Excerpts from the book:
Legate Philippe of Orleans arrived in Hammaburg a few days later. All the way, he was worried about the words of the High Bishop that he should thoroughly investigate the causes of the death of young Eva and, at the same time, the possible unworthy behavior of the Meister of the Order of the Golden Cross.
What worried Philippe of Orleans most was not the fact that the new spiritual leader had entrusted him with such a task. But what was reported on the Meister was none other than the Landkomtur of the same Order, Eric von Linsburg.
As soon as the Legate heard about this, vague suspicions immediately crept into his head that this whole story was by no means as simple as the Landkomtur presented it, probably 'exaggerating the colors'. Perhaps he himself was aiming for the place of the Meister... Or, he thirsted for revenge for the death of Eva...
But whether this was true or not, Philippe had yet to find out.
...As soon as he arrived in Hammaburg, his arrival was immediately reported to the Meister.
Friedrich, who had been waiting for the Legate for some time, immediately hurried to meet him.
"Greetings, Meister Hogerfest," Orleans bowed. "I am Philippe of Orleans, Legate of the High Bishop."
"Good afternoon, master Orleans," the Meister bowed politely in response. "Let me ask, what brought you to Hammaburg?"
"I am here on behalf of the High Bishop Leo of Luxembourg to conduct an investigation to determine the causes of the death of Lady Eva Voltingen," the Legate answered, deliberately omitting unnecessary details.
***
With relief, she saw a young girl with buckets also come for water. Ladomira immediately recognized Mirina, the daughter of Desyatnik Gorislav, one of those who helped put the temple of Lada in order.
Mirina recently turned fifteen. Even in the temple, Ladomira drew attention to the young beauty, because she reminded the woman of herself. Mirina also took a liking to Ladomira and saw her as an older mentor whom she could turn to for advice.
"Glory to Jarilo, Ladomira..." the girl said timidly.
"Glory..." the woman answered, removing her hand from the handle of the knife.
The girl approached the lake to get water. Ladomira noticed that Mirina was very depressed.
"Mirina, did something happen to you? Are your father and mother healthy?" Ladomira asked.
The girl hesitated a little, but then answered embarrassedly:
"It's difficult for me..."
"Who offended you?" Ladomira became worried. "Did one of the local men covet your beauty against your will?"
"No..." Mirina shook her head. "Will your husband Rozneg allow such things to happen?"
Mirina fell silent and bent down to the buckets full of water to hang them on the carrying pole. Ladomira carefully watched her movements. The girl was about to lift the carrying pole onto her shoulder and then... The bucket slipped off the carrying pole and fell to the ground, sprinkling the grass with cold lake water.
And then Mirina could not stand it and burst into tears.
"My father wants to marry me to a Desyatnik..." she admitted with difficulty. "That Desyatnik's name is Luchezar," the young beauty continued to sob. "He's ten years older than me! And I don't like him at all! I love Peresvet! I can't live without him! But my father doesn't want to hear about him!"
Ladomira, amazed by the girl's sincere confession, was confused. Then, having controlled herself, she approached her and hugged her.
"I heard about Luchezar from my husband... He is an experienced Desyatnik, a prominent man... He is wise with life experience, reliable... It's not for nothing that your father chose...