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NEW WORLD 57
The new morning on the farms was no different from the previous one. Shortly before dawn, rows of peasants stretched along the roads between the fields. The shepherds drove their herds along the edge of the forest, greeting familiar hunters. In the forest, axes spoke, piercing the timber trees. With the victory of light over darkness, the yard of the master's domain was filled with the screech of saws, the noise of voices and the hammer on the anvil. At the behest of Nismass, the world outside the city walls came to life and stirred, but here, in the stone bowl of mountains, it belonged to one person - His Majesty of arable land and forests - the Landlord.The morning really seemed ordinary, and no one would have noticed the difference if there hadn't been a fussy peasant named Jagins in the domain. Walking around the estate until sunrise, he accidentally went into the left wing, where the landowner's office was located, and stumbled upon the baron there. The shutters were closed. The
NEW WORLD 58
Miranda climbed into a chair with legs and wrapped herself up to her chin in a light cotton cloak. I sat for a long time. From the darkness came the rustle of grass and the rustle of trees. The birds sang and fell silent. From time to time, somewhere at the entrance to the cave, stones fell from the cliffs. Then through the gloom came the soft voice of the mother:“ A long time ago, there was a cult of nature on Mirkhold. The adherents of this cult were called druids. They lived as hermits in stone towers surrounded by wild forests. The ruins of their fortresses still stand in the Ore Mountains. Druids did not know the magic of the bol, but could turn into animals using charmed stones, which are called "spherals". Like the first Nismantes, they drew strength from a divine source.Miranda grimaced as she touched the hemp bandage on her shoulder. Soaked in ointments, she continued to draw out the poison, carried by the dead man's thorns. Turning her head, she felt slightly dizzy and dec
NEW WORLD 59
The rays of the setting sun illuminated a wide stone platform littered with bones. Below, overcoming fatigue, a henchman clambered up the slope. His scarlet half-robe with a knee-length peplum was torn and covered with stone chips. Clinging to the edge of the ledge, he pulled his heavy body up one last time, and collapsed onto the rocky ground.Nearby, as before, lay two dead men: a few steps away - the stiff body of a young man with a noose around his neck, a little further away - a withered skeleton with a severed head. Both the deceased were dressed in similar clothes. The young man jumped up, pulling a stone ax from his belt. He built it below, breaking the useless staff and parting with sandals, the straps of which went to strengthen the stone blade.Holding the weapon in both hands, the listener looked around. It seemed that he was experiencing this moment not for the first time. The stone man kept among the firs at the foot of a sheer cliff. The giant's hands ended in huge boul
NEW WORLD 60
The grey-haired Nismanth sighed sadly and withdrew, closing the doors behind him. Kelar at this time turned to the henchmen. Seven sat at the table and looked anxiously at the steward.“ Now bring food and drink. Don't touch them until you get permission from the abbot. Listen to everything he tells you and ask without fear. I conjure, ask without fear! When he leaves, you will be allowed to talk among yourselves. Remember, the purpose of this meal is to bring you closer together so that you can appreciate each other's strengths and weaknesses. Saint Luitgarda is watching you, and will send blessings only to those in whom she finds humility and love.The listeners nodded in unison. The young man sitting opposite Dolph raised his hand. The hawk-like eyes of Thorax turned to him.– Question? Yes.“ Why do you need to close Kenovia?Werf looked at the half-wit with contempt. Wiman explained everything to them in advance, on the day when they demanded to join the path. To ask such a quest
NEW WORLD 61
The city came to life with the first rays of the sun. As always, the spark of life flared up in the lower limit, and then, like a fire, spread throughout Gottford. The fishermen were the first to go to sea. On narrow single-masted boats, hundreds of sea hunters left the lagoon and swam towards the horizon. Hammers clattered and saws screeched in the shipyards. The narrow sandy streets and wooden stairs among the hills were filled with dirty figures. The inhabitants of the lower quarter began to work in the morning. The homeless begged for alms. Someone was in a hurry to get contracts in the shops. The old fishermen checked the nets on the piers and collected seaweed to sell to the farmers. The dockers lined up near the port office, where they gathered unloading teams. Women left their houses and walked along the streets, carrying earthenware jars to the stream.The slums were followed by the middle quarter. As soon as the sun rose above the mountain line, the shepherd's horns blew. Th
NEW WORLD 62
The sergeants took their places next to him. Gunnar at this time put a pile of parchments on the edge of the table. At the same time, a servant brought the governor a tall golden goblet filled to the brim with wine. After taking a sip, Marius threw a displeased glance at the new arrivals and said:“ You two are at the council for the first time. You have been selected for your good service and loyalty. I warn you, facts may be read here and the interests of important people may be affected, which are forbidden to be disclosed. The purpose of your presence is to listen carefully, so that you can then solve the problems that have arisen on my behalf. Incognita.“ Yes, your grace,” the guards said in unison.Satisfied with the glib reply, Marius began sorting through the messages. The content of those documents that were not intended for the ears of the militia, the baron put aside. The rest were read aloud. Most of them were the ridiculous petitions of the rich, who did not like the ste
NEW WORLD 63
Through the gloom, Shanti felt a touch. Someone's cold fingers clutched at his hand. The first thing that came to mind was the dead. With a strangled cry, he opened his eyes. Overhead, the vault of a cave loomed black. There was darkness everywhere, only a lamp was burning somewhere in the distance. Turning his head, he met Annabelle's pale face. The girl's brown eyes looked like pieces of coal in the dim light.– What are you yelling at? she asked rudely.As always, courtesy itself, Shanti thought. The last time he fell asleep, the peasant woman lay like a corpse, barely breathing. Now, like, was in order, except for the swollen cheek.- Where did you drag me, and why did you lie down next to me? – again breathed dissatisfied voice.Shanti immediately sat down on the couch nearby and briefly explained everything. Anabel listened attentively and gradually changed in her face.- I thought you were dead. I thought you weren't breathing, he admitted honestly. “When you hit your head on t
NEW WORLD 64
Armed with swords and crossbows, the militia left Gottford as soon as the sun crossed the zenith. Not far from the gate, Rumbold and Fergus trotted their horses to a trot, sending the guard Rick ahead of them. We drove for a long time under the cliffs among the spruce groves along which the city wall stretched. Then the steep climb began. The forest road rushed to the mountains. All this time, Rumbold answered his questions in monosyllabic phrases, but as soon as they rose above the valley, the junior sergeant began to talk.- Great. The thieves' lair is left behind, - he commented, looking back at the city, spread out far below, and, looking at it, added as if by chance: - Except for one thief.- Are you still angry? Fergus grumbled.- From what? They just tried to kill me. Think it's a big deal. Rumbold adjusted the bandage on his forehead and chuckled. I'm not angry, but I won't forget it either. I know that for some time now I have become an open book for you, with the exception o
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- NEW WORLD
Bonus Chapter 3
There was not a soul in the common grotto. Thunder rumbled. In the distance beyond Rat Lake, dirty clouds swirled over the mountains. For the first time since autumn, Mirkhold was hit by a hurricane. Tantus was sitting in a pine armchair by the brick parapet and, wrapped in a loden, looked through the wall of rain. The rustle of leaves and the rumble of stones on the slopes of Teres brought him back to reality from time to time.He spent the morning of trida in thought, overcoming pain and guilt for what he had done. Climbing to the top of the red-hot pipe in the underground sanctuary cost him dearly, and the loss of his brothers unsettled him for a long time. Burnt palms were wrapped in bandages with healing ointments, the skin on the face burned like after a sunburn, and a fire raged in the heart. There was a lot to plan for, and unnecessary thoughts could only hurt, but the memories of Korda continued to obsessively crawl into my head. They first met at the city docks. The boy was
- NEW WORLD
Bonus Chapter 2
At the same moment, an unknown force grabbed him and lifted him into the air. A tiny hole opened up on the wall of the cave, completely black and impenetrable, like liquid resin. The space around her began to move. Grog watched in fascination as the sarcophagus, and then the whole cave, flowed into it like water. When there was nothing left but darkness around, a blow to the back followed. An invisible stream picked him up and carried him into the void at the speed of a cannonball. Nobody's magic was terrible. She withered her skin and innards like the midday sun. The world around has hardened, turning into a piece of stone. It became hard to breathe. His hands went numb, his throat was tormented by a cough, and he kept rushing through the void, feeling only the cold of the blade on his chest and the growing pain under his heart.It seemed like an eternity before an orange dot flashed ahead. Through this point, the distorted outlines of the cave began to crawl into the darkness. First
- NEW WORLD
Bonus Chapter 1
It seemed to him no more than an hour before something heavy touched the surface of the table. Grog opened his eyes and lay on his back, noticing a man in the house. The wasteland and garden beyond the doorway were bathed in silver light. There was a lit candle on the table. The stranger did not move. A capacious hood fell over his face, hiding his features in deep shadow. A light linen cloak hung over his broad shoulders.- Get up! said a familiar voice dryly.- Bangladore?For the first time calling the necromancer by name, Grog for some reason was frightened. It really was his teacher. The sorcerer threw off his hood, allowing him to see the soot-stained face, which in the yellowish light resembled fermented pus. The sharp beard was slightly scorched. Brown eyes are wide open. Both sparkled like two pieces of dark amber. He was angry or scared, or both at the same time.- What's wrong with you? Grog asked cautiously, touching the talisman.- Get up and get dressed!With these words
- NEW WORLD
Epilogue
At the command of the teacher, he found a stone in the water and, stretching out his hand, pointed his fingers at the running stream. As pressure began to build up under his palm, Grog clenched his fingers. The stone was caught the size of a camping barrel and did not immediately succumb. The water sparkled for a long time around his smooth sides before he lifted a smooth piece of basalt over the stream.Looking up at the glittering boulder above, Bangladore nodded in satisfaction.“ Do me a favor,” Grog asked, opening his fingers.The stone flopped into the water, showering the shore in a myriad of sparkling drops. Banglador wiped his wet face and looked at him with displeasure.I need personal time.– Why?- It's personal.The sorcerer smiled, appreciating the pun.- Good. You can do whatever you want in the afternoon when the heat takes over.With these words, the necromancer handed him the fourth beaker with a white slurry that looked like milk. Grog drank the stimulant and strain
- NEW WORLD
69
Coolness reigned in the drift. Grog sat on a carpet of damp sand and stared into space. For the past two days, he saw only her in front of him, and he also heard a voice. Through the ocean of darkness, someone who did not want to introduce himself spoke to him. The flask was empty. Slugs crawled around him, dragging long lamellar shells behind them, climbed to his feet, and when he fell asleep, even under his clothes, rubbing his skin with slimy suckers.Time dragged on endlessly, but now the voice sounded for the last time:- He's coming. Earlier than promised. We have little time. I hope you remember everything. Do exactly as agreed and you will be free.– I understand.“ The necromancer will test you. Remember everything you have to do, but don't think about what you are doing. It's hard, Grog. One false step and he will suspect. Think - and he can guess. Guess - and our plan will be revealed.- Yes, I understand!Grog realized a long time ago that all sorcerers are the same. Whoev
- NEW WORLD
68
Then a wave of light overtook the spider. Jumping up off the floor, the golem turned around and rushed towards him. Tant only had time to notice how a massive body on six legs ran up to the pipe. The golem knew exactly where to look for him and did not stop pursuing him, even when he moved to the next staircase and disappeared behind the furnace.Going down, Tant stumbled and slid to the base of the pipe, severely skinning his back. There he was overtaken by a spider. Leaping after him, the creature sank its hooked limbs beside him, then turned and hurried back. Tant lay motionless for some time, watching the monster.“He didn't touch me. This is the second time,” he thought through his head.Rising to his feet, Tant picked up the torch and ran after the spider. A terrible mechanism by that time had already managed to hide in the tunnel.- Marlette! he yelled, rushing headlong towards the archway.His greatest fear was finding her body, but there was no one inside except for the spide
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67
He circled the flooded hall with his blade. There was only one way out of it - through an arched tunnel through which a spider could pass. The rest took their places. Kirk positioned himself on the steps, his sword sheathed first. Tant was silent all this time, looking at the sentry's body. Marletta stood over him for a long time, glaring accusingly, but then sat down beside him.“ I didn’t think it would end like this,” he whispered, looking at the water. “I wanted to make it to the cadence. I thought Kirk's people would help us.- Help with what? What should happen after the cadence? Speak already!Tant moved closer, whispering in her ear:“ After the death of Ang Walpa, his supporters stole the body, but were captured and executed. Only one priest survived. He gathered the first sentinels and performed a special ritual, taking the sacred entrails of Ang Hualpa. We must find the descendants of those sentinels.“ Did the Pale One tell you this? ”He nodded.“ Tant, this is some kind
- NEW WORLD
66
A massive clot of flame illuminated the hall with sunlight. There were blood stains on the floor. For the first time since ancient times, work was in full swing under the arch of the smelter. After the mechanical spider jumped down, turning Linus into a mess, the bandits began to work together on a rescue plan. It consisted in a one-time escape in all conceivable directions, which was only in the hands of the creature. Tant slid along the wall, watching the massacre in fear. The state was such as if he was rising from the depths. A buzz grew in my head, and people continued to rush around.Having crushed the one-eyed Linus, the monster chose a new target and attacked Bertrand, slamming the vomit-weed lover into the floor. Kendrick miraculously dodged the swing of a steel limb and ran to the nearest hole in the wall, where he jumped safely. The despondent Kuno ran away until he broke his knee and, realizing that he could not leave, met death with a sad face.Some bandits gave a tear up
- NEW WORLD
65
Rick didn't listen as he aimed his crossbow at him. Rumbold pointed his sword at the bearded mercenary, who was holding an ax with both hands. Distenza stepped forward, shielding his comrades. As befits an honest leader, he plunged his sword into the ground and showed his empty hands as a sign of good intentions.Your name is Fergus, right? the mercenary inquired, curling his thin lips in a grin. “Grog was your friend. I see you have similar amulets. He often spoke of you as if you were a half-witted fellow ...The warriors behind him burst into laughter. Fergus didn't hear half of what he said." Explain how he died," he demanded, his eyes fixed on the warrior's shell, which featured a seven-pointed star with a crown in the center.“ Two weeks ago he went north to carry out his master's assignment and disappeared without a trace.- What are you saying then?" Of course he's dead," Distenza laughed. What do you think he was doing there all this time? Enough chatting! You're not here f
