Общий файл / Does Force Bind to Responsibility?: Глава 8

Chapter 8

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 06:07

***Jay-Gul***

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 06:25

"It's nice here in general. I like it, I'll come again sometime."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 06:26

The most powerful creature in the world looked straight into Jay-Gul's soul and smiled warmly. A humble smile, as if a shy friend had come to visit.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 06:27

The Creator's visit was coming to an end. Jay-Gul was glad he liked it here. He himself was greatly relieved. For the last couple of hours he had been aching for a piss. It was, you might say, a matter of life and death. But there was no way he could lose face. Also a matter of life and death.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 06:32

The experience of meeting the Creator was unspeakable. He was in the same form that Jay-Gul remembered from the old world. A human young man, almost a teenager, white-haired and smiling. He was a head shorter than the orc and twice his shoulders. Why he should look so frail, Jay-Gul didn't know and didn't want to know. The gods had their own quirks.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 06:34

It is unlikely that the Creator was really trying to deceive anyone with this appearance. His existence had always been felt by every orc, and his personal presence was physically palpable from a mile away, or more. A presence that made Jay-Gul seem like a blade of grass on the side of a volcano. Majestic and breathtaking.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 06:35

Jay-Gul was inspired and happy that he hadn't really been summoned for a scolding. So inspired and happy, in fact, that he drank a barrel of that damned beer while interrogating the wretched swordsman. The Warboss, the supreme leader, even looked at him with envy and respect.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 06:40

And when the business with the prisoners was over, and the Creator decided to speak to Jay-Gul, the beer reminded him of itself. In an ultimatum. The orc now knew exactly what the expression 'between the hammer and the anvil' meant.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 06:43

The Creator asked him about the mission in a thoughtful, detail-oriented manner. J-Gul replied calmly and measuredly. Out of the corner of his eye, he noted the unobtrusively crunching fist of the High Chief, who realized what the matter was. Two granite stones crumbled in his fist like bread crust.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 06:47

The conversation with the Creator was not that long, though it seemed like an eternity. In general, he asked what Jay-Gul thought of the enemy (they are fluid), how the release of the 'civilians' went (how the water flowed), and what they talked about with that human child (babbling like a stream, I can't remember). Smiled something of his own when he found out that she had invited Jay-Gul to visit.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 06:52

"It will be another great day, Prophet." the Warboss replied.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 07:47

"Warboss, I keep wondering if this Akuro can be useful. The reason for keeping him alive for now. By local standards, he is a strong warrior."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 08:42

"He has a strong spirit, but a weak body. I don't know what good he could do."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 08:44

"What do you think, Jay-Gul?"

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 08:45

"My opinion is nothing before your will."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 08:46

"And still?"

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 08:46

Jay-Gul had an idea about it, though he hesitated to voice it. No one wanted to risk spoiling the Creator's mood with a delusional idea. But if asked, he had to answer.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 08:47

"He's not much of a warrior compared to any of the boys. But he's more skilled than the older kids. He'd be a good match for them. He's agile and wants to live."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 08:48

"That's a good idea. Warboss, you have no objection?"

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 08:48

"I dare not think about it." The High Chief bowed guiltily. "If it is your will, the children will train with him."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 08:50

"I'm relying on you, but no deaths. There's no point in that type of study. I have a business to attend to, so I'll be going. Draga, take the others to Marius and then wait for me at the temple."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 09:06

"It will be done, Prophet." She bowed.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 09:07

"Warboss, escort me to the city gates. There's something we need to discuss..."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 09:08

The tent guards watched with suspicion and then with interest as Jay-Gul literally crawled out of the tent on all fours. He did manage to get to the pit.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 09:34

He, however, was driven away by the sight of the small crumbs, formerly two grungy pebbles, which lay in two piles near the empty barrel.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 09:44

***Marius***

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 09:45

"What delightful irony. I should have expected nothing less from the High Lord."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 09:47

Marius, crossing his arms over his chest, studied the sniffly pale young man who was gritting his teeth frantically.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 09:52

Draga, hovering over the unfortunate on the other side, in the same pose, replied.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 09:56

"This is a direct order from the Prophet. Where do you see the irony, Marius?"

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 09:57

"Haven't you been paying attention? I'm a monster from the other side of death, must find talent in a living enchanter of the light powers. Do you understand? Apparently not. What an unfortunate lack of sense of humor. Not surprising, knowing you."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 09:58

Marius prepared for the arrival of the Prophet's personal servant with all possible diligence. He had time to go through thousands of ideas in his head, which required living bodies and souls. Many theories needed to be confirmed or disproved, many spells need to be tested. Marius selected the most important ones, and still, there were more of them than there were victims.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:02

One of the crypts, next to Marius's private mausoleum, was urgently converted into a laboratory. Not that the vampires, evicted from there to shrines far away, were happy about this change of pace. But they weren't stupid enough to contradict their lord. Now instead of cozy sarcophagi, the crypt was occupied by marble and granite slabs. These made excellent memorial gravestones, but now they served as tables. There were lecterns for journals besides the tables, and gothic shelves of tools, reagents, and scrolls by the walls. There were no books - they were useless to Marius. He remembered them all by heart anyway.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:10

The subjects, immersed in deep hypnosis, were already lying on the tables, naked. A plan of experiments had already been prescribed for each of them, and Marius was anxious to begin.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:15

He noted with some displeasure the fact that Drega had brought no one with her but her prisoners. He had seriously considered letting the convoy in on the experiments as well. Of course, such a move would cause resentment, but after the fact, it was not so important. At least the Prophet wouldn't nag him about such a little thing.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:18

"Is it just me, or are you provoking me into a confrontation?" Draga arched an eyebrow.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:27

"Of course not," the lich brushed aside. Though the idea is interesting, I'd love to get my hands on your corpse someday."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:33

"You can always try, lich." Draga said in an icy tone, putting her palm on the hilt of her sword.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:34

"You take everything too personally." Marius sneered. "There's nothing more foolish than to interfere with the Prophet's plans, and your death is certainly not one of them yet."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:35

Draga relaxed a bit.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:36

"In general, I wonder how someone like you can even respect the opinions of the alive."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:37

"I respect first and foremost the wishes of the High Lord. He cannot be called 'alive' in the full meaning of the word. The presence of flesh and blood is nothing more than a whim to him."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:42

"So you treat life like any other undead? What keeps you from spreading death everywhere?" Draga stared at the blue lights in the lich's eyes very seriously. "Just orders, or something else?

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:43

"Hmm. Not only that." Marius stroked his chin. "I won't deny that living beings are somewhat repulsive to me. Fragile, unreliable flesh, so dependent on so many factors. A mind dependent on fleeting emotions and fickle morals. The inability to fully control even the functions of one's own body. This is terrible. Yet everything has a price. The more experience, excitement, and knowledge gained during life, the more perfect, beautiful, and fulfilling death will be. Not all living beings are capable of evolving, it's true." Leach raised his index finger admonishingly. "But everyone will die. No one lives forever."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:45

"Have you ever heard of elves?"

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:46

"The number of long-livers I know does not exceed the statistical margin of error, and for them, the question is still open. However, back to our immediate affairs. You." Marius beckoned a finger at the cornered boy. "Come here."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:48

The sorcerer huddled even deeper in the corner. Marius tilted his head slightly to the side.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:49

"Listen to me carefully, you little nothing. The Lord told me to find and develop some talent in you, and I will. So you will not die, not yet. But to think that it takes away my leverage over you is a great delusion. Come here."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:52

The sorcerer prayed in a hoarse whisper but ignored the lich.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.21 в 10:54