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THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 42
The musicians had been playing for the second hour. Behind the high arched windows, the stars had long been burning, and the flickering lights of candles were reflected in the dark panes. Standing in the shadow of one of the pillars that supported the high vault of the spacious rectangular hall, Christian watched his sister carefully. He objected to her first public appearance without proper preparation, but Falinor eventually convinced that it would be a rewarding experience for Liramel. “If I were in her place, I would certainly choose Pat,” she said confidentially before the ball. “Gorgoth has too many wolves and too much politics. No joy!” His aunt's words, and Liramel's assurance that her show of frivolity would appease the Council and present the escape from Lausens as a youthful impulse, finally convinced Christian. My sister danced easily and quickly, but her movements were harsh - there was not enough practice. The luxurious blue dress, altered a couple of hours before
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 43
The night was warm and so quiet that, apart from the steady creak of wheels and the clatter of hooves, there was no other sound. The sky, which until recently sparkled from an endless scattering of stars, turned black. Judging by the ensuing calm, a storm was approaching. “Will we make it to Barsetal? Liramel thought wearily, and standing up, looked out the open window. Far ahead, to the left, dim lights could be seen. “We must have time,” she decided, and, sitting down again, she leaned back on her hard back. The even breathing of her brother, who had dropped his head on her shoulder, made her sleepy. The second day they drove along the endless road. After the gates of Pata were left behind, the forests began to gradually thin out and move east towards Tyre. Monotonous hills with verdant fields and rare lacy copses stretched along the road. The time allotted for the choice was almost up, and Lyramel was still unable to decide anything. Irritation with herself and the treachero
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 44
Sitting at the table, Paraman put his blade in front of him and, running his palms over the worn velvet armrests, looked with regret at the piles of papers lying in neat piles on top of the unfolded map. Carl was asking for help with the small fiefdom taxes that had come in in recent months, as if alluding to his recent research into the Lausens documentation, which he eventually put aside. The land reform begun by Lirdan's son last summer has finally begun to bear visible fruit. Despite the loud objections of Tarham - the only one of the Heads of the Ten who did not approve of the regent's decision - the tillers and pastoralists, who were able to trade directly with neighboring fiefdoms, improved their position in a year, which was immediately felt by cities and villages. Due to the resulting competition, the prices of many goods fell, and the poor breathed easier. Yes, and the treasury did not remain unprofitable: what profit was received, it was still to be found out, but the fa
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 45
After reading the latest reports, Karl neatly folded an impressive pile of letters and, tying them with thin twine, threw them into the fireplace over the embers. For a while he watched indifferently as the whitish smoke slowly and lazily stretched into the chimney, and then turned away. The day was coming to an end, and all the planned things were done. Only minor touches remained.The setting maroon sun was rolling menacingly towards the forest. In the stuffy stillness, one could hear the steady clatter of hooves on the paving stones and the low voice of the officers outside the door: the tired guards were waiting for their shift.Unbuttoning the collar of his doublet, Karl went to the open window and sat down on the sill. From the gate of the garden, along the white road, a lone horseman was galloping. His black horse looked tired, and he kept looking around, as if expecting a chase. Narrowing his eyes, Carl leaned forward slightly, trying to get a good look at the man, when he, as
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 46
The Head of the Council entered the hall almost at the same time as Lord Elicar. Yakir's great-uncle and Duchess Falinor's husband was already advanced in age and, after Tarham, was considered the oldest of the Ten. His once-charcoal-gray hair had gone completely gray and gleamed as silver as his embroidered navy-blue doublet. “Gentlemen,” bowing slightly to Tarham, Karl gestured for everyone who was still standing to take their seats and sat down himself. “Greetings to all,” following tradition, he said in the Ancient language. - First of all, I would like to thank those who had to disrupt their plans for the quick response to my request. And now… Raising his eyes in surprise at the suddenly silent regent, Paraman frowned and mechanically turned around in the same direction he was looking. Liramel, thin and pale, in a mud-stained doublet, stood motionless near the secret door. Meeting Carl's gaze, she gave a barely perceptible nod and slowly walked forward. Christian, descendi
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 47
The crystal chandelier burned with iridescent sparks and floated overhead like a huge airship: back and forth, back and forth ... Burying her nose in her brother's flannelette shirt, Leah sobbed from time to time, making it clear that she was still not sleeping. She did not want Karl to leave: she was scared and cold alone.When the blackness behind the curtains became so gray that the outlines of the window became visible, the brother turned off the light and, putting her to bed, lay down next to her with a sigh. "I'm not leaving," he said quietly. "Sleep already." Just in case, she hugged his hand and obediently closed her eyes. - I don't want you to leave. “Christian and Aunt Lis will be with you, and I'll be back in a couple of days. I promise.“I don’t want to stay with them, I want to be with you!” Take me with you!– I can’t, Veterok, maybe next time…You already said that the year before! Carl sighed again."I thought you'd forget," he admitted. - Well, I'm sorry ... I
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 48
The sun was getting hotter and hotter by noon. The trading wagons, which by this time were usually already in Pata, continued to crawl dejectedly along the highway, interfering with single travelers and raising clouds of white dust. In the end, Carl, accompanied by Simmer, turned into the nearest roadside village: it was necessary to change horses and replenish the supply of water and food. To their dismay, the stable was almost empty. After a short haggling, Karl got a nondescript piebald mare, and his companion a gray stallion with old scars on thin sides. However, according to the assurance of the owner, the horse was frisky and even somewhat obstinate.“I sent a messenger,” the stopman said, handing Carl the money left over from renting horses and buying supplies. - I hope the person is reliable? - Impatiently breaking the still warm loaf into two parts, Karl handed the larger half to the officer.- Quite, - he nodded and, taking the bread, asked tensely: - There are two ways to
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 49
It was only a couple of days' journey to the mountains, darkening with sharp peaks in the north. There, on the eastern slopes, hidden from prying eyes, native Shanfar shone white under the sun - the city where Darita herself was born a quarter of a century ago and where her mother and father remained. So many years have passed since she last saw them that the faces dear to her heart were almost erased from her memory. Long painful years of slavery, from morning to night filled with blood, sweat and horror, drove even thoughts of disobedience out of Darita's soul. In the Black Fortress, fear was everywhere: it seemed to ooze from the walls, flow down the floor, envelop and suffocate. Darita had known his taste and smell since childhood, from the day a tall blond man with eyes as black as night came and took her sister, her beloved Dera, by the hand. He killed her on the same new moon, how he killed before that all the firstborn of their people - over and over again ... for so long that
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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
- THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION
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
