20. "And don't make any mess!" Alonso shouts, lastly, half serious, half joking.
"I have no idea what you are talking about..."
19. "Yes, in fact... Oh, no! I have to continue with my rounds! See you later, Helen!" Alonso says while he runs to attend to his duties.
"See you later too, old friend" Helen replies, kindly.
18. "Yeah, she is a very convincing politician... and her humanity is certainly contagious, too. Not a bad combination, if you ask me".
"So Princess Beatrice is not just a figurehead, but a promising leader? I like that".
17. "But I believed Launun's main income stream was precisily the slavery..." Helen says, shocked.
16. "She also is a great diplomat and orator. Only a few know this, but Beatrice made Tamadun, her fiancé and heir of Launun, fell in love with her while she was giving a speech during a peace talk. She even convinced him to forbid the slavery in his kingdom".
15. "Some first notice about the princess?"
"Hmmm..." Alonso thinks. "She is only 24 years old, but she is incredibly educated. She is a good crossbowwoman too, and as a swordswoman she is even better... The fact that I am her mentor had contributed, without boasting".
"I see".
13. "Argh, I owe you one since you saved my life in Vorgo's gorge so... go ahead" Alonso gives up. "But I only can speak about one tattle before continuing leading the security squads, so choose wisely".
"Excellent!" Helen exclaims, triumphant. "Let's see, let's see"...
12. "And changing the subject" suggested Helen, mischievously. "Do you know any interesting gossip?"
"Are you serious? In the middle of such a historical event?"
"Finding out the truth and making it public is my job, after all..."
11. "But, since is for the good of Asmens, I will do my bit for the unification: no more wars with Launun means relief, new commercial opportunities and progress, after all".
Helen's worries about Alonso were unfounded: the hate can't control the halberdier, a prudent besieger.
10. "Lanun troops fought against our nation for so many centuries: a lot of economical, environmental, human losses... Damn, many of my friends died against them. I can't believe that today I will have to eat with lanunians on the same table..."
"Alonso..." Helen says, saddened.