История Королевы Эльфов / The story of the Elf Queen: Глава четвёртая. Кирилл. Трудности обустройства собственного дома Героя Королевы Эльфов

Chapter Four. Cyrill. The Difficulties of Setting Up a Home for the Hero of the Elf Queen

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 15:54

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Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 15:54

Somewhere in the Underworld...

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 15:55

Running her palm over his powerful neck, covered in thick, dark-gray scales, Fayana gently scratched the junction of the pair of armor plates that protected the riding lizard's head. This elicited a muffled, contented purr from him and a barely noticeable wag of the flexible tip of his tail. Blinking the second eyelid of his bright yellow eye with its vertical slit pupil, he tilted his head slightly, exposing the sensitive area to the former Supreme Catcher's fingers.

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 10:28

A tight smile touched Fayana's lips. Good! Of course, she was more accustomed to the war-bred predatory lizards. They were faster and could be useful in combat, but they had to be picked literally at the egg stage and raised and trained personally. Because your eternity would depend on a war lizard, and trusting its training to anyone else... would be extremely unwise. And they had a far from easygoing nature, and not even everyone of her kind would be able to find common ground with such a dangerous predator. Not to mention the groundlings, who were encountering the "horses of the Underworld" for the first time in their lives, so for now, they'd have to make do with riding lizards.

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 10:29

They have a much more docile nature, they treat riders more calmly, and it's much easier to find food for them. While they're combat predators, they crave meat, and not just any meat; riders feed on the vegetation and mushrooms of the Underworld. It's much easier to feed them in the Wild and Neutral Territories, especially the less fussy breeds. However, if you keep them on the open grass for too long, they won't be able to travel very far or for very long; they'll start to weaken and may even develop a stomachache. Then they'll have to look for food plants and mushrooms, not just weeds. Therefore, it would be good if her search ended as soon as possible. And ended successfully!

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 10:37

After scratching the lizard a little more, which clearly made him enjoy himself, Fayana turned to the eldest of the dark dwarves, who was silently watching her and her companions-subordinates, and nodded briefly:

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 16:10

"Good. I'll take all six of you, along with their gear and two bags of fodder for each of them."

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 16:10

He nodded silently back, accepted a tight, heavy purse of silver from the former Supreme Catcher's assistant, which felt like a small bag. He handed it to his assistant, waited for him to quickly verify the money was in order, and then nodded to the other bearded men holding the reins of the lizards. The dark elf carefully examined each of them, along with one of the young men from the far north who had accompanied her on the search. Despite his youth, he had demonstrated considerable zeal in serving the Eternal Sun among the warriors guarding the underground halls beneath Iyastar and had already been ordained to the priesthood. His eyes glowed brightly with a golden light as he and Fayana examined the riding lizards, and his lips whispered a silent prayer intended to help them discern what was hidden. Having made sure with him that there were no surprises and/or dirty tricks, like marks, beacons, or something worse, the dark elf nodded once again to the bearded men.

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 10:38

They nodded briefly in response, and the deal was complete. Fayana's old acquaintance from a previous life, along with his companions, hurried out of the relatively small underground chamber, which belonged to the Neutral Territories. Its main advantage was its relative emptiness and several passages leading to adjacent chambers that were otherwise unconnected. A very good place for negotiations and deals where both parties distrusted each other. Which was a given for almost any deal in the Underworld.

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 12:32

And so, although the purchase of the riding lizards went smoothly, the dark elf, who had radically changed her life priorities in the fateful battle with the Terror of Diyarten, and her subordinates hastened to follow the dwarves' example and leave the meeting place. Only she did so on horseback. And while she sat confidently in the saddle of her riding lizard, her companions, more accustomed to horses, behaved much more awkwardly. The young priest sitting behind her in a double saddle was clearly struggling not to cling to Fayana, who sat in front. Only two of her companions seemed quite confident. A broad-shouldered, burly orc, over two meters tall, who hailed from the Eastern shores of the Steppe Sea, and who had already earned a fair amount of gray hair, was a veteran of the Bright Order, having served for the last ten years in the detachments guarding the underground halls beneath Iyastar.

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 12:40

It's okay, let them get used to it and learn! Especially since they have no choice in the matter anyway. They need to move quickly and cover great distances, as Miranthir's whereabouts are still unclear. Fayana used all her old connections that hadn't been completely severed, collecting old debts, obligations, and oaths, but she couldn't find any trace of the missing First Herald. The Underworld had been too unsettled after that fateful battle. They were only able to identify a few potential locations where Miranthir might have caused the commotion. Each of them had to be checked. And, of course, they all led in different directions.

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 12:41

So she had to urgently contact an old acquaintance who, for a generous fee, was willing to provide her with good lizard mounts and all the necessary equipment. And, most importantly, she needed to do it quickly and with an acceptably low risk of being caught. Yes, it had cost her dearly, but the expense would be well worth it! Her plans included establishing "underground stables" for those Theocracy fighters who brought light to the Underworld. So this could be considered her first investment in strengthening Iyastar's security. And for it to be more than just that, all she needed was the smallest thing: finding a single Ray of the Eternal Sun in the Underworld. And Fayana was determined to accomplish this task!

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 12:46

The former Supreme Catcher, without taking her eyes off the lizard, which, by the way, was superbly trained, imagined her cherished target. Completely naked, with alabaster-white painted skin and a jester's cap. Licking her lips, Fayana allowed herself a few seconds to savor this incredibly seductive image, then focused again on the road ahead. Everything in its time.

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 12:47

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Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 16:11

Underworld. Barracks of the Underground Corps of the Forest Guard.

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 16:11

The elven healer, clad in snow-white robes richly embroidered with red leaf-themed patterns, closed her glowing blue eyes, switching from magical to normal vision. At the same time, she extinguished the weaves inserted into the medical bed, designed to assess and monitor the patient's condition. Satisfied with the results of her examination, she nodded briefly, announcing her verdict:

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 18:10

"Everything is fine. The healing was successful, your vision is fully restored, no traces of damage remain, and you are free to go."

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 16:39

Luaval immediately rose from the healing bed with one deft movement and nodded respectfully to the Senior Healer of the Corps of the Underground Forest Guard, who had a wealth of experience in treating wounds left by the inhabitants of the Underworld.

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 17:10

"Thank you, venerable Latrimal, and accept my admiration for your skill! Believe me, I have someone and something to compare it to."

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 17:10

A faint smile touched the elf's lips, and she nodded slightly in response:

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 17:10

"Thank you for such a high rating, and I hope that we will have the opportunity to meet again in the very distant future."

Camrad_RIP 02.12.25 в 17:10

With a quiet chuckle, Luaval nodded to the healer once more and strode decisively out of her office. As it turned out, he was already awaited in the hallway at the exit. Zairal stood leaning against the wall, her arms crossed over her chest, clad in the dark robes of a Catcher but without any weapons. Her fellow tribeswoman greeted him with an expression of truly exemplary dark elven arrogance and haughtiness. And as soon as Luaval opened the door, she asked, her eyes blazing angrily:

Camrad_RIP 02.12.25 в 17:12

"You knew in advance, didn't you?"

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 17:11

He, instantly understanding what she meant, shook his head with a weak smile and replied:

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:23

"About there being a side passage between those two passages? No, I had no idea. I found it while looking for ways to get to you. And I admit, you blocked that passage quite well. I spent a whole day plotting ways to slip through your snares unnoticed, and in the end, I decided not to risk it and tried to find a way around. If I'd known about that side passage in advance, I would have ended our mutual Hunt much faster."

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 18:13

Zairal smiled mockingly:

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:22

"You would have gotten in my signal thread."

Camrad_RIP 04.12.25 в 15:47

The smile on Luaval's lips grew a little wider:

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:27

"I admit, it was a most unfortunate mistake, unworthy of the City's First. But it was caused solely by the fact that I had no intention of harming you."

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:27

"Really?" Zairal's voice was filled with open skepticism.

Camrad_RIP 02.12.25 в 17:13

"Exactly," Luaval nodded, completely serious. "I successfully approached you undetected, within striking distance, even though you'd defended your hiding spot quite well. And..."

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 18:22

Here, Luaval looked meaningfully into her eyes.

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:27

"...if I'd wanted to kill you, you'd already be dead. Even if the first blow hadn't ended your eternity, the second one would have. But I had no intention of killing you. I planned to paralyze you, slowly disarm you, undress you, and then admire your magnificent body right there. Of course, after hiding us in such a way that your moans and screams wouldn't draw half the Underworld, including those damned mushroom pickers. So I had to get really close to use the paralyzing needle."

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 18:25

Zairal's expression remained utterly haughty throughout her speech, yet at the same time, it seemed petrified. Only when Luaval finished speaking did she hiss, her voice full of contempt:

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:29

"It turns out that due to banal lust, the entire First in the City was left without eyes and failed his Hunt, surviving only with the help of his own prey."

Camrad_RIP 02.12.25 в 17:15

A charming smile appeared on Luaval’s face again:

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:29

"My dear, I failed the Hunt because I was saving you, not wanting you to die and end up among the mushroom pickers."

Camrad_RIP 02.12.25 в 17:17

"Really?" Zairal's voice was filled with seemingly endless sarcasm.

Camrad_RIP 02.12.25 в 17:17

"Do you really think those creatures' spit could have completely blinded me? That I could have become First in the City without knowing how to function in complete darkness? That I'm incapable of living without my eyes? Did they really never hear of the Trial by Darkness in your former House?"

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:30

Zairal's angry silence spoke louder than words. Luaval continued mockingly:

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:31

"But you, with a broken leg, would hardly have survived the mushroom pickers, especially after the commotion we caused. So I had to carry you. And if I failed the hunt for some reason, it was because I didn't throw you off me and toss you out first when I reached the exit. Frankly, I would have done just that earlier, before the fall of my House."

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 18:47

Zairal's face remained haughty and motionless. But the former Supreme Catcher's chest heaved heavily. Her entire body betrayed extreme tension, like a predator about to pounce. So Luaval, his voice now extremely serious and calm, said:

Camrad_RIP 02.12.25 в 17:18

"But that doesn't change the fact that I really did miss one of your signal threads. Come, let's talk in private."

Camrad_RIP 02.12.25 в 17:19

For a moment, Zairal watched her kinsman calmly walk out of the Underguard infirmary, then followed him. Returning to his mansion, Luaval waved off the servants who greeted him and learned that his wife was busy bathing Diarval. He and his companion headed straight to his study. Closing the door and activating the wards, he leaned his back against the edge of his desk and asked, unexpectedly and bluntly:

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 18:52

"What do you want?"

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:31

Zairal, who remained by the wall next to the entrance, raised her eyebrows questioningly:

Camrad_RIP 03.12.25 в 18:52

"What?"

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:31

"I'm asking you, what do you want? Our agreement is fulfilled. You've failed one single test and are now free to go wherever you please and do whatever you please. I was even a little surprised to see you in the infirmary. So I'm asking you: what do you want?"

Camrad_RIP 02.12.25 в 17:23

Slightly narrowing her eyes, she clasped her hands across her chest again and asked:

Camrad_RIP 01.12.25 в 19:32