Kitabı oku: «The Labyrinth of Inter-Time», sayfa 4

Chapter 6. Ghosts of past mistakes

Gloomy sky. It had been raining for several hours now, and only a lone lightning dared to disturb the darkness of the extinguished torches. Even she was afraid of the upcoming events. And the mysterious smell of rain, gently cooling the summer heat of the tired earth.

And in the castle no one wanted to share the worries of nature. The sounds of the ball thundered and could be heard many miles away. So a candle was burning in the queen’s chambers. It is this small piece of wax that will ignite the flame of betrayal, which will incinerate innocent souls for many years to come. After all, a good deed dissolves like a drop in the ocean of evil and falsehood, which, like a chain reaction, digs into more and more hearts.

Two people in a room upholstered in golden silk. The red-haired woman was reclining on the bed. She is not tall. Long hair flowed in fiery waterfalls to his toes, and you could drown in bottomless green eyes. And this heady aroma of lilac. The dark-haired man looked to be no more than thirty years old. But he was already wearing the uniform of a general, and under the sleeve of his rich outfit there was a tattoo that showed the title of head of the royal guard. His youth was hidden by a neat mustache on his clean-shaven face.

– You said that you love me, Simon! – said the woman, lowering her face onto the golden pillow, unable to hold back her tears.

– Yes, Mistress! I still don’t go back on my words! – the man answered angrily.

– These are just words, my young friend! And when it comes to the real deal… – she quickly looked around from head to toe. There was not a single trace left of the tears in the eyes.

– Anything! – Simon fell to his knees. He covered the pale skin of the beauty’s hands with gentle kisses; but she did not want to see him, so she pushed the admirer away.

– I already asked you for something, but you refused me so cruelly! – the woman said, lowering her head into the pillow.

– Ask for anything except this!

– But why? – the girl said without raising her head from the pillow.

– Treason to the Motherland goes against my honor! This is a violation of an officer’s oath. I made a vow to protect the ruler, and you ask me to take his life with my own hands!!! Never!!! – With these words, Simon easily rose from his knees.

– But you swore an oath to protect not only the Supreme, but the queen too! – the woman said with a hint of resentment in her voice and with an imperceptible movement she opened her shoulder; there was a tattoo on it in the form of a crown.

– My husband is a tyrant! He will lead me to the grave, and it seems that no one will protect me,» she buried her head in the pillow again. The man hugged her.

– But how can I kill him? No one is capable of harming me, and the strongest can heal themselves even better.

– Ah, so that’s the whole problem! Don’t worry, I’ll take care of it! – The queen’s eyes lit up with demonic fire for a moment, but she immediately pulled herself together. She went to the closet. The magic word opened the door, and the girl took out a bundle of fabric, which a moment later was in the hands of the law enforcement officer. Simon unwrapped the black velvet, drawing out a dagger. The blade was handmade, made of silver; There was a gem on the tip of the handle.

– It’s just a dagger! – Simon twirled the blade in disappointment. – Yes, it’s beautiful, but a weapon made by man is nothing in a battle with a sorcerer, and especially against the lord of magicians! You know it yourself. And you want to send me to certain death.

– Still, this weapon is perfect! After all, you did not notice the witchcraft. One of my friends, a dark magician, tried! Now the wounds caused by the blade will be fatal!

The conversation between the two conspirators was interrupted by a knock. Someone kindly said in a soft voice:

– Darling, you stayed too long in your chambers! Delight my eyes! How can you be alone in this room on such a beautiful evening?

– It is he! We’re lost! Decide, Simon! On one side of the scale is the king’s life, on the other – mine and yours!

***

Simon clutched in his hand a portrait of his beloved queen. He regretted the mistakes he had made. He killed the king! And it was he who could not save the queen either!

But everything will change soon. Dell promised that when he came to life, he could bring her back to life.

– For you, master, I betrayed all principles. I became a necromancer, and summoned many ghosts from the world of the dead. But she is not among them!

– I am stronger than you, as a necromancer, so when I return to life, I can help you. The darkness will be with us!

Have you found my brother?

– No.

«You know there’s a lot at stake.» We can’t take that risk. Find my brother. I haven’t seen him for so long, I miss him so much.

Simon knew that the reason was not at all love for his brother. After all, it is the brother who can interfere with the Dark Lord’s secret plans.

– Why are you so sad, my faithful student?

– Sorry, but sometimes it seems to me that taking the path of evil was my worst mistake.

– Good… Evil… You know how conditional this is all. Mistrust and betrayal put me on this path. You know my story. I think you know Antimonikos, the Greatest of magicians. They tell scary stories about it, they scare naughty children with it. So, in the Dark World I met his restless spirit. And he personally told his story. And, you know, he faced more injustices than he did to others. In fact, his entire path is revenge for the pain caused.

Fragments of a manuscript about Antimonica 1. The birth of a magician.

– Quickly, call the midwife! My wife is giving birth!

The servants rushed back and forth until a local healer was brought to the residence of Viscount Corwell. There were rumors that she owned something, some said various absurd things about the fact that she could spell the weather. Everyone was afraid of her, but neither day nor night she had no end to guests: either a girl wants to bewitch a guy, or a man in his twilight years wants to regain his heroic power, or to cure someone from the plague or the evil eye. The plague was raging everywhere at that time, but thanks to the efforts of the old sorceress, this village was spared.

A storm was raging outside, the downpour interspersed with hail, decorated with a crown of lightning.

The old woman approached the woman in labor and drove away all the men. They called the owner of the house (it was difficult to call this place a castle – the viscount’s father lost most of his fortune at cards. Thank you, at least he didn’t drink the village away and didn’t lose!). The midwife raised the child above her head and said proudly:

– Boy!

– Son! I have an heir! Tell this good news to all residents of the settlement!

– A great destiny awaits this child! – the old woman wheezed, raising her index finger. – Yesterday a shooting star flew by, and today there is a thunderstorm. This boy is the Chosen One of Fate! He can change this wrong world.

Soon they forgot about the strange words of the witch. The parents doted on their child, the mother never left his side. But one day a man in a black cloak came to them. When he arrived, the candles went out. He just burst into some kind of sinister laugh.

– They say you have a son! You promised to give me your first child to raise!

Viscount Corvell raised his sword to kill the insolent man. But his wife looked down and said:

– Sorry, my love, but I gave him such an oath. You know I couldn’t have children. We are about to have another son. And we must give this as payment for a service.

The child was taken away when he was four years old, and his parents never saw him again.

Hallon had a whole school. He collected gifted children from all over the world and taught them black crafts. No one knows what his goals were, but the children were taught necromancy and other forbidden areas of black magic. Children were deprived of their real names, instead they were invented by the old sorcerer. They say that the dead can take revenge for depriving them of peace, but if they do not know the name, then they are powerless.

– From now on you will be Antimonik! – Hallon said to Corvell’s son. – It means «Against the Light» in Ancient Elvish.

Antimonik was the best of the students; he carried out all the old man’s orders. But his heart never knew peace. Every night he cried for his parents. He had only one dream – to see them again, to ask them why they were handed over to the villain, to forgive them.

And then one day such an opportunity presented itself. Antimonik was not liked at school, since he was Hallon’s favorite. But there was only one girl who was closer to him than the others. He then told her:

– Come with me! We will be free, we will be free from the sorcerer. Let’s escape!

– But Hallon sees everything! You know how strong he is! They’ll catch up with us!

– Need to try!

– No. Sorry. I’m afraid.

That night he ran away on his own. Antimonik arrived at his home. He shouted:

– Mom, dad, I’m home!

But silence was his answer.

«Your parents are no more,» said one of the locals.

– Where did they go?

– They are no longer there. Not at all. And you’re not here anymore, that’s what people say.

After his son was kidnapped, Corvell was unable to forgive his wife. He started drinking and beating the unfortunate woman. But when she hanged herself, there was no point in remaining on this sinful earth either.

– You didn’t save them…

His life’s dream turned out to be a lie. This was the first lesson taught to the Chosen One by Fate; we are all in Her hands. But far from the last.

Hallon found the unlucky student. But who, besides his girlfriend, could know where he was? His beloved betrayed him. Hallon was a master of torture. But does it really matter?

Antimonik was returned to school, the days ran as usual again, but everything could not now be as before. The teacher did not say a word to him, but the one born under a shooting star noticed that the other students were watching his every move. And the beloved… once upon a time, but not now… lowers her eyes when their gazes intersect. Traitor!

But one day he decided to change his life again. He entered Hallon’s room when no one was there except the teacher.

– Let me go. I can no longer live like an animal in a cage.

– Do you think I’ll just say goodbye to the best of my students? Never. You will still give me power over this world! Do you think I taught you in vain? I spent my entire fortune to feed you!

And again a lie. After all, didn’t they help Hallon rob the people? Didn’t they send curses and plagues on villages, which they then rented… for gold, of course.

– Let go voluntarily, I ask you!

– Are you threatening? – Familiar ominous lights sparkled in Hallon’s eyes. – You will be punished for these words!

The sorcerer reached out with his consciousness to the young man’s head, and he, like many times before, fell to the floor, writhing in agony. But he was strong. The guy moved his hand as if holding a small bag in it, and Hallon grabbed his heart.

– We played around and that’s enough! Stop it now!

– Did you play?! Is that what you call it? You deprived me of my childhood! I warned you. But since you refused to voluntarily let me go, die!

Antimonik pulled his bent hand towards himself, and Hallon’s chest turned red. He tore out the teacher’s heart with spells. Then he took the necklace from the sorcerer’s chest and put it around his neck.

– I’m your new teacher! – he said to his comrades. – Join me – or follow Hallon to hell!

***

This time he returned home as a winner, not as a fugitive. The headman recognized his right to power (did he have a way out?)

From now on, Antimonik and his order began to control the weather. One day a midwife came to him, who was used to being the queen of enchantments in these parts.

– You told Hallon about me! – the count shouted.

«Moreover, if it weren’t for me, you wouldn’t be on earth.» After all, I told your mother about Hallon!

– Die, old woman! – the witch grabbed her heart. And she lost it. This was the beginning of dark times.

Chapter 7. Gold coin

«Sienna, lead our guests to the exit from the forest,» Sylvia said. – So that they don’t encounter any more trouble.

Siena looked at the travelers with hatred, but remained silent. So they walked silently for some time along the winding forest path.

– Why do you hate us? – asked Esmeralda. «After all, we didn’t do anything bad to you at all.»

– Why should I love you? The owner trusts you. But not me.

– Is it our fault that the dead killed your comrades?

«My brother was among those killed!» Therefore, it will not be good for you if I suddenly find out that you are involved in this death!

– I also lost my brother, so I understand your suffering! Antimagi killed him.

– It’s okay, daughter, the time will come when the League will pay for its mistakes! He will wash himself with blood! This is what I promise! – the Herald said angrily.

The herald suddenly stopped: his legs were entangled in vines. Siena whispered something, and the shackles fell.

– Hide your hatred in this forest! He can smell everything. Evil here causes greater evil. So be careful.

«Sienna, it seems to me that at the end of the road we will find the secret of the living dead,» said Eleon. «Come with us and you can take revenge.»

– My place is here, Wolf. I took an oath to protect the Forest, and this is more important than anything else.

The aroma of blooming myrtle and olive did not weaken, nor did the constant feeling of someone’s presence disappear. Occasionally, strekkili, huge dragonflies that were found here everywhere, flew out of the bushes.

– Angel will never believe that I was here! – said Dorian. – This forest will never end. But in my home world there are almost no forests left! Only cities with their constant smog and noise. And there is absolutely no room for anything new and unusual.

«It’s as if someone is watching every step,» Esmeralda looked around.

– Don’t be afraid, Esme! – Eleon hugged her.

«You really shouldn’t be afraid when I’m around!» – Sienna smiled for the first time.

They went on like this for several hours. Siena knew her way around the maze of thickets well.

– I was born and raised here.

– Sylvia is your mother? – Herold suggested.

– We are children of the forest. The Mistress gave birth to me, but that doesn’t matter. And here is the line of the forest. I can’t go any further. I would advise you to go around these mountains. You will lose a few days, but you will avoid many dangers.

– We have no time! – said Eleon.

– Your business. Farewell!

– Thanks for all! If we meet again, you can count on us! – Herold extended his hand.

– I hope we never meet again! – Sienna shook hands. – You’re nothing but trouble!

***

When they reached the foot of the mountain, the Sun managed to reach the western shelter, and now painted the heavenly blanket in all the colors of the rainbow.

«Today we will not go further,» said Eleon. – The morning is wiser than the evening.

The travelers took out rich supplies, with which their bags were filled to capacity. These include excellent sausages, cheeses, and berry jam. The forest people did not skimp!

This time the travelers were not afraid to light a fire.

«And in my world we light the lights with electricity,» Dorian increasingly fell into melancholy in the evenings, remembering with sadness his home. Sometimes it seemed to him that the city was lost to him forever.

– And what is it? – Esmeralda asked.

– Electricity? This is a thunderstorm that has become subject to man.

– And you said that people completely exchanged magic for machines!

– My world is the magic of machines. People there have no weight or importance at all. Indifferent, loving mechanisms and money more than each other.

– And why go back there?

– This is my home.

The herald took out a bag of tobacco, and the travelers lit a pipe. Then the clerk sang one of the old songs of his people:

Here the spirits of ancestors will captivate you with their spell,

Alley of rubies over the sunset mountain,

The mountain turns blue among the Snowy Plains,

Forest fairies and the Creator, my Master.

The sunset will come – the last war will follow,

The price is big – the whole country.

My last measles leads me to battle.

Nobody knows what’s coming next.

***

– Be careful, my student! – Ilan said to Eleon.

– Teacher! You are with me again!

– The connection between teacher and student is much stronger than death! I will appear in your dreams as long as you need me.

– My strength is already running out.

– There’s not much left at all. But you don’t have much time either. So hurry up. And remember – greed is not the best trait in these mountains.

– What does it mean? I do not understand anything.

– Wake up. Do you understand? When the time comes.

***

As soon as the first ray of sun touched the horizon, Eleon stood up and woke up the travelers.

– We’ll have breakfast and hit the road.

***

The mountain seemed infinitely high in its grandeur. The mountains have never loved the weak, and they instinctively, like dogs, felt fear in the soul of the conqueror of the peak; he must be a trainer, dictating the rules, and only then the stubborn and proud rocks will obey, placing their ledges under the traveler’s feet.

The first steps were difficult, but the higher they rose, the easier each subsequent step became. But then one of the stones under Eleon rolled down, and then the pilgrim almost fell down. He kept trying to find a new ledge, but his foot only groped for a sheer rock. Then the elements came to the rescue: Eleon created steps for himself from the intertwined threads of Light and Darkness and walked along them upward, towards his cherished goal.

Dorian was in the mountains for the first time, so it was not so easy, but step by step the mountain remained below.

Not once did I have to stop to help Esmeralda. And finally they reached the treasured mountain path.

Herold felt the most confident of all.

«Then it should be easier,» said the clerk. – Sylvia said that once the path began from the very foot, but time is merciless, even the mountains are not able to cope with it.

– What is this? – Esmeralda bent down to the stone and picked up a gold coin sparkling in the morning sun.

– Someone walked along this path recently. After all, the coin is completely new, as if someone polished it to a shine!

A bearded dwarf suddenly appeared in front of them. He clapped his hands – and the ground under Dorian suddenly disappeared. He flew down somewhere.

***

Dorian opened his eyes and realized that he was tied up. Herald, Eleon and Esmeralda were sitting nearby.

– You stole my gold! We, the foothill people, love treasures very much!

– Dwarf, but we found a coin! – said the Herald. – We didn’t steal anything!

– Certainly! You red bloods always say that! They also «found a coin»! – the dwarf waved his head at the pile of bones. – But you can’t fool me!

There were legends that dwarves had yellow blood because gold flowed in their veins. There were often stories about the ancient mountain king of the dwarves, who could turn everything he touched into gold.

The dwarf attacked the Wolf with a knife in his hand. But he underestimated the power of the Elemental Caster. The dwarf grabbed his throat, as if invisible bonds were strangling him.

– Let go!

– Why should I do this? You just tried to kill me.

– Dont kill! I didn’t know that gentlemen sorcerers deigned to come to me! I will fulfill any wish!

– Dwarves can do this! – said the Herald.

– This is where we should have started! – Eleon smiled, loosening the bonds of the magic lasso. The dwarf cut the ropes of the former captives.

– What do you want, dear guests?

– Send us to the royal castle!

– To the House of the Sorcerer?! No, if you please, death is better. This is illegal, the League will kill for this! But I am one of the last gnomes.

Once upon a time we were kings of the foothills, gold flowed like a river, dwarven songs flowed in the evenings. But then the red bloods exterminated our people, and I was one of the last.

– Greed destroyed your people! – Herold was indignant.

– So will you fulfill our wish, or will we kill you?

«I can’t make a portal to the Capital, but I can get you there in another way.»

***

They climbed up a long twisted staircase made of stones. Only a small candle helped not to stumble. When they were outside, the dwarf whispered some words, and the huge eagles landed on the top of the mountain after a while. The connection between people and nature has long weakened. And gnomes and elves have always been good spellcasters of plants and animals. People possess only a meager fraction of this knowledge.

Four travelers sat on the noble birds and flew up to the heavens, holding tightly to the feathers.

Oh, this wonderful and unforgettable feeling of flying, this carefree, intoxicating freedom when you defeat the force of gravity.

The dwarf did not deceive. The eagles dropped four travelers near the Capital.

Fragments of a manuscript about Antimonik the Darkest. Deposed ruler

Once upon a time, in the very center of the Beelzuvian kingdom, a city surrounded by an impregnable wall arose, the inhabitants of which refused to pay taxes. It’s not that they refused… It’s just that the tax collectors couldn’t get inside: there were no gates through which they could get inside the new state.

Civil servants, who had already come here more than once, drummed for a long time, when a gate suddenly appeared in the impregnable wall, and a man in a black hood came out of it.

– What do we owe to uninvited guests?

– I am Rondalf, the state tax collector. The king demands payment of taxes and dues for the year.

– Which king?

– Geryon of Belzuvia, who else!

– Is our city now subordinate to Geryon? As far as I know, our only ruler is Count Antimonik, our city-state has its own laws and religion.

The tax collectors left, but after some time the king’s entire army arrived at the city walls. Geryon could not forgive disobedience. The battering rams crashed into the wall, but wood was weaker than stone and magic. Then the king gave orders to the generals to put up ladders, but there was not a single ladder that touched the top of the wall. The city was impregnable.

Geryon returned home for the first time without victory. And even wine could not quench his anger. That night a stranger came to him, if it wasn’t just a dream.

– I ask you, Geryon, give freedom to my state voluntarily. We have our own religion, our own ideas about the structure of the world.

– Some of my servants want to be initiated into your beliefs, Antimonikos, son of Corvell. I knew your father, I knew your grandfather. I want to know you now too. Maybe your views on life are more correct than ours?

Geryon was cunning. He hid his anger to find a way to the heart of the rebellious count. And Antimonik was still too trusting.

– Let curious servants come to visit me. I will personally train them.

***

A month later, Baron Stel, an honored guest of Count Antimonik, reported to Geryon:

– I learned the basics of magic. The Order of Antimonica rules there. And only a member of the order who knows the spell can enter the city.

– You deserve a reward, Baron. When we take the city, you will no longer be landless! You deserved it!

Less than a week had passed before the army again approached the walls of the impregnable city. Stel uttered strange words in an unfamiliar language, and a gate suddenly appeared in the wall, which did not remain locked for the baron.

Following the spy, the entire army of Geryon entered the city. But no one stopped the invaders. The city was empty.

Stel with a dozen soldiers entered the count’s chambers. Antimonik only told him:

– You know that only the head of the order can appoint a ruler. Leave me life, and I will recognize you as the head of these lands.

***

Antimonik sat opposite the mirror, and in his hand lay a crystal skull. They say that the ancient Druids could read the past and future in these skull stones and could overcome vast spaces with their gaze. The young count received this artifact from Hallon.

Antimonik looked at the surface of the mirror, and scenes of battles, distant cities and countries appeared there. But then the picture changed abruptly, and in the depths of the mirror there was already a black shadow.

– Who are you?

– I’m Zaymond. I think you’ve heard of me.

– You are an ancient fallen High Elf. Many people call you the devil.

– This is true.

– Go away. I won’t give you my soul.

– Do you think I came to offer you services in exchange for my soul? Nonsense! Your soul will be mine anyway. After all, you killed your teacher for the sake of revenge, which means you have already taken the Path of Darkness.

– Why are you here then?

– I don’t want to leave the person who will give me this world!

– I won’t do it.

– You will. Do you want me to help you take revenge on Geryon for his betrayal and treachery?

The necklace that hangs around your neck once belonged to Hallon. It has power over time and space. With its help you can carry out revenge

***

The next morning, Stel entered the meeting hall of the monks of the Antimonian order.

– Hello, comrade traitor!

– From now on I am the head of the order! – Baron said to Antimonik.

– Really? – Corvell’s son grinned.

– You promised to recognize me as ruler!

«Didn’t I give you all the symbols of power?»

– But the head of your city, according to tradition, is the head of the order.

– I created traditions, and I will break them. We have initiated you into the order, and you must obey the rules if you are the head of these lands. Yes, even a king or a god! You must obey me, traitor.

– I saved your life!

– And I will not kill you, traitor. But do you know how many members of the order can disobey me and kill you? I don’t even recognize their names…

In general, you will have to fulfill the will of the order, Baron Stel, ruler of the free city of Antimonica, faithful novice of the Antimonian order. You must call Prince Silvin, the king’s brother.

***

Only a couple of days passed, and Prince Silvin came to greet the new ruler of the conquered city. But he did not meet the baron himself, but the overthrown Antimonik.

– No one should know about our meeting!

– That’s what I’m talking about. «After all, I have nothing to talk to you about,» Silvin said dismissively.

– I do not tolerate lies and betrayal. And Geryon betrayed my trust. Do you want to become king instead of your brother?

– Are you offering me a coup?

– Geryon himself will give up the throne if you listen to me. But I won’t ask for much in return. The power of my order must spread throughout the Beelzuvian kingdom. And I personally will be your advisor, Your Highness!

– I agree, Advisor!

Worthy souls always find each other. Villains oppose themselves to the whole world, and opposites always attract.

***

At the appointed hour, Prince Silvin lit a black candle saturated with Antimonian magic, and the royal castle was filled with Antimonian sorcerers.

One of them, in a black hood, waved his hand, and the queen and Geryon’s son suddenly disappeared.

– Bring them back! – Geryon exclaimed.

– Not ordered by Antimonik. You must give up the crown, otherwise you will never see them again.

– Stra…

The Antimonian monk covered the king’s mouth.

– There is no need to call the warriors. We’ll figure it out ourselves. Give me the crown and I will let you live. Otherwise you will be dead. And your whole family too.

Geryon took off the crown and handed it to the sorcerer.

– And also give me an oath that you will no longer lay claim to the throne.

– I swear!

– If you try to break your oath, death will occur in a few minutes.

– Who is he? Who is he, this Antimonik, who so easily overthrows kings?

– He is the one you deprived of power. And he will not leave anyone without revenge!

Chapter 8. House of the Sorcerer.

Have you been to the Capital? The city walls are impregnable, as they were created by nature itself. A settlement in the middle of the rocks. And only one gate behind a folding post that hangs over a deep ditch. And inside the house everyone is rich, you won’t find more like them in Seisil. But the most beautiful of all is the white stone castle that stands on Majesty Square. First, the guest must climb a long white staircase under the meticulous gaze of statues of dead kings. And with each new king the staircase becomes longer and longer, and there are more and more statues.

But today the city was filled with carts – after all, tomorrow will be the cherished Autumn holiday. Everyone brought gifts from the harvested crops to present them to the king.

The kitchen was in full swing preparing for the upcoming feast. But four barrels suddenly opened from the inside and heads appeared from them.

– Wow! I almost choked! – said the Herald.

Our heroes got out and wandered around the unfamiliar castle in search of the king. Each time they encountered guards, they had to duck their heads or press themselves against the wall.

– These doors probably lead to the Throne Room! – Esmeralda pointed to the largest doors. They found themselves in a huge, lavishly decorated hall, hung with mirrors. But there were so many guards here that it was impossible to hide from their gaze.

– Gotcha! Uninvited guests! – said one of the guards.

The travelers wanted to go back, but several soldiers also appeared from behind.

– What do you want here?

«We want to see the king,» said Eleon.

– Everybody wants! Grab them, then we’ll figure out how they got into the castle.

– What is it! – a voice came from the next room. – Not a moment of peace! They won’t let you work in peace! – a young man appeared from there wearing a small golden crown on his head and with a round-bottomed flask in his hand. – What’s the matter?

– Your Majesty, we have already caught the culprits!

– These?! What do you need here?

– We wanted to tell you important news. An assassination attempt is being prepared on you, Your Highness! – Eleon blurted out.