Ойкумена / Oikumena: Глава 19

"Excuse me," Curzio turned to Biel. "An urgent dispatch. The kind that is read even on the deathbed."

Camrad_RIP 08.06.25 в 15:24

He expected displeasure, but the marchioness nodded with an extremely serious expression and limited herself to a short phrase, and, it seemed, completely sincerely, without a shadow of sarcasm:

Camrad_RIP 08.06.25 в 15:08

"I understand. Business comes first."

Camrad_RIP 08.06.25 в 15:08

Curzio dismissed the raven cage manager, opened the tiny cylinder, and unrolled a thin sheet of parchment, seemingly translucent. He squinted at the brief, unencrypted—against all rules!—message. Only the composure forged over many years kept the emissary from hurling ornate curses. He looked at the Marchioness and, after a moment's hesitation, silently handed her the scrap of paper containing the message. Biel shook her head.

Camrad_RIP 23.02.26 в 09:42

"No."

Camrad_RIP 08.06.25 в 16:12

She took a step towards her interlocutor and, with a light movement, touched his cheek.

Camrad_RIP 08.06.25 в 16:03

"I've long since stopped feeling the need to assert myself by forcing a man to choose between me and urgent business. You want me, that's obvious. And if some concern still forces you to refuse my company, then something extraordinary has happened. I don't intend to humiliate you or myself by testing whether the reason is truly so important. Get to work, and when you're done, send me word. I think it's my turn to return the favor next time. Don't see me out."

Camrad_RIP 23.02.26 в 09:45

But, one way or another, Biel Wartensleben is right about one thing, as is Ishten, the creator of heaven and light. Something extraordinary has happened.

Camrad_RIP 08.06.25 в 16:10

He cursed, however, with all his heart. He reread the urgent dispatch and carefully burned it in the flame of a candle, scattering the ashes. Then he sat alone, surrounded by old things and fragments of the past, to think for a long time.

Camrad_RIP 08.06.25 в 16:04

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Camrad_RIP 02.06.25 в 20:31