Bloody Revenge

by Darrell Guidry

  Motionless figures of riders some time were seen in a distance,

  then disappeared behind turn of the river.

  The cheerful sorcerer told fortunes to you

  Till a century not to know losses.

  Across do not tell a mot to you,

  And you will tell - you will not be glad.

  Wealth and daring - pledge удач,

  And you both are rich, and dared.

  And under legs someone got - cry!

  When you for whom felt sorry?

  Courage husband's, maiden beauty,

  Hardly wished - yours!

  But nevertheless the braid found on a stone:

  To you I met.

  To you not to get on with me good,

  As usual between people.

  In a coffin I saw your silver,

  And force - it seems break!

  There will be no mercy or a draw,

  You will not click hired servants:

  With you we will be judged by couple of swords

  Honestly that in force of hands.

  The wealth and the power remained outside:

  Now be answerable.

  To which of us, you or me,

  Heaven will leave life?

  In a sacred circle only Truth in honor

  And a sword - her herald.

  From this circle of two ways

  Not to be. The carrion crows shouts.

  15. 15. TRUTH OF GODS

  The travel on rafts began quietly and peacefully. Mighty Girlim

  smoothly rushed between the coast which are filled up crude, friable, unreliable still

  snow. Deeply below there were thresholds, all summer showing from water

  granite teeth. Passing such places, plotogona with habitual vigilance

  peered into the wood blackening on coast. In the summer when it is inevitable

  it was necessary to unload lod and to drag them, shifting skating rinks,

  here it was possible to run on the dashing bands eager for foreign good.

  Especially robbers during a time of segvansky resettlement, before fights were ferocious

  at Three Hills when was not about in the country. Gratitude to Gods, from those

  time a lot of things were changed, likhode were calmed down by a part, a part put

  the heads under swords of kind people. And at thresholds strong began to grow

  towns. The people lodged in towns: a half - soldiers with leaders,

  other half - workers, assistants to the guests who arrived on dragged. And in

  the offense will not be given, and lod will transfer nearly on hands. Only pay.

  Passing such towns, plotogona notified on themselves a horn, greeting

  waved a hand. From coast answered, though without special enthusiasm.

  Exchange of courtesies of the little costs if all the same your services without

  needs, so, and money will not pay.

  In two places there were skilled arrows which, having attached to arrows,

  threw on rafts of the letter to Galirad. Good deed!

  Nobody encroached on travelers. The stinking Obstacle absorbed,

  it seems, the last who could be dangerous to such big group.

  Passes some more years, and Girlim from a dangerous track will become knurled

  bolshaky. What changes, borne to this country the union will be

  Velimor and solvennsky power?.

  When Girlim reached at last Sveta’si's Mother and softly splashed out her

  on knees rafts together with people and horses, travelers began to glance on

  coast at all without fear. And to dream of fast return home.

  The wolfhound felt to nobody especially not necessary. With it it is more nearby

  there were no boys needing manuals madam whom

  they together protected. Leaving Galirad, he, is remembered, expected anything.

  That it will be finished off on the road of the murderer, sent to madam. That it,

  having recognized for the deadly enemy, Vinitar will kill or orders to kill... Only one

  and in a dream could not dream it. That its debt of the bodyguard will break

  quite so.

  He turned over in the mind the actions and acts and it seems did not find

  mistakes, oversight. He made everything for madam what he was capable of.

  Besides it was for certain better for it at ichendar, than at hated

  groom. What gnawed it?. He could not understand. He knew only,

  that it all the same would have soul not on the place even if it

  safely transferred a knesinka from hands to hands to Vinitar. Which besides,

  as he understood now, had to the Cannibal the son by birth, but at all not

  on spirit. Perhaps having learned his love, the knesinka would find happiness of a marriage

  and at all forgot the maiden hobby?. All so but to watch it in

  eyes when it would grab his hands again, asking one look:

  to defense...

  Really it to it for the fact that killed the Cannibal in the middle of night, without having given to sterveets

  duel?.

  The wolfhound roamed about a raft, tried to warm up the body crippled by wounds

  and gloomy thought that Gods after all left it a hole. And not

  in time first already. Could lock it in Lyudoyedov's cellar of the lock - not

  locked. And at the Obstacle kept to it life. And before the final choice:

  whom to betray, a knesinka or itself? - too after all did not put. Means,

  not up to the end were undeceived in it, so still to Them it was for some reason necessary.

  Here only, what for?.

  For the second night after an entry in Sveta’s the Wolfhound, as always, settled

  under canvas bed curtains, at a warm side of Serk who is wrapped up in a body cloth.

  The kind horse was first frightened the black water murmuring near the ear

  then, encouraged by presence of the owner, calmed down and got used. Or perhaps

  just exorcized blood; horses of its breed of a segvana were carried from olden days on

  the ships from the island on the island and even for the sea...

  The wolfhound leaned against the cozy, gradually rising Serk's side,

  pulled more deeply a fur hood that did not cool wind. Also thought about

  the fact that the sore hand, seemingly, again will not allow it to sleep properly.

  The broken bones ached all the time, sometimes so that though jump in water with

  raft. Yes. Abrupt hills rolled a sivka. Earlier on me everything began to live as on

  to dog. Not that became, not that. The wolfhound caught himself on what is strong

  hopes for Tilorn and Niilit waiting for it in Galirada. Still he was in time

  to decide that the hand will not allow it to sleep now at all. He reconciled with this

  thought. And imperceptibly fell asleep.

  Of course, he was woken by the unintentional movement which caused soon

  pain. Whether itself moved, whether Serko. The wolfhound opened eyes and

  looked at Dungorm's tent. It was separated from it by fifteen

  steps. The Nedremanny instinct of the bodyguard forced to run all over eyes

  soft hillocks here and there near a tent. It soldiers-velimortsy slept,

  taking refuge from styly wind who under blankets, who in a sleeping bag.

  The dog is a dog, gloomily told himself veins. Any more and there is no hostess, and I all

  I guard.

  He listened to sleepy breath of a stallion and again thought of that how many

  anything saw his raincoat. There is enough that from a solemn attire

  to become just clothes. Then once again opened eyes, looked on

  tent... and instantly pricked up the ears. At a dog, which it

  half considered, wool, and black lips began to rise on a nape

  sp
read in the parties, silently baring canines. On a raft all slept, except

  several patrol yes the plotogon which were slowly active long oars

  until both ends. Night sight a vein, and multiplied on was required

  considerable good luck to catch the imperceptible movement of one of fur

  hillocks, Dungorm who slightly moved towards the marching dwelling.

  Mouse, hiding in heat under a raincoat, immediately felt how

  the owner strained, and poked out outside an inquisitive nose. Wolfhound carefully

  moved a healthy hand and covered a small animal with a palm. Mysh comprehended

  the habitual signal also hid. The hand of the Wolfhound spread further - to

  to belt, to a sheath of a fighting knife.

  The person who was pretending to be sleeping moved again, for a half-span

  drew near a tent, and the Wolfhound began to think feverishly. It

  got used to assume the worst and managed to decide instantly that on a raft

  one more wormed way from among worshipping Moeran to Death. But if so -

  what will that undertake? Will try to kill Dungorm? Slightly will cut

  the tent corner will also light up the tiny incensory filled at an opening

  potion without taste and a smell capable to warn?. Will let in a hole

  the polecat trained to gnaw through sleeping a throat?. A wolfhound it is even vague

  remembered that at one of velimorets was at itself small

  favourite.... Or will just approach an entrance and will leave on strip logs

  bonding of the poison killing even through clothes, even through thick soles

  boot?.

  Or perhaps this person is not guilty of anything at all and just looks for

  secluded town inaccessible to rushes of cold wind?

  The wolfhound looked how the rare snowflakes falling on logs flew.

  No, not that. Wind blew absolutely on the other hand.

  Veins extended a knife from a sheath, intercepted it for a throw and began to wait.

  It was necessary, probably, to jump and try to take the murderer alive, but it

  he could not afford now. Hardly prolonged wounds through two steps

  would lay it on the spot. And you will cry, you will give the alarm - and it seems try

  then prove something. Admirers of Death just were also famous for the fact that

  nobody could suspect of them murderers, caught red-handed yet. Means,

  it was necessary only to wait. And to pray that was not too late.

  Time hung heavy. The person that drew near a tent for

  the vershok, for a long time faded in an immovability. He was able to wait too. Wolfhound

  did not lower from it eyes. When the unknown appeared in the poluarshena from a corner

  tents, from under a fur blanket appeared hands and carefully stretched

  forward. Venn whom the murderer at this moment could not see, sharply

  rose and sat down, and in frosty air the thrown knife whistled. Wolfhound

  to the last feared to finish with not guilty. Heavy knife,

  capable to split a skull, only nailed to logs one of

  the lasting hands. And having only heard a deaf sound of the stuck edge,

  The wolfhound cried. Cried in all throat, calling guard. It is in advance

  knew in what the sharp movement and this shout will cost him. And precisely. Under

  edges as if several arrows at once were thrust, in eyes blurred

  blackness. But business was made. The found murderer already half not so

  it is terrible. And will want to justify itself, let will explain that he started

  in the middle of night near Dungorm's tent. Not by force, eventually

  The wolfhound dragged it there.

  The scared Serko rose on legs. The wolfhound lost a support and it is heavy

  it was tumbled down backwards, broken by a fit of coughing.

  He vaguely heard noise of a general alarm, footfall, shouts and neighing

  horses, and then splash as if in water something heavy fell down. Later,

  when he recovered the breath, he was told: the person subwounded by him pulled out a knife

  from logs and own body and, without hesitating moments, ran across on

  edge of a raft, there, where the coast was closer. Plunged into the dark night water and

  floated. Soldiers shot to it following, and someone swore as if he heard how

  the arrow is stuck in flesh. But nobody could tell with confidence that

  it was become with the murderer. Whether really it was found in the dark by casual

  arrows, or ice water took away forces, or after all met saving

  the coast - remained to unknown.

  Still after that Mysh with shrill cries drove some time on

  to raft of a small small animal, flexible and toothy, already put on in white

  winter fur coat. Caress hid, being hammered into cracks and under a flooring,

  rose a spring, trying to get the winged foe. Mysh not

  ventured to grapple with the furious little predator, capable as

  it is known, to get into an ear to an elk and to bite all over him to death. It it is simple

  persistently hung at caress over the head and heart-rendingly shouted. So far at last that

  flexible jump did not jump on an extreme log of a raft and did not departure after

  the owner, in a snake way coiling in black water, rough from falling

  snow...

  People on a raft went as lost. Especially Dungorm: night

  the murderer, as it became clear, was concealed among his velimorets. In the morning they

  missed one soldier, not the beginner in group. All knew it,

  all rejoiced to cheerful stories which he was the great master

  to tell.

  All knew also his favourite caress. Someone even began to askance on

  Wolfhound. But then began to remember the missing and remembered that close

  as happens at soldiers, with it nobody drove friendship. Nobody was with it in

  to bath: he always washed one, explaining it with custom of the people. And at

  caress there was a frightening usage at night to run on bodies sleeping,

  to tickle a neck muzzle...

  - To whom to trust now?. - Dungorm asked, and his voice shivered.

  Duplicity of the soldier whom he knew not the first year shook noble

  the narlaka is more than death threat. Even it is more, than terrible test at

  Obstacles when it was going to be broken off horses.

  Having conferred, velimorets were removed in the end of a raft. There they became on

  turns to strip to the skin. Companions examined thrown off clothes from

  tops to toe, searching for the secret Sign of Fire which is turned out on a body

  inside out. At anybody nothing was found.

  The wolfhound some time gloomy roamed about a raft, then approached to

  to the warrior Ertan also asked her:

  - Punch me, please, in a stomach. Only slowly.

  Also rose before it, for something having closed eyes. Ertan shrugged shoulders,

  coughed, and her fist smoothly directed up and forward. Fists at

  velkhinka were, clear, it is twice less men's. But, as claimed

  in time them to try, because of the trifle they only beat twice more angrily and

  more painfully. A wolfhound, without opening eyes, turned on tiptoe, passing

  the girl's hand by. The left palm caught up with the clenched fist Ertan and

  clasped it. The wolfhound otshagnut aside and turned the caught wrist

  to.

  - Ah you.! - the leader admired, dodging and falling on

  knee. - It again yours... how there called?

  - Caen-kiro, - the Wolfhound reminded. - Yes rules the world love.

  - Such love... хм! - Ertan grum
bled. It seemed a vein

  feminity embodiment. Such its people saw the Goddesses. Women's

  power and female tenderness. Terrible daring and the attracting beauty.

  - You would not hurry, - Ertan advised. - Recover at first.

  The wolfhound answered:

  - He will begin to wait until I recover.

  - It, it who? - the warrior asked. The wolfhound directly looked with it in

  also told eyes:

  - Luchezar. To whom else.

  - You think, it you?.

  - Perhaps is also not present, - sighed veins. - But it is necessary to know on what I now

  it am good.

  Ertan frowned. The wolfhound knew: it was not talkative. It only

  asked:

  - And narrowed eyes what for?

  Veins shrugged shoulders rather one left shoulder because right

  to move it was sick.

  - It so, - he told. - Just in case suddenly I will go blind as

  Deksha. I with my predatory ugly face in testomesa will hardly be taken.

  That night, in deaf hour, by rafts Lyudoyedov's ruins rushed

  lock. In several days snow on coast began to vanish, and in

  air blew softly by sea. And here at dawn at the left for a while

  the familiar creek, and behind it, over a berezhok, - a glade in the middle opened

  pine wood. Here in the irretrievable solar summer the knesinka studied itself

  to protect. Now day was engaged foggy and cloudy, and passed still

  considerable time before wooden towers of capital ahead loomed

  Galirada.

  Knes Gluzd Nesmeyanovich accompanied with boyars and the people himself left

  to meet disgracefully come back embassy. Светынь near the mouth

  spread nearly on one and a half versts and flowed slowly, majestically.

  The wolfhound saw how there was near the coast a forward raft, and

  кнес embraced sostupivshy from it Luchezara as the father embraces the beloved son

  after long separation. Suspicious a vein it seemed a little

  strange. Vinitar himself said that he sent the message to a knes with a pigeon.

  The Wolfhound, of course, did not read that letter, but guessed that young

  Koons in him excessively did not eulogize Luchezar. It is necessary to think, solved veins,

  Left carried with itself pigeons too and too wrote the letter to a knes. And that