THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION

12

 “Carl Vallor, Barthiota’s handbrake.” A distant relative of the late Duchess Narina, Your Highness,” he answered with dignity and, turning around, beckoned to the twin. We are very grateful for the invitation. Let me introduce my brother Christian and my adopted daughter, who had the honor of visiting the castle for the first time.

  – Is that how? – Visibly relaxed, Falinor smiled restrainedly. - Well, Ali-Nari tried to call everyone ... - Looking at Leah, she frowned again: - Glad to welcome you. I hope you will remember the coming celebration for a long time, child. I see that Tara's blood is capable of working miracles outside of the Leader. What is your name?

  Confused, the sister forgot to bow. Realizing that she was expected to answer, she looked helplessly at Carl.

  “The blood of Thar is difficult to stifle, even in several generations,” he answered casually, and putting his arm around her patronizingly pushed her back slightly. “I'm afraid I have to ask you for help, Your Highness. The garden is so large that we are completely lost and cannot get out to the main road. I hope for your indulgence.

After some thought, the duchess nodded and pointed to the castle, then, as if changing her mind, she took Karl by the elbow and resolutely walked forward.

  "I'll see you off myself, it's time for me to go back."

  “Thank you very much, Your Highness. Even warriors are lost in the shadow of the White Castle: the greatness of antiquity humbles any pride.

  “So it is,” said Falinor, not without pride. – It remains to be hoped that the new king will bring long-awaited peace and prosperity to our land. You were wise to arrive early: tomorrow there will be no free rooms left. This time even the dungeons had to be opened - we placed servants in them.

Looking askance at his brother, Karl was convinced that he had not heard the words of the duchess. The future was confidently turning into one of the proposed forks. It was obvious that someone very much wanted to speed things up. However, the Council should have been expelled immediately: it was more profitable for them to remove the heiress quietly and imperceptibly, since in the Kingdom she had already been considered dead a long time ago. The words of the messenger who had put on a whole performance in their house sounded more like a hidden message than a threat. Consequently, a third force came into play even before the father made the decision to send Liramel to the Big World. It remains to be seen who was in charge. If someone from the Lead was acting, there was no need to worry; if not, the motives could be much more terrible than those that guided Tarem Cael.

  I hope we didn't ruin your plans? Taking advantage of the pause, Carl smiled politely.

  “No, no, I was just walking,” the duchess hastened to answer, and automatically looked around.

  “So it’s not easy,” Karl nodded, pretending not to pay attention. If their meeting was not accidental, it remained only to pull the strings. Falinor herself probably did not know whom she was leading to the castle - she acted in accordance with the voice of blood, and a knowledgeable person could predict her choice without much difficulty. 

After about ten minutes, having passed a clearing surrounded by young apple trees, they passed several shops and came out onto a road lined with white paving stones. Ahead, over the semicircular steps, huge golden gates gleamed, and a little to the left, a wide tower with stained-glass windows of the Throne Hall rose to the sky. 

Maintaining apparent calmness, Charles continued to animatedly praise the beauties of the garden and the castle, more and more endearing to the duchess. She occasionally inserted short remarks and smiled approvingly, each time forcing him to go cold inside. The resemblance between my aunt and my father was painful. Charles understood that Falinor represented exactly the same danger for them as many who might meet in the coming days. The leading line has already once betrayed the Head of the Family, and Karl did not forget this and did not forgive. He knew by name everyone who had a hand in the death of his father or cowardly retreated - he learned by heart both the long list and each letter of the burned part of the letter received with the newborn sister. Not one should have left the answer.

At the very gates, four combat officers in the white uniform of the castle's inner foot bowed to Falinor and let them in without asking any questions. Only one of them looked at Liramel with some curiosity and said something quietly to his partner, from which he smiled broadly and lowered his head. 

The main thing is not to meet Aarmani, Karl thought, furtively looking around the crowded lobby. If General Barthiota was still alive, he could have easily exposed his deceit. According to his father, his cousin knew all of his officers through and through.

About ten paces from the door, opposite the central staircase, stood a narrow table littered with stacks of sheets. A plump gray-haired man in a snow-white camisole was sitting at the table, writing down something quickly. Noticing them, he stood up, took one of the piles and hurried over. The two blue handbrake patches on his shoulder shone with silver thread. 

  “These gentlemen have been personally invited by Princess Ali-Nari,” the duchess said sternly, gesturing back to her seat.

  “Excuse me, Your Highness. With a nervous twitch of his cheek, the officer stepped back and looked inquiringly at Karl. - Your name?

  “Karl Vallor, Bartayota’s reserve handbrake,” he replied, and, shaking his head in the direction of his brother, added a little quieter: “Christian Vallor and Leah Vallor-Ker, my daughter.”

  - Do you need an escort? 

  “We dare not bother the Duchess any longer, so we will be very grateful. 

Nodding approvingly, Falinor gave the officer a few third-party orders and with dignity withdrew.

  “We'll have to wait a little while I notify Her Highness,” the officer turned to Karl again. - How can I report you?

  “Tell me that Duke Paraman personally asked me to accept the invitation. It would be enough. We are close relatives.

  “Okay, so I’ll report it,” the handbrake replied dispassionately and returned to the table. 

Catching his sister's surprised look, Carl smiled. Leah behaved well, only a bright blush betrayed excitement and fear. Christian, unlike her, was not afraid, rather, was shocked. The way he looked around with admiration seemed natural and played into his hands. 

In the shadow of the columns where they were waiting for their guide, there was a black narrow archway, from which servants now and then emerged. Dressed in white uniforms, they crawled around the castle like ants, sometimes returning with some kind of luggage. 

With his hand on the hilt of his sword, Carl surveyed the vestibule with an air of deliberate indifference. The walls, like the columns themselves, were finished with white, almost veinless marble. The high hemispherical ceiling, from the middle of which hung down a huge silver candelabra, was full of colorful frescoes. On the central, largest of them, the trunks of mighty trees propped up constellations with flying crowns. Judging by the brightness of the colors, the painting was updated not so long ago.

About fifteen minutes had passed when a young handbrake officer approached them, so tall and broad-shouldered that the two guards accompanying him looked like frail teenagers nearby.

  “Come, gentlemen,” he said, bowing. “Her Highness will receive you in her quarters.

On the second floor, behind the stairs to the right of the main entrance, a long corridor began. Passing it, they found themselves in a spacious gallery lined with green marble. Along one of the walls stretched a series of narrow windows, on the other side there were dark doors and paintings hung. All around it was quiet and deserted, except for the guards who stood motionless at each chamber. Curving at a slight angle, the gallery rested against a wide staircase, the steps of which went up and down. Before reaching it about twenty meters, the guide stopped and turned around in thought.

  “Say again, like your name,” there was wariness in his voice.

  Carl forced himself to smile.

  - Carl Vallor, Barthiota's backup handbrake. 

Suddenly, the heavy dark green doors they were standing in front of were flung open, and a plump, red-haired girl of about eleven or twelve entered the gallery. Glancing at the officer, she furrowed her brows in a funny way and said that the princess asked to hurry. 

Before Karl could take a step, the officer pushed the girl aside and, standing in the doorway, bowed deeply.

  “Your Highness,” he said resolutely and loudly, looking somewhere to the side. - I object to...

  “You are free, Tori,” came a high, clear voice. “Rata is with me, so don't worry.

  “But, Your Highness! These people…

  Rustling with the fluffy emerald hem of her long, fitted dress, the short girl stepped into the middle of the room and, briefly glancing at Carl and Leah, who was standing next to him, calmly repeated:

  “I told you, you can go, Tori. I'll call you later when I need an escort. Nodding at the maid rushing behind him, she smiled almost imperceptibly.

The two guards who stood on either side of the chambers exchanged puzzled glances and looked expectantly at the handbrake. Frowning in displeasure, he bowed again and, allowing Karl and the others to pass into the chambers, ordered the doors to be closed. 

  “It was reported that you arrived at the castle with the Duchess of Falinor, is that true?” – restrainedly asked girl, not allowing them to introduce themselves.

  Carl bowed politely.

  “Quite right, Your Highness. Like your late mother, she is a distant relative of ours. He tilted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes slightly, looking at her frankly. The daughter of Duchess Narina and Alan was extremely beautiful. Before meeting with the Initiate at the Guardian's ranch, Karl did not even hope that the Council would leave the Leader's daughter alive. This news changed a lot in his plans.

Embarrassed, Ali-Nari looked away and straightened a chestnut curl that had escaped from under a silver diadem. Her cheeks flushed slightly.

  “I willingly believe,” she said a little more quietly, “your face confirms this better than any papers. However, you mentioned my brother's name... Did he invite you?

  “Partly yes,” Karl replied evasively.

  - Partially? 

  “You will understand everything when you listen to my explanation, Your Highness. But this will take some time.

  “Of course…” she agreed reluctantly, her thin dark eyebrows furrowed slightly. “Follow me, Linnie will bring tea soon.

The green walls of the small living room were hung with colored tapestries, which made the surroundings gloomy. Two sofas upholstered in emerald velvet, with a low lacquered table between them, were surrounded by narrow gilded bookcases. Near the window, stretched out on the carpet, a huge black panther was dozing. When they entered, the cat turned its head and, opening its eyes lazily, yawned so that Leah, almost hanging on Christian's arm, nearly passed out.

  “Don't be afraid,” the princess smiled at her reaction. “Rata is the wisest of all our cats. She has served me since I was a child, and she is the only one allowed access to the castle. She won't move without command.

  “The most reliable guard within the walls of the White Castle,” Karl said mockingly. “Duke Paraman is probably very fond of you.

Without reacting to the remark, Ali-Nari sat down on the sofa and neatly folded her hands in her lap. In her deep light brown eyes, there was such weariness as either time or heavy grief could give - Karl noted this immediately, as well as many other things, for example, excessive gullibility. The girl was short, which was extremely rare among Rod's children. Voice, facial expressions, demeanor - everything in her was the embodiment of harmony and had a clear imprint of the influence of Falinor. However, the main advantages of Ali-Nari in the eyes of Karl were that she carried the pure blood of the Leader and was the only sister of a person who at the moment was of particular interest to him. In capable hands, she could become a good trump card.

After the maid brought tea and a large tray of muffins, Karl asked Ali-Nari for some time about the latest news and gossip. He was quite confident, although openly bluffing. Finally, making sure that no one else would disturb them, Karl put down his cup and, with a chuckle, said:

  “You are probably still waiting for my explanation, Your Highness?”

The princess nodded curtly. The polite smile that had not left her lips all this time slowly faded.

  “Well, if you please…” Leaning back on the sofa, he crossed his arms over his chest. After a careful and polite demeanor, this gesture was supposed to look defiant and alert the girl enough to make her listen. “I did not sin against the truth when I said that I was a relative of your mother, but I kept silent before the Duchess Falinor that I was related to her more closely than she might have thought. As, however, with your brother, who hardly suspected of my existence until the year before last.

After a pause, but without waiting for the intended question from Ali-Nari, Karl tilted his head to the side and grinned unkindly, causing her to flinch. 

  “As you probably know,” he continued, lowering his voice, “only the Head of our Family, a person born in the direct genetic line of Tara Vallor and having the succession of blood and power, can lay the crown on himself. For the rest, such an attempt is tantamount to death, for which there are many examples. And your brother, unfortunately, will not be an exception. - Noticing that the princess's face changed, Karl raised his hand in warning: - Listen and do not try to call Ratu: this cat remembers the days that are now forgotten, and will not go against their own owners. My father took care of this ahead of time.

Straightening up like a string, Ali-Nari bit her lip until it bled and looked desperately at the half-open door to the living room.

  “So,” he continued, ignoring Christian's heavy gaze, “I settled on the fact that your brother would be no exception. He entrusted his life to the wrong person, and his death will bring new troubles to the Kingdom.

  - What are you talking about? - Excitedly exclaiming, she interrupted. - My brother is the Head of the Family, he has undeniable seniority, and the Leader admitted ...

  Carl smiled and nodded towards Leah, who was sitting motionless. 

  “My sister's resemblance to the late king confused even the Duchess of Falinor, but our aunt, like you, did not even dare to doubt Tarham's words. But the Order missed its victim. Perhaps for the first time since King Armateus. 

There was an eerie silence. All that could be heard was the heavy breathing of Ali-Nari, pale as paper, and muffled laughter somewhere far below under the windows.

  - This is impossible! The princess shook her head sharply and stood up impulsively.

  - From what? Karl asked in a barely audible voice, looking up at her. 

  “Paraman said that the girl was dead, killed by an initiate sent to the Big World, or rather, not by him, but ...” She suddenly lost her head and, sitting back, raised her eyes full of horror at him. 

Throwing back his head slightly, Carl laughed loudly and evilly.

  “Convincing the old man turned out to be easier than I expected,” he remarked with a breath, and, catching her glazed look, added: “I think you know very well that with some skills you can create any memory. Especially if the victim is out of control. Yes, Alan's daughter, the Host's children often surprise! I hope Tarham bears this blow with courage.

  – What do you want? - It seemed a little more, and she would cry. 

Karl was pleased: he finally managed to break it.

  "A little help," he smiled sharply, softening his tone. “Unless, of course, your brother’s life means something to you.

  - Listen ... - Christian shook his head reproachfully and nodded at Ali-Nari: - I think that's enough.

  Carl pursed his lips in displeasure.

  "Be quiet," he ordered his brother curtly. “I am sacrificing my honor by showing mercy to these people, and perhaps I will answer for it again. It would be wiser to wait until Kyle's son puts on the crown and goes to the ancestors, because she does not recognize him as the Head of the Family. Do not think that these are fairy tales: the agreement between Armatey and the Council is inviolable. I know it and Paraman knows it too.

  Ali-Nari wrung her hands in excitement. Her brown eyes turned black with fear, and her lips turned white so that they were almost indistinguishable from her waxy face.

  - I will do everything! All I can! she exclaimed, looking with desperation first at Karl, then at the confused and no less frightened Leah. “Just don’t let him die, he’s all I have, the only one who can protect!”

  “We don't want your brother dead,” Karl said calmly, standing up heavily. “I have only outlined to you the consequences of his choice if he makes it.

Ali-Nari looked at him hauntedly and covered her face with her hands. After waiting a few minutes to give her time to recover, Karl said decisively:

  “Until the coronation, we will stay in your chambers: it is safer here. I will need to find out everything that has happened since the day my father died. And one more thing: if there are people among the guards who you can rely on, you should notify them in advance. It will take ten people, no more. Walking around the table, he cautiously reached out and placed his hand on her shoulder. “The best thing would be to talk to Paraman in person, but I'm afraid then the Council will know that my sister is alive, and they will try to kill her again. In this case, I will have to reveal the facts that will put the lives of many children of the Lead Lineage in jeopardy. Believe me, I have sufficient opportunities to eliminate anyone who dares even to think about raising a hand against her. And do not hesitate, I will do it without a twinge of conscience. I think you know what I'm talking about.

  “Paraman was only seventeen,” the girl tried to protest, almost crying. "He didn't even know he was being used against your father!"

  Carl chuckled skeptically.

  “Didn't know, being the man the Order made all its bets on?” Come on, Ali, I know the name of everyone who stood behind the Council and our uncle. Kyle's son simply could not help but understand why he gives his mother's life and your father's. However, he managed to save you, this mitigates his guilt before Rod and before me personally. And I agree, he really had no choice. Otherwise, I wouldn't interfere now.

  No longer trying to hold back the tears running from her eyes, Ali-Nari nodded:

  “I will do whatever is required, and I am ready to vouch for my brother with my own life!” You can stay in the back rooms, the servants will be ordered not to go there.

  “Thank you,” Karl replied, bowing his head slightly to make up for the rudeness.

  Ali-Nari looked away in embarrassment and rubbed her wet cheeks with her palm.

  “Perhaps you will understand it after you know what role Duke Kyle played in our destiny…” she breathed out in a barely audible voice. “We are just pawns, nothing more!”

  “Pawns sometimes decide the outcome of the whole game,” Karl objected, embarrassing her again. Don't make excuses, I understand everything better than you think. After a pause, he waited until she looked up at him again, and asked: - Can you frankly answer which side the Duchess Falinor adheres to today?

  Ali-Nari blinked in surprise.

  "She's on her own," she answered, somewhat hesitantly.

  - And your brother? How influential is his figure among other genera?

  “The choice of the Host was approved by everyone who was important to the Council, with the exception of Paraman himself ... But he did not speak out. She shrugged vaguely. “As for the rest, my brother doesn’t let me in on his business. 

  “Are you saying,” he drawled, narrowing his eyes in disbelief, “that the son of Kyle Vallor-Kael, against the will of his father, put his own interests above his plans?” So just went on about the Order and did not even understand it?

Averting her darkened gaze, Ali nervously licked her lips, which were parched with excitement.

  "I didn't say anything like that!" she protested, realizing belatedly that she had succumbed to the provocation.

  Carl smiled indulgently.

  Your eyes have said enough. But don't worry, I won't use this information against him just yet. I need people who can provide support, and I hope you will persuade the brother to listen to the voice of reason. I would like to resolve everything peacefully, but I will not act to the detriment of my sister's interests.

  - I promise. Standing up, she immediately stepped aside, as if not wanting to stand next to him. – May I leave? There is little time left, and I will need perseverance: Paraman is not accepting anyone now.

“Go on,” Karl replied calmly, and then, as if remembering, he took a ring out of his pocket and, taking a step, put it almost by force in her palm. Give it to him, he'll know. 

  Ali-Nari nodded quickly and turned and ran out into the large living room.

When the guards closed the doors, Karl breathed a sigh of relief and sat heavily in his chair. He was shaking from the stress. The most important and most important step was taken - and done so successfully that it was still unbelievable. They checkmated the Order with the hands of a girl whom her father's killer spared only because she became the guarantee of his alibi. Karl was almost certain that he had lined up the events of the past correctly, since no one but Paraman could put in a good word for her. And no one else was such a good witness, being needed by both Kyle and Taram. The cousin was too valuable a link in the long chain that the Order had been forging for decades, if not hundreds of years, wanting the destruction of the Leading Line. The fact that Kyle, being a minor, married his cousin at one time and restored the blood in the face of his son, only delayed time by one generation. Did your uncle know what he was doing? 

“It is likely that he knew,” Karl answered himself and, bypassing the panther, stood at the window. “Although, perhaps, he was simply rushing things, wanting to get the throne. Not the fact that the Order would begin to share their plans with the performer ... "

As he thought about it, he lost all sense of time. It must have been about twenty minutes when, breaking off his gloomy thoughts, Karl turned and looked at his sister. 

Muffin in hand, Leah was fast asleep, her head resting on the green arm of the sofa, Christian's hand in hers. My brother was also dozing, but, sensing his gaze, he immediately opened his eyes and tilted his head inquiringly, waiting for an explanation.

  “Not now,” Karl said guiltily, and approaching, he squatted down in front of his sister. She was breathing calmly and deeply, but she looked paler than usual. “You can see for yourself,” he whispered, looking at the twin. - It was impossible to interfere - the father knew what he was saying: both her and our fate were revealed to him.

  “Fate is something we are free to choose for ourselves, Carl,” he objected just as quietly. “If you hadn’t brought her here, the sky wouldn’t have collapsed.” 

  Standing up, Karl looked at his brother for the umpteenth time, regretting that he could neither trust him nor reveal the truth that he had kept all these years. Having learned where he took a step, the twin would rather betray than share the future path - it was too dark.

  “If there were other options, Christian, I could have saved you. But they never were. We would not be left alone. Nowhere. So if you want to live, you have to fight. One way or another, you are the son of Rod. Before God and people, everyone in whom even a drop of royal blood flows is responsible for this land with his head. Remember this. It may be possible to get away from fate, but it will not work out from yourself.