"Dragon Invasion. The Last Battle "() - download the book for free without registration
Bernhard Hennen
"Dragon Invasion. last fight»
UDC 821.112.2-312.9 BBK 84.4GX38
No part of this publication may be copied or reproduced in any form without the written permission of the publisher.
Translation from GermanEkaterina Bunina
The cover design is illustrated by Anton Kokarev
ISBN: 978-966-14-9296-6, 978-5-9910-3313-8, 978-3-453-27001-5
Year of publication: 2015
Publisher: Family Leisure Club, Book Club "Family Leisure Club". Kharkiv, Book Club "Family Leisure Club". Belgorod
Age restrictions: 16+
Annotation:
In the underground city, the dragons are preparing for battle with the eternal enemies of the devantars. They hope that the great warrior Nangog will take their side, but for this they need to find a magic crystal...
And in the dark tower, the apostate gnomes have already forged weapons that bring death to all dragons... Soon the legendary warriors will cross weapons in a deadly battle!
To the secret lotus flower
War is bad , which creates more
evil people than destroy them.
Immanuel Kant (1724-1804)
Book One
Ice Dreams
Prologue
How heavy are the eyelids. He had not slept for three nights now, and now wearily watched the young morning set fire to the sky. Fiery red clouds enveloped the pointed mountain peaks. The burden of power was heavier than ever. Alvs refused to fight for the world they created, and distrust and discord reigned among the brothers. The sky serpents were supposed to be the protective rampart of Alvenmark, but deep cracks snaked along this wall.
The dragon stretched, his joints crackling. He was as old as the world, which he guarded along with his brothers in the nest. Sometimes it seemed to him that Alvenmark still meant something to him. He tirelessly explored the facets of the future. So many paths led into the darkness... He saw castles built by human children rising on the passes of the Lunar Mountains. How a banner with the image of a dead ebony on a white background flutters above them. Alf children have disappeared from this world. Their world is completely devoid of magic. How could this happen?
But no matter how much he looked into the future, he could not understand where in the present lies the root of all evil. Could it be that immortal who makes wiser plans than all the rest and who could manage to make the devantars act in accordance with his desires is guilty of it? Or is he in Nandaley, a dragon rebelling against the established world order? Three fruits ripened in her, but she would give birth to only two children. And, despite this, all of them will affect the future of people and children of alves. And this was one of those mysteries that he could not solve in any way.
The blazing sky reminded him that he needed to act, that he couldn't just watch and think. Once the Devantars eluded them when Nandalee and Gonvalon were defeated. Now it was necessary to again create a trap for the gods of the children of men. They can only be destroyed by the common dragon fire of all heavenly serpents: a weapon more powerful than which is not found in any of the three worlds. And it was created not only to threaten someone. It must be used before the Devantars come up with a weapon of similar power. War between the two powers became inevitable. There will be many dead. Cities and entire lands will be devastated. However, the time for negotiations is over. The goals pursued by Alvenmark and Daiya are too different. Whoever has the courage to strike first wins. Despite the fact that this victory will undoubtedly be bitter.
The old dragon spread its wings, enjoying the warmth of the first morning rays. It all starts with cunning and intrigue. It is almost as deadly a weapon as the breath of the heavenly rulers. But, in the end, everything will be decided by fire and sword. He pushed off the rock and flew towards the fiery scarlet dawn. It's time to fight.
On the edge of a cliff
Nevenill Rock was considered a cursed place. They tried not to come here at night. And even more so on the full moon, when the power of the spirits was strongest. A more secluded place could not be found in all of Uttica, so Bidayne loved it. During the day, she played the role of a nanny, looking after both daughters of the merchant Shanadin. Nobody knew who she really was. Everyone knew her only as a timid elf of indeterminate age, who tried not to make eye contact with anyone and always dressed in the white clothes of virgins - although her skin was already beginning to fade, which could mean only one thing: she had lived for more than a century.
Hornbory clenched his invulnerable hand into a fist and blocked a half-powered blow with his ax with it. Despite the fact that the blow fell on his wrist, the effect was striking. The warrior, a massive blond boy with a red face, recoiled in fear.
This is ... your hand ... stronger than steel ...
Hornbory knew the effect of such tricks. Even Galar forgot his bloodlust when he first saw him. Then, in the forge, Hornbory accidentally put his hand into a strange mixture of kobold cheese and dragon blood, and this became a turning point in his life. The only pity is that despite all efforts, it was not possible to make other parts of his body invulnerable.
As you can see, weapons cannot harm me,” Hornbory said with mock calm in his voice. - What do you think this fist can do if I get really angry?
It's dragon slayers! - shouted the dwarf, who loved to swing the ax so much. - Stop! The dragon slayers are back!
The ball of fighting immediately crumbled. Galar had a bruise under his eye, Glamir was lying on the floor, but he had just kicked the dwarf who had attacked him with his wooden leg in the place that was dearest to him. From the looks of both of them, they were sorry that the fight ended so abruptly.
Amalasvinta pushed the child back to Niru and hissed something in the ear of one of the brawlers.
You ... - he whispered in bewilderment.
That's it, he said confidently. “I am Amalasvinta, who has always been a welcome guest at your prince's table. Amalasvinta, who owns her own tunnel in the Iron Halls, two of the most profitable veins in the area, as well as a crowded warehouse cave, one of the wharfs in this port and seventeen of those damn eels, in which I probably will never again in my life I don't want to spend hours.
Despite the fact that her red dress was badly damaged during the trip and she smelled like a dwarf, after spending two weeks in the same eel with sweaty dwarfs, she managed to make everyone forget about this and appear in the guise of a princess.
Besides, I'm sure Aikin, the Elder in the Deep, would appreciate it if you didn't gossip about what kind of guests have arrived in town. If the Sky Serpents found out who was in the Iron Halls, that place would also suffer the same fate as the Deep City.
Amalasvinta's words made an absolutely indelible impression. The ax-bearer called his comrades away, admiration and fear now mingling in his gaze. All dwarfs dreamed of bringing tyrants down from heaven, but they were even more afraid to pay for it.
I'll find you an apartment, - muttered the blond warrior, who was just about to hack Hornbory with an axe. - And I will send a messenger to Eikin. I am sorry…
Come on, - Galar waved. We don't need an apartment. We will camp in the tunnel of Amalasvinta and…
Well, I do not! the woman hissed. “I've spent quite a bit of time with a dozen lustful dwarfs in one stinking cask. And none of you looked away if I needed to go potty. On the contrary, your eyes almost popped out of their sockets. As for me, I don't want to see any of you again!
Don't get so worked up, darling, - Glamir rose to his feet again and licked his lips. - Probably, you forgot about our wonderful joint hours spent in my tower. At least I should be invited into your tunnel. After all, I only looked with one eye when you went to the potty, - and in proof of his words, he lifted the bandage, under which the scarred hole in the place of his right eye was opened to his gaze.
You are the last one to cross the threshold with me. Tell each other about your fantasies. The truth is, I haven't shared a bed with any of you, you stinking, worthless scumbags," and with that she departed. None of the guards even tried to stop her.
Hornbory looked after her with astonishment and at the same time with relief. He was quite sure that she had slept with Glamir. It's good that he was wrong. She only lied about him. He twice succeeded in beguiling the beauty. But who can resist a gorgeous man like him?
The blond warrior told them to follow him. At first, he tried to ask Glamir and Galar about the fight with the dragons, but both of them were in a gloomy mood and did not utter a word. Therefore, Hornbory took over the stories of heroic deeds, carefully trying to present himself in a favorable light. Every now and then he caught Galar's murderous gazes on him, but the dwarf did not stop him from telling him about the battle for the Deep City. Soon they reached an adit, which, apparently, at times served as a makeshift warehouse. Hundreds of empty, mud-hardened coal sacks lay beside bent picks and broken shafts. Judging by their location, they have already been used as makeshift beds.
The guide profusely apologized for not being able to find a more suitable lodging for the night so quickly, but Hornbory just brushed it off. Everything is better than in the eel.
Why are troops called? Galar asked casually, lounging on a pile of old sacks.
A very long time ago, when the whole earth was still a single whole continent, a flourishing civilization of magicians lived in this world. The first - so they were called in all the ancient forgotten writings. They were subject to not only the five elements that current magicians can control. They could change the surrounding space as they wanted, they could create anything from nothing and turn it back into nothing. They were practically omnipotent, only the passage of time and all-seeing, or divination, as it is also called, were beyond their control.
Ordinary people also lived next to the First, who worshiped them as gods and presented them with all kinds of gifts. The first tried to convince people that they were not gods, but the same mortals, albeit endowed with special abilities. But seeing the miracles that the First Ones could work, people could not equate them with themselves and continued to idolize. In the end, magicians stopped trying to convince people and began to take it all for granted. For hundreds of years they lived in peace and prosperity, people worshiped the First, and those, in turn, helped people with their magic. But, over time, among the magicians there appeared those who believed that simple people are lower beings that can be used as cattle. They really believed they were gods. Some of them even decided that in order to achieve omniscience, magicians needed human gifts, but not simple gifts from the fields or crafts of local residents, but the people themselves, sacrificed. Hearing this, the First Ones expelled a handful of apostates.
As time passed, the First began to forget about what happened, continuing to live a normal life, while the apostates, hiding, accumulated their hatred and strength. One day they returned and announced that the First were blocking their path to the goal indicated by their ancestors - the path to enlightenment and all-seeing. The apostates ordered the First to give them all the people at their disposal, whether it be sacrifices or other purposes, otherwise, they promised that they would not leave alive a single magician who would stand in their way. But the First did not give up. Thus began the first war of magicians, which consisted of one battle.
The unrelenting battle went on day after day, but no one could win. The forces of the parties were equal. And then the Apostates, having united their efforts, created the Darkness. Not the one that comes with the onset of night, but the true Darkness. They combined all the malice that they accumulated, all the hatred and envy that burned them from within for years, all their black essence with the matter of this world, and Darkness covered everything.
The darkness turned out to be intelligent and refused to obey anyone, even its creators. She hid the sun from everyone and a terrible cold set in. Everything around began to fade, people suffocated, and the magicians, who turned out to be more resistant to what was happening, began to be attacked from both sides by shadows - the creatures of Darkness. The dead rose and attacked everyone indiscriminately, whether it was a former ally or opponent. Each new victim immediately got up and rushed to the still living, who were becoming less and less. Only by uniting, the First and the Renegades were able to cope with the Darkness. To do this, the magicians had to conclude it in people, in each bit by bit, because it was impossible to destroy this essence.
At the dawn of the seventh day, the surviving Apostates went into voluntary exile, realizing what an unforgivable act they had committed and what terrible evil they had brought to this world.
Current page: 1 (total book has 50 pages)
Bernhard Hennen
Dragon Invasion. last fight
Book One
Ice Dreams
Prologue
How heavy are the eyelids. He had not slept for three nights now, and now wearily watched the young morning set fire to the sky. Fiery red clouds enveloped the pointed mountain peaks. The burden of power was heavier than ever. Alvs refused to fight for the world they created, and distrust and discord reigned among the brothers. The sky serpents were supposed to be the protective rampart of Alvenmark, but deep cracks snaked along this wall.
The dragon stretched, his joints crackling. He was as old as the world, which he guarded along with his brothers in the nest. Sometimes it seemed to him that Alvenmark still meant something to him. He tirelessly explored the facets of the future. So many paths led into the darkness... He saw castles built by human children rising on the passes of the Lunar Mountains. How a banner with the image of a dead ebony on a white background flutters above them. Alf children have disappeared from this world. Their world is completely devoid of magic. How could this happen?
But no matter how much he looked into the future, he could not understand where in the present lies the root of all evil. Could it be that immortal who makes wiser plans than all the rest and who could manage to make the devantars act in accordance with his desires is guilty of it? Or is he in Nandaley, a dragon rebelling against the established world order? Three fruits ripened in her, but she would give birth to only two children. And, despite this, all of them will affect the future of people and children of alves. And this was one of those mysteries that he could not solve in any way.
The blazing sky reminded him that he needed to act, that he couldn't just watch and think. Once the Devantars eluded them when Nandalee and Gonvalon were defeated. Now it was necessary to again create a trap for the gods of the children of men. They can only be destroyed by the common dragon fire of all heavenly serpents: a weapon more powerful than which is not found in any of the three worlds. And it was created not only to threaten someone. It must be used before the Devantars come up with a weapon of similar power. War between the two powers became inevitable. There will be many dead. Cities and entire lands will be devastated. However, the time for negotiations is over. The goals pursued by Alvenmark and Daiya are too different. Whoever has the courage to strike first wins. Despite the fact that this victory will undoubtedly be bitter.
The old dragon spread its wings, enjoying the warmth of the first morning rays. It all starts with cunning and intrigue. It is almost as deadly a weapon as the breath of the heavenly rulers. But, in the end, everything will be decided by fire and sword. He pushed off the rock and flew towards the fiery scarlet dawn. It's time to fight.
On the edge of a cliff
Nevenill Rock was considered a cursed place. They tried not to come here at night. And even more so on the full moon, when the power of the spirits was strongest. A more secluded place could not be found in all of Uttica, so Bidayne loved it. During the day, she played the role of a nanny, looking after both daughters of the merchant Shanadin. Nobody knew who she really was. Everyone knew her only as a timid elf of indeterminate age, trying not to make eye contact and always dressing in the white clothes of virgins - although her skin was already beginning to fade, which could mean only one thing: she had lived for more than a century.
Bidine stood on a sheer chalk cliff and looked down at the sea. On its dark surface sparkled a magical silver web of lines drawn by paths of moonlight. Far to the east, a sailboat silhouetted against the horizon. The night breeze ruffled her thin, voluminous sleeveless dress, caressing her aging skin. How quickly she lost her elasticity! Bidine hoped she could live with this human skin for at least a few years. But that hope was shattered like all the others. Soon something would have to be done... Whom should she kill? One of the girls that Shanadin had entrusted to her?
The wave crashed against the base of the cliff. The elf looked down again at the bubbling foam, its white fingers clawing at the bone-coloured rocks. Maybe you should put an end to your mortal existence? She is a dragon, but for so many moons she has not heard anything about the dragon, to which she devoted her life. There were rumors of a coming war. It was said that Alf children were gathered from everywhere to send them to fight in Nangog. But here, in Uttica, recruiters have not yet come.
Is it true that the battles will go on in the Forbidden World? Why, then, does Golden not sprinkle after her? She looked contemptuously at her hands. Even in the light of the moon, a gossamer of fine wrinkles was visible. Maybe this is the reason? Maybe he hates her too?
Sometimes it seemed to Bidine that she could smell the sepulchral smell clinging to her. She bathed twice a day. I used expensive rose oil scented soap, but the smell came back again and again. The smell of decay... Who knows if it exists only in her intense imagination? Maybe out of self-loathing, she invented it? Do others smell it too?
Bidine knew what they were talking about. They gossip about the strange old maid that Shanadin took into his house. The elf looked back at the foaming waves. The abyss beckoned her. Just two steps and everything - doubt, disgust - will be behind. She will give freedom to her soul and be reborn in a new, flawless body. Bidayn took a step towards the abyss. Behind her, on the hillside lawn, the crickets stopped singing. The wind died down. Even the sound of the surf became quieter, as if nature held its breath. And then the elf heard voices and coarse, guttural laughter.
Bidayn turned away from the abyss. Three fauns were climbing up a narrow, well-trodden path. The slick fur on their goat legs gleamed in the moonlight. They were dressed only in dirty loincloths, and their hairy torsos were bare. On the forehead grew small, curved back horns. The one in the middle rested on a necklace. Bisexual creatures, the fruit of the Fleshsmith's diseased imagination, they always aroused a particularly strong disgust in the dragoness.
“You are standing too close to the cliff, beauty!” the one with the spear shouted to her. - Come closer to us...
Both of his companions burst into bleating laughter, as if their friend had just made up the best joke of the evening.
"I'd like to be alone," she said in the obsequious tone she used to use in her role as nanny. Looked down. “And I want to politely ask you to respect my wish and leave.
“There is no need to be afraid of us,” said the faun, who was standing to the left of the spearman, picked up the wineskin with wine and shook it. We are here to have fun. And you can have fun too, I promise you. But first you need to know who's here.
The bleating laughter sounded again, as if the goat-legged had come up with another great joke about her.
“Nonnos is a poet,” said the spearman, snorting. “I am Dion, and this healthy silent man to my right is Krotos,” with these words, he poked Krotos in the ribs with his fist, and his comrade grinned at him in response.
"Isn't it a wonderful night for love?" Nonnos exclaimed in a deliberately solemn tone, as if quoting some well-known text. At the same time, he grabbed his heart with his left hand, raised his eyebrows and gave Bidayn a fake smile through and through. Nonnos had a short pointed beard, while his comrades had beards reaching to their chests. “You are too beautiful to spend such a warm summer night alone, elf lady.
The distance between the three and her was reduced to five paces. Apparently, they were absolutely sure that they could just take what they wanted for themselves, and that the intimidated, aging nanny who stood in front of them would not put up serious resistance. Bidine suppressed the anger that boiled in her soul. Golden ordered her to wait in Uttica. She had no right to forget about her mission, she had to hide at all costs who she really was.
“You know this place is cursed. Please, leave! I don't want any misfortune to happen to you.
“It’s more like the elves are unlucky on this cliff,” objected Krotos, who had not entered into the conversation until now. His voice was low and husky, and his grin was wide and toothless. “But don’t be afraid, we have come and will take good care of you.”
“I can take care of myself.
Dion shook his head, black shaggy locks flew up and fell on his shoulders.
- I don't think. Do you know there's already a bet down there in the inn about when you're going to jump? You would be the third elf after Nevenill. And every time they committed suicide on such a moonlit night as today. They say they meet Nevenill on nights like this.” He looked at her, brow furrowed, then shrugged. “Well, I don’t see any spirit here. But maybe you have to be an elf to meet him.
Dion pointed his spear at her. Only now did Bidine notice that two fingers were missing from the hand holding the weapon. The back of his hand and forearm were covered with thick scars, as if a wolf or a large dog were trying to tear him apart.
“Do you know that the odds are ten to one against you tonight?”
“And you thought it worth stopping by here, looking after me, to get
a good profit if I come back from the cliff alive? Bidine smiled cynically. Of course, she knew that this was not the intention of the fauns, she just wanted to give them an escape route. Last chance.
The one with the pointed beard belched and rolled his eyes.
We didn't think about that...
“You can still make another bet,” Bidine suggested. – There is still time. Send in some of your friends, discreetly, and you'll be rich.” She tried her best to keep her voice from sounding too dismissive. These three nonentities could scrape together a couple of coppers and with the help of a bet turn them into silver. They will not get rich, however. However, Nonnos seems to be seriously thinking about it. He was stroking his beard, a gesture that did not at all fit with his rough appearance.
“We have other plans for tonight,” Dion said rudely. Don't let the elf fool you, Nonnos! The elves never favored us. Grab her! We didn't come to talk.
Bidine sighed and threw off her nanny mask. She will again be what they made of her in the White Hall - a murderer. And she enjoyed the fact that she could again use the power bestowed on her.
“I see your hands already got it once, goat’s ass.” If you try to touch me, the hand you reach out will roll at the foot of the cliff. Trust me, I'm not wasting words. I suggest you three leave, have another glass of wine, and be glad you're still alive.
“You forgot that you are not talking to some boys, nanny,” Dion hissed, poking the tip of his spear into her throat. “Now I’ll offer you something, old maid.” We will show you what is the purpose of men and women, and if you please us, you will not wallow at the foot of the cliff.
"You're done for, you dumb-ass goat," she said calmly. Her voice sounded amazingly drawn out. Bidine felt the magic of this dark and romantic place penetrate her. I felt the sadness of Nevenill, which seemed to have left its mark in the pattern of a magical network that enveloped this whole world and connected everything in it with each other.
Dion laughed.
- You are much more open-mouthed. Very handy, given our plans. Go ahead, grab her!
Nonnos hesitated, tugging nervously at his pointed beard.
“What if she...
“Don’t be such a coward,” hissed the black-haired Krotos, and fished out a dagger from behind a wide belt that supported a loincloth. “She's just a babysitter, damn you. Are you afraid of words? Words and a couple of slaps in the face - that's all her weapon.
Bidayn opened the Invisible Eye, and the magic of the world appeared before her. The multicolored ley lines around the three fauns glowed with red threads of anger and lust. There was also something else - the thinnest cobweb above their heads. A spell surrounded them. Woven neatly and almost imperceptibly.
The point of Dion's spear touched Bidayne's throat just below her chin. You can not spray, looking at the details. We need to act. The three left her no choice. Bidayne whispered a word of power and changed the course of time. Her movement and perception are now faster. But the world didn't stop around her, even though it seemed like it did. Bidine felt the blade pierce her thin skin, a thin trickle of blood run down her throat. The network around her began to shrink. She rebelled against a spell that changed the natural course of things.
Bidine pushed the spear aside, resigned to the fact that it would leave a thin bloody trail on her throat. It hadn't sunk too deep into her flesh yet.
“Ride at a goat’s gallop back to the tavern, and I will let you live.”
Bidayne spoke slowly, drawlingly, but most likely, the fauns heard only an unintelligible cry. Now she did everything too fast.
Moving away from the edge of the cliff, she tore the spear from Dion's hand and hit it with the blunt end of Krotos in the throat with such force that the toothless faun opened his mouth, he dropped the dagger. The weapon fell slowly, like an oak leaf on a windless autumn day.
Beeline uttered another word of power and broke off the spell. Feeling movement behind her, she jabbed her spear at Dion, carrying him at hip level. At the same time, she lost sight of Nonnos, who lowered right hand on the hilt of a dagger, but did not dare to draw a weapon.
The world has slowed down. Now time passed as usual for Bidayn: the hovering dagger fell dully into the tall withered grass; Krotos fell to his knees, clutching his throat with both hands, as if trying to pull out something invisible that was choking him. Bidine knew that with her blow she pierced the trachea of the faun. Nothing will save him now. His face flushed. Her eyes bulged even more, and the elf felt warm blood on her hands, clutching the shaft of the spear.
“Who… what are you?” murmured Nonnos, removing his hand from the hilt of the dagger.
“Not a victim,” Bidine sharply jerked the spear at herself and turned around. Dion rolled onto his side. His large brown eyes stared fixedly at the night sky. The tip of the spear fell under his ribs and pierced his heart from below.
The elf dropped her weapon and wiped her bloodied hands on the grass. Killing and using force, she experienced pleasure. She could just scare, drive these three away, but after endless weeks of being a respectful nanny, she longed to finally feel her power again.
"Throw the bodies off the cliff," she pleaded without looking at him. “The low tide will carry them out to sea, and no one will ever find them.
“Yes, madam,” the timid poet managed to utter this phrase simultaneously with the realization of duty and inquiringly. He grabbed the horns of Krotos, who was still gasping for air, and dragged him to the edge of the white rock.
- Down him!
“Eh…but, ma’am…”
Krotos removed his hands from his throat and clutched desperately at the thin goat legs of his comrade.
“I can’t…” Nonnos babbled. - He's still alive. We've grown up together. We...
- Do you want to live? Bidine asked, enjoying the sight of Nonnos tormented by remorse. These three came here to rape and kill her. They deserved everything that happened to them now. They were nasty types, without them the world would be a better place. - Follow orders!
Nonnos shook his head.
- I can't... He's my friend.
Bidine straightened her back.
“He is what you were going to do to me. Just a piece of flesh. Push him!
Nonnos was trembling all over, sweat streaming down his forehead.
“I don’t know what came over us. We are not like that. It's.... It's like a bad dream, – Faun's eyes were like dark mirrors. Now Bidayne stood very close to him. Nonnos stank of goats. He looked back at his friend. The dying man's eyelids fluttered. Then he let go of his friend's legs.
“He wasn't like that,” Nonnos murmured. “I don't understand. We...
What pathetic babble, Bidine thought with disgust. “He and his buddies were just ready to pounce on me, and now he thinks he can get away.”
“So I should help you wake up,” she said affably, and, still uttering these words, she made a half turn. His right leg struck him in the chest with deadly force, and the Faun toppled over and flew down the cliff.
The kick blew the air out of his lungs. His mouth opened wide, but as he fell, he could no longer scream. Bidine looked down at the sea. Nonnos's body vanished into the rippling foam that licked the bone-coloured rocks.
We must leave Uttica, she thought. Four years ago, when she was brought to the Cave of the Soaring Master, she would have made a good nurse and would have been glad to be able to look after the daughters of the merchant Shanadin. Even when she was brought to the White Hall, all was not lost. But the then shy, timid Bidayn was gone. And she did not even notice when that elf ceased to exist.
The dragon straightened up and looked at Krotos. The black-haired faun was dead, he had suffocated. His large hands gripped the dry grass. Dark brown misty eyes stared fixedly at her. Bidine kicked the body, it rolled and flew down the cliff. She felt strong and free. The time to hide is over. She wanted to be a dragon again.
– Is it not for me to decide when you must leave Uttica, Mrs. Bidine?
The sweet sound of the voice in her thoughts sent chills down the elf's spine. Despite the sting hidden in the words, a wave of happiness swept over her, bordering on the ecstasy she experienced when the Golden accepted her into the ranks of his dragons and tattooed her.
She turned away from the abyss. Here he is! Between the rocks, a little lower down the slope. Climbing up the path at a leisurely pace. The shadows of the night fled from the slender tall figure, as if he were a bundle of living light that dispersed the darkness. The gold embroidery at the hem of his short white tunic glittered in the moonlight. The wavering cloak seemed to be woven from the tender blue of the morning summer sky. Golden's light blond hair was loose and fell over his shoulders.
– Too much time has passed, my lady.
“Yes,” she whispered, walking toward the dragon in elf form. She saw him in her dreams almost every night. Crazy dreams, in which the ritual was repeated every now and then, during which they became one.
– Some of my brothers in the nest have doubts about you, venerable Bidine.
The elf froze in horror. Maybe he doubts too?
– The unthinkable happened. There is a traitor among us.
- I would never...
– Think carefully what you say, my lady. I will not tolerate lies! I know that you wanted to leave Uttica, and therefore, to violate my order!
His doubt hurt her. If she loses his favor, then her whole life will lose its meaning.
“Yes,” she admitted. “I thought about it, but intentions and actions are not the same thing, the light of my life.
Golden smiled at her, and the elf's heart began to beat faster.
– Well said, my lady, But his face immediately darkened. - You know about the attack on Zelinunte, White City, the one in which the immortals and devantars wanted to gather, intending to prejudge the death of Alvenmark?
Biden nodded.
– We sent two dragons there to scout. They were to give us a sign if the devantars did not come to the place at the appointed hour of attack, since we did not want to kill people, but gods. They deceived us! Not a single enemy died from heavenly fire, despite the fact that Gonvalon gave the signal to attack.
Bidine physically felt the strength of his anger. Her stomach clenched, her muscles tensed, and his thoughts scorched her like a bright flame.
“But Gonvalon abandoned you long ago,” the elf reminded. - Why did you send him to investigate?
Bidayn remembered the two long journeys she had made with the swordmaster to Nangog. About his love for her friend Nandalee. About his hidden power. What prompted him to betray?
– There will be a war such as our world has never seen, my lady. And we will be able to win only if there are no other traitors and vacillators in our ranks.
- I will fulfill any of your orders, the light of my life! Bidine exclaimed with genuine fervour. “I won't hesitate.
Golden melancholy smiled at the elf.
– This night I came to check on you, my lady. I know that a spark of the rebellious spirit of Nandalee smolders in you. It was I who sent three fauns to you. Basically, they were harmless. I only warmed their lust and inspired the idea of possessing you, my lady.
Bidine seemed to sober up, but was not surprised. After all, it is Golden. He embodies all the goodness of this world. He should have had good reasons do so.
– I have already told you that some of my brothers in the nest do not trust you, Mrs. Bidine, consider you weak. That's why I sent fauns to you. I wanted to see how you behave. I admit that I was relieved to see that you kill with passion. You dispelled all my doubts.
The golden waved his hand casually towards the corpse of Dion, still lying by the cliff. As if by a wave of an invisible hand, he rolled to the edge of the abyss and fell down.
– No one in Uttica would yearn for them. Fauns are fickle and capricious. Everyone will think they just went somewhere else– Golden approached and gently touched her neck. Bidine felt fine sand ripple across her skin.
– You will no longer be haunted by the smell of the grave. At least for the next few moons. But you will soon need a new skin, my lady. In this regard, you should be less scrupulous. You are a dragon. Take whatever you want. Alvenmark is at your feet, for you are my chosen one, the first among dragonmen who serve me.
Bidine was barely breathing. His chosen one! She can finally get out of Uttica!
– You have to kill someone for me. A very dangerous opponent. I spent many days studying Alvenmark's predictions of the future. My brother in the nest, the Dark One, will be killed – because he handles his trust too lightly. You must protect him from the danger to which he closes his eyes. You, Lady Bidine, are chosen, you will be the executor of my will. This will be the most dangerous of your missions. You can't handle it alone. Choose your comrades who can accomplish the seemingly impossible! And do not hesitate when the hour of blades comes!
Bidine felt as if intoxicated. Finally get out of here! And what a task. She must save the heavenly serpent. Firstborn!
“I will do whatever you require, my lord and benefactor. Who should I kill?
– If I tell you a name, there will be no return, Miss Bidine. Are you absolutely sure? Bidine felt the dragon's deep anxiety. His concern for her and her peace of mind. He is so kind to her. So alert and kind. And despite all this, she felt some resentment. How could she hesitate when he called her on a mission!
“I am ready, my lord. Whose blood should I shed in your name?
– This person is well known to you, The dragon's vertical pupils narrowed, turning into slits, when he looked at her, and it seemed to Bidayn that he could see right through her, reading all her secret desires and dreams. - Kill Lady Nandalee for me!
Biden sighed heavily. Nandalee! She was like a sister to her. Bidine still remembered well how many hours in the White Hall she sat on the bed next to Nandalee, whispering with her about how terrible the life of a novice of the hall was. She remembered the dangers of Nangog that they had overcome together. And that next to Nandalee she was always just a shadow. Her friend drew all eyes to her. She was like a light.
“What you desire will be fulfilled, my lord!”
