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THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 1
The ancient apple trees had already faded, and the air smelled of clover. Despite the early morning, it was deserted. The usually busy road was lonely white, gleaming along the roadsides with torches that had not yet been extinguished. The guards, wearily shifting at the gates, were waiting for their shift. A few old panthers walked slowly around a squat stone wall, beyond which the forest darkened. Circling over the silver spiers, a huge black raven croaked in a bass voice. Looking for something, he then descended, then rose, heavily flapping his shiny blue-black wings.Running his hand along the smooth marble railing, Paraman looked down once more. A thick shadow lay at the foot of the tower, but the first rays of dawn were already reflected in the windows of the heir's chambers. The Singing Wind Path passed just below the stone windowsill.“Too high,” thought Paraman, involuntarily recoiling, and frowned thoughtfully. It was difficult to believe that my uncle went to such madness.
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 2
- What did it look like?- Nothing. Frowning, she turned her head and scanned the embankment carefully. People walked as if nothing had happened, the sea was still lazily sorting through the pebbles ...- Did I scare you? the young man asked again. He clearly had no intention of leaving her alone.“Yes…or rather, no,” she corrected herself quickly. - Thanks for the bag.You are alone today for the first time. I saw you from the pier and didn't even believe it at first.- How do you know me? – Peering into an unfamiliar face, Leah threw the belt over his shoulder. She felt uncomfortable.“I sang with your brother for many years.” His voice trembled slightly. Tall and rather swarthy, with black, slightly curly hair and dark brown eyes, the young man looked only a little older than her. “Christian knows me and my mother: she is the regent. After a pause, he smiled slightly. “I think it would be best if I walk you home.”Leah nodded in agreement. Christian really used to sing in the churc
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 3
The hot sun floated across the sky in complete calm. Getting out of the car, Carl looked around. Except for a small paddock for young animals, everything around was exactly the same as he remembered. The smell of dung and hot earth, the bleating of sheep... Memories flashed by in a thin tie so quickly that it was not immediately possible to recognize the enemy hand that had called them. Only when Paul called out, inviting him to enter the house, did Karl flinch and frown - he understood. And he immediately cut off his discontent and annoyance: for the time being, this understanding was his rear, and he should have kept his knowledge a secret.“Thanks again for the invitation, Paul,” he said loudly, his lips stretched into a polite smile. - It's a pity I didn't find your father, he was a wonderful person.“He was thinking about you all the time,” a reproach slipped through the Guardian's voice. “By the way, I prepared a room upstairs for you, the one where you always stayed…” Noticing
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 4
Christian met his brother with a lawyer - a short, stout man with a stubby mustache and a shiny bald patch over a sloping forehead. William Woollis kept a small law office in the city and was a fairly well-known man. Christian had known him since childhood, since he was in charge of all family affairs during his father's time. - Don't worry. - Apparently, noticing with what tension Christian peered at the scoreboard, the lawyer patted him reassuringly on the back: - We will cover this case quickly and without consequences. I already know how to solve everything. The police have no reason to press any further charges. Carl's actions under state law fit into the concept of "self-defense." If he had not tried to protect himself, then at the scene of the accident there would have been two corpses instead of one. As for Anders, after giving evidence, they will leave him behind. William chuckled softly and added: “Everything is all right with Karl, and what’s there and how, it doesn’t co
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 5
“Show Mr. Woollis into the house,” Karl said calmly after a couple of seconds, looking at Christian, who was frozen in the distance. - And bring water and my first aid kit ... Everything is in order. Leah opened her eyes and tried to raise her hand. Her own body still seemed alien to her and was hard to obey.Sitting heavily on the plank floor, Carl helped her sit up and gently hugged her. “I beg your pardon, Mr. Hamali,” he said quietly without turning around. Thank you for taking care of my sister. Nice to meet you. "Will she be all right?" Mark asked dully, shifting from foot to foot. - Yes, yes, it's a common faint. Don't worry. “Then I should probably go. - All the best. Without looking at him, Carl took Leah by the hand and froze for a moment, measuring her pulse. The anxiety in his eyes slowly faded, giving way to fatigue. “I haven’t run like this in a long time, Veterok. Leaning down, he lightly touched her forehead with his lips. - Scared. Taking a deep brea
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 6
The air was so humid that hands and face quickly became wet. In addition, it was raining lightly.Having unbuttoned his camisole, Yakir hung it on a stick driven into the side of the round platform. Tori watched him indulgently, occasionally casting eloquent glances at the dark windows of the residence. Waiting for Yakir to take a position opposite, he drew his sword and, carefully placing the scabbard on the sand, spoke: “For a long time, I confess, I wanted to talk to you. You made too much noise with that stopper [3] a year ago. Within the walls of this Academy, no one has allowed himself such a thing yet. Timini and I even barely filmed together. It is clear as day that you were helped - you yourself would not have hung him like that. It had to be thought of! The general almost got hit! Yakir shrugged. - Lafast said to figure it out yourself - I figured it out. This scoundrel deserved a real noose, not a couple of smiles. But he left me behind. The officer smiled wick
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 7
Rain drummed on the glass. Large drops flowed down and fell dully on a short steel ebb. Gusts of wind continually threw plucked leaves out the window and blew through the poorly locked window, from which a wet path ran down to the windowsill in a thin stream.Leah sighed. For a couple of days, while the temperature was kept, she slept so much that the sleeping pill that her brother gave her was enough for only a couple of hours. A strange weight pressed on my heart, forcing me to look again and again into the rainy twilight behind the translucent tulle and listen to the wind howling over the roof. Carl slept on an old mattress next to the bed. His regular breathing was sometimes interrupted by a dry, hacking cough. He also fell ill, but he was still afraid to leave her alone: due to a congenital heart defect, Leah could not tolerate the temperature well. After lying awake for another half an hour, she could not stand it and, throwing back the covers, got up. After a warm bed, the
THE PATH OF RENUNCIATION 8
The wind blew up in earnest. Outside the window now and then there was a crackling of bushes bending down to the ground and the distant sound of the sea. “I called Vullis,” Carl said, breaking the long silence. – I want to transfer the house to Hamali. - To Mark? Christian was genuinely surprised. - Why on him? Carl shrugged. - I decided that this is optimal - for none of us it will be safe here anyway, and it’s a bit cramped for him and his mother in their closet. He paused and smiled. “But the family will keep the bills. Do you ever want to come back? Frowning in disbelief, Christian waved his hand. “Just tell Mark. It would be embarrassing if he found out from Woollis. And you need to do something with the body ... “Don’t worry about it; my people will clean up here. Carl frowned thoughtfully and looked again at the dial of the clock hanging over the kitchen door. Time to wake up my sister. Purring loudly, Bama entered the kitchen importantly. With a sniff of air,
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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
