They couldn’t leave Petista right after that. Through January, the skies stayed gloomy, storms and blizzards raging daily; city newspapers wrote about snow wolves prowling the outskirts for prey—winter had come early this year. There was little to do while waiting to depart, so Kairu, Viggo, and Remiz spent entire days in the inn, dying of boredom.

  Eventually, wandering the city, Kairu found entertainment: the vast city library. There, he began his education with textbooks on history and geography. His mother had taught him to read, write, and count the few golden coins peasants had, so his math was limited to small numbers. Now, he desperately wanted to fill the gaps in his knowledge, realizing that life in the Big World was different, and he had to learn to navigate it.

  He had almost decided: visit his father briefly, then head back to Nubelrain to start research with Yuf and Nubel. A blacksmith's career held little promise now that he had taken to traveling. One had to do more than just swing a hammer near blazing furnaces—he wanted to read a map, or date an ancient golden vase on a village priest’s dresser… No matter how hard he tried, his thoughts always returned to home.

  Rita hadn’t visited. They heard she now rarely left her house, busy putting her affairs in order. Yuf constantly moved around the city, attending to errands, and once mentioned that Rita had already taken on a new job escorting a trade caravan to Vaimar, so she wouldn’t be back in Petista for a long time. Meanwhile, the weather cleared, and a departure date for Nubelrain was set. The day before, Yuf suggested celebrating New Year’s.

  That evening, in the cozy, low-ceilinged hall of the inn, a table was set. For the holiday, Yuf had managed to get some money and bought a bottle of the finest wine. He made the first toast at around nine o'clock, drinking to the successful completion of the expedition and a second feast at Nubel’s estate. Then they all clinked their expensive crystal goblets—Kairu was afraid even to hold his, let alone drink from it.

  More food appeared somehow—Viggo ate enough for three. The rest joined in, and Yuf started telling stories, mostly from his days in the village. Then Viggo joined in, and soon they were arguing again about where life was better, Aktida or Vaimar. Time flew, and when the clock on the wall began to strike twelve, Kairu was surprised to realize he had made it through such a long and lively dinner.

  Viggo was the first to notice the time.

  "Whoa," he said, slightly slurring—most of what had been in the huge barrel on the table now sloshed in his belly. "It’s late. Time to hit the hay, I guess. One last drink…" And he reached heavily for the barrel and refilled their cups.

  "Let’s drink to something," said flushed Yuf, standing up. "Let’s bid farewell to Petista, this wonderful city full of wonderful people where wonderful things happen… as I’ve had the chance to see for myself."

  "Hooray!" Viggo roared, shaking the table with his massive belly. "Say it: let’s drink to the wonderful guide, Rita!"

  "Why not?" Yuf chuckled. "Sure, we can…"

  "No, let’s go upstairs," said Kairu. "Come on, come on, I can’t fit any more." He set his goblet on the table, mouth down, making it clear that he wouldn’t drink more.

  "He’s right!" shouted Viggo. "Let’s go. We’ve said our goodbyes to Petista—good enough. I wouldn’t mind coming back someday," he added. "It’s no worse here than Vaimar…"

  ***

  The morning was sunny, unusually bright. Clouds billowed in the sky, lit by the sun that illuminated the snow-covered plain around Petista. For some reason, Kairu felt better than he had in a long time—he jumped out of bed early, flung open the windows, letting the sharp, frosty air burst into the warm room. He quickly got dressed and went downstairs, where Yuf was already sitting, starting breakfast.

  "We’re heading back today," he said thoughtfully. "Are you glad?"

  "Aren’t you?" Kairu was surprised.

  "I don’t know. There’s always a strange feeling when you return. Especially when all the worries are behind you, and no one’s going to find fault with your work or make you redo anything... But if Nubel sends out another expedition soon, I hope to go again somewhere north... He’s getting old, Kairu," Yuf said suddenly. "The years aren't the same anymore for mountain-climbing. Soon he’ll hand all the work over to me, and what will I do? I don’t understand a thing about science. Maybe I’ll work as a guide, like Rita…"

  "She’s already back?"

  "Yes. She’ll see us off. Well, this is my second time meeting her, so I suppose a third is bound to happen too."

  After breakfast, they went back upstairs and packed their things into backpacks. Kairu strapped his father’s sword to his belt again, donned his chainmail and travel cloak—he was once again a journeyman. He went downstairs, where the others had gathered, and Yuf stepped outside into the frosty street of Petista.

  The horses were waiting by the gates, near the small house where the patrol guards sat. Seeing them off were Rita and the captain of Petista’s guard, the same one who had saved them on that snowy night in September. It felt like it had happened just yesterday, though in truth, they had spent over four months in Petista.

  "Hello, Hugo," said Yuf as a tall young Kald approached them, clean-shaven, with curly black hair and a black mustache. "Rita... well, you already know him, but the rest of you... Viggo, Kairu, Remiz, this is Hugo Hellerson, captain of the guard, former Vaimarite, and a good man. If Aktos wills it, you may meet again. He’s a great man, Viggo! If you only knew him better..."

  "Come on, Yuffilis," the Kald smiled. "If I have any of the talents you speak of, I don’t intend to use them. I’m quite content with my post in Petista..."

  Then Rita came over, in a new jacket and boots, exceptionally cheerful. She had already spent most of her fee wisely and was now indulging herself. Saying goodbye, she shook hands with each member of the expedition. Kairu thought she lingered the longest in front of him.

  "So this is what you're like," she said thoughtfully, "Kairu Kenai. Strange, I didn’t expect it to end this way. Usually, I don’t remember the people I travel with—for me, it’s just a job. But you stayed in my memory. Maybe it’s just that no one had ever saved me before, risking their own life." She paused, then added, "You’re brave. Even... selfless. I don’t know many people like that."

  "It’s nothing," said Kairu. "Believe me, anyone in my place would have done the same… I couldn’t have done otherwise."

  Rita laughed.

  "I never even thanked you... for what happened there, in the shrine. So I should catch up—thank you. And good luck, if you decide to head off somewhere again… and save someone. You’ll need luck in that kind of work."

  "You’ve already thanked me," Kairu said quietly. "You all did, by carrying me out. Getting me to the tavern, then the hospital. By not even thinking of leaving me behind."

  "What are you saying! That thought never crossed my mind..."

  The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.

  "See? In my place, you’d have done the same."

  "Yeah… probably, yes." She slowly walked toward the gates of Petista, then suddenly turned and said:

  "Let’s not say goodbye. If you ever come to Petista, drop by..."

  Yuf Lainter caught up to her and said something in a low voice. She replied, and the two of them disappeared around the gate. A minute later, Yuf came back with a sour expression, jumped onto his horse, waved to Hellerson, and shouted:

  "Follow me, guys!"

  The riders spurred their horses. The road was covered in snow; the horses moved slowly, sinking through the crust. Petista gradually receded behind them, and with it the four months they had spent there. It was early January, the sun lit the road ahead, and Kairu rode forward, toward his old life. At that moment, he forgot everything that had happened during the journey and thought only of returning home.

  By noon, they had reached the hills, climbing a narrow path to the forest that began on the rise surrounding the plain. Looking back, Kairu saw the steep descent and the plain below, just as it had been that night in the blizzard. But now the snow had stopped, the frost bit at his face, and bright yellow sunlight pierced through the frost-silvered branches of the trees, making the snowcaps on the dark green spruce limbs sparkle.

  A lone wolf ran out onto the road, its white fur blending with the snow, and, growling, disappeared into the forest. The sky was an unusually vivid blue, with clouds like cotton fluff. A light breeze blew, its movement restrained by the countless tree trunks around them. The short winter day was slowly drifting toward dusk.

  In the evening, they dined on the provisions they had brought from Petista, crawled into their sleeping bags, tied the horses to tree trunks, lit a campfire, and Kairu took the first watch, warming his feet and cold fingers. The others huddled closer, wrapped in blankets, trying to keep warm.

  The days dragged on slowly. Their path felt both familiar and unfamiliar. Kairu vaguely remembered the road they had taken to Petista, but everything seemed different now. From morning till night, he was jostled on the back of his stallion, and at night he couldn’t sleep, the cold pierced to the bone even through warm clothing. The trip was dragging on, and Kairu’s only dream now was a night in a warm tavern bed.

  The first of February was marked by another event. The travelers descended from the plateau and, winding between rocks, emerged from the forest. For his friends' sake, Yuf turned off the main road and entered a fairly large village in the forest, where they stayed for two days, managed to rest, sleep well, and stock up on supplies. Meanwhile, the frost was slowly receding. February had been the coldest, but now they could travel without covering their faces with scarves, and they gradually began to unfasten their warm coats.

  Their legs were terribly sore from endless riding, and now, on the main road leading from Mainor to Petista, they stopped almost every day to rest in villages and hamlets. On their right, the vast plain stretched endlessly; occasionally, sparse woods appeared on distant hills, but all the great lakes were frozen and indistinguishable from the snow-covered steppe. The Southern Province was drawing near.

  In March, blizzards and snowstorms returned. On the Torlitz Road, their progress slowed again. But then Yuf Lainter turned into the forest. The road was left behind, and three days later, the house of Professor Nubel appeared beyond the trees—the end of their expedition.

  ***

  The short spring twilight had set in. It had already noticeably warmed up, and in many places around the tall white house with the turreted annex, the bare ground, soaked with meltwater, showed through. The snow itself had darkened, shrunk, and lay around in dirty heaps. On the alley leading through the bare trees to the main entrance, the lanterns were already glowing under the blue sky, and the house itself gleamed with lights beyond the park, but there was no one around.

  A week ago, Yuf had sent Nubel a letter from the village, informing him approximately when he could arrive, but even so, they weren’t expected that evening. When they dismounted at the doors and Yuf knocked, the servant who opened gasped, not immediately recognizing the guests.

  Then came long joyful greetings, exclamations: "Master Yuffilis! We truly didn’t expect you!" They entered through the main doors and, in the tall hall where they had once loved to play cards and sit by the fireplace, ran into Nubel.

  The professor hadn’t changed at all, though Kairu had never seen him look so astonished and delighted at the same time. He saw them from the stairs, threw up his thin, sinewy hands, rushed to them, embraced Yuffilis, gripping him tightly, then Viggo, barely managing to wrap his arms around the huge man; he shook hands with Kairu and Remiz for a long time, repeating happily:

  "Praise Aktos! You’re back! Well done! You’re back!"

  The servants took the horses away, and the weary travelers sat down right there around the table on velvet chairs beside the massive fireplace, where the logs crackled merrily.

  A few minutes later, on Nubel’s orders, the servants brought dinner, and Yuffilis, sprawled in his chair, began to tell Nubel what he had learned from Rita. Kairu listened half-heartedly, mostly focused on eating his portion and enjoying the warmth and coziness of this strange house. The clock ticked steadily by the wall, outside it was getting darker, and the lanterns beyond the trees grew brighter.

  "Congratulate us on our victory, Professor," said Yuf. Nubel looked at them silently from under his small round glasses.

  "Well then, you all did well," he said after a pause. "The expedition dragged on, and to be honest, I had already begun to worry, I was expecting news back at the end of September. But still, despite all the dangers, you are alive, whole, almost unharmed, and, most importantly, you completed the task you set out to do."

  "Yes, Professor," Yuf confirmed, "the expedition found the Lake of Aktida."

  "In that case, hand it over to me." The professor was silent for a few seconds, then said, "I know this might be difficult, but don’t let the diamond possess you. It’s necessary, and it will be better for you that way."

  Yuf nodded slowly. He took a cloth bundle from his backpack and laid it on the table. As if with effort, he pulled his hand back, and Nubel immediately unwrapped the cloth. The diamond flared up, flickered with light that glinted brilliantly in Nubel’s eyes behind his glasses. The professor stared at the Lake of Aktida for several seconds; in the sudden silence, Kairu heard the crack of clenched knuckles. Then the professor carefully picked up the diamond, jumped up, and hurried upstairs.

  Kairu and Yuf exchanged glances.

  "Something’s off with him," said Viggo, pulling a pouch from his pocket. "Remiz, game of dice?"

  Remiz shook his head staring at the stairs, not looking away. Nubel reappeared. He was smiling, and behind him came several Nocturn servants dragging bags.

  "Thirty thousand gold each," said Nubel. "All according to the contract. Yuffilis, you’ve already received your share."

  Viggo gasped, immediately grabbed one of the bags, and pulled it toward him. Remiz stared at the gold in surprise, as if he had forgotten there was a reward for taking part in the expedition. Kairu also took one of the bags and, just in case, untied it. Inside sparkled hundreds of large, stamped coins with numbers and the coats of arms of Mainor.

  "My father will be thrilled," he said.

  In response, Yuf Lainter smiled:

  "Now you’re all free as birds. Scatter wherever you wish. The most important thing now is to make good use of the payment." After a pause, he added:

  "Kairu, the gelding you arrived on is still stabled in the professor’s barn. My advice—when you return to the village, try to buy a good horse. Just in case you decide to leave home again."

  "It’s too late to go anywhere now," said Kairu. "I’ll head out tomorrow morning. Will you join me on my way back? You barely stayed in the village last time."

  "We’ll see in the morning," Yuf smiled. "Now I’m not capable of making big decisions. I’m dead tired from the road."

  "Mr. Kenai," said Professor Nubel, who had been standing at the staircase listening to their conversation all this time, "if you’ve finished your dinner, I’d like to see you. If you remember, we have some business I promised to attend to during the expedition’s absence."

  "What?.." Kairu gasped. "Right! I’m coming. Just need to drop off the money in my room. I’m still staying in the same one, right?"

  While Nubel went to his study, Kairu ran upstairs to the guest rooms and entered his chamber. It looked exactly the same as it had in the summer of the previous year, when he first stayed with Nubel. He tossed the bag under the bed without much concern for its safety, then hurried down the familiar hallways to the office. He ran up the stairs, caught his breath by the small door, then knocked gently and entered.