Ойкумена / Oikumena: Глава 3

Chapter 3

Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 19:01

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Camrad_RIP 20.05.24 в 19:01

It was early in the mountains. Elena was the last one on duty, that is, she was the first to get up. Before waking her colleagues, she revitalized the fire with a generous pile of twigs, melted snow for drinking people and horses, as well as wiping her face with a wet cloth. Chewing on a lump of tar to replace toothpaste, the camp duty officer stood for a while on a high rock, just like Ranjan the night before, looking at the majestic mountains and thinking about life. The moon's disk, a giant mirror for a bloody comet, was creeping out of the sky, so that the air lost its red tint and the world turned yellowish gray.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 09:46

The Ecumene used a calendar tied to the agricultural cycle of the three-fields, for nineteen months of twenty days each, and the time count did not correlate directly with the terrestrial one. However, by the combination of natural and weather conditions, Elena decided for herself that the coup in the capital had taken place around the end of October, and now, accordingly, December and the solstice were approaching.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 09:47

After crossing the sea-lake, the travelers were faced with a choice: what, in fact, to do next? The Redeemers didn't really care, they were following Hel, refusing to tell who had obliged them to such service and why. Hel didn't know the geography of the inhabited world well, and Grimal was following his master, so the burden of choice fell to Ranjan. The swordsman made the seemingly strange decision to head southwest, skirting the edge of the middle mountains. Strange, because every step brought the fugitives closer to the island of Saltoluchard and its ruling family, who had a vested interest in the death of Artigo Gotdua. But it was logical in its own way, because with communication carried out by pigeons, crows, and messengers on horseback (and only exceptionally by magic), it is proximity to cities and busy roads that matters, not a conventional geographic point. In such a context, the swordsman's decision was adequate; Ranjan wanted to get lost far away from the capital in a “gray” zone at the intersection of the borders of three huge regions at once, where the concept of “organized authority” remained extremely conventional even in times of peace.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 09:49

The plan had a good chance of success, but, alas, like any plan, it faced problems of realization. The nomadic life required money, and preferably a better season, not the eve of a harsh winter. In addition, heralds with promises of benefits and rewards for any information about the whereabouts of the lost prince, began to get into the remote rural areas, forcing the fugitives to go even farther away. So the first part of the idea - to promptly throw off the tail of the pursuers - succeeded, but the future was gaping with uncertainty....

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 09:50

There was still a quarter of the crow's chowder left in the cauldron; the broth was frozen, of course, so Elena melted it at the same time. At the sound of burning coals and the clinking of metal, Rapist awoke. He, as usual in silence, wiped his face with snow and got into his camping bag. What was interesting was that on the trek, the Redeemers didn't bother with special prayers, didn't perform rituals, and would have been indistinguishable from vagrants in general, if not for the emphasized poverty combined with good weapons. Rapist took out some dried fish and began pounding them with the handle of his knife, knocking off the scales, making them a little more chewable. After soaking the dried flesh, the redeemer tore it into individual fibers and threw it into the cauldron, mixing the fish with bird bones. Gastronomic horror, Elena thought, but protein is protein. We'll be fed, we won't die, or something like that.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 09:54

Artigo woke up and sat up as usual, his eyes glistening between his cap and scarf. The nine-year-old boy, torn away from the comforts of palace life, acted like a man who had completely left the mortal world. On the one hand it was convenient, the boy did not cause any trouble on the road. However... Elena suspected that the little heir of the giant empire was not quite sane before. Now - after the death of his mother, the meeting with the underground monster, the blood and murders he had witnessed - young Gotdua looked more and more like an autist. And, saddest of all, there was no time or energy to deal with the bastard's state of mind in any way. Or was it not a bastard?

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 09:56

"Good morning, honorable companions!" cheerfully proclaimed Gaval with an incomprehensible surname. His companion, however, was much more cautious and wary, despite the separation of dinner and lodging, and Gamilla's left hand was always close to her hunting dagger with its blade half broken off.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 09:56

Gaval, Gamilla, Elena thought, then Grimal. It's like a parade of G's and al's.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 09:57

The camp was coming to life. Ranjan was rolling up the blankets that had been stretched around the fire for the night as screens to reflect the heat. As she poured the clean snow into the wok, Elena thought that she needed to improve her legal literacy. Is it possible to call “bastard” a child, secretly conceived by a nobless fighter with good genetics and the physiognomy of not yet drunk Athos? And God knows... Meanwhile, the aforementioned fighter had finished with the blankets, and now he took out stale cakes and smeared them with butter from a pot with a leather cover and a string. It was going to be a hard day, and it would be desirable to pass the cursed pass before sunset, so they planned to walk without stopping during the day and compensated for the absence of lunch with breakfast.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:26

To pass through the mountain and snow zone. And finally get washed up. To hell with meningitis, bronchitis, and cardiac arrest, Elena was ready to splash in an icy stream.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:27

They ate quickly and gathered vigorously. Gaval grew gloomy, and in the end, moved by mercy, the redeemers quickly assembled a more or less suitable traveling kit from the assorted items.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:28

"You'll work it off with stories,” Cadfal promised, and the storyteller nodded happily.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:29

The healer and Grimal put Artigo on the horse, and the servant threw a plaid over the boy's cloak and fastened it with a bone buckle. Now the lord of the world looked like a round bundle of rags that could be rolled in any direction. But he wasn't cold. Elena threw a double sack over her shoulder, which looked like a pillowcase cut in the middle, and fastened a belt loop under her arm, so that it turned out a kind of one-armed knapsack made of coarse burlap. I'll have to make a pioga when the group gets to the forests. Elena touched the waist belt and the waxed tube that held the diploma of the guild of physicians and apothecaries. A most valuable item and an insurance policy in case of a free voyage.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:31

“Just so there's no admonition or moralizing,” Cadfal specified the cultural program, pouring the rest of the boiled water from the kettle into glass flasks. He was always thirsty at altitude, probably because of the dry air. “Only merry tales of heroes and deeds!”

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:32

"And also about love,” Grimal said, wrapping the hiking roll in a piece of bearskin and tying it with a rope with a copper ring to secure the knot. "A noble one."

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:35

At the word 'love', Ranjan shrugged his shoulders in annoyance, but kept silent, adjusting his long scabbard behind his back.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:35

“He knows how to talk about love,” Gamilla hummed, the woman was going through the lead balls in her belt pouch. Elena thought again, looking at it, that she should make pockets fashionable, following the example of Don Rumata, who was unknown here.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:36

"Can I tell stories with tragic endings?” asked Gaval, twisting the issued chaperon from hood to cap.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:39

"You can,” Cadfal agreed after a moment's thought, and added sternly. "But no obscenity."

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:56

About light and lofty feelings,” Rapist clarified.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:56

Gaval was a little confused by such an order, but the wandering minstrel accepted the challenge.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:56

"Let's go,” Ranjan said, and the united group trotted off in a column one at a time.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:57

The way turned out to be unexpectedly easy, so much so that Elena was even a little afraid of this ease, as if fate had not decided to compensate with new trials. First of all, the path was now mostly downhill, the ascents were not frequent and did not last long. Secondly, the wind was not too fierce, and in general it was warmer than during the previous week. Thirdly, the stony, twisted road was almost free of snow. We walked briskly, not stopping under the light of the sandy sun.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:58

At the edges of the trail there was sometimes useless trash, shards, horse and other bones. Twice there were dead men, naked, frozen, and nibbled by small predators. The sight of the dead was reassuring. There were no visible wounds on their bodies, so they had not been killed by bandits, but had been mowed down by more natural causes.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 10:59

Toward noon they made a short halt, only to water the horses. Gaval dutifully worked on the feeding with cheerful songs and tales, at the risk of tearing his throat. Elena decided that the handsome fellow was hardly a real singer, his voice and confidence were lacking. More likely just a townie with a good memory who'd picked up some scattered cultural baggage. But why not? In hard times, everyone earns what they can.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:00

"You promised me a mentor,” she reminded Ranjan quietly, making sure no one else could hear them.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:00

"I promised,” Brether agreed.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:00

"And where is he?"

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:01

Ranjan looked left and right, showing the flawed idea of searching for a swordsman on a mountain path. But still he added:

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:01

"He'll show up."

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:01

"Are you sure?"

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:01

"Yes."

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:02

"When?"

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:02

"When the time is right. Soon."

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:02

Elena looked at her companion carefully, noting the sunken eyes with dark circles. Ranjan's eyes were dark circles and sunken, dark circles. Ranjan had lost a lot of weight in the past couple of weeks, the nights outdoors, chronic sleep deprivation, and heavy thoughts had taken their toll on the usually dapper-looking Brether. The woman said nothing more, moving to the rear of the column, closer to the silent Artigo.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:04

As the day wore on and Gaval chattered, the crossbowwoman shot two more birds of a breed unknown to Elena, a little smaller than crows, but good enough for soup. The wanderers' cooperation was paying off. Toward evening the harsh nature began to lose its winter severity. The snow was decreasing, dry grass was increasing, and the plain with hills of hills could be seen far ahead. The landscape reminded of the North Caucasus or Scotland. Cautious twilight was approaching.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:05

"Well done,” Cadfal thought aloud. "I thought we'd reach the plain in three passes. Or even four."

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:05

Gaval took off his shoes and inspected them critically, the day's travel had destroyed them completely. The minstrel sighed heavily and threw the shoes into the distance.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:06

"What a fool,” Grimal commented. "You could have used it for leather patches. Or sell it."

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:07

"A townie,” Cadfal answered in place of the poet. “Doesn't know the rule of the palm."

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:07

“What rule?” Gaval with the unpronounceable last name didn't seem to really know.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:08

"If there's anything left even a palm-sized piece, it's still useful. A piece of wood, a hide, a piece of cloth, a knife scrap, anything. The rule of the palm."

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:09

“А...” Gaval looked thoughtfully in the direction he'd thrown his boots. From the look on his face, the minstrel was struggling with greed and coolness. Coolness won.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:10

“How did I manage to get hired by such a fool,” muttered Gamilla quietly.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:16

"I release you from service,” the minstrel said in a high-pitched voice. "Woman, you no longer have to risk your life alongside me!"

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:17

"Yeah, and I suppose you want your money back for the service?" snorted the crossbowwoman. "For the three remaining days?"

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:18

"Well... yes,” the poet said confusedly.

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 11:18

Gamilla ignored her employer's remark with splendid disdain, showing how futile his efforts were to escape from the bonds of mutual responsibility.

Camrad_RIP 24.05.24 в 19:26