Lis was silent, his head bowed.
Do you know what to do next? Igmer took out Marcus folded leaflet from his pocket. And what's that?
Lis looked at the leaflet:
Just agitation.
No. Not just agitation. We thought about it with you, planned, dreamed. Many reds are thinking about independence. And now even more. We are tired of the war with the blacks. The war turned into an absurd and unpromising action. You appeared at the right time and in the right place.
And, since Lis was still silent, his father asked:
Tell me, how did you manage to survive in the Black City, among enemies?
I took on the service of Prince Arel Chig Chester, he needed an experienced strategist in the fight against competitors for spheres of influence in the city.
Are you taking substances?
Lis shook his head slowly, and, lifting the sleeve of his jacket, showed his father a chained wrist.
Didn't you take it off? Didn't get rid of it? His father was surprised. Do you still wear the bracelet with which I chained you?
Yes. I never took black water again, I kept my vow to you.
I believe you, Igmer said, simply because if you continued to do this, you would not be sitting here now.
And Lis finally looked at him point-blank.
And Igmer for the first time in all this time changed for a second in his face:
Now I recognize you, he whispered and was the first to look away.
He got up:
You probably need to put yourself in order and relax
No. I have a lot to do.
Okay. We will still have time to talk, discuss further actions, and you will see that I am your ally and you can trust me.
I trust you. I would like to introduce you to my comrades and friends.
21
Overcoming obstacles
Lis, along with his father, entered the living room, where his friends were waiting for him.
This is my father Igmer, said Lis, father, this is Prince Arel Chester, my patron in the Black City, Arel, having heard these words of Lis, as always looked at Igmer with arrogant indifference and superiority and, as usual, said nothing.
And Kors even with some envy thought about how the prince managed to make such an expression on his face, despite the still clearly visible bruise under his eye and a black dot on the tip of his nose.
This is Vitor Kors, continued Lis, and Kors was pleased that he introduced him, though not the first, but immediately after Arel, Vitor Kors is the father of my wife Karina, and he helps me in everything, said Lis. Kors tried to make the same face as Arel, not knowing that he did not need to do anything for this.
Lis father smiled a little, and although Kors didnt hear his thoughts, he realized that he remembered his name and knew who Vitor Kors was, but Igmer didnt say anything.
This is Nik, Lis continued, pointing to Nikto who got up from the chair when Lis and his father entered the room, Nik is the commander of the unclean.
Nik Kors is my son, said Vitor Kors.
And on the face of Lis was reflected some surprise, but he remained silent, and his father perceived this, in the opinion of all those present, the unexpected revelation of Kors with absolute indifference.
Zaf is an officer of Nik, and Parky is the captain of Vitor Kors, Lis introduced also the unclean ones, without in any way indicating their belonging to another race, however, it was understandable anyway.
Im glad to meet my sons comrades-in-arms, said Igmer on duty, and I congratulate you on your victory.
He spoke in black with a slight accent of reds.
After a pause and waiting for a while, seeing that everyone was silent, he added:
I support the idea of independence of the red underground people and I am not your enemy.
Well, said Vitor Kors, realizing that the awkward silence is dragging on, and none of them, including Lis, were eager to speak, in this case, I consider it expedient to organize a meeting of the commanders as soon as possible and discuss further actions.
Yes, Lis agreed immediately.
Shall I sketch out a plan of priorities? suggested Kors.
I will be very grateful to you, said Lis, and now Kors was already surprised, but he quickly pulled himself together, returning business concentration to his face:
We need to take control of the main vital points in the city: mines, market, temples of the gods, jewelry workshops and offices of usurers.
Post and Bank, added Igmer.
Yes, agreed Kors, without showing that the word Bank was not too familiar to blacks, and it is also necessary to close the city for entry and exit.
Nik, will you close the Portal? Asked Lis, he looked now somehow confused, and it was so unlike him.
Yes, said Nik, I'll block it.
There is more than one Portal in the Ore City, Igmer said, and Lis turned pale.
Nik, we need to find and close all the Portals, Lis said, and there was clearly an alarm in his voice.
Mmm, Nikto thought a little, Ill start with what is in the palace, and then I'll try to come up with something.
All portals of the city are interconnected, said Igmer, there is a special key-password, and I know it. If you understand the operation of the Portals, I will give it to you, and from here you will use the password to open the exit to another Portal, seal it and open the next one. In this way, through the main Portal in Kudmers Palace, you will seal all the Portals associated with it in the city and surroundings.
Nik is very good at working with Portals, Lis said, and there was a little confidence in his voice.
Yes, I see, said Igmer, his face continued to remain the same impassive, and it was not clear whether he answered sincerely or it was sarcasm.
While Nik is doing this, I think I will have time to write letters to the heads of the seven main families of the city, Kors decided to close the topic of Portals. The heads of families should come to bow, demonstrate to us their submission and give the symbolic key to the city.
I did it in advance, said Lis father, after Kudmer announced to me that he was going to go beyond the wall, I had not the slightest doubt about your victory. Therefore, I wrote many letters, and also to the heads of families. My name will be a good reason for them to come. Besides, I know red etiquette and some subtleties. Each family has its own primary color, and I wrote letters for them on the appropriate paper, red, orange, yellow and so on. This will endear them to you, they will understand that you are not invaders or outsiders. Pressure is not the most advantageous option in this case, but it would be appropriate to enlist their support and location. So my courier is just waiting for an order.
And Kors looked intently at Igmer, who, watching him, perfectly caught this look and smiled again with the edges of his lips, but a little stronger.
And Kors looked intently at Igmer, who, watching him, perfectly caught this look and smiled again with the edges of his lips, but a little stronger.
And I also think, with an effort, but continued Kors, that now it will not be a war, but politics, and I understand politics, and therefore it is necessary to write as many more leaflets as possible about independence and the sale of diamonds. And let Tols artist draw pictures for commoners, draw as he can intelligibly: an ugly fat red from the Upper World and poor miners who give him diamonds, and their thin emaciated children in rags are standing nearby and crying!
Igmer chuckled, shaking his head.
There is a printing house in Ore town. It can print flyers, newspapers and orders. There are artists there too.
It is wonderful! Kors didnt give up. It is necessary to outline the basic rules of the new order, prescribe punishments and fines, and also hang them all over the city. And hang a couple of dissenters in the square. I also consider it necessary to introduce a curfew.
Yes, said Lis.
Then get to work! And let's gather in the main hall of the palace in two hours for a final discussion. By this time, I will try to sketch out some basic theses.
The palace has a special conference room for such events, said Igmer.
Do I have to attend? Zaf asked somehow without much enthusiasm.
Yes!
No.
Kors and Nikto spoke simultaneously, and Zaf froze, not knowing what to do now.
Ill give them everything they need, Nik said. They are warriors, not politicians.
And me too, Lis said barely audibly, somehow sadly, but no one paid attention to his words.
Okay, Nik, after all, theyre under your command, do as you see fit, said Kors. I dont mind at all.
I, too, will not embarrass your commanding staff with my presence at the meeting, said Igmer, I am still a stranger to them. Will Zagpeace Gesaria be there?
Yes.
Id better start mailing letters and visit the head of the purple house in person.
Igmer went to the table and took a sheet of paper, wrote something on it:
Here is the address of the printing house, he handed the sheet to Kors, Ore town is big, but I hope your people will not get lost, after all, this is a city, not swamps.
And Kors, swallowing the mockery, silently took the sheet.
22
Free will
Kors, Nikto and Arel settled together in the luxurious apartments of the Rainbow Palace.
They now had a huge living room, dining room, several bedrooms and bathrooms. However, Kors was accustomed to luxury, and Nikto and Arel seemed indifferent to everything. They perceived the objects around them exclusively from a functional point of view, without paying any attention to aesthetics.
Nik, eat, said Kors and pushed the plate towards him. They were sitting at a set table, and Nik was still sleepy, because Kors woke him up and pulled him out of bed, and Arel stayed to sleep.
I dont want to, I cant eat a morsel in the morning.
It's two o'clock in the afternoon.
I dont want.
Please. Well, please me!
Vitor
And, since Nik didnt take the cutlery in his hands and didnt touch the food, Kors moved his chair closer to him, and, taking a fork, pricked a piece from the plate on it, handed it to Nik:
Open your mouth, take it.
Nik turned away:
Im sick even from the very sight of this food, and dont stick that damn fork in my face! I'm afraid of it!
They laughed.
Nik, I'm asking you.
What is it?
Stew with vegetables and spices of the reds. Beef. It is soft, it literally melts in your mouth. Very tasty. You need to eat meat.
Kors put down his fork, and took a piece of meat with his hand, handed it to Nik:
Will you take it from my hands? Well, please!
Nik quietly, barely audible and shortly growled and doomedly allowed Kors to put a piece of meat in his mouth, swallowed it with difficulty, almost not chewing.
Kors took the following one:
I will hand feed you, my love. But you will finally get better and gain weight.
Nik again joylessly, but obediently took the food, took it, along with Kors fingers, taking them into his mouth up to the very golden rings with which his hands were humiliated. A precious ring shone on each finger, and each one was worth a fortune. Kors closed his eyes slightly and breathed deeper:
No, no don't distract me.
I dont want more, Vitor
Don't growl. The last, last piece. I promise this is the last one.
Nik obediently took another piece from his hands.
Well, at least something, Kors wiped his fingers with a napkin and handed him a glass of wine, at least you have eaten a little. Ill feed you more in the evening.
Oh!
I cant see how your ribs are sticking out!
There, as if behind them, it hurts a lot, I can't eat
This is hepatitis, you need to be treated, Kors's face showed an undisguised frustration.
He looked at his pale Nik.
Do you still love me, Nik? Havent you stopped loving me? And in Kors voice there was some anxiety.
I love you very much, Nik answered simply.
And Kors smiled, pleased:
Really?
Really, Vitor, I love you very much.
And I love you!
You treat me like a child.
Are you unpleased?
Im pleased. But Im not a child.
For me, you are my child. And I am your father.
Nik bowed down and kissed his hand, kissed the precious rings.
Kors let him do it, slightly closing his eyes in pleasure.
Why did you tell Igmer that I am your son?
I didnt have to say that?
It is possible, but now others can learn about it.
Who? Igmer is red, whom will he tell? Why would he discuss our relationship with the blacks? He didn't attach any importance to my words.
Well, I don't know Vitor, this is
You dont want to be my son?
I really want, and Im yours, I have written about it on my face, no?
Yes. Yes.
But I'm worried about your reputation.
There is no need to worry. I wanted to, and I said it. Fox now has a father, and you too!
I hope the black people dont know about it.
Blacks think that you are my lover, whom I torture and keep in slavery.
Yes, everything is very confusing and I don't like it. One thing falls on another, these rumors around us