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Alian was advancing without stopping or delaying. Across the trees there was a very old iron gate. He exhaled deeply.

He sat down under a tree.

It was tiring to come down from the high mountains near the palace and reach the city and today he had come far beyond the bazaar. The journey to reach the outer gate was a long one.

He took out the water in the leather bag and drank a few sips. He had to save it for the rest of the trip.

He was feeling very thirsty, when he heard the sound of water flowing in his ears, he got up and started taking the test. In the group of trees, there was a very rotten and thick tree with a small spring sprouting from the middle of it.

He was relieved to see the clear fresh water. He drank water heartily and filled the bag again.

He ate a small portion of dry bread and also ate a few pieces of dry meat.

Night was falling and according to Bragg, he had to cross the gate by daylight. He lay down resting his head on a thick trunk of a tree. His stomach was full and some fatigue prevailed, he soon fell into a deep sleep.

The black darkness of the night had spread everywhere that old man was looking at the sleeping Alian from a tree trunk. He followed silently and watched every movement.

He had come this far and was about to go further. There were a total of five gates to go out of the Reenam, which were at a certain distance, near each gate there was a post of soldiers in the city, the guards of each gate often patrolled near the gates at night.

If any unknown suspicious person was seen near the gates, he was severely punished by imprisonment. Every door was under strict surveillance.

All this was necessary to avoid the enemy, due to the incompetence and laziness of the soldiers, often the enemy would somehow infiltrate the empire and cause damage to the empire.

Even at that time, it was time for the soldiers to make rounds near the door, the old stranger anxiously saw the traveler who was sleeping in the sleep of negligence, the soldiers were moving towards the trees from a distance. The old man looked anxiously at the traveler, he could make him disappear for a while with his power, but the visit of the soldiers could last longer.

All of them had now reached the trees. Spreading in all directions, they had to proceed towards the door.

Alian was in a deep sleep, the old man made him disappear. He climbed the tree. Alian's equipment was lying there.

His food, water and a clean pair. The eyes of the soldiers fell on his belongings.

Sitting there, they ate that food, drank water and took other things.

They left soon but Alian's belongings were lost. When he woke up the next morning, it was all over. Neglected sleep had filled the body with enough energy, but equipment was lost.

He was very worried and searched around. Across the exit was a sandy area. There were mounds, but there were no trees or water sources.

He was getting anxious, will he have to continue his journey like this now, empty handed?

"Your luggage was taken away by the guards. Don't you know that guards patrol the gates here at night? You carelessly fell asleep near the tree. If you were caught, you would be thrown in jail for life.” That strange old man was sitting on top of the tree and talking. Shocked at the sound, he raised his neck and looked at him with serious eyes.

"I am unfamiliar with these paths. I am also ignorant of these things. And maybe those who sent me here are also unaware of all these things.”

He shook his head while speaking seriously. Of course, Bragg and Neemar were unaware of the guards or else they forgot to tell in their haste and anxiety.

The stranger was shocked at his words. He descended from the tree and came in front of him.

"And it could also be that you are being trapped here. Sent intentionally. Wanted to be captured…”

The stranger whispered in a mysterious tone. He looked at him with disgust. He got to know Brag, Nemer or the people living near this lake very well. They were sincere, not enemies but friends.

They could have made a mistake or they forgot or they were ignorant but they could not think of cheating. The stranger did not find any change in his expression, so he shook his head and took two steps forward.

"I took you out of their sight with great difficulty; otherwise you would have been caught. I didn't do any favors, I'm just telling you. If you are not from here, you would be considered an enemy and there is no point in scaring you by telling how big the punishment would be.”

The stranger approached him while speaking; he just gave him a look of silent gratitude.

"I hope you will reach your destination soon." He patted his shoulder and left.

Taking a deep breath, he looked at the scattered food in despair and went to the tree and started drinking water to his stomach. Satisfied, he moved towards the door, he couldn't lie down any longer. Today was the second day after Ivan was poisoned. He doesn’t know how she was now and in what condition she was.

He wanted to fulfill his promise but maybe he was late. It was getting late.