♦ ♦ &diam

The corpulent corpse of Dieter lay in the doorway of the Baron's bedroom with one side of his head caved in. Elysia imagined she would bolt out the door in a rage when a prepared enemy struck her from the side.She leaped like a lioness over the body, rolling to the ground before standing up and looking around the room. The old baron lay in bed with a knife through his heart, his blood soaking the bandages on his chest and the sheets.The catgirl glared at the chair Manfred was sitting on. He had the sword stained with blood."The curse has been fulfilled at last." the playwright stated in a strained voice, which also contained a high-pitched note of hysteria.He looked up, and Elysia shivered because Manfred's face seemed like a mask, as if something strange was looking at her from inside her."I knew it was my destiny to end the curse." declared Manfred as if making a comment to pass the time. “I knew it from the moment I killed my mother.

“In the name of the son, you have been well! We were in a bit of trouble,” declared the tall, dark-haired warrior, at the same time making the Sign of the cult of the triumvirate on his chest. He was a handsome man despite his rough appearance. His armor, though dented, was of the highest quality, and the intensity of his gaze made Elysia uncomfortable. "Apparently, gentlemen, we owe you our lives" added the sorcerer, who was also richly dressed. His brocade robe was edged with gold thread, and scrolls covered in mystic symbols were attached to rings that adorned it. His long blond hair was cut in a peculiar way, since from the center of the wavy strands rose a crest although it was somewhat short. Elysia wondered if it was the badge of some mystical order. The armored man's laugh rang out like thunder. “It is the prophecy, Johann. Didn't the priestess say that one of our brothers from Lothal would help us? Praise be to the father! It's a good sign, no doubt." <

From the window of the tower where the dwarfs had lodged them, Elysia looked down the cobbled street. Outside, the snow had begun to fall; behind her, the others argued in low voices."I don't like it," Zauber said. “Who knows how extensive an underground area can be? We could search to the end of the world and not find the sword. I thought the dwarfs were guarding it.”“We must have faith.” Aldred replied, his tone calm and implacable. “The Father wants us to find the sword, and we must trust that he will guide us to it.”“Aldred, if Father wishes the sword to be returned, why didn't he place it in the hands of your three brothers who have gone before us?” Zauber asked, a hint of hysteria creeping into his voice.“Who am I to speculate on the All-Father's motivations? Maybe it wasn't the right time. Perhaps he wants to test our faith. In me you will not find an unbeliever. You don't have to come with