Селеста / Сelesta: Эпилог

Epilogue

Camrad_RIP 01.11.22 в 07:11

Celesta gloomily looked around at the trio standing before her.

Camrad_RIP 01.11.22 в 17:44

"I hope I don't look too stupid?"

Camrad_RIP 01.11.22 в 17:44

"Not at all, Messena," Latham was the first who oriented himself. "You look wonderful!"

Camrad_RIP 01.11.22 в 17:45

"I'd say in your place," added Hustin, making the captain nod in agreement.

Camrad_RIP 01.11.22 в 17:46

"You just need something on your head," Medea squinted, looking at her friend like an artist at a just-finished painting. "Something... Slim, elegant, a headband of some kind..."

Camrad_RIP 01.11.22 в 17:47

Celesta couldn't stand the hint of the high priest's tiara and stood up from her throne.

Camrad_RIP 01.11.22 в 17:53

The construction was finally over. Finishing work was still going on in places, but Medea, who was overseeing it, claimed that the repairs could go on indefinitely, and urged Celesta to hold a celebration on the occasion. Singer had moved to Talea three years earlier for the opportunity to decorate the palace to her own taste, in effect leaving Zonna. She'd come home for a few months, causing confusion in the high society there, and then she'd come back again.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:32

Her greatest pride was the central hall. The walls were snow-white, the decorations slender and uncluttered, the floor and ceiling the same. A black platform with eight steps, and an obsidian-lined back wall. A scarlet throne.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:33

Celesta, despite the assurances, suspected that she looked ridiculous on the throne. The thing was too big, her petite figure should supposedly get misplaced in it. Though her hands are comfortable on the armrests, and her feet are on a stand, not dangling in the air. In any case, she wasn't going to sit there very often. Let the heads of the old clans sit on their thrones - the Mistress of the Undead had enough work to do.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:34

"Did you get any news from Reggie?" she asked, walking to the right door. There were seven exits from the hall, four on the first tier and three on the second.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:43

"He will be delayed, Messena. He was offered an extra contract, and I agreed, keeping in mind that you have no plans for his five."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:43

Mistress nodded in agreement, approving of Latham's decision. Indeed, there was nothing for the guardsmen to do in the capital now. After the swift and bloody cleanup of Nosy Mountain five years ago, which had made a tremendous impression on the royal officials watching, orders of that sort were coming in frequently. The Son of the Sea seemed to appreciate the quality of the vampires' work. Almost always Celesta went along with his wishes, charging a low price for their services - it was to their advantage to demonstrate their usefulness to the supreme power.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:47

She couldn't get rid of her wariness toward Valier, and she didn't try to. Her previous experience with the Taleya rulers had given her plenty of reason to be mistrustful. Though the current sovereign seemed to have decided that it was better to deal with one sane pack than a dozen out-of-control loners from whom one didn't know what to expect. Mistress was careful to maintain that belief in him.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:49

So far, there was no cause for alarm. The Son of the Sea took advantage of the vampires' vulnerable position and pressed, but he knew the limits, and he carried out his agreements fairly. He had the impression that he regarded the Children of the Night as an additional structure of government, responsible for the dark side of society. Therefore, he allowed Celeste a lot of things, such as a personal palace and royal trappings. He understood - the leadership of a complex fanatical contingent required a special approach. When the priests discussed the idea of the Holy Crusade among themselves and began to argue that, so to speak, why go somewhere if the undead abounded at home, it was Valier who stopped attempts to sit out. Of course, he acted out of self-interest, but still. Speaking of the Crusade:

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:51

"Homie."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:51

"Yes, Mistress."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:55

"Did they reach the border?"

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:55

"Even crossed it, Mistress. The Duke met with the chiefs, and they escorted him with honor. There have been no incidents."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:56

"In that case, go back. It's not up to us from here."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:56

"Yes, Mistress."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:57

How many extra years of life had she given him by making him her first and only personal servant? Hardly many. Homie was already old, his body would not have time to reorganize itself for Celesta's power. She should not have delayed in making the connection.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 10:59

Now Homie was in the Duchy of Lascaris, seeing off the troops leaving for the steppe. He would not go to the Seven Rivers - there were other agents for that. Two hired hundreds of monster hunters whose commanders served Celeste were part of the army, and about a hundred "volunteers" legally joined other units. Krustyar was waiting for them all on the spot. The old vampire returned from reconnaissance angry and determined, bringing much useful information, and as a reward asking permission to return and oversee the burning of the land of the undead who had lost their constraints.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 11:01

Preparing the campaign was easier than the Mistress feared. Encouraged by the blessing of the Son of the Sea on the one hand, and by religious pumping on the other, the nobility was actively signing up to join the Holy Crusade. More cynical and calculating people were just as enthusiastic on the sidelines discussing the privileges the duke had announced. After all, it was hiped! Medea's aides organized the collection of donations, in exchange for a tenth of a share of the largest private bank in the country, conducting all operations of the creating army through its accounts. The sums swirled wildly. There was enough money for the ammunition for fifteen thousand men, and to supply the expeditionary corps, and to bribe the steppe-people who at the sight of rich gifts wanted to participate in the cleansing of the Seven Rivers. Initially, the nomads promised only free passage through their lands and a few other minor things. They were afraid to go deep into the cursed land.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 11:03

The bribes did the trick. The chiefs agreed to reinforce the army with the blades of the clansmen.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 12:49

Given the number of priests, monks, holy fighters, and monster hunters on one side, and the disjointed crowd of not particularly skilled risens on the other, we can safely consider the Seven Rivers to be extinct. Along with the undead, the living population will be slaughtered as well, otherwise, they don't fight now. What would happen next was of little concern to Celesta. There was talk of creating a viceroyalty, some suggested that the land be given to temples, and some were preparing to build forts and inns to serve caravans. Let the people decide for themselves, Mistress had no plans to interfere.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 12:54

She had enough to worry about.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 12:56

"Medea, are you sure Caché should go?" As she continued to walk down the corridor leading to her old rooms, Celesta asked over her shoulder. "You doubt the adequacy of those cultists."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 13:06

"According to their customs, whoever has touched the Scarlet Heart and survived is untouchable," the beauty broke away from her pique with Hustin. "They start every meeting with me by asking when the Chosen One will return. There will never be a second chance."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 13:08

"I don't like the idea of risking our only mage capable of awakening pre-Plague era artifacts."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 13:08

"You can't keep her in Talea forever, either. The danger is minimal," Medea reiterated, "we'll do everything we can to keep her unharmed."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 15:12

The story turned out to be anecdotal. A rather influential cult from Azar had brought a particularly revered relic - an ancient artifact that controlled the weather at a decent distance from itself - to Zonna. They wanted to please the coreligionists. Caché, who was also being treated in the Hall of Flesh and who was rummaging through the archives of the Academy at the same time, sensed the presence of an object that resonated with her energy, and immediately jumped at the call. The artifact itself went to her hands, responding to the slightest commands. Appreciating the shocked faces of the priests, the magician quickly figured out to return the toy to the owners and quickly escape. Soon she was back in Taleya, oblivious to the fun episode.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 15:14

From her point of view, nothing much happened. The unity with the spirit restructured Caché's energy, giving it traits that allowed her to affect the old artifacts associated with the fire element. Not all of them - certain parameters had to be matched, the higher the better. Few suitable artifacts survived, only a few remained in working condition, and they often gave results not intended by their creators. The Scarlet Heart was one of them.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 15:15

The Southerners, of course, were looking for Caché. Perhaps they would not have been so zealous, had not the short acquaintance of the vampiress and the relic not disrupted the latter's attunement, and the Heart would not have stopped responding to the priests' actions. For the top of the cult, the question of finding the Chosen One was of the utmost importance! But by the time the priests came to Medea's house with their requests, the sorceress had long since left Blueness. They simply didn't believe that the sacred subject had chosen the undead.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 15:17

For Medea, the opportunity to gain an agent of influence in the Sultanate's rather peculiar religious upper echelons meant a lot. The vampires were slowly entering Azar society, finding their niche and growing stronger in it, but the process was slow. The Taleyans' and Azarans' worldviews differed greatly, hence the different attitudes toward the non-dead, with the Southerners being far more negative. Although the Sultanate disliked all outsiders.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 15:27

They reached Celeste's chambers, now unaccustomedly crowded. In short, the place was crowded with sapient people with boxes and crates, giving the impression of a kind of organized chaos. In the center of it, Merck, whose voice could be heard from afar, was giving orders with a commanding look:

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 15:29

"No, we're not touching the cabinets yet. All the furniture stays here. Right now we're just moving the papers."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 15:29

"How about taking the safe away, Master?"

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 15:29

"No, Arkhlan. There's a built-in one in the wall, and the Mistress will carry the contents herself."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 15:30

The move took place in stages. The office and the new workplace were finished, probably because Celesta quickly decided what she wanted, and she didn't interfere with the decorating process. Unlike Medea, who did the bedroom, the living room, the second living room, the bathroom, and something else, as well as her sister's clothing. As a result, the decoration and furnishings of personal rooms have changed several times, while Singer was trying to achieve the ideal that she alone understands. From Celesta's point of view, the options differed slightly, for her the difference was immaterial.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 15:53

She shook her head as she looked around at the mess they had made:

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 15:54

"Let's stay out of the way. Let's go into the living room."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 16:09

A heavy door with soundproofing gently chugged against the jamb, a heavy drape draped the aisle. A common precaution and comfort measure. Vampires' hearing is much thinner than humans, and it's no big deal for them to overhear other people's conversations. Therefore, the walls of their dwellings were always covered with sound-absorbing signs, and the passages and vents were additionally blocked with material barriers.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 16:10

"Have a seat," Celesta suggested, heading for the small bar in the corner. She took out four goblets and a decanter of wine, and as hostess, she began to pour the beverage. "This might be the last time we'll be here."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 16:10

Medea lowered herself onto the wide sofa, unconsciously assuming a gracefully provocative pose and giving Hustin a promising look.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 16:17

"Have you decided yet what you're going to do about the premises?"

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 16:17

"I'm going to mothball it for now. I'll leave it as an emergency shelter. We can't let strangers in here - Vador threatens me with promises to finally master psychometry and read the memory of other people's affairs."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 16:21

"Actually, it's quite realistic," remarked the warlock. "So take your personal belongings with you."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 16:21

"I'll take it," Celesta agreed, setting the tray of glasses on the table. "I don't have a lot of that."

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 16:22

She sat down next to Medea. Her sister leaned closer, barely noticeable.

Camrad_RIP 02.11.22 в 16:23