The events in your life became like a raging river... Not a trace remained of your former carefree spirit...

Over the next day, you recuperated: healers, alchemical infusions, wound examinations, wet compresses, and so on...

The monks also kept a close eye on you, forcing you to pray and confess.

They likely viewed with some distrust the fact that the magical taint of the dark forces that had secretly attempted to seize Hawk Hill had not still penetrated your soul and body.

Fortunately for you, new tests of "loyalty to the Light of the True Sun" yielded the same result - you were "pure before the face of the One True God."

Besides prayers and confessions, you had confidential conversations with your father about the coming events...

However, despite the fact that this was a one-on-one conversation (on the top floor of the tallest tower, in your father's secluded study), you were able to understand little. Baron Radu Monok seemed to be protecting you from something and tried not to answer your questions in detail.

Sometimes he simply spoke in riddles...

You mentioned reading in his diary about doppelgangers and his past struggles with them.

"Yes... That was a long time ago... However, the past is not dead... The past may ultimately prove even more 'alive' than our present..." - such cryptic phrases from your father only increased your anxiety and premonition of future problems.

"Why me and not Doran? Perhaps it would be better for him to marry Lady Anna?" - you asked.

Baron Radu replied wearily: "You shouldn't ask stupid questions, son... Doran... Your older brother is in the royal army as one of the minor cavalry commanders... And whether he has remained himself or whether those vile monsters have corrupted his soul... that remains to be seen... I pray to the True Sun that your older brother will be as free from the influence of corruption as you are... I will do everything in my power to uncover the truth about Doran... So, my decision is unchangeable—you will marry Lady Anna... We need an alliance with her family..."

"But... Marriage requires mutual love between the spouses..." - you mumble.

"Mutual love? "This is the rarest gift of the True Sun... Expecting to find this gift in your lifetime is as naive as believing you'll find a huge diamond by digging through steppe mounds one after another... It's time you stopped being such a childish boy, son... Adults don't do what they want or what they enjoy – adults do what they must do..." - your father's answer makes you feel embarrassed by your naivety.

Among other things, you talked with your father about your participation in the fighting against the steppe orcs.

Your father strongly recommended that you practice swordsmanship every day with one of the warriors who would accompany you.

"You fought the doppelganger and you won... But admit to yourself honestly: how much of that victory was due to luck? And what was the influence of your centaur friend's help? It's obvious you still have a lot to learn, Stefan... The time for irresponsible play is over; it's time for you to grow up..." - your father's words seem to place a heavy burden of responsibility on your shoulders.

Your conversations with your father left you with a disturbing impression...

He clearly made it clear to you that the death of one doppelganger hasn't ended the danger to you and your family...

Well, you should definitely prepare for some unpleasant "surprises" to come...

Soon, accompanied by a small detachment of mounted warriors (forty riders in light leather armor), you leave Hawk Hill.

As they leave the estate's courtyard, the horses' hooves trample the ground, where large piles of ash are clearly visible in some places...

These piles of ash vaguely resemble the silhouettes of fallen people...

You look away in horror...

You are terrified by the painful fate that befell those of your father's subjects suspected of corruption or secretly serving the Darkness.

Well, it's no coincidence that members of the monastic order of the Eternal Flame have a reputation for merciless punishers...

As your mounted detachment gallops along the road past hills grazing with flocks of sheep, your mind is a jumble of thoughts: regrets for your deceased brother Anton; the admonitions of your father, who seems even sterner; memories of the horror you recently endured.

And also: memories of your mother, who died when you were a small child.

The sudden death of a young and beautiful woman...

It is believed to have been an accident: during a severe thunderstorm, lightning struck directly into the upper floor of the tower where her room was located.

However, now your mind is plagued by doubts – was it really an accident?

Father never married again; he loved her too much...

Your journey west continues for another couple of days...

Nighttime bivouacs make you feel the loss of your usual comforts - this is clearly not the quiet life you've led for so many years in Hawk Hill.

Finally, you and the warriors accompanying you see on the horizon the silhouette of a magnificent fortress-city, rising from the flat steppe expanses.

Enrelum.

The center of the province.

And the residence of your father's liege lord.

Acrotarch Vladenos - one of the most influential feudal lords in the Triune Kingdom of Kuzos and the one whose troops your small detachment is destined to join on the campaign against the steppe orcs.

You look more closely into the distance and notice a group of red tents camped a short distance from the city walls.

Who are they?

Ordinary shepherds?

Merchants?

Mercenaries?

Do you need to find out, or would you rather ignore this and proceed with your squad to the city gates?

The warriors accompanying you await your command...

One of them (a young man holding a long spear with a banner bearing a red hawk) looks at you questioningly.