Селеста / Сelesta: Глава 20

Chapter 20

Camrad_RIP 23.06.22 в 20:13

After listening to the wording of the treaty and subjecting her friend to a real interrogation, clarifying the smallest nuances of Tulak's behavior, Celesta hesitated. No, the terms were more than satisfactory to her. She had counted on even worse, expecting a requirement not to interfere with observers or mandatory registration of new risens. With the latter it is clear - all the old vampires are known, and the new vampires rise rarely now, they could not be taken into account. It's strange why humans agreed to grant full autonomy, not even formal checks were concerned. Medea is undoubtedly an excellent negotiator, she played her trump cards brilliantly, but logically her success is inexplicable.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 06:43

"They're stretching the time," Zervan said, and Latham nodded in grudging agreement with his hated rival. "They're waiting for us to relax so they can take us all at once."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 06:44

The two, the thug and the knight, were still on the special wanted list. They had supposedly already been informed of the arrangements but had not yet made up their minds. However, the five Guardsmen stopped attacking officials and patrols of holy warriors. And Zervan's heavily thinned pack was no longer killing ordinary people. It was hastily regaining control of Taleya's criminal factions, not to say with much success. The dozens of dead fighters had little effect on the bosses' desire for autonomy.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 06:46

"I still don't understand," confessed the Mistress. "The authorities, in a broad sense, have just discovered their failure. They know too little about us. To successfully destroy the community, they need to find out the exact locations of our hideouts and dens, deprive us of access to information, and at least temporarily block our funding. Only after all this has been done, can we begin a full-fledged hunt for the risens. Not just any isolated detachments without any serious magical support, but a dense net to entangle the city. Do they really hope to finish their preparations quickly?"

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 06:48

"Tulak looked confused and a little fidgety," Medea pointed out. "He put up with all my nonsense, though he would have snapped at me earlier. I think they were just confused. They were used to thinking of the risens as mere performers, and didn't think we'd dare play our own game."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 08:05

"Confusion alone doesn't explain the compliant attitude. The Son of the Sea is dead set against all manifestations of magic and darkness, and for him to make concessions to the undead is a sharp knife to the throat."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 08:06

"Maybe there's something we don't know." suggested the deceptively light-hearted beauty. "We have no sources in the Chancellor's entourage. The nobles I could turn to are either banished to distant estates or refuse to meet. Did anything come through your channels?"

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 08:08

"That's it, just no. There are reports of strange activity among clergymen of all kinds, and we knew it before. Okay," Celesta slapped the table as if to sum up the conversation. "In any case, we've been given a respite, which should be put to good use. Now our job is to recover what we've lost and not get caught. You know what to do. Do it."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 08:13

The decisions made at the council had no effect on the activities of Hastin and Gardomann. The former locked himself up in the laboratory and worked on his experiments, which the uninitiated tried not to interfere with. And, come to think of it, neither did the initiated. The second settled in the north, in Bardi, and in less than three months he'd taken over the risens there, creating the second-largest community practically from scratch, while carefully restoring the trading network that had been torn apart by the humans. He was doing well, too.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 08:32

So well, in fact, that sometimes Celesta wondered if she should restrain the old man. What if he wanted to secede and declare himself the new chief? But the agents in Gardoman's entourage assured her of the Elder's loyalty, so Mistress decided not to get too excited. Especially since there was no objective reason to doubt his loyalty, and her gut was silent. It seemed that the old skeptic had finally made up his mind and acknowledged her right to be a step above him.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 12:19

In general, the first stage of the risens' withdrawal from the control of mortals was successful. The first stage - because no one had any illusions about Tulak's intentions. Intelligent undead for three hundred years of existence proved to be a too convenient a tool, no one was going to get rid of it. Undoubtedly, the Chancellor and the Secret Service intended to take away some of the rights granted in previous years, destroy the strongest and most independent risens, to break the unified structure created by Celesta into many small vulnerable groups. Perhaps the vampire survivors of the planned massacre would even be allowed to remain in control of the Morvanites, leaving some sources of income. But no more than that!

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 12:22

Now both sides needed a pause before a new battle. People were urgently looking for specialists who, under the previous sovereign, had worked with the risens and were well versed in the internal structure of the communities. While the periphery of the organization (that is, some cultists, snitches, and sources of income within the country) had been destroyed, the core - the Elders, their retinue, and those close to them - had survived and were planning how to deal with the changed conditions. The vampires worked hard to gather information, hide the young, prepare new hideouts, and fortify overseas branches. They had already thrown in some of the dirt they had on their enemies, held back some, and were now looking for ways to reach potential allies at the Court.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 12:24

The main problem with humans was their lack of military units dedicated specifically to fighting vampires. The hunters were specialists of a wide range, and, as recent events had shown, they could not be trusted. During the raid on Carlon, they worked closely with the vampires. They received a generous reward and a promise for more, and as a result the authorities literally hesitated to hire them. That is, Latham had invited the best, but he had ruined everyone's reputation. The Son of the Sea Guard, previously an elite unit capable of any conceivable task, has recently absorbed so much ballast from the sons of nobles that it has become a pompous decoration for palace receptions, nothing more. Under the Captain of the Guard, it is true, there were structures of special purpose, but they were used badly. The Academy still knew how to fight the undead, but only a complete fool would ask a mage for help in such a matter.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 12:57

The Temple Guards proved to be very dangerous opponents. They rarely fought against vampires, but they often faced ghouls, had good ideological training, and actively used the so-called "divine power" - creatively processed mush from the scraps of true light magic and priests' findings. Oddly enough, the mixture was quite effective. The disadvantage was that they were primarily disjointed. Units belonging to different cults did not share information, did not always come to each other's aid, and as a result were not as effective as they could have been. A single command center would have remedied the situation, but no such center could be created by the Spiders in charge of the operation.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 12:58

In addition, humans were hampered by the lack of good maps of Taleya's dungeons. They had last been drawn up in the last century, and since then landslides, traps, and manmade obstacles had made a lot of changes to the already imprecise drawings. Not to mention the fact that the vampires had tried to steal or destroy any existing descriptions of the lower levels of the catacombs. As a result, the information was sketchy and inadequate for a normal raid.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 12:59

These obvious shortcomings will now surely be corrected. Unfortunately, there are few obvious idiots in power. Although they do occur from time to time - the current sovereign is an example of this.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 13:15

Celesta and her cronies were desperately hoping for an internecine squabble at the top. A serious conflict between the royal family on one side and the royal entourage on the other is exactly what would make the elite forget all other matters and concentrate on survival. Mutiny or rebellion will force the state to leave the out-of-order undead alone and deal with the suppression of disorder, and if the heat of passion leads to civil war ... The problem is the timing and the pace of events. Carlon's arrival and the order for his arrest have confused the risens. The crisis began too soon. The split in the aristocratic elite is not yet so deep, or rather, has not yet taken its final form, and humans may well have time. To have time to analyze the reasons for the vitality of the vampire communities. To have time to conclude. In time to get rid of their weaknesses and prepare for the next stage of the battle. And to strike a blow.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 13:18

* * *
They don't know how to make red wine here.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 13:19

The sun lavishes its warm rays on the shores of the Kind Sea, ensuring an unprecedented harvest of fruits and vegetables. Farmers toil from sunrise to sunset in the fields. Good irrigation and numerous rivers flowing from the mountains provide ample moisture to help plants grow and mature without hindrance. Hordes of merchants in small single-masted pinares or larger caravels scurry between cities and countries, carrying food and rejoicing in the profits. However...

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 13:41

The vineyards have gone feral and the technology has been lost. If the white wine, especially that brought by the bearded barbarians from the north, is not bad, the red wine tastes like crap. But the locals like it.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 13:41

Strange.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 13:41

Everything here is different from the native Nasan. The land. The people. The risens. His homeland is a land of sand and isolated houses-fortifications, high walls without windows, and fiery men and deceptively obedient women wrapped in long robes. There they live by the sea and arms, drink mare's milk, and leave the dead on the rocks, not wanting to desecrate the sacred elements by death. Go back there? There is nowhere to go back. The city and country had perished, poisoned by the poison of an epidemic, and it is unlikely that neighbors wished to repopulate the desolate land.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 14:00

There was nowhere to go and no reason to leave Taleya. Yes, he could find a small town far from any borders, subdue the risens there, if there were any, and in thirty years ensure himself quite a tolerable existence. But why? He liked it here, and he truly admired the accomplishments of the local community. Car... a priest had amassed almost two dozen undead, and at the time it seemed unbelievable. But what the elders of Thalia had managed to do was beyond comprehension!

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 14:08

He wonders if the Mistress is really completely dead.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 14:09

Even now, after the losses suffered, the number of risens united under one authority is at least three hundred, and their communities already exist in four countries. An elaborate mentoring system. An army of mortals, fanatically worshipping their undead masters and never leaving them, even in their darkest hour of need. Deep penetration into power structures, and strong ties in the financial sector. They also have partial control over crime, well-established channels of smuggling, and good relations with maritime pirates. An alliance with wizards and wizards helps to lead the necessary developments and thereby strengthen the risens. And - quite unthinkable! - A relatively good reputation among humans. Though, of course, not as high as it was a year ago.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 16:59

He wanted to be part of this invisible state.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 16:59

The problem was that they kept him away from serious projects. They were right to speak in good conscience - he would have tried to keep an outsider, and with such an extraordinary biography, away from key positions. Familiarity with the poisoned philosophy of the priest changed the worldview quickly and strongly, especially in young ones, he also almost broke. How else did he have the strength to run away, to find allies, to bring them information? It is still incomprehensible. And then he did not believe that the priest could be stopped, and acted out of only one faint hope.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:02

Okay. There are many ways to become useful.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:02

He had always been a lucky guy, though, and he realized this after he'd gotten a lot of kicks. At first, he was lucky with his father, his family, his hired teachers, his job, and the smart and cynical senior officers who agreed to take him in and teach his future comrade-in-arms in the fight for ranks and titles. Lucky in his first independent operation, when the failed resident gave up the names of all the agents he knew. Incredibly lucky during the Plague. Then he cursed the gods that condemned him to the unenviable fate of the living dead, but now he knew exactly - lucky. He would have to make an atoning sacrifice, and beg forgiveness for his impudence.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:04

Yes, he downplayed his age in his conversation with Mistress. Habit is second nature.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:04

Clever and calculating teachers have hammered into the shallow student: the value of an agent depends on the number of contacts. Survival is ensured by the number of social connections. Life has confirmed their lessons: he would not have died then, in the fourth year of the new era, if it were not for a chance. Down there, they are masters of coincidence. Anyway, that's not the point. You have to start building your network and get to know people. With a wide enough circle of communication, sooner or later something useful is bound to come up.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:06

Let's start right now.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:06

"Still, your red wines are too sour. I can't say anything about the whites, but they can't make reds here. That's a pity, a great pity."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:09

The tall tavern-keeper, aka the bartender, frowned:

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:09

"People drink and don't complain."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:09

"It's just that you Taleyans haven't tasted the really good varieties. The 'Ruby Evening'', the 'Sunset Flame', the 'Blood of the Devotee'... They're too far away and, as a consequence, too expensive to bring. In the old days, I heard in passing, individual merchants made their way, but now there are too many pirates at sea."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:11

"Yes," the shopkeeper agreed, "We get reports of missing ships every day. It's been five years since we got any more golden berries from the North. If you only knew what a liquor they used to make out of it! And what fish was baked in it! People used to come to the inn just for it."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:11

"Maybe I'll try some more..." to smile politely. "I've really never heard of the golden berry. Where does it grow?"

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:12

"In the swamps, somewhere in the Nordic countries," shrugged the live one. "I've never been interested in the details. Which side would you be from, then? You look very unusual."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:14

"I am from the South, from the farthest South. I was originally a merchant, but my ship sank, I was captured, escaped, became a clerk for one merchant, another, then I traded spices for a while, and now the gods have brought me here. My name is Kalderan. Kalderan of Nasan."
* * *

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:14

On Latham's face, frozen in icy stillness, only his eyes lived, and they lived so brightly, so fiercely, that a snide quip was inevitably invited to the tongue:

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:15

"I love people who conform to expectations. They make me feel good about myself through their actions. Isn't Ryle a sweetheart?"

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:33

"Let me visit him after today," the bodyguard asked very calmly. It was as if a snake had hissed.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:33

"No way!" banned Celesta. "For one thing, it might be a trap. Only a fool would defy the authority of the elders so blatantly without powerful support behind him. Ryle had never been very bright, but he had a sense of self-preservation. And if he sends Medea a boorish reply despite the Council's announcement, he's counting on something. And you and Zervan are still listed as enemies of the Crown. So it's quite possible that hypothetical masters of our rebellious master are counting on a punitive expedition to exterminate the most intransigent risens."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:48

"Secondly, what are you angry about? What happened? The Master of a small community on the edge of the kingdom, who had never stood out before, found out about his beloved mistress' death and decided to play the game of self-reliance. That's the kind of thing we'd expect. There is always a certain percentage of risens in society, and in times of anarchy, this percentage increases manifold. A normal phenomenon, not worth much attention. Soon Ryle will be followed by a few more such free-loving and short-sighted masters, but they will be few in number. I didn't spend so much time on recruiting for nothing."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:50

"Nevertheless, I do not think it is possible to leave his act without consequences."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:50

"Who says there will be no consequences?" The Mistress was astonished. "There will be consequences. You just have to take your time."

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 17:54

The problem of separatism among the undead did not exist. The senior risens in the largest cities knew the real state of affairs and ignored rumors of her "death," the small communities would not go against the hastily created Council of five of the mistress' closest advisors. For command positions, she tried to select subordinates more judiciously. Idiots, of course, would be found, but they would be few so that they would easily get rid of the identified ballast later. One of the undoubted advantages of the crisis is that it helps to clear the ranks of weak links.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 08:35

Perhaps she should have reported her well-being to all the community masters, but she had to consider the possibility of betrayal. The Secret Guard was not always run by mediocrities; the development of absolutely all of the kingdom's risens had been continuous before. True, the process was mutual, and as she gained experience Celesta unraveled the intrigues of the security men more and more easily, but she could not guarantee that no one in her entourage was leaking information to the "spiders." Some dirt had no statute of limitations.

Camrad_RIP 24.06.22 в 08:37