Звездопад / Starfall: Глава 12

Chapter 12

Camrad_RIP 18.02.23 в 19:30

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Camrad_RIP 18.02.23 в 19:30

A huge white platform, richly decorated with scarlet escapes of embossed designs on the sides, floated above the rippling sea of people like a ship. Large flags with a red griffin at their center hovered over the platform, further enhancing the resemblance to the ship by resembling snow-white sails. All around, except for the narrow strip over which the platforms flew, the crowd raged. The people filled the entire avenue and the surrounding streets, as well as the accessible balconies and rooftops, shouting, waving flags, and throwing ribbons of color toward the platforms, which fell in a bright arc to the pavement. The snowfall was slowing down as it overcame the protective field covering the platforms, making clouds float in the air.

Camrad_RIP 18.02.23 в 20:28

The platform - a hundred meters long and shaped like a huge boat with low sides - could comfortably accommodate five hundred people, if not a thousand. Alex stood alone in the middle of the gigantic structure, and he was uncomfortable, to say the least.

Camrad_RIP 18.02.23 в 20:29

//Well, OK, not alone, but with Taer, but that doesn't make it any easier!

Camrad_RIP 18.02.23 в 20:29

The "specialist" stood to the right like a statue - not moving or blinking. And Alex could more than understand it - while the other platforms held several hundred nobles each, cheerfully waving back at the crowds and scattering small orbs from the platforms in the air in a shower of colorful sparks, the lone Lord Cassard and his guardsman got a disproportionate amount of attention, making him feel like a rare animal in a zoo on Open Door Day.

Camrad_RIP 18.02.23 в 20:30

Before the festivities began, the Taer had explained this strange isolation by the simple fact that the platforms represented domains, and the nobles on them were arranged by clan. And at the moment, Lord Allesandro Cassard is the only representative of both the family and the domain of Cassard.

Camrad_RIP 18.02.23 в 20:35

///Yep... Cassard is a rare, endangered species of the lord. No hand-feeding!" - Alex grinned grimly. - "At this rate, I hope we don't become extinct...

Camrad_RIP 18.02.23 в 20:36

The other platforms were packed with nobles, except for one... There was a tall, lonely girl with short platinum hair and skin the color of bronze. Accompanying her were two enigmatic beasts in ceremonial robes. The two were far away, though, and Alex could not see all the details.

Camrad_RIP 18.02.23 в 20:36

Waves of flashes and flying flags with house emblems constantly swept through the sea of people around them. The shouts of greeting from the crowd were a joyous roar in which no words were intelligible, Lord Cassard waving and smiling in response as the festive ceremonial events were well into their third hour and in full swing. They had already had time to take part in the laying of "wreaths of remembrance", which looked like throwing huge wreaths from the bridge into the water. The floral waterfall, illuminated by the setting sun, was mesmerizing in its beauty, but the sizzling heat spoiled the whole experience.

Camrad_RIP 18.02.23 в 20:37

Then they piled onto the platforms and leisurely headed towards the complex where the rest of the official part... and the unofficial party was to take place. The air conditioning on the platforms was working, and Alex took a little breather. But the platforms were moving slowly - standing, smiling, and waving were tiring, and he also wanted to go to the bathroom. And while the other nobles could take turns resting on the small lower deck, hidden from the eyes of observers for Lord Cassard this option was out of the question.

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 06:54

//To hell with these representative functions, this "Unification" celebration, and Anzati Ritero and Baron Kouifi and their idea of increased publicity as a means of winning a case in court

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 06:55

From the look in Taer's eyes, she had about the same opinion of what was going on.

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 06:55

//It's idiotic, Alex continued to get angry. /A celebration of some freak conquering everyone three thousand years ago. He gave them a lot of... brain fixes - they're still celebrating!

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 06:57

Almost without moving his lips, he asked aloud:

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 06:58

"Thaer, why is everyone so happy about the fact that they have been conquered by Emperor Tail?"

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 06:58

"He united the sector, ending the feud between the kingdoms by making it one," she whispered back.

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 06:59

"What good was Fyron in this? An independent kingdom became a noble house within the Empire. What's to be happy about?"

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 07:00

"As part of the Empire, House Fyron increased its territory considerably and the nobility was protected by the Emperor from the arbitrary rule of kings and ruling lords," Taer was clearly quoting from some textbook.

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 07:00

//That's even how - that is, the nobility en masse were happy to be conquered. That's nonsense! Although it may not be nonsense if they did not suffer property damage and the "oppressive top brass" were dealt with.

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 07:01

Judging by the speed, the rest of the journey will take about half an hour at the platform.

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 07:01

//Yeah, another half an hour and we'll have to polite the "bride". What the hell is this: some want to kill him, some want to marry him and threaten to do so, some want to sue him, some want to rob a stunned man and then offer him friendship... well, and Baroness Rionale, who also wants something.

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 07:04

Alex sighed heavily and remembered his conversation with the Countess of Durlurl, who had informed him that he now definitely had a bride. //And, as they say, nothing seemed to foretell trouble...

Camrad_RIP 19.02.23 в 07:05

The awakening came much earlier than planned and not in the most pleasant way. An eerie rumbling and crackling sound broke into the bedroom, despite the light protective field that covered the windows. As Alex, mentally chastising himself for his excessive curiosity and reminding himself of the fate of one cat, approached the window, he was presented with a picturesque scene.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 19:12

A silver flyer of an unfamiliar model was hovering beside a huge fallen tree that used to be part of the alley leading to the castle. Some men in white uniforms were standing beside the car, apparently inspecting it. The central part of the tree, which must have had three arms around it, was torn into splinters. The culprit of the collision, however, looked undamaged, as far as Alex could see.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 19:13

"What's going on in there?" Alex got to the comm and summoned Taer.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 19:13

While flying the new flyers at a low altitude, one of the pilots lost control. A three-hundred-year-old reswell was damaged. I don't think the tree can be repaired. The machine is intact," the specialist's voice was hoarse and tired.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 19:18

//Bloody fliers. Woke me up, you bastards! Alex just hated being woken up. Especially if he'd been awake for a long time. "Okay, I'll be right down," he added out loud and went to get dressed.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 19:19

His head was pounding from lack of sleep, so Alex, munching on three capsules of Fenote, perked up, and went to see the hero pilots.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 19:20

//Shit! I wish they'd give me a scooter. Or is that instead of a morning jog for the tonus? He thought wearily outside the porch. The enormous size of the castle was beginning to get a little tense.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 19:22

He was met by a perfect line of people standing at attention on the castle grounds. Four lads, one of whom stood out for his giant proportions, and a pretty girl, a little shorter than Taer and much frailer. As Alex approached, Taer, standing first in the line, shouted "'At attention!" which caused the rest of the brethren to turn their heads in sync, and mutter something like "Ready to serve Your Lordship!". Alex was surprised at the manner of the "salute" - two fingers to the temple instead of an open palm - but the "security specialist", meanwhile, marched to the "lord" and, stretching out in front of him, reported:

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 20:18

"My lord, the reinforcements for the inspection have been lined up!"

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 20:43

//She seems to have misinterpreted my "I'll be down to see you," thinking I was going to give the troops an inspection," thought the "my lord," a little embarrassed by the reception. However, judging by her grey face and red eyes, the Taer was now in a rare alternate state of mind, brought on by lack of sleep and nerves - so she could draw more original conclusions.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 20:44

"At ease, guardsman! Let's look around while you're in line," Alex commanded, adding in a barely audible whisper. "By the way, how do I address you in public?"

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 20:45

"Out of the ranks one at a time!" Taer shouted and then answered in the same whisper. "Guardsman, Or "Sein lieutenant." Or Sword."

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 20:46

"Master Pilot of the Guards, Ittori Lieutenant Pakrat Mithut!" The blond-haired guy, a little shorter than Alex, with green eyes, who stood first, stepped forward.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 20:47

"Master Pilot of the Guards, Ittori Lieutenant Rokot Vodin!" The co-pilot, a blond brown-haired man with fine features and the appearance of a poet, was even shorter than the first and somewhat more subtle in build than Alex had expected from a pilot. //Although with these compensators, maybe they don't care about physical attributes at all, as long as they're able to react.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 20:52

"Master Pilot of the Guards Ittori Cadet Ogerd Wispart!" If the first two pilots were about Alex's age or a little older, this one was at most twenty. Blond like the first pilot, he was short and gaunt but wiry as hell. He radiated activity and energy.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 20:55

"Master Operator "Lance" Dudo Guwar!" a man of heroic proportions stepped forward. At first glance, he looked about thirty, and his physique and general appearance were worthy of an action movie hero. He remembered from Taer's lengthy explanations that the lances'' were some sort of hacker. //Lance... weird, atypical guy. Alex imagined hackers in a very different way, and the "keyboard and mouse" fighters he'd met in person weren't usually known for the bulk of their muscles. // And judging by the calluses on his knuckles, he didn't work out in the gym he mentally shrugged and turned his attention to the girl.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 20:58

"Master operator of the field Rima Talariv!" A graceful girl with dark brown hair, a sensuous mouth, brown eyes accentuated by thick eyelashes of mind-blowing length, and charming dimples on her cheeks that appeared while smiling, like now for example. //And judging by the way her tunic is tattered - with a great figure! Alex admired the 'master field operator' for a while, but unfortunately, the pause was dragging on, and to keep his attention from escalating beyond decorum, he took a couple of steps back and glanced around the entire formation.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 21:01

//Yep, just like an Olympic reserve! The snow-white uniform with a red floral pattern on the right side that covered part of the sleeve was remotely similar to that of the Russian Olympic team.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 21:01

//At ease, eagles! What's wrong with the tree?

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 21:02

"This is my fault, Your Lordship!" The energetic voice of Ittori Cadet Ogerd came out. "I had suggested an alley race to practice ultra-low altitude flying and to get to know the machines better. But, unfortunately, the inertia of the flier was unusually high, and I lost control in a turn," the pilot stopped and looked cheerfully at Alex, like oh, come on, it's nothing.

Camrad_RIP 21.02.23 в 21:03

//They're not afraid of the bosses, the bastards, they break three hundred-year-old trees and don't give a damn! I wonder if they're all like that, or if Taer has recruited the craziest of them.

Camrad_RIP 23.02.23 в 13:54

"All right," Alex sighed. "Keep practicing your ultra-low flying, but if you crack any more, I'll take it out of your pay. Dismissed!"

Camrad_RIP 23.02.23 в 13:55

The troops hastily retreated out of sight of their superiors, the pilots ran to their machines, and the two master operators headed for the castle, followed by the Taer...

Camrad_RIP 23.02.23 в 13:55

"And you, Sain Lieutenant Diltar, I'm going to ask... to stay," Alex grinned. He waited until Taer came closer and asked with an air of concern in his voice:

Camrad_RIP 23.02.23 в 13:56

"What, you haven't slept at all?"

Camrad_RIP 23.02.23 в 13:57

"I slept!" the 'specialist' answered defiantly but, with a sigh, admitted it. "An hour and a half."

Camrad_RIP 23.02.23 в 13:58

Alex took a jar of Fenote from his pocket and poured six capsules into the palm of his hand:

Camrad_RIP 23.02.23 в 13:58