Селеста / Сelesta: Глава 14

Chapter 14

Camrad_RIP 19.02.22 в 20:17

Taught by bitter life and post-life experience, the undead never had a clear center of power (unless you count the entire city of many thousands of people as such a center). Each elder arranged a shelter to his liking, his subordinates and the mortals associated with him were involuntarily drawn to him, and various storerooms, archives, and the like were set up nearby. In these underground complexes, not badly fortified, lived and conducted business, trained youngsters and made large deals, met with allies. And here, on the lowest levels, captured enemies were held in improvised prisons.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 07:34

Over time Celesta spontaneously formed three offices, combined with meeting rooms and living quarters. Taleya was a big city, and her interests required her to be present in various neighborhoods.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:15

"Messena..." Good news should always be delivered first, and Latham dared to intervene in the conversation between his mistress and Gardoman. "The strangers have been captured. By tomorrow night, they'll be cured and ready for questioning."

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:16

"Amazing," Celesta nodded. "It's about time. Have a seat; it might be good for you to hear, too."

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:17

The former headman, now a banker and merchant, said interesting things. He received an enormous amount of information from the counterparties and could keep track of important topics for the community of the undead. And it must be said that Gardoman - the head of financial intelligence was no less useful than Gardoman - the head of the trading house. Therefore, his reports were highly valued.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:17

"In short, the Dark Blades are on their way to the city. Five large detachments have been invited to visit Taleya, and some have been paid in advance."

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:18

"Who is the client?" Latham immediately asked.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:18

"The nobles associated with the Chancellor."

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:19

"Rakawa decided to give us secret support?"

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:21

"I'm not sure," Celesta muttered. "Listen to this."

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:21

"In addition, the supply of real estate has jumped," the merchant continued. "Many homeowners are trying to get rid of their property. Prices for land and buildings are falling, but buyers are in no hurry to part with their money - they are waiting for more. Next. The temples of minor deities withdraw large sums from their accounts, take out loans, or unseal their treasuries, and it's still unclear where the money goes. They spend some of the money to reinforce the guards, but the main sums cannot be traced. The gold is not leaving the city and the rhetoric of the influential courtiers has not changed... But there are illogical and unclearly caused disruptions to the food supply. My men are now trying to find out what it is."

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:23

The Mistress was not pleased with the news.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:23

"We need to know what's going on." She sounded annoyed. "I get the impression that the chancellor intends to pull some kind of intrigue of his own on the upcoming ruckus. It would be very unpleasant if it were directed against us."

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:24

"Hunters could have been hired against outsiders," Gardoman clarified, rather than objected. "You asked for help, didn't you?"

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:28

"Of course, but they might as well have been hired to hunt us," Celesta chuckled wryly. "Latham, you know some of the commanders. Try talking to them, carefully."

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:28

"Yes, Messena."

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:29

It couldn't be said that the various types of darkness fighters were much of a nuisance to the undead in the kingdom. Vampires were rarely hunted, only when the undead lost caution and began to kill the common folk outright. Or when the victim of a bite was someone powerful and from the highest levels of society. Because of Celesta's rigid stance, which included "do not kill for food," she insisted on upholding the laws she had established, incidents did not happen often. On occasion, the young risen went mad. Occasionally, some of the city's community leaders decided to play the game of autonomy and defiantly ignored the orders of the Mistress of Taleya.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:30

Punishment was always immediate, though it took different forms.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:31

If for some reason, Celesta was unable or unwilling to punish the renegade in person, either the "dark blades" or the "holy warriors" of the many cults would step in. Though small and well-trained, they tended to roam the countryside or small towns, slaughtering the creatures that had proliferated during the Dark Age. In large cities of more than five thousand people, the "holy warriors" were rare. Firstly, there was little work due to the strong guards, and secondly, there was a rather nervous reaction from the "spiders". The influence of large monasteries or sects increased from decade to decade, and the Security Service prudently considered it necessary to keep the fervor of religious leaders at bay. Let the monks pray - the secular authorities were not about to give up control of military power.

Camrad_RIP 20.02.22 в 21:37

Thus, most vampires died at the hands of mercenaries. There was a layer of people, experienced, often proficient in some basic magic, well-equipped, who made demon-hunting their main source of income. They charged a lot for their services, but they hunted in all kinds of ways, and they had no hardened moral code. On the bright side, though because Celeste also occasionally made use of their services. When she needed to support her fighters or didn't want to show undead participation in certain events. But she watched the Templars closely and did not lose vigilance. Right now the priests were squabbling among themselves over congregation and proximity to the court - in time the situation could change dramatically, and the undead would be in the center of hostile attention. An organization is always more dangerous than ill-connected loners, even if they are professionals in their chosen craft.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 05:33

The Craftsmen's Quarter, as in the old days, was considered a relatively safe place. Relatively - because a lonely girl could be robbed, raped and killed even in front of the royal palace. We are talking about ordinary townswomen, of course, the daughters of noble families were not allowed out of the house without guards. Violence against members of the lower classes was not considered noteworthy. It was commonplace for a group of five or six drunken nobles to have fun with a woman seized in the street without any legal consequences. Such a thing was not considered a crime. Besides, Taleya was awash with various gangs and gangs of robbers, and the guards could not cope with semi- and organized crime. And, frankly, they didn't want to.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 05:34

In short, if Celesta hadn't had long practice at diverting the gaze and hiding in the smallest hiding places, she would have had her adventures.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 05:35

/He said the doors were open at all times. - The risen stopped outside an unremarkable shop and looked around carefully. - Let's hope he's not setting any traps.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 05:36

Medea cried out when she found out who her friend was about to meet. The past three hundred years had had no effect on her desire to stay away from the priest of the Father of Light - rather, on the contrary, the feeling had become more enduring and sharper. The only way to convince her of her reasonableness was to remind her of Carlon's imminent appearance. The former chieftain the beauty feared more than anyone else. So now she, at the head of a squad of a dozen Morvanite fanatics, waited in a one-night rental house nearby and prepared to intervene at the first sign of danger. If Celesta wasn't out of the house in an hour, the assault would begin. The men were brought in because of the patron powers of the man - the man? - to whom the mistress was now on her way, had a very negative effect on the undead. They were much more tolerant of mortals, on the other hand.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 06:14

The door swung open invitingly, and a deceptively frail figure slipped into the shop. The rebel habitually dodged the bundle of trumpets that hung at the entrance, designed to protect the owner from evil spirits - a silly superstition, revered by the people - took a step, another, stopped, and deeply bowed to the old man who was sitting near the small table. As knowingly standing higher in the hierarchy, albeit someone else's. The rule was for the petitioner to bow down, but Celesta was in her territory and was not about to give up her position.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 06:15

"I am honored to receive the legendary Night Mistress in my humble abode," the host also bowed without rising. "Please be seated. I have prepared a fine tea of oga root, please try it."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 06:16

Thank you," nodded the risen.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 07:05

She didn't feel the taste, but it is not worth refusing.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 07:06

In solemn silence, they drank the first cup, watching each other surreptitiously. What the priest saw in it, Celesta did not know. She was struck by the sharp contrast between Garresh's gray, unremarkable appearance and the impression of power that came from him. And she hadn't noticed any visible manifestation of it - an aura ordinary, belonging to a common man, small height, small fists, friendly face... And a soft, enveloping warmth that made the hairs on the back of her neck move.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 07:21

"I hope my presence does not make you uncomfortable?" The priest suddenly inquired. "The power I serve is not always friendly to your kind."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 07:22

"I'm fine, thank you," she put the cup on the table. "I was expecting a colder reception."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 07:21

"Why should I? You haven't done me any harm, and people speak well of you."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 11:55

"Are we talking about the people of this city?" After a short silence, Celesta clarified.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 11:56

"Oh, there are more than enough gruesome rumors," Garresh smiled. "But it's easy to separate truth from fiction if you're willing. Especially since I'm familiar with the situation in other countries and can make comparisons."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 11:57

"You're pretty well informed."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 11:57

"It depends on the area."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 11:58

The undead decided to hold off on asking, though the short dialogue gave her a lot to think about. The priest seemed to have a friendly disposition, which should be taken advantage of.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 12:11

"I should probably apologize," she bowed briefly. "I once barged into your house instead of just coming and talking. I still don't understand why the servant of the Light would react so calmly to risen from the dead."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 12:12

"Well, our acquaintance in absentia was too long ago to remember it now-" /Three hundred years ago,/ Celesta thought. "And you've been hurt worse by it. So let's forget the past and talk as if we were meeting for the first time now. Though I have to admit, I'm curious, how did you find me? I tried very hard not to draw attention to myself."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 12:14

"Accident," the risen admitted. "Accident and luck. I thought you died during the Troubles of Molvlar, I even saw the corpse. I didn't realize you'd changed bodies."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 12:15

"I was covering my tracks," the priest smiled. "I sensed an interest from the spiders in my person, and decided to hide more thoroughly."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 12:16

"Did Cardhe know of your existence?"

Camrad_RIP 14.03.22 в 17:48

"He guessed," Garresh said briefly. "At the time, they were looking for any manifestation of magic that worked."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 12:16

Celesta nodded understandingly. She, Medea, and Hastin had survived in large part because of that interest - albeit not exclusively.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 12:23

"But I remembered the feeling of the protection on your house well," she continued. "So when I felt the traces of light power on some people again, I remembered very quickly where I'd encountered something similar. True, you remained completely elusive-no logic in the actions of the unknown servant of Illyar was visible, and my observers did not notice suspicious faces. Besides, I didn't want to take the risk of being frank with the agents."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 12:24

The man pressed his hand to his heart, expressing his gratitude. Celestф had spoken the truth - Garresh, or rather, his true occupation was known to a very limited circle of her closest aides. The leader of the undead had no intention of giving the rulers of mortals an unfair advantage and informing them that an experienced ancient mage lived here, right under their noses. A representative of an order that had existed and accumulated knowledge for thousands of years. And, it seems, continued to be successfully engaged in its obscure affairs, despite the world catastrophe.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 15:46

Well, eight years ago I met you, Mr. Garrêche. It was a relatively quiet year, and I finally decided to solve a nagging mystery. I walked around the city, mapped every instance of Illyar's power, and began to check one version after another. First I looked for a merchant who occasionally left the city, then for a peasant from the suburbs, then... Long story short, I bumped into you in the street and hid in the nearest hole out of sheer surprise.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 15:47

The corners of the priest's lips twitched slightly upward. Just a little, but Celesta knew he had. He remembered.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 15:47

"At first I didn't connect Master Garresh, who lived in the cottage on Leatherman Street, with the servant of the Lord of Light Garresh, who died shortly after the Plague. There was no reason to think of them as one person. But then...." the eternally young undead remained silent. "I don't know. The thought just popped into my head and refused to go away. I couldn't explain it."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.22 в 15:48