История Королевы Эльфов / The story of the Elf Queen: Пролог

Prologue

Camrad_RIP 25.06.25 в 10:23

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Camrad_RIP 25.06.25 в 10:23

Somewhere in the depths of the Underworld in the Wild Territories...

Camrad_RIP 25.06.25 в 10:24

The underground hall was, by Underworld standards, slightly larger than average and almost devoid of any vegetation. The sparse underground flora clustered along the banks of a narrow stream that flowed from a crack in the side wall and meandered across the entire hall, flowing into a hole in the opposite side wall that led to the neighbouring hall. The rest of the space was almost completely devoid of any vegetation, consisting mostly of a relatively flat surface littered with fresh piles of broken stones and rocks piled up in large heaps. The inhabitants of the well-fortified camp, located in the very centre of the underground hall so as to control its entire territory, were to thank for this.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:20

Large pieces of rock from around the camp were used to build walls with narrow passages and loopholes for archers. Both were covered with overlapping magical barriers and entangled with signal threads. Some of the nearly one hundred and fifty inhabitants of the camp were on constant duty with weapons in their hands, making sure that no enemy could approach unnoticed. They also killed most of the predatory underground beasts, not only in this hall, but also in several neighbouring ones. This included some very dangerous representatives of the underworld fauna. The surviving inhabitants of the surrounding areas quickly realised that the large herd of two-legged newcomers was extremely dangerous prey and best avoided. And the small herd of underground horned beasts managed to eat almost all the local vegetation during the couple of months that the camp existed. Because of this, the relatively peaceful beasts left these places.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:23

No, at first, some predators tried to test the strangers, but quickly lost their teeth. It was impossible to approach them unnoticed or to catch a lone straggler. So, even the most patient and cunning predators of the Underworld decided to look for easier prey by the end of the first month of the camp's existence. There was only one reason for the camp's inhabitants' success in their confrontation with the underground predators. It also explained the extremely diverse composition of the camp's workers, among whom humans predominated, but there were also gnomes, orcs, and even a few dark elves. Brain-eaters, also known as Mind Eaters.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:23

The trio of Illitids appointed to oversee this labor camp remained constantly at the very center of its fortifications, in a separate tent securely protected by several layers of magical defenses. While two of them rested or went about their business, one was constantly in a state of semi-meditation, controlling a hundred and fifty slaves whose pitiful minds were bound together by a single controlling network. The work, in fact, was not particularly difficult and did not require much effort, especially for natural adepts of Mind Magic, which all brain eaters were. Once the network was woven, securely entangling the minds of the slaves and tied to a control amulet in the form of a polished sphere of dark stone, all that was required was to simply monitor it and keep it in working order. This was a task that even a novice, who had only been converted yesterday, could handle, let alone an experienced overseer. The slaves, divided into brigades, were themselves engaged in cooking, setting up the camp, guarding it, and, in fact, the very thing for which all this had been undertaken, the extraction of magically active crystals. Due to the natural source of magic located in this hall, several very rich deposits of these crystals had formed here.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:12

The intervention of the brain-eaters was only required if something happened that did not fit into the standard directives of the slaves. For example, an attack by a truly serious predator. But after the first month of work, when most of the local predatory wildlife had been wiped out, such incidents were practically non-existent. So the three Illitids spent most of their time openly idling, waiting for the slaves to completely mine the crystal deposit so they could either return to their home city-hive or transfer them to another location in the Wild Territories.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:24

Well, one of the brain-eaters' favourite pastimes has always been gladiatorial combat between slaves. Of course, it was impossible to build a full-fledged arena in the labour camp, as in their home city-hive, but it was quite possible to organise one-on-one fights between individual slaves. And now, in the main tent, in the open space at its very centre, where a thick carpet had been laid, a couple of slaves from among the Illitids' personal servants were locked in combat.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:30

A tall and slender half-breed Orc, she had noticeably paler skin than her father's kin due to her life in the Underworld and her human mother. And, by human standards, a much more attractive face, with noticeably more feminine features and less prominent fangs. Her dark hair was cut short, in a military style. Opposite her stood a slightly shorter but equally slender dark elf with anthracite-black skin, a flawlessly aristocratic face currently contorted with tension, light purple eyes, and equally short ash-coloured hair.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:32

Both slaves, drenched in sweat, desperately tried to either catch their opponent in a chokehold or knock her to the floor. The struggle between them was very intense. It was a fight — no punches or kicks, let alone bites with fangs or scratches with nails, which the half-breed Orc could pass off as claws. It was not just forbidden, but literally blocked by the will of their masters, who did not want their personal toys to hurt each other. After all, it was not a fight to the death.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:32

But there was something else that was definitely allowed — groping your opponent if you managed to successfully grab her or knock her down. Given the artificially heightened sensitivity of both slaves, this could easily deprive the victim of the strength to continue resisting, drowning her in pleasure. For this reason, the bindings of both slaves had long since been torn off and lay aside, and they were fighting naked. But so far, neither the half-breed orc nor the dark firstborn had managed to achieve decisive success.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:33

Both their personal experience in such battles and the fact that they had spent the past few weeks in the camp studying each other's fighting styles, having fought more than once or twice, had an impact. So far, the dark elf was in the lead, but the gap was not too big. Two illithids from the resting shift, comfortably seated in ornate chairs with high carved backs, watched their duel and exchanged lazy mental comments.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:33

//"Your pet lacks imagination - it's too predictable. It crushes with pure force, no finesse. So typical of greenskins like it."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.25 в 10:25

//‘The dodges and contortions of your sharp-eared little beast are not much better. She may be good at avoiding blows, but she is completely incapable of holding them.’

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:34

"In such fights, there is no need to withstand it..."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.25 в 10:26

//"Brothers, alarm!"

Camrad_RIP 25.06.25 в 10:25

//"What's happened?!"

Camrad_RIP 25.06.25 в 10:25

Instantly forgetting their lazy and almost friendly banter, both resting Illitids literally flew into the air from their chairs, hovering above the floor of the tent. And the two fighting slaves simply froze in the position in which the alarm had caught them, paralysed by the will of their masters. The third brain-eater, who was monitoring the slaves through the mental network controlling them, used a control amulet to connect his fellow creatures to it. Specifically, to a group of sentries who were monitoring the area surrounding the camp. And all three Illitids saw with some amazement through their eyes a crowd of strange creatures moving through the underground hall along the stream bed. Apparently, they had come out of the neighbouring hall, where this stream flowed.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:35

//"What kind of vile creatures are these?!"

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:44

//"Deep sea fish people. It looks like a whole tribe."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:44

//"Dagon's minions? Where did these freaks come from? The Underworld Sea is far from here..."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:45

//"What difference does it make? Should we get rid of them or use them?"

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:45

//"What's the use of these half-wild creatures, which can't even be called intelligent? Even touching their pathetic semblance of consciousness is unpleasant. Unless you feed them to slaves..."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:46

//"Look, are they going to attack us?"

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:46

While this mental dialogue was going on, the Illitid slaves were not sitting idly by. Obeying the instructions embedded in their minds and the direct commands of the brain-eater on duty from the trio, the workers engaged in crystal mining quickly and without any fuss returned to the camp at the first appearance of the enemy. The slaves in the camp hastily armed themselves with both cold weapons and magic wands. At the same time, each of them knew exactly what to do, where to go, and what their role was. Bound by the common control network of the Illitids, the slaves acted in perfect harmony, like a single organism. By the time the crowd of deep-dwelling fishmen emerged from the stream onto the shore, forming a wide semicircle in the direction of the camp, its defenders had long been ready for battle. The three illitids left their tent and, using their natural levitation abilities, hovered above the camp, observing everything from above. And with a noticeable degree of surprise.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:37

//"There are no strong, gifted ones among them, just a couple of weaklings, barely capable of the simplest manipulations."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:46

//"Some warriors have well-enchanted weapons, but there are no more than ten of them."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:47

//"They have young ones and females with them. Were they driven away from their usual place?"

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:47

//"What difference does it make, let the slaves destroy this rabble and..."

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:47

//"WATCH OUT!!!"

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:47

The desperate thought-cry-command of the oldest and most experienced of the three brain-eaters, who happened to be on duty at that moment, came a fraction of a second too late. His brothers did not have time to react when a bright light flashed in the air between the fish-people and the camp. The light, incredibly bright by the standards of the Underworld, hurt the eyes of its inhabitants, accustomed to constant darkness and twilight, blinding and disorienting them. The eldest of the three Illitids managed to protect his own eyes only thanks to his experience and reflexes honed over the years, switching to mental-telepathic perception of the surrounding world. At the same time, he partially shielded his consciousness from the minds of his brothers and slaves so that the pain of their blinded eyes would not interfere with his ability to fight.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:38

He immediately spotted the enemy who had caused this catastrophe, fortunately, as the enemy was no longer hiding. A dangerous enemy, a powerful enemy, full of strength that was very foreign to the Underworld. But too cocky! When the enemy, who had been hiding until then and who, as it turned out, also knew how to fly, rushed into the attack, diving from somewhere in the ceiling of the underground hall, the eldest of the trio instantly delivered a concentrated psionic blow to him. The blow was intended to, if not burn out his mind, then at least confuse him considerably, first depriving him of his ability to resist, and then of any ability to think. When it came to the combat application of Mind Magic, traditionally considered unsuitable for direct combat, few knew as much as the Mind Eaters. The blow, directed by the mind of the eldest of the illithids, was powerful, precise and... completely powerless against the unknown enemy, failing even to touch his mind.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:39

A wave of psionic energy simply flowed around the unknown enemy, like a stream of water around a rock. In the mind of the brain-eater, surprise, shock, anger, fear, and the belated realization that the unknown enemy was surrounded by some kind of very powerful protection designed specifically against Mind Magic flashed one after another. Like an invisible but very strong barrier, it shielded his mind, and such protection could not be quickly broken... The last thought was interrupted by a monstrous heat that pierced the Mind Eater's octopus-like head. A moment later, the Illithid's body, with a hole burned into its forehead by an extremely concentrated beam of sunlight, collapsed into a shapeless heap. The controlling amulet fell from its paw and hit the stone surface of the underground hall, shattering into small pieces. A moment later, the first Illitid's brothers fell, having never quite recovered from the blinding light that had struck their eyes, accustomed to darkness. The entire battle lasted only a few moments.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:23

And throughout the camp, a hundred and fifty slaves writhed in convulsions and spasms as the network that bound their minds began to rapidly unravel at the seams. The underground hall was filled with the joyful, bubbling cries of the deep-sea fishmen, who rushed in disorderly rows towards the camp:

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:39

"Muuuur-Ladin-Buuuul!!! Muuuur-Ladin-Boouuul!!!"

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:48

An elderly man hovering above the camp, with a pair of once-snow-white wings glowing dimly behind him, descended smoothly and looked around. Then he made a quick gesture with his hand, and the fragments of the amulet sphere landed in his palm, which the slain brain-eaters had used to control their slaves. He stared at it for a few seconds with a look of utter disgust on his face, but then decided to expend a little more of his energy. The winged man's eyes flashed with sunlight in the darkness of the Underworld, and the fragments literally burned in his palm, turning into weightless dust. And along with them, the vile web that enveloped the minds of the unfortunate mortals began to burn and disintegrate.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:40

Without the treacherous magic of the brain-eaters he had killed and this amulet, it would have become useless over time, but he did not have any extra time. So, accelerating the process of its decay was not at all superfluous. Fortunately, although very small, a steady stream of grace flowed to him from his new followers who had rejected the Deep One. But in the name of his Father and the Eternal Sun, he very much hoped that among the slaves he had saved, there would be at least one who knew where the nearest exit from this accursed Underworld was...

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:40

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Camrad_RIP 25.06.25 в 10:26

Underworld. The territory controlled by the Forest beneath the Royal Palace.

Camrad_RIP 25.06.25 в 10:27

The room where she was placed after being discharged from the Healers' Chambers was, frankly speaking, rather ascetic, if not worse. All the furniture was extremely simple and practical, lacking any of the refinement or elegance befitting a firstborn. At best, such a room would be suitable for a slave who was useful enough to the House to be kept separately. But the conditions of her confinement did not concern Ciadal of the House of Zaatran at all right now. What concerned the Senior Member of the Fourth Reconnaissance Squad was her future fate. A very vague and disturbing fate. Since she was already, in effect, a former Senior.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:41

Yes, she survived. Yes, it was only by the grace of Fortune herself that she survived in the thrice-cursed repository of bearded misfits. She survived an encounter with the very Horror of Diyarten, the escape from which will haunt her nightmares for a long time to come. The healers of her light-coloured kin healed the wounds she had received on the sacrificial altar, even restoring her former beauty. They helped her get rid of the Nightmares sent by the Deep Ones. And it would seem that she should be happy with such luck. And Ciadal would be happy, if not for one thing. A very big BUT.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:42

The squad entrusted to her lost two Hunters at once. This was a very serious failure for her as a Senior. Her sworn rivals, friends, and relatives, aiming for her position or higher, wanting to eliminate a potential competitor, would certainly try to take advantage of this. But she could have dealt with this misfortune, especially if she had managed to return to her hometown and House unbound by oaths that sealed her lips, or even parting with part of her memory. After all, information about her saviours would definitely interest the House's leadership, and it was very possible that Ciadal would manage to come out of the situation unscathed. Or at least with minimal losses.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:44

But the main problem was different. The wounds inflicted on the sacrificial altar were not physical, but subtle. Wounds that were much more difficult to heal than mortal flesh. The long-dead guardian of the thrice-cursed treasure trove of bearded dwarves literally mutilated the subtle bodies of the Ciadal on the sacrificial altar with the hands of his necromantic constructs. He practically burned away all of her gift for magic, which she had diligently developed throughout her conscious life, and thanks to which she had achieved her now former title of Senior Squad Leader. Now only pitiful crumbs remained of it, and the healers of her light-coloured kin could not help her. Or rather, the best of the healing magicians could certainly help her. But she had nothing to pay for the services of such experts in healing magic.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:55

Pressing her lips together, she stretched out her slightly trembling right hand over the table at which she was sitting. The simplest weave, the very basics that all students who have just embarked on the path of mastering magic begin with. Just a little light, a spark, designed to dispel the darkness. Any student, unless completely talentless, could easily manage this. But as soon as Ciadal tried to form this simplest of spells, which required only the slightest effort, her whole arm, and then the rest of her body, was seized by a spasm, forcing the dark elf to gasp and bend over the table, helplessly gasping for air.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:55

The physical pain passed very quickly, but it took her several minutes to come to her senses, barely restraining herself from crying out in despair and feeling a nagging emptiness where her gift had once been. It's over. In this state, if she returns to her family home... They'll simply devour her. Hardly in the literal sense, although anything is possible. In the best-case scenario, she would fall under the thumb of one of her older relatives, who would pass her off to one of her children as a brood mare. Or they may decide that the former Senior, who has become practically useless, is not worth the cost of maintaining her. And she will be of much more use to the House if she is sold to a fat cat from the lower races for gold or other services. Firstborn girls have always been especially valued, and she, thanks to the healers of her light-coloured kin, has at least retained her beauty.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:57

Only one thing kept her from falling into complete despair and despondency about her future prospects. A single, tiny ray of hope that gave her...

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 09:57

"You were told not to try to use magic."

Camrad_RIP 25.06.25 в 10:27

The voice that rang out behind Ciadal made the dark elf jump up and turn around abruptly, causing her body to convulse again. It was unclear how her fellow elf had entered the room unnoticed, but he stared at her intently with his violet eyes while she gasped for air, trying to regain her composure. After all, her mutilated, slender body had taken its toll on her physical form. Somehow, finding the amulet given to her by the healers hanging on her chest, Ciadal clenched it in her fist. The weaving embedded in it came to life, and a wave of warmth swept through the dark elf's body, immediately making her feel better. Meanwhile, her kinsman, one of her rescuers, slowly approached the table and sat down opposite her, continuing to stare intently at Ciadal. His violet eyes glowed slightly, hinting that he was looking at her with magical vision.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:23

Gathering her strength, the dark elf forced herself to sit up straight and tried to look as dignified as befitted the daughter of the Underworld. It didn't work very well, not only because of her condition, but also because of the light gray clothes, completely unfamiliar to Ciadal, sewn in the fashion of her light-colored kin and devoid of even a hint of revelation or eroticism. But she had to try. Because the kinsman sitting opposite her was extremely difficult. Even during their first meeting within the walls of the thrice-cursed repository of bearded dwarves, Ciadal had managed to assess his manner, his gait, the way he spoke and acted. A hunter. And clearly not just any hunter, but one from the very top of the House. His call sign, “First,” hinted at this more than eloquently. No one would be allowed to use it just like that.

Camrad_RIP 29.06.25 в 13:24