Chapter 14

- Knowledge of medicine can be useful not only to cure people, - Lady Maria whispered in Carlon's ear as they lay, tired and happy, snuggled together on the carpet. - By studying anatomy, you learn how best to hurt a man, to kill him, to disarm him... or how to make him feel good.

- You should know, lady, how people sometimes use magic for purposes other than its intended use... - smiled the master. Even now they addressed each other formally - so that they wouldn't make the mistake later, in public.

- It will be an interesting experience for me. Shall we try something? - The girl's pale lips also touched a smile. The guardswoman always smiled the same way, barely noticeable. Not particularly pretty, not too warm - a world away from Lady Emilia's sunny smile. Carlon didn't care. He admired Maria's face in the moonlight falling from the high window. And he thought that Valria was perhaps prettier, Dallan brighter, Emilia sweeter, and there was some special attraction in Lady Jana, unusual and exotic. But not one of them did the mage ever want to kiss. Especially Valria. But Maria did. And he kissed her immediately, since nothing prevented him from doing so. For a while, they found themselves busy again. Afterwards, the mage dozed off, hugging the girl from behind, his nose against the back of her neck. He had no recollection of the Guardsmen visiting the baths during their stops, but the Lady Maria appeared fresh and clean, as if just out of a hot bath, and her hair smelled faintly of something floral. The girl's blue beret, tossed on the couch, glowed faintly with magic when Carlon closed his eyes - it probably explained everything...

The guardswoman left an hour before dawn. She gave the master a long kiss and dressed very leisurely, giving him the last chance to admire her thin frame, long slender legs, and high firm breasts. Carlon did not lie down on the couch, being left alone, but instead opened the window and looked at the fading stars until he was completely frozen. The mage could not read the constellations, but it seemed to him that the stars were winking and trying to say something - but the voices were inaudible because of the distance. In the morning, when the cortege set out on the road, he and Maria acted as if nothing had changed. They still tried to ride side by side whenever possible, still chatted about magic and healing. But the sleepless night was taking its toll - the Master was finding it increasingly difficult to keep up with the conversation, his thoughts confused. The girl noticed this and delicately put the conversation to rest. It was her turn to ride at the door of the duke's carriage, so Carlon fell a little behind. Rocking his saddle, he began to doze off, but Valria, riding quietly up behind him, folded her palms into a funnel, whistled right into his ear. The wizard, who had not expected such treachery, almost fell at his own horse's feet, but the elfess caught his elbow in time. She said, smirking:

- You've relaxed. And if an enemy had attacked?

- I would have died, - Master did not argue.

- But happy, at least. - The captain pushed him on the shoulder. - Traitor.

- I don't understand. Do you have plans for me, or are you jealous? - Carlon raised his eyebrows.

- I want my personal mage to be able to sleep and fight. Once, all right, but don't go back to sleep every night. - Valria wagged a finger at him. - Well, I'm jealous, too. When a pretty girl has such long legs, and at that height, she can use them...

Dallan, who had joined the mage and the elfess, silently reached out and snatched the hat from Valria's head and placed it in her lap.

- Hey! - the elf said indignantly. The sergeant clutched the hat with her palm, not letting her take it back. And Carlon thought that they all got a little too relaxed. Even the perpetually collected and serious Dallan. A brief raid in the Deadlands came to his mind. Back then, all three of them had been alert, day and night, and had behaved very differently. The trip in the duke's cortege, with overnight stays on padded beds, surrounded by a crowd of soldiers, had stripped them of all vigilance. It was not perceived as a mission - more like entertainment. It could have ended badly.

Meanwhile, Christina's escort doubled in size. The caravan was met by a squadron of clibanaries, imperial raiders who had not only their riders armored, but their horses as well. The squadron had left Garlont, the Imperial capital, a few days ago, and was carrying a cage of carrier pigeons. One pigeon headed back immediately, carrying a letter from the commander of the clibanarians to the imperial palace.

A final stop awaited the train a day's march from its destination. In the sunset rays before the travelers grew a black-stone castle - judging by the architecture, built centuries ago, when guns did not yet reign on the battlefield.

- This is the property of Count Cyril Konstaninakis, - said Duchess Christina, looking out the carriage window. - My kinsman by father. That's someone I don't want to visit, but I have to.

- Did something happen between you two? - Valria asked in her most polite tone a tactless question.

- Not personally, - the Duchess sighed. - The Earl's sons were all officers in the Reithar corps and died in the war. He quarreled with my father, sold all his possessions in Elvart, and left here. I don't think he would be happy to see me. But I can't ignore him, it would be too rude. Besides, Cyril is in his seventies. After his death, the castle will go to me - the Count has no closer relatives. The castle, as far as I know, is dilapidated, but Elvart could use a piece of land in the Empire.

As it turned out an hour later, Her Highness was even understating it. There was a village leaning against the black walls, surprisingly small and impoverished, given the proximity of the capital. The castle itself, to all appearances, was supported solely by the talent of ancient architects. There were no sentries visible between the scratched battlements, the chains of the folding bridge were covered with rust, except that the ditch with water was kept in good order. It was not even the seneschal of the castle surrounded by guards who rode out to greet the honored guests, but a lonely elderly servant. Stammering and forgetting words, he handed the young duchess an invitation to a dinner in her honor. However, the servant added, the count has to apologize - he has very little money, so the table can be covered only for a few people.

- His lordship need not be alarmed. - Christina the Second gave the servant a gracious smile. - My men will stand at rest in the village and provide for themselves.

Letting the old man go, she turned to Valria and Carlon and said:

- Well, that's what I was talking about. Father's cousin is no more excited about our meeting than I am. Let's not make him angry. I'll take three of you, four guardsmen and Sir Roland. You're not going as guards, you're going as my guests. Lady Valria is a noblewoman without a title, as I recall?

- Imperial, - the elfess nodded. - A personal noblewoman without the right to inherit nobility.

- Well, you will be my companion tonight, and the master and sergeant are your entourage.

- You won't even take your maid of honor and secretary, Your Highness? - Carlon inquired.

- If the Earl has no men to serve at the table, one of my guards will handle it. - Christina squinted. - My girls have not only been trained to fight, Master. They know etiquette, and the Lady Maria, for instance, dances beautifully. Invite her over sometime, if you get the chance, and see for yourself.

Carlon had enough self-control not to blush. But he breathed a sigh of relief when the Duchess left.

- I think Her Highness seriously expects her cousin to try to stab her during dinner. - Valria snorted, rubbing her chin. - I'll change my gloves for parade gloves...

Konstantinakis' castle looked even worse from inside. Some time ago it was rebuilt inside, adding a stone staircase and two four-story wings to the round central tower-donjon. These rectangular buildings, which were connected to the donjon, were not yet dilapidated, and the tower itself loomed menacingly over the courtyard. But the rest of the castle was in danger of crumbling to rubble or wood chippings at the blast of the wind. Carlon lowered his eyelids and began to see a greenish glow along the walls. The fortress amulets were still working, though they could use a boost. A fading greenish glow was visible through the thick walls of the main tower, which were probably the Earl's chambers, additionally protected from magic and otherworldly foes.

The servants - this time young and rather unkemptly dressed - first led the guests to the south wing. They were given half a dozen rooms on the second floor, and the Duchess' apartments were no different from the rest. This was an insult, but Christina the Second did not show it - before she let the servants go, she had Lady Emilia give them a coin each. In addition to the little brown-eyed girl and the huge black-bearded Sir Roland, the ruler of Elvart was accompanied by Maria and two redheaded twins from the Guard - Lady Adela and Lady Kaya. Carlon had somehow expected the twins to have consonant names, and was foolishly disappointed when they were introduced. They were not allowed to settle in for long - when darkness fell and torches began to be lit on the walls, an elderly servant acquaintance showed up to escort them all to dinner. It was a long walk since the great hall was situated in the third floor of the opposite wing.

- Your Highness, I would advise you to leave the castle after dinner and spend the night in the escort's camp, - Valria suggested as they made their way down the long, damp corridors. She made no attempt to lower her voice, despite the presence of the earl's servant.

- It hardly seems justified, - Christina protested in a polite tone. - But I will consider your suggestion, lady.

The main dining hall of the castle was a circular room with a high ceiling and blank walls. The walls were decorated with numerous carpets, tapestries, draperies - dark from dampness and age. Long tables, capable of holding forty persons, were lined up in a U-shape, the open end of which faced the only entrance. At the other end, on a high carved armchair, sat the owner, a dry bald old man, as decrepit in appearance as his dwelling.

- Hello, Christine, my girl, - he greeted the Duchess of Elvart in an unexpectedly young voice. - Forgive me for not standing up in your presence, my knees are quite weak.

The faces of the guardsmen darkened. Sir Roland frowned, one of the redheaded twins even put her palm on the hilt of her sword. But the duchess replied with a smile:

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- Of course, Count, I understand. Sit down, it's all right.

- Then you sit down too, and quickly. Warming the food again is a waste of firewood, and I have not enough.

Christina was given a place of honor next to the master of the castle, the mercenaries were seated a little farther away. Emilia and Sir Roland stood behind their mistress, the remaining guardsmen lined up along the wall, where they froze as only they could. Dinner began in an unpleasant atmosphere. The Earl and Duchess exchanged idle small talk, with Sir Cyril failing to watch his tongue and constantly balancing on the edge of open boorishness. Only two young servants served simple meals. Carlon noticed that over each plate served, Her Highness passed her right hand, then looked intently at the ring adorning her hand. The Master could sense no magic in the ring, but it looked as if it must somehow reveal the poison in the food. It was clear from the way Christina deliberately made these checks that she was not really afraid of poison, but was simply responding gracefully to her kinsman's rudeness. In the end, after taking an especially large sip of wine from the dull gold cup, the master coughed so that the servant had to hit him on the back.

- Please forgive me... - the earl squeezed through his cramped chest. - But I must… take my leave. Enjoy... without me...

The servants led the lord out of the hall under his arms and closed the high double doors behind them. There was a clang on the other side. The redheaded twins glanced at each other and dashed for the door. They jerked the handles without hesitation. The doors didn't budge. And then Carlon realized, belatedly, that the guests were alone.

- I didn't think he'd really dare... - the Duchess began quietly. Master couldn't hear the end of the sentence as a wave of cold swept over him, as if he'd been caught naked in a winter wind with torrents of snow. The mage gasped, closed his eyes and saw only a blinding white light that veiled his inner vision.

- Beware! - He shouted hoarsely, jumping up and overturning a chair. But he could not say what to beware of, because he himself did not understand it yet. It took him a few seconds to realize it. In several places in the refectory, ghostly swamp lights lit up, and around them began to thicken columns of gray fog - still slim.

- Everyone to the center of the room! Follow me! - The mage bellowed, leaping across the table and picking up the large china salt-cellar. - It's a summons! Demons are summoned into the room!

The middle of the hall remained free of the swamp lights for now, and, standing precisely in the center, the master began hastily pouring a circle of salt there. Wide enough to accommodate nine people. And the misty pillars, gradually taking on clearer and clearer shapes, reached out for the men. Sir Roland grabbed the Duchess by the shoulders and practically threw her over the tabletop. Together with her, Emilia, and Maria, he rushed toward the master. But Valria was the first to run up to him - holding a salt shaker in each hand.

- What’s to be done? - She asked briefly.

- We draw a circle on the floor.

- Copy that. - Without further ado, the elfess tossed a single salt-cellar to Dallan and knelt beside him. Mage was laboriously drawing a thin white line, his scruff feeling the cold from the approaching creatures. He didn't have time. Just sprinkling salt on the floor wasn't an option; the mage needed a clean, solid line. And the demons, not yet fully out in the world of the living, were drawn irresistibly toward humans. The two creatures sailed through the air toward the twins, cut off from the others, and the mage had already decided that the redheaded girls were finished. But he underestimated the guardsmen. Lady Adela was the first to rip the thin silver chain from her belt, Kaya followed suit a moment later. The air rumbled as a shimmering circle appeared before Adela. The girl spun the chain in front of her with such speed that it became impossible to see. And the nearest demon staggered back, backing away from the whistling silver. With these shields of sorts, the twins paced through the hall. Chains also appeared in the hands of their sworn sisters. The Lady Maria stood beside Carlon, ready to protect him and Valria, Emilia drove the too bold demon away from Christina. When the red-headed guardsmen reached the center of the refectory, the mage closed the circle at one end, the elfess at the other. Carlon touched the salt with his fingertips, uttered a short magical formula, and poured a bolt of energy into the circle at once. He squeezed his eyes shut to see if it worked. It worked. The uneven but unbroken circle of salt glowed with white flame to the inner eye. And another circle of exactly the same flame encompassed the entire perimeter of the room. And beneath the carpets covering the floor, a different kind of line burned - purple, intertwined in an intricate pattern.

- You damned bastard, - the mage hissed, as he straightened.

- What on earth is going on, master? - The Duchess asked him. So calmly, as if she'd caught the wizard doing something harmless, like playing paper boats in the palace fountain. She did not look frightened. - Did you get it yet?

- The whole room is a great circle of summoning, a gateway to the underworld. - Carlon said grimly, looking around. - One-way. Someone let a bunch of demons in here and locked them in with us. I didn't notice anything, because the lines weren't energized until the last second. So the demonologist is out there somewhere. He activated the protective circle and performed the summoning ritual as soon as the Count came out into the hallway. The demons would drink the life out of us if we hesitated. A clever trap. Swords and armor cannot defend against such a threat.

- But you saved us, master.

- Perhaps not for long. And the Lady Guards helped me. What's with the chains? It's a superstition, isn't it, that silver drives away evil spirits?

- It's not the silver itself, it's the amulets. - The Lady Maria handed the master her chain of thin links, with a round weight on the end. Carlon had seen them on guard belts before, but he'd considered them mere decoration. - There was little magic in them so it did not weaken from their proximity to the steel armor. There is no way to exorcise or disembowel such a demon, only to frighten.

- We're safe now, relatively. - The mage bit his lip. Around the invisible wall that rose from the salt circle, a dozen or two demons had gathered. They had finally formed their etheric bodies. Not completely material, but allowing them to interact with the mortal world. The bodies looked... peculiar. Some looked human, some looked like a bundle of long thin arms, fastened to an invisible core, some looked like a miniature dragon. The weakest of the demons were not fully formed, and the objects behind them peered through their shaky gray carcasses. The creatures made snapping and clanking noises that sounded like they were coming from a deep well.

- They can't get into the circle, we can't get out, eh. - Valria's ears twitched. The elven woman stood at the very barrier, her palm on the sheath of her sword, the only weapon she had. The girl had left the crossbows in the room. - The escort would stir in the morning. If the Earl is in on the plot, he might spit something to them and buy more time. One good thing, the human killers won't come here, either, most likely. They'll be gone by dawn, won't they?

- No, - the mage shook his head. - It's the sunlight they fear, not the coming of day. There are no windows in the room. Well, they'll be weaker in the daytime, but that won't do us much good.

- So we can only wait, - Christina sighed.

But the otherworldly creatures didn't let them wait patiently for help to come. Once they realized that their prey was beyond the impenetrable barrier, the demons became frantic. They scurried around the dining hall, beating on the outer protective ring, knocking the wind out of them. Then the creatures gathered in a horde around the food trays and started flying through them, making them jump and quiver. The mage didn't immediately understand why they were doing this. But then a jug of wine tipped over on the nearest table. Another followed by another, then a bowl of oil... Wine, oil, milk, and other liquids poured onto the floor.

- Lady Emilia. - Gritting his teeth, Carlon turned to the little girl, pointed to the rapidly spreading puddles. - Get your chains ready. If the salt washes out...

And it looked like it was going to. The puddles, a mixture of everything liquid that was on the tables, were getting wider and wider, threatening to touch the salt circle. The girl guardsmen huddled together in a group of gleaming silver armor, shielding Christina with their bodies. Each took a sword in her right hand and an amulet in her left. Valria and Dallan drew their blades as if that would do more to help them. Sir Roland - huge, bearded, in black mourning armor - drew an axe from a leather ring on his belt. He muttered:

- When the circle is broken, I'll try to cut through the door. Have the girls cover me and Christina. Then just run from the room.

- Good plan, sir, - the Duchess said softly. - I'll make a correction to it.

Christina stepped forward, spreading her bodyguards apart, and placed her right hand clenched in a fist against her chest. She spoke loudly and clearly:

- I call upon the oath.

For a second or two nothing happened. Then, one step in front of the duchess, the air began to thicken. There was exactly the same column of mist as when the demon appeared, only without the swamp fire inside. The gray blob grew denser, taking on the form of a slender female figure. Colors other than gray appeared. Carlon saw more and more details. Recognizable details. Brown skin. Short black hair. A blue guardsman's uniform. Soft brown thighhigh boots. Silver cuirass with shoulder pads, the same armlets and gauntlets. A blue cloak slung over her shoulders... Finally taking her form, the guardswoman drew a narrow, straight sword from its sheath and saluted the duchess and her companions. Meeting her gaze with the master, she smiled at him. This smile, seen only once before, dispelled the last doubts.

- Lady Jana... - he astonished mage exhaled.

The black-haired girl seemed woven of rare smoke and dense air, her yellow lynx eyes faintly glowing with golden fire. And yet it was, beyond all doubt, Lady Jana. Not just her illusory image - the look in her burning eyes was completely meaningful and familiar.

The girl, woven out of thin air, turned to face the rampaging creatures. She stepped toward the invisible barrier. Raising her left hand, she clenched her thin, silver-clad fingers into a fist. Carlon understood her. Falling to his knees, he slashed the salt line with the edge of his palm. The snapping and grunting of the creatures became a roar, and the disembodied swarm rushed into the breach. Where Lady Jana awaited them. The ghostly blade of a dead guard sliced off the long-fingered paw of the swiftest demon as though it were flesh and blood. The demon shook, staggered backward with a croak. Wasting no time, Jana leaped into the midst of the creatures and whirled there, wielding her sword furiously.

- Roland, Adela, Kaya! - In a truly commander's voice, the Duchess of Elvart shouted. The old knight and the redheaded twins jumped out of the protective circle, which Carlon closed behind them again. Without interruption, Sir Roland ran to the door and brought his axe down upon the flaps. The twins stood behind him, spinning silver chains - several demons, distracted by Lady Jana, rushed toward the men who had left the circle. Just in time. The ghost guard fought the demons equally - but there were twenty of them against one. Only the yellow-eyed girl's lifetime combat skills helped her to withstand the many foes. On her arms and cuirass appeared shimmering white light scars - marks from the touch of otherworldly monsters. Jana retreated, dragging her enemies behind her, but it was clear that in a matter of seconds she would be crushed.

- Ehk... ehk! - Sir Roland, with a grunt, finally broke through the oak sash. With two more blows he smashed the outer bolt, kicked the door open... Crossbows clicked. Three arrows struck the old knight in the chest, piercing the thin black cuirass like a sheet of paper, the fourth hit the lady Adela in the back, entering under the left shoulder pad, two more did not reach their targets. Half a dozen of the earl's servants, waiting in the corridor with crossbows at the ready, hurried to reload their weapons. Not in time. A triple blow to the chest forced Sir Roland to retreat a step back, but the black-bearded knight, coughing up blood, raised his axe above his head and with a full swing dropped it... on the threshold of the refectory, immediately collapsing beside it. The pack of demons that had surrounded Lady Jana suddenly forgot about her, rushing to the door. Lady Kaya, grabbing her wounded sister, jumped aside with her, and the otherworldly horde rushed past them into the corridor. The savage screams of demon-eating servants lasted only half a minute, and then there was a dead silence in the dining hall.

Sir Roland stretched across the threshold, showing no signs of life. The redheaded Lady Kaya was hugging her sister tightly. The others were still standing inside the salt circle, useless because one edge of it had already been washed away by the drinks spilled from the tables. Carlon swallowed, closing his eyes to confirm his hunch. Yes, the outer circle of protection was gone, too. Cutting through the threshold, the old knight let the demons out of the room, and they went in search of easier prey.

Lady Jana silently approached the duchess, again saluting with her sword. She smiled tiredly at Carlon, nodded to him. And then she scattered silver dust, instantly melted into the air...