The first hundred meters were a struggle for the sorcerer. He could barely move his legs, while nearby, not far off, Alexandra walked ahead. The space marine sensed her tension and caution, but at that moment, he couldn't care less.
After a kilometer, Amon started feeling better. His muscles strengthened, and the pain subsided, defeated by his superhuman body. But the sense of depression and despair didn't fade. Moreover, the sorcerer felt shame.
Wounded by humans! What a disgrace! What has gotten into me? This has never happened before. What could have triggered this madness? The desert, the sand? No. I'm not foolish enough to believe that theory, but I have no other explanation. What an idiot I was! An idiot. A weakling. A loyalist… Yes, the Legion is my past, but now I have chosen a different path. Serving the Thousand-Faced God, and Chaos take me, I regret not having done this sooner!
Now I understand the futility of my outburst at Tizka. Now, I would do it differently — abandon my comrades in the middle of a hopeless battle and save my own skin. But what's done is done.
Amon interrupted his inner monologue and quickened his pace. The unusual feeling of correctness still lingered. Amon had done the right thing saving the guardian, and he had done the right thing stepping in for the monster. Foolish, reckless, but still right. And that infuriated him.
Every action should be beneficial, serving far-reaching goals of gaining power, taking revenge on the Imperials, and who knows — demonizing them! Saving the guardian brought him no benefit. But it was the right thing to do. Amon tried to shake off the nonsensical thoughts.
For a moment, doubts about his chosen path crept in. Perhaps he shouldn't have changed? Maybe he should have kept his soul untainted?
"What nonsense," Amon muttered aloud.
Alexandra glanced at him with confusion and increased the distance between them.
***
As evening approached, the rocky wasteland came to an end. More and more frequently, Amon and the mercenary began to encounter grass growing by irrigation channels, with water flowing cheerfully through them.
The midday heat subsided, replaced by a pleasant warmth. Small farmlands and orchards stretched out on both sides, where the locals worked. Using oxen, they loosened the soil with iron plows, while women, wrapped in baggy clothes, gathered fruit from the trees.
A road appeared under Amon's feet, leading directly to El-Farrah, which had grown from a spot on the horizon into a huge city surrounded by a high wall. The donkey no longer clattered its hooves on the hard stones. Occasionally, it would bray, greeting its kin tied up near mudbrick houses, and upon receiving a response, it continued its way cheerfully.
"Safe travels," the farmers called to them, wiping the sweat from their brows and straightening their tired backs. "In the name of the Supreme and her prophet!"
A couple of kilometers later, Amon and the mercenary entered a grove planted along the path. The sorcerer's grim thoughts faded, and he began to walk faster, no longer caring about the girl, who still kept a safe distance. Amon was eager to reach the city before sunset. But when they reached the walls, the sky had already darkened. The high gates, four human heights tall, creaked as they closed, their copper spikes gleaming in the twilight.
"Wait!" shouted Alexandra, holding out a golden coin from a distance. Amon rushed forward but didn't make it in time. The gates slammed shut just in front of him. Torches were lit on the mudbrick walls, and guards began their patrol.
From within the city, a long, sweet song of the local priests echoed, calling the faithful to prayer to the Supreme Goddess and her prophet.
"We didn't make it," the mercenary said with annoyance, putting the coin away. "Now we'll have to wait until morning."
Amon shrugged.
Alexandra left the road and soon returned with a bundle of dry fallen branches. Moving a couple of hundred meters from the wall, Amon and the mercenary started a small fire to pass the night.
***
The sorcerer noticed that Alexandra was trying to keep her distance and flinched at every sudden movement. During the day, absorbed in his own problems and thoughts, he hadn't paid her much attention, but now Amon decided to understand the reasons behind the mercenary's behavior. Of course, part of the problem was obvious, but the sorcerer still wanted to clarify everything.
"You wanted to talk," Amon reminded her.
"Yes," the girl confirmed. She was silent for a few seconds, as though gathering her thoughts, then said, "You know, in the morning, our paths will part. We'll enter the city separately. I'm sorry, but I can't travel with you anymore."
"Why?" Amon asked, although he already knew the answer.
"You're still asking?!" Alexandra gave him an outraged look. "After what you did, I don't like our shared mission at all."
"Are you afraid?"
The girl bit her lips and flicked her tail. Amon waited for an answer.
"I'm afraid," the mercenary finally admitted. "And I'm not ashamed of it! You almost broke my arm. But that's a small thing. There were fifteen people! You should have seen yourself! Do you want me to tell you what you did to them? In detail? With the severed legs, the spilled intestines? Want to hear it?"
"No need," Amon said softly. "I can imagine."
"I don't know who you are or where you're from. It's not my business,"
Alexandra continued as if she hadn't heard his words. "But with you, I don't feel safe. I keep thinking I could have been in the place of those bastards. No, they deserved a good beating. But not this! You moved so fast... then you grabbed the priestess and dashed off into the wasteland... And you know what I realized? I wouldn't even be able to run from you if you lose control again. No way! I want to live, Amon, do you understand? Live! Not die at the hands of an insane companion. That's it, we're parting ways in the morning," the mercenary said firmly.
"You're right. Of course, you're right," the sorcerer said slowly. "I can't blame you for your decision. I won't try to convince you. But during the journey, I got used to you. Let me explain the reason for my behavior."
Alexandra shrugged.
"No," Amon raised a hand reassuringly. "I won't try to change your mind. It wasn't easy for me either, and I want to get this off my chest before we part. And in the morning, as you said, we'll separate. But I just want to warn you — it's a long story."
"Alright," the girl said with relief. She was afraid the unpleasant news would anger the warrior, but he remained perfectly calm. "We have plenty of time until morning."
Her companion lowered his eyes to the fire and fell silent, lost in thought.