Fortress of Hope

5

Chapter 5

Chapter five.

The first surprises, pleasant and not so.

Sitting down on a thick log next to the kitchen, I ate breakfast with pleasure, not forgetting to look around. The camp turned into a lively anthill. Work was in full swing. The air was filled with the smell of freshly cut wood, dug up earth, smoke and the smell of food being cooked. 

The men cut down trees, dragged logs and stones. Women, under the supervision of my namesake business executive, dismantled the remaining untouched bags of belongings and watched the nimble children, who strived to stick their nose where it was not necessary. The older youth cut down the thickets of bushes, removed small stones - I ordered to clear the space from the back rock to the future wall of the fort clean. So that not a branch sticks out. So that not a single stone sticks out of the ground. Useless garbage for incineration, small stone in a separate pile. 

Fortunately, the ground was relatively flat, only in a couple of places huge boulders stuck into the ground stuck out, but for now I left them alone - there was a lot of trouble. Most of the trees growing inside the camp had already been cut down, only stumps flowing with tree sap remained, but the brisk boys set to work on them too. I was worried - as if my hands would not cut my legs, but when I saw with what dexterity they were controlled, I calmed down.  

A few older women were doing the cooking under the watchful eye of Niliena, the oldest and grumpiest in our group. Despite her old age, she hurried briskly from cauldron to cauldron, stirred the brew with a huge ladle, and did not forget to call out to the sluggish cooks. And then she swung her ladle at the most negligent. It was Niliena who was henceforth the oldest in the kitchen, and all the other cooks worked under her supervision. It was impossible to make a better choice - the old woman could reason with anyone with a couple of well-aimed words and a blow with a ladle. 

The masons brothers demanded from me almost the entire male population for laying the outer wall of the fort. Ricard with difficulty wrested several warriors from them to bear guard. They almost took each other by the beards. 

Six hunters went fishing, having received an order from me not to return without prey. Glory to the Creator of fearless game in the vicinity was decent. It is understandable: there have never been hunters here. And if people have been, then as prey, not hunters. No wonder Litas promised fresh meat with such confidence. 

The hunters set up several traps yesterday evening, and not one of them was empty since morning. A fat hare dangled from each loop. A couple of carcasses, however, turned out to be eaten - the foxes tried, as Litas explained, promising to remove the skins from the thieves - literally. To be disrespectful. Yes, and the skins will come in handy, although it’s not yet the time to hunt for fur. 

Father Flatis perched nearby, basking in the sun and not forgetting to look at me from under severely frowning eyebrows. After a thoughtful conversation with Ricard, he calmed down and now defiantly kept to himself. Feel free to be angry. But now is not up to him. Let him rejoice that he did not force the forest to be felled. Although later it will be necessary to reconcile with him. The old man is smart and far from being a simple village priest. Why? I tell you - he has too smart and sad eyes of a man who has seen a lot.

For lack of paper, the plan of the fort had to be drawn on the ground cleared of grass. Here I marked the outlines of future buildings. The most important thing is to have time to finish the wall before unexpected guests arrive. There was no doubt in my mind that they would appear. 

Only after finishing the wall will we begin to build a large common house - winter is on the nose and we simply will not have time to build a separate house for each family. 

Drovin, approaching, demanded water from the cooks and, having emptied two scoops, went towards me.

- Sir, - bowed Drovin, - We have not yet chosen a place for the gate. Yes, and about their width, it is necessary to discuss. 

- There will be no gate, - I said, looking with pleasure at the astonished face of the senior mason.

- Will not?! Drovin blurted out in astonishment, and, after a moment of reflection, added, “Sir! 

- Not. Will not. And I didn't go crazy. We will not be able to strengthen the gates - they will be knocked out after the first raid, and if the creatures break through, then we will not have a chance. We will build differently - a solid stone wall. We will climb over the wall with the help of ladders. For heavy loads, we will build a lift with a platform or net at the top of the stairs. 

“I understand, sir,” Drovin replied thoughtfully. It was obvious from his eyes that he was already considering where exactly to place the winch for the lift. And at the same time, he looks at me in surprise - it is clear that I speak too reasonably for a former drunken reveler. And at the same time I do not require a wineskin with wine, making do with spring water. 

****

The sounds of a violent quarrel reached me when I was tinkering over the outlined plan of the fort, for some time wondering where it would be best to place outbuildings. A moment later, the skirmish turned into a fight.

Judging by the sonorous voices, the youth fought, whom I sent to uproot the stumps left after felling. Looking closer, I saw two intertwined bodies rolling on the ground in clouds of gray dust. A few more boys stood nearby and cheered up the fighting with shouts.

"Niliena," I called out to the cook, "look at what's happening there." So they can raise each other on knives.

- Yes, sir. Now I will arrange for them, - she answered and, not forgetting to grab her favorite ladle, quickly went to the place of the fight. 

“Bring the instigators by the scruff of the neck and drag them here,” I called after her. I wouldn't have nailed it. Niliena's hand is heavy. 

From the scene of the fight, an angry voice of an old woman was heard, there was a ringing sound of a blow - she put it with a ladle in no other way. The boys fled in all directions, and Niliena drove the fighters in my direction.

Soon they were standing in front of me and wiping their broken noses. Both are about the same age, but in appearance they differed from each other, as a wolf differs from a hare. Already now one of them struck with broad shoulders, height and article, in a few years a noble warrior will come out. The other is puny, with a long skinny neck, all sort of ungainly. That's just the eyes ... The eyes of a wild animal ready to cling to the throat.  

- Well, what did you not share? I asked, having looked enough at both of them.

“He doesn’t do anything, sir,” the stronger and meaner one excitedly blurted out, “he can’t even drag a snag.” Only gets in the way! Worthless at all. He can’t collect firewood even - while he carries it, he will lose half along the way! 

I shifted my gaze to the second boy who lowered his head and found that tears were flowing down his dirty cheeks. It's clear. For a long time he endured mockery and poking, but today he could not stand it and answered the next blow with a blow. It's pointless to tell them. It will only get worse. Let's try differently. 

- So, you go and no more fights! Found the time! - I pointed to the first, - And you stay for now.

After waiting for the broad-shouldered boy to move a sufficient distance, I turned to the boy:

- Name? Who is the father?

- Stefiy, - the guy muttered, sniffing with a broken nose, - I'm an orphan, sir. It's been a long time. 

- Was it difficult? I asked sympathetically, hinting at the fight that had happened.

- I'll break his face - Stefiy raised his head, - I'll lie in wait and hit him from the back! I to him... 

- I believe. I believe - I raised my hand soothingly, - Do not get excited. Why does he say you don't work?

- I'm trying, sir. I try my best. Well, I can’t lift a snag. Severe hurt. I try to raise it to a crunch in my back, but it doesn’t work! And they laugh... 

I sighed. It's hard for him. So the matter cannot be abandoned. They will close it. Or he himself, unable to withstand another humiliation, will take the knife in his hands. For nothing that the body did not come out, but the character is like that of a wolf cub. 

And what am I to do with the frail poor fellow? 

Attach to the kitchen? They will laugh at all. They added to the women's case, they say, which means that he is not a man. 

To do nothing? Leave as is? It's also impossible. So the truth will watch and hit the offender with a stone on the back of the head. Although ... there is one option. 

- That's what. Do you know prayers? Do you understand letters? – having cheered up, I asked Stefia. 

- I know, sir. And I know how to read and write - Stefiy answered in bewilderment, - I read passion as I like. 

- So. Fly to the stream, wash yourself well, smooth the whirlwinds and run back. 

Stefiy rushed off to the stream, and I armed myself with a crutch and limped to the priest sitting at a distance, trying to lean harder on my sore leg and often stopping to rest. Father Flatis watched me approach with a stony face. I hobbled up to him, waved my hand in greeting, and sank down on the grass with relief. Father Flatis answered the greeting with a barely perceptible cold nod. Feel free to be angry. Realizing that the holy father did not intend to start the conversation first, I decided to say bluntly:

- Father Flatis. Your help is needed. 

- In what? - the old man said caustically, - I see that you are doing well without me.

- There is one boy here. Stefy. He didn’t come out by force, so everyone and sundry pecks at him - I tried to pity the priest, - He was orphaned for a long time, therefore there is no one to stand up for him. And the guy is capable. And he is trained to read and write, he knows all the prayers by heart. Take it under your wing. As soon as we rebuild the church, you will need a servant. He is quick-witted, smart. 

The priest chewed his lips in thought, squinting at me with his eyes. I specifically added about the church, making it clear: we will definitely build it, just give it a deadline. 

They don't give him life. Today there was a fight. And tomorrow, what will happen? He had already promised in the heat of the moment that he would watch for the offender and light him with a stone from his back. Wouldn't do things, I added.

I admonished Father Flatis, offended by everyone, for a long time, and finally, the good heart of the old man could not stand it: 

- Good. Let him come. I'll talk to him, - the priest answered and turned away, making it clear that the conversation was over.

When I returned, Stefy was already waiting for me.  

“Father Flatis has agreed to take you on as his novices. From this day on, you will help him in everything. 

Stefy beamed in complete delight. 

- Thank you, Mr. 

- Go to him - I smiled - Yes, look at me! Do your best. 

Bowing low once more, Stefy rushed off to the priest. After watching him, I sighed - it's a pity not all troubles were so easily solved - and again bent over the outlined plan. Now the boy is in safe hands. And I need to think about how to fit the church in the small space of the fort - the promise must be kept. 

I was not allowed to work on the drawing. 

- Mister Koris! Mr Koris! 

Throwing my head up in displeasure, I saw my namesake rushing towards me. When he ran, he took a few deep breaths, trying to catch his breath and blurted out:

- Mister Koris, we found a cave. Healthy hole!

- A cave? - I asked in surprise, taking a crutch, - Where?

- In the rear wall, sir. The entrance was hidden behind bushes. If it weren’t for your order to cut everything clean, you might not have stumbled on for a long time. Too much overgrown.

- Did you look inside? What's there?

- We don’t know, sir, it’s dark there, like at the sclera in .... Ahem, - the namesake choked and, coughing in embarrassment, continued - I ordered to make several torches, sir.

- Traces?

- No, sir. I took a few steps to look. There is a thick layer of dust everywhere untouched. There is no one there,” Koris replied cheerfully. 

- And what are you happy about? I asked gloomily.

- Uh-uh - the namesake stuttered, not knowing what to answer - Well, it's good that the cave is empty then. There is no need to smoke out of there.

- A large cave, clear water nearby, a dense forest nearby, where there is a lot of prey - I listed on my fingers - But for some reason not a single animal wanted to make a lair here. Why do you think?

 - I did not think, sir - the namesake lowered his head.

"Well, let's go and see," I muttered, and limped after him.

While walking, he burned himself and the guards with the last words. See the big cave behind! And thanks to the Creator that it turned out to be empty and did not receive a surprise at night in the form of a herd of hungry ghouls. We need to have a good talk on this subject with Ricard. Where are the guards looking? 

Having reached the entrance to the cave, I chuckled in surprise - now it is clear why they did not notice it on the first day. Most of the rock wall is densely overgrown with loach and thickets of thorny bushes. Randomly intertwined branches reliably hid their secret for a long time. Maybe that's why the animals did not choose a cave for themselves as a lair. Impenetrable jungle. 

Now the men were finishing cutting down the thickets, and the hole gaping in the rock was almost completely exposed. The hole wasn't big, just big enough to get in without double-crossing. Finally, the last shoots of the loach fell under the joint onslaught of axes, the darkening entrance was opened. It smelled musty and musty from there. 

I was again glad that the entrance was securely covered - caves and deep overgrown pits are a favorite place for all evil spirits that are afraid of daylight. I didn’t want to run into a zombie lair, or worse, a nest of bone spiders, or, as they were also called, skeletal spiders, which my people had already told me about. 

Looking around, I discovered that the find had attracted almost the entire population of the camp. Even Father Flatis could not restrain his curiosity and deigned to come. Catching Ricard's eye, I pointed out to him the cheering crowd. Instantly orienting himself, he growled loudly:

- Well, get to work! Like little children! Have you never seen caves? 

The crowd reluctantly began to disperse, casting regretful glances at the darkening entrance. 

Taking one of the torches, I lit it and headed towards the cave. I had only gone a couple of steps when a heavy hand landed on my shoulder.

- I hope the master does not think to go to the cave? - rather affirming, and not asking, said Ricard. In his stern eyes, something completely different was read: “You will not go anywhere.” 

- I'm going to - I answered, trying to free my shoulder from the iron grip. The big man didn't even seem to notice my pathetic attempt and said worriedly:

“But, sir, you cannot go into the cave with a crutch in one hand and a torch in the other. What if there is a wild animal or something worse? What will you do? What will you fight back? 

There was nothing to cover. Ricard was absolutely right. As always. 

Bowing my head, I handed over the torch, perched on a sun-warmed boulder not far from the entrance, and enviously watched the preparations. Ricard called two warriors armed with short swords, gave each a torch, and one after another they went inside the cave. I tensed, afraid to hear the screams and the noise of battle. The absence of traces at the entrance only means that there is nothing alive inside, but not dead - the same ghouls or skeletal spiders can remain motionless for years, waiting for prey or the order of the owner. Soulless creatures indifferent to the passage of time around them.

It worked out. When I was already tired of waiting, Ricard's head, dusted with thick dust and decorated with cobwebs, popped out of the cave:

- Sir, the cave is empty. At least the part that we have already examined.

- Part? - I asked in surprise, groaning, getting up and leaning on a crutch, limping towards Ricard, - So huge?

- No, the cave is not very big, sir. But there is a very deep crack in the floor. Failure.

Entering the cave, I looked around and whistled. Ricard greatly downplayed the size of the cave. Three torches could not completely illuminate the entire space, but even in the dusk I could see that the cave would be able to accommodate all my people, along with their belongings, and there would still be room. 

Moving on, I was convinced that I was right. Having asked one of the soldiers to raise the torch higher, he carefully examined the low vault and was delighted, not noticing cracks, wet spots and traces of mold. This means that even in winter the cave remains almost dry. This find can solve many of our problems if used wisely. 

- Where is the failure? I asked the healthy man.

- Here, sir - Ricard pointed to the far corner. 

Following Ricard, I went to a gaping crack in the floor and peered inside. Darkness. Taking the torch from the warrior, he brought it to the edge in an attempt to see the bottom. The flickering light failed to reach the bottom, illuminating only the sheer walls. Leaning down, I picked up a small piece of rock from the ground and threw it into the crack. I mentally counted to ten, but I didn’t hear the sound of the stone falling. 

- I wonder how deep it is, - I muttered thoughtfully under my breath, again bringing the torch over the failure, - You can't see a damn thing. 

And he barely had time to stop the helpful warrior, who was about to throw a flaming torch into the crack. Managed.

- Do not even think about it! I yelled, catching my breath in relief. 

Seeing the puzzled looks, I sighed and explained:

We don't know what's in there. Rock gas could accumulate at depth. If it blazes, then the roof of the cave can collapse and bury us under the rubble. Or an escaped sheaf of red-hot fire will simply fry us well to a crisp. It's clear?

Judging by the thoughtful faces, they got through. Good. So there will be less nonsense. After looking around for the last time, I turned and went outside. Coming out of the cave into the sunlight, he heard behind him a sonorous slap on the back of the head. Ricard in his repertoire. After waiting for everyone to be outside, I turned to Ricard:

- Take the people and fill up the hole in the floor. Do not seal tightly so that you can open it - over time you need to find out what is there. Remove excess debris, stone fragments, etc. from the cave. 

After giving instructions, I hurried to the plan drawn on the ground. In light of the discovery of a spacious dry cave, most of the outbuildings can be safely moved inside the rock, and the vacated space in the fort can be used for other purposes and efforts can be focused on building a protective wall. Every day the onset of winter approaches. Every day there is a growing danger that monsters living in the Wild Lands will stumble upon our refuge at the rock. 

****

The spacious room was lit only by the meager reflections of the fire from the fireplace. As the door opened, a draft whipped flames upward, illuminating for a moment the dark figure of a man standing by the window. He did not pay the slightest attention to the delicate cough behind his back and continued to look at the moon slowly crawling across the night sky. Only after a few agonizingly long moments did he turn around and look at the wrinkling old man in the mage's robe. 

- Lord, - the magician bowed low, his face was motionless, but his trembling voice betrayed him with his head - Something went wrong. Arzalis's seal has begun to erode, and I'm afraid the process is irreversible. Soon the stranger will remember everything. 

The old man wanted to add something else, but managed only to choke out a strangled sob when a steel-hard hand grabbed him by the throat and, lightly lifting the magician into the air, brought him closer to the face hidden by darkness.

- How? - whispered an insinuating voice, - How much time is left before the complete destruction of the seal? 

“N-n-not b-more than a few weeks, lord,” the frightened old man squeezed out of himself stuttering, “M-maybe a month. Or a little more... I can only guess... 

“So you have exactly the same amount.” Did you understand me well? 

- Y-yes, my lord - the old magician whispered hoarsely, - I understood everything.

- Kill him and everyone around him! Everyone! Take as many nirgals as you see fit and set out immediately. You must be in time before he remembers everything and is able to use his knowledge. Go! 

Throwing the frail body of the old man aside with one careless movement, the man turned back to the window and froze motionless. The new circumstances demanded careful consideration. So far, nothing bad has happened. But it was necessary to hurry up with the decision of the unfortunate hindrance.

Sobbing from the horror and fear that filled his soul, the old man stood up with difficulty and once again bowed deeply, left the room. He had a long way to go to the Wildlands.