Селеста / Сelesta: Глава 7

Chapter 7

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 07:26

Vador stood hesitantly in front of the sewer entrance. His family had recently moved to the country, to his family, but he had spent his childhood in the city. The first thing the Taleyan boys were taught by their mothers was not to go underground. Threats, floggings, deprivation of supper, hours of standing in the corner, prohibition of walks, and other punishments invented by a stern parental mind to keep naughty children from dangerous excursions were used. But kids are kids, and almost every kid has explored the old tunnels that permeate the city at least once a year.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 10:35

If someone went missing, the Night Mistress was traditionally blamed, though there were plenty of other dangers. There were gangs of smugglers storing goods downstairs, small street bandits setting up hiding places down there, gatherings of cultists who were happy to sacrifice the occasional lost soul to Morvan. No matter how hard the guards fought the fanatics, they could not eradicate the infestation, so the secret altars of the Overlord of Hell continued to be regularly stained with freshly smoldering blood. In the sewers, you could run into little demons left over from the Plague, or meet temple troops hunting them. And there was no telling which encounter was more frightening.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:02

And yet the real masters of the Taleyan catacombs were thought to be the risen. Vampires. God forbid you to say "ghouls," they'd bite your head off in a heartbeat. They slid silently through the darkness to do their mysterious business, appearing from nowhere and disappearing without a trace, dictating terms to the tunnels' other inhabitants. The rest were guests here, and the few fools who dared oppose the order given by the red-eyed man disappeared quickly and forever. Only the undead walked everywhere, possessed a complete map of the tunnels, and did what they pleased, disregarding the displeasure of the other inhabitants of the darkness.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:04

"Come in," his guide or escort nudged him lightly in the back. "There's nothing to be afraid of. Now."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:05

Vador mentally agreed with the last statement. He couldn't imagine anything worse than a vampire's fate. The worst had indeed happened to him. "Cheering up" himself in that way, he went down the steps and followed the stranger with confidence, especially since it was easy to walk. Or was it just that the darkness from the previous night was not a hindrance to him?

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:05

They walked the stairs twice more, each time farther and farther away from the people's dwellings. The darkness grew thicker, becoming impenetrable even to the sensitive eyes of the risen, and the tunnel vaults dipped lower, forcing them to cautiously press their heads against their shoulders. Nevertheless, there were occasional traces of repair, and fresh marks of intelligent activity were visible in some places along the way. Cleared drains, chips in the stone, too new compared to the general appearance of the walls, and in one place the passage looked newly hollowed out. The longer they walked, the more inhabited and frequented the place looked.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:06

Four times they came across other risen, but no one tried to talk to Vador or his escort. They simply stared at the young man, as if trying to figure out what to expect from him. Such scrutiny was both frightening and irritating, encouraging him to either try to escape or do something stupid. At last the guide stopped in front of the sturdy oak door and looked carefully at his ward, expressing no opinion about his disheveled appearance. The instructions were simple and succinct:

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:07

"The mistress is addressed as " Mistress Celesta," and in no other way. Answer questions quickly, clearly, and briefly. I advise against lying."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:08

Then the risen knocked on wood and, although Vador heard no answer, opened the door. The guide was the first to enter, followed by the young man, timidly stepping across the threshold. To his surprise, the room was empty. Well, not entirely empty - in the middle was a large massive table, around which seven chairs were arranged in a circle, at the side was a cabinet with some papers and books, but there was no one else here. But the man who had brought him was already near the passage in the far wall, leading somewhere, and was beckoning impatiently with his hand.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:09

The young undead hurriedly followed his escort, only to find himself in a more comfortable room. At least, it was comfortable. It wasn't exactly a luxury, either, but it was clear at once that people often worked here, perhaps even lived. Though there was not much furniture and nowhere was it possible to see the usual knickknacks which give coziness and allow to judge about the nature of the owner. The Mistress. A small, young-looking girl in men's clothes, now sitting at the table with a pen in her hand and looking at the uninvited guest with detached interest.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:10

The lad was somehow confused and distraught at the sight of her. In the whispered legends, the dark mistress of the city seemed a frightening figure, surrounded by a halo of fear and awe. But here... The girl looked him straight in the eye, and the urge to argue or doubt vanished instantly. The feeling of strength and will contained in the small, fragile body made her want to kneel, to bang her head against the floor, just to avert her gaze.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:11

The escort was the first to speak:

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:11

"A newcomer, a Messena. His name is Vador. Risen today, killed a horse, came to town, met me by chance."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:12

"Commoner?" The undead put the documents aside. "It's good that he's a commoner, they're easier to deal with. How did you die, boy?"

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:13

"The bandits attacked, Mistress Celesta. I was on my way home to the village, Mistress Celesta."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:13

"It happens," the girl nodded slightly. "It's lucky the body wasn't chopped up."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:25

Only the nobility, able to perform elaborate funeral rituals or hire a priest-magician, buried their dead in their entirety. In sarcophagi, in family crypts, as required by the old memorial rites. Ordinary people got rid of the danger of a risen relative by simple means. Fire followed by ashes burial was considered the most popular, followed by beheading. When circumstances did not allow one to act according to tradition, one tried to mutilate the body as cruelly as possible: it was believed that the dead with serious wounds would not rise. Rightly so.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:26

"Lucky yeah," Celesta smiled faintly, seeing the shadow of disagreement on the boy's face. "You have a new life now. You can correct the mistakes you've made, learn to understand people, their virtues and flaws, their weaknesses and strengths. You can lead or remain in the shadows, understand the secrets of the universe or fight what you see as evil. A thousand paths have opened before you, previously impossible for a peasant boy. Think about it, Vador. Morvan has given you another chance, so don't waste it."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:28

Obeying the releasing gesture, the young risen left the room. The mistress's short speech caused confusion in his head. Until this moment, he had had no opportunity to think about his future, which he had vaguely imagined in dark colors. There was no time for reflection. Having just risen, he attacked a peasant who was sleeping in the field - he managed to swing a pitchfork - then caught up and drank the blood of the horse that had torn the harness, thereby restoring his clarity of thought. He had no intention of going to his native village. Vador understood that he would probably not make it home, and even if he did, he would not be welcomed with open arms. But there were vampires in the nearby Taleya. Hoping that he would be accepted and at least teach him something, the boy returned to town, where he met his silent escort at the nearest cemetery. And that was it.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:30

It seemed to him that if the dead rise at the will of the Master of Hell, then they were serving evil and were evil themselves. That's what he thought in those rare moments when he was distracted from his work or thinking about the charms of his young neighbor. So did the priests, and so did his parents. True, from the words of his relatives it came out that vampires, of course, are evil, but evil is familiar, understandable, and it is possible to agree with them. But all the same, Vador was not expecting anything good from a meeting with his new tribesmen. And here... He was not even beaten, as he had prepared for, not even insulted in any way. Such friendliness was a little frightening.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:31

"This way," the escort turned down a side corridor and opened a heavy door.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:57

The young-looking, dark-haired vampire stood up at their arrival and bowed politely, with dignity. His bow, of course, was not addressed to Vador at all.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 12:59

"Vador, Master Egard is before you," the still nameless warrior introduced the cell master. "He will help you enter our world. He will explain the rules, show you how to hunt, teach you how to cope with Thirst. Ask him all your questions."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:00

"Is it my turn to tutor the novice, Messen Latham?" Egard asked in surprise.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:00

"Mistress has ordered it specifically to you, master."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:01

The vampire seemed satisfied with the short answer. He politely said goodbye to the departing guide, then sat down in a comfortable chair, put a foot on his leg, and nodded to his newfound ward's chair:

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:03

"Sit down, boy. It's almost dawn, but we have time to get acquainted. Tell me a little about yourself, and then I'll explain where you're going and what to expect from fate."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:05

Hustin's underground, sewer-hidden abode could not boast the same rich tools, ingredient storage, or library as his personal laboratory in the lower tiers of the Academy, but it had an incomparably more valuable virtue. Confidentiality. There were enough skilled and interested ears in the mages' den to eavesdrop on other people's conversations. So Celesta, wishing to keep some details of the Lascaris incident secret, chose to meet here. It would have been wise to talk to the mage sooner, but she had been busy, clearing her backlog of cases, studying urgent reports of spies and analysts, and as a result, she could only find time for a serious conversation now.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:15

"It's cozy here," the risen remarked, settling comfortably into a deep armchair. "It's much cleaner, especially compared to the last time I was here. A dead servant?"

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:16

"I raised one," Hustin agreed with a chuckle. "I'm sick of rags and mops. After all, I don't think the inspectors are likely to come here."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:17

Magic of Death was closely monitored even before the Plague, but in those days it had little practical use and was considered rather a lot of philosophers. The only people who made cadavers from human or animal bodies were the few originals because such servants were inferior to artificial golems, and summoning souls from the realm of the dead was dangerous, costly, and pointless. The dead proved to be remarkably deceitful, inventive, and malicious creatures, especially if they were no strangers to magic while alive. Nevertheless, they disturbed the peace of the deceased often enough for the priests of Morvan the Judge to be concerned about the matter and to bring order in this sphere.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:21

After the world catastrophe, the situation changed. The art of invoking death was one of the few areas where wizards' efforts yielded results (the other elements stubbornly ignored invocations and refused to share their power), and as a result, a previously unpromising section began to be studied with particular zeal. Wizards, however, were watched more closely. Although the Servants of the Judge The latter were interested in all manifestations of the mystical, trying to put them at their service.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:26

"It makes sense," Celesta agreed. "I have to settle for people with erased memories, and they tend to rethink orders creatively. On the other hand, the source of blood is always at hand."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:28

The undead shrugged philosophically. As long as there was enough scum like guilty sectarians, city gang criminals who tried to steal from the city, or just plain low-life homeless people, she wasn't going to change a thing.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 13:30

"I'd like to share with you a few... observations," she went on to the subject of her visit. "It's about the events in Lascaris. Do you know what happened there?"

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 16:44

"In general terms. I know that three foreign risen invaded the city, and you killed them."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 16:45

"Yes, but they managed to finish off Zar and seriously hurt Sattar," Celesta said grimly. "He had to hide until I arrived. The strangers were a skilled mages, skilled in the ways of fire. Yes, with fire, you heard right! The bastard tried to burn me, too, but it didn't work. I'd have brought him back to Talia where I could investigate his powers, but I couldn't do it then. I had to give it to Count, and it was a good thing it wasn't to the spiders. The strangers came from the Free Cities, and I can't help but wonder if I should expect more visitors. Not just stupid ghouls with a thirst for blood, but vampires who consciously, thoughtfully explore their capabilities."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 16:48

Hustin thought a little.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 16:48

"All serious wizards research the undead - it's a very interesting topic. I'm referring to those in the civil service. But the resources of the independent mages, as far as I know, are limited... A self-taught talent?"

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 16:54

"Based on the results of the interrogation, it seems so," the girl agreed with the assumption. "But there are a few things that confuse me. The vampires there have customs, unwritten laws, a certain structure, and the young undead are often apprenticed to the older ones. The fool I caught in Lascaris suffered not so much because he was fascinated with magic, but because of his tainted relations with almost every influential person. If he had been a little more diplomatic, no one knows who would have escaped, him or his enemies."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 16:56

"Rumor has it that there are Masters of the Night in those lands," the mage recalled. "Perhaps we should find out more about them?"

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 16:57

Celesta knew much more about the Masters of the Night than her interlocutor did. She gathered information about her kin wherever she could, and it was only natural that the gossip that merchants brought in about the strong undead communities in the west should have interested her. True, nothing concrete could be learned. There were one or more factions that acted harshly, decisively, and bloodily, but it was impossible to get more detailed information - too far away. Celesta had few personal agents on or off the steppe, and she didn't trust those people.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 16:58

"Could you through Tyrann, find out what the situation is with the undead in those parts?" either asked or commanded the undead. "I don't want to keep distracting Latham and Zerwan from Taleya, I need them here."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 17:03

"Of course, I'll talk to the teacher," Hustin nodded.

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 17:04

"That's fine. Then the second question..." The girl shook her glass thoughtfully, trying to find the exact wording. "After that fight, I got a lot stronger. Much stronger. I don't need blood as much, I don't need daytime sleep as badly, I don't need as much energy to use my powers anymore. And the energy has increased dramatically, in a leap. Do you have any idea what caused it?"

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 17:09

The magician leaned forward:

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 17:09

"Have you stepped up to the next stage?"

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 17:10

"I don't know," Celesta said hesitantly. "I thought the transition was supposed to be gradual."

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 17:10

"Not absolutely," Hustin's eyes lit up with fanatical fire. "With me, Medea, or Zerwan the process is gradual, but in special circumstances, the body can speed up the second initiation. Have you been using your abilities to the limit a lot lately?"

Camrad_RIP 10.02.22 в 17:11