PoV Nevie

-Sister Nevie. Have you forgotten about me? I'm lonely. - In the darkness, I heard the boy's voice. It's is Chris! I looked around, but I saw nothing but blackness.

- Chris? Where are you?

- I'm here, Sister Nevie -A voice came from behind. I looked back. There was a figure in rags. In one hand he was clutching a mushroom -Do you want it? I found them in the forest. They are not so rare as they said.

When I took the mushroom in confusion, the figure, as if having lost all its strength, began to disappear from the bottom up.

-Sister Nevie. You haven't forgotten about me, have you?

-Of course not! I will always remember you, Chris. You're such a good boy.

- Thank you... it warms my heart... -Before completely disappearing, Chris sincerely smiled at me. My legs were weak and I couldn't hold back my tears.

- Chris... Chris ...

- Nevie? -I heard another familiar voice. Raising my head, I saw a lump of meat. It was as if there was no darkness

- Murad? It's you?

-Yes, it's me. What happened? Why are you crying? -One of the tentacles gently wiped my tears from my face.

- Don't pay attention, please. Just... never mind. Why did you come?

-I came to tell you that everything is ready. We can go out. What do you think?

-Where am I from?

-No. I know another closer one. We can go right now. Don't you want to? - I wiped the rest of my tears from my face and smiled as brightly as possible and said

-Of course! I'll be happy to go with you. But what about my health, won't it be a problem?

-I had found a way to cure your illness. You're healthy now.

- Really? -I was extremely surprised. He said it would take a longer time

-Yes. Don't you want to experience it yourself?

- Of course, I want to!

...

I opened my eyes. Cave. Although in the inner world I can watch what is happening outside at will, I have done it only a couple of times, the last time was when the mercenaries came.

I stood up uncertainly and looked at myself. Even though I'm shivering from the cold now, I don't feel weak anymore. This feeling is so beautiful.

-Which clothes will you choose? - Murad has already prepared and provided me with some clothes. It's autumn now and it's cold outside. Choosing the one that I liked I looked at Murad and asked him

-Will you go in this body? -His face was unfamiliar. I thought he would look like Chris…

-Yes. If I look small, it will cause difficulties, and it will also prevent me from protecting you in case of anything.

-Well, alright…

-Let's go. -Murad took my hand and led me outside the cave. The animals were already waiting for him there. He helped me to climb on the bear, then he climbed himself and we set off on our way. We were surrounded by wolves for protection.

I breathed in the fresh air. Freedom. I'm not sick anymore.

-Where are we going?

- To the nearest village. It's not far away, it's noon now, we'll get there in the evening. We'll spend a day there and then we'll go somewhere.

...

These hours were quite exciting. The bear was moving so fast that I was even dizzy. Fortunately, Murad was holding me back. Closing my eyes, I leaned on him.

After a while, we started to slow down.

-We're here. - Murad took me in his arms and helped me down. - The village is a couple of minutes away. Let's go.

We slowly started walking along the road. According to Murad, the village lives by extracting wood and hunting various animals. When we got there, I saw a small village of about 200 people.

Murad stopped one of the peasants

- Excuse me, can you tell me where your headman is?

- Mister, I don't want to be rude, but can you tell me who you are?

-My name is Murad, and this is my wife Nevie. - Having said this, Murad pointed at me, blushing a little, I looked away. Wife... He said it.

-What brings you here? This is not a place for lovers. What will you do if an evil spirit attacks?

-We have special circumstances. -Having said this, Murad pointed to the sword in its scabbard. -We would like to stay here for the night.

-I-I got you. The headman lives there -The peasant pointed in the direction of one of the houses and quickly left.

We went in the direction of this house.

- *Knock**Knock*

-Who is this? -The door was opened by a man about 50 years old. Gray hair and a tired look testified to a rich life experience.

- Hello, we are travelers and would like to spend the night in this village for a few days. I am ready to pay 2 dinars. - Having said this, Murad pulled out coins from the bag. Seeing them, the Headman's eyes lit up.

-As I see you are from the Empire? This land belongs to the Kingdom of Nymhidnia. I don't think that this money will be useful to us, maybe if you add a little more…

-All coins have a bit of gold in their composition. So they will be accepted in any country. I don't see the point in giving more. And then, as I remember only a year ago this land was part of the Empire. The owner may change again soon.

-*Sigh*, alright mister -After accepting the coins, the old man left the house and pointed in the direction of one house. -We have prepared that house for such situations. It is at your disposal. Our village is small, no one offends anyone. The church is in that direction, if you want, you can go there.

- Of course.

Having said this, Murad and I went towards the house. Taking out his sword from its scabbard, he carefully entered the building, then nodded and led him inside the building. After quickly examining all the rooms, he said.

-It's safe here. I have already put a bird that is watching the situation outside. If anything happens, I'll notify you.

- Ok.

-It's getting dark outside, do you want anything? -Murad took the meat and some wheat out of his backpack. -I can make you something to eat.

-Y-yes. Can you please?

Murad nod and lit the stove in the kitchen and started cooking. I watched it carefully, never seen him cook. After half an hour, the food was ready. He put the food on the table.

-Let's eat, you must be very hungry.

- Yes. - Picking up a fork, I took a small piece and put it in my mouth. It's been so long since I've eaten! We eat meat very rarely. It is often eaten only by nobles. Commoners usually eat meat only on holidays.

- Like it?

- Very tasty, thank you, Murad.

Murad smiled at this and replied

- Eat slowly.

..

- Nevie. Get up. - Murad woke me up. It was dark all around.

-What's the matter, Murad? Did something happen?

-Come with me, I want to show you something.

We quietly left the house, it was dark around. After a couple of minutes of walking, a bear was waiting for us. Sitting on it, we went somewhere.

- Murad, where are we going?

- You'll See Now. -I felt like the bear began to climb somewhere. After it was left, Murad helped me down and then pointing with his finger said-Look there.

When I looked in that direction, I involuntarily gasped.

- How beautiful! -I saw the sun slowly rising behind the horizon and the higher it rose, the brighter it became. A thin fog gave the appearance of mystery and charm. The trees around seemed to welcome the sun's rays. The beauty of the world. Although I have seen the dawn before, everything looks very beautiful in this place. In the past, there was no way I could watch the dawn from such a place.

-My birds found this place. Here the dawn looks just great. Do you like it?

-Yes. Murad. -This view melted my heart and it was difficult for me to restrain myself. - Murad, thank you. For everything. You have healed my illness, you take care of me. I am sincerely grateful to you. My parents will be happy when they find out about this. Tell me, what can I do for you? I'm a silly little girl, and yet you've done so much for me.

- Nevie. I told you I love you. I promised to take care of you and protect you. I don't need anything from you.

- Murad... - I went up to Murad and hugged him tightly, he hugged me too. We stood there for a few minutes, then finally I said

- Maybe we should go back to the village? People will be back soon.

- Of course.

We quietly returned. The day passed peacefully and pleasantly. I started to communicate with the neighbors and we started talking. Murad stayed in the house with me. We spent the whole day together.

All this time, Nick's words did not leave me.

Closer to the night when it was time to sleep, lying on the bed, I turned to Murad

-Murad, can I ask you something?

-Of course.

-You said that you love me, right?

-Yes

-Can you... take me as a wife? - When Murad heard these words, he looked into my eyes and said

-Yes. I will take you as my wife.

-I'm happy. Murad, can I call you dear now?

-Of course.

-Then can you call me dear?

-Yes my dear.

I approached the dear one closer and kissed him on the lips. After the kiss, I said not so decisively - Can you ... give me a baby?

-...are you sure? - According to tradition, it is forbidden for a couple to make love before the wedding. Murad probably does not want to break the tradition, or does not mind being patient. But I can't help feeling that it's because he doesn't want me. It makes my heart bleed.

I put my lips close to his ear and whispered, - I'm your wife. Although there is no wedding yet, I already consider myself yours. Please, let's share the night together.

-...Alright, my dear -Murad gently hugged me -I love you, Nevie. Thank you, it's nice to hear such words.