8 What a pity!

After a detour to his unit, Paris went in search of the commander-in-chief.

He was finally lucky to find the earl and captain Berg together in the side front bastion.

The sun was already slowly falling towards sunset, and both commanders quietly conversed without taking their eyes off the fading light.

Soldiers rushed around, preparing for the oncoming battle, stocks of arrows and darts were checked, tanks with hot tar and oil were ready. Nearby were installed tanks with water, in case they have to put out the fire. The air around was buzzing with nervous energy.

As soon as the young captain climbed on the last flight of the stairs his deputy Kirk flew up to him. The guy was a little younger than the Paris and just as ambitious. And just the same way his origins was staling his career. If the Marsters family was more than renowned, but the case six years ago covered their family with shame. Kirk's family was an ordinary merchant couple. Due to their business success, they were able to afford a noble title and place in the Yellow Castle. But they still were treated like mere traders by all other aristocrats.

"Captain! I looked for you freaking everywhere!" - Kirk exclaimed, running up to an old friend.

Usually, he did not allow himself such rudeness in public, although he and Paris were old friends. But apparently, the excitement before the first battle in his life made him daring like this.

Paris greeted Kirk with a nod and let his comrade continue, even though his eyes were fixed at the earl as if trying to read the thoughts on facial expressions of the old man.

"As you ordered, the preparation is almost done. The weapon was rechecked, the foremen formed their troops downstairs in the outer courtyard. The first, second and third detachments are waiting on the northern wall."

Paris nodded curtly, making it clear that he was pleased with the actions of his deputy.

"Great, Kirk. Go to the others, I need to talk to the earl; then I will join you." - He said, again heading to the commanders.

Berg, noticing Paris at the entrance to the bastion, cut short their conversation with Earl. His face was focused and tense. The earl, on the other hand, did not tear his thoughtful gaze from the sky.

"Paris, my boy." - the old commander finally spoke, beckoning the young captain closer. - "Come and share your thoughts with us."

"My Lord" - Paris began carefully joining them at the side of the wall. - "I understand that the situation has turned out to be very complicated and we don't have time to consider it. But I plead for an understanding on your part. I want to ask you to allow them to stay at least until the end of the siege."

"At first, I would like to hear your story, but unfortunately, we don't have time for this." - the earl finally turned to his companion; a tenacious glance almost made him look away. - "I understand your feelings. But I hope you'll understand me too. If we now close our eyes on a whole detachment of Stones Warriors in the fortress, which, moreover, were initially hired by our enemy. We risk getting a backstab at the most critical moment."

"I am aware of the complexity of the situation. But, My Lord, think about it. Did they really need to play this show to kill us? We were an easy victim for them there in the office. I do not see any other meaning in their actions."

"I don't see any sense in this situation at all," - Berg finally struck into the conversation. - "I think we should put them in the dungeon before the end of the battle. Men, in an oubliette, just in case."

"I will not allow this!" - Turning pale with anger, blurted out Paris, - " No one will put my sister behind bars. She did nothing wrong."

" Except for infiltrating the fortress and trying to capture the entire commanding composition on the eve of the battle ..." - Corrected him, Berg.

Paris had no excuse for that. He gritted his teeth helplessly.

The earl just sympathetically patted the young man on the shoulder.

"Paris, we have no choice. We will try to provide your sister and her friends with the most comfortable conditions at the time of their stay here. I am ready to talk with her myself and apologize later. But it will be better for all of us."

"In any case," - continued the earl sharply changing the topic, - "Now we need to decide whether to believe what your sister said."

All three of them turned their gaze to the dozens of bonfires that were lit up in the enemy's camp. Only one part of the camp gradually plunged into darkness, and not a single spark of the fire was lit on this side of the hill. A hundred gray dots covered a solid carpet of the green slope.

" Maybe, they just want us to relax and not expect real Stone Warriors?" - Berg suggested.

"If there are really a hundred of these down there ..." - The earl faltered, squinting at Paris - " Stone Warriors don't need any special tricks to get us. But to dress a hundred Arians in grey cloaks just to sway our morale sounds quite reasonable. Yes, and attack in this case at night is also logical. In the dark, all fears become larger, and it would be much more difficult to understand the deception."

"Preparing for this still does not hurt. If the attack begins this night, it will be an extra confirmation of Cali's words." - pointed Paris.

"And yet I insist on putting them in detention." - Berg did not let go. Paris clenched his fists in anger. He was ready to defend the interests of Cali to the end. But his next words were interrupted by a soft voice from behind.

"There is no need for such measures."

From the staircase to the site of the bastion came out one by one all ten Stone Beasts.

"You do not need to fear that you leave us behind your back if we stand in front of you, right?" - Cali spoke quietly.

She had already managed to straighten her clothes, and nothing indicated the terrible state she was in just an hour ago.

"You should rest a bit more." - Insisted Paris, approaching her, his face expressing genuine concern.

It was difficult for him to understand the whole essence of his sister's ailment, and the fact of the changes that had happened to her didn't fit in his head as of yet. But the desire to protect her did not leave Paris since he realized that she was indeed back.

"You shouldn't be here. If you're right, the attack will start very soon."

In response to his words, Cali smiled slightly. The corners of her lips only raised a bit, but in the eyes settled warmth, which was not there for a long time.

Uncertainly, she stretched out her hand, as if she had not yet decided what to do with it. Paris grabbed her palm and squeezed her cold little fingers in his.

"Cali, listen to me. We have a lot to discuss. But now there is no time for it. As soon as this is over, we will go home. Father will be happy that you're finally back."

Hearing these words, Cali started, the smile disappeared, and her eyes glittered treacherously.

"Father?" - she squeezed out in a small voice.

"Yes, sunshine. Dad was crushed by grief then. He could not reconcile with your ... disappearance."

Feelings swept Cali headlong. Finding no words, she just hugged her brother tightly.

He grew up so much. When that angular, awkward boy became a real man? Reliable shoulders, broad chest, and such warm hands, in the circle of which she so wanted to hide from all troubles.

Pressed deeper into his embrace, she took a breath, trying to engrave his smell into her memory, the warmth of his body, the feeling of his strength, and mentally saying goodbye to him.

What a pity! If only she could see her father once more ... But even so, it was already more than she could dream of.

Parting reluctantly, Cali pulled away from her brother. She looked at the earl and captain Berg.

"Listen to me now carefully." - she began, attracting the attention of the men that tactfully turned away.

"Neither boiling resin or oil, nor your arrows or darts can harm us. You shouldn't be afraid of hurting us if you want to strike the enemy that will be near."

"Cali, what are you saying ?!" -Interrupted her Paris. But the girl didn't look away from the earl until she received a nod to confirm that she had been heard.

Then Calisto retreated a step from her brother.

"Paris, I beg you, tell the father, that I apologize. I was a stupid kid and messed up big time. In spite of everything, I love him very much." - she yielded to the feelings again approached and gently kissed her brother on the cheek.

All this seemed too much like a farewell. Paris wanted to grab Cali's hand, hold her, make her confess what she had in mind. But his action was interrupted by the harsh sound of the battle horn from the side of the hill.

During the discussion, they did not notice how everything around was shrouded in twilight. Grey dots covering the left side of the hill were set in motion.

Like a giant mudflow, it slowly descended to the foot, divided into separate streams and moved towards the fortress wall.

Captain Berg rushed to the stairs in a hurry to take up his position on the east wall.

He did not even have time to reach the first step as he been stopped by a sharp cry behind him.

Berg turned already with the sword in his hand, at any moment ready to take the blow, but only managed to notice the dance of gray cloaks caught up by the wind by the edge of the wall. Another moment and they disappeared out of sight behind the battlement.