Kitabı oku: «Dragon’s Empire – 2. Goddess for Dragon», sayfa 3

I tried not to pay attention to how familiar Vincent appeals to me. While I was a prince, he talked with me much more respectfully. After all, then I did not have success in the witchcraft field, and Vincent had no reason to be angry with me, but now he was supervised by the black envy.

It was difficult not to notice that Vincent is wearing a high, deaf collar, fully hiding the throat before the chin. On a hot day it could seem strange, but in the tomb was too cold. Vincent resembled very much a nyx or an elf, a little grew stupid over time, but still charming. The impression was spoiled only evil, feverishly glittered eyes. Many years ago, their expression was completely different.

«I see, you have not achieved success in your sea travel. That’s right, I did then not go with you,» I decided to tease him a little.

«It is very difficult to achieve success alone. I did not have such a patron, like some. There was not even an accomplice who would never fail me. I am worthy than others, but everything in life is given me with great difficulty.

«Your life was supposed to end a couple of centuries ago,» I wanted to say, but I decided to give him the opportunity to speak out.

«It always turns out that everything is easier for the lazy royal son,» he was obviously exhausted by his eloquence, leaned tiredly against the column.

«Why did you come?» Finally I asked.

«To express everything that I think about you,» he answered. «You have no right to overheard other people’s conversations and spoil my plans.»

«So the lord drove you away?»

Realizing that the question is rhetorical, Vincent only pursued his lips.

«There should be at least a bit of honesty in you,» after a short silence he grunted.

«You would not prevent to keep caution, then you would not appeal to anyone’s honesty. You twice allowed me to overhear the conversation about your plans.»

«Twice?» Vincent was alerted.

«The first time you were too passionate to notice anyone presence. You so skillfully praised your talent to cook poisons that it seemed to convince yourself in the fact that you have the right to be called an evil genius.»

Vincent was staring at me, then he knocked himself with his palm on the forehead, and whispered quietly:

«So what’s the matter!»

«Today you kicks against the pricks. Doors are locked. Here in the crypt, we are alone. Even if the townspeople suddenly open the doors and notice the disappearance of your eminent person and then find your body, torn by the dragon claws, it will attract only terrible legends that walk around this place. By their opinion, you will turn into another unfortunate sacrifice of the local ghosts. And then new assumptions will go, they will take the perch of the deft novelists to explain somehow your death, refute or confirm the guesses of the people. By the way, you do not know, printing machines have long used in this city. In other places, I have not seen a single shop with printed books, but here they are only in the center more than a dozen.

Vincent did not answer, only tightly pressed back to the column.

«It’s not me then wanted to poison you. Lillian and a sly astrologer are to blame. Remember, I came to you not only to invite with myself, but also I wanted to warn, I just realized that you had already exposed their tricks,» he began to justify.

I almost laughed. Vincent lied masterfully. His game on stage would cost applause. It must be, he did not go to the actors just because the work in the Inquisition was more prestigious and safe. Being there and pretending to be faithful, he could not be exposed.

«Did I wound in the dark street any other robber, not you?» I asked in the same friendly tone, but the threat was still in my voice. «Next time, when you want to get a knife from the boot, try to make it more prompt. Not every passerby let you go after you try to cut his throat.»

Before Vincent managed to come to his senses, I jumped off the sarcophagus and darted to him, tightly grabbed him for the forearm and clung to the collar. The fabric with a crackling broke out, exposing a terrible scar that pulled on the throat and chest. It was a trail from five claws.

«Who did wound you so much? Speak honestly!» I ordered, without releasing him from the dead grip.

Vincent did not even try to resist, realizing that he could not break out. He was silent, feverishly thinking how to embellish the truth, but then I looked aside and whispered softly:

«She!»

«Who?» I demanded again, shaking him with force.

«It happened there, on earth of the burned state,» he said. «There is only ash. I hardly managed to find the hatch’s cover. I just wanted to take a few parchment scrolls from the baron’s pantry. I didn’t think to take everything. Besides, I did not know that he all bequeathed to you.»

I released Vincent, saying strictly:

«You won’t steal anymore. If you believe baron’s stories, then you are still easy to get rid.»

«He could bequeath everything to me, not to you,» Vincent backed up, like a hurt animal, but still ready to scratch and bite. «Why do you need such an inheritance? You and so have the knowledge and power that others can only dream.»

«Are you jealous?»

«Yes,» he honestly admitted. «Why did everything go to you, not to me? After all, I am no worse. Noble blood flows in my veins. I would have a title, if my father did not boil, entered into a plot, but most importantly, I always sought to get power, while everyone’s favorite junior prince neglected his position. I would take advantage of the love of the people and the king to become the only heir, instead of playing nobility. In addition, if the throne inherited the pet prince of sorcerer, then the deceased kingdom would now be rich and flourished.»

ЭAnd in the crowd of frightened people there were a lot of sorcerers, gnomes, elves and other faithful servants of the ruler – the dragon.

Vincent has already managed to repeat «why are you, not me,» and before he managed to start the same song, I strictly broke it off.

«Source of my strength is knowledge. With one dexterity, without prior training it is impossible to practise witchcraft, otherwise you do harm yourself and others. Are you ready to follow my example and spend many years in a conversation with witchcraft books. How would you distinguish the truth from lies, because you can not be pouring the poison or hit the knife in the ghost. And you need to spend not one ten years there to choose the original, and not fake key to the truth. I doubt that you are ready to sacrifice your youth and relative health. If you are prudent and repent of your words, then I cure you from these ulcers,» I pointed to the inflamed scars that Vincent tried to cover with scraps of the collar. «Although they remind you of untimely heroism, but for the ladies it is an unpleasant sight.»

«I could heal them myself,» he hesitated.

«But for some reason you did not. Maybe just did not have time?

«What do you need for pay?» Vincent became incredulously.

«I am afraid that I will have nothing to demand from you, except for the promise no longer arrange conspiracies against me and do not wait for me in a dark alley with two cowardly mercenaries.»

«Why should I believe in your honesty?» Vincent considered a tempting offer.

«Take it easy!» I touched his shoulder, but Vincent suddenly cried. My touch burned him. I didn’t want to hurt him at all, especially when we barely entered into an alliance.

«So I knew that you were lying me,» Vincent almost shouted. He instantly found himself at the far wall and now he was looking in a hurry for a secret lever that opened the hidden door. «Remember, Edwin, destroy such an opponent, as I, you will not succeed. Sooner or later, but I recognize what is the mystery of your power and even exceed you.»

He slammed down the secret door, and I finally could breathe easier. Due to the appearance of Vincent, I was deprived of those few hours of rest, which I was going to spend in the crypt, away from vigilant observation and persecution of my so-called «patron». After listening to the tantrum of Vincent and numerous undeserved reproaches, no one would have been able to calmly fall asleep. He stirred unpleasant memories, made me think over my problems again. What power can we talk about if I have to hide from the prince as a runaway prisoner. After all, I would have remained a prisoner if I did not have time to leave enough away from the strength that was trying to subjugate me.

I remembered the night by baron Raul. An incredible guess came to my mind. After all, the old baron knew about the strength of his treasure. Standing, next to the sealed door, I heard mounted voices. They said they waited for me for a very long time and finally waited.

The baron was a smart person, he did not only read books, but also collected his own library. He wanted to give his treasure to a stranger, whom he saw for the first time in his life. Of course, this stranger killed the wild boar and earned the award, but did not deserve such a heavy cargo, as inhabiting in the depths of earth an ancient and powerful evil. Did Raul guess that the shy hero, who was afraid to admit his lack of education, sooner or later will be the one who became a prisoner of evil fate and a sorcerer.

I would never have thought that the century later I would return to the very place where the terrible treasure was hidden, but I will not be afraid of supernatural creatures, because I became one of them. Probably, scientists and astrologers have understood from the very beginning my destination. It should have felt that the black wings of an invisible demonic satellite will be rustling behind the back of a dismissed prince. Now, even when I made my original appearance, the shadow of the dragon often flashed in my eyes and could easily expose me.

It was necessary to pick up my inheritance covered by ash, until some clever friend or follower of Vincent got into his own hands such a formidable weapon, because sooner or later it is possible to find the key to any lock. In addition, it was impossible to neglect the tips of the spirits, which were not once mentioned about where treasures were hidden for the next ruler. In the fact that I will succeed in getting all this treasures from under the ground, I did not doubt, but it was nowhere to hide my inheritance, with the exception of this crypt. The cold room was located much lower than the level of the ground, no one would have dare to enter here. Vincent went, slamming the door, and it is unlikely that he will have a desire to return, but just in case it was necessary to follow safety.

There was neither pen, nor ink with me, but next to the lamp was lying a piece of chalk. I took the chalk and drew the long formula of the witchcraft signs over the secret door, then I drew some similar signs next to the threshold. Now the door was closed for Vincent.

But this seemed to me not enough. The future treasury should be hidden from human eyes. e.

I went out. Chains and locks with a quiet ringing closed after me. It was necessary to call the fog so that he would shut up the crypt with a dense ring and did not allow anyone to even look into this direction. In the fog, no one can find the way to my shelter. I read a spell.

Already at the first words of the spell the dense fog thickened around. It will hang here and at noon, and in the evening, and at night. White rings will melt over drying ground and gradually the townspeople will even forget about what was in this place. They will find their explanations for the fact that a small block of land near the city center in any weather is located in the fogs.

It took quite a bit time to get out of the neighborhood of the city to the spacious sea coast, over which the first evening stars were lit. It was necessary to wait for the night, but every minute of waiting was difficult. The instructions of the spirits were not a lie. I saw how far from the shore over a separate section of water was a weak radiance, as from an open treasure chest. The hidden treasure was visible only to one-sole observer.

In the evening fishermen and sailors could be met in the taverns. There were two taverns located near the coast. For a short time, choosing between two institutions, which used in the district the same bad reputation, I headed for a crowded «Knight of hearts», but it was worth only to cross the threshold, as two burglars, standing at the entrance, immediately rushed to the side. Nothing remained from their militant appearance, one even pressed against the wall, ready to retreat. Looking at them, I recognized two smugglers, whom the Percy and I have easily survived from the cave. They were far from being happy to see me. I stopped in front of them, crossed my hands on my chest and looked at them. The guy noticed the golden dragon embroidered on the camisole and respectfully removed the hat.

To read the thoughts of these two did not make difficulty. Retribution for their atrocities from the heavenly strength they feared much more than the whole royal guard. The scene in the cave they considered as the sign from the heaven. They quickly managed to swim through the canal and hide their boats in the reeds of another coast. Their hasty and fear of unknown came just at the right moment.

«In the near future, I will not cause an evil to you,» the smooth voice, which sounded as if from the bottom of the grave, not only did bring them out of the stupor, but drove in even more superstitious fear. Of course, such visitors, as I and Percy cost fear, but before I assumed that the robbers are less cowardly. Perhaps it was so in those times when Florian was preparing to inherit a flourishing country, but now the villains have become more mean and less brave. It was interesting to observe how these two tremble for their skin.

«I need a boat with a durable bottom and one rower,» I demanded. The elder comrade pushed the younger one. The boy with an unpleasant appearance and still uncovered head stood in front of me and did not dare to put on his shabby cap on his head.

«Let’s go,» I ordered strictly. «If you will exactly execute all my commands, it may even be possible to get a reward.

He went down after me, while his comrade, reluctantly brought the boat. Fear was a reliable guarantor for the fact that they would not try to swindle.

Soon the boat with a carved nose cut the water’s surface. Two oars with a splash loose on salty seaside water. The rower barely coped with them, so the boat all the time looped, instead of heading straight to the right place. Of course, I could send the boat so that it smoothly rolled forward, but it was better to get strength to the point when I have to get the luggage from the seabed. The boy was trembling all the time or from the cold, or from fear of unwanted neighborhood. One thing to stand in a cozy tavern and with curiosity to look at the dangerous nobleman and quite another thing to stay with him alone in a swinging boat when there are only ripples on the water, and under the boat is the bottom of incredible depth.

When the boat finally got to the right place, I gave another order:

«Stay here. Soon I will come back, wait for me and do not try to run away!»

I jumped down. The frightened smuggler, watched me with the opened mouth. After all, he did not understand that I had plunged into the water already completely in a different guise. The skin of the golden snake was not a luxurious clothing.

In the thickets of corals, it was not possible to immediately notice the chests with gold. The ship, transporting gold, sank too far from this place, but the spirits managed to drag all the most valuable here. With claws it was easy to raise the chests and tear them off from the bottom. My satellite did not even notice how the dragon’s paw deftly threw the luggage into the boat. He just stared at the chests, appearing as if from nowhere. I jumped in the boat after them.

«Turn to the shore!»

After another order we sailed in silence until the boy dared to speak.

«You promised to reward me,» he said.

«So what? We have not even reached the shore.»

«You can everything?» Quietly sounded the question, full of hope.

«What do you want to ask?»

«Only the love potion.»

I had a short laugh. I thought he would ask for one of the gold bars hidden in the chest.

«For this, they usually turn to the witch. You are the first who asks such an uninteresting trifle from a more powerful creature.»

He recoiled, noticing dangerous shine in my look.

«Well, okay, who is this beauty? Probably from noble?»

«No, a lace-maker,» he whispered.

«A lace-maker!» I grinned, then still threw him a coin, which he cleverly caught. «Buy a sheet of paper in the hotel, a feather and a little ink. I will write you a recipe.»

«But I don’t know how to read,» he protested.

«Well, wait for me in the hall for card games, I will bring you a potion,» the petitioner has already started to bother me.

He nodded gratefully.

The boat stuck to the common shore, on a decent distance from the hotel’s yard so that even the visitors of the tavern could not see us.

«You have to wait an hour, maybe more,» I warned the rower, who immediately jumped out of the boat and rushed towards the tavern

In an hour I had to have time to take the chest to the crypt and go into the nearest forest to get the necessary potion. Although the dragon could successfully cope with this, but the aid of Percy would not be a bad thing. I found him near the crypt. He devotedly protected my new ownership. He had nothing to explain. When the chests were fell on the stone floor, and the doors were locked again, Percy followed me to the nearest forest.

Leaving him to wait near the edge, I deepened in the thicket. There was no full moon in the sky, but a new moon also gave enough light. Finding a century-old tree, grew up on the crossroads of a few paths, I took out the dagger and plunged a sharp blade deep into the tree. Dull lights running through the fresh cut and in the pre-substituted flask, drove a thick wood juice. According to the old habit, I decided to fulfill the promise. There was a little more time. Little glowing balls flew low above the bushes, disappeared and again appeared in the most unexpected places. A few minutes have passed before I realized that these are wandering lights. How often they knock down the trails from the road and lure deep into the forest or in a swamp.

However, this time they called me for a certain purpose. After all, before them was not a simple traveler. Tightly clogging the flask and waiting until the cut in the tree dries off and stop shining, I succumbed to temptation and followed the wandering lights. They had fun danced, overflowing with all the colors of the rainbow, looped and flew to the level of high branches. They tried to tell me the way to another treasure. I myself carefully followed the road and counted the steps. I got to the old oak even earlier than the dozens of colored lights had time to take place. They rushed on branches, shifting with pink, purple and purple tones, and I viewed the thick roots of oak, discovering from under the ground. I needed a shovel, but it was not there. However, it was too early to lose heart. It was necessary to find a stick and whisper a spell. In my hands was a useful tool for the job.

Soon the edge of the shovel clanged on forged lid of the chest. I jumped into a deep hole, knocked down a rusty lock and flipped it open to see if it is not a hoax. The chest was full of precious stones and jewels. A handful of gold, sapphire and pearl necklaces are mixed into one glittering mass. It costs to open the chest and on the brightness of the set of priceless items beginning dazzle the eyes.

Percy took the responsibility to deliver the box to the door of the tomb, and I came at the appointed time to the yard in front of the hotel. In the window could be seen the hall where the audience ordered strong ale and shuffle the cards. Only one visitor sat at a separate table with a strained view of peering into the faces of guests, seemed to be waiting for someone. He immediately stood up when he saw me and warmly whispered words of gratitude when I slipped into his hand a sealed bottle.

«I’m grateful to you,» once again he said.

«Why do I need your gratitude?» I took the liberated table and watched how the happy fraudster hurries to his friends playing cards.

Several guards crossed the threshold and headed straight to the table, behind which my acquaintances are located. Of course, they did not pay attention to the young nobleman, which with the most innocent appearance, was located at the window, although the danger proceeded from this side.

The owner of the hotel moved to me. A minute ago, he saw me talking with one of his visitors, now causing the attention of the guards.

«Do you need a room for the night?» He asked uncertainly.

I nodded:

«Yes! I need a key to the room,» I grinned. The prince would not have come to mind that his former student of noble blood suddenly decided to spend the night in such a dirty hotel with robbers.

The owner jammed was clearly not going to remove one of the bundles of copper keys, chatting on his belt.

«What’s the matter?» I asked strictly.

«Sorry, but we never let guests who came after the sunset,» finally said the owner.

So what’s the matter. I wanted to get offended, but I just got up, pushed the nervous suspicious person from my road and slowly said:

«Good!»

Even without turning around, I went out on the night. The door itself slammed after me. It seemed that the moon over coal-dark water was flooded with a bloody color.

I was in rage, and the transformation happened faster than usual. A kind of curious visitor who looked into the window did not see the young nobleman. in the courtyard. Of course, the winged sparkling silhouette, which rose to the roof level, was also not able to notice. Panic in the tavern began only when the smooth dragon wing was demolished part of the roof. Those who managed to figure out what was the matter, rushed into the street, and the others in horror observed how the building easily flashed from the first breath of the dragon.