История Королевы Эльфов / The story of the Elf Queen: 23. Подземный морской вояж агента королевы эльфов

The subterranean sea voyage of the Elf Queen's agent.

Camrad_RIP 13.04.24 в 11:17

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Camrad_RIP 13.04.24 в 11:16

The fugitives jumped to their feet and stared at the ship approaching the shore. As it came closer and closer, their astonishment also increased. The ship didn't have sails and masts like the ships of the Free Cities and Islands that traveled the Mid Sea by the hundreds. Its outline was not rounded, but almost straight. Nor did it have the usual stern from which sailing ships were steered. Instead, in the center of the ship, a rather large superstructure rose above the deck, with an observation post in the center. A pair of powerful stationary golems, like the ones on the dark dwarf fortresses, were mounted on the same superstructure. Their eyepieces glittered with multicolored lights, and their heavy battle wands stared predatorily in different directions. No oars could be seen on the sides of the strange ship. But on each side of the ship could be seen a pair of powerful twin battle wands mounted on special protruding platforms. Even above the waterline, the sides were thickly studded with rows of short and sharp metal spikes. The ship looked very heavy and clumsy. It was incomprehensible how such a thing could move through the water without sinking. And yet, the metal ship was steadily approaching the shore. Turning to Luaval, Ciara asked in a surprised, normal voice:

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 11:18

"It's running on magical power?! How much power it must consume..."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:01

"Not really. It is driven by dwarven machinery, combined with stationary golems and partially powered by alchemical fuel. I don't know the details, as the masters of the Undermountain jealously guard their secrets."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:03

"It has a flat bottom," Gion said in surprise as he looked at the approaching ship, "Even a fishing boat on oars could outrun it!"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:03

"In these waters, boy, low draft is more important than speed. You should only go in shallow water, if possible," Luaval explained as he continued to look around carefully.

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:04

As the unusual ship came almost close to the shore, it froze. A wide ladder was thrown from its bow over the side in a narrow place where there were no spikes, and a loud bass sounded:

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:04

"Get on board now! What the hell are you standing there for?!"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:05

It didn't have to be said twice. The fugitives rushed toward the ship. The water of the lake was unexpectedly cold, but no one paid any attention to it. One by one, they all climbed the steps to the ship. The last to climb was Luaval. On the deck, they were met by four strong, broad-shouldered, and tall by the standards of their kin, dwarves, and three elves. The former wore the famous dwarven armor of blued steel, covered with numerous engraved runes. The second was wrapped in gray cloaks with hoods hiding their faces and figures. As soon as all the fugitives were on the deck, one of the dwarves, dressed in noticeably more ornate armor and with a much longer beard, commanded in a loud bass, waving his hand:

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:21

"Let's go! Full-back!"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:21

At the same moment, there was a low rumble and murmur, and the ship slowly moved backward. The two elves, meanwhile, quickly approached Tiantrelia, who was indifferent to everything, and four-handedly shackled her in a full set of shackles that suppressed almost any magic. After that, they put on some additional amulets of unknown purpose, put a sack of black silky cloth on her head, and carefully led her away. The third of them, clutching a small amulet, approached the fugitives and Luaval. But before he could say anything, the eldest of the dwarves took the floor again, speaking in a loud bass:

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:22

"Greetings aboard the Hardened, one of the finest ships in the Undermountain Fleet! It is a great honor to be aboard her, an honor very few landsmen have ever had! I am its captain, Foran, son of Dorand, of the glorious Cardlehar clan. And as long as you are aboard the Hardened, my word is law. For all of you!" he said the last phrase, looking intently at Luaval.

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:23

"No loitering around the ship without authorization. Don't disturb the crew. Don't ask stupid questions. Don't touch anything with your hands! This is not a wooden land merchant ship or the Middle Sea. This is a mighty warship and the Deep Sea! Do you understand?"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:24

The answer was the synchronized nods of the exhausted and grimy fugitives, who were ready and willing to do anything to get some rest.

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:26

"Great, glad we understand each other!"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:26

Nodding contentedly, the dwarf turned to the third of the elves that had already removed the binding amulet:

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:27

"They are at your disposal."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:27

Then the captain and his assistants went about their business. When he left, the hooded elf, dressed in a cloak, approached the fugitives and said in a polite voice:

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:27

"Greetings, honored ones. You may call me Sunset. I and my brethren are charged with escorting you to the edge of the Forest. From there, you can return to Morgrave. If you'll follow me, there are two cabins on the ship for you. They're not large, but they'll have to do. But first, you'll need to detoxify and clean up. Everything's ready for that."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:28

When the rescued prisoners, barely able to move their legs from fatigue and alchemical withdrawal, walked away, another elf dressed in a gray hooded cloak appeared as if out of nowhere beside Luaval, who remained on the deck. He exchanged short nods with his dark kin and activated a voice-distorting and voice-canceling amulet.

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:29

"Luaval."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:29

"Darendil."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:29

"How'd it go?"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:30

"Much easier than I thought it would be. Although, there were a couple of dangerous moments."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:30

"Predators?"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:30

"The Hunting Squad. Apparently, the islanders decided not to let us go after all I'd done for them. Lucky for us, we were tracked down by a bunch of juvenile morons led by an equally unintelligent idiot."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:31

"Luck indeed. Do you need to go through the Purification?"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:32

"Yeah, but I'm fine with the Minor, I've managed to get by without any major stimulants. I could use a full course of Restoration, though."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:33

"That's for when we get back to the Forest. And the rest we've prepared in our quarters. It's not much room, but what can you do? A dwarven ship."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:33

"I'll be fine. What about Zitrael?"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:34

"She's holding up pretty well so far. I'm told we've managed to win at least a couple more days."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:48

"Good to know..."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:48

Continuing to talk quietly, the two elves left the deck for the interior of the ship, which turned and sped away, gradually picking up speed.

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:49

* * *

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 12:32

The Small Hall of the House of Senrass was quite crowded. In addition to the matriarch, there were a dozen dark-elven women and a few dark elves held the highest positions in the House hierarchy. The former were seated in high chairs of varying degrees of ornamentation and size, arranged in a semicircle. A small number of the latter either took seats behind them or stood separately at the borders of the semicircle. They all stared at the six young Hunters lined up in a fixed line in the center of the hall. A little away from them stood their Senior, who was not a close but not distant relative of the current matriarch. All seven stood at attention, trying their best not to show their fear. They were not doing a very good job of it. And there was a reason for that.

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 13:19

After she finished listening to the report, the matriarch of House Senrass, who sat in the center of the semicircle in an extremely revealing gown of the finest purple silk, leaned back in her chair, which resembled a huge throne made of dark wood. It was decorated with skillful carvings and numerous reliefs, mostly depicting snakes. She put one slender leg over the other and slowly said with a thoughtful expression:

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 13:20

"Interesting..."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 13:20

In the complete silence of the Small Hall, that single word sounded very clear and equally ominous. Wrapping a lock of her thick light gray hair that reached to her tailbone around her finger, the matriarch turned her ruby eyes on the wrongdoers Hunters, and their Elder. They, to their credit, were able to withstand the gaze of the ruler of the largest and most powerful House in Antak na Shar'Dan. After drawing some conclusions she turned to her cousin sitting at her side in a slightly less luxurious and ornate chair. But in an equally revealing dress, albeit of black silk with silver embroidered snake patterns. She shook her head negatively in response to the mute question. Her silver tiara on her forehead, adorned with a multitude of rubies, continued to glow red, as did the elf's eyes.

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 14:12

"They're not lying. I don't see any traces of magical influence on subtle bodies and minds either."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 14:13

"Interesting..."

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 14:12

The Small Hall was again ominously silent. The matriarch once again thoughtfully examined the wrongdoers and voiced the question that was on everyone's tongues:

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 14:14

"Why didn't he kill them?"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 15:08

When the exhausted Eleventh Hunter Squad returned home unexpectedly, at first no one on the shift didn't even realize what they were talking about or what they were carrying. What test? What failure? What are you guys talking about?! When the Senior of their squad, who had also returned a little earlier, said that they had failed the test, everyone stopped understanding. The Supreme Catcher came to the noise, and upon seeing those who had returned, she asked in an ominous voice what they were doing here and why they weren't searching for the fugitives' trail as they had been instructed to do. She was dumbfounded when she heard their explanations, not believing what she heard. And then...

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 15:54

"IDIOTS!!!"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 15:55

After giving her rapidly pale subordinates their second scolding of the day, she urgently reported the matter to the matriarch. The matriarch listened to her and urgently convened the Small Council of the House, stopping the search at the same time.

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 15:55

"Isn't it obvious?"

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 15:55

Melisara's thoughtful voice made everyone turn toward the House's chief diplomat. She was sitting in her chair, her long and slender bare feet on the back of a nearly naked human slave standing on all fours in front of her. Quite handsome even by elven standards. Slender and athletically built, he clutched a pair of black patent leather sandals with silver buckles in his teeth.

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 15:56

"What do you mean, daughter?" the matriarch inquired.

Camrad_RIP 14.04.24 в 15:56

"It's a message. There is no other reasonable explanation."

Camrad_RIP 13.04.24 в 15:44