Читать книгу The Pearl Diver - - Страница 4

The sun caressed the sky with its last rays. It smelled pleasantly damp, as always after rain. But not a single cloud obscured the skies anymore, so it was difficult to say that it had rained just recently. There was a crowd in the street. Three people were walking up the stairs to the royal castle. Viceroy Ddraigha Dust was short in stature with bright, lively eyes for his age. He carried a white flag in his hand. Walking next to him was the tall, painfully thin King of Morelia, Sintellus. On the right hand of Sintell walked the ruler of the free Ennian lands, Lord Bant. He was young, one might even say young, for a ruler.

Queen Esteri stood at the top of the stairs, in front of the entrance. She was expecting guests.

– Wow, what kind of people! I’m glad you came!

The warriors next to the queen clenched their fists, someone grabbed the sword, but did not pull it out of its sheath. The King of Morelia has long been the most terrible enemy of Eldoras.

As the guests passed by the entrance, the guard patted them down. He pulled a dagger from Sintell’s pocket.

– You can’t carry weapons. Leave all the weapons to me.

The guests followed Esteri. Rendell was in the common room. He has aged in recent days. There was not a trace left of that active head of the Inquisition who came here a few days ago. Shamon drank his spiritual strength and moved into another body. He regretted what he had done, but the past could not be returned.

The guests sat down at the table, and the servants brought wine and fruit.

– I guess we have nothing more to share. It is so? – asked Esteri. – Although if I were you, my lords, I would return the selected lands back to Dream’s possession. Dust glanced sideways at Rendell, but he didn’t say a word, just looked at his feet.

«Your Highness,» Sintell noted. -You realize that all of Eldoras is now in our hands. Except for Dream, but we brought all our united troops to the Capital!

– We also brought all our troops to Dream. But we shouldn’t fight at all! If we join forces, the whole world will fall at our feet. I hope you realize, dear guests, that your lives are in my hands? You are unarmed in my castle, where there are many people loyal to me! All I have to do is snap my fingers and you’re done!

Sintell clenched his fists. He was ready to rush at the queen. But then he looked around – there were, indeed, only enemies around.

– Everyone come out! – the queen commanded. – I have to talk to the guests face to face.

When the servants and guards left the hall, Esteri struck Sintell in the groin. He bent in half.

– What a bitch! – he screamed almost in falsetto. – I’ll strangle you. And then let your soldiers do whatever they want with me. We will crush Dream, not a grain of sand will remain!