Общий файл / Does Force Bind to Responsibility?: Глава 17

Chapter 17
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Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 13:38

Taler continued to surprise Era throughout the journey. He was frankly strange. The fact that he was a stranger explained a lot, but not everything.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 13:39

Most of the time he was perfectly normal, only occasionally asking questions about such mundane matters that one wonders how he survived, traveling alone in the woods and mountains. And he found things perfectly obvious, the mere knowledge of whose existence was illogical to a commoner.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 13:40

At the same time, he obviously knew a lot more than he was trying to show. In the days-long search for the necromancer's trail, it was as if he knew exactly what they would see when they came to the next place. And also - she felt a strong contrast between this journey and all the previous ones.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:05

No one wore their feet out, no colds came up, and they were practically free of insects. After half a day's trekking through gullies, deadwoods, and hills, the group was barely tired. On their previous treks, every day of the trip had been so exhausting that they barely had time to pitch a tent by nightfall. Now it seemed that with a little rest, they could walk at the same pace all night.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:06

It could be considered good luck, or an unexpectedly increased skill. That's what she thought at first. The opinion changed after the unforgettable battle.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:07

The magic used by this man was unbelievable. It was simply unreal. Once upon a time, as a seminary student, Era had read through all the available literature. It was hard to remember if she had ever seen anything like it. But she remembered.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:07

Lannius the Inspirer, a descendant of the first Heroes who lived centuries ago, used something similar during the war with the elves. Warriors under his command gained unprecedented strength and skill in battle. Except that Lannius had to beg the blessing of the Celestials for almost twenty-four hours, and it did not always work. But Taler clapped his hands, and there he was. And it is one thing to read a legend of dubious veracity, and another to experience what it is.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:08

She was terribly tempted to jump at Taler with questions, to ask him to use that magic again. And she wasn't the only one. Even the poker-faced Bryce could barely bring himself not to extort this blessing for training. But Taler had given up on those attempts back then, saying that this spell was costing him too much.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:09

And that wasn't the only unique spell he'd used in the time they'd known each other. The way he healed Daimon's body with just a whisper or two was also amazing. No long prayers, no complicated spells, no lights, nothing typical of healing magic.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:10

Era was sure that, if he wasn't lying, there was something he wasn't telling her. And the further they went, the stronger she became of this conviction.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:10

Taler clearly learned something about the Plains when they first descended into the deadlands. Something important. It was obvious - the way he moved his fingers over the ground, the way he pursed his lips, indicated an understanding. And he was obviously nervous after they'd entered the Deadlands - though he'd been a model of confidence and composure before the Plains.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:11

Then it turned out that he knew the writing of the Heroes. Of course, he denied it, but Era was not blind. Taler could read heroic writings, and the Church had gone to great lengths to make that knowledge a privilege of the chosen few.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:12

Incredible magic, impenetrable calm, indifference to any hierarchy, knowledge of the Heroes' speech. And at the same time - unskilful secrecy and even some kind of timidity in communication did not fit in the head.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:13

Ere never understood what had happened in that chapel. She saw Taler just lying down on the stone floor, as if very tired, and the next moment she felt very dizzy and completely confused.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:14

When she came to her senses, she knew from the behavior of the other guys that this had happened to all of them. Daimon, sword and shield at the ready, looked around fiercely, searching for the cause of the problem. Bryce, as usual, had ducked behind the first obstacle he saw.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:15

And Taler... Surprised me again.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:15

He had lost weight and dried out as if he had spent a couple of years in the penitentiary. The luxurious robe hung on him like a mop on a rag. Deep shadows were visible around his eyes, and his whites were streaked with red. A dried-up crimson streak under his nose completed the oppressive picture.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:16

After waiting a few moments, this normally quiet and polite guy ordered in a harsh commanding tone:

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:16

"Get out here, now! Questions later."

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:17

Era took what he said seriously. Generally speaking, when a healer tells you to run, you should run without talking. Especially when the healer is as powerful as their companion.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:18

To her surprise, Daimon hesitated.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:18

"Thaler, I..."

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:18

What he meant to say, Era did not know. Thaler extended his arm sharply in his direction, saying only:

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:20

"Sleep."

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:20

And Daimon, without finishing his sentence, closed his eyes and settled to the ground.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:20

Era was frightened. The strangeness of their companion instantly ceased to seem like mere strangeness. And considering that he had rendered the practically indestructible Daimon unconscious with a single word... Unusually tense and collected, Thaler walked swiftly toward the body - Era retreated at the same time, figuring out what she could defend herself with. Something she could do faster than she was told to sleep.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:30

"Era, I'm sorry, there's no time. We have to get out of these plains before dark, it's very important. Trust me, please."

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:31

He leaned over a little, grabbed Daimon by the edge of his steel breastplate with his skinny hand, and threw the big man onto his shoulder with no apparent effort.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:31

"Bryce!"

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:31

No one responded to his call. Thaler, barely noticing the weight on his shoulder, looked back at the bleak landscape.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:32

"Bryce, I know you're there and you can hear me. I know how this looks, but... To hell with it. If you're looking for death, keep hiding. Era, are you coming?"

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:33

After a moment's hesitation, Era nodded. Thaler narrowed his eyes, stared off into the distance, and pursed his lips. Then he grimaced, shook his head, and walked briskly toward the edge of the plains.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:34

Era could barely keep up, occasionally jogging as Thaler, once again become an intimidating stranger, was unusually quick for his physique. After a moment's intense movement among the hills, Bryce appeared. He looked grim and almost aggressive. Thaler merely nodded, noting his presence without slowing his pace.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:34

They walked in silence for a couple of hours, and Era was beginning to exhaust herself. The fact that Bryce took her bag of equipment did not help much. Thaler, frail and haggard-looking, meanwhile, showed no signs of fatigue at all. Even Daimon, no small man in heavy armor, whom Thaler carried on his shoulders, didn't seem to be bothering the healer much.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:35

/What an absurd situation. He should have broken as soon as he tried to lift the leader. What's going on?

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:35

Era glanced over at Bryce. The sullen boy, plowing through both his and her bags, pointed a glance at the dagger on his belt. Era shook her head, /Don't even think about it.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:36

Thaler, though he was acting rather strangely now, was still a very advanced healer. Much more advanced and knowledgeable than he obviously wanted to appear. And if such a man saw a serious danger, it was better not to argue. Relationships could be clarified a little later.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:36

Although, they will have to say goodbye anyway.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:37

+ + +

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:37

Talik was ashamed of the ugly scene he had made with the elf. He didn't blame himself, though. His hands were still trembling from the fear he'd felt upon awakening.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:37

And it was not good with the guys. He'd hoped they'd listen to him right away; he'd earned some prestige during the quest. Alas, Daimon was not the sort of guy who would give up leadership right away. And with all Talik's respect for other people's privacy and opinions, it was an extreme situation, and the delay could have cost him his life.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:38

Talik could not say with certainty that something was threatening them right now - there was no prerequisite. The creepy visions didn't include the cursed plains. But his intuition told him to expect trouble.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:39

And he wasn't sure how his 'servants' would react to not contacting him at the proper time. Especially if they could not contact him themselves. There would be more than just a spoiled mood.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:39

/What was it that I saw?

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:40

Two simple questions were keeping me awake. Such weakness in a healthy body could not have arisen on its own. Talik saw two of the most likely explanations.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:41

The first is a peculiarity of the avatar himself, the body he became the owner of. Some hidden event caused him to switch off and catch predictive hallucination. Talik really wanted it to be that way.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:42

The second is outside influence. Someone attacked or influenced in such a way that the level 100 character was deprived of all desires and powers. And even though this hypothesis did not clarify the origin of the visions, it did not make the danger any less dangerous.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:47

/That's too bad if that's the case.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:48

Talik had a pretty good grasp of the in-game magic system. An exactly in-game system, which contained detailed text descriptions and numbers. Which had visual displays and other paraphernalia. In this case, that knowledge was of little use. There were no icons, no logs - nothing, just a memory of sensation. That is, if it was magic, Talik had no idea what kind and how to resist it.

Camrad_RIP 21.05.22 в 14:52