Ойкумена / Oikumena: Глава 8

Chapter 8

Camrad_RIP 08.09.24 в 16:57

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Camrad_RIP 08.09.24 в 16:58

They left quickly, to the clatter of Maryadek's hastily made but working crutch. The rested and fed horses walked briskly. Of the company, which had grown to ten people, Elena felt the worst and made an epic effort to keep up. Every step was accompanied by a sharp pain in the lower abdomen, which then went somewhere to the left so that the medic entertained gloomy speculations: was it a prelude to inflammation of the appendix or a problem with the pancreas? It was the first time the regurgitation had been so severe that it made me think that perhaps my health was beginning to end. Not to say that the local life beat the woman too cruelly, especially in comparison with some patients from the city crime, looking at which Elena sometimes wondered “he can be killed at all?”. But she'd had her share of trouble starting with a broken arm, which, after fleeing the capital predicted the weather like a perfect barometer.

Camrad_RIP 13.09.24 в 19:17

So, in misery as well as bitter self-pity, Elena measured step by step, trying not to stumble and move in a common rhythm.

Camrad_RIP 13.09.24 в 19:18

The landscape around didn't change, it was still the same “Scotland” with hills, only in the dull gray-yellow colors of a snowless winter—or very late fall, as you might see. The mountains melted behind us into a whitish haze and stretched an endless ribbon of moderately winding road ahead. The traffic was brisk by the standards of the season, and every hour there was a wagon or foot. There were hardly any singles, but mostly groups of apparent refugees or migrants, gloomy, tired men pulling their meager loads with expressions of sullen doom or, on the contrary, determination on their faces. The small caravan looked rich and well-armed compared to most of the people they met, so they were eyed warily and sighed with relief when the groups dispersed. There were almost no merchants, and if there were any, they were all of a piece, with empty wagons, guards, and the fearful faces of men who had sold out and were now shaking their coffers in anticipation of the moment when the coins would finally find their way into a sturdy chest.

Camrad_RIP 13.09.24 в 19:24

Gaval hummed softly, something rhythmic that set the pace well. Pantin walked along with the others, and now the woman finally looked at him calmly and carefully, but she recognized nothing new. The warrior-mage was dressed as an ordinary traveler, only without a cloak and hat, which seemed surprisingly out of season. Over his shoulders, he carried a basket with rope straps that looked like an assault backpack. But most importantly, Pantin had no weapons, only a tiny knife on his belt with a blade no longer than a finger. If it were not for his eyes, which were painfully reminiscent of the infernal eyes of Elena's worst enemy, he would have been no different from an ordinary but bad-headed traveler who was not afraid of catching a cold in the wind, or of catching a chill in his kidneys on the cold ground.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 07:17

The only really interesting event worth mentioning was the encounter with the “goose train”. A large flock of two hundred or so well-fed, fat, fat birds were on their way to their final resting place, and the interesting thing was that each had leather shoes with straps hanging from its feet. Mariadek explained that the truly delicacy “pig” geese were found in only a dozen places in the entire Oikumene and for some reason did not breed outside them. Therefore, for sale, flocks have to be driven sometimes for three months, thoroughly, with breaks and additional fattening at the place of arrival. And to make sure that the birds arrive in one piece, they are often even shoeed. Judging by the five armed thugs of the criminal species, breeding special geese was a very lucrative occupation.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 07:19

"Maybe I should sign up as a goose, too." Gaval grinned bitterly, improvising a sad melody on a music board. "They even give them clogs..."

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 07:19

By evening, a larger settlement appeared ahead. It was the kind of town that usually grew where a couple of not-very-important, but more or less busy roads intersected, and where there was a trade of some kind that lured merchants at least within the county. This town of three dozen houses was fed by barrel-makers and other spoon-cutters, and it was clearly doing well. At the sight of the smoke from the chimneys, the company cheered up, hoping for a night's lodging under a roof and a meal from a real stove.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 07:23

In such small villages, there might or might not be an inn, and in the latter case one could find lodging in a “drinking hut” or in larger houses whose owners rented barns, cells, and often their beds for a reasonable fee. So the “ magnificent ten,” as the healer called her, made her way to the center of the town, to the Church of the One, accompanied by curiosity and stares.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 07:30

Gaval shared grandiose plans intending to dazzle the peasants and townspeople with sweet-sounding singing. Having practiced on a spiritless and iron-eared audience, he was now, ready to enchant even an angel of heaven. Cadfal approved of the bold intention, mindful of the debt he owed. Gamilla smiled feebly with a great note of ironic doubt but kept her skepticism to herself. It seemed this day was the last of Gaval's payday, but the crossbowwoman's future plans remained vague. The Highlander was tapping his crutch hard and busily, he was clearly tired, to the point of cold sweat on his forehead and graying face, but he wasn't going to give up. Elena made a mental note to remember to check the bandage and the condition of the wound.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 07:39

It smelled of shavings, cheap varnish, coal, and tar. The streets were moderately clean, almost free of mud and the ankle-deep puddles obligatory for a normal village. Wooden-clay houses of one, rarely two stories (if we count large attics as an independent level) stood almost level and did not sink into the ground so that the roof began at the level of the pedestrian's eyes.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 07:36

All in all, the town of barrels and spoons Elena would have even liked it if she hadn't been tormented by the suffering of her body.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 07:31

The center of the settlement was already occupied by two groups at once. The first one seemed harmless, they were traveling circus performers, and they were clearly of a reduced number. Only Pantocrator knew what they hoped to find here, as usually with the onset of cold weather not only agricultural but also cultural life ceased. Wandering musicians and other people of creative crafts finished their “tour” at the end of the fall fairs and tried to spend the winter at the lords' courts or in larger towns. There they fed themselves by performing in taverns and various neighborhoods so the program would not get boring. But these must have had some misfortune that did not allow to curtail the tour in time. The troupe had a clown, an acrobat, two old wagons pulled by equally old, sad mules... and that was it. The city public showed no interest in the horse-drawn circus, either the program had shrunk to utter obscenity, or all the performances had already been held here so the solvent demand for spectacles had exhausted itself.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 07:43

However, the circus performers were neither interesting nor dangerous to the fugitives. The second group turned out to be much more unpleasant. It was a dozen armed men under a flag with an eight-pointed star on a red background. Elena knew this combination, the star symbolized the Empire as a whole, or rather the unity of the Emperor's power on eight sides of the world, and meant that its bearers were doing the sovereign's work. Judging by the absence of personal ensigns, there were no noblemen in the squad, but the soldiers seemed to be well-armed, almost at the level of sergeants. Apparently mercenaries in the Imperial service. Unfortunately, the wanderers noticed the flag too late, so it was too late to turn away and go around the town.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 08:02

Ranjan commanded a halt and gave Grimal an imperceptible sign. The servant immediately threw Artigo off the horse and wrapped the child in the most shabby and untidy plaid. The redeemers, as usual, moved unnoticed and harmoniously closer to Elena, insuring her from the vicissitudes of life, Elena, in her turn, took the already practiced look of a slouching and unattractive figure, who stupidly stared at her feet, indifferent to the world around her.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 08:14

Ranjan, outwardly unarmed and benevolent, made his way toward the armed men, who at the moment had fully occupied the only inn with stables and were nailing some kind of charter right to the wall of the church. Elena first thought he was a fool, then thought some more and decided it made sense. A rather large gathering, which at the sight of the sovereign's men hurries to get away, arouses suspicion and a logical question: what are they so afraid of?

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 08:14

Brether started a conversation with the leader, who was wary at least at first. Word by word, and although the conversation was inaudible, it was clear that it would be peaceful. The commander and the Brether shook hands and exchanged courteous bows. Ranjan, trying his best to walk carelessly, with deliberate slowness, returned to his men, took the horse under the reins, and quietly, almost without moving his lips, commanded:

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 08:20

"Let's go."

Camrad_RIP 09.09.24 в 09:25

Gaval, of course, not realizing the importance of the moment, opened his mouth to resist, but he looked into Brether's eyes and was instantly silent. Gamilla put a hand on his shoulder and steered him on a new course, silently, unemotional, taking the new introduction for granted. Definitely, Elena liked the tattooed crossbow-woman more and more. She could sense in the mistress of arrows the calm confidence of a person who was not looking for adventures, but if it was not possible to miss it, she acted coolly and reasonably. She wished to know more about Gamilla because such composure is forged only in the forge of rich experience.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 08:23

Maryadek, too, had gotten it right, seemingly even relieved. He probably didn't want to meet with imperial servants as much as Ranjan did. Anyway, the small caravan moved through the town square (too loud a name for an asphalt-strewn patch of land). The sovereign's men finally lost interest in the wandering company, and the most vocal one took a wooden board, similar to a gingerbread stamp, and, climbing on the saddle with his legs, began to read out an announcement from the wooden board. Everything that was going on bore the stamp of a dull bureaucracy, which was as boring to the performers themselves as unleavened tortillas on a long march.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 09:14

Elena heard the first words and felt a cold and alive frog settle in her stomach. The vocalized fighter promised a reward for Artigo's Gotdua-Pilvae.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 09:15

It was not news or something incredible. The travelers had met such heralds before, but now they could sense a much more thorough organization of the process. A short speech, obviously compiled according to some methodology, explained the essence of the problem in simple and understandable language: insidious scoundrels kidnapped the beloved cousin of His Imperial Majesty with the purpose of villainously killing him according to the property of immoral and vicious natures. So a royal reward awaits the finder. The speech was accompanied by a fairly accurate description of Artigo and Ranjan, but - thank Pantocrator - the other companions were unknown to the enemy. The text was accompanied by drawings of the beloved brother and the villainous kidnapper, again depicted quite close to reality. The carver had done his best.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 08:24

Elena mechanically moved her feet, feeling a chill in the back of her neck, like a student who knew only half of the exam questions and had to rely only on the luck of the ticket. Whether it would pass or not. It was only now the healer realized how ill-timed and foolish they had come to the town. Artigo was unrecognizable in a cocoon of dirty clothes, but Ranjan was too conspicuous. But the general negligence of the imperial servants and Ranjan's bearded appearance must have saved him from misfortune. The soldiers didn't give a damn about the town, its inhabitants, the travelers they encountered, or, it seemed, their job in general, and the brether with the sunken cheeks and unshaven stubble had changed drastically since the day he'd fled Milvess. They were not recognized.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 08:51

When the town was behind them, Elena exhaled noisily. Curiously enough, Maryadek exhaled noisily after her, making her think that poaching wasn't the only thing he'd done in these parts. Gaval began to whine and complain about the stony-hearted companions who kept him from earning all the money of the town. Gamilla gave a short bellow, explaining to the minstrel in simple words that wherever any flag and men with weapons appeared, it was easy to sing for nothing, or even to pay the audience for their attention. Gaval hesitated and fell silent. Elena had more respect for the crossbowwoman, and at the same time, she wondered what interest she had in keeping incognito. Positive, the company was well organized, all dark personalities with very suspicious pasts and dubious presents.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 08:54

We didn't go too far from the town, though; evening was already creeping up, with a winter's early sunset, and a nasty wind was picking up. They stopped at the nearest fork, habitually organizing the camp while it was light. Fuel was a problem at once - the area was inhabited, it was forbidden to cut the thin forest, and there were no traders of oil shale in the vicinity. The travelers scattered far away in search of dead wood, and Elena took a knife and approached Ranjan with the words:

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 08:54

"Sit."

Camrad_RIP 09.09.24 в 09:25

To the silent question she answered, softly, for his ears only:

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 08:55

"We're idiots. We should have realized it sooner. You're too conspicuous. You should have cut your hair a long time ago. I'll cut your hair, then I'll make a turban. No one will recognize you. Just look down."

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 09:06

Ranjan thought for a moment and objected, but weakly, more for the sake of order, clearly realizing the extent of the stupidity:

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 06:10

"I'll look like a bandit. With that stubble."

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 06:10

"The main thing is not to brether," the barber exhaustively closed the question, and the process began.

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 06:11

While the branches were being gathered and the shearing was in progress, two creaky wagons of traveling circus performers passed by. They were ordinary wagons with canvas roofs on semicircular arches. Above the trailing wagon protruded the tin pipe of a traveling stove. It seemed that the micro-troupe had intended to stop here, perhaps they too were uncomfortable in the company of soldiers, but seeing the competition decided not to get involved. The wagons creaked along. Elena caught herself she only gave the random people she met an indifferent glance. In her former life, she would have felt very sorry - to the point of tears - for the circus performers, who must have been in dire need, with no chance to improve their plight even a little during the cold season. There was something to do in the present besides regretting other people's fate, for her own was not illusorily at stake. Elena tightened her lips and worked the knife faster.

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 10:40

The cut hair had been burned off for some old belief. Freed from the shoulder-length strands without a single gray hair, the swordsman did seem a different man. Less stern and much younger. The long hair added five or seven, if not ten, years to his appearance, and the short hair made him younger.

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 10:47

"That's good,” Elena summarized, taking a step back and admiring the work of her hands.

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 13:32

The general opinion was expressed by Gamilla diplomatically saying:

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 13:30

"Well... there are people like that too."

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 13:31

Ranjan couldn't assess the quality of his work because he didn't have a mirror, and it was too cloudy to look in a bowl of water. So the Brether groped his head with a tactile examination, sighed heavily, and remained silent, resigned to the inevitable.

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 13:32

"Let's go,” Pantin said, who was, as usual, very close by, silent and unnoticed.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 09:39

The crimson comet, though it illuminated the sky, didn't look as impressive as it did in the mountains, where the bloody glow played on the snowy peaks. The reddish moon rose higher and higher, and Elena, though she didn't believe in any of the local deities, shuddered. It all looked too ominous, because if you wanted to believe in bad omens, the birth of headless calves, the end of the world, and other scary things, you would have to believe in bad omens. However, the concept of the Last Judgment in the church of Pantokrator seems to be absent... We should find out. Any religion, one way or another, promises some kind of finale for everything.

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 13:33

The woman and the supposed mage walked further down the road, more like a path, leaving the soft noise of the camp behind them. Cadfal and Maryadek were arguing vigorously, though angrily, over how to use the meager fuel. It was late in the evening, but the huge moon rarely made it pitch black in Ecumene, and the light of the comet made the coming night as white as in St. Petersburg, only darker and gloomier.

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 13:34

"Do you know who I am?” Elena decided it was not appropriate for her to play the modest and virtuous maiden who couldn't speak first. Besides, the woman was overwhelmed with questions.

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 13:35

“Yes,” Pantin said laconically.

Camrad_RIP 09.09.24 в 09:25

"And who are you?"

Camrad_RIP 09.09.24 в 09:26

"Warrior-mage," came the equally short answer. "But you already know that."

Camrad_RIP 09.09.24 в 09:26

Elena sighed, trying to figure out what to ask next. She'd assumed Ranjan would find some special mentor, but this... The woman opened her mouth, and closed it mutely, like a beached fish. She couldn't breathe, a viscous lump coming up to her throat, blocking her breath. She stumbled, staggering. The pain in her stomach became unbearable, spreading lower and wider like trickles of liquid lead. Elena puckered her lips and clenched her jaw, waiting out the spasm, but Pantin smiled weakly and touched her shoulder with two fingers.

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 14:18

And there was no pain.

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 09:45

"Wow!” said the woman, just to express her emotions. Just now it had seemed to her that it would be easier to die than to live like this. Just then... and now the agonizing malaise was gone. The weakness remained, but the pain was gone. Apparently, that's what real sorcery looked like.

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 14:18

"Is it a miracle?"

Camrad_RIP 21.09.24 в 14:19

"No,” Pantin replied very seriously. "It's a trick. Unfortunately not a long one. But at least you'll sleep well tonight."

Camrad_RIP 14.09.24 в 09:45