Читать книгу Elinor. The Deserted Valley. Book 1 - Mikhail Shelkov - Страница 28

Fao and Ina returned to the city armed with an excuse if asked where they’d been. They were playing in the Bear Woodlot with Nucko – which was true. No one needed to know that they turned into squirrels and listened to the conversations of the elders.

Two huge moose grazed on the guest glade and a black bear of quite gigantic size was dozing peacefully. Two Taurs, as young as Docko, stood motionless near the animals. One was incredibly mighty, with long curly hair and a large face. In huge arms, he clutched the hammer handle, dropping the weight itself on the ground. The second Taur wasn’t as wide, but was tall, wiry, and lean. From under his belt a long sword could be seen; on the other side was an axe. Throwing knives protruded from his boots.

His face was covered with a shadow of mild severity, but kindness was seen in his eyes. His hair was light and curly, slightly darker than Docko’s. As Fao held her gaze on him, the Taur noticed the attention and smiled slightly at her.

A Vedich boy by the name of Muolwool (from a neighborhood fir from Fao) ran around huge, more than six time bigger, strangers, and provoked them up with sarcastic screamers. The Taurs didn’t react to it, standing motionless without showing the slightest emotion on their faces. Such were the Vedichs who did not like strangers. There was a shout from the mother of Muolwool, who called her son home.

If someone else was interested in guests from the neighboring forest, he watched them with great care, from behind the bushes and trees.

Suddenly, the bear woke up and yawned loudly. Fao turned away from the young Taur and his younger brothers and looked at the big beast. It immediately dawned upon her. This was Kesho!

“Kesho! Kesho!” Fao screamed joyfully and ran towards the bear, with Ina right behind her.

“This is the bear of our commander Dockolmo-Leyam!” she said as a tall Taur, the one Fao liked, tried to stop her. The big man with the hammer did not even twitch.

But the bear had already recognized Fao, climbed to his four paws, rushed to her and began to lick her. His tongue alone was the size of the half the girl’s arm. She tried to stroke him on the nose. In response the bear sneezed, showering her with a not-so-pleasant mist.

Well, it’s my own fault!

“I recognized you!” There was a voice from behind her, Fao turned around and saw Docko. He was sad and gloomy. But, looking at her, tried to smile. “You were very upset and cried when the Vedichs gave it to me!”

Then Fao remembered the whole story of Kesho. The bear had been about two years old and had already grown to an incredible size. Docko, having then arrived in Swa-Ioledea with another embassy, was amazed at the power of the huge black bear. As it turned out he was also very fond of these animals; only he rode their backs.

When the elders asked Docko what gift he wanted to receive as a sign of friendship with the Vedichs, the Taur asked for this bear. The elders agreed under one condition: Docko should not break his will. When the Taur approached Kesho the bear licked his hand, and then he volunteered to be ridden. Docko rode Kesho without a saddle and a bridle.

And Fao, then very young, had cried. She was sad that Kesho had exchanged her and Dockol-Mo’s forest for a young Taur.

“Do you take good care of Kesho?” Fao tried to start the conversation seriously.

“He’s now called Keshol-Irajk! We are good friends.”

“And we know why you are so sad,” Ina suddenly blurted out.

“Do not take offense, please, at our elders. Not all Vedichs are like that!” Fao decided to speak up.

Docko immediately looked back at his Taurs, but they stood without stirring, and then he beckoned the girls to the side. Fao and Ina followed him.

“So, you were really eavesdropping, correct?”

Fao and Ina nodded guiltily.

“Pretend that you have not heard anything!” he ordered severely.

“But we would like to go to the Valley,” sighed Fao.

“If they let us go,” Ina added.

“I’d like to go, too,” said Docko thoughtfully.

“What happened, anyway?” asked Fao.

“It does not matter anymore.”

“It does! Say it! At the end of the day, you were sent to the Vedichs for this!”

“The Valley has been deserted,” Docko said after a moment’s thought. “At some point, people just disappeared from it. The rulers of Elinor felt that all eight nations should take part in repopulating the Valley and to find out what misfortunes happened there.”

“It cannot be,” Ina stood with her mouth open. “Listen, take us!” suddenly she suggested abruptly.

Docko’s eyes widened.

“Do you want war between the Vedichs and the Taurs? The elders aren’t letting you go!”

“Yeah, they won’t,” Fao sighed again.

“Then at least tell us how one can get to the Valley!” Ina asked roguishly.

Silence fell. Fao understood that her friend had crossed all possible lines. Docko was already in a bad mood, and here they were with their stupid questions. But the Taur reacted to Ina’s request very calmly. He closed his eyes and sighed heavily. And then he made another step towards them and turned to her friend.

“Give me your left hand.”

Ina extended her little palm. He turned her palm down and took her thumb slightly to the side, in the direction of the Gray Thorns.

“As you enter the thicket,” said Docko, “Stand in front of the moss cap on any tree. The index and the middle fingers should be pointed exactly in the direction the moss grows. A thumb will show you where to go. Here! Remember how much it needs to be bent. If you don’t get off the track, on the twentieth day you will reach the huge river of Kawa, and then go along its bank downstream.”

“Thank you, Docko!” blurted Ina, obviously not expecting the Taur would fulfill her request.

“No matter what happens, don’t you dare say that it was I who told you the direction!” the Taur almost barked with unprecedented severity. But it was superfluous: Fao and Ina immediately assured him they would obey.

“And you yourself will go to the Valley?” Asked Fao.

“Right away! Only the direct way,” answered Docko and climbed onto Keshol-Irajk’s back. Taurs assistants began to saddle the moose.