Селеста / Сelesta: Глава 13

Chapter 13

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 10:49

"Father, more metal has been brought in. Where should we put it?"

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 12:28

"It's up to you," Tarrasch grumbled. "You're not little kids anymore."

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 12:28

The assistants tried to avoid the foreman today, as did the other workers of the forge. They knew that when the foreman was silent and burdening others with work, it was better not to disturb him. Otherwise, you might get a slap on the wrist. Tarrasch is tough, strict, but he doesn't let his people get hurt.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 13:02

The mighty and not yet old man wondered what to do. Before, he had always had a clear goal of keeping his family together. Clan. The northerners still lived in clans, unlike the fussy and irascible Salves. They were considered barbarians and savages by some for their adherence to their grandfathers' customs, but few dared to speak hurtful words to their faces. In the North, they preferred their own food to imported ones, made many things for the house themselves, and did not buy milk in stores, but took it from domestic goats. One wonders how it is now. The family arrived in Taleya just before the Plague - to celebrate the enrollment of their youngest son in the most prestigious University, and stayed for good. Tarrasch, after the magic had ceased to work and the railroad trains became motionless carcasses, decided not to embark on the distant and perilous journey. His family found a more comfortable place and settled in the city if the gods so wished.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 13:05

The first two years we lived on a starvation diet, fighting off the neighborhood gangs and the magical creations that proliferated every day. Only four of their kin died. Then the Duke came and put things in order. Everything seemed to calm down, and life slowly began to go back to normal. Until one-day Hustin disappeared. They searched for him for three days, questioned everyone, visited both guards and bandits, but found nothing. On the third night, the son came himself. Dirty, tired, covered in blood... Not alive.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 13:13

The youngest did not lose his mind, he quickly understood what was happening to him and told his father. They began to think about how to proceed. The blacksmith did not wish to kill his son. Ghoul or no Ghoul, he was kin to him all the same. Blood of his own, what can you say. He could not stay in the house long: sooner or later someone would spill the beans or nosy neighbors would spy on him and inform the guards. It is doubly dangerous: first of all, no one knows how long Hustin can keep himself, whether he will not attack his family. Secondly, the servants of the Darkness, people were afraid and the connection with them could cut out the whole family mercilessly. He had to go to the Pit, whether he wanted to or not, so he wouldn't have to expose the others.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 13:15

Soon there will be no more the Pit. They'll clean it up.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 13:16

It's about time the ghouls came. Too timely. Maybe it was timing on purpose. Knew who they would meet? Master grudgingly looked at another workpiece, put it aside, rubbed his face tiredly. He couldn't decide what to expect from the unexpected visitors, good or bad, he couldn't guess. From all indications, the meeting was useful: let them tell Hastin about their lives, help them get settled, teach them everything. Rod will pay, if necessary. The girls - though what kind of girls they are, probably more people have been killed than he had ever seen corpses in his life - are connected with complicated people, they buy equipment for some reason, which means they have their own business. Looks like they've managed to get a foothold in the city.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 13:20

There are rumors of ghouls, but just rumors. None of Tarrasch's acquaintances in the city had seen an undead man since the winter before last. No bodies had been found with their throats torn out, either - so Celesta wasn't lying, trying not to get too much blood on herself. What was it she said: "hunting"? We've seen hunters like that before. The master scratched the scar on his collarbone and grinned wryly: he wasn't frightened of ghouls.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 13:25

Tarrasch decided that next time he would let the girls in. There is a lot to talk about.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 13:26

Richard lovingly stroked the badge of a half-soldier on his sleeve. Not in vain, oh not in vain, he made gifts to staff officers! The other leaders who had agreed to transfer to the Duke's service were accepted as junior commanders at best, with many having some of their men transferred to someone else's command. The exception was the damned Black Mash, who was at once appointed centurion and "in charge of relations with the independent groups". Simply put, the bandits who did not fit into the expanded structure of the guards intended to be used as scouts, voyageurs, temporary guards for prisoners. In any army, there would be dirty work that needed to be done, but it was not worth assigning to ordinary units. Mash will have to keep an eye on all these volunteers - he will serve as an intermediary between the most savage units and the officers' top ranks.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 14:43

A rich position.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 14:44

/"All right, I'll get lucky," thought the former ringleader. - They've given me a rank, they've given me an allowance, and they're promising me a nice piece of land for the estate. It should be sweetened so that they do not forget. Say, Viscount So is collecting paintings. I have one, we'll present it.

Camrad_RIP 13.01.22 в 14:12

The borders of the government-owned territory had imperceptibly widened recently, so Richard was smuggling without the help of ghouls. Why use them when most of the posts had moved to the suburbs, and a third of the guards had moved there? Those who remained were on duty by inertia, all of them expecting the Great Hunt to begin soon. The inhabitants of Pit also sensed the change in their fortunes and shuddered to hide in plain sight. They seldom ventured out, except to trade what they could find for food, and some sought shelter in the villages surrounding the city. Their situation was not much different from that of slaves.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 15:26

In short, Richard had many reasons to rejoice and only one to grieve. The commander of the hundred and his immediate superior despised the former bandits who fell into his subordination and did not hesitate to express his attitude. He was particularly irritated by the nobles, forced by circumstances to deviate slightly from the rigid code of honor. Where the duke dug it from, Richard did not know: such living relics of past eras were rare. The chieftain had no intention of enduring the taunts of a man who had sat cowardly behind the high walls of the palace citadel for a year, and he informed them of this in as refined a manner as possible. The feud had taken an open form, with only discipline preventing the duel from taking place. All that remained was to endure the nagging and wait for the right moment to get rid of the arrogant bastard once and for all. The centurion had enough enemies, so he wouldn't have to wait long.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 15:29

Richard remembered the undead acquaintances and the old conversation about the abandoned monastery. He had long wondered what lurked in the old sanctuary, why Celeste had persisted in inquiring about the state of the temple. Perhaps she was telling the truth and dangerous creatures of the same breed did dwell there. But Richard was willing to bet his hand that there was some other reason for questioning the ghoul. It would be a good idea to rummage through the cellars to see what things the current owners had stashed away for their needs. The ghouls sleep during the day, so there's no threat.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 15:32

The leader made a notation in his memory, promising to visit the monastery the first chance he got.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 15:32

Celesta felt the stares Medea cast against her skin, and she wished she could visit Hastin that night. But, gritting her teeth, she went about her current business. She preferred to put the tit in its cage before trying to catch the crane. The equipment had to be hauled, Stash had to help organize the laboratory, Laskash had to be visited, and the names of people whose plight would make them agree to work as an innkeeper in the establishment to be organized. Exactly draw him out: the boy gave out information willingly, but haphazardly.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 15:45

Celesta intended to look for the "front face" of the tavern among the poor. She wanted a middle-aged man, moderately active, rude, cruel, desperate. Definitely with family, for extra leverage. The slums were filled with all kinds of people - there were bound to be some suitable candidates. People continued to make their way to Taleya, though the main flow of refugees had long since ebbed. There were some very curious individuals among them. Most of them settled among the lower strata of urban society, eventually becoming "state serfs. The most active, however, had the opportunity to become someone higher up. Artisans, former fishermen were doing well, and peasants and agronomists could also rise to prominence. Celesta hoped to find someone who wasn't too shifty and cunning: she needed a reliable and faithful contractor.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 15:48

The Morvanite lunatics were understandably out of the picture.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 15:54

"Maybe we should look among the refugees?" Medea tentatively suggested.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 15:55

"All the refugees are in the villages, strengthening the country's agriculture," Celesta joked grimly. "It's a lot of work to ransom them. No, we need a simple man. Stash!"

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 16:28

"Yes, Dark Mistress," the alchemist ran up and bowed.

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 16:29

"What happens to people who have just arrived in Taleya? Here they came to the patrol, rejoiced, rested a bit... What is their further fate?"

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 16:44

"Mostly they agree to accept full allegiance and become servants of the Duke," the Morvanite answered eagerly. "Former subjects of the Duchy of Taleya are said to continue to serve Dinir. The oath of allegiance has not been revoked. Those who refuse are sent to the villages. Those who remain in the city are assigned to their communities; if one has a useful skill, one is assigned to a craftsman."

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 16:46

"I'm interested in ordinary people. Is there someplace, some kind of filter, where they wait for the authorities to decide?"

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 16:47

"No, mistress," Stash shook his head after a little thought. "The system is fine-tuned, the injunctions are issued very quickly."

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 16:48

"That's a shame. It looks like it's going to take longer than I expected. When will the first batch be ready?"

Camrad_RIP 11.01.22 в 16:49

"With the Lord's help, the fermentation process will be complete within four days," the alchemist smiled. "If Mistress will allow me, I dare to suggest some additives, making the consequences of taking the product more severe for the human body. It will be harder to quit the drug..."

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 06:42

"Not now, Stash. First we'll sell the first batch, then we'll experiment. But I appreciate your zeal, you serve our Lord faithfully."

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 06:42

"Glory to Morvan!"

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 06:45

"Glory!"

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 06:45

Not a single conversation with the Morvanites was without such dialogues. The fanatics had to be constantly praised and supervised, so that they would not do anything with rabid enthusiasm.

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:13

"I'll go talk to the people in the poor quarters," Medea stood up. She had more contact with informants and could get the right name more quickly.

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:18

"Yes, go ahead. You don't have to hurry: it's better to take your time and choose a more reliable contractor. We still have to look for money to set up."

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:19

It sounds idiotic, but money was in short supply again. We were out. The last pennies had gone to pay for the drug-distilling equipment she'd bought. Celeste expected to use the proceeds to build and furnish the joint. But first, it might not be enough, and second, she had to live on something. To buy clothes, to which Medea was a great lover, to pay informants, to support the Morvanites. The cultists wanted money, too: their loyalty must be backed by gifts.

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:21

Fate itself compels me to bow to Fakasius for a new order. The ghoul squinted slightly, showing no further displeasure. She considered His Holiness the last person worth knowing about her problems. He's like a shark: When he smells blood, he tends to tear into weakened prey.

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:28

In an effort to get the job done as soon as possible and to get the promised payment, the girl entered the brothel. They didn't pay any attention to her at first - well, she made a mistake, she would leave as she came. The guard who stepped in the way smiled broadly, running his experienced gaze over the figure hidden by a deaf cloak:

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:29

"Come to work, girl?"

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:30

"Yeah. Lead me to His Holiness, he's supposed to be here today."

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:31

The broad-shouldered man became instantly alert:

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:39

"What the Holiness. There are no such people here!"

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:40

"Soon you won't be here," the strange visitor snickered. "LEAD."

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:41

The power in the stranger's voice made the man recoil in fright. As if drunk and staggering, he staggered into the back of the place, pointing the way. They walked down a long, richly furnished corridor with many doors - some of them making noises and smells - before the effects of the psychic shock passed. The man, however, continued on his way, judging rightly that his elders knew best. If the wench had come to this place in vain, right now she would regret her impudence. The cellar they came to had a bad reputation with the workers.

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:45

The guard at the entrance also became wary of Celeste. He did not know who the girl was, what her business was with the owner. He had only seen them meet a few times. And Fakasius showed respect and even some fear of the short brat, flattering himself in front of her as if she were an important figure of the nobility. But the fighter had no intention of letting her inside either. The reason why Holiness was in the brothel today was not that it was uncommon, just that outsiders were not supposed to see it.

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:46

"Forgive me, mistress." The guard prudently bowed, gesturing the escort away beforehand. "The master is a little busy at the moment. Would you mind waiting?"

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:47

From behind the tightly closed door, inaudible to the human ear, came voices. The first one, loud and shrill, said something unhappily. The fat man's answering voice murmured a familiar, smooth, shorthand. There was a vibe of pain and agitation and despair, and the smell of blood and sweat and human semen was strong in the air. Celesta snorted slightly:

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:48

"Yeah, I don't feel like going inside. I'll wait here," she nodded to another door closer to the exit. "When this lowlife is gone, get Fakasius in here."

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:49

"Mistress, here..."

Camrad_RIP 12.01.22 в 07:50