Ойкумена / Oikumena: Глава 2

Chapter 2

Camrad_RIP 23.04.24 в 18:01

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Camrad_RIP 23.04.24 в 18:01

“For great events and people invariably abound in witnesses. All of them, undoubtedly, had premonitions, expectations, and knowledge of the past and future, and experienced mystical insights. All of them immediately and unreservedly felt the importance of the historical moment and the greatness of the participants, which they did not fail to report verbosely and eloquently orally and in writing, especially in petitions for awards and inherited privileges. There was no shortage of those who carried the sword for Ranjan the Guardian, fed arrows to Gamilla cyn Ferna, sharpened the blade of the Devil's Hel, and suggested particularly good rhymes to me personally. It's funny, considering that Plague entrusted his sword only to his faithful servant, the Gravedigger of Knights and the Mistress of Arrows did not allow anyone to even touch their murderous accessories, and I'll keep silent about myself, so as not to turn this letter into a pathetic tale about the envy of ill-wishers, which made me quite tired and poisoned my life.

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:03

In fact, to what it is all about... Many people have left memoirs about Her, and those chronicles do not shine with variety. The authors, with very few exceptions, repeat about the deadly shadow that stood behind Her left shoulder, about amazing signs, about how at first sight they felt the great purpose of Hel.

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:03

I can responsibly write that these, God forbid, “witnesses” are ungodly liars. She was completely... ordinary. So much so that it's odd, given the events that followed. A young woman, somewhat taller and stronger than usual, but within reason. She kept a reserved, at times timid demeanor. She was beyond the control of sorcery, astrological science, and even simple fortune-telling. Her gaze did not burn with otherworldly coldness, and her speeches were neither deep nor significant, Hel seemed to measure every phrase, every act on invisible scales, avoiding rashness. In general, neither word nor deed She did not differ from, say, a knight's daughter, who in the absence of a son received education as heiress and defender of the family name. Except that... With long communication began to seem: Hel was a little out of this world, like a figure cut out of paper that lies on top of the engraving - part of the composition, but not the drawing. It was as if this woman were looking at all of us through an invisible glass, refracting light in a strange and unfathomable way. It was as if Hel knew something we had long since forgotten or perhaps had not yet recognized. And this indeed seemed ominous, but, I repeat, this side of her nature was revealed only to the closest companions.

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:07

However, it is fair to say that I might have missed some aspects, for our first meeting took place under peculiar circumstances”

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:08

Gaval Sentrai-Poton-Batleau.

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:08

“Third letter to my son, about the first meeting and the consequences of excessive gambling”

Camrad_RIP 27.04.24 в 20:38

* * *

Camrad_RIP 25.04.24 в 09:29

It was cold and harsh. Although autumn was just getting ready to show its bastard snout, winter, which had already come into strong force, was already ruling on the pass. Winter colded and powdered the black earth and gray stone with snow, and rumbled between the rocks with a penetrating wind, which, like a vampire, imperceptibly sucked the warmth through cloaks and woolen jackets. Here, amid the mountains, the sky seemed surprisingly clear, surprisingly transparent, and the stars shone like diamond dust - you would not find such things in the valleys and even more so in the cities. But the impression was spoiled by the red color that flooded the celestial hemisphere. In the sunlight, the glow of the ominous comet was almost imperceptible, but when the moon rose, its silvery light seemed to intensify the bloody colors.

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:13

"Like a city on fire,” Cadfal thought aloud and shivered, then added. "And a big one at that."

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:13

Elena looked at the huge peaks that seemed so close - her vision was deceived by the clear air, lack of landmarks, and perspective. The southern end of the mountain massif that rose in the center of the Ecumene began almost immediately with giants akin to Elbrus. Without an intermediate link in the form of hills and other terrain of moderate height.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 11:19

Ranjan adjusted the collar of his cloak and the thick scarf beneath it and lifted his head, his eyes fixed on the road through the pass. In Elena's opinion, it was time to set up camp and organize an overnight stay, for there was half a watch before dark, it is a couple of hours, just enough time to set up camp and stock up on fuel. The mountains had become very dangerous in recent months, there were rumors of all sorts of undead that crawled out of the bottomless holes under the purple rays of the sun of the dead. Then again, there was always the risk of running into the locals, who had gone mad without bread on their Pillars.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 11:20

"We'll go on,” the Brether decided and slid the belt that crossed his broad chest at an angle. "Over there, the rocky ridge will keep out the wind."

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 11:21

"Yes, it's a good place,” agreed Rapist, who had been silent all day. "I'll go and have a look."

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 11:22

He quickened his step, overtook the column of six men with three horses, and lurched forward. Elena thought again that the redeemer's form was not the same as his content. Rapist looked like a typical Japanese pensioner who had given his life and health to his favorite company, an old man ready to crumble from his own decrepitude at any moment. But the funny grandfather was indefatigable and enduring, like a terminator. When Elena felt that she was ready to collapse from fatigue, Rapist was walking briskly in small, but frequent steps, holding the usual spear on his shoulder. It was the habit of many years of traveling on foot that did him in.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 11:24

Cadfal was second to his companion in endurance, but not by much. The cold also seemed to have no power over the redeemers, and they often hung leather shoes around their necks to preserve them and walked in something like slippers woven of bald and straw. Such shoes did not last more than a day, but they could always be bought very cheaply from any peasant or, at worst, made by oneself. Elena tried once to walk in such clogs and failed; she needed a special “gentle” step, otherwise, the straw slippers would fall apart in an hour's walk or even faster.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 11:26

There was little snow on the pass. It was blown away by a wicked wind so there was no need to push through the drifts. Elena looked at the horse carrying Artigo. The animal seemed more alert and cheerful than the rider. The boy had either dozed off in the saddle or had completely withdrawn into himself. This state of mind was becoming more and more frequent, and it bothered the adults, but, there were no teachers among them. And there was plenty to do besides education, to be honest.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 11:57

"He's coming back,” Cadfal commented, looking at the figure of Rapist walking in the opposite direction. Ranjan silently adjusted the belt that held the scabbard behind his back. The long hilt of the tournament sword pointed askew into the purple sky above his left ear.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 11:58

"He must have found something,” Grimal thought aloud, not moving away from the horses with the load.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 11:58

"It doesn't seem to be dangerous,” Cadfal said, but he swung his club as if to stretch his joints just in case.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 11:59

Rapist was in no hurry at all, gliding over the dry, crumbly snow with smooth steps. Elena, who also carried a short sword behind her back, glanced at Ranjan, unbuckled the brass buckle of her belt, removed the scabbard, and checked the blade as it came out. The cold steel was tight, she had to make a few vigorous movements, like a cyclist with a pump. Artigo didn't lift his head, pecking his thoroughbred nose in time with the horse's stride.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:00

"There's a fool over there,” said Rapist, waving his hand as the small group moved. "He's freezing. The woman with him is not much smarter, if any."

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:01

"Are they not dangerous?" Ranjan inquired suspiciously.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:01

"I don't think so,” Rapist shrugged his skinny shoulders. "Stupid, but harmless. I think."

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:02

Elena had learned to read the Brether's impenetrable face more or less over the past weeks. Obviously, at that moment Ranjan was besieged by unpleasant thoughts of ambushes, insidious setups, and other road hazards. Rapist apparently realized the same thing as Elena, so he added:

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:03

"There's no place to set up an ambush."

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:14

Ranjan glanced to the right. There was not exactly a chasm, but a slope so steep, that only a ninja or a mountaineer could hang on. He looked to the left, where the slope was a little more gentle, but still sloping, overgrown with gnarled trees, which were greedily digging their roots into the soil, which was slightly inferior in hardness to the stone. He glanced ahead and stepped resolutely forward. Elena followed him, neither concealing her sword nor her determination to use it. On a sparsely traveled road, showing a willingness to fight back was more useful than appearing to be a benevolent traveler. It was safer.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:24

A little higher up, the road, or rather a wide path - barely enough for two horses - made a turn and formed a sort of platform, partially sheltered from the wind by a rocky ledge. Judging by the traces of old campfires and the trees cut down around it, the travelers had long appreciated the convenience of the bend, sleeping here regularly.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:25

"A fool indeed,” Cadfal reported rather loudly, looking at the pair stomping around one of the black spots as if the long-ago-cooled coals could warm them.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:26

Elena raised her eyebrows in silence, even Artigo came out of his catatonia, staring blankly at the oncoming travelers. One of them was a man, completely naked except for a filthy rag that symbolically covered his loins and equally symbolic leather boots. Symbolic, because there were no more rips and holes in the shoes than leather. Elena wrinkled her nose, imagining what the “fool's” feet had become without socks, and shirts in boots freezing cold. The “fool” was, as might be expected of a man in his condition, blue, miserable, shivering, and his toes no longer unbent, curled up like a bird's feet.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:28

The polar nudist was accompanied by a woman, no less colorful in her own way. She wore much more clothes and, in fact, she was well equipped for the weather, though without frills. Elena would have given the woman about twenty years of age, hardly more, but her eyes were much older, very attentive, hard, and as suspicious as Ranjan's. Her face was rather pretty, but her lower jaw seemed a little wide. Most notable was a tattoo done in pale blue ink. It depicted an intricate pattern that began at her right temple and took up part of her forehead, covered her lower eyelid, and went down her cheek and jaw to her neck. Elena, who had more or less picked up some criminal wisdom in Milvess, noticed at once that the quality of the tattoo was at least two levels above a typical painting. Here a real master with real ink had had a hand in it, and such work was not cheap.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:44

In her hands the tattooed woman held a thing quite suitable for the city, rather even for the estate of a noble landowner, but completely out of place in the wild places where wolves are not to be found solely because the classical hounds died out centuries ago. It was a small bullet crossbow with a screw tension. The crossbow of very high quality, one could say exquisite work, lay in the owner's hands confidently, with a seeming carelessness characteristic of a professional. It looked like a toy, but Elena knew that a lead bullet at close range could bruise or break a rib even through clothing, and if it hit her forehead, it could kill her.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 18:53

For some time the two groups of different sizes stared at each other in silence and hostility. The nudist was clearly freezing. He froze in a ridiculous pose, clasping his hands on his chest in an attempt to keep warm. The tips of his nose, ears, and other protruding parts of his body were already turning white. The crossbowwoman was sullenly assessing which of the newcomers seemed more dangerous.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:45

"Dumbass,” Cadfal said loudly and without anger, realizing his unique talent for defusing any tension with a few unexpected phrases. "Who does that? You should put your hands to your balls, where the most gut heat is concentrated, and it cools down later than anything else. And fingers should be heated and protected to the last."

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:46

The naked man looked wildly at the redeemer, tapped his teeth, and suddenly followed the wise advice. Ranjan glanced silently at the others, then up at the sky, where the huge pre-sunset moon reflected the bloody light of the comet as if painted in red watercolor. The wind had died down, only occasionally blowing against their faces, nibbling at them with a chill.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:46

"Halt,” the brether finally commanded and then added tiredly. "Give this outcast a blanket."

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:16

The crossbow woman stared into the ruthier's face and after a long pause, she lowered her weapon unsteadily, as if by force.

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:16

"Good evening,” she said in a slightly husky, low voice.

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:16

"Yeah,” Cadfal said. "Good day to you, too."

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:17

"I have a crow,” the tattooed Amazon said suddenly. "Shot it this morning,” she said, moving her shoulder to reveal a leather-strapped travel bag, skinny and unburdened. "Cold, but not yet icy."

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:40

"Crow, that's good!" Cadfal rejoiced and slapped the bag that hung on the rope that replaced the redeemer's belt. "And we have flour and salt. We'll boil a bird with sourdough and lie down quite well-fed."

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:41

The crossbowman stood in a tense pose of readiness for a few more moments, then exhaled and discharged her weapon, carefully lowering the leather bowstring. Elena slid the blade into its scabbard, realizing there would be no bloodshed today.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:39

It was not the first and, alas, most likely not the last night in the open air, which fell to the share of a small detachment, so everyone already knew what to do and who should do it. They prepared for the camp quickly and thoroughly. Elena was busy with the child, Grimal was saddling and unloading the horses, muttering that they had enough food left for a couple of days. In the meantime, he unwrapped and threw the largest and warmest blanket to the cold sufferer. The redeemers laid down their weapons, drew axes from their saddlebags, and set out to get fuel for the night. Ranjan climbed a rocky ledge, looking around and wondering how to go on. His beard and mustache were beginning to be overtaken by a thick stubble, and his razor set had been exchanged for a bag of flour in the last village they encountered, so he looked like a wandering homeless man rather than a Mephistophelean character.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:38

The trees rattled under the pressure of the iron. Artigo looked at Elena in silence, and the woman regretted once again - probably for the thousandth time - that she had no idea how to deal with children. Although common sense suggested that traditional pedagogy would have failed here - the nobility's offspring were not like the ordinary ones, and the son of the highest aristocracy seemed like an alien from another planet.

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:30

"Where did you come from, you miserable creature?" Cadfal inquired casually. "Are you a devil-worshipper? I hear they freeze themselves to death, preparing for the hells, where it's cold."

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 12:29

"Gaval byr-byr-byr,” the nudist said suddenly and almost audibly, swallowing his last name. He warmed up a little, stopped gnashing his teeth like a wind-up lizard, and looked at the company with a mixture of hope and apprehension in his eyes. "Minstrel and storyteller. At your service-m-m-m... Br-r-r-r."

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:20

The end of the sentence was again blurred by a bout of violent shivering. Cadfal grunted and went into the semi-darkness for more twigs. The rapist had brought a whole tree, uprooted either by the wind or by the fallen earth from the slope. It was a long way to go for fuel, so the harvesting process was slow. Ranjan had seen enough, jumped down gently, and busied himself with Artigo and the fire. The Brether never took off his sword. Elena, taking advantage of the switch, joined the redeemers. A little later, the crossbowwoman also took care of the timber, so the work went on quickly, the redeemers chopped, the women hauled. The sun had gone down, but the red moon and the glow of the bloody sky gave good illumination so they could not get lost or break their legs, though it was eerie to wander in the purple-red half-darkness.

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:19

"I don't understand,” said Rapist, dropping his axe and wiping the sweat from his wrinkled forehead. "How is it that they haven't cut it all down? It's cold, the wood grows slow and shallow. And the people are wandering."

Camrad_RIP 19.05.24 в 14:18

"This is where the traders usually go,” the crossbowwoman said suddenly. "They count the distances so they don't spend the night here. It's not a good place. They say sometimes the storm gets so bad that men and oxen are blown into the abyss. And if it is impossible to pass the mountain pass in a day, they take a stock of burning stone to burn fire till morning like in a forge."

Camrad_RIP 25.04.24 в 09:32