- Did it work? - I asked.
He grinned.
- More than that.
I got out of his hands, walked away. On the floor, Lord Darrell was sleeping at the altar and a little frowned in his sleep. Next to him, with his head resting on Schader's chest, Xenia came along.
- Oh! Did I put them to sleep?
- I believe you put everyone in Riverstein County to sleep.
- Oh, Holy Mother! - I'm gonna fix this... I'm gonna wake them up!
- Don't, let them sleep. I think they'll wake up by morning, don't worry. You've made a good defense, Vetriana. I couldn't have done better myself.
I blushed a little.
- And also... I must thank you.
- For what?
- For giving me the Force in the pentagram. And for saving my life.
- Yes, but not to the end, since you can't turn around now," I said sadly.
He shook his head.
- Demonic essence cannot break through without the power of Chaos. At my Source, everything will recover. But without you, I'm afraid I wouldn't have woken up. I... am grateful to you. And I'm surprised you did... after everything you saw in the Time Loop. - It came closer, and I don't understand why you did it! Why, Vetriana?
I shrugged my shoulders a little.
- You were dying.
He came even closer.
- Didn't I tell you that mercy is a weakness? That enemies should be destroyed, not pitied? - The yellow light of the beast burst into his dark eyes.
- And you are my enemy? - I asked quietly.
The Archarrion was silent and left without answering.
- Go back to the castle, Vetriana. It's time for you to rest, too. Don't worry, I'll take care of these two. So they don't get cold in here.
I went silently to the door, luring the air beast that warmed Xenia and Lord Darrell. The Archarrion guided me with his gaze.
And I really felt tired and madly sleepy...
I still couldn't get used to the silence that had settled in Riverstein, and I listened to the familiar sounds without accountability. But the castle was silent. It wasn't gloomy anymore, it was sleepy, calm...
I yawned all over my mouth, even my palm didn't cover myself, which is not at all appropriate for a good-natured novice! However, I am no longer her.
In the blue room, I yawned nonstop and fell asleep as soon as I touched the bed.
* * *
For the first time in thirteen years the morning bell on the tower did not announce the beginning of the new day. I opened my eyes when the day was already hot outside the window, jumped out of bed, got dressed in a hurry and rushed to look for Xenia.
My beast of air also woke up, tangled up in my hem, threw his shoes away, and drove ahead of me like a half-puppy, dusting and slamming doors.
Xenia was still asleep in the common bedroom on her bed, with her legs in her shoes pulled up to her chest. The girlfriend was wearing the same look as she had fallen asleep in the sanctuary: a dress and a hood. I shook my head. Well, at least she wasn't cold!
- Ksenka, get up, it's been a morning! - I exclaimed and shook a friend over my shoulder. Without opening her eyes, Ksenia turned over and kicked me so hard that I flew to the wall! And she would have hit me if the air beast hadn't swirled away, holding back the flight. But still on the floor, I smacked and hunted, looking at my friend in amazement.
She sat on the bed, and also hunted, looking at me with frightened eyes.
- Ksenya!
- Chickenpox! Oh, forgive me, forgive me! I don't know what came over me... Are you hurt? Are you all right? I'm sorry, I'm sorry!
She jumped up on me, helping me up.
- Come on, girlfriend, I mumbled, you'll lie like a wild mare... it's OK, it's OK. Leave me alone, I say! I'm okay!
Ksenka was looking guilty.
- What, did Danila dream again? - I smiled.
- No... I didn't dream anything! I didn't understand why I kicked you... By the way, I never figured it out! What's he hiding? He thinks he can get away with it? He attacked the wrong one... How did I end up in the bedroom? - A friend thought and frowned, the last thing I remember was when we came to the sanctuary...
- Aristarchus has always said that a pernicious addiction to guilt deprives one of one's memory," I seriously said, trying not to laugh, "and the next morning a drunkard does not remember his undesirable deeds that he did at night.
- Which acts," Xenia pale and looked at herself with horror. She made sure that her hands were not bleeding and that her dress was in place and exhaled.
- Chickenpox! Are you laughing at me?
- Me? Don't you seriously remember what happened at night?
- ...haa bummer!
- There, there, there's also bad language... Xenya-Ksenya... What's going to happen next...
- Chickenpox!!!
I couldn't stand it and laughed, Ksenka's face was too funny. She flashed, realizing I was playing a prank on her.
- Oh, you!!! I'm gonna tell you now!!! You didn't get much, I'll add it to you!!!
Hohocha, I went between the bunks, pulling up the hem so I wouldn't disturb you. Xenya, follow me. My air beast is behind both of us, messing with our legs and in the way.
With this composition, we flew into the corridor, and I stumbled into Lord Darrell's chest in a swing, almost knocking it down! Xenia, who was one step behind me, flew into me, and if it hadn't been for the beast of the air, maybe the Lord would have stood up, but... The wind prankster flew in a whirlwind and we all fell to the floor of the hall.
- Oh, I'm sorry...
- Ksenia, get off me!
- Lord Darrell, you pressed my braid...
- Mon sol cher! Xenya, don't you say that again! Get off me, you said! Oh, my...
Alas, it seems my beast of air was quite playful, because it ran around us, keeping us from climbing up, scraping our hem, messing with our hair, and knocking us down. All the dust in the hallway was already hanging in the air and the dust was spinning around in the narrow rays of light.
- Oh, what are you doing here? - Danila's astonished voice was heard.
- They're having fun," said Archarrion coldly on the other side. Immediately the air beast was quiet, hiding, curled up in the corner.
I finally released my braid from under the elbow of Shader, crawled out from under my friend and, staggeringly, rose. Lord Darrell, too, jumped up, flipped over easily, and gave his hand to Xenia.
- And I'm going, and there's no one! - Yesterday we were, but today we are deaf!
- Didn't Danila tell you that the orphanage was moved to Zagreb? - I asked.
- That's how I slept when my mother came. And tonight I woke up, my mother was asleep! Well, I didn't wake up, I came straight to you... Ksenka, why are you staring?
A friend put her hands in her side.
- And I'll explain it to you now, - she promised through her teeth. The guy shuddered and blushed so painfully and flamingly that there was no doubt about it: Danila understood what had made Xenia so angry.
- Didn't I understand at all... I didn't mean to, maybe...! I thought I was dreaming about you!
- ...a snake! Wait, I'm going to tell you...
- Oh, whose yard are the horses so beautiful? - Just in time to "remember" Danila.
- What horses? - I got interested in Xenya and held my palm ready to fall on a white-headed head.
I held back the smile, and the men hummed. A tricky light flashed in Danila's eyes.
- So they're standing in the yard! - Four pieces, all like a selection! Has somebody arrived?
- We're leaving," said Lord Darrell.
Danila looked incomprehensible, and then his face stretched out.
- Where are you going? What do you mean? What about me?
- You'll have to wait until I get back," said Shaider. "Don't worry, I hope it won't take long. I'll come back, I'll open up a portal for you to Eloar, you can go on to school.
- And I don't want to go to school,"
Daniel laughed frowningly, "I want to go with you.
- Where are you going? - You don't even know where we're going! - She seems to have changed her mind about hitting a guy.
- Danila, you liked school, didn't you?
- It changed," he said surly, and looked at the back of his head. "Take it with you, will you? Anyway, where...
Lord Darrell shook his head.
- Sorry, Danila. Wait for me in the Wastelands, I'll be back for you soon.
The guy gave us a grim look around, kicked the wall, turned around and went down. Xenya and I had a look at it. The mood was ruined.
- The horses are ready, get ready," said Archharrion calmly, "we are leaving for dinner," and examined us, "go to the rooms of Alira, there are some road things, pick up something comfortable. And something inconspicuous. Hurry up, will you? Shaider, I borrowed your wallet while you were asleep. You don't mind, do you?
Lord Darrell smiled.
- It's like you care!
- I don't care," agreed the Archarrion, "well, why are you still here?
- Wait," I suddenly realized, "what is it... Lord Darrell, will you pay for me and Xenia's food, horses, accommodation? But this is... indecent!
The men waved harmoniously. But that's not what I've known since I was a child, it was just a step up.
- Chickenpox, novices get some money after initiation, right? Well, think of it as you got it. And considering Riverstein's actually on your land... I seem to have owed you rent for years! So now it's gonna take a long time to pay!
And so joyfully said, as if he was happy about it.
The Archpriest looked at Lord Darrell grimly, and even darker, at us, so we preferred not to stay too long and argued with the Lady of the Village.
Chapter 14.
If Mother and I and Xenya had ever been in her office, there were no novices in the private chambers. Except Rogneda, that's right...
And now we stood on the doorstep with a slight apprehension, so it seemed that it was worth entering, an arrogant voice would be heard, and the eyes of the Lady of the Village would be burned with ice.
But the door was empty. And magnificent. So that we froze, opening our mouths like the village fools at the fair. We couldn't even imagine there were rooms like that in Riverstein!
Four spacious quarters, connected to each other and set in gloomy barbaric luxury, stunned our imagination. Black velvet on walls, heavy furniture of a dark tree, scarlet portieres. Fireplaces decorated with marble and golden candelabra. Huge bed, covered with red silk blanket as if covered with blood...
- Brr," her friend said loudly, "what a taste Mother has! And a lady, too! No sophistication!
I snorted a sniffle with laughter and the appetite was gone. And we rushed with enthusiasm to the chests, to look at Lady Araltis' outfits.
By lunchtime, we were ready to hit the road. Xenia, dressed in a dark green road dress and tall boots, I chose grey boots, too. They included winter raincoats with a hood, mittens and some undershirts for the shift. What they didn't put on, they rolled up in the saddlebag and went down to the yard.
The men's horses were already saddled there. Both wearing dark pants, shirts and boots, long cloaks were thrown over the saddles. Lord Darrell has scabbard on his side, Archharrion has crossed blade handles behind his back.
- It's a good defense," Shaider said when he saw me. I smiled.
- Where's Kairos? Aren't you going to ride him? - I asked as I looked at the Lord's stallion dangling beside him.
- No, Kairos doesn't like, um... - he's bent over the Archarrion. - He doesn't like the dark ones. So I asked Danila to keep an eye on him while I was away.
He patted on the grits of his horse, and I went to see the kaura of the horse I got.
And then I turned to Riverstein. The dark castle looked down, but I was no longer afraid of him. And I knew he would wait for me.
I listened to the voice of the earth and the forest, to the sad song of parting that accompanied me, and eaten with an overwhelming longing.
- I will return," I promised.
The Archpriest gave me his hand, helping me to get into the saddle. Xenia had already settled in, and she slammed her horse dashingly. She raced to the gate without looking back.
I slowed down a little, nodded to Archarrion, who raised his questioning eyebrow, and touched the reins.
* * *
Sweet elders, if I knew how hard the travelers are! After a couple of hours in the saddle, my backbone began to hurt mercilessly, my arms trembled, my legs shook, and it was a shame to talk between my legs!
And if the first hour of the journey fascinated me, I gladly looked around, rejoicing at the calm horse and the frosty air, then soon I began to look forward with longing, hoping to see a pub or inn.
We passed through Heather Badlands without stopping, I only managed to think that I did not come to say goodbye to Danina and feel guilty about it. And hope that our journey will not be long, and soon enough we will see each other again.
And then stretched out endless fields and forests... Same, snowy, sprinkled with ice chips, which ruffled in the eyes and dragged me to sleep. There were many miles to travel to the main road, and on this snowy track, which could hardly be called an expensive one, there were almost no travelers except us. Only once a train with provisions passed by, and the messengers rushed by.
The archpriest said that by the evening dawn we would be in White Stan, we would spend the night in the local pub, and from there we would already move towards the Three Toothed Rocks. And only once did we stop for a snack under the ruins of the destroyed watchtower. We chewed the camping provisions: bread, cheese and cold meat, drank student water from the flask. And again - on the road.
Now I understood why guests, even messengers, were so rare in Riverstein... There were vast distances, miles and miles of snow-covered land, lakes, and wetlands in our harsh land... and no paths or roads...
Honestly, I didn't even realize how men hadn't lost their way yet.
Xenia could take the road better than I could, sitting in the saddle flat and sparkling with her hooded eyes. The men didn't seem to have suffered much either, so I endured in silence. Besides, I had no choice, because there were no settlements before White Stan.
But my beast of the air rejoiced over the expanse! It was like a stupid puppy he was running through the fields, sweeping piles of snow, chasing shy mermaids along the trails, and brushing off the branches of trees with puffy sharks. And I couldn't help but smile as I watched him play.
We arrived at Stan's gate when the early winter night was already falling to the ground and the first stars were lit in the sky. It was a small border settlement, which, like in the Wasteland, had only one pub, with a couple of rooms for travelers. That's where we went.
The owner of the farm quickly appreciated the good clothes of the travelers and did not ask any unnecessary questions. In silence and skillfully he showed us the rooms and set the table. We had dinner quickly, barely speaking. The archpriest thought about something, and he did not want to enter into a dialogue frankly. I could feel his anger in the echoes, but only in the shadows... as if the demon was trying very hard to hide his feelings even from the fusion of blood. His gloomy look so frightened the owner of the pub that he preferred to stay away from us and never came to dinner. And the excess from the silver brought without reminder, which is unheard of at all. Lord Darrell was also in a bad mood, or just tired, and Xenia and I were so tired of the road that all my dreams were only about a narrow bunk upstairs. So the impression of the first settlement I saw was blurred and badly spoilt.
We fell asleep instantly.
In the morning, I was awakened by the bustling cry of a rooster, and for a couple of moments I lay staring at the ceiling and wondering where I was.
Oh, yes, White Stan, the pub...
Xenya was still asleep, pulling a thin cloth blanket all the way up to her nose and shaking her legs. The heating in the small room was bad, the main heat was co
ming from below, from the tavern and had time to weathe overnight.
I lured the air beast, ordered to heat Xenia. He turned unhappy, clogged in the palm of his hand, but obeyed. He calmed down in a warm wave, and a friend sighed, warming up.
The morning sight just lit up in the east, the rays of light still slid on the ground, not lighting or heating, but only giving a promise...
I got dressed in a hurry, wrapped my braids together and went downstairs. I decided to ask the serving woman for herbal tea or just hot water to keep me warm. The half-dark hall was empty, only the Archharrion was at the corner table, thoughtlessly swaying the cup in the palms. I swayed on the stairs, not knowing if I should go down or if I should return to the room. But I didn't have time to make a decision: The Archarrion raised his head and his dark look burned me.
He was just looking, not nodding or inviting me to join him, and I was completely confused. But turning back now seemed quite stupid to me, so I went down, came to the table, and sat down on the edge of a wooden bench.
- Good morning! - I said politely. The archpriest grinned, clearly doubting it, and didn't answer. I turned my head in search of the handmaiden. But the hall was empty, but the cook was fussing and roaring at the stove, cooking morning porridge.
- And I woke up... I decided to come down and have tea, - I don't know why I explained it. The Archpriest still looked at his mug in silence, and suddenly I was angry.
- Listen, what is so hard to answer? To say yes, Vetriana, and good for you, take your tea over there!
He looked up at me in surprise. He hummed me.
- Yes, Vetryana," said the demon, "and good things to you. Take your tea over there.
- Where?
- How should I know? You know better.
I looked outraged.
- Well, why are you always angry?
- Oh, should I be happy? - He laughed, I wonder what?
I put my eyes down. Of course, there's nothing pleasant about our journey for him. The villages have escaped, and his business in Chaos is waiting for him. And Alliana... and he's stuck here, can't turn around and has to drag us through the Northern Kingdom to an unknown passage in the Devil...
The Archpriest had his eyes slightly covered, calming down.
The Wind of the North Page 35