***
In the massacre, all of Lirinas kin died. Her father, clutching a kitchen knife, tried to protect his younger daughters. «Get out, scum, or Ill fight to the last man!» he shouted. But the baats only laughed angrily. One of them threw a tomahawk and cracked Lyras fathers skull open. Blood splattered the patterned carpet, the carved table, and the old «war» books from which the poor peasant had drawn inspiration
Lyra herself had managed to survive, though she had suffered several wounds and there were deep marks in her soul. In keeping with Nordic tradition, everyone who could hold a gun participated in the defense of the village: the elderly, women, the sick, and teenagers. Lyra fought alongside her friends-but the forces were unequal. The village and its inhabitants were destroyed. The next day, the few survivors began to band together And Lyra found her friends again wounded but alive.
Chapter 2: The Ghost Mistress
Sitting on the ashes, a weeping Laira pondered over lofty matters For the first time in her life! She had done this before, but usually in jest, to keep her entertained. Now her thoughts were burning her from within. «Why do people fight? Why do they kill each other? My father used to tell me as if it were very beautiful and heroic and interesting. And where is he now? But Isnt it Destiny? Father! Eh, Father You wanted me to grow up to be a warrior. I will. But I will fight for one purpose, to end the wars once and for all. I will seize power in the Capital, unify the Empire, and personally kill all the troublemakers who call for civil strife. And I will build a great wall along the borders so that foreigners cannot attack. No, I would rather conquer the whole world and annihilate the borders! There will only be one Cusuni Empire. The peoples cannot live in peace, for they are ruled by men. Its time to put an end to that! After me, my direct descendants in the female line daughters, granddaughters, great-granddaughters will rule, and people will forget what war is. There will be eternal peace. I will be recognized by all as Great! In this way, I will fulfill my fathers will. And I will avenge you, my village and my clan. I will be the warrior who puts an end to war But Oh, Gods! How will all this come to pass!?» Her eyes were red with tears, but she could already see the determination in them.
Later, Lyra realized the naivety of her dream. After all, people had been at war at all times, and no amount of power, even the fairest, could end it. The propensity to kill is inherent in human nature itself. All living creatures that dwell and suffer in the celestial world live by similar laws But it was then, sitting on the ashes, that Lyra chose her path.
She got it into her head that she had nothing to lose. «Of course! said to herself All her kin are dead, including even her third cousins. The village burned down, with only four more or less intact structures left, and a hundred ragamuffins The almshouses have been looted and most of the dervishes are taking bribes. I have no one to support me, and there are only holes in my pockets. It is unlikely I will find a rich fiance, my appearance is normal but also not the most beautiful. Six friends are as poor as I am. The girl wiped away her tears and snot, Two ways, she continued. To become a despised tramp, or to fight for my dream. I choose the second!» Maybe if a wise counselor had been around, the girl would have realized that there were actually more ways. But there was no wise counselor, and the decision was made. Laira said goodbye to Childhood, and set out on a path that brought her much unbearable suffering. But which led to power over the Empire.
***
To begin, Lyra proposed to her six amorous friends that they swear an oath to each other. They agreed. All seven swore to cherish, support, and protect each other-no matter what. The friends called themselves the «crazy seven» and even wanted to come up with a motto. But they quickly gave up this childishness Childhood years were over, it was time to act.
So, there was no way back and the «crazy seven» set off over the horizon They wandered through the northern suburbs for three long years. They worked as guards, did dangerous jobs for food, and didnt shy away from stealing. They tried to find supporters, made speeches Nobody listened. They couldnt save any money, either. «The Crazy Seven had become a regular gang of vagrants, and looked the part
Lyra was almost desperate, and began selling her soul and body to the Green Serpent. Tough as an oak trunk, the character gave way to cracks. It turned out that the tree had weak roots, and a gut riddled with fears. Friends-lovers shared with Lyra all the hardships and hardships, protected her and cared for her-but could not restore her faith in herself. For there was little faith left in themselves. One day the girl awoke in the middle of the night, pale with nightmares, and looked at the moon. It was red as blood-a lunar eclipse, and a total one at that. Lyra cried. Her friends tried to comfort her, but she hugged them one by one, thanked them warmly for their friendship and declared that she wished to die. «I will love you even after death. Go and find your happiness. Promise me you will find it. I dragged you into this story, I ruined my native village, I did not do my fathers will Im sick of it. But you must live it is my last will. Well, farewell! Dont say goodbye» Matach, the smartest and calmest of the seven, said: «You cant be late to the cemetery. So why rush? Think hard. As long as a man is alive, all is not lost for him. Give yourself another chance.» Lyra looked up at Matah with an infinitely sad look, and said: «if I live another year I might make new mistakes. Why? Tired Mat! Dont blame yourself for my death. Im making you senior in the squad. Take my ten coppers, all I could save, and use them wisely. Take care of your friends, and let them take care of you. Well, farewell! May all be well with you» But the boy did convince the girl to live another month. «What if fate smiles? Lets give ourselves one last chance.»
This conversation took place
***
Ragged, dirty, hungry, and desperate, the «seven» showed up at the Witchs lair. She was a witch, not a shaman. Shamans and shamans, though they can make a curse, consider themselves servants of Light. They heal, call rain, tell the future And witches made no secret of the fact that they served the Dark Ages. And very proud of it
It was the idea of big boy Gan, the funniest, most hard-working guy in the group, to get a «helper» like this. He made the idea in jest, he liked rough grim jokes, and loud merry cackling But Laira liked the «joke. The future empress squinted and pondered, rubbing her chin for a long time. At last she made her Final Solution. Try to talk her out of it!
The witch lived in a plain old barn in the middle of nowhere. And she hid her name. Claimed to have lived for centuries, having buried her own children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren. Lyra did not believe in such marvelous longevity-but the dark servants appearance spoke for itself No one among the Seven had ever seen a mummy, except in fairy tales. But discussing the next day the appearance of the Witch unanimously decided that the mummies look like this.
The face, riddled with wrinkles, was still able to smirk. The darting eyes shone with sincere wicked joy and intelligence. His head was covered in bald, parchment skin, a skull. He was crowned, as befittingly so, by a huge hooked nose.
So youve agreed to see us,» Laira said to the Witch. Your maidservant apprentice, your great-great-granddaughter, said you werent interested in money. Well, Im smart enough to know that Witches dont do anything for free. And neither do most people. So what do you want from us? Our souls? Ridiculous. Tell me
a price and tell us if we can pay it. Just dont stall, okay?
The shriveled woman held out her pinched hand to Lyra. A skeleton covered in leather. A long finger, adorned with a silver ring, pointed directly at Lilacs nose.
Youve got it,» the mummy said. The voice sounded like the breath of a blacksmiths bellows.
Hmm? I dont understand.» Clary jammed her hands at her sides. You can explain. Dont play riddles with us; thats not why were here.
You came because I called, the Witch continued, and I called for a long time. Not you personally My call is like the mooing of a cow in heat. A call to everyone and no one. The mummy made a painful sound, resembling a quick dry cough.
«Its a laugh. Shes laughing,» Lyra whispered, «why? Whats so funny? I dont like any of this.» Matah scratched the back of his head. «Me neither. Lets get the hell out of here. Before its too late.» Laira regretted not taking his advice more than once
And the Witch continued:
«I have been calling. And many came to the call. Young girls, older women, old women But I sent them all away, wishing them all the worst. Theyre not it But you are it! Thats it. Only you can make my dream come true Because youre strong enough.
Lyra was beginning to get angry:
Strong in body? Or soul? Well, dont play riddles with us. Otherwise, youll know the strength of my fists in action.
Oh, how funny! The witch quipped, bursting into another fit of laughter. She took a breath and muttered:
«Ill be brief. You have a dream. To be Empress of Cusuni. I will help you achieve it. But-when you are crowned, when you receive the scepter, and sit on the throne-then I will come to you and remind you of my gratitude. By becoming a legitimate empress, you will be able to fulfill MY dream.
I want more details,» Laira said sternly.
Here are the details,» the Witch replied, twisting Lyras fist in her hand. I know all about it, and dont ask me how. Youre about to die. Ready to howl with despair. All this bravado is just an attempt to hide your helplessness and fear. I am your last hope, so respect me, adore me, and pray for me. Not so long ago, you were ready to throw yourself into a noose. Now theyre offering you the Crown of Cusuni and youre showing off. Arent you ashamed?
All right,» said Laira, trying her best to keep her voice cool and ice-cold. I accept. Well, shall we go through with the rite? What is it? Draw blood? Draw signs? Eat a spider? What? Hurry up.
So youre in? The Witchs voice came out with an extraordinary liveliness and clarity. And Laira realized she had finally lost her cool. Shes nervous, too! Very, very anxious to make a pact!
No,» she quipped, wanting to teach the wicked mummy a lesson. But the mummys gaze lit up with a piercing black anger, so black it cannot be conveyed in words. And the girl gave up:
To hell with you. I agree.
The witch inhaled deeply-the air hissed into her lungs. «Arent they holey? Lyra muttered.» Then the Witch exhaled sharply «pfffffff» splashing the future Empress with saliva Later, the Seven discussed this episode many times, condemned the old hag, and marveled: «where did she get the saliva?» But that was later, and now the friends blushed angrily, squinted and clenched their fists But the hag and did not think to worry. She spoke again:
«The worst pacts are sealed through spitting,» she said. You said, «The hell with you. And you were right-it has been with me for a long time, and not one, and not a hundred! But you are bound now to forces that would frighten armies of devils. Through me, those powers have entered your soul. Do you know of the Lords of Darkness? Humans know only the weakest of them. There are others: the unknowable, the incomprehensible, whose power, wisdom, and horror are beyond anything you can imagine. And you are bound to them now, as a child is bound to its mother by an umbilical cord. See you later, twenty-year-old fool! Get out, and become an empress. Our conversation is now over. I dont want to see you again-its time for supper.
The witch took a rusty bell and rang it.
Apprentice! Bring me some gruel.
The great-great-granddaughter appeared at once, trying to drive Laira and her friends out And she saw that they were pretty angry. Fearing a pogrom, the apprentice handed them a sack of silver coins-as if to apologize for her strange mistress. She wished them good luck. «Seven» accepted the coins, said a cold goodbye, and finally left the musty barn. It was getting dark outside.
«The Seven went on their way. The soul was empty, but the clear evening twilight offered solace, and the gentle breeze refreshed their thoughts The friends counted their money, went into the tavern, ate soup, and fell into a bottomless sleep.
***
The next day, a strange young man appeared to them. Handsome, well-dressed, he was, however, strangely disgusting. Laira couldnt figure out what he looked like. He was like a wax figure, too flawless. A perfect face, immaculate attire, perfectly coiffed hair, crystal eyes, and a lifeless voice- polite, soft, and hollow. The young man greeted the Seven courteously, bowed separately to Lyra, and declared that he was the Witchs great-great-great-grandson, her messenger and lover. Came to give the future Empress a document with the Treaty!
You were very rude last night,» the creature said. But the Wise One, aware of your foolish youth, your lack of education, and your ignorant origins, forgave you. However, you forgot to take the text of the Treaty, an unusually important document. It contains all the necessary information. Mutual obligations of the parties as well as wise advice.
Well, give it here,» Lyra said.
The contract was written on rough old paper-but in gilt lettering. The script was very ornate, but the future empress was able to make out the words It said a lot of utter nonsense. For example: «it is not advisable for a woman who has concluded a treaty to comb her hair with a gold comb otherwise she will go bald». And «after signing a treaty, you must not howl at the moon otherwise you will lose all your money». Discussing such admonitions the seven friends decided that this as well as the polite tone is just the old hags perverted humor «Well, we, youngsters, do not understand the wisdom of experience!»
However, there were some important things written in the Document. First, Lilac was forbidden to give birth until she had paid for the service. A kind of «bail». Once the payment had been made, the witchs «dream» had been realized, the ban would be lifted. There was a lengthy apology for this harshness in the text. «We are very sorry if this condition inconveniences you. But we must still impose it-it is the tradition of our ancestors» Second, Lyra was not to drink or bathe in sanctified water or come into contact with the holy fire. «For henceforth you too are a witch, joined to the innermost wisdom and power. And there are powers that do not like us servants of Darkness very much.»
But it was promised unprecedented strength, dexterity, luck, the ability to «light up the hearts of people with a speech», courage, the ability to «lead untold armies», and self-confidence. The «hidden wisdom and power» was said to have descended not only on Lyra, but also on her friends and on her beloved cat and dog.