Dont you see, Herberolden, your strength? asked Dartel. «You can rule the world if you want.» People will fall at your feet. They wont be able to do anything against your strength!
«Dont say such words,» said Herberolden. «Otherwise I will have to expel you.» One of us is already rotting in hell for such words!
They forgot about this conversation. But Dartel never parted with parchment and quill. He caught every rare word of the priests, tried to understand the meaning of the shade of each emotion in order to better translate it into the language of people. He created the elven dictionary a tome. It contains a huge collection of elven spells.
And then Dartel persuaded some of the priests, and they went with the man. Dartel with a handful of elves conquered Morelia, then with a small army of soldiers trained in magic, he conquered all of Eldoras. His empire expanded, but his thirst for power could not be quenched so easily. He captured two-thirds of Sanems lands and almost all of Ennis lands. I wanted to move east, but again I came across an abandoned elven village.
Your Majesty, we cannot leave unconquered lands behind. The empire must be intact! one of the advisers said to Dartel.
Gerberolden, obey me, the only true ruler of these lands! Dartel said then. But the elven king laughed in the mans face. What can a self-taught magician do in a battle with a native elf? Maybe he would have stood on equal terms against one of his children, but Herberolden is a true elf, he was born somewhere in the upper world.
Then the war between elves and people began. The forest was burning in magical fire. On that day, the magic of people was born. Elvish words did not disappear, like human ones, having fulfilled their purpose. They solidified into a viscous substance among the trees and saturated the air. After that battle, the forest became magical, enchanted.
There is no trace left of the elven settlement. Elves and human sorcerers tormented each other. And those who survived decided to hide the book in a place where no one would find it.
Maybe we shouldnt look for the book either? asked Still. She carries so much evil within herself!
«Its not that simple,» said Nermall. Who knows what Silver found in the ruins of Antimonik? But now he is one of the most powerful magicians on earth. If hes not stopped, who knows how far hell go? And the book can give us a chance in the war with Morelia.
Nermall, how do you know so much about this book?
I read a lot. I have traveled and heard many stories.
Hey, Still, what are you doing here? Lewis shouted out of nowhere. Everyone is preparing for a feast in your honor, and here you are walking in the park! You know, friend, I dont have much good. But I want to give you a gift for coming of age.
Lewis took the pendant from his neck and placed it around Stills neck.
This is the little that remains of my mother. This amulet should protect you from many problems!
Truly a royal gift! said Nermall. This pendant cannot be stolen or taken away by force. It can only be received as a gift!
Thank you friend! Still hugged Lewis.
Happy holiday to you!
The friends did not know what surprise Fate was preparing for them.
Chapter 4. Feast
Thousands of candles and torches were lit, so that not a trace remained of the usual twilight of the castle. The musicians played pipes and lutes. The dancers danced. The aroma of meat baked in spices wafted through the hall. Incense was lit.
Servants carried baked geese with apples and roasted wild boar on silver trays. Trays of meat and fruit emptied faster than cups of wine.
Then Damgam, the court jester, came out. Most jesters are dwarfs, but this tall fellow is as thin as a pillar. He pulled a coin from behind Stills ear. The guests applauded. Then, to the sound of a lute, he sang:
Glory to you, great one, our fat king,
This is your unenviable role.
You are angry like an animal, well, always drunk!
The wolf is evil on the inside, but the boar on the outside!
Absolute silence reigned in the hall for a minute. Even the musicians stopped playing. Hundreds of eyes are directed at the impudent jester. Dinor broke the silence. He laughed loudly:
I wouldnt forgive anyone else! Long ago any minstrel who dared to sing such a thing, even in a whisper, would have burned at the stake. But I forgive you. Sing some more! Cheer up the old man!
The jester sang again, without hitting a single note:
The eldest prince lives in a distant land,
He sold his soul to Satan,
His soul obeyed the witch,
He is slowly making plans for the battle!
Enough! Dinor hit the table with his fist in anger. You need to know when to stop! Go away!
The jester laughed evilly. Each time the meeting between the king and the jester ended with Dinor driving Dangam away in anger, but then calling him again the next evening to sing a new song about some nobleman or about the king himself.
Or what, Dinor? Will you cut off my balls?
Dangam was castrated by a nobleman when he found him with his wife. Since then, Dangams jokes have become angrier. And he began to fear less for his life, which is why he allowed himself liberties that others would have been afraid of. He would be happy if he were hanged. What kind of life is there without women?
Get out! Dinor shouted.
Okay, okay, Im coming! But dont call me today! said the jester, closing the door behind him.
For some time there was silence in the hall. But then Dinor said, smiling:
We have gathered today on a joyful occasion: today Prince Still turned seventeenth spring. Lets drain the cups to the bottom!
All the guests put cups to their lips.
But thats not the only reason I gathered you. Dangam is right. There will soon be a war with Morelia.
The guests whispered:
War?
War again?
Morelia?
But I know where the weapon is with which we can defeat Silver. I plan to send an expedition to the Unknown Lands!
The guests looked at each other in fear.
Unknown Lands? Didnt I hear it?
«It also seemed to me that the king said exactly that.»
Your Highness! Colonel Darsu expressed the general idea louder than others. Its suicide to go to the Unknown Lands! No one returned from there alive!
So, there wont be a single volunteer who will go to distant lands, perhaps to certain death, but for the sake of saving the Motherland? Dinor looked around at those present.
«Ill go get the book,» Still said quietly.
What, son? Dinor asked. Do you want to say something?
I will go to the Unknown Lands! Still said, this time his voice echoed throughout the entire hall.
No, son, what are you talking about! How can you go there! Dinor laughed nervously. It is unknown what awaits the traveler along the road! There will be others who will risk their lives. And you are the crown prince, your life must be protected.
Will they respect me when I become king if I sit in the castle, sending others to their deaths? Still looked carefully into his fathers eyes. Did you ever sit out your time?
Didnt sit back! People loved Dinor because he always walked ahead of the squad. Lately the king had almost gone mad, but people still respected him for his old exploits.
I will go! Still insisted.
Youre not going anywhere!
Father!
Are there anyone who wants it? Are there really no more candidates?
Father, give me a birthday present!
Your Majesty! Anilix said. All the kings of antiquity, before ascending to the throne, performed a feat. Give your son this chance too! How is he worse than his ancestors?
Dad, please!
A single tear ran down the drunken kings cheek.
So be it. I prepared another birthday present for you Councilor Wind personally chose the prostitute. I wanted you to become a man today, but I was too late. You are already a mature husband if you can make such decisions! I am the city with my son! So its destined you will go on this dangerous journey. But I wont send you away yourself. Who will go with my son?
I will go! Lewis was the first to shout. «I cant send my faithful friend on a dangerous journey myself!»
And Ill go! said Nermall.
Youre already old! said Councilor Wind.
Yes, but I will give most of the young people a head start. I taught Still a lot, but I didnt pass on a lot of knowledge to him.
Ill go too!
And I!
And I want to go!
Many warriors hands reached up.
We cant send a large detachment! Dinor laughed. «Even a blind sentry will notice such a detachment.» Colonel Darsu, choose the best.
I myself wouldnt mind going for the princes Still! Colonel Darsu said.
No, Colonel. You, together with Advisor Wind, will prepare our troops for war. No one can say for sure whether this book exists. We cant bet all our cards on just the lost elven tome!
***
Still had a fair amount of wine. But the girl who was brought to his bed dispelled his intoxication for a while.
What is your name? the young man asked, stroking the blond, curly-haired beautys chin.
Does it matter? Men never asked my name. And I dont care what your name is. The main thing is that the money is paid!
She tore off the princes shirt. And then they loved each other.
***
Stills head was pounding. He barely opened his eyes, wanting to take a leak. The blonde girl next to him was awake. She whispered words in an unknown language. Seeing that Still was awake, she attacked him. Tenacious fingers squeezed his neck. Touching the amulet Lewis gave her, she hissed.
What kind of strange amulet is this? she asked.
Who sent you? asked Still, instantly sobering up.
The one who will take the throne when you die! she again reached for the princes neck, but Still grabbed the sword that was lying nearby and brought it to the attackers neck.
Guards! Still shouted. Valin entered the room.
Valin, take her to prison. Shes a witch!
The girl threw her cloak over her naked body. Valin glanced at her every now and then as he led the captive through the corridors.
You wont arrest me, will you? Really, handsome? Im a poor defenseless girl. Do you know what atrocities Still did to me? And when he got tired of me, he threw me away like an old toy. Spoiled child!
She threw off her cloak with an imperceptible movement. Valin looked at the naked body of the prostitute, unable to utter a word. He is the only one from the guard who has not found a bride, so the blonde turned his head.
Come on, be brave! the prostitute put Valins palm on her chest. And with an imperceptible movement of her hand, she grabbed a dagger and plunged it into the soldiers chest. She took a bunch of keys and opened one of the dungeons.
Eleanor? Jim was surprised.
You betrayed Silver. «You wont live to see the morning for this,» said the blonde. A dagger was stabbed into the bandits chest. Jim never lived to see his execution. And Eleanor ran away.
Chapter 5. Exile
The sun was rising, painting the gray sky with all the colors of the rainbow. The summer turned out to be cool. The nightingale sang, breaking the silence of the sleeping deciduous forest. It was as if he was trying to tell the aspens and oaks: «Stop sleeping! Sony! Look how beautiful the world around you is. Get up, have fun, enjoy life!» It smelled like grass.
All that was left of the once lush, endless forest was a small island covered with trees. These places are called Clearings.
Silver set a pack of trained dogs on the trail of a wild boar. His crossbow is ready. A shadow similar to an animal will flash, and he will immediately release a crossbow bolt. His arrows are special, they are enchanted with magic. Therefore, the Morelian king rarely missed his target. He sniffed, using the sense of smell of one of the dogs, and fired an arrow. The boar roared and rushed straight at him. Then Silver, with an equally furious cry, took out his sword and rushed at the maddened animal. One wave of his hand, and the boars head rolled on the ground, cut off by a sword covered with magical runes.
He dipped his fingers into the hot blood and licked the life-giving liquid. It contains all the power of the being. Without blood there is no life.
Silver felt the call. Concentrating, he created a sphere that fit in the palm of his hand. The image of a woman appeared in this ball.
Hello, Lord! she said.
Hello, Eleanor! Whats going on?
Master, I carried out your order. Jim is dead. Can I go back?
For what? I need a man in Tivol.
But they will look for me! The guards saw my face and now Im not safe. I also miss you. I want to see you not only in the cold glass of the palantir.
«You should stay,» Silver said.
Dont you miss me at all?
Silver was silent.
Do you really not love me at all?
You know who my heart belongs to.
The image of Eleanor disappeared, but Silver knew that the woman in her hearts threw the glass ball, and it rolled on the grass.
«I will show you what Regattas love is worth! I will punish this witch!» I think Eleanor said something in this style. Silver smiled. Shouldnt he know the value of this womans love? For her sake, he left his fathers house. Suthering is always in a state of readiness for war with Morelia. Silvers father disowned him when he learned that the prince was engaged to the Queen of Morelia. Dinor cursed his eldest son.
So Silver lost his family for the sake of his beloved. He tried to remember the faces of his father and brother, but he couldnt. Its like someone erased the past. What remained was an all-consuming love, which did not fade away over the years, but became stronger.
The sphere on Silvers hand disappeared. Danny, one of the generals, spoke up.
Silver, I dont understand how you do this? I have been accustomed to magic since childhood. I am not surprised by palantirs and other balls that allow you to see through space and time. But you dont even need a glass ball!
Objects are nothing. The main thing is their essence, the main thing is what they hide inside, what they are intended for. Once I held the palantir in my hand, I understood its essence, structure and purpose. And now I just need to revive this subject in my memory. Knowing the essence is more important than the subject itself. One day I will understand people, and then there will be no barriers left in front of me.
Silver closed his eyes, and another person appeared out of thin air next to him, Dannys double.
Sometimes it seems to me that I already understand people. But then I realize Im wrong.
The generals double disappeared in the same way as he appeared dissolving into thin air.
You know, Silver, sometimes Im afraid of you. I dont envy your enemies!
Im sometimes afraid of myself! said Silver. And then he took out a pendant from his breast pocket. He opened it, and in it was a small image of a woman, drawn by one artist.
Okay, its time to go home. The regatta is probably already exhausted. I didnt tell her I was going hunting. Order the slaves to take the boar, and lets go home!
Chapter 6. First step
The hardest thing is to take the first step. You look at your feet uncertainly and think, think, think You imagine the dangers that await you on the way. Friends, and especially envious people, who do not want to change anything in life, who are afraid, but dream of living better, talk about the horrors that await you. And now you are shifting unsteadily from foot to foot, scratching the back of your head, and saying: «Do I need this? Isnt it better to live without changes, quietly, calmly?» So you threw the bag that was hanging over your shoulders onto the floor. He sat down at the table and poured some wine. Then again, and again. And so on ad infinitum. Then old age will come, and you will think: «Maybe it was worth going on a journey? Maybe it would be better? You cant go back to the past. The past is a wall, once its built, you cant go back, and if you want to break it, you can lose your future.