"Yes. I don"t have time to waste. So? Are you ready?"

"Yes, Orel, yes! You can count on me, I"ll try to do my best. I want you to be happy with me."

"I see you"re very energetic," Orel made a sour face. "And whether I"ll be happy we"ll see later."

Lis returned to the "Arbor" but he was not alone. He was bringing a girl holding her hand. It was a street dancer and she was beautiful. The friends gasped when seeing her.

"Such a beauty!" Tol exclaimed. "That"s something."

Everyone looked at her in admiration. Lis smiled contentedly.

"Do you like her?"

"Of course, we do! Lis, you"re a genius!" Orel was delighted. "How did you manage to see her from here?"

"She was dancing prettily," Lis said. "Dance some more for us, okay?"

The girl bowed to them and started dancing, signing a merry song. She had a clear lovely voice and her motions were so nimble that Tol could barely keep himself from joining her. When she finished her song, he was the first to applaud her loudly, started kissing her hands and giving her coins mixed with compliments.

"Tol, leave the girl," Orel said. "She"s not for you."

Tol was displeased but left obediently.

"Did you enjoy it, Vil?" Orel turned to Vil.

"Yes," Vil said, "it was wonderful."

"Great!" Orel finished his wine and slammed the glass onto the table. "This is your first task: kill her."

"Wha-at?" Vil rounded his eyes, not understanding.

But the girl understood at once. She was very smart and dashed to the door before they figured out her intent. Perhaps she"d have a chance to escape if not for Lis who was on his guard. He blocked her way and grabbed her wrist. She screamed loudly. He pushed her back into the "Arbor" and stood at the door. He smiled with satisfaction.

"Shut up!" Orel yelled at her. "Shut up! Or I"ll kill you myself!"

The girl got silent, she pressed to the wall.

"No," she whispered. He eyes filled with tears but she composed herself.