Ойкумена / Oikumena: Глава 14

Chapter 14

Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:29

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Camrad_RIP 19.11.24 в 19:29

"What the hell!?" Shotan yelled at the top of his lungs, spilling wine from his goblet.

Camrad_RIP 21.11.24 в 18:54

Few could boast of having seen the “soldier count” show any emotion other than polite surprise. Even fewer had witnessed a gendarme lose his temper. And, perhaps, for the first time, one contemplated with one's own eyes a count who had lost his temper and given himself over to an outburst of insane rage.

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:30

"This is an insult!" Shotan shrieked, spitting the thin silver in his palms as if it were cardboard.

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:30

The duke and the islander looked at each other. The Duke was away, Gayot had to leave on an inspection in Milvess to resolve another conflict between the corporation of moneylenders and mercenaries. Considering the treasury had already missed a traditional payment, and the second one was only a quarter of what had been agreed upon, the Highlanders turned to the chivalric practice of borrowing more, delaying payment of debts, and then organizing a moderate pogrom and burning of debt scrolls. Since the “chickens” and the lenders were disliked (or rather hated) in roughly equal measure, so far there had been no widespread confusion, and the townspeople were generally neutral. But everything could turn upside down at any moment.

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:33

The Count was shouting, taking advantage of the fact that the old spell had turned the palace dining room into a deafening barrel from which even the roar of a battle trumpet could not break through. Against the wall, the personal messenger and stableboy of the Vice Duchess Flessa Wartensleben, who had been there when the mad captain had burst into the room, was trying to turn invisible. Curzio shook his head measuredly as if lamenting the decline of the sovereigns' morals.

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:34

"What does that even mean?" Shotan shouted, calming down a little (but only a little).

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:35

"That, my good fellow, is called 'royal douchebaggery,'” the duke shrugged his slouching shoulders and made a faint gesture, ordering the groom to leave. An unassuming but broad-shouldered man with an unpleasant face, hurried to comply, clearly relieved. He limped heavily, leaning on a mother-of-pearl-encrusted cane, and squinted like a hunchback, though he did not seem to be suffering from that ailment.

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:35

"Douchebaggery!?" Shotan roared, shaking his fist. With his left hand, he snatched up his dagger and plunged it into the table in one motion, nailing a broad dish of equally precious orichalcum against the precious oak.

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:36

"I put this one on the throne...!" The Count began, but Curzio took an unexpectedly quick step and covered the blasphemer's lips with his fingers. From the outside, the movement seemed trustingly vicious, but there was not a grain of vice in it.

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:37

"Not every word is worthy of breaking free,” Curzio said sternly. "Some are better kept in the grip of closed lips."

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:35

The islander withdrew his hand and discreetly wiped his pinched fingers on the thin cuff of his sleeve.

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:41

"No one can hear us anyway,” Shotan said grumpily, but he calmed down a little. The Count began to loosen the blade to pull the dagger out, not caring about the ruined tabletop.

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:42

"There could have been other servants here,” Curzio remarked. "We'd have to get rid of them. It might cause unnecessary gossip. Calmness, my friend, calm and composure, are the best weapons of the palace chambers. It can be difficult and unpleasant to wield but it is necessary."

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:43

"To the devil the servants,” Shotan snorted. "I will not tolerate such humiliation from....."

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:43

He gritted his teeth, swallowing the blasphemy against his suzerain.

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:43

"Be patient,” the duke said coldly. "We're playing for very high stakes. And this is a team game, not a lone duelist's game."

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:46

The Count snarled like a fighting boar, a vicious grimace turning his handsome, usually inexpressive face into a devilish mask.

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:46

"It's all your daughter's fault,” he blurted out. "It's her fault!"

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:47

The duke straightened like a stabbed in the butt. His thin lips curled into a pale thread, his chin thrust up belligerently, and the sagging wrinkles in his throat quivered.

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:48

"Please explain yourself,” said the Lord of Malersyde. "I'd be very interested to hear what your grievances are against my daughter."

Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:49

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Camrad_RIP 22.11.24 в 20:46

"Please, Count."

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:37

Ottovio made a sweeping gesture around the room he had designated as his classroom and office. Shotan bowed his head in homage to his suzerain and walked to the center of the square room. It was not very large, but the abundance of limestone, quartzite, and marble made it seem substantially larger. The perfect polish of the quartzite panels reflected objects almost like bronze mirrors. That was why Shotan disliked the study. Sometimes the knight thought it was haunted by the shadows of the previous owners. And of the late emperor, among others.

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:52

Ottovio did not offer to sit down, a bad sign, and Shotan considered it best to stay on his feet. His left hand came down beside the dagger as if the long sword was hanging from the Count's belt, as usual, needing support to keep it from dangling at his foot. Shotan removed his hand and bent it at the elbow just in case, away from the weapon. Ottovio took a few steps and remained silent, looking at a mosaic panel of multicolored enamel, a dawn landscape in the mountains. Despite six hundred years of history, the colors were still so pure and vibrant that the image could be mistaken for a window. At the wide doors of the study froze immovable statues, or rather people seeming to be statues - two “bodyguards” with short halberds, and two more shooters waited outside. But the emperor and the count paid no attention to them, ignoring them like pieces of furniture.

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:54

Will people ever rise to the lost heights of art, Shotan thought? Probably... someday. The Count banished the irrelevant musings and focused his attention fully on the Emperor, anticipating an unpleasant conversation. The lord was too insecure, too careful to look away, as if avoiding to meet the eyes of the loyal captain.

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:55

Shotan once again went over all possible transgressions in his mind and found nothing worthy of a private conversation with the emperor. As always, the company was ready for battle, and the reports were so well organized that they could sharpen an engraving needle. Unlike the vast majority of his colleagues in his difficult profession, Shotan strove for impeccable honesty in matters of hiring and spending. He did not even practice the centuries-old tradition of counting the heads of horses instead of warriors (with generous allowances, of course). The Count thought, not unreasonably, that with his prices the squad would not go to the world, and the unique reputation of honest ruthiers was capital in itself.

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:55

So what could have happened? Why is the Lord both angry and embarrassed at the same time?

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:56

Unless... No, it can't be!

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:58

Ottovio broke the long silence and looked at the Count, now directly, without averting his eyes. The young man was clearly frightened, and the Emperor felt a timidity that was normal and natural for a man who had never taken a life in the face of a murderer. Possessed... but not subdued.

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:58

"Count,” Ottovio dispensed with the ‘lordship’. "I am displeased with you."

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:59

“You” was also a small letter, a distinctly small letter. Shotan barely refrained from making the gesture of spreading his elbows wide and placing his palm defiantly on the hilt of his dagger. This was not the moment to be pompous and “cool”. Ottovio was a boy, but he was an Emperor... And Shotan was just a count and a gendarme, his privileged status largely based on the blond boy's sympathy.

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 20:09

"Your Imperial Majesty,” Shotan emphasized the extremely respectful address. "If I have aroused your displeasure or anger, please tell me why. I am trying... but I cannot recall any fault of my own."

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 20:00

The Emperor came even closer and looked up at the gendarme from below. The Count was not only athletic and handsome but also distinguished by his considerable height.

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 20:01

"Your preferences..."

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 17:59

Ottovio blushed slightly and looked away again, clearly embarrassed. Shotan gritted his teeth, convinced that his worst fears had come true. What a young and foolish moralist... But the situation was indeed curious, even embarrassing, and something had to be done. To deny everything, to try to soften or just express bewilderment, as if the lord of the world does not care about the modest needs of the loyal captain? And the word “ loyal” is the key word here.

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 20:08

Ottovio gave Shotan no time to choose. The emperor almost rose on tiptoe and blurted out, clenching his fists:

Camrad_RIP 01.12.24 в 18:00

"This is unacceptable! It's... unworthy!"

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 20:04

"Your Imperial Majesty,” the count considered it best to bow his head and even crouch down in an unintended but appropriate bow, so as not to tower over his suzerain. "I think I know what I mean... But I do not understand why this trifle has attracted so much attention. Much less my lord's anger. It's..."

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 20:05

The knight involuntarily tightened his lips.

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 14:34

"It's a commoner. A commoner! Yes, I broke the letter of the law, but..."

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 14:34

Shotan hesitated, trying to find the right words. A straightforward and honest “Are the laws written for me?” would have sounded too frank.

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 14:53

"My dear Count,” said the young Emperor dryly. "She may be a commoner, but she is the wife of a master furrier, a virtuous and respectable lady. And even if she were the last..." Ottovio clearly held back the unworthy and uncouth “whore” ready to burst from his lips. "... a peasant, she is my subject, and she is protected by the law! I have received a complaint from the shop and the county judicature, backed up by a letter of inquiry from the court. Your guilt, alas, is undeniable. There must be consequences."

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 20:04

"Yes, of course,” agreed Shotan cautiously, thinking the boy was not stupid after all. Yes, the count had made a mistake and had not taken care that there were no witnesses, or at least their mouths were shut. There are too many people involved... But the young man gives the guilty party a chance to save face and measure out a reasonable retribution for himself. Clever!

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 14:54

"I will try to resolve the matter,” agreed the Shotan with all possible deference. "I believe a generous donation will assuage the husband's grief and cool the anger of the craftsmen."

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 14:55

"The complaint came from the wife."

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 20:01

"Then wife,” Shotan mentally frowned as he added a quarter on top of the original amount he had intended to pay for the insolent girl's claims.

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 20:02

Maybe he should just kill them. It's easier. But on the other hand, what's the fun in that? The true beauty of the patterns must pass through the years, otherwise, it's a simple knife work, vulgar and ordinary bloodletting, no better than murder in a dark alley.

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 20:03

"Count,” the Emperor's voice changed strangely, but Shotan, absorbed in grief for the burden of his creative nature, did not notice it at first.

Camrad_RIP 04.12.24 в 20:03