Ойкумена / Oikumena: Глава 13

Chapter 13

Camrad_RIP 09.11.24 в 14:36

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Camrad_RIP 09.11.24 в 14:36

As Elena walked toward the table, it seemed to her that instead of a hard floor of wooden planks, it was a swamp under her feet, and with each step, a pot of mud clung to her shoes. It was getting harder and harder to walk, the doubts multiplied, and the ordinary noises around her faded like the rustle of grass in a windless night.

Camrad_RIP 12.11.24 в 18:32

A compact and class-based society provokes an extremely attentive attitude to the people around you because any shit can happen at any moment. You can look at the wrong person the wrong way - or not look - and the feast turns into an execution or a stabbing. So only the drunkest or the busiest did not see a young tall woman in pants and a strange flat hat of unprecedented style walk straight to the table occupied by noble gentlemen. As Elena measured her steps, they lowered their heads and moved the clay mugs with bowls - just so, according to the established habits, for the sake of safety. Just in case...

Camrad_RIP 12.11.24 в 18:34

Two bodyguards blocked Elena's path. They didn't look like experienced mercenaries or combat companions, more like armed servants, but not bad, rather athletic and sharp to boot. One of them stretched out an empty hand, stopping the unknown, while the other maneuvered his thumbs behind his bronze-plated belt, displaying an impressive array of weapons. Elena held back a smile. The fighters were displaying the classic mistakes of bodyguards who were used to working for the public and the patron. Still, there were two of them, and the atmosphere of active menace thickened.

Camrad_RIP 12.11.24 в 18:44

Some of the visitors were still talking, mostly those who happened to be sitting with their backs to the mise-en-scene and missed the beginning of the events. But in general, the people were silent and listened attentively. In the countryside and small towns, life is monotonous, and surprisingly poor bright events, all the original attract attention and are remembered for a long time. So the story of how a woman just took and came to the table of nobles, as if to their own door, will be retold for weeks. In the inn kitchen, a chicken was screaming, and the poor bird was trying to be cut up by a negligent cook. In the silence, one could clearly hear the kneader cursing her penny wages, the “heavy” flour, and the bad vinegar, which did not soften the meat, but made it go to hell in a sludge. When the invisible aunt moved on to discussing the meat itself, which was only veins of meat, she was cut short by a resounding slap. Someone had dropped and broken a clay mug, and its cracking sounded as deafening as a hammer blow.

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:22

Elena raised her hands, showing that she was unarmed, and glanced obliquely at the pregnant lady who had stopped at the top of the stairs and was in turn looking down. The servants supporting the lady under her arms were shimmying and fidgeting, but clearly wary of pushing her further. The healer swallowed, trying to improvise something polite yet informative. The nobleman raised an eyebrow with languid interest, the earring on his ear swinging heavily, catching and breaking the dim glow of the greasy candlelight into crystal-clear rainbow colors.

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:23

First, it was necessary to understand how to address him. The unnamed nobleman was not a Duke, but he was not an ordinary gentleman either, he looked too expensive for a Frels. A Baron or a Count, then. To exalt a nobleman, raising him a step higher really - it is normal, especially for a commoner, who is mean, uneducated, and overwhelmed by the splendor of the highest creature. But to belittle is the opposite. So let's aim higher - you won't hit, so at least you won't shoot yourself.

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:31

"Your Highness,” said Elena, reproducing the formula she had learned by heart at Milvesse.

Camrad_RIP 17.11.24 в 10:03

The nobleman curled his lips in either contemptuous disregard or a grimace of mild annoyance. One of the armed servants turned toward the lord, awaiting orders. The other corrected quietly, barely parting his lips:

Camrad_RIP 12.11.24 в 18:45

"His Grace."

Camrad_RIP 12.11.24 в 18:45

Yeah, a baron after all. Well, it's off to a good start. And so far, there's still a chance to retreat. The baron's face doesn't look too angry, but rather tired and nervous. It is still possible to roll it all back, to say that she got it wrong, she humbly apologizes, please eat further, fine sir...

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:32

Elena glanced again at the woman, who had already turned away and stepped onto the penultimate step.

Camrad_RIP 17.11.24 в 10:03

//Damn! Damn! Damn!...

Camrad_RIP 17.11.24 в 10:02

She bowed her head stubbornly, knowing full well it looked impolite and threatening, but she couldn't help it. She was scared.

Camrad_RIP 12.11.24 в 18:46

"Your Grace,” said Elena, feeling like a man who had already jumped into a hole, but had not yet touched the icy water. It was too late to turn back, but it was possible to imagine the horrors to come.

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:35

"My name is...” she paused for a second going over the names she'd already accumulated in her memory, remembering what she'd called herself here in town. She paused, realizing only now what a mistake she'd made.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:06

"My name won't tell you anything,” Elena quickly turned her monologue in the other direction and found it best to bow, without subservience, but with the utmost respect. "And I am a healer."

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:07

She glanced once more at the back of the pregnant baroness beneath the loose dress.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:07

"I can help."

Camrad_RIP 12.11.24 в 18:46

The medic staring at the unexpected guest with silent curiosity all this time, curled his lips and snorted. Some of the crowd followed suit, but for the most part, they remained silent catching every word. They could laugh later, but now the main thing was not to miss anything interesting.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:08

"We don't need midwives here,” the medic said with frank contempt, shaking the deadly vial once more. "Get out of here."

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:11

He snorted angrily again and seemed to have trouble keeping from spitting at the feet of his sudden rival. At any rate, he curled his lips in a very characteristic way. He turned up his nose and walked past the empty space, pushing one of the bodyguards away with his shoulder. The Baron, judging by his indifferent look, lost interest in what was happening and turned away. It seems that he had already distracted his thoughts to something else and was not going to develop the situation further, say, with lashes. All things had turned out well... as if fate had given the woman a second chance to retreat without loss.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:26

"Get out of here while you're lucky,” the guard admonished quietly.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:26

The silence in the inn ended the murmur of voices like an incoming wave - louder and louder. There was an implicit, but not malicious disappointment in the atmosphere that the intrigue had gone into steam without noise, much less bloodshed. There is something to discuss, something to talk about at home, and that's good.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:27

Elena gritted her teeth and tilted her head even lower, looking frowning. Maybe she really would have backed off. Perhaps... If she'd had a little less acute hearing, and the medic had spoken a little quieter. But the woman's hearing was excellent, and Elena clearly heard the certified butcher in a black robe muttering importantly under his nose:

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:25

"Boorish brat."

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:25

Elena straightened up like a fighter before a fight - her back in a perfectly straight “string” - put her hands behind her waist, just like a baron's bodyguard, and said, as if hammering each word with a hammer:

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:21

"Your Grace, you shouldn't give her that mixture."

Camrad_RIP 12.11.24 в 18:47

Compared to the silence, the previous act of silence would have sounded like the shrieking of a crowd at a gladiatorial performance. The flies were long gone, out of season, but if one had come late and flown under the high ceiling, the buzzing would have been as deafening as the gnashing of a saw. The Baron raised his head, which had been lowered so the diamond swung on its golden hinge. Elena thought it would be a good idea to introduce not only pockets but also real earrings instead of these stupid parodies. Only her own ears had long since grown over...

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:23

Slowly, with ostentatious safety, Elena opened the waxed leather holster hanging from her belt that she had never parted with. She pulled out a parchment scroll written in red ink, stamped with a rare green sealing wax that was only allowed to privileged workshops and guilds. She clenched her jaw even tighter as the touch of the expensive item brought up memories that she would have liked to bury as deep as possible.

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:36

//I've bought you a place in the Guild of Healers, Herbalists, and Apothecaries. With all taxes and dues paid seven years in advance.

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:37

It was a good diploma, a real one. But it was personalized and issued for Lunna, and in that town, Elena was known as Siriol, by many. No one would believe that a real master with a diploma would pretend to be someone else. Therefore, the document is stolen, no one will even investigate. Everything is obvious. So, technically, the woman literally picked up from the floor of the completed composition of the most serious crime. The experience of the prison medical officer readily suggested the measure of punishment.

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:38

All it takes is for someone to say her name out loud and.....

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:19

Screw it!

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:39

Elena silently handed the letter to the servant, who took it and twirled it around in bewilderment, apparently unable to read. He shrugged his shoulders and handed the scroll to the Baron, obviously deciding that the lord knew best. The medic snorted once more and hurried upstairs, holding the vial with the look of an alchemical grenade thrower at a fortress assault.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:18

"Stop him,” Elena said just as audibly and harshly, addressing the Baron directly, and repeated. "This medicine is not for your wife."

Camrad_RIP 12.11.24 в 19:21

The nobleman quickly ran his eyes over the parchment. Apparently, he was not only literate but also accustomed to parsing the ornate lines of shop wording. He put the sheet on the table, letting it curl up naturally, and looked at Elena coldly, like a snake before striking.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:18

And then a miracle happened.

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:39

The man pointed to the seat against him (which was instantly vacated by one of the servants) with the words:

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:39

"Sit here."

Camrad_RIP 14.11.24 в 20:41

"Your Grace!" the medic cried tragically from the stairs. "You didn't..."

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:14

"Shut up, maitre,” said the Baron, irritably, as he seemed to be continuing some argument that gave a faint hope. "Sit down,” he repeated to Elena, more irritably and impatiently.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:16

The healer hurried to take advantage of the generous offer. She felt herself to be the center of attention. Now dozens of eyes were looking at the tall woman in the leather hat, including the foxy mouser peeking out from under the table. Elena, cursing her own stupidity and forgetfulness, hurriedly took off her cap. She sat down. Now she prayed that no name, any name, even “Siriol”, even “Lunna”, would be heard in the tavern.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:17

"I don't have a university education,” Elena spoke quickly. -"But I have had extensive practice...."

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:40

Pause. Well, if you've got involved in a murky business by your own folly, put your foot in the stirrup to the end.

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:40

"... In the Wastelands."

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:41

Now the Baron's other eyebrow crept upward; it seemed that the healer with the diploma had captured his attention. On the stairs, the medic hissed and cursed, with all the soul of a man whose competence had been publicly challenged by a passerby.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:12

"Shut up,” the Baron said coldly and sharply, wiggling his fingers weakly. Elena stammered, not realizing at first that it wasn't addressed to her. The medic with the vial shut up instantly as if he had been turned on the faucet of his verbal outpouring. Almost imperceptibly, with only the creak of the door, Ranjan came in from the street, leaning against the doorjamb with his arms folded across his chest. Joaquina appeared right behind the Brether, angry but silent. The swordsman was, as usual, impenetrably restrained, but the beautiful acrobat's face flamed with barely restrained rage as if she and Brether had been torn away from something important.

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:24

"Please continue,” the Baron shook his head, now definitely to Elena. "I'm listening."

Camrad_RIP 16.11.24 в 15:41