Shuddering Alishana looked up and burned me by her eyes. Before I could add a word, the air in front of my eyes blurred for a moment, and the next second I realized that the girl was standing right in front of me. So close. And I did not see how she managed to cover the distance between us. Suddenly she just turned around.
‘He... he wanted a different thing?’ Alishana murmured quietly and I nodded cautiously.
Thinking for a while, I added, ‘I don’t need to cheat you, Alishana. And I'm not afraid of death by your hands. I am a foreigner and I am immortal. If you kill me now, I will rise from the dead in a second. I think you know about it.
‘I know,’ she nodded, pulling herself back like a feline. ‘I've seen people like you... and even fought against them. But it was a long time ago. Say, stranger… Have you really seen my father Jogly? You know he is my father! Whatever they say!’ she cast a glance toward the shop-keeper who was breathing hoarsely And that glance didn’t imply anything good for him.
‘I know,’ I repeated the nipped phrase again. ‘He also thinks you're his daughter. And do not be angry with Stathan. If it were not for him, you would have never found out the guilty of your father’s death. Stathan asked me to find out the murderer’s name. And paid me generously out of his own pocket.
‘It’s true,’ the shop-keeper exhaled huskily. ‘Gods are my witnesses!’
‘I talked to the spirit of your foster father,’ I continued slowly. ‘Old Jigly didn’t wish death. He wanted life. Life for you, for your husband and for your unborn child. He asked to convict his murderer, to protect you from her. So that she had no time to try to spoil your life. And I kept my promise. Thelagea and her daughter are not dangerous anymore. They will be publicly punished and sent to the remote forest farm. To the place where no one looks over the years, where you are surrounded by dense forest full of dangerous animals all around. Where every day is similar to the previous and to the next. Try to understand - sometimes life is more severe than death.
‘Sometimes life is more severe death…’ Alishana echoed. ‘Life is more severe than death... yes... I know...’
‘Oh yes! He asked me to tell you something else!’ I exclaimed. My voice sounded exaggerated happily. ‘He asked me to remind you to come to his grave. And to show him his grandson. He also said that he had buried a little money for a rainy day under the porch of your house. He said you may take it out spend on whatever you like. He said that you're a good hostess, and that he still remembers your hot overseas dishes. And that he is not offended and even misses those days when you were chasing him with a towel around the yard. And he'll never forget, and he will not leave you. So… that’s it...
With each word Alishana’s face was changing. The killer's frozen face became softer and softer, turning into a pretty face of an ordinary girl. Rivulets of tears ran from under the quivered eyelids, and Alishana sobbed loudly, wiping her wet cheeks. To my relief, the knife disappeared. There was another whimper at the fence. Looking back, I realized that Stathan that cold-hearted shop-keeper was crying too.
‘Stathan?!’
‘Oh,’ the shopkeeper sighed. ‘You were speaking so... so... I have almost seen old Jogly alive. It squeezed heart.
‘I see,’ I concluded, scratched my head thoughtfully, turned to the girl again and added, ‘Forget about revenge. Everything has been done. Live for yourself, for your husband and for your future children. This is your father’s last wish! And I... I must go.
‘Please, go away,’ the shop-keeper supported me wiping his eyes. ‘If you stay at our village, I feel something bad can happen! Something that can even destroy the whole village!
‘Thank you, Stathan!’ I bowed sarcastically.
‘It’s not my wish! Look around! You see what is happening near you. I was about to become a stutterer for the rest of my life! Let’s go the shop!
‘Okay,’ I agreed, nodded farewell at Alishana, rounded the girl at a distance and walked to the shop.
If Alishan another were a usual village girl, I would have hugged her and comforted. As ‘locals’ usually didn’t mind it. But I didn’t fancy hugging a married eastern girl... not really. Find another fool! She could stab her knife into me and then I would have to go to respawn location and to regain the lost experience.
But who are you, Alishana? Who are you, deadly wife of a village musclehead?
‘Are you coming?’
‘Yes, I am!’ I said irritably.
‘Hey, stranger, wait a minute,’ a quiet voice stopped me. ‘You are wise and kind-hearted.’
‘Uh ... thanks.’
‘Take this small gift as a token of my gratitude,’ my fingers squeezed a tiny round object and before I can look at the present, the girl disappeared.
‘What a speed!’ I grunted enviously, opening my hand.
A ring. A ring was lying in my hand, it seemed to be carved from bone. What is it?
The subject is not identified!
Damn it...
‘Rosgard! Are you coming, or not?’
‘I’m coming!’ I growled in response and followed the retreating shop-keeper. But I didn’t forget to throw one last look at the temple hill. Well... the justice hasn’t been executed. Let it be so. Today I'm leaving. But one day... one day I will try to come back and find out what is happening here. When I have enough time.
Sitting on the broad back of my Help, I was staring glumly at the map. And the longer I was looking, the more desperate I became. Mossy Hills were left far behind. Now I was literally standing at the crossroads. In front of me there was the intersection and I should choose two possible roads among three. Either to go to the right to the bog called Reyvendark and to complete the quest assigned by the mysterious veela Snessy or to move to the left to the coastal village called Selen and continue the search for Grim’s legendary armor. The bog was not far away, but it would take me much time to get to the river Elirny. At least two days. If I went straight, then in two hours I would be in a small town Lagenbrok, but I didn’t have anything to do there.
The bog marked on the map was still glowing yellow, but purple blotches – the evidence of serious danger – disappeared – except one that was located in the center. And I feel that is the place where the mossy hut I need to burn to the ground is situated. It turns out that taking into account my current level I have a chance not to die at the damned bog, but the odds are pretty slim. And besides monsters there are other bog surprises and one of them is to sink in the quagmire. And indeed, nobody goes alone to such locations! Because it can lead to miserable results. And I couldn’t join a party...
The village called Selen was located inside green and yellow oval which blinking produced a soothing effect. So what should I choose? Although it’s not a dilemma! Near is my shirt, but nearer is my skin. My aim is simple and clear: to get at least one more part of the silver legends and level up as much as possible. So the decision has been taken. I’ll visit Kumovan, a shop-keeper.
By activating the quest box I quickly checked the information and it made me sure again that none of my current quests had any time limits. I can deploy Help and set off. But I’m not sure about wasting two days on the road...
After scratching my chin, I thought about all the pros and cons, and then decisively directed the horse... straight. To the town with a funny name Lagenbrok. Because if I am lucky, I'll be able to get a teleport scroll, and I’ll be able to find myself in Selen town without wasting a single day or even a single hour or minute.
Besides, I really wanted to get to the magic shop as soon as possible due to another reason - to identify a strange bone ring received as a gift from beautiful Alishana. Maybe it can give good bonuses to mana... actually I will be satisfied with any bonuses. I am not a picky person. And if it turns out to be absolutely useless, I’ll sell it and buy something necessary.
Overwhelmed by these thoughts I was moving forward making Help trot from time to time, then again reducing speed to slow jogging. One hour later I ran into a small c
liff overlooking the roadside. At once I saw a hefty cavity in the rocky side that could accommodate at least ten people. And a time-darkened and lopsided sign with a clearly visible inscription ‘Peaceful Haven’ nailed to a mossy pole. A tiny peaceful area where you cannot be attacked by aggressive monsters. Now the shelter was empty, it was very convenient for me
Dismounted I took Help inside and tied it to one of the numerous bronze rings that were in a long row over the basalt wall. After that I gave an affirmative answer to the system request. The horse was immediately covered by haze, flickered and vanished away. The bronze ring sparkled and silently became smaller in diameter. A tiny ring in which you could hardly stick a fingertip could be seen on the wall.
That’s all. So I have found a place for my trusty steed. And it will stay there until I demand it back. To do it I should pull the ring. The system will identify the owner and "return" my horse.
Well it's high time to take a break from Valdivia. Besides, I have to do my chores can. I sat on one of the boulders scattered inside the shelter, then closed my eyes and pressed "exit".
Flash.
Rainbow swirl hugged me.
Exit.
The first thing I heard after returning to the real world - the melodious tinkle coming from somewhere close to me. I pulled off my helmet, opened the lid of the game cocoon and sat down groaning. Injections of pain were penetrating the whole body, but I was happy to feel them. Because the pain was caused by the movement that disturbed my muscles, that had worked well. I was running up and down the stairs, carrying heavy things and jogging. The ideal set.
Stretching my stiff neck with my hands, I looked up, sighed and stared at the source of tinkling. Keira.
The girl was sitting on my bed having pulled her legs under her body, looking at me thoughtfully and stirring something by a spoon in my favorite cup.
‘Good morning,’ I muttered sliding to the floor and searching by my feet for the slippers.
‘Morning, Keira replied in the same tone as me and sipping from a glass gently, then concluded, ‘So sweet! The slippers are at the bed.’
She privatized my slippers as well... let alone the glass and the bed...
‘How are you?’ the intruder wondered.
‘Fine,’ I shrugged my shoulders. ‘Although it is me who should ask you this question.’
‘I’m fine too,’ Keira admitted with a sigh but seeing some skepticism on my face, she added, ‘Yes, really, I’m fine. It's amazing! I thought it would have been much worse. The left shoulder hurts a little. Do you want some tea? It’s hot. And I'm hungry. Could you cook something for me?
A cheeky person owns half the world!
Looking at Keira who was blinking innocently I grunted and walked heavilyu into the hallway, where muttered, ‘Ok! How about scrambled eggs?’
‘Good idea!’ I heard a cheerful exclamation from the room. ‘Three eggs and sunny side-up, please. And don’t forget some cheese topping and a glass of tomato juice, only natural of course! Ah! And do you have…
Being stunned I was listening to the desired menu and I wasn’t looking at my feet, and as a result I fell over the corner of the mat and fell down on the floor with a bang, on the way I caught the coat stand that landed on me.
‘Ros? Are you okay?’
‘Yeah,’ I croaked, getting out from the piles of clothes. ‘I’m fine. So what else did you say you want? After organic tomato juice.
‘A couple of toasts, but not overcooked. I'm so hungry!’
‘I see,’ my voice sounded deliberately too careful. ‘So three eggs sunny side-up with cheese topping, a glass of organic tomato juice and two toasts? Is it right? Have I missed anything?
‘Mmmm… nope, it seems correct,’ invisible Keira mused. ‘You have such a good memory, Ros!’
‘Ouch!’ I blurted, cradling my bruised elbow that I hurt while falling down. The one that I hurt yesterday when falling on the pavement carrying with the unconscious carcass of Keira. Damn... I prefer her being unconscious...
Inhaling as much air as possible, I was about to say everything that I think about scrambled eggs and tomato juice, when I heard a shrill doorbell behind my back. I jumped in surprise and landed on the coat stand lying on the floor. The coat stand cracked a plaintive goodbye before breaking in half. I began jumping on one leg and hissing because of pain like a mad kid, cradling my hurt foot in my hands.
Having jumped up to the door, I opened it and gasped as I saw a barbarously colorful dressing gown and a happy smiling face of my neighbor. It was Varvara Pavlovna.
‘Good morning, dear Rostislav!’
‘Yeah, I croaked, frantically trying to breathe. ‘Good morning, good morning Varvara Pavlovna!’
Oh dear... why did I get out of the cocoon?! Why did I leave cozy Valdira?! Do I really deserve all these sufferings?!’
Suddenly I heard my mother's careful voice inside my head, she always tried to protect me against all kinds of negative experiences, ‘Rostik, it is too much for your nervous system! You're an impressionable boy...’
‘I brought you a pie,’ Varvara Pavlovna smiled widely, handing me a plate covered with a towel, and I thought I was sleeping and having a nightmare, ‘with raspberry jam. It’s delicious!’
Feeling pain in the elbow and foot, with a head full of evil thoughts about Keira’s royal breakfast without having enough slept and having recently experienced a bunch of events, both in real life and in Valdivia, I was standing in front of the neighbor that go on my nerves. I was about to say, ‘Damn you, Varvara Pavlovna, and your bloody pie!’ But looking into the eyes of the woman who had decided to put up with me, I took the plate carefully and muttered, ‘Thank you so much, Varvara Pavlovna, it’s so kind of you... thank you...’
There was an awkward pause, which should be filled with some wise words that were appropriate for that case, but there was a sleepy fog with hovering sunny side—up in my mind instead.
Well, I have never been good at selecting clever words – at least in the real world.
Keira saved me. She put her hand on my shoulder and firmly pushed me aside.
‘Good morning, Varvara Pavlovna’, everybody would envy Keira’s wide and sincere smile. It looked like as if two best friends, who had known each other a long time ago, met.
‘Why are you standing in the doorway? Please, come in. I’ve just made fresh tea. Wow... a pie? Thank you so much! And what kind of?
‘With raspberry jam,’ the neighbor stunned by such an attack could hardly utter and came in the corridor.
‘With raspberry jam? It’s my favorite!’ the girl cooed, confidently directing the main witch of our house into my kitchen.
The lock clicked shutting the door. And I was left standing alone on the threshold of my own flat like sheep with bulged eyes staring at the backs of the retreating women, and clutching the plate of pies.
‘Here it is wide and white teeth grin policy" - a whisper went through my head - "... it already offers to my house invites ..."
‘Ros, why are you standing in the doorway?’ Keira called me with bewilderment. ‘Don’t forget the pie! You’re like a fairy, Varvara Pavlovna! We were about to have breakfast and then you came with such a royal gift.
‘Oh, never mind!’ Varvara Pavlovna felt flattered, sitting down on a stool. ‘You are young, you have no time to cook. It’s a pleasure for me.’
I dragged myself to the kitchen and carefully dropped a plate on the table. Keira was sitting on the second and actually last stool, I had t stand. However, I didn’t have time to relax. Keira nodded with a hint at the kettle, then looked at the cupboard. Letting out a doomed sigh, I reached for the cups.
Mess... what a mess all around! Well, at least I have sugar and some fossil cookies. Actually cookies were so hard that even a young person couldn’t eat them, but what could I do?
While I was laying the table for a tea party, Keira was friendly chatting with my neighbor, and I was stunned seeing that Varvara Pavlovna was becoming younger
and more cheerful. Her stiffness just vanished away. Soon she came to the point that she could easily sipped tea, and without any difficulty bit a half of a fossil cookie and then moved on to her favorite topic - collecting personal information of any kind.
‘Keira darling, how long have you known Ros? Yesterday it was the first time I saw you, my sweetie!’
‘Oh my god, Keira darling and sweetie?! Oh-oh-oh...’ I was angrily shaking cookies out of the box into the bowl, rolling my eyes. I burst out coughing as soon as I heard Keira's response, ‘
‘Ros? Oh, we’ve met in the Cradle,’ the girl dismissed casually.
‘Eh, really?’ the startled old doddler exclaimed, her eyes were gleaming with joy, she ignored my cough. Well, since the cradle… You mean since the kindergarten… You’ve known each other since your childhood! Great! But Rostik wasn’t born here, he’s from another city. Your love is so deep that you could not bear the separation and rushed after him...
‘Varvara Pavlovna, it is not about the kindergarten,’ I blurted wiping tears away - Uh-uh ... it's a night club, yeah. Very popular. We’ve met there.’
‘Exactly,’ Keira supported me. ‘The other day.’
‘At the disco you mean?’ Varvara Pavlovna asked to make sure. ‘I see… And how long have you been together?’
‘Well…’ she raised his eyes to the ceiling thoughtfully, hastily inventing the imaginary day of our first date. ‘Actually, not for a long time...’
‘Varvara Pavlovna,’ I decisively intervened in the conversation, realizing that it could last for ages, ‘please, excuse me, but I must leave you. I want to go to bed, I didn’t sleep at all that night. Please, excuse me!’
‘Never mind, Rostik!’ my neighbor generously let me go. ‘Keira and I will talk a bit about women’s things. You didn’t sleep at night, did you? Well, I can understand you are so young, you know what to do at night instead of sleeping. When I was young, I didn’t sleep at nights either.’
‘He was playing all night long,’ Keira hurried to add staring angrily at me. Like I was guilty of something. I had nothing to do with it!
The Way of the Clan 2 (World of Valdira) Page 11
