Читать книгу Raven's Soul. Volume 2 - Анна Морион - Страница 4

– Sylvia? What are you doing in there? – Evans' voice came from behind me, but it sounded as muffled as if I were under the water of a lake of fire, and he was standing on a rocky shore, trying to tell me something.

Dark energy was beating in my veins, as if it had displaced my blood. Terrible bloody scenes stood before my eyes, and screams of pain and fear rang in my ears, like the ones I'd heard when Derek was killing my people…

"Derek… Murderer and usurper! I will destroy you and your brats! I will make all you wretched humans suffer as my subjects have suffered, and weep as the mothers who took refuge in our palace but lost their children did! It was you who killed them! And you will answer for every life you took! Rivers of blood will flood the streets of your cities, and your corpses will be the food of crows…" – I muttered, gripping the blade of the Dead Man's Axe tightly and feeling the pleasure of what I was seeing in my head. The murders, the blood and the horrors brought me joy, but suddenly it all began to fade, fading into the distance, and soon disappeared altogether. The darkness was gone, and I was surprised to find myself lying on the floor, with Evans standing over me, steel claws in hand. His face was pale and nervous.

– What… What happened? – I groaned, my right arm aching, the one I'd landed on when I'd hit the bare wooden floor.

– I don't know, Sylvia, but you said things in such a frightening voice that I had to act," Evans told me in a hard tone, still clutching his gun. – You said you were going to destroy Derek and all the people… About rivers of blood and corpses flooding the streets of Kaldwind…" He squinted his eyes and asked in a calmer tone, "What was that? What was that madness that seized you?

– It wasn't madness, it was what's hidden in the Dead Man's Hammer," I explained hastily, rising to my feet. Once again, I approached the cupboard, but not daring to touch it or the sword, I said quietly: – Here it is. This is the weapon we were looking for....

– It's a sword, not an axe," Evans grinned incredulously.

– Believe me, my friend, I know what I'm talking about," I said with pressure, and stepped away from the cabinet as the grave cold began to envelop me again. – It's him! Are you saying I've been telling horrible things? It was that damned sword that made me see and want it all! When I touched it, it was like I turned into something… Something hungry for blood and death!

– I told you a demoness shouldn't get her hands on that weapon! If you hadn't stopped their dark bond in time, your girlfriend would have destroyed us all and then done everything she said she would! – Alviss's indignant voice came from behind the counter, and then he appeared before us, his eyes burning with hatred, his hands clenched into small fists, and despite his small stature, he looked menacing.

– I don't know why I suddenly wanted all this! I'm not bloodthirsty at all and I love my husband! And his daughters are like family to me! – I exclaimed, trying to defend myself against the old mage's accusations. – This sword must make those who touch it insane!

– This sword… "Dead Man's Axe" does not make anyone insane, but it gives the hatred and darkness of its wielder incredible dimensions, destroying him from within! You, Sylvia Rossi, are a demoness, and Darkness is your essence! Your hatred for Derek Murkswerd and his people fills you, even if you think it doesn't! – Alviss gritted his teeth. – Deep in your soul you wish for death and cherish your revenge! That is why in ancient times the Axe was split in two and forged into swords, so that men like you could not find it and use it for evil!

– If this weapon is so fierce and dangerous, what is it doing here in this display case?" Evans frowned, turning to the mage. – You've done an excellent job of hiding it from eager eyes! Come and get it!

– That's the idea! Who would think that the Dead Man's Axe is a sword, and that it's kept in this closet, in full view of everyone? – Alviss said, and, glaring menacingly at Evans, jabbed his index finger at me. – And you're messing around with this creature of the Dark? You want it to take over Axe's power? You're not deaf and you heard what's going on in her black soul!

– She won't touch it from now on," Evans said in a firm tone and turned to me. – I hope you realize this is the right thing to do.

– Of course I do! Keep him away from me! – I exhaled with emotion.

– We'll make sure that Sylvia and that sword don't reconnect," Evans said, relieved.

He'd already put his claws away, and he looked like the man I'd known. And yet his formidable appearance, his ability to act and defend, struck me deeply. After all, he wouldn't hesitate to kill me to protect people from my vengeance… It was very… Intriguing. Attractive.

"And what am I thinking? – I realized. – I'm married to the man I love, and I'm admiring Evans like some enthusiastic young girl!"

– Do you have something to hide the Axe in?" – Evans asked Alvissa.

– Perhaps! But you're not getting either one! – The old mage frowned. He walked over to the cabinet and slammed the door open, making the glass shake pitifully.

– Alviss, we need these weapons to save King Kaldwind," Evans said softly to the old man.

– That weapon stays here! Now get out of here! And don't come back! – Alviss spat it out with such force that drool spurted from his mouth.

– Take everything we have! – I untied a pouch of gold from my belt and threw it at the old mage's feet, but he laughed loudly and kicked it away from him.

– Either you leave voluntarily, or I will throw you out by force," Alviss said in a dark voice.

I felt a slight vibration in my fingers and glanced at the ring Derek had given me, the emerald glowing brightly.

– Evans…" I said quietly, so as not to provoke Alviss. – I don't think your friend is kidding… We're in danger!

– Oh, well! I didn't think it would come to this! – The healer cursed under his breath.

– Get out of my shop! – Alviss shouted fiercely and raised his hands sharply in the air.

A moment later, the stabbing and slashing weapons in the cabinet flew at Evans and me, leaving behind a hazy red smoke, but suddenly a translucent sphere surrounded us, and the knives and swords fell to the floor at our feet with a loud clang.

– Hide! Now! – Evans ordered me, pushing me to the wall, where there was a row of full-length metal armor, and I obediently hid behind one of them.

The room was filled with bright flashes, the clang of metal, and Alviss's loud cursing. But I didn't want Evans to have all the work, so I ducked out of my hiding place and headed toward the mad old mage. On the way I came across a heavy glass ball, probably for divination, and taking it and creeping stealthily to Alviss's side, I struck the old man's head with it, and Alviss fell to the floor.

– Sylvia! You killed him! – Evans exclaimed angrily, running up to his mentor. – He raised me as his son!

– I'm sorry! – It was all I could say in response, and I hurriedly threw the orb to the floor as if it were burning my palms.

– Alviss… No, not again! – Evans moaned and leaned in close to the old man's face. – Alive! – he reported with relief. Then, rising to his feet, he quickly pulled the Dead Man's Axe from the shelf and hid it under his cloak.

– What now? – I asked, staring dumbfounded at the old mage's body on the floor.

– Now we disappear! – Evans covered my head with his hood, put his own over his dark-haired head, grabbed my hand, and we slipped out into the street and disappeared into the crowd, remembering to lock up Alviss's shop.

– This concludes our visit to this city," my friend whispered to me as we once again made our way among the thousands of people crowded into the marketplace.

– It's beautiful! I think it's time to get out of here," I agreed, but I couldn't help but ask the question that had been bugging me: "But doesn't that sword affect you?

– Later. We need to find Astrid," Evans said instead.

But we didn't have to find Astrid; she came running up to us, asking quietly if we'd gotten what we wanted.

– We did. It took a little sweat," Evans said. – And before our seller wakes up and calls the guards, we'd better get out of this town.

– Well, then, go on without me. I have a couple of other things to do that are important, and I can't and won't cancel them," Astrid said.

– Are you sure? You'll be all alone in this snake's den. I don't want you to get into trouble," Evans said warmly, and I wondered for the umpteenth time what had happened between them.

– Don't worry, I can take care of myself… But don't just stand there, take Sylvia and run to the valley! – Astrid said with pressure. – I'll be back as soon as I've finished my business! I'll try to do it before sunset. – The girl hurried away from us, as if she didn't want to waste any more time with us.

– Well, let's go without her. – Evans held out his palm to me. – Give me your hand. I don't want to lose you, too.

I silently complied, and we walked through the stream of people, holding hands and gripping the reins of our horses with our free hands, and soon reached the main gate of the city and left.

Fortunately, our way back to the valley seemed to me much easier than the way to the city: the sun was still high, but it was not so hot, so it was much freer to breathe. When we reached the ravine, I had to wrap myself more warmly in my cloak.

Evans was silent the whole way, and I was curious, but I didn't want to disturb him, because I could see that he was thinking hard, his forehead creased, his lips tightly pressed together, his eyes staring off into the distance. But when we stopped to give the horses a rest and let them chew grass and drink water from the stream that ran along the road, I walked over to my friend and looked into his brown eyes.

– Evans… You're so thoughtful… You can share with me, and I promise that everything we say will remain private," I said softly.

– Nothing can be kept from you, my queen," Evans smiled, but his smile was fake. – You're right: thoughts are tearing at my head, and they're dark thoughts, I'm afraid.

Tell me, do you really hate your spouse and all people so much that you would kill them if you had the chance?

– Of course not… Though I can hardly deceive Dead Man's Axe, for he has clung to me with such strength and joy… – I hesitated, for I did not know what else to say.

– You say you love Derek, but your soul can't forgive what he did to Flammehav?

– It's… It's complicated, Evans! Yes, I love him! But I saw with my own eyes the horror and destruction he brought to my kingdom! Thousands of blood-covered refugees who took refuge in our capital told me that Derek's warriors did not spare even children! – I exclaimed with feeling, amazed by the healer's skepticism. – How could I forget? I remember that Derek wasn't the instigator of this war, that he didn't attack Flammehav but my father attacked Kaldwind, that Derek was just protecting his people from us demons, but… I can't forgive. I want to, but I can't. I guess I just choose not to bring it up, yet these thoughts won't leave me, I have no power over them!

– I understand how you feel," Evans said calmly, taking my hand in his. – You have a right to be angry, but remember what Axe did to you. Try to tame your hatred, banish it from your soul, because if that sword accidentally falls into your hands, you'll turn into a monster. Remember that you love your husband and that you volunteered to save his life. Derek Merkswerd awaits your return. Remember that.

– You promised to tell me, does this sword have any effect on you? What do you see in your mind? – I persisted.

– Alas, I too am imperfect, but the Axe seems to have nothing to eat in my soul: I have forgiven all my enemies and wish them nothing but good and happiness.

– You are honorable, Evans Vallas," I smiled involuntarily. – Stay that way always.

Soon we were on our way again, and after some time spent in silence we saw the still sunlit valley and the lonely house hidden in it. When we reached the house, we dismounted and led our horses to the stables.

– There are so many artifacts stored in your house… Do you know the exact number? – I asked, feeling the rush of magic and aura of enchantment again, only this time I felt them several times stronger.

– Hmm… I honestly don't know, I've never counted. But I've decided that we definitely need to create a special scabbard for our sword. I'll see what I can do. – Evans shut our horses in the wide stalls, gave them water and oats, and then hid the Dead Man's Axe in a corner of the stable under a generous layer of straw. – Let it lie here for now. I don't want that weapon in my house.

We left the stable and walked to the front door of the house. I was looking forward to lying in the hot tub, resting after my horrible experience with Axe, and hoping that Evans would use his magic to make a nice, hearty dinner.

– Please," the healer said, opening the door in front of me, and I went in first.

He followed me in and immediately went to the room where he kept his artifacts.

– Would you like some tea? – I asked loudly, taking off my warm cloak and hanging it on the hook sticking out of the wall. – I can make some! I think I can handle this task, it's not…" I added as I entered the living room, but I was silenced by eight orange pairs of eyes, like Andrada's, staring back at me.

– Evans! – I hesitantly called out, and wanted to go to the artifact vault, to escape from the living room, not knowing if I was friends or enemies, but a second later the owner of the house appeared there with his hands bound with a magical chain and two big kids holding him under his arms.

– What a tidbit! – A handsome, velvety man's voice sounded behind me. – Such a beauty does not need the company of such a young man as this bastard. You, my beauty, are incredibly lucky: you will warm me with the warmth of your body, and in return you will receive favor and jewelry.

Such impudence in my address caused me a wave of indignation, and I turned sharply to the uninvited guests. My intuition told me that the scoundrel who dared to insult my honor was a handsome man with long purple hair dressed in a beautiful blue silk cloak. The fingers of his hands were adorned with numerous rings with sparkling stones, and a fancy gold necklace hung around his neck.

– You seem to have forgotten to ask, sir, whether the beauty wants to go to your bed! – I cast a disdainful glance at the impudent handsome man.

– Oh, my dear, I'm afraid you have no choice! – He laughed a deep, beautiful laugh, but then his face darkened. – Take her!

I was immediately grabbed under his arms and my wrists were bound with a magical chain. Although I frantically tried to break free from the steel vise, I was unable to get free. But, noticing that Evans had accepted his captivity completely coolly and calmly, I exclaimed unhappily:

– Evans! What's going on?

– Calm down, Sylvie, there's no need to make a scene," he answered me quietly.

"Sylvie? He's deliberately not saying my name in full, as if he's trying to hide my origins and identity from this overdressed blowhard!" – I realized, and obeyed my friend's advice.

– Release the girl: she has nothing to do with our feud," Evans said coldly to the purple-haired guest.

– So you know him! – A nervous chuckle escaped me.

– I told you, bastard, what would happen if you set foot on my kingdom's soil again," the insolent man said lazily, stretching out his words. – And your maiden will come with us. – He smiled predatorily. – Take them away!