История Королевы Эльфов / The story of the Elf Queen: Глава вторая. Кирилл. Новая наставница и начало новых тренировок Героя Королевы Эльфов

Chapter Two. Cyrill. New Mentor and the Beginning of New Training for the Hero of the Elven Queen

Camrad_RIP 08.07.25 в 17:09

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Camrad_RIP 08.07.25 в 17:09

A protected grove somewhere in the Forest...

Camrad_RIP 09.07.25 в 19:55

Silence hung in the living room. Quite a tense silence. For a few seconds, Cyril looked at the unexpected and uninvited guest in complete confusion and bewilderment, then he suddenly came to his senses and performed a series of simultaneous manipulations with his subtle bodies. He maximally compacted and strengthened the protective layers of his aura, separately made the outer layer as sensitive as possible, closed, strengthened, and accelerated the circulation of reserves through the energy channels in order to “burn off” any possible impurities of foreign energy, as well as to be able to instantly form protective or attacking weaves. At the same time, his actions should not have been visible thanks to the elite “Mimicry of Subtle Bodies.” Cyril also switched to magical vision, assessing both the guest and the mentor, but saw nothing suspicious. Moreover, by the standards of sorceresses of their level, both elves were extremely open, hardly hiding their subtle bodies at all. Alatrel did not even have any amulets, except, it seemed, for a communication device.

Camrad_RIP 09.07.25 в 15:26

She held the young man's intense gaze with complete calm, continuing to smile slightly and look back at him. Cyril glanced quickly at Diantrel, who was also completely calm and unperturbed, but before he could ask his mentor anything through their mental connection, Alatrel carefully placed the mug with her drink on the table in front of her and smoothly rose to her feet, nodding once more in greeting:

Camrad_RIP 09.07.25 в 15:26

"I am truly glad to meet you, Ciriall, finally. I have been told so many amazing things about you."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:02

After casting another quick questioning glance at Diantrel, who continued to sit calmly in her chair and drink her beverage, and receiving a brief nod in response, Cyril turned to the unexpected guest and said, continuing to watch her closely:

Camrad_RIP 09.07.25 в 15:27

"Actually, we already know each other, honorable."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 16:09

The smile on Alatrel's face grew a little wider, and she slowly shook her head.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:04

"Not at all. I was not acquainted with you before this day, just as you were not acquainted with me."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:05

"Is that so?" Cyrill looked meaningfully at the guest first, then back at Diantrel. "I seem to remember that we have met before. I can say that I will remember our meeting and its results for the rest of my life."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 16:10

To his surprise, the smile on Alatrel's face became even wider and more charming. Turning to Diantrell, who continued to sit in her chair and calmly drink her slightly steaming beverage, she asked her:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 16:10

"As I understand it, you haven’t yet touched on legal issues related to magic and its use?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:05

Taking another sip, Diantrel shook her head and replied:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:05

"No, the main emphasis was on practical classes, taking into account... the specifics of the training."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:06

"I see..."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:06

But Cyrill, who kept glancing between his mentor and the guest, didn't understand what they were talking about or what was going on. But before he could ask his questions, Alatrell turned to him again and said with the same charming smile:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 16:11

"Allow me, then, to explain in the simplest and most understandable terms what I meant when I said that this was our first meeting, Cirial. According to the laws of the Forest, someone who is completely controlled by magic is not considered to be themselves at that moment and is not responsible for their actions."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 16:11

"Provided that they had no way of avoiding falling under someone else's control," added Diantrel, taking another sip.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 16:12

“Exactly,” Alatrel nodded to her.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 14:27

Turning back to Cyrill, she continued:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:07

"During our last meeting, I was already completely under the control of the one known to us all as Master. And, anticipating a possible question, as unpleasant as it is for me to admit, I had virtually no chance of escaping his clutches. The web woven specifically for me was too well crafted. This was fully confirmed by the thorough investigation conducted by the Secret Guard."

Camrad_RIP 09.07.25 в 15:27

"So that's how it is..."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 14:27

Continuing to stare at the guest, Cyrill asked briefly:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:07

//Mentor?

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:11

She, thanks to the mental connection, perfectly understood the general meaning of his question and answered just as briefly:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:11

//"That's exactly it."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:11

After receiving confirmation from Diantrel, Cyrill calmed down a little, but did not let his guard down. The young man folded his arms across his chest and nodded slowly:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 16:12

"In that case, honorable Alatrel, let us become acquainted. And may I inquire to what I owe this unexpected visit?"

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 14:29

A charming smile appeared on the guest's face again, and she answered in a polite voice:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:12

The Forest is solely concerned for your safety, Ciriall.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 13:12

Having finished her drink, Diantrel placed the empty mug on the table and said, pointing to an empty chair:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 12:27

"Sit down, Ciriall, we have a serious and long conversation ahead of us. Armina, Gata, take care of breakfast for now."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 12:28

Both maids nodded briefly and withdrew. Cyrill sat down in the chair opposite Alatrel, who had also taken her previous seat and was sipping from her mug. Turning to Diantrell, the young man looked at her questioningly, and she began to explain:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 16:13

"In a very short time, you, Cirial, have acquired knowledge and gained powers thanks to the Tablets of the Soul that would have taken everyone else decades of hard work to achieve at best. And I am not exaggerating in the slightest. But despite this, as recent events have shown, there are areas where you seriously lack knowledge and skills. I would even say catastrophically lacking, considering who we are up against. And which I cannot teach you properly, as I am simply not a high enough specialist in this particular area of magic. Unlike" Diantrel turned to Alatrell, "my esteemed colleague."

Camrad_RIP 09.07.25 в 15:28

“You’re talking about protecting the mind from Mind Magic,” the young man said slowly, beginning to guess what Diantrel was getting at.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 12:27

"That's right,“ nodded the young man's mentor. ”I will say without false modesty and without any exaggeration that during our... unplanned journey, you, Cirial, showed yourself from your best side, worthily enduring all the trials that Fate threw at us. It is all the more remarkable that, having successfully survived the Dark Brotherhood's assassination attempt, escaped from Kardarot's vault, and fled from the Terror of Diyarten, you nearly fell victim to the Voice of the Deep. And this even though its words were not even a full-fledged Call."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 16:15

At the mention of nightmares, an involuntary chill ran down Cyrill's spine, and he had a hard time keeping himself from shuddering.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 12:27

"I won't say," continued Diantrel, "that if you were more skilled at protecting your mind, you would have been able to completely avoid the consequences, but it is very difficult even for a specialist to resist the power of the Ancient God. But the consequences would have been less severe. And, I repeat, it was not even a full-fledged Call, for which the Lord of the Depths is so sadly famous. Therefore, after carefully studying and evaluating the results of our... journey, the analysts of the Secret Guard came to the conclusion that you need to be brought up to speed in this area. Especially considering the fact that we now know for certain that Master is alive, which means that sooner or later he will make his move."

Camrad_RIP 11.07.25 в 18:30

"And the honorable Alatrel will be teaching me up, right?" Cyrill asked, already guessing where this was going, and looking meaningfully at the uninvited guest.

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 16:16

Diantrel nodded affirmatively:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 12:26

"Following discussions, her candidacy was deemed the most suitable. Alatrel has extensive experience in such matters, having worked with the Secret Guard for over a century, assisting them in resolving various issues that require a delicate approach. She is well-versed in unlocking the minds and hearts of others and is equally adept at protecting them from such encroachments."

Camrad_RIP 11.07.25 в 18:29

Glancing briefly at Alatrell, who was still smiling charmingly, Diantrell turned to Cirill and looked meaningfully into his eyes:

Camrad_RIP 11.07.25 в 18:28

"I understand perfectly well, Cirial, that first impressions are the strongest, and your first meeting with Alatrell... did not go very well, but I also hope that you understand perfectly well that this is entirely Master's fault. And so I ask you not to be prejudiced against my colleague and to allow her to start your relationship with a clean slate... ."

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 16:18

Suddenly smiling, Alatrel shook her head and said:

Camrad_RIP 12.07.25 в 12:26

"Thank you for your high opinion of my professionalism, Diantrel, but let me speak for myself, and then let Cirial make his own conclusions and decide whether to proceed or not. Especially since they won't stay clean for long. In every sense of the word."

Camrad_RIP 11.07.25 в 18:28

Under Cyril's questioning gaze, who was once again tense inside, Diantrel shrugged and gestured invitingly to her colleague. The charming smile disappeared from Alatrell's face, and the elf became extremely serious. Leaning back in her chair and folding her arms across her chest, she said:

Camrad_RIP 09.07.25 в 15:29

"Considering all the rather unusual circumstances that led to our meeting today, I will allow myself the rare pleasure of being frank with you, Cirial. And to begin with, I will say this. Do I regret the circumstances of our first meeting? Yes, of course, especially now that I know your true nature. Can I say that I would never have treated you the way I did, being caught in the Master's web, not being in it, and not knowing who you really are? Definitely not."

Camrad_RIP 11.07.25 в 18:27

After casting a strange glance at Diantrel, who rolled her eyes for a moment, she continued:

Camrad_RIP 11.07.25 в 18:25

"In the Royal Palace, and more broadly in the Forest, things are far from as simple as they might seem to you. There are disagreements and grudges between the firstborns, some of which are very old. And to bewitch someone's illegitimate offspring, someone with whom you have a long-standing... let's not even call it enmity, but rather rivalry... So, to bewitch someone's illegitimate but clearly beloved offspring, someone with whom you have a long-standing rivalry — why not, if you have the opportunity? Among the Forest's elite, this is almost the norm. Of course, within fairly strict, albeit unspoken, limits."

Camrad_RIP 11.07.25 в 18:25