Make Riverstein a home for everyone who needs a home.
The water in the font is whitewashed, filled with light, flashed. And flowed, obeying the order of the Guardian.
I still stood, letting this stream through me, filling it with my Power, and came out of the sanctuary.
Lord Darrell stood outside the door, looking at the invisible walls I had erected.
- Shaider," I called, "we need to talk.
He nodded and threw a fur coat over my shoulders, for which I smiled gratefully.
- I want to open a school in Riverstein," I said, "but this is your castle, so...
- That's a good idea, Vetriana," he nodded, "the children of the Northern Kingdom would probably be better off studying here than at Elloar.
- Yes, Shyder. Too much grief has been brought by the Call, too many families still mourning their children, thinking they've gone to the Blacklands... It must stop. The power of the Source will soon spread everywhere, not hide it, I thought, maybe I should talk to the King, I don't know. The portals will need to be installed here. And one more thing. We need mentors... do you think I could make a request to Eloar? I'm ready to meet with your Circle of Light and tell you all about myself and the Source, in return I'll ask for help opening the school and the money for it. Spider?
He didn't say anything, looking at me.
- You've changed," he said sadly.
I shrugged my shoulders," he said. We'll all grow up someday. What used to scare me no longer seemed essential.
- I'm sorry," I said, looking into his nutty eyes, "but nothing will happen between us. Nothing will ever happen between us. I don't want you to waste time around me hoping that my feelings will change. You're very dear to me as a friend. I'm sorry, Shyder. I am... sorry.
The pain in his eyes got so intense, I wanted to cry. What a fate I have, damn it... I only hurt.
He felt it, smiled.
- Don't blame yourself," Shaider said almost hoarsely, "it's not your fault. And I'll... Stay with you if you don't. You're gonna need help opening this school.
I sighed.
- Don't worry, I won't annoy you with my dreary eyes in love," said Lord Darrell with a smile, "and I should probably apologise... I thought I was helping by taking you out of Chaos. That's what we all thought.
I was looking at the snowy pines.
- Yeah, I know you did. I thought so, too," I said calmly, "let's go for a walk, think about where to start preparing for the opening. There's an abyss of work ahead...
After the walk, I was intercepted on Xenia's stairs. Her hair had grown a little longer and was no longer sticking out in short swirls on top. However, my friend was still wearing men's clothing, and her acanara was joined by several throwing stars, faintly shining in the sun.
- I was hoping that when you returned from Fringe, you'd put on your dresses again," I laughed.
Xenia smiled, too.
- No, Vetriana, as it may be, I have changed. And I'm done with the dresses. I missed you so much! - She exclaimed and gave me a big hug.
I used to look at her aura, and Xenia, noticing it, sighed.
- Are you afraid that the Dark still lives in me?
- It's just a habit," I was embarrassed.
Ksenia smiled.
- So Danilka keeps an eye on everything, silly.
- I'm glad you're doing well," I said, and Xenia suddenly blushed. I couldn't help myself," she said, "but what about the Lord?
- Ah, Shaider," rolled Xenia's eyes, "a good wizard... A dream. But you know," she smiled slyly, "I think that after I tried to stab him with a knife, he wouldn't appreciate my sincerity and beauty. Alas... Besides, Lord Darrell is strong and somehow will live without me, but Danila... I pity him. It's gonna be... a dummy.
I laughed. Yeah, well... But looking at Xenia, I had another thought.
- Listen, what if we teach not only magicians, but their defenders? Those who have no magic, or very little, but who will become a strong guardian warrior...
- Why, I like it," nodded Xenia, "I would learn.
- I think it's the first time I've heard you want to learn," I was surprised.
- I'm always glad to sing, but it's always a pleasure to fight and throw knives. - My girlfriend laughed," she said. "Besides, I have you, Danilka, both weak, and someone must protect you!
I smiled, listening to her, looked into her friend's eyes sparkling with red sparks. Her laughter slightly filled the ringing void inside me that I feared. That's why I wanted to fill Riverstein with laughter, voices, footsteps... I was afraid of the silence. Memories were starting to sound too loud in it.
When I was still standing with Xenia, I went to my blue room. A friend guided me with her eyes, and I knew she was watching with pity and fright. However, Xenia knew me too well to be deceived by my smile.
I locked myself in the room. The new habit I had of locking the door...
- Archa," I called.
The skin rattled and the fire lizard flashed in the palm of my hand. Such a warm, lively, real... A drop of true fire... I looked at it, sat watching the sparks and flashes. And I hid it again. I carefully zipped the dress all the way to the throat so that I couldn't see the drawing under her collarbone. May Archa remain my secret, my comfort, with which I may be a little warmer...
I clenched my teeth. There's a lot of work ahead, that's good. And I even knew where to start.
Chapter 27.
I started by going to the Wastelands, and I found Avdotya.
When she saw me on the doorstep of her well-built, new house, she waved with surprise, and then blurred in a wide smile.
- Chickenpox!!! What a joy! My girl, she's back! What a beautiful girl you've become...
I carefully hugged our former cook, who was already on the demolition, her big belly appeared on the doorstep before Avdotya herself! And the woman was just glowing with happiness. I smiled, listening to her child's silent voice. A girl, beautiful, with a magical gift... How beautiful.
- Avdotya, it's very good to see you too. And I'm on business. I wanted to talk to your husband, isn't he a blacksmith? I need help, I have work to do. I need strong men who can get the castle in order. And women to keep it clean. Perhaps there are some in the Wastelands? I'll pay for it, of course.
- Oh, yes, of course you will! - A woman splashed her hands, and why? Have you, my dear, come to your senses, have you seen Lord Darrell? Is there a wedding? He loves you so much, he couldn't see it all...
Tosca squeezed my heart, and I smiled quickly, chasing it away.
- No, Avdotya. There's going to be a school in Riverstein. For the children. Instead of an orphanage.
- Oh, it's like... - Avdotya was a bit upset, but she liked the wedding better. But she immediately laughed - school is good too! It'll be where my blood lady goes to school!
- Yes," I smiled, "she'll have the best place...
- That means Avdotya stretched it out with a smile.
I nodded. Avdotya smiled, stroking her belly.
- This is going to be an unusual school, isn't it? - A cook has guessed with her insight - for people like you, Vetriana?
I nodded again.
- It's not worth spreading it yet," I said, "people are not ready yet. But soon... There's no need to be afraid of Zova any more. No one in the Northern Kingdom will mourn any more for their children who have gone to the Blacklands.
The Avdotya is silent.
- I'll gather men to help you," she said with determination, "and I'll feed you first... oh, potpourri, why are you so thin? The meat won't grow on you, the barren...
I smiled as I listened to her wails and helped set the table. Like I did when I was a kid.
* * *
In the morning, there were villagers stretching to Riverstein.
The men came and froze at the gate, watching out, not daring to enter. They stomped, clutching their tools, and gazed cautiously at the dark castle. Next to them, women were complaining, rubbing headscarves, hiding a woman's cu
riosity.
They could not enter without my permission, the protective wall would not let them in, even though they did not realize it.
I went out the gate, looked at a bunch of people who had just thrown me away. They looked scared, looking at my dark, deaf dress that I was wearing now, white uncovered hair. The blacksmith, a healthy, strong man, with a flaky beard and cheerful eyes, came forward. He reminded me of Dagamar somehow.
- Mistress," he said, "my wife said there was a job at the castle!
I smiled. Immediately everyone relaxed and smiled back.
- Yes, they do," I answered, "my name is Vetryana Belogorskaya. And with all questions you can address to me. Come, the castle has a job for everyone...
The first thing I did was take the people to the village chambers. The villagers were afraid to look around, complaining to the walls as if they were afraid of attacks from the darkness of bloodthirsty ghouls. From Mother Superior's room I asked her to take all her belongings and even furniture. And I offered some of them as payment for the work to be done in the castle. And I saw how the eyes of the village women caught on fire, that they had already mentally tried on elegant dresses and men, that they were looking forward to the benefits of selling a luxurious black blanket and velvet curtains.
So, the question of payment was resolved to our mutual pleasure. I decided to sell all the furniture from the moon priestess's quarters, though it was probably a waste of money. But I didn't want to leave anything here that belonged to her. Besides, it was extra money. Even though Lord Darrell asked me not to worry about money. I offered Shaider the chancellor position at Riverstein, and a little embarrassed, he agreed. And now I've been pondering how he would combine that position with his duties in the Empire.
But I didn't get into his thoughts as the questions of the castle's beautification became more and more. But before that, it was necessary to visit Eloar. But I kept putting it off. I was no longer intimidated by the notorious Circle of Light, and even the Emperor of the Rainbow Empire himself did not arouse any emotion in me. I was only afraid to leave the walls of Riverstein because I was afraid to accidentally meet Rion...
And one gloomy morning, the Circle of Light himself visited me...
Antashar was the first to feel the guests. Antashar, as they called him in Riverstein.
In general, relations with Faceless were strange. So did Shader, and I immediately explained to him that I didn't count on anything. Antashar nodded and smiled, looking at me with his silver eyes. Did you understand? I don't know. Still, the Faceless did not possess the nobility of Lord Darrell, nor did he have any feelings at all. And why he defended me there, in the Valley of Oblivion, I never understood. But what he did crossed out the opportunity for Antashar to return home. The lord of the souls of treachery did not forgive...
To my direct question, what made him do that, Faceless didn't answer. I didn't insist, though. There were enough people in Riverstein, and these people had emotions to keep Antashar from starving.
It was only after a while that I began to avoid Antashar.
That night I couldn't sleep for a long time, sitting in my room writing down plans for the day ahead. Then I just looked out the window at the snow-covered forest, at the shadows that lay by the stone fence. And she fell asleep hard, anxiously...
I felt impatient hands on my body already in my sleep. Greedy lips that kissed me. I opened my eyes looking into the dark eyes of Archarrion, clinging to his body... So strong, so... desired...
The anger swept so strongly within me that I couldn't hold it, spitting it out, sweeping away a man with his narrow bed, ice-condensing his body, tangling a vortex...
- Chickenpox, don't..." he whispered.
I got up slowly, came up.
- Don't you ever do that again," I exhaled almost with hatred, clutching the icy snares on him, "don't you dare... understand?
- Chickenpox, I wanted to help...
- Change your face, Antashar," I said coldly, "this time I will forgive you. But if one more time, you dare to pretend... to be... Leaving Riverstein forever. Get out of my room.
The Archharrion's figure was rippled, flowing into the blond. His silver eyes darkened, became black mercury.
- Chickenpox, I'm sorry," he said quietly, "I wanted to help... You're in so much pain...
- Go away.
He stood behind my back and came out. I squeezed my palms with force, trying to hold back and not cry.
So, Antashara, I shy away. Fortunately, Faceless found something to do with himself. He spent time with the people working in the castle, and even visited the Wastelands and supervised the work. He was good at it.
People at the sight of Antashar could not come to their senses for a long time, especially women, and stood there opening their mouths and looking at his white hair gathered in a ponytail and his silver eyes. The faceless smiled, the village women Akhali and grabbed at his heart. So I even asked Shaider to talk to him, no matter how the deceived spouses came to us with the pitchforks...
But Antashar, if he did, then quietly, at least no one came to the castle with claims.
Sometimes I noticed the faceless look on my face. He looked at me when he thought I couldn't see, but I don't know what Antashar was thinking about. However, I wasn't too interested in it...
But today he was the first to feel the strangers.
- We have guests," Antashar said.
- Are they...demons? - I suffocated.
- The elves," the faceless frowned, "at the gate.
I nodded and went down quickly, the Faceless gliding beside me, changing my appearance to a woolless figure wearing a black cloak. Already at the exit, Shaider joined us, and I noticed Xenia at the breach in the wall, who was watching the guests, keeping her acanar ready. This unanimity amused me, and I came out with a smile at the gate.
There were three people who came. The horsemen on the shingles were black horses. All three were tall, blonde, with characteristic elongated ears and bright eyes. Beautiful. Cold. Arrogant. They looked down on us a little, but when they saw Schader, their faces changed, became more human. And everyone was in a hurry.
- Lord Darrell! - The elf came forward with amazing blue and purple eyes," Shyder, he didn't expect to see you here! Is this your defense shield? It's an amazing job...
- Clarius," said Lord Darrell in his greeting, "and your appearance in the Northern Kingdom is quite unexpected... As far as I know, you haven't left Eloar for a hundred years.
- So is the case," said Clarius' eyebrow, "that rumors have reached the Empire are truly astonishing. And I already understand that these rumors are not groundless, the Source woke up in human lands... I felt its marvelous power for a lot of ice from this place, it is beautiful...
The elf's firm gaze ran through my friends, stayed on Faceless, and stopped at me. For a few moments, the elf looked at me with his amazing purple eyes, and then bowed down in a ceremonial bow. And his companions bowed down after him.
- Please forgive my mistake, Guardian," said the elf, straightening, "I did not introduce myself properly! My name is Clarius Elwon, First Lord of the silver branch of Eloar, and the Seventh Guardian of the Circle of Light.
I smiled politely, trying to remember what his regalia meant. I remembered a picture of their enchanted book: a large round hall and thirteen chairs around the Oracle. These are the guards of the Circle of Light, the Guardians of Time and Space. One of the thirteen is also the Guardian of the Source of Power in Eloar, the truth of who, carefully hidden. To hide his connection to the white tree, all the Guardians undergo a special ritual that unites their auras. And now, I was surprised to see the thick, colourful aura of the elf.
In fact, the thirteen guardians and the oracle formed the ruling apex of the Rainbow Empire, almost on a par with the Emperor. And the silver branch belonged to the imperial dynasty. Yes, an important bird came to Riverstein. The elf's companions, as I understand it, were his keepers.
- It is a pleasure to welcom
e you to Riverstein, Lord Clarius Elwon," I said and introduced myself. I just said my name and my last name, without any further details.
- Will you allow us to examine the Source, Mrs Belogorskaya? - I was wondering about the elf.
- You can come in and be a guest at the castle, if your thoughts are pure and none of you think evil against the inhabitants of Riverstein, - I said calmly, - if it is so, the shield will let you through.
The elves glanced over, Clarius nodded, and they stepped through the shield at the same time. They came in.
- Amazing," the seventh guard said, glistening with his eyes, "just an amazing power! Who put that shield up?
- The source, Lord Elwon," and smiled as I saw the perplexity in his eyes, "I only directed the power, gave it form, but the content created the source. That's why the shield is so strong. And it's selective.
Clarius nodded with understanding. We took our guests to the castle, and by that time all the cleaning work was almost done, so we didn't have to blush behind the cobweb hanging from the corners. The elves looked around with interest, asking Shider questions. I listened to them at the edge of my ear, thinking about what to say about myself. I decided there was nothing to say about the Time Loop, the Alire and the events preceding the Source's awakening.
- Lord Elwon, we will accommodate you for rest, and we apologise for the very humble furnishing of the rooms. For a long time, there was a shelter in Riverstein. And please call me by my name," I smiled.
The Elf bowed his head and smiled, too.
- Forgive me, Mrs. Vetryana, we've come a long way, the last portal was in Starovere, we had to go on horseback, obeying only the call of the Force. And I can't rest until I see the Source. Will you excuse me?
- Then please follow me," I smiled on my way to the sanctuary.
By the font, the elf stood long. So long, I even felt as if he was asleep. His guardians, whose names I couldn't remember, froze motionlessly beside him. I went out quietly, leaving them alone.
- How long did you come for? - Xenia asked me when I approached her - feed them now...
The Wind of the North Page 65