Meanwhile, the forest grew thicker and more impassable, giving way to an overgrown thicket that was barely traversable, where a man's foot did not often set foot. And what a reasonable person would voluntarily put himself in such a place, who else but him. With a sigh, he looked at his fighting friend, who would have to play the not-so-heroic role of a woodcutter, cutting off especially stubborn branches, the sharpness of the blade allowed him to be used for this purpose. But, as Claude noted with anguish, after such a specific use, the sword will have to be shown to the blacksmith, since even its manual sharpening will no longer correct the situation. After half an hour of fermentation among the thickets of fir trees, a few scratches and a hole in the leg, a much-desired gap appeared in front, in the reflections of which the features of some structure were clearly visible. "Here it is - the lair!" - the mercenary breathed a sigh of relief, rejoicing that this exhausting wandering
- Not the first time. - And what happened to the previous ones? - They weren't disappointed. - Vaguely answered the woman. - And came back? - Watching who. Special people are always welcome here. - Special? - Yes, like you and me, mercenary. - Claude. - Claude. Even the name, impressive - gorgeous. - As if tasting, she repeated, voicing the meaning of his name. Claude himself knew that his name was translated as magnificent. What a mockery, magnificent and subhuman. - And you? - Alita. Nice to meet. - Mutually. In the room, meanwhile, it began to gradually darken, the sun was more and more inclined towards sunset, less and less penetrating inside the room with its playful rays. And in the reflection of these rays, Alita became even more charming and desirable. “I like you, mercenary,” the snake queen continued meanwhile, giving him an appraising look. - I know that you are the same as me, my children have seen You. You should understand me.
After sitting like that for a couple more minutes, he was able to finally regain control of his own body. The fact that his hands were shackled with chains did not upset him much, not for the first time. In such a case, he always had a spare master key stashed away. Bending the brush, he tried to feel for the metal rod sewn into the edge of the shirt sleeve, but as soon as he twisted to pull out the skeleton key, the snakes, before that, indifferent, and as if not alive, began to move, emitting a menacing hiss and sticking out a forked tongue. Not wanting to take risks, the guy froze, judging by the appearance of these creatures, they were relatives in appearance to the one that bit him and fell from his hands. It means that he will not die from their bite, but he did not want to experience again all the delights of paralysis, you never know what could happen while he was passed out. Claude threw a hateful glance at the reptiles and relaxed, hanging in the shackles. His hands ache
I didn’t feel like eating out of her hands at all, but I didn’t have to choose, it was stupid to arrange the head, he could need strength at any moment. The meat was juicy and tender, well-done, it literally melted in your mouth. Whatever he thought of Alita, she was an excellent cook. Not a woman, but a dream, if it were not for such a snake. And the piece was already somehow suspiciously quickly over, as Claude thought, without saturating him. - Alita, why do you need all this, because you're not bad? - unexpectedly even for himself asked Claude, when the last piece disappeared into the bowels of the stomach. - Tired of living in fear. I want happiness for people like us. - Still she answered, after not a long reflection, but her voice did not sound very confident. - I understand, but maybe there is another way to fulfill your desire? -Not! I do not see him. - It's a pity. - What are you sorry about? - What, such beauty will be lost in vain. The w
- We are just very tired, and these snakes swarming around ... - continued the story of brother Daisy. - And the woman was so kind, so sympathetic, that we followed her. “Such a woman…” Caer muttered dreamily, apparently also succumbing to Alira’s charm, and judging by Deiza’s words, it had an effect on her too, forcing her to see Alita as a trustworthy person. - I understood it. Kaer, wipe your drool, she's too tough for you. - Confidently ordered the mercenary, trying to return their heads to their place. - I didn't let you! - the brother was indignant, moving closer to Claude as far as the length of the shackles allowed. - Okay, what's next? “Ah, nothing,” the teenager finished their confession. - As soon as we went inside, snakes rushed at us, twisted, and the one that bit from the woman's hand. - And me. - The girl confirmed the words of her brother, waving her hand. - In general, I understood everything. Now we have to decide how to proceed. C
“Still, I see no reason to let you live,” he said thoughtfully. It was dangerous to leave this woman at large, but I didn’t want to kill, in fact, an ordinary victim of human cruelty, but how can I believe her ?! - No need ... - Alita sobbed softly, she did not want to die at all. - I won't do it again. - I do not believe. - I swear. I swear on my life. Yours and your children! - Pfft… Alita, what are you talking about. Silence hung in the basement for several minutes, interrupted by the woman's light sobs, which suddenly stopped, and her face lit up in a smile. - Take me with you! - she suddenly blurted out, knocking the ground from under the feet of the mercenary, who did not expect such an offer. - Why are you me?! - I'm very helpful. And I can do a lot of things, - she threw a meaningful look at him. - Aren't you ashamed to offer yourself like that? the man chuckled. - Not. Why not, because I already told you that I like you. - You a
As soon as the light of the morning sun gently illuminated the room, touching the closed eyelids of the mercenary with its rays, he woke up. Over the past night, Claude had a wonderful rest and blissfully stretched, dressed. The brother and sister slept in the next room on the second floor, but he waited to wake them up. The dining room was also empty, even the snakes that habitually sprawled everywhere were absent today. As soon as the treacherous thought crept into his soul: “Alita, deceived him by running away while they were sleeping,” as light steps were heard behind him, forcing him to turn around. Near him stood Alita, and at the same time not Alita. The face of the woman in front of him belonged to the queen of snakes, but she was transformed beyond recognition. The features of the face have retained their attractive charm, but have lost their former brightness, and if earlier it fell into the soul, bursting like a fiery hurricane, now she charmed me with the soft steps of
- Simply, she promised what he wants, but it's too early for you to know about it, grow up for now. - She clicked on the nose of a curious girl and turned to Claude, cooing in a gentle voice. - Honey, you wait for me a little, I need to "talk" with my chosen one. From her words, Claude already winced, but he nodded in agreement. - But not to long. - We're coming soon. - And then she added very quietly, so that only Claude could hear, - this is the return of the use of charm, I must squander what I called for. Claude nodded in understanding, but said nothing. In fact, she was not obliged to explain herself to him, but Alita honestly fulfilled this oath, and he respectfully treated her words. The woman, having calmed down, went forward to meet the guard. What they were going to do, Claude did not want to know, but he guessed. He now had another concern. The absence of Anren at the gate caused bad premonitions, which he was afraid to voice out loud. Finding a secluded c