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Epilogue
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Reapers Of Suffering 1
The bloom turned out well - the first month of summer! Amazingly good. Warm, nice. Rainy days can be counted on the fingers. The current one was completely feast for the eyes. It has been pouring rain since morning. He beat down the dust, blackened out the mighty logs of the tyna and the hewn roofs of the huts, left shining puddles along the paths. And then the sun came out. Grace!Silence still reigned in the yards of the village, but the smoke of the hearths was already stretching over the settlement - soon the hunters would return from fishing, the youth would come from the reeds, the children from the forest. Then the village will come to life: silence will crumble into voices, laughter, squeals, screams and joyful barking of dogs.Summer days are long and bright. Night barely steps on the threshold, barely spreads its black wings over the world, and the morning dawn is already breathing down her neck. It would always be like this...Grandfather Vron, leaning on a strong stick, de
Reapers Of Suffering 2
Winter this year was cold and snowy. In the morning, while you clear the path from the house to the gate, you will get stuck. And the cold is so breath-taking!Lesana was returning from the well with two full buckets, the water in which had already begun to seize with ice. A sharp wind blew in his face, making it difficult to look, burning his cheeks.- Let me help you.And the buckets, which had just been so heavy, suddenly became weightless. The girl looked back, with difficulty opening her frozen eyelashes.A tall, broad-shouldered fellow in a sheepskin coat seized the burden and smiled. His face was round and snub-nosed. The best face in the world! Lesana blushed. Miruta has long sunk into her heart. And he liked her. And in the spring, perhaps, he will come with matchmakers. No, not “maybe”, it will definitely come! From this thought, the soul became warm, warm, and even the burning wind could not cool the burning of the sweet flame.They walked in silence. Yes, and what to talk
Reapers Of Suffering 3
The hard face, overgrown with prickly bristles, was devoid of any expression, and in the eyes ... in the eyes of the dead wasteland. Lesana had never seen such a heavy look before. It did not reflect any feelings, no spark of fun, no curiosity, no fatigue. Nothing. And there were eyes, expressionless looking from under black straight eyebrows, as gray as a cloudy winter sky. And just as cold. And the right cheek of the kref was disfigured by a white welt of an uneven scar.The gaze of the guard glided over the faces of those who entered, and suddenly stopped at Lesan. In the reverent silence, a low voice sounded:- Come on.The girl was numb with horror. It seemed to her at that moment that the kref could read minds and would now shame her in front of everyone that she dared to think about the expression of his eyes and the ugliness of his face.- How many springs do you have?The unfortunate woman was silent, unable to squeeze out a sound.- Are you mute?Lesana shook her head in fea
Reapers Of Suffering 4
The man froze near the tree, which was not reached by the faint light of the burnt out fire. The tall man looked intently and beckoned the victim to him.As if enchanted, Lesana took a step forward, but froze when she met an invisible barrier. Something prevented me from moving on. And green, like swamp lights, eyes flickered, attracted ...Only then did the girl remember: blood! The charmed ore of the guardian is what does not let her go beyond the outlined circle. The werewolf knew this. But he needed food, and he was looking for a way to get it. And the victim could not resist the inviting gaze, enveloping, attractive, promising ... Therefore, she leaned over and hastily scratched the ground with her nails, seized by the last spring frost. The barrier separating people from the inhabitant of the night collapsed.Lesana stepped out of the safe circle into the darkness, reaching out to the man. Oh, how she longed to touch him! To snuggle up with your whole body, to inhale the smell,
Reapers Of Suffering 5
Chapter 3The last day of the journey was unseasonably warm. The sun warmed so gently, as if the month of the melter had been replaced not even by green and to, but immediately by the color of the shadow. The retinues seemed as hot as sheepskin coats, and the future learners threw them off with relief, secretly glad that they did not see their mothers, who would certainly begin to scold. The Krefffs didn’t care, but Lesana and Ailisha, taking advantage of the fact that none of the village gossips would cackle over their ears, took off their headscarves and even slightly loosened their braids.Tamir, no, no, cast furtive glances at his companions, involuntarily comparing them with each other. What, it would seem, is different: now a girl and then a girl - two arms each, two legs each, a pigtail. But if Lesana - ruddy rich, soft, like a loaf just pulled out of the oven - aroused warm curiosity in the soul of a young baker, then a shy doctor with a gentle blush that illuminates swarthy s
Reapers Of Suffering 6
The corridor descended steeply and soon the windows were replaced by smoky torches. Eilish listened to the echo of footsteps and whispered in Lesana's ear:- In the soapbox, I still understand, but what kind of hrychovka and why go to her?- Cut the braids, - without turning his head, the guide dryly enlightened them.- How to cut? We are girls! - the future healer froze as if rooted to the spot.- You are no longer girls, but novices of the Citadel. There are no girls or boys here, only future guardians. And their hair is only a hindrance, - the senior student stopped.- Well, are we to go to the ports and wash with you? Lesana died.- In the ports - of course, but to wash ... Well, if you only want to rub your back, otherwise - separate soapboxes, - the guy laughed and added more stricter: - Let's move, otherwise they will punish you on the first day. You will quickly understand how to chew snot.And they again rushed somewhere down.Soon a corridor led them to a low door with an ir
Reapers Of Suffering 7
A murmur passed through the vaults of the hall, but Ned lightly struck the table with his palm and, in the silence that reigned, continued as calmly as before.“If someone is afraid of my words and decides to run away, then I don’t keep anyone. The gates of the Citadel are open all day, and at night the gate in the wall is not locked - for those whom the sunset caught on their way. Just remember, - he looked around at everyone with a heavy look, - as soon as you move away from the walls, the amulets and witchcraft that protect the fortress, you are no longer intercessors, and the first walker will devour the fugitive. And in a few weeks, a special sign will be inscribed on the gates of the shameful settlement, by which any guardian will know that a coward was born here, betraying his compatriots and family. And no one overshadowed will help the inhabitants of the place that gave birth to the fugitive.Lesana bit her lips. They knew. They all knew it. They understood that studying at t
Reapers Of Suffering 8
After closing the door of the dead, Mairiko and Kleskh went to the upper tiers of the Citadel. They walked in silence, each thinking about his own and not hearing the ghostly echo of steps hovering under the high dark vaults. What were they thinking? About those distant days when you yourself found yourself in the walls of a stone stronghold - frightened and miserable? They hardly remember them. After all, from a half-wild boy who grew up in a fishing shack, and from a girl from a remote forest village, there was nothing left, except for the names once given by their parents. The past is hazy. It became a stranger. Fake. There were drafts on the upper tier, but it was not as damp as on the lower ones. The mentors and the head of the Citadel lived here. Kleskh stopped when he heard a short chuckle behind him. He turned around, looking inquiringly at his companion, and she suddenly said something that he himself had briefly thought about as he walked along the worn steps. – Do you re
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Reapers Of Suffering Epilogue
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
Reapers Of Suffering 51
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,
Reapers Of Suffering 50
- 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
Reapers Of Suffering 49
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
Reapers Of Suffering 48
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
Reapers Of Suffering 47
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
Reapers Of Suffering 46
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
Reapers Of Suffering 45
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
Reapers Of Suffering 44
“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
