LOGINShare
Chapter 59: Families of Old I
Last Updated:
2021-08-16 00:22:35There was in Jmud a powerful family, the Billevis, descended from Mendog, connected with many, and respected, beyond all, in the district of Eossyeni. The Billevis had never risen to great offices, the highest they had filled were provincial; but in war they had rendered the country unsurpassed services, for which they were richly rewarded at various times. Their native nest, existing to this day, was called Billevis; but they possessed many other estates, both in the neighborhood of Rossyeni and farther on toward Krakin, near Lauda, Shoi, Nyevyaja, and beyond Ponyevyej. In later times they branched out into a number of houses, the members of which lost sight of one another. They all assembled only when there was a census at Eossyeni of the general militia of Jmud on the plain of the invited Estates. They met also in part under the banners of the Lustirian cavalry and at provincial diets ; and because they were wealthy and influential, even the Eadzivills, all powerful in Lust
Related chapters
The Book of Deceive Chapter 60: Families of Old II
The New Year 165 came. January -was frosty, but dry; a stern winter covered sacred Jmud with a white coat three feet thick, the forests were bending and breaking under a wealth of snow bunches, snow dazzled the eyes during days of sunshine, and in the night by the moon there glittered as it were sparks vanishing on a surface stiffened by frost; wild beasts approached the dwellings of men, and the poor gray birds hammered with their beaks the windows covered with hoar frost and snow-flowers. On a certain evening Lady Oksana was sitting in the servants' hall with her work-maidens. It was an old custom of the Billevis, when there were no guests, to spend evenings with the servants singing hymns and edifying simple minds by their example. In this wise did Lady Oksana; and the more easily since among her house-maidens were some really noble, very poor orphans. These performed every kind of work, even the rudest, and were servants for ladies; in return they were trained in good manners, a
Last Updated : 2021-08-17The Book of Deceive Chapter 61: Families of Old III
Lady Oksana rose also. Her heart beat like a hammer; a flush came forth on her face, and then pallor; but she turned from the chimney, lest her emotion might be seen. Then in the door appeared a certain lofty figure in a fur mantle and fur-bound cap. A young man advanced to the middle of the room, and seeing that he was in the servants' hall, inquired in a resonant voice, without removing his cap, “Hey! But where is your mistress?” “I am the mistress,” said Lady Billevis, in tones sufficiently clear. Hearing this, the newly arrived removed his cap; cast it on the floor, and inclining said, “I am Alexander Jargan.” The eyes of Sirna Oksana rested with lightning-like swiftness on the face of Jargan, and then dropped again to the floor; still during that time the lady was able to see the tuft long, dark as wheat, an embrowned complexion, blue eyes, looking quickly to the front, dark mustache, a face youthful, eagle-like, but joyous and gallant. He rested
Last Updated : 2021-08-18The Book of Deceive Chapter 62: Families of Old IV
Oksana looked at him with sidelong glance, glad that he was eating and drinking. When he had appeased his first hunger, she began again to inquire, “Then you are not direct from Orsha?” “Scarcely do I know whence I come, —here today, tomorrow, in another place. I prowled near the enemy as a wolf around sheep, and what was possible to seize I seized.” “And how had you daring to meet such a power, before which the grand hetman himself had to yield?” “How had I daring? I am ready for all things; such is the nature within me.” “That is what my grandfather said. Great luck that you were not killed!” “Aye, they covered me with cap and with hand as a bird is covered on the nest; but I, whom they covered, sprang out and bit them in another place. I made it so bitter for them that there is a price on my head— A splendid half-goose!” “In the name of the Father and the Son!” cried Oksana, with unfeigned wonder, gazing with homage on that young ma
Last Updated : 2021-08-19The Book of Deceive Chapter 63: Families of Old V
Oksana looked at him with sidelong glance, glad that he was eating and drinking. When he had appeased his first hunger, she began again to inquire, “Then you are not direct from Orsha?” “Scarcely do I know whence I come, —here today, tomorrow, in another place. I prowled near the enemy as a wolf around sheep, and what was possible to seize I seized.” “And how had you daring to meet such a power, before which the grand hetman himself had to yield?” “How had I daring? I am ready for all things; such is the nature within me.” “That is what my grandfather said. Great luck that you were not killed!” “Aye, they covered me with cap and with hand as a bird is covered on the nest; but I, whom they covered, sprang out and bit them in another place. I made it so bitter for them that there is a price on my head— A splendid half-goose!” “In the name of the Father and the Son!” cried Oksana, with unfeigned wonder, gazing with homage on that young ma
Last Updated : 2021-08-20The Book of Deceive Chapter 64: Families of Old VI
Oksana withdrew, and Sir Jargan went to the porch. But on the way, through the slightly open door of the servants' hall he saw a number of pairs of eyes of maidens who waiting to see him once more had not yet lain down to sleep. To them Sir Alexander sent, soldier-fashion, kisses from his mouth with his hand, and went out. After a while the bell began to jingle, at first loudly, then with a continually decreasing sound, ever fainter and fainter, till at last it was silent. It grew still in Vodokty, till the stillness amazed Lady Oksana. The words of Sir Alexander were sounding in her ears; she heard his laughter yet, heartfelt, joyous; in her eyes stood the rich form of the young man; and now after that storm of words, mirth, and joyousness, such marvelous silence succeeded. The lady bent her ear, —could she not hear even one sound more from the sleigh? But no! It was sounding somewhere off in the forest, near Volmontovis. Therefore a mighty sadness seized the maiden, and ne
Last Updated : 2021-08-21The Book of Deceive Chapter 65: Families of Old VII
The gigantic Kulvit-Hippocentaurus stared fixedly for some time at Eanitski; at last he waved his hand and said: “You 're a fool! Strike your best, but still you can't hold your own before Jargan with a saber.” “For no one can stand before him; but try yourself.” “You will not win against me with a pistol.” “For a ducat a shot.” “A ducat! But where and at what?” Eanitski cast his eyes around; at last he cried out, pointing at the skulls, “Between the antlers, for a ducat!” “For what?” asked Jargan. “Between the antlers for two ducats, for three! Bring the pistols!” “Agreed!” cried Jargan. “Let it be three. Zend, get the pistols!” All began to shout louder and louder, and bargain among themselves; meanwhile Zend went to the antechamber, and soon returned with pistols, a pouch of bullets, and a horn with powder. Eanitski grasped for a pistol. “Is it loaded?” asked he. “Loaded.” “For three,
Last Updated : 2021-08-22The Book of Deceive Chapter 66: The Chase
I InLyubis, Lord Agwen Jargan woke that day early, too early. He rose from his bed, looked through the window. His squad waited for him. He searched for his clothes, saber and pistol. Today was a big day; he didn't want to spoil it. He walked down the room, turning on his heal near the end and up again, several times over. He walked, turned, walked, turned and over again. There was little, he could do in the winter months, which the elves called the dead months. Eva constantly appeared in his thoughts. No matter, how hard he tried, there was no way of shaking her off. He turned. His eyes looked at the large table that was placed for him; he didn't even take a bite. She was constantly there. He walked towards the fireplace, watching as the wood burned. Somebody knocked at the front door of the cabin. He waited. Somebody knocked again. "Enter,"he said, after a break. The long haired, bearded Targar entered, he knelt in front
Last Updated : 2021-08-23The Book of Deceive Chapter 67: The Warrior
A lonely man walked down the path, a path that many warriors try to avoid. There was no other option; he must do it. The neighbors asked him for help. He couldn't turn them down; he didn't want to. At least the street is empty. A lot of things went through his mind. There were only two options, to win or to die, there is no middle ground. A unusual, cold May day, there was nothing else to it. He had a couple of minutes before the ghosts appear. Minutes, he always spent in silence before a fight. To him, it didn't matter, who the opponent was, monster or human.A deep breath, a controlled heartbeat and controlled emotions were his keys to success. They have never let him down. His sixth sense activated, he turned his head, and there was nothing behind him. That was strange, his sixth sense was always right. A figure moved behind him.He swiftly turned, in front of him, there stood a small child. Its eyes were black as the night. The eyes looked directly into his soul, t
Last Updated : 2021-08-24
Latest chapter
The Book of Deceive Chapter 95: The Duel
IAlbert walked with every possible thought in his mind, good or bad. As he walked the sword was near hand, the legendary sword. It was comforting, that one thought was more than enough to raise his spirit. He was near the opening. Down below the earth, placed in an endless cavern, the Dark One was preparing to be free once again. No one of the blessed had noticed that the world has changed, that everything changed, and that even the darkness around them changed. As always, there are is a group that noticed everything. He wondered in what group he was placed, even before the truth was told he know deep inside that everything has changed and he could fell that but couldn't see it.He waited. The Dark One will soon appear, he didn't know in what form and how much powerful he will be. He will appear.IIThe magical chains around Rolfheim, the first among the gods that created this world until he fell, slowly we
The Book of Deceive Chapter 94: The Council
In darkness of his workroom, the emperor sat, thinking what to do next. He had a lot of options to think about. All of them look like the right decision, but on careful analyzes, every decision was wrong. He was at a standstill. Hours passed, he was still at the beginning. To him, they looked like minutes. Minutes, he spent in reviewing. There was always something that he missed.His grandfather was a great strategist and his father before him. Everyone in his family was a great strategist, but no one has a problem that he clashes with. The maps were scattered on a large, massive oak table, maps of all sizes and meanings. The oak table was from his great-grandfather's time. The north is in chaos and the regional lords are fighting against each other, it's more than a good time to attack.King against king, brother upon brother, and the empire was never stronger. In the year since he became emperor, the state has grown dramatically. No one had glorious beginnings, not e
The Book of Deceive Chapter 93: Traveling Stone and the Castle
TRAVELING STONEHjolt wandered through the dark corridors that lead to massive crisscrossed system of caves. Who knows how long did he wander? Darkness was everywhere around. He stumbled and tumbled in the darkness, until he didn’t found a brass hinged door. Naturally, he tried for the hinge, but the door didn’t open. He tried again. When he was ready to take a respite, a voice from spoke the following lines:"Once a dark-eyed Argan girlShod my horse.She asked for a small amount of moneyNot highly valuing her work.What’s your name, young lady?And the young lady replies:"You’ll hear my nameIn the clatter of your horse’s hooves."I rode along the street,I galloped the roads,And along the path among brown rocks,And among gray rocks.
The Book of Deceive Chapter 92: The Storm
I The border with Kirdan, stretched as long as the eye could see, the ground trembled with their gallop. They rode without rest, for days, swift as a wind, for they must deliver a message to Albin. Important news await, which he alone must hear. Their armors were the same; hard to spot the difference between them, the heraldry, which hung on their right shoulder, was the same; a yellow turtle on a green field, the sigil of House Transin. The bull horn-helmed knight stopped for a moment, looked at the worn-down signpost. His dark green eyes looked at the names on the board. He mounted his steed, turned to the other direction and galloped, the others followed in toe. "Kerd is that way,"said the first knight. "True,"replied the bull horn-helmed knight. "Why are we going in the opposite direction?" "Would you go to Kerd?" "No." "Neither would I." "That's the point." "You think that Albin
The Book of Deceive Chapter 91: The Battle
IThe year is 263 of the Ertail Age, during the tenth anniversary of King Kird's ascension to the throne of Northern Moscodia. Two brothers feuded over the birthright for the throne of Felard, who at the time was the center for the druidic brotherhood and the main trading center for the whole region Uthtira. The older brother tried peacefully to calm down his younger brother, but alas, his efforts were futile. The younger brother was manipulated by his wife Girtanna, who lusted for wealth and power of Felard. There were rumors that she had an affair with the older brother. Who knows is this true or not? Man with higher knowledge say that one of the keys to the treasure chamber of the late King Galbar is hidden somewhere in Ferlard.The older brother moved his hand across the cold marble of the statue; he looked up at the eyes of the Wolf God. He always wondered in recent time, do the all mighty gods ever hear the prayers of ordinary people and nobles.
The Book of Deceive Chapter 90: Profit
IThe morning sun shinned bright in the first days of winter, giving a false feeling of warmth. Herbog walked up the creaking, dried oaken steps. He stopped, looked at the guards on the palisade. The guard turned to left, continued down the palisade. Herbog looked up at the sigil of House Aswar, a proud lion danced on the light breeze. He wondered was it a good omen or a bad one, he wasn't very religious, most problems he resolved with the sword, if you could call that large piece of steel a sword. The soldier waited for him to get up, Herbog turned towards the show-covered field; it will be a harsh winter, it always was and will be, ever since the new king came."I don't like it,"the guard said while covering his face with mask that hung lowered to his chest."Neither do I,"Herbog replied.The man turned, "always the same blasted weather.""It could be worse.""True, but still it's blasted.""I know."
The Book of Deceive Chapter 89: Something Begins
Thunderbolts lighted the cloudless sky, made strange patterns, which the astonished viewers watched without breath. Never have they seen such splendor and might. The thunderbolts were a strange and mystical sight in these dry, desert parts of the Continent. It was unheard of, let alone witnessed on a cloudless night like this. It was a strange omen of things to come. The viewers watched as the thunderbolts glided across the sky, meeting in the middle and, once more, going their separate serpentine ways. The children were terror-stricken but had enough courage to continue watching. In the meantime, in a distant and hidden place, a child was born. Its fate was already decided. Tonight, the witches will come for it. A woman stood nearby; there must be something that she could do, anything even the smallest thing would change to course."Ashal rar' an el da raet,"the words stop in her throat. T
The Book of Deceive Chapter 88: Something Ends
IRuins of the old hill fort stood on the top of the Hill, the Hill as it was called, was closer to a mountain than to a hill. Long ago, the fort was a place of splendor and envy. Now, everything that's left is a ruin, a home for the Dread King and his servants. The main watchtower was the only thing that remained same. In its prime, the fort hand at least five or six watchtowers. The dense, lush forest, that surrounded the fort, has changed beyond recognition.People, now a day, call it the dark forest. Once a mystical place, now you can only find ghouls and other creatures from nightmares. Even in the daylight hours it was pretty dark in the forest. The trees with their long branches looked like humans with claws.Wizertein, five months… I ride for that wizard, Jarden thought. He was astonished with the passing of time. To him, it looked like it wasn't more than two or three weeks.In the human tong, Waweren is Tuverin-
The Book of Deceive Chapter 87: Ties
IThe group of men stood and debated in the large longhouse. The major sat in his high chair, which was decorated with two fierce eagles. "What are we to do?"he asked. He had a brooding face that saw seventy winters, each stronger than the other."We will have a wedding,"Olaf replied. "Who's with me?"The hall cheered."Is the choice unanimously?"the mayor stood up. "I ask again."Everyone raised their hands."The matter is closed. Sing men, let the hall echo."The stood up and started to sing:"Friends and kinsfolk met to deliberate To whom would they marry off their kinswoman this year? Rosy youth They deliberatedTo whom would they marry off their kinswoman this year? We want you to wed the son of a king Who has more gold than poor Roland has land? Wed the son of a king
