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The Verge Of An Empire 1
Candlelight licked my face. I sleep lightly, and therefore I wake up from any rustle, not to mention the light. Carefully pretending that I was just tossing and turning in my sleep, I put my hand under the pillow and felt for the butt of the revolver.- Master?I let go of the weapon.What do you want, Sebastina?"I'm sorry I dared disturb your sleep." The crown needs you.She loves pompous phrases. “The crown needs you” is nothing new. Sebastina has such a weakness, she loves to be proud of me, to stick out my significance in the eyes of the public in every possible way, so that everyone around can see what an important thane she serves.“If someone was killed, then it can wait. The dead are in no hurry.“You are right as always, master, but Inspector Aberlein is waiting for you in your office with a verbal imperial commission. I dared to offer him tea.The fifth hour of the night, it is winter outside, the dawn is still very far away. Wrapped up in a dressing gown, I left the bedroo
The Verge Of An Empire 2
I'm always glad to be a gag that plugs the throats of noble houses, even if they bite their elbows! This time the Emperor is on my side!– And yet, involve knowledgeable people from KGM. At the faculty of military criminology, they say, another nugget has appeared. If de Moranjac was killed by witchcraft, I want to know how it happened.‘I daresay our mages can do it too, my thane,’ said Aberlein.“Pride is a crutch for the insecure, my friend. This is Monsieur de Moranjac's office, as far as I remember?I pointed to the sealed door.“Yes, my thane. We decided that while documents are kept there that could turn out to be secret or simply very important, it is worth restricting access to them until the appropriate order.- Who ordered?“Chief Inspector Wolfeld, my thane.- Old dog. You have received the appropriate order. My. “I tore off the signal tapes and entered. No corpses were found in the office, as well as in the small library adjacent to it.Perfect order reigns on a huge expe
The Verge Of An Empire 3
One of the alleys connecting the streets of Tulips and Red Onyx. The eastern and southeastern outskirts of the Imperial Gardens are not as prestigious as the rest of the parts. The KGM campus and the tower of the building are located very close, darkening alone against the sky. In this part of the district there are institutions that serve the rich, food markets, the most expensive and best post offices and bank branches in Starkrar. Rented apartments in tall six-story buildings cost decent money. And yet there are a lot of such alleys even in the Imperial Gardens. From what exactly they spoke to him, Grandi could not accurately identify. Taking advantage of one of the state-owned carriages, I ordered to carry Tulips to the street. The chance to find the right place, and there is some evidence there, is, of course, a pipe hope, but what remains for me?“Keep everything under control,” I told Sebastina, dismissing the carriage.“I am always in control, master.“Like the time I had to d
The Verge Of An Empire 4
The strong eat the weak in the world created by the tenkris, this is our worldview, and no one will disbelieve me of its truth. The army knocked out any illusions about the value of the life of a sentient being from the young thane, and service in the Night Guard consolidated the ability to look at this world soberly. Four years in the hot stuffy jungles of Maldiz, among hundreds of species of poisonous reptiles, in a hotbed of still unknown diseases, surrounded by enemies who secretly want to put a knife in your throat, or traitors leading you into an ambush ... And another seven years of similar madness upon returning to capital.We conquered the Maldis, ransoming each city with a lavish blood offering to the ugly Eastern gods. The empire is always in need of new colonies, all the luxury of Starkrar is created from what we take from the provinces, we call it taxes. I will never forget the senselessness of the faces of those who died from arrows, bullets, spears, extracting these ric
The Verge Of An Empire 5
If it were not for the signal tape and the constables posted at the gate to the park area, no one would have realized that something had happened in the de Moranzhakov mansion, may the All-Father, in whom they so believed, accept them. Without fuss or interference, I once again examined everything, the nearest district, the garden and the house itself. The bodies have already been removed. Several forensic mages continued to rummage through the walls and probe the astral plane with their artifacts, trying to pick up traces of murderous sorcery. I inquired if there were any results, received a negative answer and assured me that I would not interfere with their work in any way.- Like this. Reports state that the food did not contain any poisons.“As you expected, master.“Magicians don't see any residual traces.“That's strange, master.“No trace of poison in the air. I even insisted that they check the items in the house. They say that there are poisons that kill not when consumed, b
The Verge Of An Empire 6
Palace of Law at Scoalt Yard. Or simply the Tower, as it was called by individuals who were not eager to get inside. Biting into the winter sky with a sharp spire, a well-defended gigantic fortress, built of gray slabs produced at the construction enterprises of the hinops. Getting through the high iron gates is much easier than leaving them without permission.The carriage drove not into the main southern entrance, but into the eastern one. We went inside the Tower following the inspector.Noisy work is in full swing in the vast hall. Hundreds of constables move every minute in line to dozens of podiums, behind which sit traffic control officers, taking shifts and issuing assignments for those who are just on their way to duty. The loudest screams signal that one or another patrol is sent on an urgent call for reinforcements. Six out of ten such reinforcements are always in a hurry to the northeastern regions: Koposhilka, Klopovnik, Chern, Gary, Lowlands and Clay. Less often, but ste
The Verge Of An Empire 7
- Gracious Tanya, now I will ask a stupid question, but I can’t help but ask it, because the order obliges. Do you have somewhere to go?"Thane el'Moria, I don't know my name...- Not everything is lost. You remember how to speak, remember what happened to you lately. This means that you have not lost your short-term memory. Doctors say that in this state the patient has a chance to recover his memory. Now, when I found out that you have no roof over your head, I can make you an invitation. Tanya, if you deign to accept the offer to settle in my modest home, there will be no limit to my happiness. I hasten to assure you that I will do my best to find out who you are and where your loved ones are - if there are any, I thought.“I don’t have anyone in this huge city… No one I can remember about!” No friends, no shelter... Oh! Excuse me, I beg you!“I am also judged for thinking out loud. Put on my raincoat, please, you are not dressed for the weather. Inspector, I hope you've already pu
The Verge Of An Empire 8
We were really lucky, so to speak. After all, Mr. Tuzz lived in Five Fingers Square, in, or rather, under the building of the workers' club. In the hierarchy of capital criminals, he occupied the place of the highest of the lowest. Old Tuzz did not make money deals, did not bribe officials, and did not rush into politics. No, this man led a street army. Performers of all stripes hung around him and got jobs, which Tuzzu in turn was ordered by someone more powerful, but not willing to risk his reputation. Tuzz was in charge of pickpockets, burglars, extortionists, arsonists and street robbers. Street army - night people lived according to his orders. Not all, of course, but in Cherni it was he who was the very spider that sat in the center of the web and pulled the threads, almost a colleague.We entered a spacious, dark hall that smelled of sour beer and covered with soot from the floor to the high ceiling beams. Gas lamps built into the walls dispersed the gloom just enough to avoid
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- The Verge Of An Empire
Epilogue
In the evening of the same day, when the carpenter's hammers continued to rattle throughout the capital, I sat opposite the Emperor and told him everything I knew about the past crisis. Although not all, of course. I left out some details, I didn't say a word about John Darksad, or Zolan el'Cha, or who and what helped me set up a forgery to start a riot, I didn't say how exactly I was connected with the first enemy of the empire, in my retelling, he was simply the Persistent, who broke into our world and wanted to crush the great Meskian Empire. If the Emperor knew I was lying, he never showed it. After all, during our conversation with Authurn di'Anshwar, he was near death and could not hear everything that we said to each other.“Thus, after all of the above, I tender my resignation and express my readiness to accept any punishment that Your Majesty deems appropriate.”I laid out a sheet of petition on the tabletop.Hmm, punishment? the Emperor drawled. “Hmm, what punishment should
- The Verge Of An Empire
83
- Hurt.- Sorry…“It hurts to see what an ungrateful and stupid young man my son's son has grown up to be. Boy, I am a great black-tongued, I do not die from a wounded perishable blade, I forge perishable blades myself!With these words, he tore the sword out of his stomach, causing the purulent masses to flow out, and let out a loud roaring scream! His appearance changed dramatically and almost instantly, his clothes dissolved, his whole body acquired a matte black color, dozens of thin tentacles appeared instead of legs, forming something like a long skirt, huge black wings opened behind him, from which numerous eyes looked, his arms lengthened and received the second elbow, instead of fingers, terrible blades jingled on them, and a white bone mask without eyes and nose, but with a wide, toothy mouth, covered his face. A large wound on the stomach that was supposed to kill a person was quickly healed on this monster!“Look what you got me into. Are you satisfied now? I had to uncove
- The Verge Of An Empire
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“I was forced, Brian. Even my spell can be removed, and the puppets, although they are not able to act on their own, see and understand everything.“You destroyed him, and at the same time you tried to kill Tromgar el'Rumar to protect yourself from possible testimony from the grave.- It's like that.“I still don’t understand why you stole Yaro Wolfeld’s body from Volchie. Is it really just to abuse him for the last time and turn him into a vile running piece of carrion?- A burst of inspiration. A particle of chaos in an ordered stream of consciousness. Besides, I was hoping to set you on another false trail.“Using charmed Lups soldiers from the missing battalion?”- Exactly. They did not stand out on Volchie, and lups are by nature a close-knit people, they do not suspect their own.- I understand ... In principle, if the execution of a grandiose plan was perfect, you would have succeeded. You removed your creature from the statue before the statue reached the museum, and all this
- The Verge Of An Empire
81
“You were right, cousin. As always.“See the skinny shadows walking in front of the front door?- The enemy was spotted in the amount of fifteen combat units.“These are Asmoderians, immortal creatures from the Darkness. They are very fast and strong, and they also have weapons that destroy any armor, stone, metal, wood.“My task is to attack and distract while you get inside.– There may be more, and even your car does not guarantee you victory.“I fight to fight, not to win, cousin.Chapadeau rushed across the square turned into a battlefield, took out the front gate with a kick and opened fire. The Asmoderians scattered like frightened water striders, but they weren't frightened!- Now!Sebastina made a dizzying leap and ran forward. The shooting stopped, a huge iron fist grabbed me and threw me forward like some kind of ball, and the maid caught me!- Run, cousin!The last thing I saw before I ran into the palace hall was the figure of a steel giant, plastered with skinny black bo
- The Verge Of An Empire
80
The tashshar's horseback ride turned out to be a surprisingly convenient and fast way to get around. Skinny looking and very hard to the touch, these furry monsters have long, strong legs. They rushed at great speed, made long jumps and easily maneuvered in the stream of evil spirits flowing through the streets. Smaller monsters did not stick to the tashshars, they had an order to get out and add new oil to the subdued fire of terror, and they breathed it, they breathed the will of their master! Every few seconds I looked up and peered into the darkness above our heads, expecting that the ceiling of the cave, invisible to me, would crack from a hail of artillery shells and multi-ton slabs would bury us under them! We broke out of the city and began to break through the tunnels filled with evil spirits, up into the predawn winter night, and hope even began to arise in me, that we will have time to get out when the whole world went crazy at once and a grandiose roar knocked us down! The
- The Verge Of An Empire
79
It ended abruptly. The Tashshars simply crushed the Asmoderians in bulk, crushed them and deprived them of their heads. After that, the bodies of the invincible guardsmen literally evaporated. The armor was empty and scattered in many segments, swords fell to the floor. The crazy spree is over. It seems that one of the survivors addressed me. Some kind of lups with a crazy muzzle. Simon was saying something, but I didn't hear them. I was snapped out of my stupor by the sight of Arren el'Calyps writhing on the floor. Raising my saber as I ran, I struck with all my might at his arm, chopping it off at the elbow. Noble silver blood spattered, and the severed forearm literally in a few moments turned into a piece of fetid meat exuding poisonous pus.- Bandage him! Calculate the personnel, provide assistance to the wounded, if any! Don't touch the dead! Rest… I… Perform!Sebastina was already seated next to Incival.- Is he alive?- Yes, master. But it is very difficult for him, as far as
- The Verge Of An Empire
78
He sighed heavily and sadly.“Listen, boy, I will go against my rules and extend my hand to you one more time. You have come a long way, you were able to find me and you were not afraid to come here, taking only a maid. This is worthy of encouragement. I extend my hand to you again and say, join me! The next morning will be the first morning of the new age! And this century will belong to me! On the ruins of old Mescia, I will build the palaces of a new empire, and, what the hell is not joking, you will sit on its throne!"Are you offering me the imperial crown?"“That little thing doesn't matter, my boy. I offer you the whole world!- Interesting.- You deserve it! Believe me, I know that in all this rotten aristocracy there will never be as much grandeur and dignity as there is in one of your fingers! Help me today, and tomorrow your path to the top of the world will begin! This is not the ravings of a madman and not a sweet lie, this is my promise to you! Get close and...- No.- W
- The Verge Of An Empire
77
We moved through the streets of the ancient city, expecting danger from every shadow. And there are many, many shadows! Tower, castle, palace or temple, whatever it was, the building seemed incredibly majestic and hung over us the closer we got. We soon approached the first crater.“The impact came at an angle of twenty-five degrees, demolished two houses, left a furrow, and went out right here.- What could hit like that? Spell? The stone is melted.The Emperor did it.- What?!- I saw something like that. Traces of destruction. Huge. And this sand under our feet - it is everywhere - not sand. It is the ashes of hundreds of thousands of living beings whose bodies have decayed over the past ages. This is Meskiah, thanes and gentlemen.“You mean the same city, el'Moria?”“The city that gave the name to our empire. The city that became the first letter in the new history. The Emperor came here and swept from south to north like a hurricane, demonstrating the power of his Voices. He dest
- The Verge Of An Empire
76
Gantsaros remained himself, ruthless and purposeful, the one who steps over the corpses, grinding them into mincemeat, and opens fire on any moving target. I see his receding back and a plume of hot steam, white as milk in this cold and bitter night. And I have no doubt that the royalists have put an end to it. For some time, the new weapon will show its power, and the number of victims will exceed tens of thousands, total extermination. Then the time limit will be released, and the surviving prisoners will appear. Mesquia's new weapons will prove to all countries of the world that their armies are outdated. We will remind you again how powerful we are. And we will make them remember how ruthless we can be to our own people. What will we do with them if they dare to anger us?“Truly… The Emperor is prudent and ruthless as always… Now I understand why the threat of rebellion did not frighten him. Moon, have mercy on us.I looked at the creator of these new war machines and felt his del
