In the morning, I woke up first. I raised my head, took a look around. I lay down a little, burying my nose in the fur on Archarrion's cloak, in which I was wrapped. And I stood up resolutely.
The demon herself was under the shed was gone again.
Echo fought impatiently against the walls, asking to be released, I let go. He swirled out of the awning, scattered his cloaks and hair, and rushed away. I thanked him for Xenia, knowing that it was difficult for the wind to stay in one place for long.
I reached out to stretch my leaning body and sprayed my hair as I prepared to weave it. I couldn't see the look, I felt it.
Lord Darrell lay wrapped in his cloak, looking at me without blinking.
- Good morning," she said, binding her braids in a hurry.
- How did you sleep? - He asked dryly, still looking at me.
- Well," I was surprised to sink him, "and you?
The Lord rose in one jerk, dropped his cloak.
- I'm not well," he said, and went to the exit of the canopy.
I shrugged my shoulders perplexingly and turned away. I immediately stumbled upon a look so cold and angry that I shuddered with inexplicable fear. But it lasted only a fraction of a moment, only a fleeting moment, immediately replaced by a familiar and slightly sleepy expression. Xenia smiled, and I even thought I had a feeling.
Soon after breakfast and packing, we were ready to go. The rain was over, but the morning was pretty cool, so everyone was wearing capes again. The horses gladly measured the road, hurrying as far away from the Hell as possible, we wanted the same thing.
After a couple of hours, we entered a narrow canyon, which was like a slit dividing the Free Mountains.
I looked with curiosity at the steep rocks on both sides, the small rocks that were buried in the ground with the stunted grass between them. In another hour the canyon became very narrow, so I had to line up one after the other and let the horses in step, fearing that the trotters would not twist their hooves on these boulders.
- How far to Graham? - Spider asked. He was clearly not in the mood today, frowning and kept quiet the whole way.
The Archarrion raised his head looking at the steep rocks.
- Shaider," he said, "have you not recovered your reserve? Don't you feel anything?
- No, why? - Lord Darrell was tense, turning around in the saddle, also examining the rocks. We turned around, too.
- Perhaps nothing," the demon said in silence and touched the reins. - Here we go.
I covered my eyes, listening.
And immediately Life fell upon me...
A lot, too much life! I heard the grass, under the hooves of our horses, and the song of the stone, and the chicks in the cavities of the rocks, and the small lizards warming in the sun... And the huge dragons in the eastern caves. And little beasts in the woods. And wild predators at the foot of the mountains... And hundreds, thousands of other voices, breaths, hearts and blood currents burst into my head at once with a wild cacophony, which almost burst my head and blew my mind with pain!
Suddenly I shrieked, threw the reins, and pressed my palms to my temples, trying to contain the avalanche of sounds that had fallen upon me.
- Chickenpox!
I didn't understand who called me, but I could feel my warm palms lying over my hands.
- I will help! Chickenpox! Let me go, I'll help you!
I opened my blurred eyes and looked into the dark ones, which were already shaking yellow.
- Let me go," said the Archarrion.
And I obeyed, slightly moved away the wall I had erected inside me, let the fire of Chaos be swept away by the flames. As I ate my lip from the pain, I looked into his eyes, feeling how his confidence, his power, was pouring inside him. As sounds calm down, crushed by a merciless will, and fear recedes.
- What was that? - shaking lips, I asked.
- The blood of the schemes. - He grinned. - Stupid, you can't control, but it opened almost completely.
- I did not know," I whispered, "I did not know... Thank you.
He nodded, took his palms, and returned silently to the head of our procession.
Danila and Xenia waved sympathetically, Lord Darrell smiled merrily and drove away, too. I looked at the backs in front of me and pulled my wall very carefully. The fire of Chaos threatened to burn me to the ground.
After a couple of hours, the narrow passage expanded, and the rocks no longer supported us from both sides. It was easier to walk, freer to breathe, the only thing that scared me at times was the long shadows that slid down the canyon as the sun closed with huge bodies. The first time it had happened, Danila and I hunted, Xenia pulled out a knife and Lord Darrell and Archarrion had a wary look at this flight. It was the dragons. High above the rocks, but even from here, their power and impressiveness were impressive.
It's only now that I realize that Rice, the dragon-hunter from the Eternal Forest, is really just a baby.
As the sun hovered over our heads, turning shadows into dots, we reached a wide ledge on both sides blocked by huge boulders and stopped. Because in the aisle, curled into rings a huge, no less than five sazhens wide, the body, there was a snake! And as we approached these rings began to unfold, jiggling and a little shiver, until a giant triangle head rose from the middle, from which a long split tongue was sticking out!
- Holy Mother, here comes death! - said cheerfully on the side of Daniel.
- Shut up, you wretched man," Xenia strained, clutching her knife firmly in her hand.
I clenched the reins and looked around, looking for a way to retreat.
The Archarrion and Lord Darrell smiled harmoniously.
- Huh?" The yellow, blinking eyes of the snakes stared at us, the eerie tongue flashed in the fathom of the demon, "Huh? Huh? - The snake sputtered.
- Oh, you saintly elders! It's also broadcast, you terrible thing!
- Oh, shut up, you said...
- Htto...???
- Hoo-hoo," said Lord Darrell, "and I'm so sorry to hear that... Churack you!
The snake hung up for a moment as if it were thinking.
- Heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh, heh..." she stretched it out, but not so sure.
- The dragon was more impressive last time," the Archarrion stretched out thoughtfully, not even trying to pull out his blades and still sitting quietly in the saddle.
- Hakoi dragon... shhhh? - unexpectedly surprised by the snake.
- It's red. Blue stripe. And if the asterisks weren't attached, maybe the real one would've gone down!
The snake shook its triangular head and suddenly asked in a perfectly normal male voice:
- Rion? Is that you?
And with a loud cotton, the terrible beast dissolved into the air, leaving behind only a thin stream of white smoke. And because of the boulders, a strong, stunted man in leather pants, boots, and a short leather sleeveless sleeveless, opening his strong, hairy hands, got out. The reddish hair of the man was braided in numerous pigtails and tied with a lanyard, and a long beard was twisted to the waist. A round nose, tricky, deeply planted eyes and a huge axe in his hands completed the picture.
I had no doubt it was a dwarf.
The archpriest was in a hurry and went to meet him.
- Dagamar, son of Garion, you've come a long way from Graham," he said, "what are you doing here?
The dwarf looked up at the demon from below and swung his giant axe at the elbow of his head. The Archarrion didn't even move.
- And you, Archharrion Taa Sel Kra, ruler of Chaos, what are you doing here on the Free Mountains border and in such a, uh... strange company? - in the tone of a demon and with a wide grin, the dwarf asked.
And then, all of a sudden, these two joyfully wrapped their elbows around each other, greeting. And the dwarf also slammed Archharrion on his back with an axe, good for nothing.
- By the way, why didn't you like the dragon last time? - Suddenly the dwarf cried out - even the real ones looked at him, maybe they thought he was a f
emale...
- Sorry, Dagamar, illusions are not yours. Better put a squad of guards down like you used to.
- I think it's done well," bearded man swells up, "and the squad asks for food. And no one walks on this side..." But immediately he met us, looked at us with evil eyes, "Oh! - He shouted, and there's no one here! And they... people? Um... And where do you keep going?
- To Graham," said the demon, "and if you stare like that, I'll cut off your nose. So, son of Garion, will you let us through the border?
- Um... - The dwarf has pretended to be thinking, it's important to stroke the red beard. Then he slammed himself in the knee with an axe. - Otherwise I have a choice, Lord of Darkness! Not at Graham's hand to fight Chaos! So, come in... Hey, Graham, Carra, Ogrion! - yelling all over Dagamar Canyon, come on out! Stop chillin', we got company!
And immediately the quiet canyon came to life, the boulders made bearded faces appear and we were surrounded by a dozen dwarves. They were all as messy and stunted with axes and axes, with thick vegetation all over their bodies and faces, and a tricky squint of dark eyes.
Lord Darrell was in a hurry and, swaying, we followed his example.
- We will stay at the fortress, and in the morning we will go to Graham," said the Archharrion, walking beside the dwarf and leading his horse.
- You see, I must send a flyer with a message to the Supreme.
The Archharrion wince and Dagamar laughed briefly.
- All right, Dark One, we'll talk about it afterwards!
We passed a boulder mound and circled the rock where the cave entrance was glowing. The dwarf stopped, turned to us, and bowed ceremoniously, swiping an axe blade on the ground. And then he pressed his clenched fist to his chest.
- The free mountains are glad to have good guests," he said solemnly, "peace to the travelers!
- Peace be upon the free people," said Archharrion seriously.
That was the end of the welcoming ceremony and we entered the cave.
* * *
The cave turned out to be a short tunnel in the rock, passing through which we came out to the watch tower, one side glued to the mountain like a swallow's nest. Noisily talking and waving their axes, the dwarves reached the gate. We are behind them.
- So you knew the snake was an illusion," I quietly asked Lord Darrell.
He nodded.
- The free people are excellent gunsmiths, artisans and masons," he explained, "but magic is not given to them... Dagamar is the youngest son of the ruling branch, and a strong magician. Well... by the standards of the dwarves, of course. His conspiracy blades, the best in the underworld, and you've seen them yourself, in Rion... So no! He tries hard to create phantoms and illusions! Almost blew up half of Graham, trying to create trouble around the city... Now he's on the border. There's only one rock, not so scary.
- I thought I was a real snake... I mumbled. And, strangely enough, a lively dwarf chatting, heard my words! Oh, I don't think that beard is as simple as it sounds! Dagamar jumped up to me, stubbornly looking into my eyes.
- Aren't you lying, sweet lady?
I seriously shook my head.
- I was very frightened," I honestly said.
The dwarf still stood, squinting, and then smiled broadly and joyfully.
- She was frightened!!! Did you hear that? Everyone has heard! - He cried so that I almost became deaf, - Everyone! This lovely girl is now my personal guest!!!
And he almost ran to the tower gate, waving an axe. Spider rolled his eyes.
- Well, you made it, Vetriana," he said with sympathy, "the worst thing you can do is praise Dagamar's illusion!
I looked at him frightened.
- And... what happens now?
- Now he won't let go of you. Get ready to talk about how you were scared of the snake a couple hundred times... And bloomier, more like it!!!
- Oh...
- And most importantly, do not drink all that Dagamar will pour you with joy..." Lord Darrell grinned, "the free people are also famous for the most fenced ale in the world!
And with a sympathetic pat on my shoulder, Shyder went forward, leaving me to reflect on who pulled my tongue and why!
* * *
Behind the tower gates, a round courtyard with stony buildings was found. The solid rock was so skillfully carved that its surface was completely smooth and seemed to consist of a solid piece. The tower itself, low and thick-walled, gave the impression of power and indestructibility, though it did not have a special external appeal. Dwarves, however, did not need it.
It was surprisingly warm inside, although looking at the stone walls, I expected to plunge into the usual cold. But in the semicircular halls and even corridors of the tower there were stone bowls near the walls, in which pulling purple liquid was bubbling slowly, spreading live heat.
- The heat of the earth," said the Lord, nodding at the bowls.
Dagamar walked us to a little rest and opened the oak door.
- They can sit here! - He said, "I'm sorry, the border is not too adapted to receive her tender..." That's when you arrive at Graham...
Xenia and I inspected a clean room with two bunks and a small window. At the far wall behind the curtain there was a stone bath, and in the corner there was a familiar bowl with the mysterious heat of the earth. And they smiled in a harmonious manner.
- We like it very much! - I said it sincerely, thank you!
- Then I will order you to bring some hot water," the dwarf nodded, "rest, and after that we are waiting for you in the big hall!
And the door behind him closed.
- And who are the ne'er? - Xenia asked, gladly scraping her braids and taking off her boots. I followed her example.
- I don't know... Like a mistress, I guess?
There was a delicate knock on the door and then they opened it up. Two dwarves, much younger than Dagamar, with short beards and no weapons, put curious faces in the aperture.
- Hot water for guests of Dagamar's soil! - very solemnly, as if at the King's reception, announced one of them. And he immediately squeezed into the aperture, dragging a giant cough coming out of the ferry. And both, while filling the bath stared at me and Xenia with such an expression of sincere curiosity on his bearded faces that we laughed. And when one couldn't resist and yet came closer, looking at the dissolved Ksenia curls with delight, she couldn't resist, bevelled her eyes, stretched out her neck and said loudly:
- Woof!
The spoon flew to the floor, and the dwarf jumped up, shrieked a little, and rushed away. The second one followed.
My friend and I rolled around laughing, though I tried to hold back, but only remembering my bearded face, I immediately fell on the bed again with laughter.
Then we enjoyed washing ourselves in warm water that smelled like mountain herbs and drying our hair by the stone bowl.
A couple of hours later, Danila's swirling head came through the door.
- Girls, you can dig all you want! You snails! Come on, let's go, everyone's here! They won't eat until you get there!
- All you have to do is eat! - Ksenia immediately swooped.
Danila defiantly turned his back on her and didn't answer.
I hurriedly completed the braids and pulled them down with ropes.
- We're coming, Danila! Show me the way!
The guy went ahead, smiling at me and still not looking at Xenia.
In the big hall, a dozen and a half dwarves had already gathered at a long wooden table. Lord Darrell and Archharrion were also here, at different ends of the table, slowly pulling ale from the large shiny cups.
In fact, it seemed to me that the free people were not indifferent to shiny objects. Even here, in the border tower, there were plenty of them: dishes, candlesticks, shields over the fireplace, numerous weapons ... In our room, we found shiny plates on the walls, located at different heights and thought long about their purpose, but never guessed. Maybe they were made to decorate the house? Whatever it was, it was interesting to lo
ok at these plates, though not very comfortable, they were small and arranged in dispersion.
Here, in the general hall, such records covered all the walls, and when the candles were lit, the fire reflected at once in all, and it was light and joyful, and I understood the purpose of these shiny.
Dagamar, in his own way, sat us down next to him, punched us on the table. All the dwarves cheerfully repeated the gesture, so the heavy table jumped like a live one, but it stood up. And immediately the dwarves pulled into the hall, holding wide dishes with food in their hands. The room was filled with the intoxicating smells of hot meat and herbs, and the mouth instantly filled with saliva.
- And why are their beards so strange," I quietly asked Dagamar, nodding at the boy who placed the dishes, "as if they were chopped off?
- A beard is chopped off as a punishment for being provincial," he replied, "and it's a shame for the children of the mountains to stroke their long, well-groomed beards! Beardless men have no right to carry weapons, and must carry out all the tasks of their soil until the beard grows back. Then the fault is considered to have been worked out! - I kept silent, pondering such a strange way of punishment, and Dagamar punched the table again. Now all the dishes have jumped and even the ale has spilled out of the cups. But the dwarf didn't seem to be disconcerting. None of them even led with an eyebrow. The archpriest also continued to talk about something serenely with the gray-bearded warrior sitting next to him, but Lord Darrell bounced back, and deserved the mocking smiles of the free people.
- Children of the mountains! - yelled at Dagamar. I could hardly resist the temptation to cover my ears with my hands, the Free People! Brothers! Today we are hosting good guests! Today we have a reason to celebrate! It will be so!
Feeling the continuation, I slowly took my full cup off the table. Xenya and Danila, too.
- It'll be like this!!! - the dwarves grunted and hit the table at once. The meat dishes jumped up a couple of elbows.
And then it started! I was given a full plate of meat, so much that it would have been enough for ten novices, and while I was looking at this abundance, the dwarves ate, drank, shouted loudly, shouted speeches and spirits, filled cups again and knocked my fist on the table, so all I had time to grab my instruments so that they would not fly away! And all this at the same time, so noisy and so loud that I wanted to climb under the table!
The Wind of the North Page 38