Читать книгу Elven heritage - - Страница 9

Lush mansions in the middle of the desert. Unbearable heat and dry air. The prisoners, with their hands tied, their mouths gagged and bags on their heads, were brought into the king’s chamber.

– Your Majesty, here they are! – said Jack. – Probably spies. We caught them while walking around the lands.

Derr, King of Lorraine, ate grapes, spitting out the seeds and skins on a saucer. Two maids fanned him. For some time he showed no sign that he had heard what was said. And then he said:

– Into their pit. To the tigers.

Councilor Ezigurd approached Derr and whispered something in his ear. The king smiled:

– Oh yes, how could I not have thought of this myself! Esigurd speaks his mind. Still, I get better with age. Prisoners, I grant you forgiveness. Moreover, you have the honor of taking part in the competition for my son’s engagement!

The prisoners muttered.

– No need to thank me! Derr said. «I know, I’ve been overly kind lately.» Jack, take them in a kama… to the chambers of other applicants!

The bags were taken off them and the damned gags were taken out. The heat is unbearable, there is nothing to breathe. They even untied their hands. Only the prisoners were left without weapons – everything was taken away. Duncan immediately tried to rush at Jack, but the bars slammed in front of him. Then the man spat and hit the soldier right in the face. He wiped away the spit.

«We’ll meet again,» he said.

They looked around. There were mattresses on the floors, but there were clearly not enough places for everyone. There were about fifty people here, no less. Other prisoners looked disapprovingly at the new arrivals.

Everyone curses the villains, forgetting how much good they brought in between their vile deeds. Before the First Antimonian Empire, each settlement had its own language. But Antimonik burned out words other than the Common Speech. Old dialects remained in some places, but even commoners knew the Common Language, at least in general terms. Unless the inhabitants of the Unknown Continent and the newly developed Ddraigha may not understand you.

As the sun fell below the horizon, the guard brought food. This is unsalted porridge, a piece of stale bread and a glass of stagnant water for each prisoner. One of the prisoners approached Nermall:

– Old man, you still don’t have long to live. Give me your portion, and I won’t touch you! I need a lot of strength for tomorrow’s fight!

Duncan clenched his fists, but Nermall stopped him with a gesture. The old pirate was used to this kind of place, so he was not at a loss. He silently stood up, walked up to the bully and punched him in the gut. He twisted himself into a ram’s horn and fell.

– Will there be any other contenders for my portion? – Nermall looked around at those present. Everyone pretended to eat, not paying attention to what was happening. – Well, fine! Bon Appetit everyone!

The porridge is disgusting, to put it in decent words. But after a hungry day, even Still, accustomed to luxurious dinners, ate it like a heavenly dish.

When it got dark, we decided to talk about this and that. But one of the prisoners said:

– Guys, have a conscience! There’s a battle tomorrow morning, but you won’t let me sleep!

The guards played dice behind the doors, laughing loudly and chatting, but this did not prevent the unwitting guests of the inhospitable Lorraine from falling asleep.