Ойкумена / Oikumena: Глава 4

Chapter 4

Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 21:37

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Camrad_RIP 01.06.24 в 21:37

"We always want our enemies to be worse than us. We must feel the undeniable righteousness and moral superiority of our cause, the natural justice of our victory and, of course, of the actions that lead to this victory. It is necessary that any baseness created by our henchmen should appear as an act, if not of mercy and virtue, at least of dignity. And truly happy is the one whose enemies really correspond to the demonic image that we paint in thought and speech, for ourselves and others"

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 17:50

Gaval Sentry-Poton-Batleau.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 17:51

“Sixth letter to my son, which content a philosophical reflection on the ephemeral nature of evil.”

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 17:51

Unlike Flessa, who lived closer to the Court, Duke Wartensleben had settled in the capital and rented a house separate from Milvess. Rather not a house, but an estate outside the city walls. This choice had both advantages and disadvantages. One thing he could not take away was that the place was well suited for a meeting that no outsider should know about. The four aristocrats could be almost certain that their private meeting would remain a secret. Almost, for only sunrise and sunset are inevitable and predictable.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 17:52

The floor of carefully fitted stone slabs was polished to a mirror-like sheen. It reflected four blurred figures, like picturesque sketches that had been generously splashed with water. The circular room was meant for dinner parties and dinners, but the current owner was extremely abstemious about food and had turned the room into a large study for work. The choice was a good one; the semicircular wall with its large windows faced the sunny side, so you could read and write here from dusk to dawn without lighting lamps or candles.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 17:53

"Thank you, good Duke, for your honor and hospitality,” Curzio said, placing a box in the center of the round table, simple, uncarved and unadorned, but with a good lock. Judging by its shape and the distinctive marks on the smooth wood, it was a secret drawer for valuables. They were built into bureaus and desks so that the owner, and only the owner, would always have easy access to important documents.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 17:54

"Blessed be this house,” Prince Gayot said, sitting comfortably in a wooden chair. "And its generous, hospitable host."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 17:54

Count Shotan limited himself to a silent bow.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 17:59

"Thank you, dear guests,” Duke Wartensleben said grouchily, glancing at the box. "It is an honor for me and my humble house to have you under this roof. Taste the wine, I hope it is not too bitter and will not offend your refined taste."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:00

In the Duke's mouth the ritual phrase sounded in a peculiarly emasculated, lifeless way. The footmen had been ordered not to even approach the hall; not a single word spoken here was intended for outside ears. So the glasses and small jugs of wine were filled in advance and stood in bowls of crushed ice.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:01

Curzio took the invitation and sipped, noting that the green wine was good, very good, but could be a little better. He took another sip, envying Wartensleben fiercely. Where did the old man get such exquisite glassware? There was enough glass in the world, masters of fine work with it - too, but beautiful, openwork glasses from the ducal table were unique and worthy of the imperial banquet. Looking at such exquisite things, one is forced to believe the tales of a pact with the devil, because without the help of the Dark Jeweler it is impossible to get so pure - without a single bubble and the smallest flaw - glass mass and so skillfully dissolve the salts of gold and lead in it, creating a unique play of light.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:02

The duke himself refrained from wine and, as usual, with his chronic melancholic expression, stuck his nose into the spice bottle that hung from his thin neck with its many flabby wrinkles. Looking at Wartensleben Curzio thought vindictively that Udolar had changed a lot in the past year. Very much, perhaps. Majestic old age was receding, giving way to decrepit infirmity. Back in the spring the Duke could be seen in armor on the battlefield, albeit with some effort. Not now; Wartensleben would probably collapse under the weight of a gorget, let alone a cuirass. Obviously, the hour when the old man will go to hell is not far off, because no matter how lightly his sins are measured, it is impossible to balance them. Wartensleben will die, and Curzio will still enjoy life and wine, albeit of unsophisticated silver. Though precious dishes could be bought back... Footmen are usually inclined to sell off the possessions of deceased lords.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:03

Well, Curzio thought, let's hope Wartensleben's mind is in better condition than his worn out body.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:04

The duke sneezed, wiped his long, pigmented nose, and let go of the pepper bottle, letting the precious vessel hang on the gold chain. Udolar looked at Curzio, literally slid a fleeting glance, and the islander immediately drew himself up and set the glass aside. Wartensleben's eyes were clear and attentive beyond his years. No aging spots, no livid pupils, the bright points of his pupils looked at the world with the squint of an experienced predator.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:04

"If I may be so curious,” Curzio launched a trial balloon. "How is your dear daughter's health?"

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:05

He deliberately did not specify which daughter, so as to leave the conversation room for development and maneuvering. The aristocrats gathered here were too different in everything, from their backgrounds to their temperaments. They did not trust each other, and accordingly preferred to listen more than talk. It was necessary to move this ice floe somehow, to let the swift current melt the cold matter.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:06

"Thank you, not bad,” the duke nodded with a casual graciousness, but did not pursue the subject further. Wartensleben's voice was the same as his appearance, muffled, with an aging rattle.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:06

Curzio held back a wry grimace and looked around the gathering once more.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:06

An outside observer would be surprised at the choice of company. Curzio is an emissary of Saltoluchard, disgraced and dismissed by the Council of Regents, but who has retained both his mental acuity and some connections. Prince Guyot - Chief of the Court Guard (but not of the Emperor's person) and of the regiment of Highland infantry at Milvesse. “Soldier” Count Shotan, commander and owner of the finest mounted company in the East, which handled special affairs in the interests of the Island and the Regents. Duke Wartensleben, a personage in every way powerful and influential. The four men were different, but they shared one thing in common: their initial hopes for more than they had received in the coup.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:08

The Count sat down, took a sip from his glass, and put his foot on his leg as if he were a shopkeeper. However, even this rough, almost peasant gesture looked stylish and arrogant in his performance. Shotan was one of those people whom the Pantocrator had endowed with excess in everything.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:09

"We should have met at the hunting lodge,” he said, and those were the first words spoken by the ‘soldier count’ since the greeting. "As I suggested. Even before the evening, everyone in Milvess would know that certain individuals had met behind the scenes, without proper company, servants, wine, games, or women."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:10

Curzio noted that the Count had listed women last. A small thing, but such seemingly insignificant trifles paint the image of a man.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:11

"A meeting is not a complot,” smiled the prince sparingly. "Men of honor have many reasons to meet."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:12

"Shall I tell you how few such occasions there really are?" returned the Count's even more laconic smile.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:13

"And that's right," the prince marked the salute with his glass, as if recognizing the truth of his interlocutor's words.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:13

Oh, Isthen and Erdeg, fathers of the world and time, how much easier it is to discuss purely business matters with their own, Curzio thought wistfully. The centuries-old tradition and etiquette of the Isles themselves turn conversation into a clearly regulated action, where each participant knows his place, any word can be stated. Mainlanders are fidgety, undisciplined, and most importantly, completely unable to listen to anyone but themselves. But, alas, as they say in their homeland, we have to mold from the clay that claymores bring.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:15

"Gentlemen,” Curzio, as mediator, gently took the reins in his own hands, which outwardly seemed pampered and unresponsive. "Be indulgent of my provinciality, and I will allow myself to speak bluntly."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:16

"Oh, come on, honorable,” said the Prince, waving his hand. "Who among us here is not a provincial?"

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:16

The Duke thrust up his chin haughtily, the Count barely perceptibly moved his sculpted perfect jaw, which was shaved to the purity and smoothness of marble.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:17

"Gentlemen,” snorted Prince Gaiot, whose attention was not unaware of his interlocutors' obvious displeasure. "Well, by God, or gods, as you like,” he bowed slightly toward the bigot Curzio. "My family, two generations ago, considered it a feat to sack the village of a nobleman from the plains. The Duchy of Malersyde would have gone to pay the debts that my ancestors had generously accumulated and inherited. If its present owner had been afraid to get his hands dirty in other people's blood. And you, my dear Count, as I recall, despised the fate of a magnate and landowner, swearing an oath to live only from a knight's lance. Because three family villages for a second son is a joke."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:18

"Four villages,” Shotan corrected with an impenetrable face. "And I was the third son."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:19

The prince paused, as if to give his companions a chance to consider what they had heard, not for too long, however. Curzio kept a stony face, but in his heart he recognized the Prince's diplomatic skill, which made him seem like a dumb butcher. Gaiot began the enumeration with himself, so that the truth did not sting the aristocrats' painful ego too much or cause instant rejection. Shotan seemed to accept it with restrained irony, though it was from him that Curzio had expected the most nervous reaction.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:21

"Each of us has a long line of ancestors behind us, but they only gave us opportunities. We made ourselves. And that is why we understand better than most that there is nothing in the world that cannot be lost."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:21

The Prince took a noisy breath. Curzio was torn between the desire to applaud and to poison Gayot. To poison, because the prince had, with splendid disregard, broken the entire plan of the conversation the two of them had so carefully thought out. To applaud, because, to all appearances, the Highlander's vigorous and demonstratively frank speech had been much more effective in the end.

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:22

"Let the mannered degenerates of the Primators weave the lace of words. We are men of action,” Gayot concluded. "So let's get down to business."

Camrad_RIP 10.06.24 в 18:23

The Count silently corrected a long lacquered strand that had been delicately and deliberately dislodged from his hair. He adjusted the lace lapel of his sleeve, so that the openwork edge reached to the middle of his hand and not a hair further. He remarked politely but coldly:

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 10:31

"I appreciate the candor. I appreciate your sense of humor, it's... straightforward and therefore quite original. But I don't see what we're talking about here."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 10:31

"That's good,” said the Prince, not embarrassed. "And the point is simple. My friends, there is a possibility of losing everything. Or, at least, a lot."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 11:55

In the silence that ensued, there were a few claps - the Duke of Wartensleben applauded sparingly.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 11:56

"Brilliant speech,” he said. "Well, I can't speak for your friends, but you've got my attention. For now, anyway."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 11:56

The prince glanced silently at the islander, as if to say, I pass the torch.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 11:57

"Deeds are worth more than words,” Curzio said, accepting the message. "But recorded words are sometimes worth more than deeds. Gentlemen, may I draw your attention to..."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 11:57

Curzio took a small key on a steel chain from his neck and opened the box. He took out a stack of identical sheets of paper, evenly trimmed and of very good quality. The yellowish surface was covered with small letters and numbers, from edge to edge, almost without margins. The handwriting on all the sheets was the same.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 11:58

"Please."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 11:58

"What is this? The count asked emotionlessly, not even making an attempt to pick up a single sheet. The duke cocked an eyebrow at him and seemed to be interested.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 11:59

These are copies of certain documents and reports which are now before your Treasury and our Councils. In particular the Coin Council and the Gold and Silver Council. I suppose you know that the head of the latter came to the capital yesterday to do some auditing and settle the painful issues of payment of the most “hot” bills.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 12:00

"I am only interested in bills as long as they are paid,” said the count, with the same indifference. "The Crown has no debts to me or my company."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 12:00

"They will,” Curzio promised briefly, bored with the ostentatious decadence of a mercenary who thought himself an aristocrat of the highest order. "And it says where they'll come from."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.24 в 12:01