A link between eras.

*** The Dragon walked along the palace colonnade, deep in thought. Solmyr's help might prove invaluable, but this djinn has his own peculiar notions of honor and justice. He will fully support me if I say I am avenging my mother's death, but if he learns the true reason for my hatred of Kilgor, he might withdraw his support. But his skills are truly indispensable. And why is Gavin Magnus sending his loyal servant with me? To spy? Or does he genuinely want to help? Well, everything will become clear as things unfold. For now, it's time to gather my Wizards. The Dragon descended the staircase made of blue marble and stepped onto the dusty pavement. Servants led a horse to him, a magnificent chestnut stallion. The Dragon easily mounted and immediately set off at a gallop. Three days to prepare – that's not much time; every minute counts. *** - Solmyr, I think you can guess why I decided to send you with the Dragon? The djinn silently bowed his head. He had become very quiet since his careless words made him Gavin Magnus's eternal slave. Now he spoke very rarely, preferring to respond with single words or gestures. - The Dragon is undoubtedly a great mage. He rightfully holds the title of the greatest dragon slayer. But something about his offer bothers me. I fear he might be planning something against me. I sensed that today he was due to arrive at the palace with a very important matter. And I was right, as always. But this matter has some hidden meaning that I cannot immediately grasp. You must always be close to the Dragon. Gain his trust. And provide him with all possible support. I want him to win! The lands of Cruelod must become part of Bracadia! Gavin Magnus was simply burning with enthusiasm. To expand the borders of Bracadia by annexing Cruelod. If he succeeds, he will become the greatest ruler in all of Antagarich. He will be able to compete even with Roland, the ruler of Enroth! No one will dare challenge him. Bracadia will finally find peace, for no one will dare threaten it. Solmyr looked at his master and didn't recognize him. Something had happened to Gavin Magnus. He was acting like a madman. Has the gods cursed him? Or do they want to punish him, for when the gods want to punish a man, they deprive him of his reason. Can one serve a madman? He, Solmyr, a great djinn – and suddenly a slave to a madman?! This is unfair! Gods, why are you punishing me like this? That's what Solmyr thought, but he didn't betray himself with a single movement. And Gavin Magnus wouldn't have noticed any strangeness in the servant's behavior, as he was so engrossed in his plans. Finally, the immortal king was able to regain control of himself. He calmed down, and his face took on its usual, slightly arrogant expression. - So, Solmyr, do you understand my instructions? Keep an eye on the Dragon so that he does not undertake anything that could threaten me. And help him fight the Barbarians. Your wisdom and his skill will lead my armies to victory! Solmyr bowed. But this time, his bow lacked the usual reverence. If Gavin Magnus hadn't been so excited, he wouldn't have noticed it. But now the king was not concerned with the unusual behavior of the servant – he was thinking about the upcoming victories of his armies. - May I go, master? – Solmyr asked, not waiting for new orders. - Yes, Solmyr, you may go. And tell the servants to prepare a feast today, in honor of the start of the war with the Barbarians. Let this be the last feast of peacetime. The next time we will celebrate only after the victory over the Barbarians. Solmyr left the king's chambers. The same master of ceremonies, who had announced the Dragon to the king, stood at the door. This was an old man named Paron, who had seen a lot and knew a lot. He used to be a warrior, but after a severe wound he received while fighting against Krigan, he had to retire from military affairs. Remembering his past merits, Gavin Magnus appointed the former warrior as master of ceremonies. Solmyr was well acquainted with Paron; they fought side by side in many battles. They had long-standing trusting relationships, and there were no secrets between them. Perhaps, for Solmyr, this was the only person he could call his friend. - Solmyr, I don't recognize our lord. He is acting like a madman. I have never noticed this in him before. And you? - I haven't either. In all the hundreds of years that I have served Gavin Magnus, I have never seen him in such a state. He has simply become obsessed with war. - War? So, he still agreed with the Dragon? I thought he had decided to consult with you to decide how to politely refuse him. But it turns out… War… - Yes, war. But the king does not trust the Dragon. He is afraid that this war is needed by the Dragon in order to become king himself. And I must be with the Dragon as an assistant and observer. - Yes, something is wrong with our king. Something terrible is coming if such a wise ruler suddenly becomes consumed by a thirst for military victories. - I think the gods are angry with Gavin Magnus. And in order to punish him, they have taken away his reason. - But why would the gods, who gave him eternal life, suddenly change their minds? - Perhaps Gavin Magnus is destined to be the hand of fate for the Barbarians. Kilgor, having seized the Ice Blade, became incredibly arrogant. Perhaps this war is needed to punish him. - Yes, strange and terrible things are happening in our time. And I thought that the worst was behind me. Having survived so many battles, I already decided that all the bad things were over for me. But it turns out, not everything… - Gavin Magnus ordered to prepare a feast. He says that this will be the last feast of peacetime. The next time we will be able to celebrate only after the final victory over the Barbarians. - I will take care of the feast. But I don't like this. To arrange a feast before a war… It's not a good omen… And Paron went to give orders to the servants. Solmyr stood alone in the middle of the corridor, deep in thought. Those times when he enjoyed fighting were long gone. The joy of battles… How long ago that was. Even before the imprisonment from which Gavin Magnus freed Solmyr. Once, Solmyr really enjoyed killing, but centuries have passed since then. And now Solmyr preferred not to remember the events that led to his imprisonment. And that was a war. A war that took place hundreds of years ago. Solmyr stood for a while in the empty corridor, and then, shaking his head, he retired to his cell, where he now spent his life.