«If you touch me again, you nit, Ill cut off my balls.» Believe it! Understand? One more fucking time and youll be singing in the choir of inquisitors!
Okay, why are you doing so right away! So I would say that its my own. You know, we dont like nobles here. And you are one of your own, you are not one of the nobles. «My name is Sam,» the «leader» extended his hand.
«Trem,» the Exile shook hands with caution.
Will you have makhorka? There is little entertainment here shag, cards and dice. Well, sometimes we fight, but so as to stretch the loaves.
Tram had a special gift. He was unsociable and very rarely spoke to anyone first. But he always had comrades everywhere. And now he has become the soul of this team, with whom everyone took into account and asked for advice.
The days passed in a monotonous sequence. Tram glanced warily at the street through the bars. He was taught to play poker. They played, of course, for shag.
One day the door to the cell opened. Stuart entered.
Has Leslie come to his senses?
«Not really,» said the guard. Lets go, Ill tell you along the way.
The door behind Tram creaked open and he was finally free. Fresh air! This is what is missing in the musty, sweat-smelling cell.
«Tell me what happened while I was away,» said Tram.
Many things. Much more than in all previous years. Let me start with the fact that Shamons return is now no secret to anyone. The combined forces of Dragha and the Ennians burn cities and villages from the south. Morelia and mercenaries from the far west are burning our northern lands. According to my calculations, Shamon in all his grandeur will be with us in a week. And the king He is still blind. He doesnt see obvious things. Doesnt want to see.
We walked down the street without meeting a soul. How strange, even ominous for Dream an empty city.
«The merchants and rich townspeople have left,» Stuart commented.
We entered the castle and the meeting room. All six of the Seven stood around the throne.
Oh, and you are here too, Exile! said Leslie. When you appeared in my city, I immediately realized that something was dirty. CONSPIRACY! And you cant trust anyone. But you wont overthrow Leslie that easily! You will not take away my crown. Guards! Capture these traitors!
The soldiers hesitated the Order of the Seven was something sacred and inviolable for them. Since childhood, their parents told them legends about the Battle of Antimonica.
Do I have to repeat orders twice?
Some soldiers pulled their swords from their scabbards and walked towards the seven monks. Other soldiers pulled out their weapons and blocked the first ones path. A fight broke out between supporters of the order and supporters of the king.
I thought so! shouted Leslie. Traitors among the walls! Damned traitors!
He made a strange sound:
You? And you!
Tram turned to see Esteri, his old lover, pull the dagger from her husbands back, and the king fell to the ground.
Stop! In the name of the queen! I order! Absolute silence hung for a while, no one dared to move.
Im not ready to sacrifice my dear Dream for the whims of my husband!
A strong woman, Tram thought to himself. She became haggard and aged, but Leslie could not extinguish in her through years of tyranny what the Exile loved her for.
The Order of the Seven receives as much power as it needs to fulfill its goal. We have lost the country, but we will not give up the capital to the enemy. Everyone else is now preparing for defense. And we will defend!
Do your duty, Exile! the king hissed in his death throes. «I hope you go to hell after this, you fucking asshole!»
These were the last words of the most cruel of the kings of Eldoras. Or maybe the last king, who knows how history will turn in a week?..
Chapter 4. The Fall of Eldoras
For the last two centuries, Eldoras had to defend its right to a place in the sun with blood and blades. A country rich in ore and fertile lands is always a tasty morsel for a greedy neighbor. Not a trace remained of the luxurious forests of Morelia after the reign of Chamon. Antimonik cut down forests and built mechanisms. The war of those times is long over, and instead of the legendary Magic Forest there is a scorched desert. The oak trees withered, the animals became extinct. And Eldoras, with its fertile black soils and access to the Sea of Erin and the appendage island of Ddraigh, became one of the richest countries in Seisilla.
Therefore, in this war, Morelia the envious woman again took the side of Evil. Two weeks ago, the guards saw signal lights to the north. A day later, the southern signal light was lit. Trouble was knocking at the gate. But the king didnt care. He was too carried away by searching for traitors within the castle walls. When Queen Esteri came to power, it was too late to liberate the provinces. Dream went on the defensive. All efforts were devoted to this.
* * *
Tram walked through the streets of Dream. It was hard to believe that the city was under threat. Everyone is also running and fussing. The market is full of people. A drunk woman invites you to buy fresh fish, another offers silk. Fruits, vegetables, wines, furs, silks, jewelry. Everything is the same as always. Dream was drowning in luxury and did not look for a way to salvation.
A detachment of guards was leading some people shackled. A whole convoy. At first Tram thought they were being taken to a slave market. But then I looked closer and saw the familiar face of Liton.
How are you here, captain?
Looks like the old sailor has had enough of a swim. We are all mortals. Something seems to me that this time was the last voyage!
So what happened? Tram was wearing black clothes, so the guards did not notice how someone was talking to their prisoners.
We were hanging out with the men. And out of drunkenness they decided to attack one ship. At first this was one thing, and then several more ships appeared. The royal bloodhounds decided to fish with live bait. And here we are, being led to trial.
Queen Esteri sat on the throne. The maids brought her dishes with fruits and sweets. It smelled of orchids and incense. The musicians played violins, a busty blonde sang soulfully.
The guards brought a tall, dark-haired man in a tattered suit into the room.
Your Highness, we have finally caught Liton! said the old guard.
Silence reigned in the hall. Everyone, including the queen, looked at the arrival with curiosity. The fame of the captain of the «Soul of the Corsair» spread to all directions of the world. The crew of the infamous schooner claimed the lives of hundreds of sailors.
Well, Liton, now youve had your fill.
Tram ran into the throne room:
Your Majesty, Please save the life of this man. He saved me from certain death. I want to thank him
«He saved the life of one of the Seven, praise be to him for that.» But it took the lives of hundreds of other people. One good deed will not correct a thousand crimes.
Your Mightiness! Soon Morelias troops will be at our gates. And then every man who knows how to carry a sword or other weapon will count.
Yes, youre right, Tram! Lets save the lives of the pirates. We need people who will go in the front row.
«She has changed. Not at all the girl I loved!» Tram noted to himself.
Life has made Queen Esteri cruel. When everyone left, the queen and the monk were left alone.
Do you remember that spring? said Tram. The lilacs were blooming and the fallow deer were chirping. It smelled of myrtle and malt. We lay under the belly moon near Lake Sturel. We looked at the stars and dreamed about how good everything would be. That everything will be the same as before
Years will not erase this from my memory. They made me an old woman, but they will not take away my memory.
You are not an old woman. But something has really changed in you. Where did that dreamy girl I once loved go?
Leslie took her to the grave with him. Im the only one left.
Please, Esteri, Liton saved me. I have to repay him.
I already pardoned him, what else do you need?
* * *
Queen Esteri! Guests are coming to you! the butler reported.
Who?
His Holiness, Head of the Inquisition, Lord Rendell!
Bring him here! the queen commanded.
A gray-haired old man entered the room.
Your Majesty! he said. Glad to meet you. And Im glad that an adequate person was on the throne.
Thank you, Rendell! But lets get down to business. Why did you come to Dream at this difficult time?
I want to propose an alliance to Your Highness. The Anti-Witch League will march under your banners against the troops of the Ennians and Morellians.
Your Grace, allow me to say! Tram spoke. The Inquisitor personally revived Shamon. He is the main culprit of all the troubles of Eldoras.
Rendell, is this true? «What can you say in your defense?» asked the queen.
I have evidence to the contrary! I believe that Tram is to blame for Shamons life. He was a guest in my domain, and performed a terrible ritual. Shamon is alive and thirsts for power, but it is not my fault that he is revived. I will give you irrefutable evidence, but only face to face, Your Majesty!
Okay, lets go to the next room.
The Queen and the Inquisitor left.
Speak. You have three minutes, and if you do not prove your innocence, I will give the order to execute you!
Rendell whispered words in an unknown language, and the queen froze.
«Ochre» the queen croaked, but the words were very difficult for her.
Sorry, Your Grace, but this is necessary. I had to deceive you.
What are you planning? the queen whispered, because she didnt have enough strength for more. If you kill me, you will be executed!
Why should I kill you? I need you alive. Tram didnt lie I brought Shamon back to life. But I didnt have a reviving stone. I dont know if the same recipe that the Necromancer came up with remains somewhere. Therefore, I only revived the spirit of the old dark magician. But he needs someone elses flesh to live. At the moment I am Shamon! The old man grinned ominously.
You! the queen looked with horror into the villains face.
«I didnt even expect that I would be able to capture the entirety of Eldoras so easily.» As soon as I whispered to Leslie the idea, he would withdraw his troops closer to the capital, and now almost all of your lands are under my control, now it will not be so easy to return them back. But here live those who can still harm me. Seven. I dont remember how they killed me last time. Death erases part of the memory. But I know for sure they must die. And then this world will fall before my feet. Your Grace, please open your mouth!
The queen complied. The Inquisitor opened his mouth and black smoke poured out, which Esteri inhaled. Then Rendell sat down in a chair, exhausted. And the queen laughed:
Well, Rendell, youve served me well. Now Esteri will be my container!
Tram, standing in the common room, shuddered in horror and whispered in the ear of Linder, the head of the Order of the Seven:
Something irreparable has happened. Were in trouble. Mortal danger awaits us. I can feel it. We must run.
What are you talking about? Tram?
I put the queen under surveillance before she left the hall. I think, teacher, there is no point in hiding my feelings for the queen from you. Theyre not the same as before, but I havent cooled off at all. So, somehow Shamon took possession of Esteri through Rendell!
The Queen opened the door.
Grab the Seven! Esteri commanded.
The guards hesitated for a split second. This was enough for Tram:
Lets run! Immediately! Brothers, come with me!
And they ran. A crossbow bolt flew near his ear, but hit the wall. They ran along the corridors of the castle, barely stopping to take turns, but the guards overtook them. Tram gestured to one of the rooms, and the fugitives ran there.
From here there is a passage to the dungeons. We must free Liton and his people. We need good security now more than ever.
So what happened, can you explain in human terms? asked Linder.
Shamon has just captured Dream in his hands. Now Eldoras entirely belongs only to him!
But how is this possible? He wont be able to overcome our defenses!
I already could. Now Queen Esteri is Shamon!
But this is impossible! This cant be true!
This is true. Master, take a look at her. My observer spell hangs on her pendant.
Linder closed his eyes and stood silently for a while. And then he opened his eyes, filled with horror.
This is true. Esteri is no longer with us. Dream fell today.
They went down to the dungeons. The security guard was hit on the head with a flower vase. They took the keys and unlocked Liton.
I was not mistaken when I saved you, Tram! said the pirate. And he hugged me like an old friend. Others from the crew of the «Soul of the Corsair» followed.
Lets run! said Tram.
Chapter 5. Seven
The sun caressed the sky with its last rays. It smelled pleasantly damp, as always after rain. But not a single cloud obscured the skies anymore, so it was difficult to say that it had rained just recently. There was a crowd in the street. Three people were walking up the stairs to the royal castle. Viceroy Ddraigha Dust was short in stature with bright, lively eyes for his age. He carried a white flag in his hand. Walking next to him was the tall, painfully thin King of Morelia, Sintellus. On the right hand of Sintell walked the ruler of the free Ennian lands, Lord Bant. He was young, one might even say young, for a ruler.
Queen Esteri stood at the top of the stairs, in front of the entrance. She was expecting guests.
Wow, what kind of people! Im glad you came!
The warriors next to the queen clenched their fists, someone grabbed the sword, but did not pull it out of its sheath. The King of Morelia has long been the most terrible enemy of Eldoras.
As the guests passed by the entrance, the guard patted them down. He pulled a dagger from Sintells pocket.
You cant carry weapons. Leave all the weapons to me.
The guests followed Esteri. Rendell was in the common room. He has aged in recent days. There was not a trace left of that active head of the Inquisition who came here a few days ago. Shamon drank his spiritual strength and moved into another body. He regretted what he had done, but the past could not be returned.
The guests sat down at the table, and the servants brought wine and fruit.
I guess we have nothing more to share. It is so? asked Esteri. Although if I were you, my lords, I would return the selected lands back to Dreams possession. Dust glanced sideways at Rendell, but he didnt say a word, just looked at his feet.
«Your Highness,» Sintell noted. -You realize that all of Eldoras is now in our hands. Except for Dream, but we brought all our united troops to the Capital!
We also brought all our troops to Dream. But we shouldnt fight at all! If we join forces, the whole world will fall at our feet. I hope you realize, dear guests, that your lives are in my hands? You are unarmed in my castle, where there are many people loyal to me! All I have to do is snap my fingers and youre done!
Sintell clenched his fists. He was ready to rush at the queen. But then he looked around there were, indeed, only enemies around.
Everyone come out! the queen commanded. I have to talk to the guests face to face.
When the servants and guards left the hall, Esteri struck Sintell in the groin. He bent in half.
What a bitch! he screamed almost in falsetto. Ill strangle you. And then let your soldiers do whatever they want with me. We will crush Dream, not a grain of sand will remain!