Ойкумена / Oikumena: Глава 24

Chapter 24. "Ash to ash"

Camrad_RIP 22.07.23 в 12:16

* * *

Camrad_RIP 22.07.23 в 12:15

Nearly half of the crew and mercenaries of the Ranyan die during the battle or immediately after it. The damage from the fire and magical explosions was tolerable, but the collision of the ships had split the planks on the underwater part of the hull and opened up multiple leaks, so the pumps were working nonstop. By morning they had to look for an anchorage for at least superficial repairs - the ship was losing speed, and the risk of a second encounter with a pirate remained. By the time it dawned, by the time they found a more or less suitable place, the heaviest wounded died. The bodies were sent overboard without prayer or proper rites, just in case. The horror of the night, the blind, inexpressive faces of the dead like clay masks, was too well remembered. And the terrible screams from the pirate ship in the night.

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 17:57

Hel worked tirelessly, easing the suffering of the more fortunate who hadn't been hit too hard. The healer's face was frozen in a ghastly grimace that one of the routiers said would scare even Death away. It was as if a soul-crushing hysteria had almost burst forth, but was instantly frozen by a powerful cold spell. Never thaw again.

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 17:58

It was gray and gloomy, like the aftermath of a storm. The rain had stopped, but the air was damp, and the rocks on the shore were covered with a painful vapor. The captain chased everyone ashore, intending to hook the mast with a rope and "lay the damaged vessel on its side," but the carpenter stopped him, pointing out that the mast might not hold and it would take too long to change it. It was easier to wait for low tide, but the rope still had to be used to open the right side. Axes clattered, sharp commands scaring away the shore birds.

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 18:00

The process was managed by Einar. The crew had been thinned out in the fight, so the ownership of the ship had naturally passed to the tarred men and the mercenaries. That is, to Santelli, who was still the employer of the routiers and commanded them as his retinue. Since the continuation of the journey was out of the question, the brigadier had his plans for the future and the ship as well. The captain did not share them, but for lack of choice, he submitted to force.

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 18:03

The place was relatively settled, and a few times in the distance, from behind the gentle hills, observers appeared, probably from the surrounding villages. They didn't come close, though. Maybe they didn't trust outsiders, or they were familiar with the coastal pirates.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 12:51

Kai stood with his back to the ship, sharpening his sword. Or rather, he was mindlessly scraping at the blade with a bar. It was as if the squeak of stone against metal drowned out the thoughts running through the knight's mind. Santelli approached from behind, quietly but not stealthily. The Brigadier held his trusty axe, from which he had never wiped off the blood. The red liquid had been thoroughly eroded by the salt water, promising to turn to brown rust soon.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 12:53

Santelli stopped just behind the knight's back. Kai ran the bar over the blade once more, sighed, and turned around, gripping the sword by the blade at the hilt. The wet, doubled-up cloak clung to his shoulders like heavy armor.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 12:54

"These aren't pirates. They knew where and what to look for. They came for us," Santelli didn't ask but stated the self-evident.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 12:55

The Brigadier and the swordsman stood facing each other, their faces impenetrable. Santelli's hand hung deceptively still, lowering the axe. Kai held the sword still by the blade. The Brigadier grimaced at the pain in his shattered ear and jerked his head.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 12:56

"Matrice?" The brigadier said only one word. He thought for a moment and put his axe behind his belt.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 12:57

"Yes," Kai was equally succinct.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 12:57

"Did she and the Duke make a deal a long time ago?"

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 12:58

"No."

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 18:26

Santelдi was silent again, looking directly into Kai's eyes. The knight tried to endure the unblinking gaze, which held no threat, only heavy sadness. And he couldn't. He lowered his head.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 12:59

"That's funny," said the Brigadier. "I used to think of myself as the most cunning and mistrustful. And so foolishly trusted... As the church says, pride is a sin."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:00

"Are you going to take revenge on her?" Kai asked, already knowing the answer. Just to fill the heavy, bitter pause. "Will you sell the ship and use the money to start a brigade war?"

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:01

"Yes. But it's not about her."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:01

"Are you gonna get revenge on me, too?"

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:02

"How on earth did that happen?" Santelli answered the question with a question. He tried to hide the pain in his voice, undignified, belittling him as a brigadier who could not complain about life and betrayal. It was partly working, but Kai knew his "sergeant" too well.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:47

"I ... owe you a lot," Kai set the sword point down, leaning on the cross, just like in the studio, at the magic mirror. The knight never looked up, feeling that now it was his "it just so happened" that sounded pathetic. "But this is my family."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:48

"Yes, family is worth a lot," the Brigadier agreed. He sighed and shook his head again. The wound was not dangerous, but it hurt, nasty, annoying as if a swamp spider had burrowed into his head and sucked blood from his shattered ear.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:50

"When was I supposed to be killed according to the first plan?" Santelli asked. "There, in the harbor or on the way?"

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:51

"In Malersyde, after handing over the painting," Kai answered bluntly. "But ..." he slapped his wet-gloved palm on the crosspiece. "But I wanted to keep you alive. After you didn't leave me on the shore as a hostage."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:52

"And how?" The Brigadier asked sarcastically.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:52

"After talking to my father. He felt there was no point in having two partners if you could only pay one. I thought I could change his mind."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:55

"Apparently, someone had a change of plans," the brigadier grinned. "Or someone is too impatient."

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 18:28

Zilber came up, limping badly. He handed the brigadier a ladle of seawater. He advised him briefly:

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 18:28

"Pour it on the wound. Hel said it'll keep it from rotting."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:56

Santelli took the ladle silently, and the mercenary walked back, careful not to slip on the wet stones. The sand was almost invisible beneath the layer of pebbles and large, wave-rolled stones. The Brigadier tilted his head to the side and lifted a wooden vessel, letting a thin trickle of cold water run down. He hissed like an angry meowr as the salt bit viciously into his cut flesh.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:57

Kai looked behind the foreman's back. There, farther from the shoreline, Hel was gathering rocks and stacking them into a pyramid. Farther away, Charley was sitting on a wave-swept log, scrutinizing his mangled arm. He looked as if he couldn't get used to the idea that the bandaged stump without a wrist really belonged to him.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:59

"I wanted to save you," Kai repeated. His ugly, bony face twitched into a grimace.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 13:59

"You have betrayed us ... friend," the Brigadier said, twirling the empty ladle aimlessly in his hands. For a moment, Santelli's eyes flashed with anger. His fingers clenched as if preparing to throw the ladle at the swordsman, distracting him for a moment as the axe swung from his belt to break his enemy's skull. Kai's hands clenched on the cross of the sword.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 14:51

"We chopped the coin, you and I," Santelli tossed the wood aside as if shrugging off temptation. "You gave your word. You chose the brigade."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 14:52

"In the end, I chose family. My sisters are a pack of hyenas, and my father is even worse, but they are still my family. Without them, I am nothing. A wanderer who lives only from his sword."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 14:53

"And you bought your way back into the family by selling us. And me. Oh, yes, how could I forget-- you wanted to keep us alive," the Brigadier's words oozed with venomous irony. "Brotherly, yes."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 14:54

"That's right, you have the right to mock me, the right to exact blood in a duel," Kai said.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 14:55

"I have the right to slaughter you like a pig," Santeli said grimly and angrily. "Just call them in," the Brigadier waved his hand toward the ship. "And tell them to whom we owe all this mess."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 14:57

"Yeah. But I covered for you at the mast."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 14:58

Kai tapped his sword against the rocks. A deep gouge was clearly visible on the blade.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 15:00

Santelli was silent. For a long time.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 15:00

"Yeah, you covered for me," he finally agreed. "Well, let's just say we're even. But from here on out, we'll be going our separate ways."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 15:01

"If you say so," Kai said again, an empty, useless phrase just to fill the silence. "Well, I have to go."

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 15:02

"I won't wish you luck. And ..." Santelli, who had turned toward the ship, froze half-turned. Kai tensed.

Camrad_RIP 27.07.23 в 15:03

"Don't come back to the Wastelands again," said the Brigadier. "Yesterday, you ceased to be my brother. Tomorrow you will be my enemy."

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 18:29

Santelli walked toward the ship. The swordsman stared after him, keeping his hands in the crosshairs of his sword, and with every step the Brigadier took, Kai's head dropped a hair as if an invisible hand was pressing down on his neck.

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 18:30

* * *
// Ash to ash.

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 18:31

There's nothing left. No thoughts, no hopes. Nothing. Nothing at all. Just three words from a past life so far away that it seemed like it had never happened - just a fleeting flap of a dream fairy's wing.

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 18:31

Ash to ash.

Camrad_RIP 23.07.23 в 18:30