Звездопад / Starfall: Глава 8

Chapter 8

Camrad_RIP 05.02.23 в 14:48

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Camrad_RIP 05.02.23 в 14:48

All the way back from the police department Taer was quietly angry. Not at anyone in particular, but at reality in general. It had been a pretty crappy day. First, she'd been thwarted in the Consulate court. Actually, technically, she didn't have to go: after all, she was part of the Lord's Arm and not answerable to a court, not even the Consulat Court. If anything, it's up to Lord Cassard. But after consulting with Baron Kouifi, they both decided it was not worth aggravating relations with the court on the eve of the hearing. So instead of a reception at the Emerald Gardens, she went to the Consulate's secretariat.

Camrad_RIP 05.02.23 в 14:53

No good deed goes unpunished. In the end, daim Azkrilla Vitas, who "well, we're noblemen, too," tortured her with absolutely idiotic questions about Lord Cassard for four hours, hanging on the Taer with a deadly grip whenever she tried to escape under plausible pretext.

Camrad_RIP 05.02.23 в 14:54

"Well, there's so much I haven't asked yet!" Could this moth-beaten maiden be just a secret admirer of Lord Cassard? When she finally managed to fend off the official zeal of the daim Azkrilla, it turned out that her flyer had been stolen by a police tow truck. Those blind brats of the dumbest zwigolot had managed not to notice the markings of Fyron's house on the boards nor the 'diplomatic number' on the responder. She spent a half-hour yelling at the innocents, first the droids, then the tow truck clerks, while they searched for the exact location of her car. She took the monorail to the police station in the evening. After the ride in the crowded carriage, she was in such a "good humor" that she didn't even have to say anything in the car park - after seeing her face, the terrified attendants found the flyer in less than a minute and a half.

Camrad_RIP 05.02.23 в 14:57

On arrival at the Emerald Gardens, Taer was informed that Lord Cassard had departed for an unknown destination. She almost made a scandal out of inertia, but she contained herself in time to yell at the pilot, who was still waiting for Lord Cassard and was unaware that he had been gone for half an hour.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 14:33

The lord's comm did not answer, nor was he at the castle. She called a couple of his favorite clubs. But he didn't show up there. Half an hour later she was already beginning to panic quietly, wondering what she should say to the Countess of Darlal about the Lord's disappearance, when suddenly a call came from the retainers. Police officers had picked up the stunned nobles, who had apparently also been robbed. One of the nobles was identified as Lord Cassard and, of course, the retainers were informed.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 14:42

Ten minutes later, having broken most of the speed limit regulations, Taer was at the door of the Fourteenth Department, where the Lord had been brought. She was met by the head of the department in the reception area:

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 14:43

"Alozar Riemer, Fourteenth Department," the fat-looking man in the ceremonial blue tunic with gold embroidery introduced himself wearily. He was, it was evident, noticeably overdue because of the discovery of the robbed nobles.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 14:44

"Guardsman Taer Diltar, Lord Cassard's arm, and his personal security specialist," Taer mentally cursed the wreckers once more as she introduced herself - the journey in the overcrowded monorail car had not gone unnoticed for her white tunic. "As far as I know, you have Lord Allesandro Cassard?"

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 14:46

"Yes, Mistress Diltar, he was picked up by a unit from our department and is now in my office," Alozar Rimmer thought for a moment before adding. "According to our medic, he's fine."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 14:47

"Take me to him. and I have a request for of you, Alozar, which I hope will be met with understanding."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 14:48

"Please follow me," the headman bowed slightly, making an inviting gesture with his hand and leading the Tair into the back of the building.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:12

Along with Taer, a young officer with a thick leather folder, probably an assistant, silently shadowed the boss.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:12

The Head of the Department proved to be an understanding man: his request to remove the journalists who had begun to assemble there from the car park was met with no objections. As they made their way to his office, where the recovered lords were, Taer discussed with Alozar Rimmer what he should say to the press and what would displease His Lordship and House Fyron.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:13

"Don't worry, Mistress Diltar, I understand," the round-faced department head assured her with a little cover of his eyes. "No details will get on holovid. Will you or the Retainers of House Fyron be handling this case from your side?"

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:15

"Retainers," Taer hated boring bureaucratic correspondence and shied away from it at every opportunity. "But I'd like to see the reports from the experts and the team that picked up the lord."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:17

"Of course, Mistress," the head looked expressively at his subordinate, and the latter, without stopping, quickly opened his file and drew out two Info Strings. "Here they are. One is the expert assessment, and the other is the report of the team that found the lord."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:18

Alozar Rimmer's attitude and diligence flattered Taer, and she made a mental note: //'I must hint to the retainers to take note of Mr. Warden.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:26

In the office of the head, there was Lord Cassard himself and a young nobleman of some sort. Both looked awful - half-dressed and dirty. The pallid expression on their pale faces and the dark circles under their eyes indicated that post-paralysis syndrome was in full swing, but the lord was still looking not so bad.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:27

//What the shadows were he doing there? What if he'd been killed? Countess Derlarl would have skinned me. Alive. Infantile idiot! Taer began to get worked up again.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:28

Already in the flyer, she pounced on "his lordship" with questions. The answers dumbfounded her:

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:28

//A duel?! Great Shadows, a duel?!

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:28

Allesandro Cassard and the word 'duel' did not connect. The lord was a mediocre swordsman and a terrible marksman. And so the constant refusals to all the challenges she received were certainly a wise decision. Though, this did not help his reputation among guardsmen and young nobles. However, Lord Cassard had always not cared what others thought of him.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 15:37

//And there's a duel. And with Lord Lister as second, Taer glanced furtively at her lord as if doubting that this very man was involved in the duel. He sat staring thoughtfully out the window. //Hmmm... Where, what comes from? Once a year and a stick is a blaster. But it looks like if the robbers get caught, I should ask for a reduced sentence - they just saved my career!

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 16:01

Smiling at her thoughts, Taer concentrated on piloting again - the lights of the Blue Flame Castle flashed to the port side and it was time to come in for a landing.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 16:04

On arrival the lord declined supper and went straight to bed, which was understandable: after the stunner, everyone was always dizzy and their heads were pounding. In such a state, even if you wanted to eat, you couldn't eat a bite in your mouth.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:39

Taer drove the flyer into the garage and returned to the grounds in front of the castle. Barra was still there. He must have been waiting for her.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:40

"I see the lord has made a full recovery," grinned the steward, taking a seat on the steps leading up to the castle. "He looked as if he'd been drinking for a week. What brothel did you find him in?"

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:41

Taer hummed back. The nights were warm in the golden season, the breeze carrying the scent of wet leaves from the garden and the faint singing of finches. She could talk, she decided, sitting down next to him on the stairs, and there were no extra ears here.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:41

"In the Fourteenth Police Department," the specialist smiled slyly and added. "But I'll bet you ten denarii you'll never guess why he got there."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:42

"Don't keep me in suspense. Tell me."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:43

"A duel!" Taer declared, admiring the impression she had made.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:44

The dumbfounded Barra was silent for a while, then let out a long breath, waving his hand:

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:44

"Yeah... how did he stay alive? You might as well go to the temple and take a vow to Ir'Maridae for keeping him safe."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:45

Taer arched an eyebrow in surprise:

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:46

"I haven't noticed you being particularly religious before."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:46

"You start..." Barra sighed sadly, lowering his head. "I've been worried sick about him since he was poisoned. And then, boom, there was a duel. A duel. You've got that fire in your eye, guardsman. You're stupid, but think of others!" I could hear sincere resentment in his voice. "You, if anything, you go back to the guard, but me? The Secretariat will write so much stuff on me... enough for two lifetimes sentences to get clean before the new master."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:50

//So you, Mr. Weyoun Barra, must have dirty hands. You're a fool, Taer, a fool! You should have known the steward of the manor wasn't living off his wages. They'll write him up, all right. Say you take kickbacks from contracts and share them with the secretariat inspectors.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:51

As the true cause of the steward's genuine frustration dawned on Taer, her gaze filled with contempt. Which, however, disappeared instantly when Barra looked up at her:

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:52

"Come on. It was all right!" The girl gave the steward a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "No more dueling, and I'll look after the rest. Right, I'll be off."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:53

She stood up and mechanically shook off her trousers.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:53

"By the way, Barra, honey, make arrangements for a nice big dinner, preferably straight to my room," she folded her arms in a feigned prayer and made herself look as unhappy as possible. "I have police reports to read and requests for retainer escorts to confirm, and I'm starving because I've been on my feet all day."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:56

"All right, go ahead, I'll do it. Give you free rein, and you'll eat on the run, no respect for tradition."

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:57

Taer fluttered her arms in response and smiled charmingly:

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:57

Real guardsmen can eat and sleep in any condition.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:58

After saying goodbye to Barra, she walked briskly toward her room. And as she moved further away from the steward her face grew darker and darker:

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:58

//What an asshole, huh? Generations of faithless service to the House of Fyron. Yeah.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:59

Taer remembered exactly how one of the High Society shows had said that Lord Cassard's servants were the highest paid and received, on average, twice as much as the others. //And still not enough, Taer finally reached her room and, continuing to radiate anger, plumped into a chair:

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 18:59

//No, Lord Cassard could be accused of many things, but he was never stingy. He always helped out with money if something happened, even to his servants. That asshole had gotten his son into Riena University when he'd been kicked out of Tallana University. Gave him a scholarship.

Camrad_RIP 07.02.23 в 19:00