And you can take the first step. Then another one. You take twenty steps and you cant see your goal. But man is a lazy creature. He never wants to go back, even twenty steps. You will go forward into the unknown until you come to victory. Our whole life is the path to a dream! The main thing is not to be scared and take the first step, then it will be easier!
The horses neighed, marking time. Still mounted his horse first. The other nine travelers followed his example. Dinor tapped his son on the shoulder:
Good luck, son. Fate is our mistress, we are all in her hands. Come back victorious! Know that we are waiting for you!
The king wiped away a tear that treacherously tried to wet his chin.
With a shield or on it! Colonel Darsu said, raising his fist. The old warrior also wanted to go on a dangerous journey, but Dinor ordered him to stay to prepare for war.
«With a shield,» Dinor said. -Only with a shield. I believe that you will return victorious and save the Motherland in this difficult time!
The sun was rising on the horizon, but the heat was already unbearable. Maybe the stones underfoot dont have time to cool down overnight? The bugles sounded and the squad set off. A crowd of onlookers saw off the prince and his faithful friends with looks full of admiration. Myrtle inflorescences and rose petals fell under the horses feet. The travelers disappeared behind the city gates, and the women were still waving white scarves and dabbing their tears.
We drove fast. There are many miles to the next tavern, you need to get there before sunset. Later you will often have to spend the night in the open air, but while you have the opportunity, it is better not to deny yourself comfort. Moreover, as Lewis once said, Still was used to living in luxury. This is the princes first journey.
Well, dont you want to come back? Lewis laughed, overtaking Still. Because the tender royal ass is probably not used to the hard saddle!
Still hit his horse under the sides and began to catch up with Lewis. Nermall shook his head and smiled:
What kind of children they are! They would have all the toys. The young men do not understand where they have gone, how many dangers await them on this path!
Were we not the same once? Kurt laughed into his mustache.
I still dont mind competing! Duncan said and spurred his horse. A few moments later he was already catching up with Still. Come on, sleepyheads, who will get to the tavern faster?
After a while, all the horses were racing at full speed. Even old Nermall had the hot blood of a pirate boiling. He spent most of his life at sea, but even on land he often had to hide from soldiers. Therefore, he gave a head start to the young scoundrels.
We planned to get to the Gray Horse tavern when the moon rose. But when we got there, the one-day myrrh had hardly bloomed.
***
Innkeeper, bring the roast goose. Or better yet, wild boar. And beer! said Duncan.
Maybe you want to rest first after a long journey? the innkeeper spoke. Ill ask my son, hell show me where to take the things!
Whats your name, guy? Kurt asked.
Daryl.
Daryl, we drove all day without stopping. Yes, we are incredibly tired, but you cant even imagine how hungry we are! I would eat a whole boar right now. But the only edible thing in front of me is you, fat man. You dont want me to become a man-eater, do you?
The small hall smelled of beer and food. Looks like fried potatoes or something. And the smell of wild boar cannot be confused with anything else.
The maids hurried. They carried wooden mugs with a foamy drink. The men drank almost in one gulp, only Still and Lewis drank in small sips.
What are they teaching todays youth? Nermall grinned. «They cant even drink properly!»
The men laughed. Lewis snorted in displeasure. He furrowed his brow as he poured the rest of the mug into his mouth. Still continued to drink, taking his time.
Its cool in the hall, or maybe it seemed so after a day spent on a horse in the heat. Several torches hung on the walls could not cope with the dimness in the room. The servants brought in a dish of wild boar roasted on a spit.
Look, Kurt, dont break your neck! Duncan smiled. The man turned towards the dish, which spread the aromas throughout the entire room. When they put the dish on the table, the men began to tear off pieces of meat with their hands. Still tried to eat with a fork and knife for a while. Others looked mockingly at the spoiled prince. And then he abandoned the pointless idea and began to eat like others.
Our person! Nermall hit the prince on the shoulder.
Bring some beer! Duncan shouted.
Having eaten enough, the travelers lay down in the beds offered by the innkeeper.
***
Hello, Nermall! said the red-haired woman. Goosebumps ran through the old mans body, and the woman laughed.
Lisa, what are you doing here? You You shouldnt be here!
Dont be dark, Nermall! Say it straight: «You, Lisa, are dead!» You, Nermall, allowed my death, but I dont blame you. I forgave you a long time ago.
«Im sorry,» Nermall whispered.
Kiss me like you did before? Do you remember at the first meeting? Lisa reached out to him, but Nermall pulled away:
«Im sorry,» the man whispered again. And then he opened his eyes, wiping cold sweat from his forehead.
He hadnt dreamed of her for a long time. The wound did not heal completely, but did not bleed for several springs. He did not forget her face, but tried not to think about Lisa. Now the memories flooded again, as if through a broken dam.
They first met at the bazaar. Nermall, as always, was in a hurry to get somewhere, and brushed his shoulder against the red-haired silk saleswoman. A pile of clothes fell from her hands, and the wind began to blow away the light silk. Nermall picked up all the dresses. For one I had to run to the corner.
«Thank you,» she said. Since then, the student, the son of a nobleman, began secretly meeting with a young merchant. His father was preparing a rich future for him, and there was no place for a non-noble girl there. Nermall and Lisa were happy. They didnt notice the spies who were watching them. One day Nermall came to the appointed place at a certain time. Lisa was not there. His heart sank with alarming foreboding and Nermall did not know what to do. He trudged home. That night he never slept.
The maid stirred Nermall up early in the morning.
Father is calling you! she said.
«Hello, son,» the usually serious Henry smiled. That smile didnt bode well. Nermall, there will be an execution today. The guards have caught another witch, and the Inquisition will carry out a show execution.
Father, you know I cant stand the sight of blood. Im starting to feel nauseous.
I insist on your presence. You have to grow up. Moreover, the Inquisitors have their own methods they do not shed blood.
On the Square of Majesty stood two inquisitors in long black robes. And Lisa was standing there. Nermall almost rushed to the center of the circle designated by the crowd, but Henry held him by the sleeve.
Look. Theres nothing you can do here!
Nermall stood there, unable to move. One of the anti-mages raised his hand up.
Illigulus, spirit of Justice, evaluate the guilt of this woman. If she is a witch and uses illegal magic, punish her according to what she deserves.
Lightning flashed from above, and Lisa caught fire.
I told you she was a witch!
Nermall lost consciousness at that moment. He opened his eyes already inside the castle.
Father, why did you do this? You set it all up, right?
How could I set up illegal magic?
Its all you! I know you found a way. Why, father? For what?
For your own good. This witch is not your match. You know that you already have a fiancée.
I dont love her!
No one forces you to love. If you dont fall in love, you can look for love on the side. But you must marry her.
Henry drank and squandered almost his entire fortune at cards. When the time came to transfer the inheritance to his son, he found the simplest way to rehabilitate himself he promised one of Beelzuviks Advisors a son, in exchange for a good monetary reward. But things didnt go as planned. Nermall ran away from home that night. He jumped into the sea, wanting to end his life. But he was picked up by pirates. A few days later he returned to his fathers house. Nermall wanted to kill his father. But he found an old beggar who, having drunk, stretched out his hand to live another day. Fate punished his father, so Nermall spared the man.
But Lisas face sometimes appeared in his dreams. She smiled. And in the end she always died.
The old man closed his eyes.
Nermall! he heard a familiar voice.
Chapter 7. Prophet
As soon as the sun appeared on the horizon, Nermall was already pushing his comrades aside.
Sleep well, sleepyheads! So sleep through life!
Old man, you slept through your youth, give us a rest too! Duncan muttered. But he got out of bed. Lewis and Still decided to take a walk around the village. The road is long, you wont rest until evening. And as long as its not too hot, you can go for a walk.
Okay, but you wont be long! said Nermall.
The young men walked along the narrow streets. The locals looked unfriendly at the strangers. They are dressed like a traveler, so few people recognize Still as a prince.
People were gathering in the square. A gray-haired man is tied with ropes to a post. The haystack under him is growing larger.
Whats happened? Still asked one of the passers-by. -What crime did he commit?
Damn him! Calling for trouble again. We told him throw away your books, but he is stubborn, no matter what! He writes and writes. These writers are nothing but trouble! Its either a matter, I understand, a farmer, or, perhaps, a blacksmith. Well, at worst, a soldier they are more useful than scribblers. They put letters into words that ordinary people cannot understand. The nobles read it, but the peasants will not end up in trouble.
So what happened after all? Should we be executed for books? Is this a crime?
Are you taught to read and write?
Still nodded. The stranger handed him a small volume covered in calligraphic handwriting.
Here, take it, read it for yourself, and youll understand.
Still began to read.
***
«They are coming. Can you hear that rumble? It is their horses that trample our land. And the lights are not fireflies, there is nothing good about them. These are torches with which they will set fire to houses. This time they gathered a small detachment. They wont burn the village to the ground. They will rape, several men will be killed those who are the most obstinate, who do not want to watch how a stranger saddles his wives. This time they are going to collect tribute. They do not need other peoples lives, only bread and flocks. They know that you cant take gold from the villagers. But they are patient. This time they wont come for long. Then they will come again. And the third time they will burn the village to the ground.
Can you hear that crackling sound? Its the branches breaking under their feet. They have no need to hide. They are not afraid. They know that the king does not care about the outskirts. The king will not send troops to protect us. He doesnt care.
Do you see the lights of the torches? So you caught their first arrival. Then there will be another one. But know that you wont survive their third visit. Run. They are coming!»
***
And what didnt you like about this story? Yes, he writes strange stories, but the writer shouldnt be burned for it! Steele was indignant.
I didnt like it that a week later a gang from Lorraine showed up!
Still and Lewis looked at each other.
They came at dawn. Everyone has a torch in their hand. Aliens burned several of our houses. They killed Will the blacksmith and abused his daughter. The bandits stole our horses. This freak he was always writing something. Thats why hes a clerk! He took advantage of the fact that there are no more people among us who are trained to read and write. I bet he brought trouble to our village before. So yesterday they caught him writing. But this time nothing will work out for the damned Zeymond brat! Well burn it. Let the soul of Pisarev burn in the inferno until the end of the human race!
Still and Lewis were carried away by the strangers story that they did not notice how one of the peasants was already carrying a torch.
Stop! You mustnt kill him! Still shouted.
Stranger, do you want to take a place next to him? said the one with the torch.
Stop, immediately!
Who are you, a tramp, to order the headman?
My name is Stillom, and I am the crown prince of King Dinor! Still raised his hand, and a gold ring glittered on it. Some of the peasants sank to the ground reverently. But the elder looked with an unkind look.
Where were you, prince, when the gang attacked us? Return to Tivol. And we will find a way to protect ourselves!
«If you dont understand normal words, well talk in the language of weapons,» Still took out a sword, «Drop the torch immediately?»
The headman threw the torch into the very center of the haystack. It caught fire.
Lewis jumped up to the condemned writer. He cut the ropes and pushed the weakened man further away from the fire.
Thank you! he said and fell to the ground, completely exhausted.
Still and Lewis carried the man to the inn. People moved aside, not wanting to look at the writer.
«Serves him right,» they whispered. Fate will give everyone what they deserve. We are all in her hands. Tenacious, freak! He probably wrote salvation in a book!
The innkeeper also looked disapprovingly when he saw the writer. But the rest are newcomers, they dont care about internal squabbles.
Nermall went outside for a while. And a few minutes later he returned, holding a small pinch of an incomprehensible plant in his palm. He rubbed the flower between his fingers and brought it to the writers nose. He coughed and opened his eyes.
***
My name is Murray. I was born here. Honestly, I would love to continue living, but will the locals really let me? My father was a chronicler, and he taught me to put words into coherent sentences. In his free time, he did nothing but write stories. Ideas seemed to fall on me from somewhere above. Sometimes in a dream something new will come, something that no mortal has ever seen. And then during the day they began to have visions. I wrote them down I cant keep them in my head! And then I began to notice that my ridiculous stories were not such a tall tale! Even the most unusual ones eventually came true, and in the most unexpected way.
All writers are prophets, some to a greater extent, some to a lesser extent! Still said.
Lately I have been having the same dream more and more often. Our village is attacked by a gang from Lorraine. Moreover, they come twice in small detachments. And the third time they march with a whole army towards Tivol. But along the way they burn our village too!
Are you saying that Lorraine will attack Suthering? Still whispered.
I rarely make mistakes. War is almost inevitable!
But an army from Morelia is coming towards us from the west. We will find ourselves between a rock and a hard place. We must get the book as quickly as possible. Otherwise, the enemies will trample us!
Nermall put a finger to his lips.
Do you hear? he took the sword out of its sheath.
What should we hear?
A out of breath man ran into the tavern.
Bandits! They attacked again!
The innkeeper hurried to bolt the door.
Do not rush! said Duncan. We need to go out and take a walk in the fresh air!