Селеста / Сelesta: Глава 12

Chapter 12

Camrad_RIP 16.02.22 в 16:18

In a certain way, the night is more full of life than the day. The darkness brings out, makes the events within it shine brighter, hiding the unimportant features and leaving the bare essence behind. Late-night wagons drive along the roads, their rumbling wheels drowning out the quiet prayer of a merchant frightened by the howl of wolves, or the drunken song of a carriage driver. In the tavern, there is music and dancing, the occasional clatter of bones interspersed with square brawls, and more rarely, the sound of wheezing from a slit throat. The bed on which the happy newlyweds conceive their first-born child creaks softly. The guards' lats clink, the whites of their eyes flash mockingly in the darkened lanes, and their scornful words are slow to whisper. Those who have ears shall hear...

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 07:40

It was not that Hustin often went to the city, but he did not like to sit idly at the Academy either. A childhood spent in a large mountain village was not conducive to turning a sturdy, healthy boy into a bookworm, and most of the habits of life remained after the rise. Sharp wit and natural curiosity seamlessly intertwined in the personality of one of the oldest vampires of Taleya with a willingness to adventure and the ability to wait, forming a complex, but an extremely useful fusion of qualities. So now, instead of appealing to a respected leader about a minor problem, Hustin chose to deal with the matter personally. It's not hard for him, and it's nice for his family.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 07:42

The clan remained one of the meanings of his after-life. His father, mother, brothers, nephews, and even nephews' grandchildren had died long ago, but blood is blood, and one should never forget one's own. The townspeople do not understand this. So the descendants of the Highlanders, who had come to Taleya just before the Plague to support a relative who had been admitted to the university, preferred to live in the suburbs as a close-knit community. The clan had a large estate there, granted by personal order of the Duke, and thus not subject to land taxation; the head of the family had the title of " a man full of spiritual support," that is, he belonged to the upper class of the lower nobility, and the income was also at a decent level. All this came about largely thanks to Hustin, who influenced the aristocrats because of his position. Specific and unstable, but nevertheless.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 07:44

The fact that Morvan's servant was not supposed to be a guardian angel did not embarrass the sorcerer. He was happy to help relatives, comfort the elderly, goes into the details of the adults' family life, and spoil the children with gifts during his secret visits.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 07:44

And sometimes he helped solve delicate issues.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 07:45

He ducked into a dead alleyway, waved his hand toward an inconspicuous back alley, with his fingers marked in the usual way, and confidently opened the wooden door at the very end of the house. He had been here more than once. The place served as a kind of "palace" of one of the capital's gangs, inherited from one deceased ringleader to another. It so happened that the owners of an inconspicuous little house in a low-prestige neighborhood, if they ever died of violent causes - or rather, not "if", but "when", with rare exceptions - they were killed elsewhere. Not in the house itself. In those cases where the owners of a bandit's palace tried to kill them in their rightful dwelling, the attempts have always failed. Criminals are superstitious and observant people, so they soon noticed the connection and drew unambiguous conclusions.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 07:49

A shabby door, along with a long corridor, with walls covered with century-old paint and cobwebs, which looked as old as the ruling dynasty, led to a fairly spacious hall, bearing some traces of old amenities. Hustin didn't stay long. A frail old man, seated at the roughly folded hearth, jumped up with unexpected agility and, bowing momentarily, escorted his visitor to the second floor. It was probably because of his reaction that the two thugs lurking in the shadows were reluctant to get to know the guest.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 07:49

The second floor of the building looked completely different. The cleanliness, the thick mosaic carpets on the floor, and the carved doors made of precious Scandian wood pleased the eye and shouted loudly of the owner's wealth. This luxury was not excessive. Unlike most of his predecessors, the current owner of the house had good taste and did not want to wallow in gold.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 07:50

"I am glad to welcome you, Master, to my humble abode. It's been a long time since you came to see me."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 07:51

Rushd's appearance was remarkable. A tall, slender, muscular man in his forties, with regular features, piercing blue eyes, and a short black goatee had broken more than one woman's heart, causing the fair sex to do stupid things. The small scar on his right cheekbone in no way spoiled the charm of the predatory male beauty, only enhancing the impression he made. In fact, he had obtained his current position by seducing the former ringleader's favorite concubine and persuading her to finish off her master. What became of the girl afterward, Hustin was not interested, but it is unlikely something good.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 09:47

"The occasion did not appear..." The sorcerer sat down in the prepared chair.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 09:47

"Alas, you're right," Rushd regretfully agreed. "The order could have been fulfilled much earlier. But you know what's going on in Carmee!"

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 09:48

"An ordinary civil war. In the barbarian kingdoms, they happen almost once a generation. By our standards, of course."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 12:48

A generation in Taleya was considered the average length of a monarch's reign. Sixty years, sometimes more. Aristocrats in general lived long lives, conceived children late, and often preferred to die in battle as soon as they felt decrepitude approaching. Cheerful strong men of a hundred years of age, leading young beauties to the altar, did not surprise anyone here. Why? He still has half a century of active life, he has time to continue the family and bring up children, and then he can retire. If only he had enough money for the services of an experienced magician and the internal reserve, feeding the spells of rejuvenation, was available in the right amount.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 12:48

"I'm more interested," Hustin continued, "should I rely on further supplies, or should I look for other sources?"

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:00

"Does a dead leaf grow anywhere else?" The bandit was genuinely surprised.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:00

"No, but there are always substitutes. With the same properties, only of worse quality. However, I would prefer to work exactly with a "dead leaf" - the other ingredients have some unpleasant features."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:04

"What kind?"

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:04

"It doesn't matter. So?"

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:15

"Well," the owner of the house thought and shrugged, "why not? They wouldn't fight forever, would they? In any case, there are always a dozen fellows willing to risk it for a good price. Only the price tag will go up a bit, Master."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:16

"How much?"

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:17

"Half."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:17

Hustin was silent for ten seconds, estimating the possible income and expenses, and then nodded accordingly. He could sell some of the potions he made to people for a profit, the Academy would buy some secretly, some orders were received from Gardoman. The vampire brethren had also asked him to make some for their own use, and Celesta would pay for them. The rest will go for personal use.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:19

"The cost of the rest of the list will not change?" Not so much asked as affirmed by him.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:21

"No, everything is the same."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:24

Rushd leaned back and tugged on the string hanging on the wall, his keen ears picking up the ringing of the bell in the next room. Almost immediately he heard footsteps. Heavily panting, the huge bodyguard brought in the iron-clad trunk and, obediently, placed it beside his guest. He turned slightly in his chair, and the lid of the trunk swung open, revealing a chest full of coils and sacks of linen.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:40

People reacted differently to the obvious sorcery. The guard flinched slightly, his cheekbones marked a little more sharply on his face, and his hand involuntarily waved, revealing the urge to grasp the sword hanging from his belt. At his master's signal, he left the room with little more haste than befitting his proprietor. Not that the strong, experienced man was afraid but rather relieved. Such behavior did not surprise Hustin; he was used to it, but Rushd's feelings were worth pondering. The bandit leader looked at the wizard's actions with a mixture of eager longing and fierce disgust whenever he witnessed a display of his powers. It was as if he had seen something beautiful and terrible at the same time, appealing and repulsive at the same time. There was something personal about his attitude toward the magic that his servants did not have.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:44

In general, upon close acquaintance the bandit turned out to be an interesting person: he was not afraid of witchcraft, loved the cleanliness, unlike most of his kind, to religious prohibitions treated with hidden irony. Hustin tried to find out about his past but constantly forgot, losing the fight with routine or not wanting to break away from his research.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 13:46

"Perfect." The goods were thoroughly examined before a mutually satisfactory verdict was reached: "As always, the quality is excellent."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:14

Frankly, there was no need to check, it was just that he didn't want to change the centuries-old order. The criminals knew who ruled the nighttime Taleya, and the bandits rarely tried to deceive the risen. But they did try. Some of them succeeded, and the rest served as a visual aid in the study of human stupidity.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:16

"Money at the same address?"

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:19

"No, something had changed." Hustin took two scrolls out of his pocket, unfolded one, signed it, and placed it on the writing table. "A check from the First Bank of Lanaka, payable to bearer, so you can go yourself, or send someone else. And this is a list of what I hope to get in the next shipment."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:25

Rushd ran his eyes over the text and noted:

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:26

"Quite a lot. Three times more than usual."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:27

"I want to make a supply. I'm hoping for your connections."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:30

"Of course," smiled the bandit and smuggler. "Everything will be done in the best way. Although I can't help noting that my connections are far from yours."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:34

"Are you referring to the bankers?" Hustin sniggered. "It's nothing. Don't you invest in legitimate businesses yourself? Yes, your main, uh, "business" is illegal, but there are savings for a rainy day."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:36

"They are much smaller than I would like them to be."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:38

"Don't be so glum," the risen grimaced slightly. "I don't meddle in Zervan's affairs, but I know for a fact that the income from his activities has increased lately."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:42

No matter how hard Rushd tried, the mention of the vampire collecting taxes from the city's criminals made him flinch. There was a reason for that. The self-appointed custodian of the bandit's coffers was beating out money with an iron hand, ruthlessly suppressing any sign of dissatisfaction. True, not everyone got his attention. There were some spheres of activity, to enter which the "spiders" imposed a strict ban, and no matter how Zervan licked his eyes, could not do anything. However, regular payments for smuggling, brothel maintenance, drug dealing, and banal robbery brought a good income.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:51

"Master Zervan increased the rate the month before last, hence the increase," Rushd grumbled.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:51

Hustin smiled:

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:52

"Not only that. You wouldn't deny that you've expanded the scope of your work a bit, would you? Or maybe the people who came to the Muddy Mines don't work for you?"

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:53

"We just wanted to offer security services," the bandit paled slightly. "You know how many lawless people there are on the roads. I don't go into other people's territory, no way!"

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:53

"Of course. Savat got the badge for that area, didn't he?"

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 14:56

"Uh, actually, the Muddy Mines is kind of a nobody's land."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 15:00

"Well. The deposit in the Mines is small, the ore there is poor, but it is close to the Capital. Transport costs are practically zero, and you can sell the metal directly to smiths, without intermediaries. Would a place like that go unnoticed?" The vampire leaned forward slightly, catching his interlocutor's gaze. "Take my kind advice, don't meddle with it again."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 15:04

Rushd swallowed. Hustin could not match Celesta's talent for the suggestion, but he had some skills. And now he was sure he'd made his point to the bandit in its entirety, so to speak, of the consequences. Now that the warning had been given, it was up to Rushd whether he would listen to reason, or risk it, too greedy to take it. Though the latter was unlikely-no one in his position was foolish.

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 15:05

"And if you think about it," continued the sorcerer, "you shouldn't collect taxes. It's not your thing. You can earn ten times as much from smuggling if you have such amazing ability to deceive the customs officials."

Camrad_RIP 17.02.22 в 15:06