Top Game

27

The Navigators' Guild has always evoked awe mixed with fear. Of course, only those who are dedicated to their ways of achieving goals; everyone else is simply afraid to meet the Navigator on their life path, although ... There is nothing to be afraid of. What can be terrible in a person who, after listening to your speech, looking into your eyes and just watching you for a while, penetrates into your soul as deeply as you yourself cannot penetrate? Becomes you, revealing the true reasons for your actions, anticipating future steps and making a list of mistakes not yet committed? Is it terrible? But we are afraid. We are afraid of ourselves, we are afraid to tremble in the whole body, to the hated cold sweat that flows like a stream down the back. This means that we are afraid of the Navigators - people who just explore the consequences, getting to the causes. In their own ways. I am reading", they ... You can say, "play." They take on other people's roles in order to make the secret clear. I can’t imagine how they succeed, but I wouldn’t envy: it’s one thing to accidentally and briefly plunge into the abyss of other people’s experiences, and quite another to do this every day, leaving no time for yourself.

No, if I had known, I would not have dared to contradict daneke Amira in anything. Bones would lay down, probably, if only ... Well, yes, if only to please. And they laughed so cruelly ... Over my naive belief that every person should have the right to a secret. But it must be! Must! And I will protect him. Even from the whole world, if required ...

"Ray, are you okay?"

Ra-Dien's voice sounded muffled, as if from under a blanket. I raised my head.

Kallas looked at me with real concern in his clear eyes, and this undisguised display of feelings made me feel uncomfortable. We feel uncomfortable.

- Yes.

The word that slipped with difficulty between clenched lips did not convince the Counsellor:

— I demand an answer.

- I replied.

Did you mutter something indistinctly? I don't like this answer.

- Which one will do? By all the rules?

Ra-Dien's thin lips trembled, about to form into a sardonic smirk or some other offensive grimace, but I did not wait for a new mockery. He got up from his chair, stretched out like a string, tightly pressing his elbows and palms to his sides, and reported without the slightest emotion in his voice:

The reasons for the violations and errors made have been established. The resulting damage has been repaired. I await further orders.

“Stop fooling around, Ray.

Kallas is angry - anyone who is not even burdened with a sorcerer's gift could read this in the air of the office, but for some reason I don't want to soften the situation with a joke . So I repeat, with the same intonation:

I await further orders.

Dan The adviser thoughtfully stroked the arm of the chair with his fingers. He picked one of the cracks that crossed the leather upholstery with his fingernail. He got to his feet, not groaning as usual and not complaining about pain in his back, he came closer and… He slapped me in the face, first turning the ring on the middle finger with the bud of the frame inward.

The pain of a freshly baked abrasion burned my cheek, but I didn’t even blink, continuing to stare at one point - at the peeling varnish along the edge of the bookcase door.

I await further orders.

Callas's hand slid across my face again, this time from left to right and a little less painfully.

I await further orders.

Do you consider stubbornness to be your virtue? - Ra-Dien realized the futility of violent exhortations and returned to his favorite weapon. To words.

I didn't bother answering. What for? If you are already unable to make reasonable decisions yourself, it is more profitable to leave yourself in full possession of someone more suitable for the role of commander. Do you want to say something to me? To health. I won't even listen. I'll wait for a clear order.

- I see: I decided to fall into childhood and let adults lead me ... In vain, Ray. By doing this, you only make things worse, not for yourself, but for everyone else. It's easy to follow orders. Knowing that a kind and smart uncle will tell you what to do is nice. At the royal court, people hiding from responsibility behind the backs of others are a dime a dozen. Do you want to become one of them? Do you want to climb up to the neck into the swamp slurry and pretend to be a bump? Do you really want THAT? Answer!

— A minute ago dan The counselor explained to me the nature of my mistakes: it lies in myself. So deep that I can't etch it out. And I won't do it. But, since my delusions reflect badly on my service, I am forced to transfer the right of decision to someone who, in his actions, avoids such delusions.

Callas swore, remembering the heels of the sea demons and their family ties. Tasty, in the best traditions of port loaders.

Don't be smart, Ray! I know perfectly well that you can explain with beautiful words any of your stupidity, but now is not the case. Let's talk in a simple way. Do you want to become a litter? Should anyone be allowed to wipe their feet? Obediently lie down under anyone who comes up with the desire to fuck you? I do not believe. You will not make it.

“I will do my best.

— Really? However, if you apply it, the efforts to be stupid cannot be taken away from you. Especially when you are sincerely sure that you are right… Good. If you are determined, then so be it. At the next meeting with Her Majesty, I will raise the issue of appointing a steward. Your personal. Ruala will be furious, no doubt, but if things are the way they are... She will have no choice but to accept. Of course, it will take time to find and train the right person, but you're in no hurry, right? Are you in a hurry?

Ra-Dien's voice gradually turned into molasses - a proven means to bring the interlocutor to a state of rage. But today, not even a whole sea of ​​honey would be enough to piss me off, and in the whole lulling speech, only one phrase made me frown. Only one. "You're not in a hurry, are you?"

I'm in a hurry, oh, I'm in a hurry. I can not delay even one extra hour. Now I can’t anymore: after spending half a day in bed, remembering, comparing and analyzing, I realized that I didn’t have a single thing in stock. Time. But why should Callas know about it? I can do everything myself, without informing anyone. I will fulfill my duty to the city and the deceased bodyguard, and then ... You can go to the swamp, and go far away. Bowing his head reluctantly.

“You never knew how to pretend, Ray. — Dan The adviser shook his head regretfully and returned to his chosen chair. “I can’t “read” people like you, but believe me: sometimes a simple life experience is enough to understand where and where the road is laid from. Don't act like a boy, please. It's not the time, Ray...

I looked from the closet to my childhood friend.

The flame petals of the oil burning in the lamps cast shadows on the tired face, adding more years to Kallas. The adviser sat, leaning his hands on the armrests with such tension that it was clearly imagined that as soon as he loosened his grip, he would immediately fall and crumble into river sand on the floor. Early aged, weak in body, but not spiritually, Ra-Dien never appeared before me so ... desperate. Everything happened, both terrible and sad, but he always held firm and steadfastly, not making concessions and not allowing opponents to even suggest weakness or doubt in him. And now I saw in front of me a man who ... Lost his support. But that means...

What happened, Callie?

- No matter. Are you about to step aside? Will not interfere. After all, I have no right to demand more from you than you can give.

“Cally, I…I will do what I was going to do. Necessarily. But now I want to decide something for the last time. Myself. Can?

Clear eyes smiled sadly.

“I'm not always right, Ray. Don't argue, I know better! Your desire... I don't like it, but it may very well be better for you. May be. At least you are acting consciously, which means that you have calculated all the income and expenses from the planned transaction. Just don't say...

I shrug. Ra-Dien rolled his eyes, but after a moment he waved his hand.

— It was to be expected… However, your business.

- A very good point!

I took my desk chair back and rested my elbows on the table.

- Tell me!

The transition from a “deadly insult” to a business conversation, which was natural for me, although it was not completely unfamiliar to Kallas, nevertheless aroused slight bewilderment:

- About what?

About what he came with, of course.

“On what basis do you consider my visit…

“That’s not necessary, okay? No one ever comes to me just like that, out of politeness or to visit. Even Vig - I go to him, but not otherwise. What can we say about such an important person as dan Counselor!

- Pretense ... - Ra-Dien grinned, gradually returning to his usual demeanor. “But I was afraid that you seriously decided to become a conscientious and stupid campaigner!”

Doubting my talents?

- Perhaps, I no longer doubt ... But to the point. You are absolutely right: I have a good reason for meeting you as soon as possible. Actually, here she is.

Kallas took an oblong bundle from the folds of his robe and threw it in my direction on the tabletop.

Under the thin skin, an oiled linen was found, in which he was wrapped ...

— Fan?

I weighed a woman's toy on my hand.

- Heavy, however.

- And you open it.

With a slight rustle, the plates of the fan parted to the sides, characteristically clicking three times. At the last click, Ra-Dien asked:

“Now be careful and don’t press on the heron’s wings at the base under any circumstances!”

- If I understand correctly...

- Not here!

— Of course.

There was no one and nothing in the corridor, except for wooden panels on the walls, that is, nothing prevented me from studying the object that fell into my hands.

A trinket covered in thin silk with an unusually beautiful painting: graceful strokes scattered in apparent disorder across a purple field formed pictures unfamiliar to the eye - a waterfall, an openwork forest along the banks of a river, birds soaring in the sky ... A beautiful thing. And in our warm regions, it is completely irreplaceable. But its purpose is not so much to blow cool on the delicate skin of noble ladies, but ...

The golden figurine of a heron, to whose wings the plates of the fan were attached, lay very comfortably under the thumb. And if you set the direction of movement with the middle and index fingers, then ... Shurkh!

Part of the plates flew out of their "nests", greedily digging into the wall with hungry tips. Well well. I made sure that the outlandish crossbow did not remain cocked, and approached the wooden panel, which involuntarily became a target.

The blades are flat, narrow, tetrahedral, and each edge is sharpened. What is this for? And, I understand: judging by the place where the blade enters the tree, they also rotate in flight. around the axis. Therefore, the body of Ballig was not only cut through, but also mixed. For a complete, so to speak, defeat, because it is right to splice such a mess ... Even I would not have succeeded. With myself.

The Shell stopped the killer spin, making my job easier. But if the density of his body was not enough ... Hmmm, I wouldn’t argue with Callie now, but lie down, licking my wounds in the vain hope of coping.

- Curious thing.

I returned to the office and placed the unloaded weapon on the table. Ra-Dien nodded in satisfaction.

“I knew you would appreciate it.

“I haven't seen anything like it before.

- Me too. And a lot of people haven't seen it. The gunsmith said: the little thing comes from Eastern Shem.

- Too far to drive.

"But what's the use!"

- That's for sure ... And how did she appear in Antreya?

Ra-Dien spread his hands.

- Not installed.

- That is?

- The fan was not imported for sale or as a gift: none of the customs inspection reports mention a similar thing.

— Smuggling?

- It turns out so.

Not very good news. Quite unpleasant. It would be one thing for weapons to pass through Coast Guard posts in good faith, even if they were detained: theft from a bonded warehouse is easier to carry out than smuggling. Why did the attacker take such a big risk hiding the cargo from inspection? Need to think. There is a reason, it cannot be. But it must be extremely weighty ... But I will still visit the warehouse.

“An interesting choice of method of killing.

“And even very much,” Kallas nodded. “But in the Navigator's case, he's probably justified.

— Do you think?

Let's estimate. The damage area is large. Range? Impressive. Impact strength? Impressive. You don't have to get close, although some skill is required. However, an experienced shooter will cope effortlessly. Unless, of course, there is an obstacle in the way of the flying blades, as happened in my case. And the fact that the killer hastened to leave the scene of the crime suggests one interesting thing. She didn't have any more weapons. None. So she was unshakably sure that there would be no obstacles. Rely on your charms? Answer: yes.

“You know what, Callie… I bet you're right about the assassination attempt. I don’t know to whom and with what Navigator Amir annoyed, let her deal with her ill-wishers herself. My business is different. Killer.

What is a "murderer"?

He is infected with madness. In fact, she's infected.

Ra-Dien froze like a statue, unnaturally straightening his back:

- Sure?

- More than ever.

“But… Where from?” Why? How could this happen?

- I do not know. I don't know yet.

I sat down on the edge of the table, rubbing my forehead with my fingers. Kallas was tensely silent, considering what he had heard. He was silent and remained motionless for so long that one could forget about his presence in the office.

- It?..

- My fault.

But you said you didn't know?

- Said. But who, besides me, is responsible for the security of the city in this part? Nobody. So, I am guilty of the appearance of a madman. I am alone.

- Ray...

“And until I catch and finish this creature with my own hands, I will not be able to sleep peacefully. Everything is happening too fast, Callie. Too much. I don't have time to think. I only had a few hours today, but... I never came up with anything. You need to take your feet in your hands and stupidly search the whole city. Every home. Every piece of land. If need be, I'll comb the entire valley of Lavuola, but I'll find the killer. And I want to ask you: if possible, keep the exits from the city closed longer.

- I'll do as you ask. But why do you think they are already closed?

“Because yesterday something happened that hadn't happened for a hundred and fifty years: the Guardian's life was in danger. Add to this the failed assassination attempt on the Navigator, the reason for the blockade becomes undeniable.

Ra-Dien smiled, relaxing the jaws on his cheekbones.

- Right. Ruala supported my proposal, despite the opposition of the Council.

- Were there many objections?

- What do you think? The time for the Trade Guild Conclave is approaching, and we are about to close the port! You can't imagine how Tavari squealed about this!

- Why, I imagine. Like a pig being slaughtered.

- Worse! Kallas frowned in disgust, apparently remembering the skirmish. “But Her Majesty has said she approves of the drastic measures. At least until the Guardian returns to his duties.

“Yeah, let’s calculate when this happens: if you follow the rules, first I need to fully recover from my wounds, then quickly start looking for a new “shell”, then process it, then get used to it, because without it it’s impossible to move on ... Two months will leave. If everything turns out easy and simple. And during this time, not only dan Tavari will squeal, but the entire Merchant Guild en masse. I don’t say how much you personally will lose ... Are you ready to make sacrifices?

Clear eyes looked at me with a slight reproach:

“If I wasn’t ready, I wouldn’t get into a fight.

Here's how? Is my well-being more important to Callie than revenue? I do not believe. He just knows how to count very well and understands: from the Guardian, who fully fulfills his duties, there is more income than from a profitably sold batch of iron ore from the Khalis mines. But if he is willing to make sacrifices, then I intend to act differently.

“Maybe you don’t have to lose anything.

Eyebrows raised in confusion.

“I can act now.

- But…

- I need only one thing: that no one gets in the way. Can this be achieved?

Ra-Dien bit his lip.

- Everything is possible if you act carefully ... I'll think about it. In the meantime… Ruala wants to see you. In the evening. At the reception.

"Drag to the palace?" Poor wounded man? Mockery!

“I will send a carriage for you.

I snort indignantly:

“Send the funeral at once!”

“Things like that are no joke, Ray.

“The royal move will finish me, Callie, I swear on anything!”

Few are invited. Only the chosen ones. Besides... Your wife will be there.

Nais. Will be. There. Do I need another reason to come? Not needed, and dan The adviser, who has studied my weaknesses well, shamelessly uses his knowledge.

“But I still have to send for a new suit…”

“I took everything I needed with me.

- Did you know in advance that I would agree?

“You're a smart guy, Ray, and smart people's actions are predictable.

I sigh in disappointment.

“That's why I've always wanted to be a fool.

Callas shook his head and tried to get to his feet. It did not work, and I extended my hand to him, offering help. Which was accepted with some surprise, but without delay.

And leaving, Ra-Dien turned around and said:

“The next time you get overwhelmed, remember my words, Ray: no one can own you. Just because he does not understand who owns.