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THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 21
Waking up, Carl straightened up and looked around. It was dark all around, only the silver crescent of the waning moon peered through the window to the right. Realizing that he had fallen asleep again in the study, he unbuttoned the tight collar of his shirt, pushed aside the crumpled scrolls, and again dropped his head into his hands. Before morning, there were still several documents to go through and a dozen petitions and complaints.The already familiar heaviness that enveloped his consciousness made him wary. In a dream, he was too vulnerable: hidden memories could be pulled along with the rest, and of his own free will.Taking a deep breath, Karl suppressed the fear that rose in his soul and, driving the suspicions so far that he himself doubted his innocence, closed his eyes.The storm outside the window finally subsided, but the dawn still did not break. In the next room, Christian was sniffling loudly with his aunt, water was dripping from the tap, almost echoing the threads
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 22
Lord Varuta quickly won her trust. He was a full-blooded son of the Leading Sideline and had fairly strong court connections. The head of the Council noticeably favored him, invariably highlighting him at intertribal meetings and involving him in almost all the ceremonies conducted by the Order, and Paraman responded with great respect. Even Karl would have approved of her choice, had Liramel decided to make it... But she did not dare precisely because Yakir was an Initiate. Despite their mutual sympathy and inner similarity, Liramel would not have been able to put up with things that repelled her beliefs all her life.Muffled voices could be heard from behind the tapestry. Sighing, she carefully stood up and approached the secret door. The presence of guards at an odd hour was alarming: usually the stairs were checked in the afternoon, when no one used it.Two people were talking: one was clearly arguing, and the other was admonishing. What exactly was discussed, it was impossible to
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 23
Hurrying after Yakir, Liramel admired the sun glare playing in the melt water. Spring quickly came into its own, and the snow in the forest melted so quickly that the water did not have time to go into the ground.Lord Varuta did not lose hope to the last to get away from the chase that had been following them for the second day now, and all this only amused Liramel: after many months spent in the castle and its environs, she was glad to have a sip of freedom. “We'll do without supper today,” Yakir threw over his shoulder without turning around. “If we can break away, we will cross the river and turn west. We'll split up there - it's only a couple of hours to the castle, you'll go alone. I'll leave Veka to you, and I'll take them to the highway myself. “As you say,” Liramel said, picking up her pace. The footprints flashed before her eyes like diamond splashes. - My feet are wet. If I get sick, Carl will kill you. Yakir chuckled.“If Paraman finds us, they will both kill me, so on
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 24
Smiling, he nodded and, glancing in the direction of the edge, waved his hand: through the green-brown field, a dozen riders were slowly riding, leading several free horses in a bridle. Paraman arrived from Lausens about a day ago and, judging by the reports of the servants, he never left his chambers and did not receive anyone. Something was clearly going on, and it was obvious: the cousin really wanted Karl to understand this and come to bow to him. Unlike the rest of the castle, where there were more guards than servants, the Green Corridor was empty. Two young palechniks, placed at the main chambers rather for show, were talking among themselves in a relaxed manner. Seeing Karl, they reluctantly drew themselves up and, without asking anything, parted. Paraman did not miss the opportunity to once again show himself the master of the situation and emphasize that he was not afraid of anything or anyone. Karl was in no hurry to dissuade him. Over the past six months, he managed t
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 25
The room was quiet and almost dark. To the side of the entrance, dimly flickering, burned a two-horned golden candelabra. Taking a torch from the wall, Paraman waited until it flared up properly, and, bypassing the stone table, approached the secret door. Two turns of the key opened a passage to a narrow dark corridor with an almost sheer stone staircase, worn out over hundreds of years. Holding the scabbard, Paraman intercepted the torch and began to rise slowly. There were still a couple of hours before dawn - it was time to take a bath and get some sleep.- Need to talk. - The voice, which was heard from the darkness, to which the light did not reach, reverberated with a booming echo from the cold walls. Paraman stopped and, reaching for a steel ring driven into a stone, inserted a torch into it.– How long have you been waiting? he asked ingratiatingly, climbing a few more steps. "No," said Carl. I decided it would be safer here.- For whom? – Not holding back a smile, Param
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 26
A thin thread of dawn was woven into the clouds, connecting them with the horizon with wide stitches. The sky gradually brightened. The white-pink curly crowns of the apple trees, which were still covered by a thick shadow, barely fluttered under the cool morning wind, and the first golden-orange rays were already approaching the borders of the castle garden. Liramel awoke long before dawn. She still had time to see the floating moon and a scattering of fading constellations, and even caught a star sparkling halfway across the sky with her eyes. Kneeling before the open window, Liramel placed her hands on the sill and bowed her head in prayer. The ancient apple orchard was fragrant, enveloping the castle with a tart honey aroma, and under the windows, loud cat weddings were noisy, depriving them of sleep. These days in the Kingdom, bad weather was a rare guest, and nothing overshadowed the birth of a new life. Only once every few years, the Singing Winds Trails, which had fallen f
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 27
The evening mist was already swirling over the swamps when, riding out onto the path, Yakir spurred his horse and sent it into a gallop. It turned out to be easy to escape from the guard: as a boy, he climbed the local forests and swamps up and down and knew every tree in his lands. Nature itself became his school, and practically everything that Yakir knew and was able to do was experienced from personal experience. Bending down so as not to hit the birch branches with his head, he patted the horse's withers and looked around. Flames of torches, already visible in the falling twilight, flashed south of the path. With a sharp cry, a bird fluttered overhead, then another. The stallion snorted loudly and pulled the reins. Dismounting, Yakir took him by the bridle and pulled him along, leading him into the thicket. Morning conversation with Liramel did not go out of my head. Yakir saw that she was not indifferent - Lirdan's daughter was still too young and inexperienced to hide
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 28
“If I let this go, I’ll set myself up and set you up.” I'm sorry, but I'm within my rights. And not even as a lord: this is my duty to the Leader. Sighing convulsively, Novera pushed him away and covered her face with her hands.“Go away,” she said shortly and almost authoritatively. - You are all the same. All! I won't forgive you, Yakir. Do you hear? He wasn't going to make excuses. The sister was no less guilty than her father, but Yakir could still close his eyes to her involvement - his conscience would not reproach. After all, it was also his duty to protect them according to the word given to the deceased mother. He understood that, having remained a widow, she could not protect him otherwise than by marrying and interrupting her lineage. Tarham wouldn't mess with Missara. Two children and her own life were the price for his, Yakir's, safety. This was never said out loud, he drew his own conclusions. Aarmani only confirmed the guess. By his death, the father really managed
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- THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION
Epilogue
Paraman kept to the right of his father. Lord Wancel rode in front with a sword drawn, and behind him were about two hundred Sapphorus warriors dressed in blue and white Gorgoth uniforms. General Lafast himself preferred a closed carriage. He left a few hours early in order to get his people out of the White Castle: Kyle gave him this opportunity in exchange for neutrality. Having learned about the scale of the impending coup, Erinma chose not to interfere. As for the Duke of Auroc, he supported Kyle even before Lirdan's coronation, so he helped unconditionally. In Eliste, judging by his father’s reservation, the situation was more complicated, but several dozen executions decided the case in his favor in exactly the same way as in Gorgota: in the morning alone, more than three hundred people from the people and nobility were killed there, and about twenty military officers who tried to raise the garrison and the townspeople to revolt. Most of them belonged to Rod. However, these exec
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78
Kyle was waiting. Stroking the emerald ring - the only thing left to him in memory of his mother - he snatched out familiar faces flashing in the crowd. Elicar answered something with restraint to the head of the Remak clan, who chuckled nervously, already knowing that the elderly adviser had only a few minutes to live. Kyle wanted to kill him with his own hands: Sarah Elikar did not deserve the fate, and Tarem, who was sitting opposite and did not take his former comrade-in-arms down with a cold gaze, would not fail to vent the anger accumulated over the years - he never forgave him for marrying Falinor, although none of the born the Leader did not restore her children. Putting down his fork, Paraman stood up and, bowing, slowly approached his cousin. With his hands behind his back, he looked out the rain-drenched window and seemed to be waiting for something. "Consider that I repaid the debt," Kyle mentally said, remembering his brother's frozen face and his last memory. Lird
- THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION
77
Lafast greeted me coldly. Despite the early hour, he was dressed for travel and, judging by the plates set aside on the edge of a wide desk, he had already had breakfast. - Are you leaving somewhere? Karl asked calmly, looking around the luxuriously furnished office in a businesslike way. Looking away, the general nodded. “And I would be grateful if you would not detain me,” he answered in tone. “Yes, and I would advise you not to linger. - Why is that? - Smiling deliberately carefree, Karl looked at him inquiringly, but not having received an answer, he said more seriously: - Do not bother explaining, I already understood everything myself. I do not blame for the choice, for the advice - I thank you. It’s a pity, I can’t follow him - I’m not looking for an easy death. Scowling at him, Lafast shook his head and, turning to the table, poured a full glass of wine from a tall carafe. - Want to? - I will not refuse. Carl took a glass from his hands and drank it in one gulp
- THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION
76
Waving his white mane, Snowball neighed loudly and, breaking into a gallop, rushed headlong along the path. Closing her eyes, Lyramel spread her arms out to the sides and exposed her face to the sun's muffled foliage. A warm breeze immediately blew into the wide sleeves of the dress and played in the hair. It seemed a little more - and she would take off. The speed pierced through body and soul, sweeping away everything but a jubilant, almost painful joy. Everything around was full of life. Liramel felt it in every breath, in every beat of her heart, and she wanted to cry and laugh at the same time.A bluish-blue shadow lay on the ground, cooling the warm colors in an instant. Liramel blinked as she heard the shout, and grabbing the reins, she turned around. Waving to her in greeting, Karl spurred on the black mare. Did you decide to take a walk? she asked as they drew level. “I heard you have an appointment in the morning. “Things can wait,” the brother dismissed, letting the ma
- THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION
75
Lyramel spoke quickly and without much emotion. Thanking the audience for their attention and patience, she congratulated everyone on the victory and awarded the generals and several stopmen. Then she presented certificates to the families of the dead officers. The Ruby Order of the Hyde was taken by Elikar. When Lyramel called his name, Falinor shuddered, silently turned away and defiantly moved away from Paraman standing next to her. Ignoring what was happening, the duke was quietly talking about something with Lord Astin, and, judging by the expression on his face, the conversation was clearly unpleasant for him. - Go ahead. - Ali imperceptibly pushed Yakir in the side, causing him to blink in surprise. Thinking, he lost track of time and did not notice when the official part ended. The musicians on the balconies began to play again, and the people began to part, freeing the center of the hall. Reluctantly stepping forward, Yakir greeted Karl, who was helping Liramel down fro
- THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION
74
Having convened another Council, Tarham decided to openly call on the Heads of Ten to deliver an ultimatum to Rod. For almost eight months, Her Majesty was between life and death, and Charles, who, contrary to the law, again arbitrarily assumed the regency, relying on Aarmani and the rest of the generals who supported his twin, each time rejected the request of the Order to allow the queen to quietly pass into eternity. Tarem was even ready to give the sons of Lirdan the opportunity to return to where they were born, giving guarantees that he was not going to give before, but in response, Karl only once again reminded him of Tarem's mistakes and threatened with a scandal. “Firsar Kael is waiting for his turn,” he remarked, knowing full well that Tarem was in no hurry to part with power. “I think he will certainly be interested in my information. As well as Councilor Elikar, Sarah and all the others. “Nothing, soon there will be justice for you,” Taram thought angrily. Don't expe
- THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION
73
– This medallion, after the creation of the Council, was transferred only to the High Priest from the Kael family. I admit that over time they got too used to it to understand and think about it. I will not retell everything that led me to these thoughts, but I guessed almost immediately. Then it was only necessary to collect confirmations, and believe me, there were enough of them. From the very beginning it was a one-player game. What he achieves by trying to exterminate the Host, and why he has such power, I don’t know yet. The answer should be sought somewhere at the very beginning. And if fate gives me a chance, I will find it. Loud footsteps, heard from somewhere to the left, seemed to break the silence around them into small pieces. Cautiously looking around, Karl froze, and then leaned towards her and quickly whispered:“Close your eyes just in case. Until you get on your feet, outsiders should not know about your awakening. Obediently closing her eyes, Liramel took a deep
- THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION
72
In the middle of a spruce forest, a lone apple tree bloomed, tall and so old that its bumpy roots rose almost a palm above the ground. A warm wind tore off the white petals from her and threw them on the ground covered with needles. Recognizing the outlines of three gentle hills, Lyramel looked around in bewilderment. Neither the White Castle nor the road was in sight. There was such silence around, as if the world had become uninhabited. Even the birds did not chirp, and only a string of red ants flowed from north to south, skirting a white pebble sticking out of the ground. About a dozen men on foot descended the eastern hill silently and quietly. Dressed in long, belted tunics, they looked tired and depressed. Two were carrying a stretcher, on which lay a body tightly wrapped in a white cloth. A tall girl walked in front of the stretcher. Long black hair was braided into two thick braids, a white dress, already dirty at the hem and heavily wrinkled, clung to her slender legs an
- THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION
71
For ten minutes a heavy silence hung in the tent. Holding his hand on the elderly warrior's neck, Paraman mentally counted the beats of his heart and furtively watched his cousin. Next to death, anger and hatred were out of place. Karl knew this very well and skillfully introduced it into the game without making a single move. As always. Even now, having lost all his trump cards and standing on the very edge, the son of Lirdan behaved so confidently and calmly that Paraman involuntarily doubted that he really did not know about the networks that were woven around while he was building a path to power through Miel. “Yakir sent a messenger…” Paraman finally said softly, breaking the protracted silence. “I want to know how things really are. I need time too. Taking the needle, Karl exhaled slowly and made the first stitch.“Lyramel lives and will live,” he replied. “But he won’t come to his senses soon. - The reason?- Many reasons. The Order is one of them. You know very well what
