Селеста / Сelesta: Глава 7

Chapter 7

Camrad_RIP 04.01.22 в 20:45

Sullenly going through the things for sale, Andrew wondered how a real woman in any situation manages to remain a woman. At the same time, he glanced sideways at the object that gave him the reason for such thoughts - simply speaking, at Medea.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:08

It's a funny picture. Medea's demeanor, having learned of her male companion's identity, changed for a while. Her movements began to show a certain slyness, flirtatiousness, almost coquetry, and eye-rolling. If she'd been asked directly, she would have vehemently denied it, but deep down she felt an unconscious desire to seduce her friend. Not because she fell in love: just the presence of a "man" who is not subject to her charms, not feeling admiration for her stunning beauty, perceived the former singer as a challenge. She did not accept a purely "working" relationship with the opposite sex.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:13

Fortunately, circumstances greatly interfered with the intended game. The road to the new monastery was difficult, and Andrew's attitude gave no reason for an easy affair. He simply did not care about the processes taking place in the graceful head of his companion, he was entirely focused first on the search for a new home, then he arranged his life, looking for a way to get into the port... And then Medea became quiet. She came to her senses. Re-perceived Celesta as a female friend, not a man of exotic appearance. She calmed down to the minute when she heard the story about the night meeting with the wounded bandit leader.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:15

And now, sitting in front of a big piece of mirror, she was putting on her makeup. She washed in a tin trough, braided her long hair into a hairstyle, blackened her eyelashes and eyebrows with charcoal, and carefully trimmed her fingernails. Wanted to put some red crap on her lips, Andrew told her not to: too unpleasant associations. A ghoul, after all. Richard's personality was scrutinized through a huge number of questions - the bandit must have been exhausted from such attention. Medea explained her interest simply:

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:21

The more you know about a man, the better chance you have of taking him warm.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:22

The wording of the reply Celesta received made her laugh.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:22

"Are you hoping to seduce him? Why?"

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:24

"Why seduce right away? Seduction has to be earned... I just want to talk to a nice person, chat about this and that, laugh, flirt a little." She paused, then in a different, gloomy tone added: "I'm sick of looking at people as food. Tired of the filth, of the stench. No, let this Richard see me not as a dead bloodsucker, but as a beautiful, intelligent woman. Then he would want to meet again and again."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:29

The epithet " nice," in Celeste's opinion, was the least appropriate for the supposed partner. He was a dangerous predator, no less deadly than the ghoul herself, and there was no telling whose hands had more blood on them. Around the bandit, even when wounded, you had to keep your guard up if you were to give him the slightest chance to strike. From the glances he cast, such thoughts crossed his mind. It was hard to pretend to be calm and relaxed. One involuntarily wanted to stay away from the man.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:30

A whole week had passed since the parting, and the agreed deadline had arrived. The agreed time was enough for, firstly, Richard to heal a little, and, secondly, to get the information the girls were interested in. Celesta appointed an old park with broken fountains, surrounded by dilapidated houses, as a meeting place. The main advantage of the park, which determined her choice, was its underground water supply system, which had a lot of outlets to the surface. The ghouls had discovered it soon after their arrival in the harbor district judging by the amount of dirt and untouched dust, people hadn't gone down into the sewers. It's a convenient spot. If the bandits wanted to set a trap, the quick and quiet undead would have the advantage in the ruins. It's hard for a living creature to hide from a ghoul's keen hearing and night vision, but still, an experienced hunter has a chance to go unnoticed. In that case, they'll have to flee, and a hidden passage is the best way to do it.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:33

Andrew estimated the probability of an ambush at sixty to forty. That is forty percent for and sixty percent against. On his side played the advantageous offer to the gang, the possibility of useful cooperation in the future, and Richard's character. From her conversation with him, she judged him to be a man cynical and adventurous enough to ally with the enemies of his kind to achieve his ends. On the other hand, he could also betray at any moment as soon as further partnership seemed pointless to him. Besides, the king is made by the entourage. Richard is sure to share the circumstances of his salvation with his inner circle of friends, and no one knows what they will advise.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:34

"If he deceives me, I'll exterminate his gang one by one," Celeste summed up the grim reflection. "I'll run away, wait six months, then come back, and make a bloodbath."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:37

"We don't know how we'll survive the winter," Medea said skeptically. "Last year people froze to death. It even snowed once. Fishermen feared to go to sea: food is not enough, a lot of mutants multiplied, the guards of the port did not show their noses. This winter, I feel, everything will be different."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:38

The mild Mediterranean climate of Taleya accustomed its inhabitants to waiting for the grace of nature, and the harsh weather for local latitudes claimed many lives. Mostly due to the lack of warm clothing and the consequent frequent illnesses. Although hunger has also taken its toll: outbreaks of cannibalism were everywhere last year. In any case, interrogated prisoners often confessed to eating their kind, sometimes repeatedly. Nowadays people were rarely killed for meat.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:39

There were persistent rumors of a community that practiced dark rituals, including cannibalistic ones. Quite true rumors, in the opinion of both girls. The prophets and self-appointed priests had recently enjoyed enormous authority among all strata of society, ironically enough, which had partially retained its former organization. Sects proliferated to all tastes. The most delusional ideas were passed off as divine revelation and found enthusiastic admirers; many gangs consisted of one "inspired" madman and his flock. The battles between them had long since become commonplace, and to fall into the hands of fanatics meant death.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:43

"Okay." Celeste checked clothes, weapons, goods one last time. She put the heavy bale on her back and jumped around a bit. She had counted heavily on today's meeting and was therefore worried. "Enough guessing. Let's go."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:43

"Say a prayer to the patroness - let her help," asked her friend seriously.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:45

"To whom, Celeste the goddess? I haven't seen any help from her before."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:45

"You're alive," Medea objected logically. "The gods rarely perform obvious miracles, usually they point the right way or grant good fortune in matters. A little luck in an hour or two won't hurt at all."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:46

"It is better to count on yourself, not on a mythical aunt with superpowers. Then you'll know exactly who to blame if anything happens." In the eyes of the locals, Andrew's statement stretched to the revolution and immediate execution.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:47

Medea sighed habitually, rolled her eyes to the dark sky, and silently prayed to Morvan, asking him not to punish the empty-headed woman. Celesta did not mean any harm. Just does not understand that she was here and now is not accidental, for there is no accident at all. She was brought. Called. Someone powerful, someone with power over souls, with an unknown purpose, put the mind of an alien-human into a dead body.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:47

Who else but God?

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:48

They went to the park just after sunset and checked the area first thing. It seemed clear, there was no one around. All the time on the road, Andrew thought about the upcoming meeting, and as a result, as they say, "overexcite" himself. Therefore, the absence of observers frightened him, because it forced him to assume that the insistent invitation Richard ignored and chose to stay away from the ghoul. The decision is wise, correct, but for the girls, it is extremely disadvantageous. In such a case, it would be necessary to look for a new agent, unnecessary rumors about the presence of the living dead in the lands previously considered safe, the hunt would become more difficult. The prey itself might try to catch the predator. Then it would be necessary to leave the beloved burrow for a longer period than originally intended and immediately move to another area.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:51

Was the man not greedy enough or too careful? At first glance, he seemed to be a cruel, unscrupulous person, with a tendency to take risky steps. Andrew knew what to look at, he had a wealth of practical experience in terms of psychology. True, somewhat monotonous. Usually, people next to the undead or other monsters experienced either horror or burning rage, few dared to speak quietly. That was why Richard was valuable because he reacted unconventionally.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:54

Before the appointed time, the ghouls had time to do more than just walk around the neighborhood. It would be more accurate to say that they had touched every inch of ground. There was nothing else to do but wait. And hope. The remaining two hours lasted much longer than usual for the nervous girls. Celesta stood motionless as a statue, her stony calm only occasionally disturbed by a slight movement of her chest. The rebels needed air, but not as much as the humans alive. Medea chattered, hiding her excitement behind her cheerful speech. She reminisced, told amusing sketches of bohemian life, occasionally pulling her friend to get one-word answers out of her. The listener's token attention suited her just fine.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 11:59

Finally, about half an hour before the appointed time, footsteps were heard in the distance. The city was unusually quiet tonight: only the strange silence and the tension of Celesta's presence allowed her to distinguish the slight shuffling of footsteps. People, close, two of them.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:14

"Someone is coming."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:14

Medea was momentarily silent and wary, too:

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:16

"Is this them?"

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:16

"From the sound of it, yes. One has a shuffling gait, and Richard is wounded."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:17

"Did he take only one assistant with him?"

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:18

"When meeting with ghouls, you should take those closest to you, those whom you trust as you trust yourself. You can never have too many of them." She paused for a moment, then said, "If it's Richard. And if we didn't notice the ambush."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:22

"We checked everything, there are no intruders here."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:22

The younger undead shrugged:

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:23

"Maybe they'll come up later." Then she began to command, determining for the last time the course of action. "Now I'll bring them here, ask them questions, introduce them to you. Then I'll make one more run around the neighborhood. You trade weapons for rags and food stamps..."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:27

"Dinirs."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:27

"Let the dinirs, just make the exchange. The main thing is to try to get as many rumors and gossip as you can, to spin the men for information. And for God's sake, remain vigilant. If anything happens, I won't be able to come to your aid right away."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:28

"Don't worry about it." Medea shook her shoulder irritably. "Everything will be all right."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:30

Celeste walked lightly, trying to pick her way through the darkest corners of the park. She should have welcomed the dear - no joke - guests, led them to the right place, found out who the bandit leader had brought with him. The moon in this world was small and dim, but starlight on a cloudless day was enough for the human eye. Local astrologers were particularly fond of the four incredibly bright "stars," which were the closest planets, and we're dedicated, according to tradition, to each of the elemental lords. Whom they would denote now, after the disappearance of the forces of their masters, it is not clear. Andrew believed that inertness of thought would play its role and people would not change either the names or the occult meanings of each of the planets.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:33

The ghoul approached the people at just the right time.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:45

"Careful, the hatch."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:49

In response, there was the rustle of weapons being drawn, and the two male figures froze, peering into the darkness of the gap between the two rows of sprawling bushes. The woman's voice did not respond to the aggression, just as calmly said.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:50

"I see you didn't come alone, Richard?"

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:51

After a moment's hesitation, the first man put his sword away. The second warrior reluctantly obeyed his elder's sign, but didn't hide his weapon, just pointed it at the ground.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:51

"Celesta? Is that you?"

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:52

"Were you expecting someone else?" The slender figure suddenly moved out the other side of the room, not at all where the shaken people expected it to come from. "Follow me. And watch your step."

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:55

Richard swallowed involuntarily. The two undead, standing side by side, were as different as night and day. The one he first met, Celesta, looked like a fragile and delicate flower, enchanting with its weightless beauty. There was something unreal, foreign about her. Small, slender, dressed in an incomprehensible patchy cloak, she might appear to an outsider as a harmless, unfortunate refugee in need of protection. The first impression passed with a glance at her movements-strong, thrifty, self-assured. Although Richard had no illusions about her ability to kill from the start, the girl had proven her cruelty and survivability when they first met.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:58

The second... Hair the color of thick honey, perfect body shape, not hidden by any rags, perfect face with mockingly and slyly curved lips. Huge blue eyes, at the very bottom of which occasionally flickered tiny red dots. The unknown woman stood slightly behind her companion's shoulder, towering over her by half a head, and regarded the men with interest. Who were suddenly acutely aware of the days-old stubble on their chins, the smell of their own bodies, and their hair sticky with dirt. Borak beside him snorted embarrassedly.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:59

The goddess smiled.

Camrad_RIP 05.01.22 в 12:59