At that time, Alexandra approached the Eastern Gates with the horses, Camilla with the donkey, and Amon, who had kept a grim silence ever since the market. On the way, Alexandra cast a regretful glance at the knight, who seemed to have taken a vow of silence but was too hesitant to speak. She understood that she had touched on a sensitive subject for both of them and now regretted mentioning it.
What horrors has he endured? Alexandra thought sadly. I shouldn't have brought it up.
Despite her distress upon seeing the gloomy knight, she couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. She and Amon had more in common than she had expected. This could help bring them closer in the future.
"They're fighting," Camilla announced, snapping the mercenary out of her thoughts. "Ugh! Why do people always argue? We should break them up!"
Alexandra looked closely at the commotion.
"Smuggling," the mercenary explained gruffly and told Amon, "We should wait until it all calms down. We don't want to get caught in the middle of it. See how they're running around? It's like they've shoved a hot iron up their backsides."
"I'm not waiting," the knight responded darkly, breaking his silence. "Their running around is none of our concern. And I won't be the one to stop them."
With these words, Amon resolutely headed straight toward the pile of guards, merchants, and camels. To keep up with his long strides, Alexandra had to run beside him. Behind them, the small priestess Camilla trailed along.
"Wait. Wait! Well, if you won't stop, at least let's go around the edge," the mercenary pleaded, but the knight didn't stop. On the contrary, Amon picked up speed, clearly intending to charge into the crowd headfirst. That would have happened if, a few dozen meters away from the commotion, the girl hadn't caught Amon by the elbow and found the right argument:
"Think about us! Camilla might get caught, and I won't be safe either! Look at how they're waving their hands."
Indeed, the guards driving off the smugglers were like shepherd dogs herding sheep, angrily waving their sabers without any regard for their own or others' safety.
Amon listened to the girl's words. He paused for a moment, then moved along the edge of the street. The mercenary led the horses by the reins and, using them like a shield to protect herself from the chaos, followed behind. Camilla caught up with her and now fearfully held onto Alexandra's hand, not letting go of the donkey's lead with the other.
They managed to make their way through the crowd safely. The knight acted as a battering ram. Whenever an obstacle appeared, Amon casually pushed it aside, doing so just as easily for people as for heavily loaded animals.
Alexandra kept an eye on the frightened priestess, who was disoriented by the bustle and angry shouts. Camilla, in turn, simply didn't let go of the mercenary, holding on tight. That was all that was expected of her.
Finally, their little group reached the gates, where dozens of camels were gathered. Alexandra grew worried, thinking the barrier was insurmountable, but the knight turned sideways, thrust out his shoulder.
He leaned slightly and passed through the smelly animals like a knife through butter, knocking a few of them to the ground. Following him, the girls, horses, and the disgruntled donkey squeezed through the gap.
A minute later, emerging into open road, they breathed in the hot but fresh air. After the suffocating crush, dust, and stench, the air felt fresh and sweet, like honey. The mercenary and the priestess took a moment to catch their breath.
"Ugh," Alexandra exhaled heavily, wiping sweat from her forehead. Not satisfied with this, she pulled at her collar, airing out her damp body. "That wasn't easy."
"You're exaggerating," Amon said. His face, still grim, showed no trace of exhaustion from the heat and the chaos.
"You're minimizing it," the girl retorted grumpily. "Nothing fazes you, but Camilla and I nearly got trampled. By the way, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," the priestess squeaked, still holding the mercenary's hand tightly.
"If you're fine, then there's nothing to talk about," Amon cut in.
Alexandra gave him an expressive look but said nothing. Amon was in a bad mood because of her. The patrol she had mentioned at the wrong time, painful memories, and most importantly—having to lie to calm the priestess. All because of her!
It must be hard for him, an honest and noble man, to go against his principles, Alexandra thought sadly and kept quiet.
Meanwhile, the knight glanced back. The guards were preoccupied with catching the criminals and didn't notice their small group.
"Do you want them to make peace?" he asked Camilla unexpectedly.
"Of course!" the priestess exclaimed passionately and squeezed the mercenary's hand tightly.
"Then let's not waste time," Amon said and strode forward.