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© Juriy Tashkinov, 2024
ISBN 978-5-0062-2877-1
Created with Ridero smart publishing system
Chapter 1. Shadow in the south.
There is a moment when summer suddenly gives way to the nature of autumn. Just yesterday, this same sun high on the horizon warmed the air. And now it’s either weak or tired, who knows, but it’s cold not only at night. It’s too early to take out fur coats, but you won’t see half-naked workers on the street. Birds notice these kinds of changes before people. They fly away from their nests, like refugees who leave their homes with a small knapsack in turbulent times, keeping in their hearts the fragile hope of returning. Nature fell asleep, having worked hard in the fields in the summer. The trees are preparing for the last ball of the season, putting on the most beautiful colorful outfits. And mushrooms, mushrooms! People said that this was a sign of an imminent war. Who knows? So far there was no sign of it. It smelled of dampness and moss.
Duke Rigerd walked around the garden, watching the aspen trees wither. He was an elderly man, but not a single hair of his was gray. Wrinkles are a reflection of deprivation. And, of course, a lot of scars on his face.
«There’s something romantic about this weather,» he said.
– Yes, Your Honor! – said Councilor Otraud. – I also love autumn.
– And to be honest, I’m not very good. Rain, cloudy, damp. But that’s not the case now. The bright sun does not seem to notice what is happening around. And I myself want to live and create.
Rigerd did not like stuffy choirs. During the harsh winters, he held meetings in the castle; more often they took place in the open air.
– So what did you want to tell me, adviser?
– Disturbing news reaches me from the south. Some shadows are moving there. People are whispering about this more and more loudly.
«People are always talking about something,» said the Duke. – If we listen to all the gossip, there won’t be enough ears.
– That’s right, Your Honor. Every day a hundred or two news arrive at me. We have to sort the wheat from the chaff. But this time the rumors have some basis. Ennian lands are deserted. People are leaving their homes. They seek a better life in Eldoras, some even reaching the Morelean forests. And everyone is talking about the same thing. Ghosts in black hoods entered their homes, depriving relatives of their sanity.
– What do you think: there is a new crazy sorcerer who is disturbing people by sending visions?
– I don’t know such magic, Your Honor. Most of the victims flatly refused to leave their homes. But one man’s wife finally persuaded him. I looked into his empty eyes. It feels like someone drank the life out of him completely.
– Necromancy?
«I don’t think so,» said Otraud. – He’s alive. But it was as if someone had cast a spell on him. I tried to remove all the curses I knew – without results.
– I wish I could take a look at this patient.
Otraud smiled meaningfully.
«I always believed in you,» said Rigerd. «Others have to repeat the order several times, but you understand me without a single word.» Lead!
The adviser opened the carriage door, and Rigerd sat down next to the young man. His bottomless eyes did not express even a shadow of emotion.
– What is your name? – asked Rigerd. The man continued to look with an unseeing gaze. Then the Duke had to repeat the question.
«His name is Asir, Your Honor,» said the woman, whom Rigerd did not immediately notice. – And I’m Elisa, his wife. Sorry, he hasn’t been himself lately.
– Tell me what happened?
– I barely lost my legs myself. And she saved the children. The good remains, but don’t care about it! We’ll make something new. But you can’t turn life back, it’s one, and it’s in the hands of mischievous Fate.
Shadows began to visit us. I didn’t believe it myself for a long time. People say things. We are far from the capital, and ordinary cities cannot be seen miles away. So let’s have fun as best we can. We tell stories, sometimes scary ones. But this time the stories turned out to be true. Many people have gone crazy. The wheat is heading, but they are lying on the stoves, not going to collect. The light, you see, is not nice to them. And one day trouble knocked on my door. I open my eyes in the middle of the night, and lo and behold, a dark hooded ghost stands in front of me. Asir, he is brave for me, he was not at a loss, he distracted the attack, and in the meantime I grabbed the children. They looked surprised, saying why she woke me up in the middle of the night, it was still dark. But I didn’t answer, I grabbed him under the armpits and carried him into the forest. You can even fight off wolves with a stick, but what can you do with evil spirits? It was only at dawn that I decided to return home. And there is Asir… – the woman burst into tears.
– Come out! – said Rigerd. Elisa obeyed him.
The Duke preserved the magic of the true Morellians. However, he could not use it in front of witnesses. If anyone finds out, especially the Emperor himself, do not cut off Rigerd’s head. The old ruler went crazy. In recent years, all he has been doing is searching for witches. Supposedly in the name of good, but how many good people from this wide world survived.
Rigerd ran his hand through the air, and a bluish fog flowed behind his palm. Useless. Asir continued to look at the Duke with an unseeing gaze. Rigerd looked into his bottomless eyes and stepped back. He frightenedly opened the carriage door and jumped out.
– Are you okay? asked Otraud.
– These spells were created by someone stronger than me. It’s a pity I can’t visit the Ennian lands myself. But I will send Leivead. My nephew took over our family’s gift for magic. Maybe he will be able to find out the truth?
Chapter 2. Messenger
The wind blew, carrying golden leaves around. The dragonfly fluttered up: probably the huge dragonfly had not had time to fall asleep. A black-haired guy with long hair and a neatly trimmed mustache was holding the hands of a curly blonde with blue eyes.
– I’m so glad to see you, Nisa! I barely survived this summer. A few more days without your face and I would be finished.
– But we met exactly a year ago. Remember that walk under the golden chestnut trees?
– How could I forget? Stay, please! Be with me. We will have a magnificent wedding!
– Father will not give a blessing. You know he is strict and unwavering. Once he decides, that’s the end of it.
– It’s not for him to live with me. Let him think about the good of his daughter at least once!
– He doesn’t trust the Morellians. It constantly reminds us of old wars in which your people fought on the side of the forces of Darkness. They say here that necromancers and Zeymond worshipers nest here even now.
– My uncle doesn’t communicate with you either. But he will never refuse if I decide to leave you with us.
A branch crunched. The lovers instantly turned around, letting go of their hands.
«Sorry, young people, for distracting you,» said Otraud. – Viscount Leivead, the Duke wants to see you.
***
Rigerd was sitting at the table. There were documents in front of him. He dipped his pen into the inkwell and wrote a sweeping signature. When the nephew came in, he immediately put aside his work. He took his pipe out of the drawer and lit it, blowing out thick clouds of smoke.
– Uncle, you should quit smoking. No matter how I approach your room, I constantly hear a cough. This will not bring you any good!
– It seems that you communicated too closely with Aunt Annette, may her ashes not fade away! She also grumbled constantly. However, I survived it!
The Duke stared at one point. There was an awkward silence for a moment.
– I called you on business, Leivead. I need your sorcerer’s gift.
Rigerd briefly described everything he knew about the events in the south.
– Gather a squad. Travel to the borders of Ennian Forest. Find out what kind of misfortune is going on there. Just don’t risk yourself or the soldiers. Every sword counts for me. I smell a battle coming soon. Okay, gather the people, we’ll meet for a communal dinner in the evening. Because I have a lot of work now.
Leivead sighed. Rigerd looked at him studyingly.
– Have you met the princess again?
Leivead was silent.
– You are no match for her. The Emperor will never accept your candidacy. Mark my words. I have known Gartaur for several years. He is stubborn as a sheep. He would rather marry her to one of the Sutheringians. But not with the Morellian!
– Can origin somehow influence matters of the heart?
– Politicians don’t care what people feel. They are only interested in profit. It’s better to renounce her now, before you become inextricably tied to her.
– Looks like you’re late, uncle.
Leivead had already turned towards the door when Rigerd whispered:
– We are on the brink of war with Velzuvik. It looks like the days of the United Kingdom will soon be numbered. Complete your duty in the south and return. And forget the princess. Then it will be hard. Trust me.
– Okay, uncle!
– Take care of yourself!
– Certainly!
Chapter 3. Ghost
Viscount Leivead’s detachment was approaching a small village called Odebrun, which is on the border of the Ennian forest.
Silence. It seems that no one except travelers dared to disturb it, not even birds were heard. Gray clouds have been swarming in the skies for several days in a row.
«It feels like no one has been here for thirty years!» – said Ermekar, one of the soldiers. Battle-hardened, graying, but retaining the sparkle in his eyes, like a young man’s. – Fields where unharvested wheat rots. Yards overgrown with grass.
«My uncle said that the attack happened no more than six months ago, and the last residents left their homes a month ago,» said Leivead.
– Oh, I don’t like all this. Not good, my heart feels.
– Hey people, is anyone there? – shouted Leivead. – People, respond!
Silence. The Viscount pushed the wooden door, and it opened with an unfriendly creak. It smelled of dampness and musty air. There were abandoned remains of food on the table. Midges swarmed. Fresh footprints were visible on the thick layer of dust. The Viscount followed them. There was a man lying in the corner. Leivead grabbed the unfortunate man’s shoulder to turn him around and looked into his face. Open eyes looked at one point.
– Looks like he’s dead. «It needs to be burned,» Ermekar whispered. Suddenly the man opened his eyes and grabbed Leivead’s hand. The warriors immediately took up their swords.
– Messenger of Darkness, you are not welcome here! Leave our lands! Otherwise there will be retribution!
After these words, the man seemed to lose all interest in the guests. He lay down in his original place. Did your eyes remain open? He looked blankly at the ceiling.
– What does it mean? Why did you say that?
The owner of the house continued to lie silently.
– Answer! – Leyvead trotted him by the shoulder.
– Leave. I don’t want guests.
– Strange place. «You can’t say anything,» Ermekar said. «I hope we won’t stay here overnight?»
«We will stay here until we find out the reasons for what happened, ” said Leivead.
– Leivead, have you seen his eyes? Look! They radiate a power I don’t understand. They…
– Someone has enchanted these lands. And this is by no means a weak sorcerer.
They entered every house, and everywhere it was the same: desolation. Where such colorless people lived, and where it was completely empty. We decided to spend the night in one of these abandoned houses.
We chopped wood and lit the stove.
– I hope the owner won’t be angry? Why do we behave as if we are not guests at all? – Ermekar asked.
– A kind host would not allow his guests to die of hunger and cold.
We roasted the chickens that were scurrying around the yard.
The night lay a heavy black and gray blanket. An owl hooted. The gray wolf howled, the fierce, lonely wanderer. Hungry, or simply hating the whole world. Or maybe he just started singing? It’s getting colder. The glass was frozen with a strange pattern. A storm howled outside the windows. Leivead woke up with a bad feeling. Others did not sleep either. Creaking footsteps were heard outside the door.
They walked outside without saying a word. The door creaked treacherously.
When you exhale, light steam flows.
– Stop! Who goes! – Ermekar shouted into the darkness. He saw better than others at night. Leyvead looked closely and saw a shadow in the distance moving towards them. – We’ll shoot. Come on! – the uninvited night traveler did not pay attention to the words, he kept moving towards the soldiers. – Once! Two! Fire! – arrows flew towards the uninvited guest. But he, not paying attention to the arrows that seemed to pass right through, walked leisurely towards them. Or maybe they were just poorly oriented in the dark, so they missed? This is unlikely! The best Eldoran marksmen rarely missed their target. Meanwhile, the mysterious night owl was approaching. You can hear his chilling breath. He is tall, three heads taller than the tallest of the warriors, Krystell.
– Who are you? – Leivead asked. There was no answer. The stranger extended his crooked fingers. Leyvead succumbed to an incomprehensible feeling and pierced his new acquaintance with a sword. But the blade passed through the hooded man without causing him any harm.
– Ghost! It’s a ghost!
The warriors clumsily read prayers, and Leyvead remembered the words of the spell. Meanwhile, the spirit looked into Ermekar’s eyes. He turned to his comrades and hissed:
– We warned you! Go away! Leave our lands!
For a while Ermekar regained his composure. He cast a spell, and violet flames enveloped the ghost from head to toe. And then the villain flashed green and disappeared into the fog.
Ermekar sank to the ground. He was looking somewhere into the distance.
«Run before it’s too late,» he whispered.
– What happened to you? – Leivead asked.
– This ghost… He is not like us. I have seen a lot in my long life, but not this! He drank my soul, it was worth looking once into his bottomless eyes.
– You killed him! It’s over now!
– No, everything is just beginning. I got to know him! Understand? You must know this necromancer spell, Leivead.
The Viscount knew. The book with forbidden knowledge lay in a closed wing, but he often secretly made his way there to, by the light of a darkened candle, glean a new secret inscribed on worn parchment. Necromancers of antiquity knew the dead from the inside in order to find a weak point and return them to their graves.
«I have come to know him, and it seems to me that now I am poisoned by his charms.» I’m afraid of becoming just like him. Please kill me. And then run before it’s too late.
– But we did not fulfill the will of my uncle! We still don’t know what happened in these parts. And these lands are under the protection of the Duke!
– You’re unlikely to find out anything. These ghosts are a dime a dozen here. I read it in a moment when I looked into the eyes of the monster. They eat souls, leaving emptiness. Dolls! All local residents are now just dolls in the hands of ghosts.
– We’ll go to the forest…
– No, you will go home. We need to assemble a Council of Necromancers. And maybe you’ll even have to ask Velzuvik for help. You can’t defeat ghosts that easily. Run before it’s too late.
Ermekar closed his eyes and showed no more signs of life. His heart was beating, his lungs were heaving, but not a word came out of his mouth.
Leivead whispered words in a forgotten language, and a bluish mist of healing spells escaped from his fingers. But it’s all useless.
– We must find out what secrets the Ennian forest keeps!
Krystell placed his hand on the young man’s shoulder.
– Have you heard that Ermekar rocks? We must deliver him to the Duke. Maybe he can heal our comrade? Leivead, beware of imprudent actions. Sometimes it’s worth retreating, but waiting for reinforcements rather than getting into trouble. There is only one life, you can’t turn it back.
Chapter 4. Council of Necromancers
Duke Rigerd wrapped himself in a warm blanket and drank a hot infusion. Councilor Otraud entered the room.
– Why don’t you feel sorry for yourself, Your Honor?
– I hate autumn! – said the Duke. – Rains. Once you get exposed to cold streams while hunting, that’s all, for a couple of weeks you are a slave to the bed.
– I brought you medicinal herbs. Add them to the broth. It is not good for a ruler to skimp on health. You know. All you have to do is snap your fingers, and Seisil’s best healers will come to you.
– Do not you understand? – whispered the Duke. – I’m tired. I’m too tired. I want to rest. And illness gives you the right to a little respite.
– Blues – this is the main cause of the disease! How could I not have guessed. This is a disease that affects kings, but not the poor. They don’t have time to think about what could have happened but didn’t!
– You know, I sometimes envy the poor. I want, like them, a carefree life. Business, constant heavy thoughts – this is the destiny of the ruler.
– I dare to distract you from melancholy, this black bile. It looks like war can’t be avoided.
After these words, there seemed to be no trace of the Duke’s illness left. The eyes lit up with lively interest. And hatred.
– Tell me, Advisor.
«Please follow me into the throne room,» said Otraud. – I caught a new criminal on the borders with Suthering.
Rigerd put on clothes that should only be worn on special occasions. When facing an enemy, you always need to look decent.
Surrounded by Eldoran guards, stood a short young man. Despite his age, his face was already adorned with several scars.
– Your Honor, we caught this man trying to execute three people…
– Three witches! They are Zeymond-worshipping witches! – the young man shouted.
– So you now decide who lives and who doesn’t on my land?! – Rigerd was indignant.
– Not me. Emperor! Sun-Face himself gave me this right. You can look at my certificate. It is in your breast pocket. Take it and admire it!
Obeying the duke’s subtle gesture, the warrior brought a parchment, folded several times, that was in the prisoner’s pocket.
– What does he allow himself! – Rigerd shouted, angrily throwing the document on the floor. Otraud immediately bent down, picking it up.
«The bearer of this has every right to administer the Imperial Court in the name of the fight against evil spirits. All persons suspected of communicating with the dark must be subjected to the test of healing fire.»
– Still was a one-of-a-kind United King. The rulers of the lands gave him this right. And then a whole retinue of governors,» said Rigerd, walking around the hall, «And Gartaur decided to go further, declaring himself emperor.» He deprived the rulers of the lands of all privileges. Previously, we were called princes, but now even this has been deprived. Where has it been seen that I was a duke! What about the princely title? Perhaps he forgot that my family comes from kings? And if necessary, we will remember this!
– The Emperor is in his right. If necessary, he can execute you, Duke! If you resist the eradication of enemies.
– What right are you talking about? He is an emperor as long as the princes allow him to do so!
– He is the Bright Lord, the messenger of good on Earth. He foresaw that Morelia, an ancient ally of Antimonikos and other followers of Zeymond, would create obstacles. Therefore, the army will soon approach your borders.
An unknown symbol flashed on the criminal’s shoulder, and the man turned to ashes in a matter of moments.
– Seal of fidelity! «It can’t be!» Rigerd whispered. – I wonder if he was joking about the Bright Lord?
«His eyes didn’t lie,» said Otraud.
– Looks like it’s time to assemble the Necromancer Council.
– Are you sure, Your Honor?
– Is it possible to believe anything at a time like this?
***
That evening, the necromancers of Eldoras gathered for a large meeting.
«Hello, masters,» said Rigerd. His illness vanished as if by hand. «I gathered you today to tell you that war has been declared on us.» For a long time I was forced to hide you from the emperor, but he crossed all conceivable and unimaginable boundaries. I am equal to you in strength, oh masters. Therefore, I want to take a worthy place in your organization. Honestly, I want to become your leader.
– We need to check on you, Duke.
Green lightning streamed from the fingers of the gray-haired old man towards Rigerd. But the Duke repulsed them with ease, turning them into a fireball at the same time.
– Truly, you surprised me! – said the old man. «Few people are capable of blocking my blow.» We will take you as our Grand Master.
– Tell me, do you have any ideas about the battle with the Bright Lord? – asked Rigerd.
– The Night of the Spirits is coming, when the distance between worlds is thinner than usual. I suggest going to the ruins of the city and meeting the spirit of Antimonik.
Chapter 5. Spirit of the Past
It is unlikely that anyone would consider the ruins of the old town of Antimonika a welcoming place. In the middle of a forest that spread out in waves in all directions. Once upon a time there was a Magic Forest here, and the stone giants waged an endless struggle. However, with the departure of the elves, their magic also disappeared. Then there were clearings, but King Silver healed the wounds of the old forest, planting it with new trees that managed to stretch to the sky, blocking the sunlight with lush crowns.
However, an invisible line separated the place where the Dark City had once been located. There was no living space left from it; hundreds of experienced magicians ensured that they dispelled the witchcraft of this place. But not a single tree takes root beyond the unmarked line. Birds avoid the cursed place, except that sometimes vultures nest. The castle is destroyed, but there is an altar, still intact as it was centuries ago. How much blood did he absorb during the reign of the terrible masters of these lands that many hammers could not break him?
It was getting dark. Duke Rigerd’s detachment was approaching the ruins.
– Your Honor! It’s not too late to stop,» said Stuart, one of the masters. – There may be no way back!
– We must ask the advice of the ancient spirit.
Twelve men stood in a circle. Rigerd stood behind. He whispered an ancient spell that could open the door between worlds. Despite the late autumn, it seems to have become even colder. The men shuddered, but there was nowhere to retreat. In the circle outlined by magic, black smoke appeared, which acquired human outlines.
– My servants! You decided to awaken me! I’m flattered, thank you! – said the demon.
– I was happy early, Antimonik! We only called you for a while. We need advice, the progenitor of our lands!
– And what is the reason? I can’t see your face while I’m standing outside the circle. Let your sorcerers disperse, and I will fulfill any of your desires.
«It’s not time for you to appear again in our world.»
«Then I won’t say a word more.»
– We will dedicate our every action to you. Tell me, is this not enough? You left the world of the living many years ago. If you are not remembered, you may sink into oblivion. But our servants will call your name if you answer our questions.
– Okay, ask.
– Velzuvik is ruled by a crazy emperor who wants to exterminate all necromancers. He took the side of the Light, as far as I know. Tell me, what can we oppose to him?
The demon grinned.
– I can only advise one thing. Release me.
«No,» Rigerd said firmly.
– It’s a pity. Then one of you must become a Dark Lord in order to oppose the Light One, who has gone mad. Although, as I see now, he’s not that crazy. He sold Eldoras to the Duke of Suthering. He promised to marry his daughter to a Suthering nobleman. Beelzuvik and Suthering have united in the fight against you, unknown ruler of Morelia.