Chapter 66: Chapter 12
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Damian.
We travelled from village to village across the Nazair. It was early spring.
Unfortunately, we had to move out a little earlier than planned due to unforeseen circumstances.
We stopped at an abandoned house near Assengard. It was the ruins of an ancient elven city that was occupied by the Nazairians and destroyed by the Nilfgaardians, I think, five or six years ago.
The place is now abandoned. Well, we decided to use it as a lodging, because it was raining like a bucket outside. A good master wouldn't send his dog outside in such weather, not to mention our desire to go somewhere like that.
- And that's why you got us into this mess in the first place? - Bella snorted. - We used to have a good life, didn't we? We had such a nice place. We had feasts, people, tournaments, fun, and even orders to hunt monsters, and you ruined it all with your cock. - She was already seated on an old chest that had been left by the previous owners.
- What did Damian do? - Baldur stood in my defence.
- He fucked a married princess while her husband was on an official visit to Vikovaro, and when he found out what was going on at his wife's place, he went off trying to get him and us together. - Sparkle backed her up. - And I just found a lovely place to rest and hunt. And there are so many targets on the borders to test bows. Mm-mm. - and she became a maniac. - And he's gone and ruined everything.
- To think of it. - I smiled. - Did it hurt you so much that you had to leave Bockler's palace and hide in Nazair, out of harm's way? I'm the leader of your little band. A little more respect.
- Of course I respect you, Damian. - Spark nodded to me. - But now I hate you too. And your scenes... they make me want to vomit.
- What scenes? - Mika didn't understand, as he roasted a small wild boar on a spit.
Bella sat up straight and parodied Anarietta's way of doing things, while Iskra knelt down on her knee with a pitying face and took her palm in her hands.
- My Princess. - Iskra theatrically "sang" looking into her eyes. - Please forgive me, but I must leave you. I know what I'm doing is unworthy of a knight. More than once I have seen that I am not worthy of the honour you have recently bestowed upon me. But, alas, I must say it again. I leave you, my lady.
- But why?! Are you, Ser Damian, afraid of my husband?
- No! I know that when we cross blades, it will be his blood, not mine. And you will have to wear mourning. I will bring wrath and shame upon your glorious name, my dear Princess. - Iskra made an even more pitiful and at the same time inspiring grimace. - I am obliged at least to preserve your honour. You must know that I will not spill Toussaint blood or bring the disgrace of the nobility or the people upon you. I will leave tonight. I'll leave Toussaint and I'll hardly ever return. I wish you a happy life. I am sure you will find your happiness with a worthy husband like you, not with me, a mere mage who became a knight at your will and failed to live up to your expectations. My vicious love has not borne fruit, only tears for you and a torn heart for me.
- Don't say that! - cried Bella as Anne-Henrietta. - I love you, my sweet Damian. And though we are separated by status and age, my heart flutters at your words, your smile, your lips and your looks. My body burns like a fire, please don't leave me. Raimund will not touch you. I give you my word!
- Don't give me that word, my lady. - Spark shook her head. - I dare not hide behind the woman I love. And though I am not worthy of your love, nor am I worthy even to speak your beautiful name. But please Henrietta, my sweet Henrietta, let me and my friends go in secret and don't try to track me down. I wish you the best. I'm sorry to disgrace you, but I must go!
- No! - "Anne-Henriette sobbed." - Don't leave me.
For about ten minutes, until the boar was ready, this comedy performed by the two women who were present, or rather peeping at our last conversation with Anne-Henriette, were jabbering and teasing me. And most importantly, they accurately captured part of the conversation. But this pseudo-rhythmic crap was not present in our conversation. But you can listen to it... if it's not about you.
Good thing they don't know about Fringilla. I don't really know how it happened. Even Istredd didn't tell me about the dangers of this kind of communication with powerful sorceresses who have power, and Fringilla, with Annarietta's husband and her cousin herself, has weight in the country.
And it's a good thing I managed to get my hands on his winery after old Bolus died of his chronic illnesses. When we were leaving, I sold it to the Baroness I had rescued, with the secret agreement that when I returned she would give it back to me. Of course, she was actually the manager there, and I gave her some of my savings to develop the winery.
- Ha-ha-ha-ha! - Eastredd laughed heartily while chewing on a piece of pork. - Still, these girls are talented.
- We are talented in many ways. But you don't realise it. - Iskra said proudly and winked at Bella, who had become her best friend, I guess.
- A woman's conspiracy. - Baldur grunted and went on with his piece.
- Jennyfair has no idea what a womaniser she's growing up to be. - Istredd said thoughtfully again. - You don't look at ordinary girls, you look at princesses.
- I agree to countesses and baronesses, too. But, alas, I took what I had. - I shrugged my shoulders.
- Well yes, what you were "given", you are happy to take. - Bella laughed, and she was supported by Iskra.
- I'm a kind and good-natured guy, if I see that a lady has no one to fuck but me, I just have to do a good deed.
- So you're a philanthropist? - squinted at the elf. - You see a lonely woman and just consider it your sacred duty to get under her skirt, because who else but you? You are so "merciful", "kind-hearted" and "noble", probably only you can claim the title of "ideal man".
- Don't be angry, Iskra. - I waved it off. - You know, even though you're my mate, and even though you're Dh'oine, but still, you can always claim a night with me. I'm not sorry. And neither will you, Bella. We're mates!
- Ah, you... - further even I weakly understood her mother tongue speech, only smiling with a sense of accomplishment, continued to eat.
And the abandoned house was filled with the laughter of our boys, under the incessant downpour of rain and Iskra's matting.
Soon our regiment arrived.
On the horizon we spotted three horsemen moving down the street toward us. The smoke from our campfire was visible to them. That's why they were heading towards us. I finished scanning the three of them before they came towards us. Ordinary people, men. Probably mounted troops or patrols. Or maybe travellers, like us.
I signalled to the others that it was all right and to just stand by.
The trio came out to us.
They were dressed casually, remotely reminding me of the game Herald, but with chain mail and light helmets, and behind their backs instead of two swords, one, and one round shield. They also had greaves on their feet and armour on their hands. They also had a knife for freebies. And a dagger on each side.
- Sorry to intrude on you, gentlemen travellers, but we saw that there was a fire burning and thought that perhaps we could warm ourselves here. - said one of them, the one with the moustache and the beard like a bayonet shovel.
- If you have no evil intentions, we are glad to have good company, warriors. - Istredd smiled at them.
- I give you my word that we have no evil intentions. We are mercenaries, travelling north to our homeland. We were mercenaries in Zerrikania, and now we have decided to return home.
- Please take a seat by the fire.
- Thank you for your kindness. We'll just get the horses out of the rain.
- I'll help you. - Mika volunteered.
- Thank you, boy. - smiled at the talking mercenary.
A couple of minutes later they came back more calm and kind.
We all sat down in a circle. The boys took out their supplies, we added the wine we had taken from Mr Bolus's stash and got to know each other.
I had already read their minds, like Eastredd, they were not dangerous individuals. Simple mercenaries that were really on a long campaign, and after getting screwed over in the last mercenary contract, they decided to screw the customer and go home. So this is where we met. Though from what I understand, they didn't even think about sailing on a ship for some reason. Probably because of the pirates and not wanting to mess with the merchants. It was a Nilfgaardian merchant who ditched them. So they were better off on their own.
- My name is Borchis of Dubrovka, and I come from Upper Aedirn. - Then he pointed his thumb at a tall man, like Baldur, even a little taller, with blond hair and beard. - That's Osmund the Giant, he's with Skellige. - and then turned his gaze to the last member of their group, who had a strange haircut, a short black beard, and a tattoo on his neck in the shape of a turtle. - And our last friend Miro the Turtle, though he looks like a Skelligian, he's from Tsidaris.
- A motley bunch. - Istred nodded. - Were there many northerners with you, or just you?
Borchis did not have time to answer, for Bella and Baldur interrupted them by turning cheerfully to Osmund:
- Uncle Osmund?!
- Hmm. Baldur and Bella? Ha! The little ones! How you've grown up so much... hahahahhh.
The three of them rushed round hugging each other and shouting about something. We didn't know what was going on at first, and then I realised that our Skellijans seemed to have found their lost relative.
- Guys! - Osmund said cheerfully. - These are my nephews. The children of my third cousin Baldur the Bear. Remember, he was a berserker like me.
- That's a familiar face. - Miro the Turtle chuckled. - I've seen your brother, he and his son are two peas in a pod. And shouldn't he be fifteen or sixteen years old?
- I am seventeen! - Baldur grinned and put his arm round his uncle.
- All the men here are growing up like yeast. - added Bella. - And as you can see, we are all alike. One blood, one spirit, one vocation!
- Yes. - Borchis stretched out, rubbing the top of his head. - They say the earth is round, even if the priests say it's flat and rests on three whales.
- It's an interesting coincidence. - Istred scratched his chin. - A family reunion, that's good. I think we can drink to that again, and even more.
- Indeed it is! - roared Osmund, clutching his nephews to him.
The situation is most amusing and perhaps useful to me. These three, if properly recruited, could become part of my squad. I can tell from them that they are not pampered and sweet knights from Toussaint (though not all of them are like that), not fantasists, but self-confident and experienced fighters. But Borchis is unlikely to work out, he's clearly raring to go home. Baldur and Bella's kin may well stay, by the looks of it. Miro the Turtle is still a bit of a mystery. He seems to have more in common with Osmund than their mate. But I could be wrong, I need to talk to him more.
And so I did. While Istredd and Borchis chattered about their old age, I listened attentively to the other two, and sometimes I intervened in the conversation and scanned all three of them, reading their thoughts and feeling their emotions.
By late afternoon they were all quite tipsy, both our guys and the three of them. Only I and Istredd and Iskra were conscious, though Mika was also sober; nobody poured for him at all, but he was a child compared to the others, so they didn't pour, though I was going to give him some wine to try. They went to bed, and I analysed all the information I had received and was convinced that I was right. Osmund was already thinking of finding an excuse to stay with us. He wasn't in a hurry to go to Skellig, he had no one there except his old brothers, who were either in the service of other Jarls or perhaps were mercenaries themselves, and the only close relatives were his brother and sister, who were his third or fourth cousins, I didn't understand their lineage. And Osmund wants to take Baldur as his apprentice and make a berserker out of him. And if we have one berserker with us, Baldur might do well. And two such daredevils in battle is a serious force.
Even I remember, after the war with the Inns was over, I once fought a trio of berserkers from the Northmen and almost lost. They are, especially when experienced, quite dangerous opponents. Granted, I'm a mage now and the risk on my part is understated, but it should still be noted that I've already agreed to this addition to us.
Miro the Turtle, who was nicknamed for the fact that he often managed to wander through the forest as a child, until he learnt simple skills of orienteering in space and until he gained experience in life, was called a turtle, but then he grew up and knocked out everyone who called him that. But soon he changed his anger for mercy and himself at will stuffed a turtle on his neck and even made himself a shield from the shell of a turtle, which was destroyed in the first battle. But the nickname remained with him. He was the son of a fisherwoman who had been raped by a skeleton man, a lonely woman with five children and a prostitute in addition to fishing, a typical situation in this and my past world. As for his plans, he does not intend to become a ploughman or a fisherman. He wants to hold a sword, not something else, so he's going to enlist in the Aedirn army as soon as he says goodbye to his friends. They've been fighting more often lately than other kingdoms and they pay well. It's understandable, skirmishes with elves, petty squabbles, plus raids from the Blue Mountains, smugglers, wars over the Pontar Valley....
In general, whoever is looking for adventure in one place will find it. He just needs to show that with us you'll earn as much, if not more, and he's ours, at least I think so. My instincts don't fail me, it's rather I fail them.
Borchis is another matter. He's a family man, in spite of everything, and he only did it for the money and the love of his family. He has a mother, a couple of sisters and children at home. He used to send most of the money he saved to an account in Mahakam Bank, through which his relatives received funds. So he is lost to us.
In the morning, Osmund began the conversation as cautiously as one can speak cautiously. It's clear what he wants, even to a non-intriguer. I didn't play the kisser and let him know right away that I'm not against expanding the company. Istredd has not been worried for a long time about the expansion of the company and the feeding of the whole hagala, which does not interfere with my training with him, because we get everything we need by orders and hunting.
Then followed breakfast.
The rain did not stop during the night and continued during the day. In the end, we all decided together to stay in this town indefinitely. There was no point in travelling through slush and washed out roads to the nearest town.
After breakfast Mika went with Iskra to feed the Horses, and Borchis joined them. Istredd went back to sleep. I, on the other hand, was engaged in practice bouts with the others.
How surprised the Cydarian and the Skellijan were when, after all their losses to me, they learnt that I was a spellcaster. For them, a sword-fighting warlock is almost like a fairy tale. But when they calmed down, they told me that they had heard such tales about sorcerers in Zerrikania. But in truth, they'd only been there a month or so and hadn't seen many local mages. So maybe there's a school of battle mages of their own there.
So I gave myself a note to visit Zerrikania and talk to the local colleges.
Although, as far as bouts with these guys go, they are indeed strong. It's just that I win due to experience, a better body, and the surprise effect. They thought I was just a young knight and fight differently.
But that's secondary. I earned their respect.
But then Osmund pestered me with rematches until lunchtime, and after the nineteenth time I had two suspicions. The first was that he was either a latent witch doctor (it sounded dirty), because he was really very tough. And the second - that losing in the training sparring is not disgraceful. After all, purely morally I am already tired of it. But as I said, we were interrupted by lunch, which saved me from the twentieth "rematch" of Osmund.
After lunch was over, Miro snorted unhappily and spoke to Istredd:
- Mr Istredd, you are not a weak sorcerer, as I can tell. You have magic. So why don't you enchant the sky and stop the rain?
- It's not that simple, my friend. - Eastredd smiled slightly. - Magic is certain algorithms, laws and traditions. So are the forces of nature. In principle, a strong enough Water Master or an experienced mage can stop this rain, but the consequences will not be very pleasant for this area and for the neighbours as well. It is not customary for mages to interfere in the cycle of natural processes without urgent necessity, collective decision or special emergency situations.
- How's that? What do you mean? - Miro frowned.
- My teacher says that the seasonal rains in Nazair are an important part of the ecosystem not only in this region, but also in the neighbouring ones. - I began to explain, seeing that Istredd was trying to find words to explain to this dullard why we were all wet here. - It can harm the economy, the wildlife and may even cause a catastrophe. Besides, even if the teacher and I join forces, we still can't stop rains of this magnitude with just the two of us. The area and power of the rain is very large. I had already thought about it, but when I scanned the space and remembered what I had been taught about Nilfgaard and the words of the local scientists, I realised that it was better not to do it.
- There are pitfalls everywhere. - Borchis grinned.
- That's right. - I smiled. - Sometimes even mages have to obey certain rules.
- So, you're... you're Mr Damian... er, Ser Damian, aren't you? - Miro didn't know how to address me.
- I think I can go by Damian now. - I shrugged off the formalities.
- Damian, well, you went against the rules of wizards and use a sword in battle and even became a knight!
- I don't remember the Brotherhood of Wizards having such rules," I shrugged. - I shrugged. - We don't limit ourselves in that respect. Just because few wizards like to get their hands dirty. But sometimes some of us take simple weapons in our hands and wield them as well as ordinary people. It's all a matter of taste and necessity. In addition, mages can be knights and nobles, and there are cases that and monarchs. It depends on the situation. As for me, the sword is my favourite weapon. You never know what might come in handy, so I learn everything I can. - I smiled at them and nodded at my sword. - And a few years ago I became convinced that, despite how great a mage you can be, a mage's powers are limited. For example, when he's in a dimmerite. Then all that's left is your wit, your wits and your strength.
And I answered honestly. You never know what might come in handy, and I've grown fond of the sword in my past life. But most likely I will try to promote firearms, which I sometimes miss so much. But with the strong Brotherhood of Wizards and the Chapter, it will be difficult, almost impossible for me to do so. So they'll probably have to actually survive Thanedd in due time. And if it doesn't happen, I'll have to arrange something like that for them myself.
After lunch, Osmund the restless soul wanted to challenge me again for another rematch, but he was besieged by Miro and then Borchis, who wanted to test their strength with me again.
But after them, Osmund was no longer at my side, but fought with his nephew, whom he had taken on as an apprentice.
As Istredd had predicted, the downpour continued for another twenty-four hours, and it was only around lunchtime that we left the ruins of the ancient city for the nearest town.
We stopped at Martha's Booze Tavern, all nine of us.
But no sooner had we checked in than we found ourselves an adventure on our arses.
Bella, accompanied by her friend Spark, had gone to the owner of the place, Martha, to ask for food, drink, and lodging for our crowd, and five Imperial soldiers had piled in at the same time.
My gut itched, and I let Baldur, Eastredd, and Mika know to be careful. Borchis, too, sensed something wrong and gave the five a leering look.
- Hey! Mistress! Bring the best vodka and pork for the brave warriors of Nilfgaard.
- Right away, sweet knights. - the hostess fussed, forgetting all about us.
The five of us sat down near the entrance to the tavern and began to laugh and crack jokes. We didn't draw attention to ourselves. My gut told me something was going to happen. But I closed my eyes and checked them with magic, they are simple people, fighters of the Nilfgaard army. So not dangerous to us, not even nobles among them, just soldiers.
After a couple of minutes the inn wench brought them what they needed, and Iskra and Bella solved the question of the night's lodging.
My gut was starting to calm down a little, and I thought for the first time in my life that my gut was failing me. Five more minutes and we were brought beer, vodka and local mead, wine, and for a snack baked bread, chicken, turkey with apples, boiled crayfish and fish.
I monitored the table of Nilfgaardian Empire fighters, but I had more or less calmed down.
Until I saw a man sitting in a dark corner, looking at the soldiers with a scowl and a clearly disgruntled expression. He wasn't ugly, but he wasn't exactly handsome either. Thirty years old, grey eyes, pale skin, dark hair slicked back, and a dark tone to his clothes.
And everything would be fine, but when I monitored the first time, I saw in the magical spectrum of all living creatures within a hundred metres, and I didn't find him. And this man didn't come in with the five, nor did he come out of the kitchen with the servants. He's been here all the time, and he's good at hiding even without magic. I checked him again, and he was gone. It was like he didn't exist to magic. I mean, even ghosts are faint, but they can be felt. That's interesting.
I think we've met a higher vampire here, like Regis. Except it's definitely not him. Interesting, interesting. So what do we do now?
As I was thinking about what to do with this bloodsucker, six more Nilfgaardians piled into the tavern. But there was an officer among them.
My gut now sounded the alarm and...
Here it comes!
Istredd threw the dome on for protection, though I realised we weren't the target, so he wouldn't have touched us, but he began to cut the other visitors to pieces.
What was it about the Nilfgaardians that this vampire had such a problem with?
In a few seconds it was all over.
He stood alone among the scattered bits of flesh, guts, and shit that had been left behind. And he himself was covered in blood. The black and red composition suited him, especially under his pale face.
- Don't be afraid. - he said in a calm tone. - I won't hurt you, I had old scores to settle with the soldiers, but not with you. So you have nothing to fear.
I think I'm beginning to realise who it is.
A small smile seemed to creep onto my face, but I hid it quickly.
It was the ultimate vampire from the game universe. And his name was Detlaff. And his full name was Detlaff van der Eretain.
A rather tall and somewhat handsome statuesque man of about thirty-five years of age. He is brunette with a few grey strands on his temples and light blue eyes, inhumanly pale, and has a lean, aristocratic build.
He was dressed when we met him in a black leather coat over a dark grey camisole, black trousers and boots with metal buckles and lapels. With black fingerless gloves, belted with a leather belt. And on his belt, apparently for beauty or appearance, he had a short dagger with a single cutting edge, which hangs on a leather belt behind his back with the hilt towards the ground. Though it was possible that it was something dear to his memory.
He was walking away and I was frantically thinking of ways to stop him and recruit him.
In the end, I had to let him go. There was no point in fighting him. Recruiting him now, and then having the Imperials chasing us, that's not a good idea. I'm a risky guy, but not to the point where I'd want to take stupid risks and put my men in a losing fight.
While a couple of the other tavern patrons were soaking the tavern owner and her wenches and getting their nerves back in order. Eastredd turned to me.
- It was a superior vampire.
- I get it.
- That's good. They're not as dangerous as they might seem, given the information I have and what I found in your mother's library, I can assume they're pretty much the same as we are. Dialogue with them is possible, but it is dangerous. There are aggressive individuals among them as well as intelligent and some might say kind. This vampire is somewhere in the middle. We're not likely to cross paths with him. Keep that in mind. But keep your guard up just in case.
- I'm always vigilant. You know I am. - I smiled at him.
- I know, but just in case, be careful.
It felt like he'd managed to bypass my mind defences and read my mind about this vampire.
- Can we just fuck this town and get the hell out of here? - Miro the Turtle asked. - I'm not a coward, of course, and if necessary I'll meet my death with dignity, but I don't want to fight him.
- And will not have to. - said Istredd. - He's a superior vampire. He did what he wanted and left. He won't stay in this town much longer. So he'll leave. We'll have to stay here for a while to avoid him.
- I think we'll be detained anyway. - I said. - We're witnesses after all. So we'll have to stay here for a while anyway. Or they'll put us on the wanted list. We can leave, but what's the point?
- That's right, you say. - My teacher smiled approvingly. - So we need to send a messenger to the local authorities and tell them what's going on. I think we'll be stuck here for ten days.
That's what happened. We sent Mika to the town authorities, and half an hour later a dozen strong men and a representative of the local magistrate arrived, who questioned us and politely asked us to stay until the arrival of the investigator from the provincial centre, who would arrive any day now.
And when he arrived, I laughed in my heart at the irony of fate and who we had met.
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