The chirping of birds brought Grog to his senses. The first thing he saw when he opened his eyes was a huge insect. A swimming beetle the size of a palm crawled peacefully on the sand, moving its magnificent antennae. Reeds swayed nearby. A swarm of midges buzzed overhead. The wild nature of the north lived its own life, and for some time he was part of it, covered with mud and mud, lying waist-deep in water among leeches and insects.He did not remember how he managed to rise to the surface, how he managed to break the algae that entangled his legs. The arms were tied with them up to the elbows. Her fingers pulled the stalks of water lilies. Leeches crawled under the clothes. Behind him, a waterfall roared, reminiscent of yesterday's jump. His body was in pain, and he was happy to accept it as a gift. Dead people don't feel anything. He met with the strongest of them and survived.Raising himself with difficulty, Grog surveyed the area.Pine trees swayed in a clearing near the shore.

The singing of birds brought him to his senses. Opening his eyes, he realized that he was lying on the ground. The forest around was flooded with light, only this light was somehow strange. Squinting, he realized that it was not the light, but the colors. Everywhere were black shadows and white spots. Deciding that these were the consequences of the blow, Grog somehow got up and crawled to the nearest tree. There was not the slightest doubt that the stone man was pursuing him in reality, and not in a dream. Otherwise, how would he find himself in the forest? But why the hell did he get into that temple and how did he even know that there was a secret door there?Grog decided not to think about it. The body was still aching with pain, but now a vile itch was added to it. It was as if ants were crawling over her skin, tickling her with their hairy paws. He probably slept in one position for a very long time, and lay down on his right side. My heart was also in trouble. It beat harder an

The common grotto was cool and empty. The dining table was located in the shade at the entrance, covered from the rays of the rising sun by a brick wall. Tantus sat in a wooden armchair covered with skins and listened to the guest. Marletta and Cord settled down next door. Time was pressing. Cutthroat Kirk and his men were waiting downstairs. The last time he saw them, the bandits were walking around Rat Lake along the western shore. Now the detachment was standing near the foot of Teres. Everything was ready for the journey. All that remained was to send the important guest away.“ You haven’t touched the food,” Tant said, looking at the plate of cutlets and the closed bowl. “Try at least some porridge. Niama added Suran raisins there.Opposite sat an elderly man with a bushy, white beard. Wistan was not distinguished by a strong physique even in his youth, but after fifty he turned into a neat old man. A lush, scarlet robe concealed the imperfections of his body, making the nismanth

Leaving the cellar of the Last Resort, Fergus slipped unnoticed through the drinking hall and went out to the main square of Gotford, from where he planned to start searching for Rumbold. The fate of the sergeant could be decided at any moment, but even now, when his girlfriend was in danger, Fergus did not want him dead. He honored the covenants of the gods and believed in the signs of fate. Something told him that Nismass had saved the sergeant in the labyrinths beneath Kenovia for a reason. Did Cassia then have the right to raise a sword against him?Puffing and grumbling under his breath, he rounded the square and hurried towards the Kremengol hill. The meeting with iron monsters for the second day did not go out of his head. The captain promised to punish the death of his subordinates. Now also Rumbold walked on the edge of a knife. It is not surprising that in this situation he remembered Grog only the next morning. It is not known where the desperate mercenary disappeared and w

Rounding the inn, they reached a crossroads and began to descend to the swamp. At the entrance to the valley, Shanti heard screams coming from a nearby grove. Leaving the road, he was the first to rush there, and was not mistaken. In the meadow near the rocks, behind rows of young fir trees, two figures flickered. By the clothes and red pigtails, he immediately recognized Anabel. Oliver was next. Both held spears in their hands, fighting off brown balls that rolled across the clearing.– Look! They were attacked by bugs! Albrecht exclaimed, pulling out a knife as he went.Shanti and Pavel ran after him, but their participation in the battle was not required.Hidden among the fir trees, they watched the storm ten yards away. Three earthbiters scurried across the grass, creaking and hissing with indignation, like snakes woven into the wheels of a moving cart. Not far away, with his sharp paws up, lay the first loser. Oliver and Anabelle kept their distance as far as the length of the sp