Horizon of Darkness

Having left the fort, Lin began searching for a place where a large number of people could gather even in the evening and where she could attract the attention of the townspeople. Wandering alone through the dark streets of an unfamiliar city was far from the most pleasant activity, but the mere thought that the alternative was traveling through the sewers was enough to dispel any doubts about her previous decision. Such dirty, disease-ridden, and foul-smelling places were clearly not for such a delicate and graceful beauty as her. This time, she had no musical accompaniment - the group's only musician had more important tasks, so Lin began by singing a cappella, without any particular meaning, except to attract the attention of passersby and people hiding behind the doors of their homes. - Inhabitants of Radovud and its surroundings! Dear men and women, all who are capable of wielding a weapon! - With her hand outstretched, she showed the gathered crowd an announcement about recruiting for the guard. - The guard is having a hard time right now - there are not enough hands, and crime is increasing, so there is an active recruitment drive. - For those who stood further away or simply could not read, the orator read out the terms of employment. - You will receive personal equipment, free food, free medical care, and free drinks in local taverns at the city's expense. - "Free" she repeated several times, specifically to emphasize how great this offer was. - And also a solid salary of one gold coin per day! In addition, you will help not only the city and society, but even yourselves! Currently, you all have to walk with your heads bowed and suspect each other, knowing that if a crime is committed, no one will stand up for you! And if the creatures of darkness attack or something else happens, then that will be the end of everything. In this situation, none of you have hope for a bright future, and every day could be your last, but! Today you have the opportunity to change everything, take your fate into your own hands, and look to the future with more confidence in your eyes and with your shoulders held high! Join us and protect your property, your families, your usual way of life, your lives, your dignity. - Lin exhaled and demonstratively took off her top, leaving herself in just her underwear and bra. - And besides, think of the beautiful! Beauty is priceless; it is something that we, as humans, pursue not for some mercenary purposes, but in order to find spiritual upliftment and a higher purpose in life. - She said the next phrase in a rougher tone to create a greater contrast with what she had just said. - Eating, sleeping, and leading an idle life can be done by animals, but that is not enough for us, as humans. Beauty is a universal good that transcends the barriers of time, generations, genders, and cultures; it is something that is good in itself and is expressed not only in what can be seen with the eyes or heard with the ears, but also in the beauty of the human soul! Take a closer look at your reflection in a mirror or water and think about what you would prefer to see yourselves as - gloomy, with empty eyes, devoid of hope and aspirations, resigned to life and awaiting an inevitable end, or as those who are ready to take up a sword and fight back against fate, standing firm like a colossus against all the trials that it is ready to send your way! Protect yourselves, your families, your community, your land, the future, and before that - restore your human dignity, open up like a flower, and become beautiful! Everything is in your power!