A smooth blue crystal without sharp edges, very narrow and elongated to the height of a man, stood on a golden floor stand and was surrounded by other smaller blue crystals, mounted on thin golden twigs. The whole device resembled a model of the universe, which magicians had long known and accepted, but which the Church steadfastly denied, that is, the luminary in the center, and the spheres of matter revolve around it. Only instead of the sun there was a large narrow crystal, and instead of the rest of the celestial bodies - smaller crystals and different shapes. Teleportum, an artifact that was an analogue of the Teleportation spell, only capable of transferring matter to much longer distances, with a much more accurate "sight" and in much larger volumes.- Did they use it?- Officially, no. But I can't say for sure, since the teleportum is not part of my network of enchantments and spells. This is a separate artifact with its own energy generators and devices that focus the flow of
- You came.The voice came from above, and the wizard quickly took up a defensive stance with his staff like a spear.“I didn’t notice the beam in my eye,” he breathed, “well, you’re healthy, brother!”A giant was sitting on a cliff under a sheer cliff. Tobius simply didn't notice this huge monster hiding in the shadows, because he was looking for someone much smaller. The wizard had never seen anything like it before, or even heard of it. This ogebo had a body clad in a turtle shell, long sinewy hands with four-fingered webbed hands, and equally long frog-like legs tucked under the torso. On a relatively short neck sat an elongated bony head with yellow toadish eyes, small straight horns and a powerful beak-like growth above the mouth. The giant's skin was dark green, with brown spots, he looked like a gigantic cross between a turtle and a frog.Are you Kerubales?Are you Tobius?- Apparently, yes. So you are my ogebo. I thought you'd be smaller. That orange one with the flute told m
In the distance, a fountain of snow rising to the sky appeared, appeared and began to quickly approach. It was like a shark's dorsal fin sticking out of the water as it swims for prey. Only this "shark" was of enormous size and swam in the snow. With a guttural roar, the monster burst to the surface and continued on its way in long leaps. Tobius stood motionless, closely watching the approaching creature. Large, almost as huge as an adult oromu; the structure of the body is humanoid, with long powerful limbs, white matted fur is everywhere, a pair of crooked horns sticks out of the flat head, and the ugly muzzle is split by a crack in a wide mouth full of sharp teeth. Here it is, the horror that has made Oru tremble over the past years.Thirty paces from the wizard, the monster soared into the sky, making a dizzying leap, and would have fallen directly on him, if not for two Shield spells and the subsequent volley of Magma Spear after hitting them. Tobius learned this spell quite rece
- So?“He killed the beast,” the sorceress grumbled.- He? Is it true? May be…- It is he. All the rest suffocated.“Perhaps there is someone left?” The full lips of the warrior maiden twisted capriciously. — Orza, look how thin he is!“Smart and sloppy, yes, but he’s not with Stiggi and not with Erige. And also a mage. It will scare the others away.Tobius felt that something very wrong, dangerous, something that concerned him, but without his knowledge or permission, was happening. He decided that he needed to intervene immediately.“My Lady, may I remark that—”You weren't allowed to speak!- I'm sorry."Get up when I'm talking to you!"- Maybe a curtsy for you to portray?- What you said?- I have a brother who is barely alive in my arms, I'm wildly tired, I'm still cold, I'm hungry, and I don't understand why I should stand! I am a master! Why should I stand in front of the mistress of some God-forgotten piece of land, frozen, half-empty, hostile to everything human?! Tame your a
Sometimes he spent hours repeating the name of Kerubales, hoping that his newfound companion could help him. But the giant ogebo did not appear, and the walls of the ice prison did not collapse. But the Whisperer was always there. No, he no longer appeared to Tobius in a dream, did not manifest himself in other ways, but the wizard knew that this destructive force lurked somewhere nearby and was waiting, quietly rejoicing at his, Tobius', suffering. True, at times the magician had clarifications of the mind, then he realized that he was captured by paranoia and his own fears captivated him no worse than the ice walls of the dungeon.For hours the wizard stared at his hands, at the luminous lines and knots enveloping his forearms like a fine mesh or the finest chatrade lace. A collar of the same lace sat firmly around his neck. He did not see this collar, but he knew for sure that it was there, because he saw the ephemeral thread connecting the bracers, and saw two other threads that s
- What a fool...“But as soon as you try to get back at me, we will end this conversation exactly as we were supposed to.Thobius looked around and was inwardly horrified at the destruction he and Orza had wrought as they tried to destroy each other. Almost nothing remained of Cardenwig's buildings, the deer pens were on fire, fortunately some warrior was brave enough to sneak past the fighting and release the deer. The hall of the konani was badly damaged, many black marks and streaks of molten stone were visible on its stone walls. Having seen enough of his handiwork, the magician remembered that he was standing naked in the midst of the emerging bad weather. The masses of hot air that he had created by turning into a fire giant grappled with the cold air of Ora, and as a result of the pressure difference, a storm was about to break out.- I know you're here! Come out! The old lady needs help!Despite their fear, the Orians still rose from their hiding places.“Take her to the chamb
- I came in peace, I delivered you from the monster, I did not want any rewards, but only wanted to return home. But you grabbed me and threw me into an icy purgatory, starving and cold. The feeling of unbearable injustice choked me all this time. Why did you do this to me? What did I do to you?It was hard for her, eyes clouded with a haze of pain, with difficulty found Tobius' face.- I refused many, but no one ... I have never been so offended ... ashamed ...He trembled, and the fire flickered in his eyes.- And it's all? Is this... is this what I've been agonizing for? Bruised pride? What kind of creature are you...“I didn’t… I didn’t order you to be starved… I just wanted… you to stay!” Her hand burned his cheekbone with warmth. Blood was bubbling on Yofrid's lips, but she was smiling. “I didn’t know how to do it otherwise… so strong, so beautiful. When I thought that you would sail away forever... I almost died.Trembling with inner horror, the wizard straightened up and raise
- If you drop the furs into the water, Milk, dive after, and I swear by the keel, you better not come back up! I myself will stand with a hook, but I won’t let you get out, dog!- Cap, where to roll the barrels?- To the very end! In the most! Do you hear, Anderzoon? And then I know you, dogs, until we swim, half an ale, if not ...“It often jibes in this part of the world, Captain?”Umraz Calabongot shrunk all over and even seemed to have become shorter.“Cursed seed… cursed seed… cursed…”“Soon the wind will blow from the north. Cold and strong. If you load provisions and goods before dinner, you will have an excellent gybe.“I thought you were dead, char.I don't like disappointing good people, but sometimes I have to.“Do you want to go back to Westerreich?”- Yes. Missed home.“Maybe you can find yourself another ship?”“Do you see other ships here that can cross the Gray Sea?”- I…"Captain, I'm not a criminal. If you don't want me on board, I won't dare break your word. In addi