“Food is help, but gold is payment, and you’ve done no work for me.” - Jassen continued.

“What do you call your safety then?”

“You work for the safety of your boyar’s roads. You should ask him for gold.”

The soldier sighed and dismounted, clicking his tongue in disapproval.

“Ogi, you should teach your friend the local customs. Look, here people show their thankfulness by sharing some metal. It’s the blood of the earth.”

“The only metal you’ll find here is steel’s sharp end.” - said Niko.

“Niko, I’ll take care of this.” - Jassen said.

“Oh, no, no. There’s no need for a quarrel here. I’m sure I have something in me.” - Ogi said and stood up to grab his bag from the horse.

But the soldier’s interest spread beyond gold. He came closer, his hand resting on his sword. The moon showed the smirk of a man who knew more than everyone else. He knew he owned the gold in your pocket. It was a matter of time before you realized it as well. Jassen had seen people like this soldier before, and the thought of them sent lightning through his heart. He held the blacksmith’s sword tight. It was made to taste a monster’s blood, but not all of them breathe fire.

“You think I’ll let you use that?” - the soldier asked, nodding at Dreamer - “Six of us, mounted, against the four of you and your old buddy. What do you think is going to happen?”

Jassen’s silence was the answer. One hand on the sword, the other still holding the piece of horse meat. His eyes locked with the rider, no fear in them.

“Last chance, friend.” - the soldier said.

The soldier pulled his sword out of the scabbard, the blade flashing under the moon. He raised it over his head, eyes full of rage. The blade flew down, but it didn’t find Jassen’s flesh. He was already in front of the attacker, the blacksmith’s blade in hand flying up, thirsty. It bit into the soldier’s arms, and the force of the blow chopped both of them clean off. They flew in the air, still gripping the weapon tight.

When the soldier’s eyes came to terms with the arms being his, the screams were loud enough to shatter the sky.

“You draw your weapons, and you won’t have hands to feed yourselves or feet to walk away from here.” - Jassen yelled at the other five riders as their friend was looking at the freshly cut stumps where his hands were.

Niko pressed his hand on Ogi’s chest and pushed him away from Jassen. The blacksmith turned around to see Olena and Bozmaroff stepping back as well. The woman already had a knocked arrow on her bow.

“Let him have his fun.” - Niko told her and smirked.

Ogi knew stories of cruel gods and savage beasts, but maybe he was in the company of the worst monster all along.