Звездопад / Starfall: Глава 34

Chapter 34

Camrad_RIP 05.04.23 в 09:21

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Camrad_RIP 05.04.23 в 09:21

As they ascended, the night was taking over. The trunks of the many trees, illuminated by blue lights hidden at the roots, grew farther and farther away, and darkness covered the summit. The grass, wet and shiny from the recent rain, creaked and slid under their loafers as they climbed a low hill lost somewhere in the gardens surrounding Blue Flame Castle. Slightly ahead of them, in her rightful knowledge of the path, was Lady Kayrin Baroness Rionale climbing the slope with no apparent effort. She wore a tight-fitting suit with a closed neck and long sleeves. The velvety fabric of which it was made was a deep navy blue, making Baroness Rionale literally disappear into the bluish twilight that enveloped the garden, making her look like a ghost.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 05:59

//A ghost with a very seductive outline." Alex thought involuntarily, looking up at Kayrin. He walked a little behind because although he was technically the owner of this garden, he wasn't at all familiar with it, especially at night.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:00

The hill was not high, and they were already at the very top, level with the treetops in a ghostly, witchy glow that flooded the orchards with a cold blue flame.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:01

"Here, I think." On reaching the top, Kayrin stopped and threw the 'plaid' on the grass.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:02

The thin golden film folded into a small envelope touched the ground, and with a quiet crunch, it unfolded and literally spread over the top of the hill in a rustling, gleaming puddle. The "plaid", having finished unrolling, instantly gained volume, as if inflated, and changed texture, becoming soft and fluffy.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:04

Waiting for the "plaid" to unfold, Kayrin climbed onto it with her feet and made an inviting gesture.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:05

Alex squatted cautiously beside the Baroness and ran his hand over the rug. Under his palm was a thick, short piece of fur, //or fleece, no, more likely fur.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:05

//This thing, just a moment ago, was the thinnest of foils and even seems to be metallic. How could it possibly be?" he thought, groping the plaid incredulously. It was several centimeters thick and dense. - "Some things, it seems, can only get used to.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:07

"You're in danger of missing the whole thing," Cayrin said impatiently. "It's about to start."

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:08

As if to obey her words, the ghostly light that enveloped the trees suddenly disappeared, and the gardens were plunged into darkness. Only the castle still shone, a wavering blue light of the walls and the blazing bright purple spires.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:09

"Is this the way it's supposed to be?" Alex asked quietly, wary. Even though their stroll through the garden was covered by almost the entire Baroness Rional's "Arm" supported by a dozen in assault armor from his men. He, after the known events, was still nervous.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:20

"Yes," Kayrin reassured him. "The light from the garden is too bright. We wouldn't see anything. Let's get you settled in." She added, patting her palm beside her. "And look up. It's about to start."

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:21

Alex sat down next to him and stared upwards as instructed.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:21

After Tallana, the sky of Copeira seemed... laconic. The crimson nebula that floated in the depths was crossed by a silver ribbon that had become a bit narrower, turning into a thin line. All that remained of the moon was a thin greenish crescent lurking at the very edge of the sky.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:22

Nothing else was going on. Alex spent a few minutes honestly trying to find something for which they had been walking through the gardens for almost an hour, but there was nothing. Then for a few more minutes, he entertained the hope that it was just Kayrin's devious plan to seduce him, but it was unlikely. For one thing, they were in full view of the vast number of people ensuring their safety, and for another, after their conversation at Cassard, Baroness Rionale had clearly changed her approach to relations to a friendly-businesslike format. Which Alex, secretly to himself, periodically regretted.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:25

They sat in silence, looking up at the sky for about five minutes, and nothing happened. Alex was about to become indignant when he suddenly noticed a golden sparkle sweep across the sky, followed by another and another.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:28

With every second more shooting stars flashed in the air.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:28

"Are those meteors?" He asked, staring up at the sky, glowing golden.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:28

"Yes, Starfall..." said Kayrin with a faint shadow of sadness. "It's been a year now."

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:29

The meteors became more and more numerous, and soon the whole sky was lit up with golden flashes.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:30

//It was worth the trip for an hour." Alex decided, admiring the shimmering sea of gold across the sky:

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:30

"Very beautiful indeed," he added aloud.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:30

"You haven't seen anything yet. This is only the beginning. - She lifted herself and began to look around carefully. Look!" She ducked down to Alex and pointed her hand somewhere down the hill. There was a faint glimmer of light at the base of the hill, and then, as if a switch had been flipped. Droplets of cold blue light spattered outward, streaming across the grass in a glowing wave, covering the entire expanse of the vast orchards.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:31

A few lights flickered in the grass beside them, and Alex reflexively reached for them to get a better look: a bud of a tiny flower was glowing, lost in the grass. The stem trembled and the light left the flower, rising up into the sky, leaving only the dark opening bud behind.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:32

All around, as far as the eye could see, countless droplets of light swirled above the garden, like shining rain falling upwards.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:32

"Copeirnican fireflies," Kayrin commented, keeping her eyes open. "They sense starfall somehow, and they rise into the sky every year."

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:34

The fireflies kept rising and rising, gradually swirling into a giant glowing vortex around the castle.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:34

"Incredibly beautiful," Alex said admiringly, cocking his head. "How long is this going to last?"

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:35

"Just a few hours. In the morning, the insect killers are switched on."

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:35

"But... But why?"

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:36

"They're a rare kind of nasty-looking." Kayrin shrugged her shoulders in disgust. "And they respond to heat, too, and literally swarm over people."

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:36

"So every year they are all wiped out? Where do they come from?"

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:37

"In spring, they plant flowers with their larvae..." the Baroness began but paused, listening intensely. "There seems to be someone flying towards us."

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:38

A characteristic throbbing hum was coming fast from somewhere on the side of the castle, now Alex could hear it too, and just in case, he removed the retaining loop on his holster and lowered the blaster's readiness lever.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:44

A small open platform flew atop the trees, catching the light of the headlights, the strange interlacing of branches, and the glow of damp foliage.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:45

The platform circled their hill, rising fireflies sputtering out from underneath like sparks from a bonfire in a sudden gust of wind. There was a whirring sound as the gangway lowered, and Thaer was the first to descend onto the grass. The security specialist was in her usual spotless white tunic with scarlet floral embroidery on the right sleeve and her weapon. Although she tried to keep a mask of nonchalance, her eyes betrayed excitement.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:46

/OK, something's happened," Alex thought as he saw Taer's face.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:47

The glare of the headlights made it difficult to see who else had arrived with the specialist, but when black boots appeared on the gangway, Alex realized what had caused such excitement.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:48

The black boots belonged to a short, smooth-shaven man of about forty-five, with dark hair touched with a touch of gray dust, his gray eyes staring at Alex with mocking interest. His boots came with the coal-black uniform of an imperial security officer. Following him, shoulder to shoulder, monolithic as a wall, came down three other men in black uniforms, each about six feet tall and with a mask of indifference on their faces.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:49

"Your Grace..." Taer's voice trembled faintly. "There is someone to see you."

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:49

//Did they really risk taking me out in the open like that," Alex thought feverishly, fabricating an accusation. Hell, they might not even have fabricated it if they'd dug up anything about Lyora and her company.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:50

Without waiting for his reaction, Officer SS stepped forward and bowed his head slightly:

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:50

"Allow me to introduce myself, Stack Captain Plauth, Asanti Plauth. Acting head of imperial security for the Tail Sector." He smiled coldly at Alex and added. "Normally we just send two lieutenants with a couple of Sains on such occasions... But in your case, Lord Cassard, I couldn't deny myself the honor of attending in person."

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:51

//There are four of them and three of us, and Kayrin is unarmed. But Taer's standing behind the SSmen..." Alex estimated the odds in a straightforward conflict. It wasn't bad. He was wearing a personal shield, and most likely so was Taer. The SSmen had lightweight waistcoats, at best, and their weapons were the usual blasters. He had a good chance of surviving five or six hits and putting them all down...: 'Except does it make sense? And would Taer back him up? After all, she knows I could be arrested quite legally. " He gazed intently into the specialist's eyes. She didn't look ready for a fight. She was confused. - No chance..."

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:53

The silent scene lasted a few seconds as Stack Captain Plaut, not noticing or pretending not to, turned to one of his attendants and took a small polished wood case from him. He took a few steps closer to Alex and, with outstretched arms, held out an open case for him. Inside was a small scroll:

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:55

"Sovereign Prince Alessandro Cassard..." The captain's voice rumbled with solemnity. "Truly, the Emperor summons you. Accept the Onstum, by the word of your ancestors and for the glory of your House."

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:56

Alex froze, staring at the scroll, trying to figure out what was going on. From behind the SSmen, Taer gestured for him to take the case. After a few seconds, he got himself together enough to do it.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:58

Passing the case to the stack-captain and his escorts bowed their heads in sync, and turning over their left shoulders, began to climb onto the platform.

Camrad_RIP 10.04.23 в 06:58