PrologueThe ritual was coming to an end, and the kid continued to smile as serenely as before. As if he still did not understand that he would die here and now, that his life would become another victim on the path to true power. Not his power. As if he did not feel pain and cold, did not feel how blood from the cut veins flows through the palms, collects at the fingertips and drops to the ground, right into the center of the multi-beam star.The boy wanted to hit. By physiognomy. To erase forever that smile of his, which had been so annoying for three whole years. bastard. This student was the most insufferable of them all. But at the same time, it is so strong that it could be tolerated for another three years, if there was a chance to make this force faster, sharper, brighter. But such a chance, unfortunately, is not and never will be. If the training is not stopped in time, then the next student can surpass the teacher, and then it is not known who will become a victim during the
The group goes on a hike.Liiran doubtfully looked at the team, selected by the kindest and most noble head of the Council of the Great Darine Atana, and realized that he really hit. Of course, he suspected something of the kind even at the moment when Atana spent ten minutes explaining what a difficult situation was in the city and in general on the islands of the Small Triangle. I just didn't think it would be this bad. The team is worse than you can imagine.The commander is Liiran Vue, who just two months ago, for unknown merit, sucked out of his finger, received a silver chain and all rights, along with the duties of a junior leader. The father was happy and proud. Well, his dear son, a recognized lazybones, inclined to hide in corners and avoid unnecessary responsibility in every possible way, received a chain at the age of eighteen. And he didn't even have to participate in the madhouse called the coming-of-age exams. Hooray! Honor and praise to the offspring! Let all the enemi
Everyone stared at Hiyata in surprise. Liiran himself could hardly restrain himself from staring at him as if he were a manifestation of the elements in its purest form. Someone who, but Khiyat definitely should not have answered. He is never aware of anything.- Pulling power? Kalar asked stupidly. He is also an adept of water, he must understand that pulling power from water is the same as trying to set fire to this water. With water, you can only agree, or not agree.“Yeah, I was surprised too,” Khiyat nodded, smiling broadly and distantly. — Do you know the river near the village U Yama? I bought yellow clay from one aunt. She does it well, I can’t do it like that, I don’t get along with the earth at all. So, that river begins on the Gray Giant. And the aunt takes it and complains that the water has become wrong, as if not alive. I went and checked, it turned out, really not alive.- What? - of course, the question is not the smartest, especially for the group commander, but it es
What did the water say? Dorana asked."It's going to rain soon, and two people are coming north of here," Khiyat replied. Appeasement was slipping from his face like melted make-up, gradually being replaced by the usual readiness to fight with everyone and everything and a slight touch of stubbornness.— What kind of people? Liiran asked. After all, he is in charge here, which means he is responsible for this whole crazy company.“I have no idea,” Khiyat said indifferently and shrugged his shoulders, demonstrating that those people were of little interest to him. “I just thought it was better to know about their presence than not to know. And also, a little to the left of the mountain, along which people roam, a terrible thing is hidden. Just don't ask which one. Water cannot answer such questions."The benefits of your water," Dean snorted and proudly turned his nose up as he walked towards the fire.- Definitely more than from you, - Khiyat did not remain in debt.“Shut up, both of
And when there will be plenty of time again and there will be no need to rush anywhere, Khiyat will tell him about his headache. He will like it. He couldn't even predict that. It's too incredible.However, the friend agreed to agree, but I don’t want to remember how many nerves he spoiled. Apparently, it was easier for him to come to terms with his own death than to realize that there was a chance to survive. So Khiyat had to convince and argue. Coordinate and double-check for the thousandth time ... And be afraid. And have conversations with yourself to calm down, feeling completely crazy. And occasionally talk to this stubborn donkey, trying to prove something either to him or to yourself.Why are you arguing with me? You know that I'm right. Tradition, right? Such a stupid tradition. Forget about her for a while. Then you will remember. The main thing is that this "later" was. Yes, yes, I am petty, stupid and dependent. And also useless. I remember. And you are a self-satisfied fo
ReturnAnd the morning started with a surprise.Khiyat is gone.“Will someone explain to me where this idiot has gone?” growled Liiran, glaring at the stone at his feet with hatred.“Yeah, you still shout and stomp your feet,” an inner voice happily prompted. "Impress your subordinates."“He said that he needed to go to one place, not far from here,” Tiyan answered sleepily. “He said he would be back soon.“That bastard,” Liiran said with feeling. Who knew that Hiyat would want to walk alone in these not very safe mountains? - How long has he been gone?“It was still dark,” Tiyan said indifferently and yawned widely.“At least two hours ago,” Liiran groaned. We spent the night in a safe place, they say. In a dry cave, to her. Where did this idiot go?A cheerful prospect - to lose a subordinate in the mountains. Just sleep through his departure. And who is to blame? Definitely not Tiyan. Liiran didn't say that no one was allowed to leave the cave until morning. So it's his own fault.A
“Uuuuu, yo-o-o,” said Khiyat in such a tone that Ladai involuntarily felt his face, looking for horrific wounds and other troubles.- What? he asked, making sure that the sensations did not lie, and there was nothing there but scratches.- Eye. Left.- What's wrong with the eye?“It’s yellow,” Khiyat said and leaned over to his friend to get a better look. - Not even that. He is very yellow. The right one is your own, brown, and this one is yellow. Even more yellow than Marika's cat. It is so yellow that it looks like it glows.- Does it glow? - That's just what Ladai lacked. On the other hand, he didn't expect to survive the night at all. So the eye is nonsense. Even if he disappeared altogether, it would be a small loss compared to life.“Yeah,” Khiyat confirmed somehow too cheerfully. “You are now a walking special sign. As if there were not enough abnormally white hair and tattoos on the entire back. Only the scar is more noticeable is not enough.“I’ll think of something,” Ladai
- It concerns you first of all! barked the head of the Great Council.Aesir Tmania pursed his lips in displeasure.“Everything about this puppy has nothing to do with me anymore. The renunciation was carried out according to the rules and officially recognized by the council ...- Sit, I said! the kindest and noblest Darine Atana practically growled. “Liiran, sit down too, don’t be so bright,” she snapped at the young leader of the unsuccessful group, who was shifting uncertainly near the door. Sit wherever you want, even on the floor. Everyone should listen to Koyan very carefully, because in the near future you will have to repeat these words several hundred times, so that all those involved and simply overly curious understand and realize. Clear? Esir, if you move again and try to open your mouth, I am not responsible for myself. Goyang, we are listening to your report.The white-haired head of the rangers sighed heavily and nodded to some of his thoughts.“As you already know, yes