Several days passed quickly - in the society of Sekhbet the time always passed unnoticed. We both tried not to talk about the supposed farewell, but the fatal moment, of course, nevertheless has come.
Sekhbet, taking from me, as usual, conceivable and unthinkable vows in the fact that at the first necessity I will arrive at the castle and take advantage of everything that I need, from books to inanimate security, went out to escort me to the very gates. We stood side by side and were silent - it was hard to talk. The horse was brought to me, it was time to start off, and I, unable to stand it, hugged my only friend impulsively, realizing that I could never again see him, and with difficulty said:
"Thank you, Mr. Sekhbet. I thank you for your kindness and wisdom, for your constant concern for me. Yes, Asha will send you luck and great Belket! Come back soon with the victory!"
He pushed me away, patting me on the shoulder and saying:
"May Asha bless you, Lord Aranthir. Never will I forget your friendship and your great mind and at the very moment of death, if it happens, I will remember you. The devotion of your heart has inspired hope and faith in me for many years, but I pray you goodbye: do not forget what I told you, fulfill your promises, follow the will of the goddess, and the day of your greatness will surely come!"
"I will not forget, my friend!"
"Well... Good-bye, Aranthir."
"Good-bye... Sehbet."
I moved away from Illum-Nadin as quickly as I could, but suddenly stopped, turned the horse. I was not able to leave, realizing that Sekhbet was going to certain death. Why I knew it then, I do not know, but I turned around with the clear intention to jump into the castle again and suddenly on the fortress wall I saw the mighty figure of Sekhbet - a cruel wind was tearing off his shoulders a familiar cloak with red scarlet. He, noticing that I stopped and looked at him, raised his hands in a forbidding gesture - no, I can not go back. I understood him, resigned myself, nodded and waved goodbye to him, and he blessed me from afar.
I turned around in the saddle, while Illuma Nadine did not disappear from sight, - Asha alone knows what it cost me to do it as less as possible, and Sekhbet kept standing on the fortress wall and watched me go, and his cloak fluttered in the wind.
So I remembered it.
To be continued
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