Общий файл / Does Force Bind to Responsibility?: Глава 9

Chapter 9

Camrad_RIP 28.06.21 в 19:28

***Talik***

Camrad_RIP 28.06.21 в 19:29

As he emerged on the other side of the portal, Talik reflexively stiffened, listening.

Camrad_RIP 28.06.21 в 19:29

Nature was buzzing all around him. The last time he had gone out into the world in the ruined village, it was a little different. It was very quiet then, except for the wind. But here he could hear birds singing, trees creaking, bushes rustling, insects chirping, toads rattling somewhere nearby. The sun, streaming through the treetops, tickled his face amusingly. He stood for a few minutes, getting used to the background.

Camrad_RIP 28.06.21 в 19:44

The exit from the portal opened up in a small clearing in the woods, about half a kilometer from the road. At least, that's what Illadria said. But there wasn't anything that looked like a path, or even a footpath, from the clearing. It wasn't even obvious which way to go.

Camrad_RIP 28.06.21 в 19:53

"So?" Talik spread his hands in a gesture of incomprehension.

Camrad_RIP 28.06.21 в 19:54

A figure in a green cloak with muddy brown streaks materialized subtly beside a bush a few paces from Talik. The figure hurriedly pulled off its hood and crouched to the ground in a respectful gesture. Soft laced boots, leather gloves to the elbows, a quiver of arrows at the belt, and a half-length carved bow in a hand. From under his long blond hair peered pointed tips of ears.

Camrad_RIP 28.06.21 в 20:18

"I apologize, Your Holiness. I have been entrusted with the honor of accompanying you in secret."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:08

"You're good." Talik smiled. "I wouldn't have noticed you."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:09

"I am flattered. Give me your orders."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:10

"There should be a road nearby, guide me there."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:11

"As you wish."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:11

"The stalker rose to his feet and, with an inviting gesture, slipped through the impenetrable thicket at the edge of the clearing."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:16

"Hm."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:16

Talik tried to follow his example, but it was no easy task. Shrubs and branches whipped at his face, and his feet got tangled in the thicket. To his surprise, it was more of an inconvenience than a problem. Branches and roots broke easily if he put any effort into it. When he emerged from the thicket to the road, though, he still looked pretty ragged - bits of woody debris stuck in his hair and in the folds of his clothes, mud, and sand clogged up his elegant moccasins.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:18

"What a mess."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:19

Get it all out of his clothes was harder than he thought it would be. The stalker was there, still in the same position, but he didn't try to help. It was a little annoying, but it seemed silly for Talik to complain about his inaction. He wasn't a child, after all. When he'd finished cleaning himself up relatively, Talik looked around.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:20

It was hard to call the road a road from the point of view of a resident of a city. Talik had never seen country roads in person, only in pictures and in the game. But even there they looked more... well-maintained or something. Here a road was just a bumpy, overgrown rut in the ground, going through the woods.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:44

"And where is south here?" he asked the stalker.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:44

" The southern direction of the road is that way, Your Holiness." the elf pointed. "The path itself does not go exactly according to the compass."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:49

"That's okay. By the way, I noticed that only the Elites address me as 'Prophet,' the rest say 'Your Holiness'. What's that got to do with it?" He was really curious.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 18:49

"Only elder vassals are honored to address you by your true title, Your Holiness."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:04

To be honest, Talik hoped for some other reason. He liked 'Your Holiness' better, but if he demanded that the Elites address him as such, too, instead of the "Prophet," they would think they were being downgraded.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:22

Walking along the road, Talik admired his surroundings for the first time. Nature itself, without the attentive hand of a designer, is capable of creating more detailed, rich landscapes. It wasn't the perfectly detailed beauty of the elven groves, of course. But the terrain looked much more real, alive and authentic. Grass growing out of the dirt, twigs of hazel, thick bloated bark of old trees with large beetles crawling lazily across it. Butterflies, small and large, some insects that looked like bees, mosquitoes... By the way, mosquitoes did not fly to him at all. When they flew a couple of steps, they just lost interest in him and changed direction. It looked a little strange. Talik checked just in case to make sure he had blocked all possible effects from the skills, but everything was fine.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:25

After two hours of travel, looking at the forest became boring. So the forest, so the leaves, so the birds. The scenery hadn't changed, just the same thickets along the road. Talik tried to get his companion to talk.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:30

"What is your name?"

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:33

"I have not been bestowed a name, Your Holiness. I am a mere shadow, one of many."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:34

"Oh, and how do people address you when they want to ask you something?
I have not been bestowed a name, Your Holiness. I am a mere shadow, one of many."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:36

"Stalker, Your Holiness. So does everyone else."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:37

"Doesn't it bother you?"

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:42

"I am proud of my right to serve you, Your Holiness. I had never considered that it might... be 'stressful'."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:43

"I'm asking about the name. Are you comfortable that you don't have one?"

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:46

"It always has been, Your Holiness. I am quite comfortable."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:47

"I don't. I'll call you... Spy." Talik thought the word sounded pretty good.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 19:50

The named elf seemed about to collapse to the ground, but Talik defiantly went faster. Spy had no choice but to keep up the pace.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 20:22

"I have no words to express my gratitude to you, Your Holiness. It is a great honor for me..."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 20:22

"Less pathos, please."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 20:23

"As you wish, Your Holiness."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.21 в 20:24

In general, Spy as a speaker was, in any case, rather boring. He didn't know any interesting stories, had an extremely predictable point of view on everything, and agreed with 'his holiness' on everything. Talik soon enough became frustrated with his attempts to diversify his journey and returned to contemplating nature's views.

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 06:44

After a few more hours of travel, the terrain began a barely perceptible downward slope, and the forest became a little sparser. The sun was nearing sunset, though it was still light. Talik, ready to give up all his legendary gear for the smallest MP3 player, decided to take a break. There was a decent meadow just off the road, and he turned there.

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 06:46

"Spy, we'll camp here for now."

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 06:48

The elf nodded and quickly set about setting up camp. He removed the excessively tall plants from the clearing, dug a small hole for the fire, and laid his cloak beside it. Talik realized belatedly that he was not at all prepared for the actual camping trip. He had no tent, no bed, not even any lighter. It was a little embarrassing.

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 17:25

"Your Holiness, I realize that you might find my idea of comfort humiliating." Spy bowed, pointing his palm toward the spread cloak. "Order, and you will have proper bedding delivered to you at once.

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 17:43

"Don't worry about it, it's fine... " Talik said. He was confused.

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 17:53

It was embarrassing to occupy someone else's stuff like that, but it was clear that the elf wouldn't let go. Talik rested his butt on the cloak (a rather soft cloak, by the way), making himself comfortable. He noted that he wasn't hungry at all, and the only thing that made him tired was boredom. Spy, meanwhile, had made a fire, using some pebbles that caused sparks.

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 18:00

Sitting in the approaching twilight and just looking at the fire, feeling its warmth, was also a new and interesting experience.

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 18:18

I wonder how much such a vacation would cost me in the real world? A natural forest and an open fire are so fucking expensive. An hour of an ordinary eco-tour is two of my salaries, and an open fire is even out of the list.

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 18:50

When it was completely dark, Spy, who was sitting across from me on the grass, turned his head and listened.

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 19:35

"Your Holiness, there is a group of people moving along the road here."

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 19:36

"How far away?" Talik raised an eyebrow. "How many?"

Camrad_RIP 30.06.21 в 19:37