He turned away and started climbing the stairs. Orel touched Nikto"s hand.

"Let"s go," he smiled. "You"ve scared my servants shitless."

Nikto didn"t answer. He walked up to the wide stairs and followed Orel holding the rails. They entered the central hall of the castle, huge, gloomy and empty. Servants rushed around to aid them.

"Welcome to the table," Orel said, "the dinner will be ready in a moment."

He pointed at the big table in the left, higher part of the hall. A few steep stairs led to the table.

Nikto took out his sword and walked up the stairs leaning onto it. Orel looked at him in surprise.

"Do you always do it like that?"

"Sometimes."

Orel sat at the table and pointed at the chair on the left of him. "You"re sitting here." Nikto sat down silently.

"Can"t you walk up the stairs without a prop?" Orel asked.

"I can"t – now."

"And what if we have to fight on the stairs…" Orel started but kept silent after looking at Nikto"s face.

They sat down, everyone taking his place. Enriki and Lis sat on the right from Orel, on the left side, opposite to them, Nikto and Tol were sitting. Behind Orel"s back there was a narrow stairs going to the second floor.

Servants were laying the table hastily.

"Enough, enough of it!" Orel snapped at them. "Get out! And don"t you hang around here or on the arcade!"

They stayed alone in the huge hall.

"Treat yourself, Nikto," Orel said. "You"ll like what my cooks do. Everyone likes."

"But Nikto is not everyone," Enriki said.

"Ooh, I"ve just realized how hungry I am," Tol said grabbing his plate. The friends laughed.

"Don"t pay attention," Orel said. "We"re laughing because he always says that, no matter how many times a day he eats."