Chapter 24. ESCAPE
The rain, whining pitifully, continued to pound the glass. It seemed offended that it wasn't allowed into the room; it desperately wanted to, and so it shamelessly continued to whine and pound on the window, hoping for something.
Hani closed the gently rattling doors more tightly and tossed more wood into the fire. The flames leaped upward and roared joyfully, but they failed to dispel the gloom and gloom that had settled over the room. On the contrary, it grew even darker and more uncomfortable. Flickering red glows faded in the damp gloom, not reaching the walls. The corners seemed to be permanently dark. Hani picked up a large, gnarled birch log and swung it in his hand, wondering if it would fit in the fire. Chani, watching him with disgust, said disapprovingly:
- Stop it.
"But it's cold," Honey objected, perplexed.
"Stop it anyway," my brother replied, shivering as he wrapped himself in a wool blanket. "It won't get any warmer. Can't you see it's foggy again?"
Indeed, a fuzzy white haze with a slight, barely perceptible greenish tint, reminiscent of mildewed felt, was visible through the wet glass. It was strange and impossible—fog during rain, but white wisps, strung on streams of water, continued to move outside the window.
"Again," Honey frowned with displeasure.
"Again," Ryubi confirmed sadly.
Six months had passed since they returned to Acanton, the three of them. Quite unexpectedly, Ruby decided to go with them, to Hani's great joy, which he didn't hide very well. Chani, however, returned gloomier than a storm cloud—Toril had flatly refused to visit Acanton again. He hardly expected the princess to leave Tan-Khorez, but even just to visit… Hani overheard her brother trying to persuade Toril, but to no avail. She very coldly cited urgent matters of state that called for her immediate return to the island kingdom.
Their hometown greeted them with extreme hostility. The townspeople hadn't forgotten the Ten-Winged One, nor had they forgotten the troubles brought on by the princess's visit. Most importantly, they hadn't forgotten their fright; such things are neither forgotten nor forgiven. And, as always, an explanation was found: the brothers were to blame. Once you find someone to blame, you immediately feel better, for you're completely innocent. All of them, all of them! Although now that the Sea King's army no longer existed, and he himself, having lost the Blue Pearl, had lost his control over the sea, it seemed there was no one to fear. The magistrate even rashly ordered the construction of two new merchant galleasses, but autumn arrived, the rains came, and construction somehow imperceptibly ceased. And when the spring sun shone again, the galleasses were forgotten.
The brothers expected their house to be looted or even burned. Anything could have happened after their hasty escape. But fear of the sorcerers apparently proved stronger than their desire for revenge, stronger than greed—everything remained in its place, the overturned cups still strewn across the table, no one slammed the cupboard door. Only a thick layer of dust covered the tables, chairs, and beds. They had to expend considerable effort, shoveling out piles of dirt and debris, scrubbing out the mold that had grown into the corners, before the house once again looked habitable.
Honey, however, was afraid that one day Ryubi would say, "Enough," and leave. But the days flew by, and she had no intention of leaving the city. What she needed in Acanton, what she was waiting for, remained unclear. When Honey asked her directly, she remained silent, smiling enigmatically. Chani also tried to find out, but Ryubi only muttered vaguely about the wonderful weather and the healing sea air. Although the weather was not pleasing... The furious storms that shook the city walls had long since ceased. The Charm Stone, which had appeared out of nowhere in its former place, shimmered reassuringly beneath the bay's surface, smooth as polished turquoise. But then spring came—and with it came the fog. It seemed as if a thick white cloud had decided to settle in the city. One morning, the townspeople woke up to see it as if someone had ripped open a million pillows at once, and the finest white fluff was swirling in the air.
Sometimes the fog would disappear, but only briefly. A day or two would pass—and then it would return to the city. Just five minutes earlier, the sun had been shining peacefully, without a single cloud in the sky, and suddenly, out of nowhere, white clouds would appear right before you, quickly merging into a huge cap that covered the city. If you left the city gates and rode a league or two, all that remained was a shifting white hill where Acanthon should have stood. After a few days, the fog would disappear, but it would always reappear soon after.
And again rumors began to stir in the city.
You've heard, you've heard... No, truly, we're cursed for not getting rid of the sorceress in time. It's all because of them, the villains. We'd only just dispatched one, when another appeared on our heads. They must be driven out, cruelly driven out, I'm telling you for sure... Remember, she appeared then, out of nowhere, uninvited, unbidden... You don't remember, and neither do I... And no one can say where they came from, it must have been the work of evil hands. What's known for certain is the work of alien abominations, I don't know myself, but they say... Black magic, may God forbid... And you saw, you saw what was happening... These villains, I'm sure, intended to destroy us all utterly. Remember, brothers. Did they summon the storms? They did. But we stood firm, glory to us, brothers. Then they summoned the Ten-Winged One. Remember? We defeated him. They went to fight him. They won... No way! There was a conspiracy, a treacherous conspiracy! They went... I went!.. No one saw... So maybe everyone is completely lying about how they fought. Yes, they are definitely lying, that can't be. I can't believe in my life that they defeated the Ten-Winged... We heard the most reliable stories from trusted people - they conspired... So we stood firm before the dragon, so again - glory to us!.. And did you see, did you see?.. And the sorcerers, afraid of our strength, fled. The captain of the city guard defeated them then, overcame their sorcery. Defeated them to death. And they fled. And now they're back again. Where is the magistrate looking?! Why did they let them into the city?!.. They let them in - they didn't let them in... They missed it, and now you get your change - we haven't seen a thing for three days. You look outside and you can't help but wonder if it's day or night. A copper snout floats in milk, not the sun. You can only walk if you stretch out your arms, otherwise you'll inevitably run into the first wall... And my neighbor recently fell blind into a ditch, nearly broke her leg, and is still lying there, groaning... And all the troubles are brought on by a new witch. After all, she looks at you and it's like fire, and you don't want to, you lower your eyes... I heard that someone somewhere saw her glow... Yes, for a person to glow... Witchcraft... And I saw it, I saw it... No, brothers, I tell you for sure - we have no path with sorcerers and witches. We lived peacefully without them, but when they appeared, our whole life went awry. If only the Sea King had been here, we would have lived behind him, as if behind a stone wall. He would protect us, defend us. But now he's gone. These enemies have destroyed us... And I saw!!! What do you want?.. The ships have arrived, many of them. Sails black and gold, trumpets playing, torches burning... Pirates?!.. That could happen. No, worse, right before our eyes, before the entrance to the port, they melted away like smoke. Witchcraft again... It will be worse. Drive them out, drive them out cruelly, while the city still stands... And if they don't listen, then run to the magistrate, he has guards. The councilors themselves are just waiting, we need help... So you help, and I'll just watch... And they also say that this fog settles in the water and thickens it, like jelly. The oar gets stuck, the ship can't pass, the harbor is covered in mud... I haven't seen it, but they say for sure!.. We must save ourselves, brothers, tomorrow will be too late... Ah, there is no strong ruler... Never mind, we'll manage on our own,There are so many of us! Strength... Drive...
"Look," Chani said suddenly, going up to the window.
The rain had stopped, the fog had cleared, and the street seemed unusually clear and long. Honey, standing next to his brother, pushed open the window and peered out. The street was filled with people. Huddled in small groups, they were whispering. Noticing the open window, they started to jump, but coming to their senses, they began to gather in tight groups. Seeing that only the brothers had appeared, the crowd moved toward the house, though they didn't dare approach too closely.
"Well, hold on, it's about to start," Chani whispered cheerfully and angrily in his brother's ear.
"What's going on?" asked Ruby, sitting by the fire. She didn't tolerate dampness well, and on such bleak days she tried to stay close to the fire.
"Wait a bit," Chani said. "It's not yet entirely clear what those fat shopkeepers have come up with. But in any case, it's nothing good."
Honey shook his head disapprovingly. Lately, his brother had become extremely nervous and irritable. He was quick to lose his temper over the most trivial matters, and his speech became harsh and grumpy. Even when telling the absolute truth, Chani chose the most offensive form to express his thoughts.
Through the window, the greasy, smoldering flames of torches could be seen—in foggy weather, they carried fires during the day, but now there was no need. Something else was being prepared. Cloaks gleamed damply, the wet iron of cuirasses and helmets, and the sound of muffled curses and the clanking of weapons drifted in. Chani winced, looking like a wolf baring his fangs. He looked at the commotion, and then suddenly said to his brother:
"I'll go out and talk to them. In the meantime, get ready to leave."
"I'm with you," Hani said.
"I said, get ready to leave," Chani repeated harshly. "This time we'll be dealing not with terrified guards, but with a crowd. This could end very differently."
Ruby, who also came to the window, asked:
— Is it just me, or is there really fog?
"What fog?" Chani snapped.
But Hani, looking more closely, confirmed:
- Indeed, I can discern some kind of greenish haze.
"Green? You're not mistaken?" Ruby asked worriedly.
- Yes. Definitely green.
Chani squinted and finally noticed the thinnest of salad-colored wisps filling the air. He reluctantly admitted:
- And I see.
"Then we really do have to run," Ruby said decisively. "Yes, run. I can't explain everything, but trust me. We don't have time to waste."
"I'll try to delay them a bit," Chani grinned wryly. "But don't waste time."
He appraised the collection of scrap iron that Chani had carefully arranged on the walls and selected the same short sword he had carried on his previous journey. He somehow took a liking to it, even though more formidable-looking sabers and yataghans hung on the wall. Hiding the sword under his jacket, Chani descended the stairs to the front door.
When the door creaked under a hail of blows, he was already standing at the ready, listening cautiously. A familiar captain of the city guard, puffing out his cheeks impressively and bristling his mustache, swung the door open and recoiled as if he'd run into the tip of a spear. Chani smiled pleasantly at him, but the captain incorruptibly closed his eyes and took another step back, just in case. His back collided with the guards' crossed halberds, he stopped and opened his eyes.
"What would you like?" Chani asked in a sweet voice.
The captain turned his head, made sure that the guards were nearby and would come to his aid immediately, cleared his throat seriously and said:
— By decree of the respected city magistrate, you are declared an outlaw.
"Even so?" Chani raised his eyebrows in surprise. "For what?"
"That's the only way!" The captain looked both terribly important and terribly frightened. "Your guilt has been proven completely and irrefutably. By order of the magistrate, you are to be beheaded." The captain cautiously drew his head deeper into his shoulders, even though no one had attempted to take it. "However, our magistrate is as merciful as he is omnipotent. In immeasurable mercy, it has been decreed that beheading be replaced by exile for life."
"Very nice to meet you," Chani smiled sweetly. "But we've all done this before. At least tell me, what exactly have they blamed us for this time?"
The captain cleared his throat again, as if his throat were dry, twirled his mustache, looked at the assembled crowd, and felt very brave. In a tedious, bureaucratic voice, he began listing:
"First: disrespect for the city's authority, expressed in disobedience and resistance to the city guard, represented by myself. Second: the use of abominable foreign sorcery within the territory of the great and glorious Acanthon, expressed in frightening the city guard, represented by myself, with fire and burning them with the same. Third: bringing foreigners into the city without permission from the city guard, represented by myself. Fourth: insult and rebellion against the high overlord and patron of the Glorious Acanthon—the Sea King."
"But the Sea King fled to the Twilight Lands," Chani said in surprise. "What do you care about him now?"
Hearing this, the captain was delighted.
— Aha! Fifthly, lastly, and most importantly! An assassination attempt on the sacred person of the Lord and Master!
"But he's no longer a lord or master," Chani explained calmly, trying to figure out if his brother had managed to pull himself together. "And he never was. Why do you cling to him so stubbornly? On the contrary, we should be glad that the great and glorious Acanthon, Free Acanthon, is being reborn."
The captain fell silent, puzzled. The greenish haze thickened, and the air smelled distinctly of some foreign spice: perhaps cinnamon... or something similar. Pushing his helmet up his nose, the captain scratched the back of his head, then carefully replaced it. He wrinkled his short, button-like nose and finally said with the conviction of a parrot:
"You're still foolish. You're still too young and too foolish to understand the meaning of what's happening. A free Acanthon? Ha! A free city... What's it capable of? The first king who wants it, who doesn't bother to do so, will tear the banner with the silver lions from the city's towers. And woe to the vanquished! There is no freedom for a city, and there can be none. One can be great only as part of a great power, under the hand of a mighty ruler. And our freedom is the freedom to find one's own master!"
As he spoke, the captain rocked back and forth rhythmically, his eyes half-closed. The dead, pewter whites gleamed dully beneath his lids. As he spoke, Chani slowly paled, his jaw muscles twitching.
"So, you can't do it without the master?" he asked again.
"It's impossible," the captain answered in a wooden voice.
"But you chose the wrong master. The Sea King is not nearly as strong and powerful as you think."
— The Lord is always strong and powerful.
"D-dog!" Chani said in an ominous, hissing voice, unable to contain himself.
"Do you miss your master's whip? Pathetic creature! I'll give you that pleasure right here and now, no need to search for a master in the faraway lands. I'll beat you myself!" And with a sharp movement, he drew his hidden sword.
The captain stumbled back, knocking one of the guards down. But, finding himself behind the protective bristles of the tilted halberds, he screamed, his voice breaking:
— Guards! Forward! Kill this rebel and sorcerer! Kill him!
But the guards were in no hurry, continuing to shift from foot to foot. The reminder that Chani was a sorcerer did not inspire them with courage. The captain howled:
— Crossbows!!
There was a commotion in the back of the crowd; it seemed like half the onlookers were trying to escape, while the other half were trying to get closer so as not to miss the captivating spectacle. As a result, they got in each other's way, and no one moved.
"Crossbows!!" the captain cried out shrilly.
Chani stood guard, holding his drawn sword at his side. His left hand gripped the door, ready to slam it shut at any moment. A few stones flashed through the air, and broken glass tinkled. The captain prudently retreated a few more steps. Finally, the commotion died down, and the blunt muzzles of crossbows poked out over the heads of the guards, who continued to shyly shuffle about. Chani instantly recoiled, slamming the door shut, and immediately powerful blows shook it. But the oak planks held firm and did not splinter, although the forged point of one arrow pierced the door. Chani quickly slid the heavy bolt and listened.
At first, there was silence behind the door, then a loud shuffling and snoring began, and then, suddenly, everyone started talking. Heavy slaps echoed—someone was slamming their shoulder against the door, but the old oak was built for more than that. The iron-bound door could only be breached with a battering ram. The futility of the whole undertaking soon dawned even on the captain; the familiar voice began yelling something inaudible again. It seemed the captain had forgotten how to speak softly. Then, behind the door, there was more shuffling and whispering, and isolated words broke through the general hubbub: "Break... It's not worth it... sword... give me the log... they'll finish me off... witch... fire... it won't work... fire! It's worse for us..." Finally, the noise died down, and the captain's distorted voice reached Chani:
— Bring the torches! Burn the rats in the nest, we'll have less trouble. The magistrate's advisers will thank you later. Hey, there! Torches! Quickly!
There was no more waiting. Chani ran upstairs to the large room. A damp, cold wind blew through the broken glass, carrying greenish wisps. The spicy smell became sharp, almost unpleasant. Honey, his face tense, pressed himself against the wall next to the broken window, peering cautiously out.
"It's time to go!" Chani ordered from the doorway, but his brother didn't move, as if he hadn't heard the order.
Red lights danced feverishly across the ceiling, and a distinct smell of burning filled the air. The crowd's hubbub grew louder.
"Wow," Honey said quietly, as if to himself. "I didn't expect that."
Crouching low so as not to be seen in the window—he really didn't want to get shot in the side—Chani ran over to his brother and tugged at his arm.
— Let's go! We can't waste any more time! Where's Ryubi?
- She's in the kitchen.
"Excellent. They're not watching the back. Let's run, or we'll really burn."
The reflections on the ceiling became brighter, filled with heat, and the first timid stream of smoke crept through the window.
"Run away again," Honey said sadly. "Why run away? From my hometown... Is it really impossible to come to an agreement?"
"No way!" Chani's eyes flashed. "This herd of fat pigs, stunned with fear, is ready to eat us alive. You have no idea how dangerous they are in their fear. Whoever scared them knew what they were doing."
"These are our fellow countrymen," Hani objected.
- No! I don't know them!
Dragging his weakly struggling brother, Chani rushed into the kitchen, followed by a short, heavy crossbow bolt, which shattered the last miraculously intact pane of glass. It shattered into splinters and hit the wall with a smacking sound.
"What's there?" Ryubi rushed towards them, already having tied up her third and final duffel bag.
"They've gone crazy," Honey said quietly.
"I thought so," Ryubi responded incomprehensibly.
Chani picked up a heavy stool and smashed the window frame open with a crash. Indeed, there was no one in the backyard.
"These shopkeepers are too stupid to surround the house," Chani said impatiently. Then he suddenly laughed cheerfully. "We used to escape through this window to play travelers."
"This is not a game," Ryubi smiled slightly.
"Let's run, or they'll figure out that there's more to leaving the house than just the door," and Chani was the first to slip out into the street.