Bloody Revenge

by Darrell Guidry

  rock.

  - The sleeping Snake! - with pride Haygal spoke. It without effort

  learned native places which did not see fifty years. All present

  morning the Wolfhound listened to it and already understood that he could and not ask

  Dungorma, rechecking the old woman. Now, however, to it had no time for that. It

  looked back towards a light forest, askanced at the sleeping Mysh lulled

  his measured gait, also thought: if I was a robber, I... I,

  can, even right now...

  The guy-patrol going at the left a wagon train is closer to the wood, and

  Likhoslav standing in the vehicle cried at the same time. All heads at once

  turned in that party.

  From the wood, from the thicket dressed by autumn ruddy gold directly on them jumped

  riders. It is a lot of. Nearly one hundred. And the first that was made out by the Wolfhound,

  there were white birch bark masks covering the faces. At Someone, that

  looked richer, masks were shod. Including at the leader. Leader

  this jumped on a magnificent white horse and swung a sword, holding it in

  to the left hand.

  Having jumped out of the wood, the group of attackers was divided into two unequal at once

  parts. That that it is less, directed for the stone cape, wishing to sshibitsya with

  priotstavshy heroes. Another rushed off on pedestrian. It was visible how

  lumps of the green turf scattered from under hoofs.

  Whether a lot of time is necessary for vershnik at full speed to rush slightly

  more poluversta also to fall upon a pedestrian host? It is not enough. But if in

  pedestrian army nobody begins to rush about absurdly if each shestnik

  surely knows what to do to it, - pedestrian during this time too can be in time

  it is a lot of. Knesinka and little girls were vividly hidden for the vehicle, wounded were covered

  spare boards. The best shooters turned towards to flying

  to riders also threw up in good time the equipped onions. After fight over Kayeranskimi

  anything it was impossible neither to surprise with their bogs any more, nor to frighten. And to battle

  it was necessary not with an unknown night force, and with the most ordinary people from

  fleshes and blood. Moreover under a bright sun, in the middle of red day. Is

  difference.

  Severe guys did not spend time for nothing. Pulled out from undone,

  the tul lowered on a hip who срезень who armor-piercing - also started up them

  to fly. The benefit riders from the very beginning were dosyagayema for skilled

  arrow. It is clear, not all arrows amicably hit the mark, but a little

  horses swept on the ground. And took out several more robbers from

  turned gray as if cudgels. The wolfhound did not grab onions yet: it will be in time.

  Ratniki, taught by the foremen, shot at team, all suddenly.

  To sense from it, maybe, was no more, but here to fear - much more. At once

  it is visible that ran not into the frightened oboznik ready slightly that

  hares to run up on bushes, and on the soldiers of not shy ten who got used

  to fight back.

  Zhadoba?. - the Wolfhound thought, keeping beside a knesinka and keeping up

  to look at once extensively. Really again Zhadoba? And then, at swamps?.

  And why is also not present?.

  Under legs water squelched. The Bystry stream was rolled out from the gorge,

  spreading on the plain of a semizhda seven superficial streams. Set of hands

  immediately grasped marongovy sides of the vehicle, helping pricked up

  ears to a horse.

  Meanwhile deadly, joking apart, firing made the business.

  Robbers thought, held horse скок and rushed back aside, not

  bringing the matters to hand-to-hand. Galiradsky ratnik, holding boards on a hand,

  hard ran forward. To the striped rock, away from a trap. It was clear,

  that attackers sought to sshibitsya not so much with them closely how many

  to frighten them and to send sideways, under a wall, to the blind gorge. Where, very much

  can be, they were already waited by an ambush. Ten, say, three perfect

  shooters with a double stock of arrows. Quite will be enough.

  Horse velimorets led by Dungorm tried to give pedestrian time.

  Here noticed that robbers recovered the breath, calmed horses and

  are developed for a new swoop, - and were let across.

  Brave soldiers would be proud a forehead in a forehead to hit the enemy and, much more

  conceding to number, all as is to lie down in unequal fight, defending the bride

  the mister. But there was no need to sacrifice itself yet. Clear head

  Dungorm managed to make with robbers what they did not manage to make

  from poyezzhana; frightened them, forced to jump aside aside. On ten

  steps the Sleeping Beauty Zmeya drew near. And on ten. What there, ahead?

  Patrol did not manage to glance for it.

  Well as there is Zhadoba, glancing at the confused robbers, told

  to Wolfhound. Such got used to cut to whom only show a knife, and already

  trousers are full. And on toothy having run, itself right there...

  They ran to the striped rock. Ran, having hung up on a back boards, with

  gloomy persistence leaving inevitable death. Only hoarse was heard

  breath yes footfall of several tens legs. Foamy guys in helmets and

  heavy chain armors occasionally spitefully used foul language through clenched teeth. Sluzhanochki,

  having picked up hems, blind people from fear stared. If to press group to

  to wall will also lay over closely, men could though to fight. And to them that

  remained? To them and wounded whom threw to and fro in the vehicle,

  jumping up on hummocks?.

  Knesinke would be beyond the power most to bear a board, - and that is good that though

  somehow maintained a quarter of pood of a chain armor. Instead of a board at it were

  bodyguards. The wolfhound, of course, could put the monarchess in a closed sleigh.

  Or to throw up on a back of a white Snowflake. But, if it was right also for

  hunting went a knesinka, will be engaged in a closed sleigh first of all. And white

  the horsewoman - and even less so. But published also in united crowd and for closely

  the shifted backs, come notice for it!

  And here the Sleeping Beauty Zmeya hung over the heads. They ran to it as

  once to a sanctuary. With only that difference that in a sanctuary waited for them

  friends. And here? What will be seen by them behind the rock? Koons Vinitar's group,

  appeared in time on revenue? Or an ambush which to death zazhalit them

  arrows? They ran because nothing else remained. Patrol

  rushed off forward, were put for a rocky tower and almost at once jumped out

  back, swinging hands. Means, nothing suspicious was noticed.

  - Add to a step!. - Aptakhar shouted. - Zhivey, lame, zhivy!.

  He saw: vershnik were made to a new swoop. It was noticeable that

  hunters not painfully sought to meet closely with the snapping game,

  not wishing to fall prey resignedly at all. However and to allow

  to themselves they could not miss fugitives.

  Velimortsa, ready to offer itself, aimed across again...

  - For the sake of One-eyed and One-legged! - someone swore on-velkhski nearby

  with the Wolfhound. - That it!. Here so to run!.

  At young, hot guys of a shower was torn to make a stand and to meet

  foes, as ancient honor ordered.

  - Language not t
o fray!. - shouted It is small - Ghosn. - Fell asleep on the feet,

  clumsy?

  Robbers and for the second time did not want to grapple with velimorets

  hand to hand. On the contrary, the most part them unexpectedly turned horses and

  directed in depth of the gorge trap. Galiradtsa already turned for the Sleeping Beauty

  To dragon when persecutors jumped out back on the plain. Almost at everyone

  behind the back the second person sat, and these again picked up held in hand

  who onions, who self-arrows.

  The wolfhound all glanced upward, at stone eaves and at acquired

  small low shrub of top of rocks. Is not present on light of invincible rocks.

  The person will climb anywhere, give only time. But whether at robbers

  time was not, whether they did not expect that pursued they will take in head

  to break to the Obstacle... The wolfhound did not notice for hidden

  shooters above.

  The horses of robbers burdened by a double burden jumped slowly and

  heavy, but running after all overtook. Intentions of Zhadoby - and the Wolfhound

  believed more and more strong that it was Zhadoba, - doubts were not raised. Not to give

  to leave for the Obstacle. To lay over, Bar the way. And to shoot on the run.

  Solvenna, a segvana, velkh rattled and used foul language in every possible way, but run

  did not become flight. Probably, because near soldiers there were those,

  to whom it was necessary even more heavy. Girls became exhausted, guys dragged them

  by hands, transferring each other. Then quite steep slope began, and in

  vehicle back twenty two palms rested time:

  - Heggov end and hairy belly, and well!.

  Having appeared for the Sleeping Beauty Zmeey, all of them greedy stared afar:

  Vinitar!. Whether it is visible Vinitara?. It was ahead empty. But in nostrils

  at once struck a dense sulfuric smell. One hundred more steps, and many became

  to cover mouths with sleeves and just palms. But as you will be covered when

  it is necessary to run! Here you want you do not want, breathe in a full throat.

  Here always the cold wind which was flowing down from mountain snezhnik blew and

  ice-covered rocks on the plain. It flew because of the Obstacle, carrying a cloud

  stench. The wood in this place receded from a rocky wall further away, than

  everywhere. It is visible, no life could transfer breath of an abyss long

  without harm for. The gorge reminded the stone river: some force,

  storming here in age-old times, swept out outside of a scattering

  pig-iron-gray rocks. From that party that it was turned to mountains, rocks

  covered a layer of a yellow raid.

  The wolfhound felt how from a suffocating stench painfully contracted

  in a breast, also thought that will be if the cough woken by a smell twists

  it in three deaths right now. Still harmful illness with anything not

  was considered...

  - Conduct, the grandmother! - he shouted old Haygal. Could and not shout.

  The nurse a firm hand directed a horse and the vehicle between boulders;

  be at them though how many and that time, they would be convinced that another

  the passable way was not here. The uncomplaining draft horse who got used

  to obediently pull a cart where people ordered, only it otfyrkivatsya. More

  restive saddle horses of foremen began to neigh uneasily and tried

  to rear. Skillful velkh wound with it muzzles rags, hastily

  otkromsanny from clothes. It helped. Dungorm and Haygal agreed on that,

  that sooner or later it is necessary to leave horses. However so far anybody not

  hurried to untie them from a closed sleigh.

  The grass did not want to grow on poisonous wind too. Under legs crackled

  fruitless pebble. That is even not the pebble ground and ironed

  water: no small river followed from the gorge chopped by the Obstacle,

  streamlet. The primitive medley wounded legs through leather soles

  boot. If not stones, I would run quicker, the knesinka thought. Yes,

  of course, if not stones, I would run. Everything repeated, how in that

  night in Kayeranakh. Only now it, being replaced pulled by a hand Likhoslav and

  Likhobor, and the Wolfhound kept behind. And the same as that night, someone

  strong and angry endeavored it to ruin, and other people saved. That time

  died Varey and its satellite to Whom it was necessary now?. Till spilled

  blood only the robbers hit well-aimed arrows, but everything understood that

  business will not come to an end in it. Future dead persons ran near live and precisely

  also poured abuse and rough jokes, encouraging themselves and friends.

  When they directed to the Sleeping Beauty Zmee, even seemed to a knesinka a braid

  the glance darted at it and bodyguards: here supposedly to whom to die

  it is not necessary in any way! She thought that that person was right, and involuntarily

  felt the detached onlooker whom the events certain

  in the way cannot concern. In seventeen years it is badly trusted in own

  near death. Knesinka knew that she will escape. More true - it will be saved. And who

  will save the others?

  But all these thoughts faded soon and were dissolved in

  one and only: NOT to STOP. To RUN. When the whole world is wanted

  to exchange for a moment of rest, here not to reasonings. Especially if

  you understand that even the short respite will not be because then precisely

  - death is inevitable. NOT to STOP. To RUN. And there is in anything no yours

  will, even in that whom death to elect: from a nadsada or from enemy

  hands. Also it is strange stirred with deep, visceral knowledge: EVERYTHING WILL COME TO AN END

  WELL. Here the knesinka vaguely understood why it to the last endeavors to creep

  the dying animal, though the predatory pack, and already hung from all directions

  tear pieces of flesh from sides. Because to stop and without opposing to give

  to break off itself - it is too terrible even then when dims eyes

  death.

  But some part of her mind which was not in time to grow dull finally yet from

  excessive run, beheld and sneered. Warrior!. Dreamed,

  chicken, about falcon flight. Like mother to head a team!. Here

  it, silly woman, business military. It to you not on a bench lying to dream. Now

  fall who nearby, probably you will not turn the head. What to protect there, it is necessary

  designate yourself to carry away...

  ... When on the parties gloomy gray rocks, a knesinka grew

  it seemed as if she somewhere already saw them. But where - to remember not

  managed and not really and tried.

  The wolfhound and other skilled soldiers saw what floated by eyes

  the tortured knesinka: robbers overtook running and already put off down to the ground

  shooters. In vain velimorets tried to prevent them. Shooters left

  grain of horses disappeared among boulders also at once. The wolfhound fatefully thought about

  the fact that there was, probably, some rock, with which the bridge through

  Obstacle it was looked through, clearly. And on this rock they will manage to get

  the first. And here you will do nothing.

  Pass was ahead narrowed, and Haygal pulled reins:

  - To Tpr!

  It was not farther to the vehicle to the course, it is necessary to abandon it. Remarkable

  the vehicle, lovingly spryazhenny of a blessed marong the best

  gali
radsky masters. Only here the knesinka properly felt that

  there was something irreparable. That is they, of course, will escape - in

  rocks or even behind the Obstacle, - but a closed sleigh, which several last

  weeks served it as the house, she most likely more will not see any more. And horses

  how?. Snowflake?. At a knesinka knees weakened again...

  Several soldiers already jumped in the vehicle: wounded hasty

  transferred outside and, gray from pain, carried away further whom under hands whom

  at all on hands. Ertan got out. Her left elbow was hardly attracted to

  to body that the careless movement did not disturb a wound. In the vehicle

  the warrior the right hand and teeth untangled saving knots, and on

  to shirt the spot appeared again. Ertan did not pay attention. Gellama waited

  it on that side of darkness. It will come to it soon. But before will step

  through one-two enemy corpses.

  The wolfhound looked back, on even visible plot of the plain limited

  at the left is the Sleeping Beauty Zmeey, and on the right - the anonymous black rock, slightly

  inclined outside. Would tell it who in days of departure from Galirad that

  once he will begin to wait for the deadly enemy, precisely only

  savior!

  But at both rocks it was empty. Koons Vinitar, Koons Vinitariya's son on

  to the nickname Cannibal, did not hurry it to the aid because of the black rock. And Luchezar

  Luginich all the same that was gone for the Sleeping Beauty Zmeey...

  - And from what she is a Sleeping Beauty? - Aptakhar propykhtet nearby. - Too rubbish

  it nanyukhatsya?.

  - Hurry up, madam, - the Wolfhound told, directing a knesinka on narrow

  to track where a half of a host and with it wounded and servants already disappeared.

  Haygal still limping later Kayeran kept at the hostess. Stubborn

  the old woman dragged a bag where, induced by a presentiment, in good time shipped

  all most, in her opinion, necessary. Having dipped a hand into a bag, it

  pulled outside a big red scarf - a sacred veil which

  the knesinka had to cover the face before a meeting with named. Nurse

  began to put a veil to a knesinka;

  - Tie a mouth, the baby, there is nothing to swallow of a muck... Knesinka wanted

  to take, but the Wolfhound did not allow:

  - Hide! Will see... red...