Sweet led the daughters by the hands. Radosh sniffed sweetly, arranged in a piece of canvas tied over his mother's shoulder. They were all together again. And Diven no longer looked dying. They had passed through the thicket and were now walking through a young forest that stretched along a fidgeting river. Peace reigned in my heart. The children no longer appeared translucent to blue. Spring brings back hope. And the wanderers dragged on, trying to cover as much distance as possible during the night. I already vaguely remembered the harsh winter, knee-deep snowdrifts, and how Slada and Diven left the chase. Even the Citadel itself and the outlandish hunter seemed like a dream. But I still remember the second day after the escape, when the wife and husband stopped for the night. Diven cut down a hut in the wild more often, and they buried themselves in it. The woman hoped to rest, but her husband did not immediately allow her to take a nap and fall asleep. Grabbed by the shoulders,
“Whoo! Wow!!!" the wind whistled through the trees "Tsh-sh-sh ..." - powerful crowns responded to his thin howl. Tamir tried to fall asleep, but for some reason sleep escaped his head. And, although for a few days spent in the saddle, the guy was exhausted - even fatigue could not knock him into a slumber. He was still afraid of the forest. Not even so much those who walk, live here, but the thicket itself. With my mind I understood that the forest feeds, waters, gives shelter. Look, take them with Veles - already nine days on the road, and there is nothing to complain about. Sleep on soft, eat hearty. And yet the forest remained a forest. He frightened the novice, who still did not really know how to find his way among the impenetrable thicket, did not know how to remember the path he had traveled. Velesh was from the village, so he willingly told the youngest about everything he knew: he taught him to find streams in the thicket, remember the way and find the way in the sun. But
The rope, thrown over the dryer pole, swayed measuredly. It was hot. The barn smelled of old manure. Shreds of last year's dry hay stuck out of the gaps in the eaves. Skotin had to slaughter greenfields in the middle , when Siyana fell ill, and Volynets was up to nothing. The wife had a hard time giving birth, but the daughter was born strong, pink and noisy. The father and grandmother nursed the child together, because the mother fell ill. Volynets treated his wife with Dar, but even Dar did not help in such rotten weather. A rainy spring turned into a cold and also rainy summer. Water poured down from heaven day after day in unstoppable torrents. The earth became limp, the young grass began to rot, neither mushrooms nor berries grew in the forest, the fields turned into swamps - there was nowhere to sow bread, and no one ... However, little by little, Shiyana stood up, although she was still weak. Volyn breathed a sigh of relief. Therefore, when on a rainy morning of the month of
Kleskh dismounted, threw the reins over the horse's head and handed them over to the jumping servant. - Mentor... Lesana stood a little apart. She looked at the kref with eyes that were dimmed, but filled with hidden relief. - Take him to Nurlisa, then to the soap house, to the doctors and to the refectory. Show the Citadel, explain everything. Then we'll talk. Go with her,” the last kref said, turning to his companion, a strong, broad-shouldered fellow who had just left the saddle and now stood at a respectful distance. The guy tried to look calm, but confusion was reflected in his dark eyes. Lesana gave the newcomer a quick glance and nodded, inviting him to follow. He obediently moved after her, but the girl felt his eyes glowing with curiosity behind her back. Still - a girl in ports and without braids. Or maybe he did not understand that she was a girl? And then Lesana remembered how Febr led her, Eilisha and Tamir in the same echoing corridors of the Citadel to the lower ti
Evening descended on the Citadel. Kleskh returned from Lesana to his unheated dark rest and sank down on the bench, inhaling the smells of the Citadel: dampness, stone, preli. It was necessary to order one of the servants to heat it. And, however, one night and so you can endure. I was too lazy to light the light. And the guard sat in the dark, listening to the silence. Ned, without knowing it, made exactly the decision to which he was diligently pushed by kref - exile. And together with Lesana. The mentor of the warriors chuckled and closed his eyes. To tell the truth, the indignation of Ichthor and those who joined him turned out to be unexpected, which almost ruined everything. Well, at least Rust and Donatos have not changed themselves. Klesh smiled contentedly. At that moment, there was a soft scratch at the door: - Open it. Mairico. The guard hid. Can he believe that he doesn't exist? The light is not on. The hearth is cold. You never know where he goes. - I know you're he
How good is the greenery at the very beginning and the air smells! Young grass, damp earth, tart needles, buds that are ready to bloom with sticky young leaves. That is why a childish bubbling joy boils in the chest at this time. Lesana stood, bent over a boiling pot. Fragrant bread bubbling merrily. Above the clearing, where the girl and her mentor settled down to rest, a sweet mushroom spirit floated. The student smiled as she stirred the stew. Kleskh was not picky, but he did not like mushrooms - passion. And precisely because he hated them to the point of mental inversion, the girl deliberately kept a handful of dried mushrooms at the bottom of her shoulder pad. Kref grew up on the shores of the Evil Sea. They did not know and did not eat mushrooms there. Therefore, he could mutter two turns about these "slugs" and never repeat himself. The girl chuckled, foreseeing how the mentor would burst out, returning from the forest to the parking lot. White, boletus, russula - only they
If someone asked the student Kleskh to tell about how she lived for three years, wandering with kreff through cities and villages, the girl probably could not tell beautifully and smoothly. And what is there to say? About the days spent in the saddle - under the wind, rain, snow? About spending the night under the open sky, when did the heat overcome, or cold, or dampness? About how sometimes she woke up in the fall, and her hair (fortunately short) froze to the roll placed under her head? Or how you wanted to wash and sleep, but instead you had to drive carts one by one along the forest roads? How did you learn to wield a sword? How did she kill the first werewolf, who, for her bad luck, turned out to be not a wolf, not a fox, not a forest cat-lynx, but a bear? Or remember how Kleskh ran after her with a jerk at the ready through a remote village and yelled: “I’ll kill the scrawny !!!” Well, this is after she shied away from him for nothing, mistaking him for a walker in the middl
- I brought a novice who went to my students for five springs. Now her training is over, and I speak my word for her. Lesana of the Ostrikova clan is ready to accept the belt of a warrior from the hands of the head of the Citadel. The krefs looked at each other. Ned looked at Kleskh from under his brows, gloomy as a thundercloud. It seemed that a little more and start throwing lightning. - So, the belt ... - said the caretaker and thunder could be heard in his voice. - A belt for a worthless girl. Where were you? For three years - neither hearing nor spirit - only sent quitrent money with occasions. Yes, even magpies flew several times with notes, where they learned to look. Only by your magpies, not a single novice could be obtained! And now he appeared, when they didn’t even look forward to waiting, the belt demands! Lesana's mentor answered evenly. - I, the head, do not have a great day to wait for me. And I don't need a belt. My belt is with me, - Kleskh pointed with his eyes
And then the caretaker laid siege to himself. Again he is angry with Kleskh. Again he is blamed. As if all the troubles of the Citadel are from him alone. No, not from him. Or not from him alone. Trouble is a great many. Only now, Lesana's kref teases everyone tirelessly, does not obey the word of the elder, goes against the will. And maybe right? Maybe, indeed, youth and strength tell him a different truth? The one that Ned, with his stagnant mind, can no longer hear? Wants, wants Kleskh, lascivious bastard, power! It is eager to lay a hand on the Citadel, to establish its own rules here. Just mindless. Mad. By the stubbornness of the young! Heaps things up, let him come to power. He'll screw up, he'll put everyone under attack. But the head pulled himself up again, realizing that Kleskh was perhaps the only one who would be a fortress and learn to protect more than the apple of his eye. And if not? Will not if? If he loves to amuse himself with power?"How are you?" whispered the
When lilac twilight spread over the fortress and hung in the corners like grayish shadows, Lesana was finally girded and released from the chambers of the dejected leader. Instead of a student's dress, the amulet was now wearing the clothes of a warrior, belted with a wide heavy belt, which, surprisingly well, grabbed her thin waist. In unusual attire, the girl still felt uncomfortable. It seemed that the novelty of a black shirt made of good quality linen, a leather top with short sleeves, pants, and the belt itself was too noticeable. The thought flashed through my head that five student springs flew by somehow too quickly. It seems like yesterday she dreamed of unlearning and returning home, but now she has unlearned, and will go home tomorrow. Somehow there? Mother and father would see, cuddle the young. Although ... who is there to squeeze, everyone has already grown. Styoshka is seventeen this year. And what is Styoshka like now? Stoyana Svet Yurdonovna. Elke, that is, Elavi,
- I brought a novice who went to my students for five springs. Now her training is over, and I speak my word for her. Lesana of the Ostrikova clan is ready to accept the belt of a warrior from the hands of the head of the Citadel. The krefs looked at each other. Ned looked at Kleskh from under his brows, gloomy as a thundercloud. It seemed that a little more and start throwing lightning. - So, the belt ... - said the caretaker and thunder could be heard in his voice. - A belt for a worthless girl. Where were you? For three years - neither hearing nor spirit - only sent quitrent money with occasions. Yes, even magpies flew several times with notes, where they learned to look. Only by your magpies, not a single novice could be obtained! And now he appeared, when they didn’t even look forward to waiting, the belt demands! Lesana's mentor answered evenly. - I, the head, do not have a great day to wait for me. And I don't need a belt. My belt is with me, - Kleskh pointed with his eyes
If someone asked the student Kleskh to tell about how she lived for three years, wandering with kreff through cities and villages, the girl probably could not tell beautifully and smoothly. And what is there to say? About the days spent in the saddle - under the wind, rain, snow? About spending the night under the open sky, when did the heat overcome, or cold, or dampness? About how sometimes she woke up in the fall, and her hair (fortunately short) froze to the roll placed under her head? Or how you wanted to wash and sleep, but instead you had to drive carts one by one along the forest roads? How did you learn to wield a sword? How did she kill the first werewolf, who, for her bad luck, turned out to be not a wolf, not a fox, not a forest cat-lynx, but a bear? Or remember how Kleskh ran after her with a jerk at the ready through a remote village and yelled: “I’ll kill the scrawny !!!” Well, this is after she shied away from him for nothing, mistaking him for a walker in the middl
How good is the greenery at the very beginning and the air smells! Young grass, damp earth, tart needles, buds that are ready to bloom with sticky young leaves. That is why a childish bubbling joy boils in the chest at this time. Lesana stood, bent over a boiling pot. Fragrant bread bubbling merrily. Above the clearing, where the girl and her mentor settled down to rest, a sweet mushroom spirit floated. The student smiled as she stirred the stew. Kleskh was not picky, but he did not like mushrooms - passion. And precisely because he hated them to the point of mental inversion, the girl deliberately kept a handful of dried mushrooms at the bottom of her shoulder pad. Kref grew up on the shores of the Evil Sea. They did not know and did not eat mushrooms there. Therefore, he could mutter two turns about these "slugs" and never repeat himself. The girl chuckled, foreseeing how the mentor would burst out, returning from the forest to the parking lot. White, boletus, russula - only they
Evening descended on the Citadel. Kleskh returned from Lesana to his unheated dark rest and sank down on the bench, inhaling the smells of the Citadel: dampness, stone, preli. It was necessary to order one of the servants to heat it. And, however, one night and so you can endure. I was too lazy to light the light. And the guard sat in the dark, listening to the silence. Ned, without knowing it, made exactly the decision to which he was diligently pushed by kref - exile. And together with Lesana. The mentor of the warriors chuckled and closed his eyes. To tell the truth, the indignation of Ichthor and those who joined him turned out to be unexpected, which almost ruined everything. Well, at least Rust and Donatos have not changed themselves. Klesh smiled contentedly. At that moment, there was a soft scratch at the door: - Open it. Mairico. The guard hid. Can he believe that he doesn't exist? The light is not on. The hearth is cold. You never know where he goes. - I know you're he
Kleskh dismounted, threw the reins over the horse's head and handed them over to the jumping servant. - Mentor... Lesana stood a little apart. She looked at the kref with eyes that were dimmed, but filled with hidden relief. - Take him to Nurlisa, then to the soap house, to the doctors and to the refectory. Show the Citadel, explain everything. Then we'll talk. Go with her,” the last kref said, turning to his companion, a strong, broad-shouldered fellow who had just left the saddle and now stood at a respectful distance. The guy tried to look calm, but confusion was reflected in his dark eyes. Lesana gave the newcomer a quick glance and nodded, inviting him to follow. He obediently moved after her, but the girl felt his eyes glowing with curiosity behind her back. Still - a girl in ports and without braids. Or maybe he did not understand that she was a girl? And then Lesana remembered how Febr led her, Eilisha and Tamir in the same echoing corridors of the Citadel to the lower ti
The rope, thrown over the dryer pole, swayed measuredly. It was hot. The barn smelled of old manure. Shreds of last year's dry hay stuck out of the gaps in the eaves. Skotin had to slaughter greenfields in the middle , when Siyana fell ill, and Volynets was up to nothing. The wife had a hard time giving birth, but the daughter was born strong, pink and noisy. The father and grandmother nursed the child together, because the mother fell ill. Volynets treated his wife with Dar, but even Dar did not help in such rotten weather. A rainy spring turned into a cold and also rainy summer. Water poured down from heaven day after day in unstoppable torrents. The earth became limp, the young grass began to rot, neither mushrooms nor berries grew in the forest, the fields turned into swamps - there was nowhere to sow bread, and no one ... However, little by little, Shiyana stood up, although she was still weak. Volyn breathed a sigh of relief. Therefore, when on a rainy morning of the month of
“Whoo! Wow!!!" the wind whistled through the trees "Tsh-sh-sh ..." - powerful crowns responded to his thin howl. Tamir tried to fall asleep, but for some reason sleep escaped his head. And, although for a few days spent in the saddle, the guy was exhausted - even fatigue could not knock him into a slumber. He was still afraid of the forest. Not even so much those who walk, live here, but the thicket itself. With my mind I understood that the forest feeds, waters, gives shelter. Look, take them with Veles - already nine days on the road, and there is nothing to complain about. Sleep on soft, eat hearty. And yet the forest remained a forest. He frightened the novice, who still did not really know how to find his way among the impenetrable thicket, did not know how to remember the path he had traveled. Velesh was from the village, so he willingly told the youngest about everything he knew: he taught him to find streams in the thicket, remember the way and find the way in the sun. But