Общий файл / Does Force Bind to Responsibility?: Глава 14

Chapter 14

Camrad_RIP 06.09.21 в 18:50

A few years ago, Princess Renner turned her attention to the roads. The Tract became the direct property of the Crown, regardless of whose fiefdom it passed through. The Lords have traditionally resisted such a decision. They rightly felt that it was a dangerous precedent of secession. But Renner was able to exploit the greed of the feudal lords by taking the maintenance of the tract accountable to the crown to the balance of the royal treasury. So, at the annual meeting of the lords, the decree concerning the ownership of the tract was tentatively approved after all.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 15:45

In the end, everyone benefited. In just one year, just in time for the next meeting of lords, the simple country road became a wide, comfortable road, fortified with wood and stone in the swampy areas. Wooden bridges appeared on small rivers that previously had to be crossed by wading. In-season mudslides stopped hitting internal logistics, and it became much easier and cheaper to move troops.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 15:49

Gentlemen of Fortune, who had decided that their golden time had come, were outlived in the first few months. The Golden Princess, when she took on a case, always approached it very thoroughly. Gold poured generously into the coffers of all kinds of snitches and adventurers, noble but penniless knights gained recognition and sometimes even endowments in the places where they had distinguished themselves. Bandit caches were ablaze, and hundreds of hangmen adorned the tree limbs along the trail. Trade flourished unprecedentedly.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 15:51

Though, of course, it wouldn't have been the Golden Princess's idea if it didn't have snags under the water. The noble lords were speechless when they realized that the toll of the new track went to the Crown, not to their coffers, and they had no right to impose additional tolls. Moreover, they themselves were obliged to pay for the use of the new tract. What then began...

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 15:53

Gazef Stronoff, as the king's trusted representative, was present at that meeting. His position and his lowborn status obliged him to many things, including keeping his cool under all circumstances. Only the gods know what it took for him not to burst into laughter at their lordships' faces crimson with indignation. He always remembered that day in the dark times, and every time his mood improved.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:03

But not today. Today, like the last couple of weeks, the good road seemed like a curse. It was so convenient, not just for the Allies.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:05

Gazef, stony-faced, stared at the destroyed village without leaving his saddle. It was the sixth since the beginning of this month. The pain of powerlessness was heavy in his stomach. They were too late again.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:05

A little village with the funny name of Flea. Twenty-two families, thirty houses, a small apiary, a wheat field. Mutilated bodies on the smoky ashes.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:06

His men were now clearing the wreckage in search of survivors.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:07

The Imperial bastards had made a habit of leaving a few survivors behind, and this time it was the same. They found several guys crucified in the trees nearby. The poor people had seen everything that had happened with their own eyes, in every detail. Their account confirmed Gasef's hunch. A detachment of imperial soldiers, half a hundred infantrymen, and a dozen horsemen came into the village and, without speaking or hesitating, simply massacred it. And as before, they left several witnesses to their atrocities.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:09

He spotted his lieutenant among the men on the burn site. He seemed to sense his gaze and turned around, shaking his head. Gasef waved a hand, signaling him to stop searching. The lieutenant gave a few short commands and the other two dozen men stopped searching through the charred debris.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:10

Stained with soot and ash, the smoke-soaked lieutenant approached the unmounted Gazef.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:11

"My captain, what are your orders?"

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:13

"Give the survivors some silver, we can't help them anymore. In ten minutes everyone should be ready to go. I think I know where they'll be next."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:14

"As you say, Captain."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:15

While the soldiers were packing up, the lieutenant approached Gazef again.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:15

"My captain, I suggest we turn back to E-Rantel, get some reinforcements, and make a real raid. I no longer think we can overtake them with one small squad."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:17

Gazef shook his head regretfully as he looked at the warriors gathering for the march.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:18

"No, we can only rely on our own forces. It would take too long to gather reinforcements, and it wouldn't do any good. Even if we demand troops from this feud, we won't get cavalry. The bastards are clearly on their way to Baharut, and the border is a stone's throw away. The best we can do is tear our veins out, but catch up with them while they're still on kingdom land. The nearest village to their destination is Karn, a short distance from here, and we'll try to intercept them there."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:29

"Captain, are you sure it's the Imperials at all? They look a little too flashy."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:35

Who else to think on? The fields around E-Rantel are burning, and so it turns out that this is where the troops will gather for the war this fall.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:36

"Why aren't the local lords doing anything?" The lieutenant spat angrily. "I understand, the king sent us as the most mobile. But could they at least leave the garrisons behind for a while? Do something for their fucking people?"

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:41

Gazef hummed sadly.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:41

Maybe they could have. But all of them are afraid to disperse their troops, and all of them don't care about the common people. It's even good for them - in the coming famine, the grain supply will go for double the price. The king will buy for the army at any price. Don't think too highly of yourself, lieutenant. Our job is to catch up and deliver justice. Concentrate on that.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:47

"Sir, yes sir."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:49

The lieutenant glanced at the riders who were ready for the road. A variety of armor, mostly plate or chain mail - plate armor was good for fighting, but any march turned into a nightmare. Hardy, wiry horses in worn-out blankets, each saddled with a set of weapons for any situation. A crossbow, a sword, a shield, a spear, and a few Bec de corbins.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 16:53

Each of them had worked with Gazef over the years from a desperate peasant to a savage thug, and who knows what would have happened to them if not for his great talent as a swordsman and his noble spirit. Gazef kept them from becoming a common band of marauders, and with his sword paved the way to the mercenary elite. And even if they have reached their limit, the commoners could never be true knights. But what they had achieved at the hand of the world's greatest swordsman gave them boundless faith in their commander. It made them willing to carry out the most senseless, the most suicidal order without hesitation.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:00

The lieutenant was uneasy. Gazef had always thought rationally, and though noble, was never naïve. His view of the enemy's motives was quite logical. Still, the actions of the imperial soldiers, on whose heels they had followed for so many days, looked too foolish. Ostensible brutality, living witnesses. It was as if they were deliberately treading on the sore calluses of Gazef, who had not forgotten his roots. They made him angry on purpose.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:02

Gazef commanded to go, and the lieutenant banished extraneous thoughts. The captain said to concentrate on the job. All questions will be answered later by the Imperials.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:20

* * *

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:00

"I see you've met our recruit, Mistress Tia. Not disappointed?" Miran glanced ironically at the pale adventurer over his glasses.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:24

Tia walked a little tensely into the office, looked out into the hallway, and shut the door. She sat down in a chair and didn't answer right away, going over the details of the fight and what she had read earlier in the file in her head.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:25

"I'm rather astonished. I want to clarify something that I didn't pay much attention to before."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:25

The Guildmaster put aside the folder he had been studying when Tia arrived and put his hands on the table.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:26

"I will be happy to answer any questions."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:27

"Her extreme religiosity is mentioned. What exactly is meant by this?"

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:27

This was a really important moment for Tia. Religious people are prone to various oddities, sometimes quite dangerous ones. For example, adherents of the Church of Heroes, absolutely dominant in the Theocracy, saw nothing wrong with abusing and possessing ordinary people. Followers of the Good Sun often demanded no reward, providing medical services on behalf of the guild. The worshippers of the Blood God - well, rare enough - were constantly pitted against each other in duels, and at times served as perpetrators of riots.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:36

One way or another, the Guild has always found a use for talents, even those with rather specific inclinations. But knowing exactly what you were dealing with was a must. Especially for Lucky and her companions.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:36

"She sincerely believes that she is guided personally by a certain Faceless God, and she has mentioned it repeatedly. I am not familiar with the pantheon to which this god is assigned, but the Dark Maiden, she believes, is the most powerful god there is. I also note that she does not deny the existence of other gods and is very respectful of other faiths. She prays every evening and every morning, always at the same time. During these moments it is highly undesirable to try to capture her attention. Prayer time is sacred to her, and at the slightest disturbance of her peace during these moments she falls into a terrible rage. One day the girl receptionist neglected her requests not to be disturbed, and nearly paid for it with her life."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:38

"What has been learned about the dogmas of this... Faceless One?"

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:38

"Almost nothing. I asked, but she dropped the subject, saying that only the most worthy can serve this god, and there are none in E-Pespel."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:39

Tia suppressed the urge to snort venomously. This stranger did have a point. It wasn't easy for Tia to accept that, but she was foolish to deny the obvious. No one here was really her equal.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:41

Even though nothing was yet clear about religion, other questions remained. Normally, they were not mentioned - there was no need. But when there is a candidate for adamantine rank right in front of her eyes, everything changed.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:45

"How were you supposed to keep her from breaking the law if she did something like that?"

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:48

"I must assume that the issue grows out of a complex character and tremendous power. I will not lie, of all the possibilities I consider as real only the call of adamantine teams or the personal intervention of the Head. I have checked something during our conversation with her, and I will tell you at once - any artifacts and poisons at my disposal will be useless."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:49

What was said gave Tia an oppressive impression. More than once, people endowed with talent had begun to put themselves above the laws and rules. Within the guild, it was always met with a harsh, even brutal response, and very quickly. Now Miran had told her, quite bluntly, that the usual, failsafe tools were useless. And faith in the capabilities of the adamantine teams had cracked badly even earlier. Even considering that she alone is a far cry from the entire team with its artifacts and information.

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:51

"Are you sure?"

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:53

"Absolutely. On the other hand, her religiosity plays into our hands. From what I understand, her god does not approve of senseless violence. And the hard character - well, that's not the hardest case in my practice. In fact, she's more like a child. Capricious and arrogant, but quite obedient, if you set your sights right. So, nothing to worry about."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 17:54

"Nothing to worry about? What if tomorrow her god demands the blood of innocent people? You said yourself that you know nothing about this faith."

Camrad_RIP 07.09.21 в 18:09