Читать книгу Elinor. The Deserted Valley. Book 1 - Mikhail Shelkov - Страница 26

Fao and Ina stuck out squirrel muzzles from the leaves of the huge ash tree and turned their gaze to the clearing, where the three elders of the Vedichs – Anolim, Swarod and Liol-Nomo —were talking to a huge blonde-haired Taur.

The chief elder of Swa-Ioledea and all the lands of the Vedichs was the Liswa-Fa. He had already lived a full life cycle six times six years times six. The second full circle has already started, where the elder lived four circles six times for six years and began the second year of the fifth circle.

Liswa-Fa was a fox. From a side view, the beast form looked feeble with gray fur instead of red – but the Liswa-Fa was wise. Though it was hard for him, common sense and good memory never left the old man. At least, so the elders told Fao. The three elders who were in the clearing helped Liswa-Fa, listening to his instructions, and then expounding them to the other Vedichs. Now they had to talk with a stranger.

Fao had already recognized the massive Taur as Dockolmo-Leyam (Docko), the former ambassador of the konung of the Taurs in Swa-Ioledea. By forest standards, he was still quite young, having passed only three full small circles for six years when he first appeared in Swa-Ioledea. But his appearance struck many locals, as Docko was broad in chest and shoulders and by far the tallest Vedich. When Doсko first arrived, his chin was still bare, but he now wore his yellow hair in small braided pigtails that fell alongside his thick, light beard. Docko never parted with his skillfully carved spear, which the Taurs recognized as a sign of power by the red ribbons that adorned it. Docko had achieved a lot in his homeland during his absence in Swa-Ioledea.

Fao simply could not help but admire the young mighty Taur, and began to listen attentively to the conversation while sitting just above the elders’ heads.

“We are flattered, young Dockolmo-Leyam, that you returned to our city,” Swarod said leisurely. “You know that you are always a welcome guest here and a friend of the Vedichs. Whatever opinion the venerable Nojedea-Oumo-Weylea-Kaul, the konung of the Taurs, adhered to, this will not affect our friendship with you. Not as a friendship with a foreigner, but with a man.”

“Thank you, respectable Elder Swarod,” said Docko politely.

“But in order not to torment you for a long time, we will immediately answer with an honest refusal!” Liol-Nomo finished.

“But I asked you for permission to speak with the Supreme Elder of the Liswa-Fa!” Docko did not let up.

Unshakeable, Anolim replied, “Alas, this is impossible! And if you really want to show him your respect, then I will ask you not to disturb his gray hair. The elder of the Liswa-Fa is too weak. We will tell him about the meeting with you. But do you truly think that he can actually tell you something other than what we have told you?”

“I only ask that you send a single caravan to the Valley!” Docko almost begged. “Just one!”

A caravan to the Valley! A caravan to the Valley! A caravan to the Valley!

The squirrel’s heart of Fao began to pound wildly, and only those words pounded in her head.

For what? Why should Docko ask the Vedichs for this? Our people never leave the forest!

One could not even dream about something like this in Swa-Ioledea! To visit the forest of the Taurs was the ultimate dream for any curious Vedich! And here – the Valley! Fao nearly lost control of herself and practically turned back into a human. How much she immediately imagined to herself, after all, there will be no other chance.

Docko, please! Persuade the elders!

“The Vedichs revere their traditions!” Liol-Nomo continued in a raspy voice. “We believe that sending someone from our people to the Valley is unacceptable. The Vedichs, who passed initiation, were created to live in the forest!”

“Then send those who haven’t yet been initiated!” Docko insisted.

After these words, Fao realized that she was completely losing her will. By means of her claws she slid down the trunk to find herself on the ground. Ina followed her. It seemed that her friend was experiencing similar feelings.

“You want to take our children away from us, Dockolmo-Leyam!” Anolim yelled angrily. “The children? Should I remind you of the six-fingered goddess of death?”

“You cannot say that!” Docko flared up. “You swore! And not ‘take away,’ but bring them to the Valley! After all, Elinor is our mutual home! The home of the Eight People!”

In the meantime, the charms of shape-shifting had finally lost their power, and Fao realized they had to run before they were found out.

“Who is there?” Swarod cried out, “Vedichs! We were overheard!”

But the squirrels were already running away, turning back into human girls only at Bear Creek.