- Isn't that all? - I asked him.
- There will be no more illusions," he said, "if we don't believe it any more. Come, I think the masters of the valley will appear soon.
I nodded on the way up. I turned to Shader and wanted to hold his hand to heal the lacerated groove on his cheek.
- Don't," he winked, "don't waste the Force.
I didn't insist.
We moved slowly through the moonlit field. Slowly, because Danila was carrying Xenia, and it was dangerous to walk quickly in this darkness.
But before we could make two dozen steps, the shadows thickened, stretched upward, and grew flesh. High figures in hooded cloaks and dark failures instead of faces froze, blocking our way.
- Why did you break the peace of the Valley of Oblivion, strangers? - A voice has skyrocketed. I shuddered, listening to it. He wasn't scary or frightening, he was... nothing. Not a single shade of feeling, not a single emotion. I couldn't even tell with certainty if it was a man's voice or a woman's voice, so it was unsightly.
- I demand a meeting with the Lord of Souls, Lord of the Valley of Oblivion, Ram Saa Ten," said the Archarrion calmly, "by right of nine.
There was a ripple in a row of black cloaks. One of the figures separated, slipped over the field and hung near us. I couldn't help feeling the attentive look of someone else.
- Who are your companions, Lord of Chaos? - a voice slipped again.
- They are with me," said Archarrion displeased, "that's all you need to know, Faceless.
The figure has frozen as if he were meditating.
- Strange companions..." The archimagist of the Empire said a shadow as if he was thinking. A human boy. The girl kissed by the Dark... And...
The shadow froze near me. Looking into the black hole of the void under the hood, from which the voice was heard, was creepy. Once again, it's the unpleasant feeling of someone else's gaze. Too attentive, too close.
- You have a right, Dark One... - the voice rumbled, - well... You will be delivered to our master...
I sighed with relief and looked at Danila with hope. He smiled a little crooked at me.
A dark shadow closed the moonlight for a moment, the rustle of wings rang, and I threw my head in fear of seeing the crow again. And at first it seemed to me that huge birds were approaching, and then I saw a huge cat body, a tail with a tassel at the end and a powerful beak.
- Griffins," I was enchanted to breathe out.
Beautiful flying half-cats landed softly in front of us.
- Are we going to fly them? - I was frightened. The shadows slipped, separating us, and I looked frightenedly back at the Archarrion.
- Don't be afraid, it is not afraid to fly," he said, "I will take Xenia. Danila will not hold her in flight," he took the guy's insensitive girlfriend and stepped towards the blissful griffin. I was pulled by the same Shadow. It was a strange feeling: my eyes could see the emptiness, and my palm could feel the warmth of someone else's hand. Strange and frightening.
The demon looked over my shoulder. He held Xenia with one hand and the griffin with the other. On each beast there were two saddles, apparently, they were designed for two saddlers. I froze fearfully near the griffin, looking at it. I reached out in my mind, I listened. And I smiled. The gryphon was reasonable.
The shadow moved near me, went rippling and again I thought I was being watched. I looked wary into the void under my hood. Too bad I didn't have time to ask about Faceless Spider. But the usual courtesy hadn't been overruled, yet it wasn't for nothing that the mentors had been driving the rules of good tone into us for years.
- My name is Vetriana," I introduced myself.
- Isn't that your name? - Was it just me, or did you sound surprised in a rustle? - There's no point in it...
I didn't say anything. Yeah, I remember what the blue-eyed schemist called me. I remember that name, which is already echoing memories in my dreams... Tyara. The wind of the North.
But Faceless doesn't need to know that.
- My name is Vetriana," I repeated gently. The shadow nodded and pointed at the saddle. Shaider and Danila were already sitting next to the same dark figures. I slipped my hand across the hard hide of the griffin, as if greeting myself, and sat in the saddle behind the Shadow. The skirt had to be pulled up, yet the women's clothing wasn't much suited to traveling. Pants and shirt would have been much more comfortable.
And at the same moment the griffin pushed off the ground with all four paws and soared into the night sky, opening up its huge wings.
* * *
The flight took me.
The first fear disappeared after a few moments, and there was an unspeakable feeling of delight and almost happiness! I was still listening to the griffin, and his feeling of flying intertwined with my enthusiastic joy. My breath was interrupted by every gust of wind, by the light of the stars that had become so close, by the power of the wings catching the air streams. The Archarrion was right, it's not scary to fly. It's beautiful!
I think I even laughed, strange as it was in this situation. It just disappeared for a brief moment, it was just me, the night sky and the strong winged beast underneath me!
Even the Shadow sitting in front of me, I almost forgot. Especially, he was not perceived by me as a living being, I did not feel his thoughts or emotions, not even the warmth of his body. Just a shadow, whose contours are painted with a black cloak.
I only worried when I looked back and did not see the other griffins. I wrapped my head around it. Maybe we overtook them.
Meanwhile, the winged beast made a smooth turn and gently landed on a small platform, in the depth of which the light was burning. I thanked the griffin in my mind for the flight, climbed down and corrected my skirt. And I looked around. Under the moonlight the Valley of Oblivion stretched, in the center there was a silver lake shining. We were standing on a small outcrop in the rock.
- Come," a voice rustled.
I looked back anxiously.
- Where are my friends?
But the shadow was already sliding forward, where the warm yellow light had come from. The gryphon flew away, dazzling me at the end with a glimpse of the beast's eyes.
I swayed and followed the figure in my cape.
We entered a small room. The setting was quite human: a massive table and chair with a high backrest, bookcases, a bed in the back. Without much luxury, but all good and solid.
And none of my companions were here. There was no one here at all but me and Shadow.
- Why did you bring me here? - I tried not to make my voice sound too frightened, but it seemed bad - where are my friends?
- Shhh..." the voice rustled, the woolly figure in the cloak hanging over me. I looked with fear into the emptiness painted by the cloth, - shh... Don't be afraid. You're delicious... But I don't like fear...
- Is it delicious? - I'm out of line. Holy elders! - What are you... trying to eat me?
The shadow has shaken, making strange noises. If I wasn't so scared, I'd think he was laughing.
- Tasty... - the voice has swayed, - so many emotions... feelings... strong. Different. A rare delicacy...
- Do you... feed off other people's emotions? - I figured it out.
The shadow slipped even closer, now the black hood was hanging over me.
- You're lucky... - again this rustle instead of the voice, - I don't like to drink pain... I prefer to drink pleasure... You'll feel good... It'll probably be easier...
The figure retreated one step back, clouded, and a man came out of the shadows. I've never seen anyone more beautiful in my life. Long blond hair, tied into a tail like elves, eyes like melted silver, look a little mockingly. Clearly delineated lips, which you want to touch. A strong figure of a warrior. The man was wearing only pants and boots, a powerful torso bare and under the golden skin can be seen the relief muscles.
- So you like it better, Vetriana? - He asked, and I awoke. What a voice he had! Low, slightly hoarse, with long, as if enveloping soun
ds, which awakened in me something unknown and sweet.
He stepped towards me, looking into my eyes. I shook my head and retreated.
- It's just an illusion," I whispered, not knowing what was happening to me. The blond man smiled.
- Maybe you'd like that. - He asked.
There's a light fog in front of me again... Lord Darrell. With his squint of nut eyes and his soft smile.
- Hmm... - said Faceless, - guilt... No. I don't...
Shider's figure swayed, and here I am with the Archarrion.
- Or maybe that's it? - mockingly asked with the faceless voice of a demon. I looked at him in astonishment. Same dark hair to the shoulders, same figure, white scar on his dark cheek. The eyes in which the Abyss lives... The Faceless frowned and receded a little.
- Too many feelings," he said, "too many... Bitter... sweet... It hurts... hm...
The dark eyes were studying me closely. But there was no chaos fire in them. An illusion. A fake. I sighed more freely.
The faceless man faded again and the blond man stood in front of me again. And I think he was angry. But the Faceless immediately pulled himself together, stepped towards me, and his palms lay on my back, drawing me to a strong body.
- So many different feelings in such a fragile shell," he mockingly said, "I'm having a good day... I think I'll leave you here for a long time...
He put his palm on my back, and my whole body responded to that simple caress. I even ate my lip so I wouldn't moan. Oh, the sky! What's wrong with me?
- Shhh... don't be afraid," whispered the blond in my ear and bit my urine gently. I choked, - My name is Antashar... You'll feel good, sweet girl... very... very good... And me too...
Tender lips laid a chain of kisses on my neck. Each one responded with a sweet pain inside. His hands slid on my body, caressed me, unbuttoned my dress. What an inconvenient dress I have! All those buttons and shoelaces... too long! The desire to feel the blonde's naked body with his skin was unbearable. I curled under his arms and lips that slid around my neck and shoulders.
The faceless man broke away from me for a moment and looked into my eyes. My silver eyes darkened.
- How nice," he whispered, "what a wonderful gift...
And he kissed me on the lips. I wrapped my hands around a powerful neck, clutching tighter, wanting more, dreaming to merge with him! The sweet pain inside me drove me crazy, not a single thought remained in my head, only a wild desire for intimacy with this delightful male!
- I still... I groaned.
A fierce flame of Chaos swept inside, burning out the magic of the Faceless.
And suddenly everything was gone. In an instant. The desire threw in a wave, leaving me shivering and shattered. I broke out of the blond man's hands and pressed my palms to my flaming cheeks in terror. With my trembling fingers I pulled the top of my dress, confused, and started buttoning. The desire to wail smothered and squeezed my throat, and I desperately bit my lips fighting tears.
The blond was silently watching me. He walked. I jumped out in a panic.
- Don't come near me! - Now my voice was like a hissing. The memory of me just moaning in his hands and asking him not to stop scorched his gut with shame. If it wasn't for my demon bundle, I'd be moaning the faceless bed by now...
He took another step, and I threw my hand in. The ice torn off the palm, and the blonde was thrown against the wall. He flipped over like a leak in the air, and he got back on his feet. He slipped towards me. My vortex circled around him, shackling a powerful body with ice. Anger and shame boiled in me so powerful that I wanted to tear the Faceless, destroy...
- Chickenpox! Stop it! - What a charming voice he has...
- You're just an illusion," I laughed, "I'm afraid to even guess what you really are, Antashar! Covering yourself with this beautiful mask, using magic to arouse desire... nasty. Don't come near me.
The faceless froze looking at me. I don't understand why he stands there and doesn't move. He's just looking and a strange resentment shakes in his silver eyes.
- Where are my friends? - I asked abruptly, answer me, Antashar!
The faceless man bowed his head, looking at me.
- Now they must be in the Hall of Memory," he said.
- So you weren't going to take us to your lord? - Oh, I did.
- You can only get to the Lord of Souls through the caves. There is no other way.
- You're all crazy here," I said tired, and I fell down on my chair. Then I jumped up and walked nervously into the room.
- They'll be looking for me.
The faceless man shook his head.
- Your friends are sure that you are with them. Believe me, I make great illusions.
- I'm sure you do," I was angry, "but Archarrion knows for sure I'm not with them. He already knows...
I sat down again and thought. I wonder why Faceless gives answers to my questions. Are you sure I can't get out of here? Anyway, it's worth taking advantage.
- Can you accept the appearance of any creature? - I was wondering.
- Only the one whose aura he had come into contact with," he replied.
I looked at his golden body and perfect face. It was impossible not to look at such beauty... The faceless man threw his head up and smiled. Here's the darkness... I felt it. Of course I felt it. I turned my back.
- Why do you need other people's emotions? - I asked.
He stopped smiling. His silver eyes became dark as if he were mercury.
- It is the curse of the Dark One," he said through his teeth, "of the payment of the Abyss, which the first Lord of Souls had paid for the opportunity to communicate with the world of the Shadows. There are only certain feelings available to us: we are hungry, cold, sleepy ... or want intimacy. But we have almost no living emotions. Only their echoes. Pale shadows compared to what people experience...
I looked at him with a frank horror.
- What a nightmare! So you can't love, then? Rejoice? To empathize? To experience happiness? Oh, Holy Mother! So how do you live? I mean... why do you live?
I got back in my chair. The emotions that overwhelmed me made it hard to breathe. The faceless man took a step towards me, wince like in pain.
- Pity..." he said surprisingly, "what a strange feeling... Bitter and sweet at the same time... Warm. I've never tried... pity. I don't understand this taste...
He was breathing deeply. He looked confused.
- You pity me, Vetriana. It's strange.
- Why is it weird? Your life is really, horrible. Tell me, - suddenly with suspicion I asked - what happens to those you drink?
He didn't say anything.
- Antashar!
- Emotions are a magical treat for us," he reluctantly sieved, "too much pleasure. Too attractive... Sometimes... It's hard to stop. I want more and more, stronger and stronger...
- So you make a person feel," I guessed.
I was looking at the blonde. So he would keep me here, making me enjoy myself over and over again, until... until what? Until he was tired of pleasure and decided to try other emotions? Pain, for instance. Or fear? Or even hate... Yeah.
The faceless man suddenly walked towards me, wince again, and knelt down next to me, looking into my eyes.
- No. I wouldn't hurt you, Vetriana. Your senses are so light and strong... Warm. Alive. I've never met anyone like you. I've drank many... Pain and fear of drinking is not good... I want other emotions, - he carefully took my hand, - Stay with me. I will try very hard to make you feel good... - Faceless has pulled my palm, put it to his cheek. And he frowned, you feel pity again...
I sighed. How do you explain to him that you can't live with illusions? Even very beautiful ones.
When I thought about it, I missed the moment when Antashar began to kiss my fingers, slowly writing out patterns on my palm. Then he gently pulled my little finger into my mouth. The sweet lament spilled over my body again. The faceless laughed.
I pulled my hand away.
- Stop
it! What kind of magic is that?
- A small gift from the Abyss in return for what was lost," laughed the Faceless, "we know how to arouse desire... Stay with me, Vetriana. I'll be whoever you want me to be. You'll like it.
I've been thinking. No, not about his proposal. I was wondering why I'm worried about the behavior of Faceless.
- You're asking me to stay," I said, "so you can't order me? Or can't you force me?
He frowned. I looked more closely into his eyes, trying to understand.
- Antashar, why are you answering my questions?
- Because you're asking," he said with a frown.
- So what? - I did not understand. The blond man frowned.
- So... Antashar, can't you... can't you not answer me?
He nodded.
- He nodded. Why? - I was surprised.
The faceless man turned his back. He obviously didn't want to answer. But then he still strained through his teeth:
- I gave you my real name, and looked at me with my silver eyes, "You were too sweet, Vetriana.
I looked at him confusedly, trying to understand. He gave me his name, and what was it?
- Wait... Knowing your name gives me some kind of power over you? - I was amazed. The faceless nodded unhappyly. And I jumped up, amazed.
- I've never felt so much emotion at once," said Faceless, looking down at me grimly, "lost...
Sacred elders and Mother Forefather! I circled the room, throwing oblique looks at the frozen Faceless.
- So you're gonna do what I tell you? - suspiciously, I asked. He darkened even more, but nodded. I stopped. I got closer. The faceless man got up from his knees. He was breathing deeply. Apparently, now he was drinking my nervous excitement.
- Antashar, do you know how to open the Line to the Shadow World? - I asked you what I was most worried about.
- Only the Lord of Souls can open the Edge. No one else has the strength for this," he said, "why do you want to do this?
- Yes, I do. I really do. I need to go into the Fringe and find my friend there...
- They don't come back from the Fringe, Vetriana! And even if they do... Why do you need your friend's soul? Believe me, there's nothing from the living in the souls that are gone... It's only Shadows.
The Wind of the North Page 53