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22

Caravan route, Ra-Dien mansion,

evening watch

The scratching of pen on paper fell silent for exactly the amount of time it took to ask:

— Dan Ra-Dien made an appointment for you?

I paused, admiring the glare of candlelight on the smoothly combed back of the girl leaning over the desk, and answered:

— Of course. Even before I was born.

Daneke Miina, Kallas' assistant in his difficult task of collecting tribute from merchants for services that are not always visible even to the eye, severely struck a pen, drawing a particularly strict curl at the end of a word, and only then raised her head:

— Dan The counselor has finished the appointment for today.

- Truth? And I expected that we would just accept him!

Miina's light brown eyes filled with indignation.

“You know as well as I do that dan Counselor adheres to—”

"Didn't you have three days to rest?" - Callas, who appeared on the threshold of the office, asked a little surprised.

In view of not too good health, and also simply out of convenience, Ra-Dien used exclusively the first floor of a frivolously elegant mansion for his needs, and donated the second and third floors to servants, relatives and personally invited guests. As a rule, Kalli did not negotiate at home, arranging business meetings at the other end of the Caravan Route, near the port warehouses and, importantly, in direct line of sight from the post of the City Guard, because, although dan Counselor was engaged in activities purely for the benefit of people, there were merchants , so dissatisfied with the concluded (and even more often - not concluded) deals that they forgot about the first rule of trading: "Strike the enemy with a coin, not a blade." Yes, Callie was assassinated, and repeatedly. Actually, for this simple reason, he drags me to negotiations,

- Alas, peace is my old, but unrealizable dream! - I announced with deliberate sadness, intercepting the box clutched under my arm.

Ra-Dien, noticing the strange burden, raised his eyebrows in confusion, but then, catching my meaningful look, he again returned to his tired indifference:

- Please come to the office. Miina, my dear, have us serve a light supper.

- With wine? - the girl cunningly clarified.

— As dan Raiden wishes.

The decision was left to me, but today I was not going to shake the moral foundations of well-bred girls:

“There will be enough water. From glaciers, if possible.

Miina nodded and with a quick, but by no means hurried step, went towards the kitchen, and I followed Kallas into his “nest”.

What do you think the office of a man who is involved in all aspects of trade between Antrea and the rest of the world is like? Don't guess anything. For a mixture of bedroom and living room. It is in my shelter office that there is only furniture that does not allow you to relax and rest, and dan the Counselor lives here, with all the ensuing consequences.

For example, there is no desktop at all - instead, according to southern traditions, a marble panel made of a single piece of stone, unpolished, is installed on short legs, because Kallas likes natural roughness more than smooth artificiality. Soft couches are placed around, and the guest couches are lower than those of the owner in order to emphasize who is more important in these walls. There are no bookcases, and indeed there are no papers in sight at all: there is Miina, who carefully monitors the completeness of the reports and maintains a register of clients, to work with records of transactions, and Ra-Dien is engaged in completely different things. leadership. To be honest, at first I doubted his ability to keep all the necessary details in my head, but when I became a witness and participant in the resolution of an utterly confusing situation, complicated by numerous claims from all interested parties to each other, understood: not a big library makes a man a sage. And on low couches, besides, it’s so nice to squeeze the magnificent forms of daneke Mary ...

- Settle down.

Kallas took his favorite place on the dark green velvet bedspread. Having gone through five pillows, I opted for the flattest one, put it on a marble table and climbed on top: sitting on a soft one is the surest way to fall asleep, and now I need to be alert. At least for a while.

The box was set aside, until Miina solemnly carried into the office and placed the platters of appetizers on the table. Light, as requested by Callas: vegetable rolls, cheese and unleavened flatbread. For me personally, a crystal decanter with misted sides was offered.

“I asked for glacial water, not ice water.

“Sorry, dan Raiden, I thought that one is inseparable from the other,” the girl smiled innocently and, crouching in a polite bow, left, smoothly swaying the three-layer skirt of a dark purple dress.

“Bitch,” I stated habitually.

Callas chuckled.

- Just jealous.

- To you?

- To work.

“Well, if so…” I moved a dish of rolls towards me and took one for testing, in which, in addition to vegetables, there was something fishy.

Delicious. And river fish, completely in accordance with my preferences. Does this mean ... I look towards Ra-Dien and meet a reciprocal affirmative look.

Yes, this is all for you. Cheese too. Goat, from mountain pastures.

What incredible luxury! Let me inquire what such an unworthy person as I deserved...

Callas shook his head reproachfully, wrapping his thick woolen cloak around his chest more tightly.

- Not funny.

— Should it be? I am not kidding. I really want to know what prompted you to take such touching care of me.

Who said I care about you? I care about the welfare of affairs. Forgot? Tomorrow you are looking forward to daneke Amira.

I sigh

“Forget this… But let’s leave tomorrow’s business to tomorrow, all right?” Today, too, there is something to talk about and something to think about.

- For example?

Callas barely perceptibly tensed. To an outside observer, slightly raised shoulders would not have said anything at all, but I knew that my interlocutor was ready to listen and, more importantly, to hear.

For example, about the fire.

Did you make an inventory of the damaged property?

- Not to the end. And little has been damaged: for the most part, only the wall cladding needs to be replaced. Ollie will send you an exact list of required materials when Seppin is done fantasizing.

— Seppin?

- Woodworker. From my subordinates.

“Ah…” Ra-Dien drawled disappointedly. — I remember. Well, at least you can save some money!

“Yeah, don’t worry about paying the craftsmen. However ... Since this item of expenditure is excluded, I dare to remind you that it would be quite nice if ...

“So you didn’t leave that thought?” Callas' eyes narrowed in derision.

- What's wrong with her? If you can prove that the plants grown on the territory of the shelter allow you to protect the guests of the city from insanity for the entire stay, this would bring considerable benefits, first of all, to you. I'm wrong?

On the one hand, no doubt, but still...

I slapped my palms excitedly on the marble countertop.

- Just imagine: a couple of apples or a bunch of wine berries a day, and any person can be completely calm for himself!

“And how are you going to conduct research and provide evidence?” Ra-Dien asked slyly, but with a great deal of interest.

- These are my problems! The main thing is to get into a fight, and then ...

“And then take the legs off in time, is that what you mean?”

I had to confess

— Not excluded. Only I am quite sure of success. Honestly.

“Okay, I’ll think about it,” Kallas agreed. - It's all?

I took a tragic pause.

- Not.

- Something happened?

— Have you studied the materials of the inquiry about the fire?

- I glanced over.

"Did anything about them bother you?"

Ra-Dien thought. He moved his lips for a minute, as if pronouncing to himself the lines of a mean report.

- Not. I think no.

- Should have been a concern! I triumphantly completed my thought.

- State it.

- As a result of the inquiry, it was established that the fire occurred due to the ignition of spilled oil for lamps, right?

“Yes,” Kallas confirmed, not yet feeling the trick.

- Oils of a certain type.

- So what?

- Oils of the "hishi" variety.

Dan The advisor looked at me in bewilderment.

I don't understand what's so strange about that.

- Well, how! What kind of oil are you giving me money for, huh?

Callas chuckled.

Don't tell me you're the one buying it!

Why is it "don't say"?

“Actually…” He rubbed the bridge of his nose. “I thought you would take the opportunity and use the difference as you see fit.

- What?! I got offended and even jumped to my feet. “Assumed that I would steal from you and the royal treasurer and even planted an excuse for theft?” What… what… How could you?!

“Do you want to say…” Gradually it began to dawn on Kallas.

- And I want, and I say! I never. Nothing. Nobody. I DON'T STEAL!

- Don't scream, please.

- I'm not screaming! Where did you even get...

— Sorry.

The word was spoken so quietly that I thought I heard it.

- I'm sorry, what?

"I'm sorry," he repeated a little louder and more apologetically. - Yes, and it would not be theft ... So, the use of official opportunities.

For personal use, of course?

Callas shrugged sympathetically.

- The treasury would not be impoverished. And me too. But, I confess, I did not think that you were so ...

- Honest?

- Silly.

I pouted and made a circle around the office.

“By the way, I use the same lamps when I am at the orphanage. And you know very well that the slightest smoke ...

Ra-Dien laughed.

"So that's the point!" It didn't occur to you to steal, because you would have to steal from yourself! Bravo! That's what I understand! And then I began to worry about your mental abilities.

Why worry about something that isn't there? I remarked philosophically.

“Okay, let’s leave the pointless disputes alone… So, are you sure that the spilled oil was brought in on purpose?”

- Sure. Moreover, the attacker took all possible measures to commit the crime.

— Explain.

— The ignited wood was previously dried. In a magical way.

- Hm.

Kallas leaned back against the pillows, weaving and untwisting his clasped fingers. I, not wanting to rush the movement of thoughts behind the high forehead of an old friend and part-time superior person, returned to the absorption of dinner, although I did not experience real hunger: a short stay in the caring hands of my mother had an effect. As a rule, a visit home was enough for me to keep my body and mind in the best shape for at least a month. However, despite the temptation of the results, visits to Lunar Bend were scheduled for years ahead.

“I don’t ask how you established this, but since you have stated your doubts, then there is evidence,” Ra-Dien finally said, emerging from a state of detached thought.

— Alas.

“Not the kind of news I would like to hear.

- Understand. Believe it or not, I felt uncomfortable too. Highly.

- Any guesses about the purpose of the attack?

I shook my head.

- Yes and no. Rather, it is known for what exact actions the arson was carried out, but, fuck me, hhag, I can’t even imagine why!

“More in detail,” Kallas ordered.

— Judging by the traces of fire, the purpose of the arsonist was to destroy the painting.

Light eyebrows twitched in surprise.

- Paintings?

- Well, yes. Portrait of a woman. Unknown to the point that I don't remember what he even looked like.

— Surely hung in the Old Wing? dan Counselor guessed easily.

- Hanging. At the end of the corridor on the first floor. Let's just say it's not in plain sight!

- Don't make excuses, don't. Although you should know your own property better.

- I know! Just think, one unfortunate picture...

- Because of which someone took a risk.

- Risk? Here's another! Yes, my fools are not really capable of scaring!

"And who knows?" An instant clarification followed.

“Well…” it was my turn to think.

Indeed, to whom? The shelter of the weak in spirit arouses in all the townspeople awe interspersed with animal fear, and both feelings are absorbed with mother's milk and father's stories, therefore, in fact, fools and guards are not needed: they themselves will not go beyond the fence, but people on the other side they will not dare to enter for fear of being “infected” with madness. Oh-oh-oh, what's going on? Either a person who has already lost his mind and is not able to correctly assess the danger entered the shelter, or ... The arsonist came from outside. A foreigner who has not been frightened by "terrible stories" since childhood. Stranger.

Apparently, the course of all thoughts was reflected on my face in detail, because Kallas nodded with satisfaction:

- He's not local.

And it's even worse than it could be.

- One side.

- Is there another one?

"Where would we be without her?" Available. The register of aliens is kept accurately and carefully, therefore, it will not be difficult ...

I howled, rolling my eyes up to the ceiling.

- Won't make?! Can you imagine how many of them are passing by and settled in the city? Several hundred, no more and no less! And everyone needs to be tested. Everyone, you understand? Where was he, what did he do, are there any witnesses, are there any motives… How long will it take? Year, two?

Callas frowned.

- Do not exaggerate. Not more than a month.

- For which the composition of foreigners in Antrey will change significantly! Summer is coming, remember?

- You can close the borders.

I ran my fingers through my hair in confusion.

- You can ... If the queen agrees. And for this one my request will not be enough. And yours won't be enough, because Hammis's inquest report says there was no crime.

— Hammis? Ra-Dien frowned disdainfully.

- Himself. Oil accidentally spilled, accidentally flashed, accidentally ... There was nothing, in general.

- Yes, you can't argue against the results of the inquiry. And reschedule...

“Pointless—the remnants of the spell are losing power every minute. Another interrogator simply will not find traces. And can you imagine how much time it will take to convince an amiter of the need to repeatedly divert people to investigate a trifling case?

Kallas fell into thought for a moment again, tapping his fingers against his lips.

Maybe it's not so scary? Why not assume that what happened is just the revenge of someone from those who were not allowed to settle in the city at one time?

- Revenge? I tried to quickly think of different options. - Drops out. They usually take revenge not on stone walls, but on a person. In this case, they would have attempted on me, and not on a harmless piece of canvas.

- Is it harmless? Kallas drawled.

“I’ll take it that way until I’m sure otherwise.

“By the way, what kind of junk did you bring with you?” My interlocutor's interest turned to the box.

— Oh, this rarity is directly related to all my recent troubles. Behind the burnt picture was a hiding place, in which there was a message from the past.

— Message?

- Take a look yourself. I handed the peeling box to Ra-Dien.

Kallas turned it over in his hands, opened it, and brought out into the light of day objects already familiar to me. I must say that the Advisor spent a little more time studying the letter dan than I did: I suspect he was carried away by the attached pictures. But Kallas's gaze barely glided over the earrings.

- Curious.

— Is that all? I even got a little offended.

- What did you expect to hear? A fragment of correspondence, nothing more.

“Why did you have to keep it in hiding for so many years?”

Ra-Dien put the sheets of parchment back into the box.

- I do not know. Perhaps all this mattered to your ancestor, and only to him.

"Do you think it's possible to identify this woman's name?"

- You can try. There are knowledgeable people who are able to make such inquiries. Will you leave the papers with me?

- Of course. I'll leave everything entirely: I don't need this junk yet.

- Fun decorations...

I looked in bewilderment at Callas' impassive face:

- What are you talking about?

— About earrings.

- And what is interesting about them?

- I do not know. Perhaps it seemed to me ... The ornament of the frame is made up of lily flowers. Did not you notice?

I took one of the earrings and brought it closer to my eyes. That cannot be! Indeed. Half-opened buds of a variety unknown to me, but definitely related to lilies. Hhag...

It means something. It must mean something!

"Go home," advised Ra-Dien. - And sleep better. And tomorrow, with renewed vigor...

— Take up the old, huh? As you wish, dan Counselor.

- Do not moan, do not crumble. Amira is a wonderful woman and a smart conversationalist.

- With you - perhaps, but with me ...

- All sleep! - Kallas realized that he would not achieve anything by exhortations, and changed his tone to command. - And with arson ... Let's figure it out. But first, let's find out what kind of girl she was: what if a thread from the past to the present stretches through her?

Whether it stretches or not, this thread will still have to be crawled from one end to the other in order to find who and what it connects. And all this time a person will walk around the city who does not have reverence for the shelter of the weak in spirit, and this is truly terrible. Because when respect weakens, it is necessary to win it again, and for this ... I don’t want to think that it might be necessary.

And if Kallas is right, if... What did he say? "It mattered to your ancestor, and only to him"? So, if dan the Adviser has guessed correctly, he does not even imagine the depth of his guess. For my ancestor, as far as I can judge from the family chronicles, only one thing in the world mattered, the real, true meaning. The safety of Antreya and its inhabitants. And therefore, a few scraps of parchment yellowed by time and strange earrings can be as important as the identity of the arsonist. No, they cannot be. Important. But I still can not understand what their importance is.