You should not! the innkeeper shouted. Be quieter. Otherwise, you will leave, and the bandits will rot us!
The soldier, seasoned in battle, just laughed.
***
The Lorraine people were accustomed to taking prey without resistance. Therefore, they came to their senses when three or four heads of the attackers rolled on the ground.
We will leave no stone unturned in this village! the gang leader shouted.
Well see! Still shouted louder. Steel hit steel. Nermall chopped down enemies left and right. Duncan did not lag behind him. Still and Lewis also killed their first enemies in their lives. Half an hour later the Lorraineers decided to retreat:
Well get back to you. And then there will be no stone left on the village. Look! We will burn you to the ground!
Nermall raised his fist. He shouted triumphantly:
HOORAY! Let them go!
«Perhaps well stay one more night today,» Still said when they returned to the inn.
Yes, sure! Today, drinks and food are paid for by the Gray Horse!
Still spoke to Murray:
If you want, come with us. Our path is dangerous
«Its safer for me to go with you,» Murray interrupted him, «than to remain among these people who despise and fear me.»
Perhaps youre right!
Having had a hearty dinner, the friends went to bed. Its a long road in the morning.
Chapter 8. Sands
In the morning, without waking up the innkeeper, the friends set off on the road.
***
It seems that there is no end or end to the sands in these parts. Then a small series of stones and low rocks, and again sand. The sun is high. I want to hide behind the mighty crown of some tree. But will cactus spines provide much shade? Even the smells faded away in the desert, except for the dry smell of sand. Still kept reaching for the flask. The other travelers also quickly became exhausted on this seemingly endless journey. Lewis and Nermall were more confident than the others. Lewis grew up in Lorraine and is no stranger to these terrains. And Nermall is generally difficult to surprise or scare with anything. Goosebumps appeared before my eyes every now and then. Therefore, it often seemed that there was a small grove in the distance.
I would give half my life for five minutes in the shadows! said Duncan.
«And a mug of cold water,» Still added.
«Or kvass,» said Kurt.
«You are weak,» Lewis smiled.
«I now understand why the Lorraineers constantly strive to attack us!» Kurt said. Is Lorraines entire land a huge desert? Will the sands run out soon?
«Then there will be less sand,» Lewis said. Then the stones will come.
Kurt lit the cigarette.
Arent you hot, friend? said Duncan. Why are you also warming yourself up from the inside?
The wind was blowing tumbleweeds. The horizon turned black. Nermall looked worriedly at the clouds that were approaching faster and faster. And then there was unexpected silence, as if someone had turned off the wind.
«Get off your horses,» said Nermall.
What?
No need for unnecessary questions. Now the storm is coming. Cover your head.
That is why trees did not coexist here. A sharp gust of wind seemed to be able to break even a centuries-old oak tree. The sand covered my head. A minute ago the bright sun was blinding, but now its dark, like a moonless night. Sand is everywhere. Open your eyes and you may remain blind until your death.
***
The regatta hung over the palantir. She whispered the words of an ancient spell and moved her hand through the air. But then she met someones magical resistance.
Anilix! You! Ill still kill them! she said in an empty room. But the sorcerer heard her words in another part of the world. Silver entered the room.
What are you doing, dear?
Anilix! This damned sorcerer! Hes always on my way!
Oh, youre talking about this old man! «Silver barely touched the palantir, and the magical resistance instantly disappeared. Regatta began to cast the spell again, but Silver stopped her with a kiss.
No need to touch them. Let them go.
They are coming for weapons that can stop you. Silver, lets kill them! Ask! I cant stand it if they kill you. Lets stop them before its too late!
Among them is my brother.
Thats it! Still! Who knows what he is capable of as a sorcerer? You are stronger than any living magician. But the same blood flows in him as in you. Maybe he will be your equal! Regatta looked at her husband with hope in her eyes. But he shook his head:
I dont want them to die. To be honest, I dont want deaths at all. But I will go to Tivol. I want to look my father in the eyes. And say how wrong he is. If he had not expelled me, I would not have had to resort to extreme measures for this.
Silver began to peer at the image inside the crystal ball. But it suddenly dissipated. He is the strongest of the sorcerers. But there is one spell that is not available to him. How many times has he looked into the witchcraft sphere! Any point in the world is accessible to him. But Silver was never able to see the faces of Still and Dinor. He forgot what his relatives looked like, and some unprecedented magic prevented him from remembering old faces. Silver cursed and threw the crystal ball to the floor.
***
It seems the storm has passed. Still dug himself out of the sand. Then he offered his hand to Lewis. Together they dug up Nermall. A few minutes later all the travelers were saved.
Glory to the Creator! We weathered this storm,» Duncan said.
«I wouldnt be so sure,» Lewis said.
What are you talking about? Kurt asked.
«Its better for you not to know,» said Nermall. After a storm they often come!
Kurt wanted to ask something else, but he was stopped by Murrays heart-rending scream. Kurt looked back in the direction the writer indicated. A huge scorpion was walking towards them. The friends took out their swords.
«Dont move,» Lewis said. He may not notice us.
Scorpio stopped, looking for something. And then he trotted off in a different direction. But then Murray sneezed loudly. Scorpio turned around sharply and rushed towards the travelers.
Still barely dodged the huge sting. Each leg of the huge animal is as thick as the body of the skinny Nermall!
Aim for the belly. Or to the place on the back where the monsters tail begins! Lewis shouted. Still tried several times to mount the scorpion, but it shook the hunter off to the ground.
Scorpio suddenly fell. A huge spear protruded from his back. The travelers looked around. Behind stood the leader of the bandits who were attacking a village on the border with Lorraine.
So you got caught! he rubbed his hands.
Dont be in such a hurry, Jack! said another bandit or soldier, how do you distinguish between them? «They will be useful to the king for entertainment.» Lets take them prisoner.
The friends resisted the attackers. But the travelers were exhausted after a long journey, so they could not give a worthy rebuff.
Well, are you going to resist? If so, I will order my men to finish you off. Better put down your weapon voluntarily. From today you come into the favor of the King of Lorraine!
Chapter 9. Prisoners
Lush mansions in the middle of the desert. Unbearable heat and dry air. The prisoners, with their hands tied, their mouths gagged and bags on their heads, were brought into the kings chamber.
Your Majesty, here they are! said Jack. Probably spies. We caught them while walking around the lands.
Derr, King of Lorraine, ate grapes, spitting out the seeds and skins on a saucer. Two maids fanned him. For some time he showed no sign that he had heard what was said. And then he said:
Into their pit. To the tigers.
Councilor Ezigurd approached Derr and whispered something in his ear. The king smiled:
Oh yes, how could I not have thought of this myself! Esigurd speaks his mind. Still, I get better with age. Prisoners, I grant you forgiveness. Moreover, you have the honor of taking part in the competition for my sons engagement!
The prisoners muttered.
No need to thank me! Derr said. «I know, Ive been overly kind lately.» Jack, take them in a kama to the chambers of other applicants!
The bags were taken off them and the damned gags were taken out. The heat is unbearable, there is nothing to breathe. They even untied their hands. Only the prisoners were left without weapons everything was taken away. Duncan immediately tried to rush at Jack, but the bars slammed in front of him. Then the man spat and hit the soldier right in the face. He wiped away the spit.
«Well meet again,» he said.
They looked around. There were mattresses on the floors, but there were clearly not enough places for everyone. There were about fifty people here, no less. Other prisoners looked disapprovingly at the new arrivals.
Everyone curses the villains, forgetting how much good they brought in between their vile deeds. Before the First Antimonian Empire, each settlement had its own language. But Antimonik burned out words other than the Common Speech. Old dialects remained in some places, but even commoners knew the Common Language, at least in general terms. Unless the inhabitants of the Unknown Continent and the newly developed Ddraigha may not understand you.
As the sun fell below the horizon, the guard brought food. This is unsalted porridge, a piece of stale bread and a glass of stagnant water for each prisoner. One of the prisoners approached Nermall:
Old man, you still dont have long to live. Give me your portion, and I wont touch you! I need a lot of strength for tomorrows fight!
Duncan clenched his fists, but Nermall stopped him with a gesture. The old pirate was used to this kind of place, so he was not at a loss. He silently stood up, walked up to the bully and punched him in the gut. He twisted himself into a rams horn and fell.
Will there be any other contenders for my portion? Nermall looked around at those present. Everyone pretended to eat, not paying attention to what was happening. Well, fine! Bon Appetit everyone!
The porridge is disgusting, to put it in decent words. But after a hungry day, even Still, accustomed to luxurious dinners, ate it like a heavenly dish.
When it got dark, we decided to talk about this and that. But one of the prisoners said:
Guys, have a conscience! Theres a battle tomorrow morning, but you wont let me sleep!
The guards played dice behind the doors, laughing loudly and chatting, but this did not prevent the unwitting guests of the inhospitable Lorraine from falling asleep.
Chapter 10. Arena
The sun had not yet had time to heat the sand, but the stands were filled with people. When Derr appeared, the crowd cheered.
Hello, friends! said the king. I think you know perfectly well why we have gathered today! Yesterday the long-awaited engagement of Prince Manstead to the Morellian Princess Lydia took place.
Where is the prince himself? someone shouted from the crowd. Oh, if Derr knew everything about his son!
He will be later. As expected, extraordinary Games are being held in honor of my son! The first stage is declared open!
The crowd applauded and screamed, in anticipation of blood and other peoples pain. Behind someone elses suffering, ones own is not felt so keenly.
«As you know, gentlemen,» said the kings dwarf assistant, «in the first round, our dear guests,» the host smiled wryly at the last word, and the crowd laughed in unison, «will meet the best fighters.» Guards, lead the first participant!
The first «volunteer» had to be pushed into the middle of the arena. He grabbed the bars of the bars, but the muscular guard was stronger. The crowd applauded.
And he will come out against him Who do you think could be the opponent of this brave fighter? the audience laughed. We cant insult guests by offering them weaklings to fight?! So who is this man?
Scull? was heard from the podium. Derr smiled mysteriously. Watching the dwarf presenter.
Will there be any other options? asked the dwarf.
Squall?
Its hot. But not him.
Is it really Bonecrusher?
Exactly! said the presenter.
Bonecrusher! the crowd chanted. Bonecrusher! Bonecrusher! Hooray! Bonecrusher!
A huge muscleman came out, over two meters tall, with a bull skull on his head with huge horns. He raised his mace-free hand up.
Bonecrusher! Bonecrusher! Bonecrusher!
The prisoner was not even given a weapon. The giant threw a ball, tied at one end to his hand, covered with spikes, and hit him in the chest. Scarlet blood flowed. The «volunteer» groaned in pain. The crowd cheered louder. Bonecrusher hit him again, this time with his fist in the head. The poor guy fell on the sand. The dwarf turned over the hourglass and began to scrupulously count the grains of sand. When the last one falls, the prisoners fate is sealed. We are all in her hands. But the fighter did not give up. He tried to get up, but was hit by another blow from the Bonecrusher. When the last grain of sand fell, the dwarf looked at Derr. There are two pictures above the royal box. One depicts a smiling man, the other a hanged man. The king pointed to the one on the right, and the leader turned the long arrow towards the doomed man. Derr nodded in agreement. Bonecrusher lowered his mace onto the prisoners head.
Bonecrusher! Bonecrusher!
What kind of savages? Still asked, watching the fight from behind bars, «We ended with these wild customs about five hundred years ago!»
«People always remain beasts,» said Nermall, «Even if they play at being noble.» Once hypocrisy is removed, the animals come out.
But are these people? Herd!
This is true. It doesnt hurt me to talk about this.
Nermall, were not like that, are we? I hope we dont end up like beasts?
The former pirate remained silent. Hes already done it, and not just once. But there was something human left in him. What forced me to pull myself together and return to human form. But Nermall guessed how these kinds of fights usually ended. But Stilla did not want to upset him ahead of time.
Bring another one! Bonecrusher growled in a broken voice.
Guards? the dwarf squeaked.
They brought out another prisoner. This one was more courageous than the previous one. He raised both hands up, copying the Bonecrusher gesture. The crowd applauded.
Bonecrusher threw a spiked ball, but the fighter dodged. He ran around the hulking thug from behind. Pouncing from behind, he bit her ear. Everyone was silent, waiting for how this bloody race would end.
Bonecrusher hit the impudent man on the head with his mace as hard as he could. The guy swayed and fell on the sand. Derr pointed to a picture of a hanged man, thereby sealing the fate of the loser.
Next! Bonecrusher shouted.
This time the lot fell on Nermall.
Teacher, you are Be careful.
We are all in the hands of Fate. If you are ordered to die, you cannot escape death. And Im lucky in this regard Ive already stayed alive forty times, you see, and this time fortune is on my side!
The audience laughed it seemed that the fate of this prisoner was predetermined. Bonecrusher has twisted other people into a rams horn!
But it was not there! The old pirate met larger enemies, and in greater numbers.
What, the bulls skull put on its own face, I suppose? And the horns are adorable! How often do you leave your wifey at home? «Bonebreaker roared, his knuckles turning blue with anger. I know, often. I have two news for you. Good: your wife is doing great. And the bad one is about the horns.
The flexible Nermall easily dodged the flying ball. With unprecedented agility for his age, he ran behind the big man. Nermall threw a stone and hit the thug in the ass. He roared even louder. He is clumsy, so while the big man was turning around, Nermall again found himself behind him.