Читать книгу To The Stars - Назар Валерьевич Валеев - Страница 11

As soon as they stepped out of the spaceport, the friends found themselves on the busy streets of a small town, lined with all kinds of establishments. The air was filled with incredible aromas of spices and incense mixed with the intoxicating smells of various cuisines, irresistibly drawing them in and making their heads spin. Kane and John looked around in wonder, amazed most of all by the diverse crowd – here one could meet beings of many different races, some of whom looked strikingly different from humans.

The native inhabitants of Omera were a beautiful humanoid race, not too different from humans in appearance – finely shaped features, large expressive eyes, and slightly smaller mouths and noses. The men were generally stocky, shorter than Earthmen but broader in the shoulders. Upon reaching maturity, it was customary for them to shave their heads completely and adorn their scalps with markings that signified their caste.

The women were taller and slender, with graceful figures and distinctly narrow waists that local fashion seemed eager to emphasize. Their hair was of extraordinary beauty – flowing in countless shades that defied imagination. The difference between the sexes was so striking that, at first glance, one might think they came from different worlds – were it not for the soft wine-colored hue of their skin, lighter and warmer in women, deeper and more saturated in men.

«Remarkable architecture», John murmured in awe, gazing at the fantastical sight of houses carved directly into cliffs or massive boulders. Most of them were two or three stories high, their walls inlaid with panels of multicolored minerals that resembled glass or crystal – some frosted, others gleaming with mirrorlike polish. The facades were framed with intricate metalwork in the hues of platinum and red-gold, catching the light with every angle.

The pavements beneath their feet were laid with long, wide slabs of hard stone reminiscent of Earth’s granite, each one engraved with intricate scenes, perhaps fragments of local legend or history, frozen in perfect detail. Many tiles were further adorned with vibrant mosaics or glazed ceramics, creating the impression that the entire street itself was a living work of art.

After walking a little farther, they came upon a majestic structure that resembled a medieval Earth castle, hewn from dark-blue matte stone. At its center, a graceful staircase with carved railings wound upward toward a small terrace lined with slender columns, beyond which stretched a road leading to enormous gates of pale metal.

Draam placed his hand on a square recess set into the middle of the gate, which responded with a friendly flicker of multicolored lights. After a few seconds came the resonant click of heavy locks disengaging, and the doors slowly drew back, revealing a wide passageway within.

Inside, in a vast hall bathed in soft light, stood two attendant robots. Their smooth, oval faces betrayed no emotion, and their round lens-eyes fixed upon the visitors with unwavering focus.

«We need Master Zolen», Draam said slowly in Galacton.

The attendants bowed in perfect unison, turned, and departed just as synchronously like reflections moving in a mirror.

The hall seemed to be made entirely of pale, frosted glass, from which a gentle, golden light emanated in every direction. It flowed from the floor, the ceiling, and the walls alike, filling the vast space with an almost tangible warmth.

Then, before their eyes, the faint outlines of chairs and a table began to rise slowly from the floor itself, as if the glass were drawing breath and shaping matter from air. Within moments, the newly formed furniture solidified into a smooth, translucent surface that gleamed softly under the ambient light.

The familiar attendants reappeared, carrying large rhomboid trays laden with exotic, multicolored fruits and, judging by their appearance, an assortment of delicacies. The arrangement was beautiful, inviting, and irresistibly appetizing.

Though hunger gnawed at them after their journey, the friends decided to wait for the master of the house. They did not have to wait long. In the far corner of the room, a column of flame suddenly flared to life, and from it stepped an Omerian in a gray hooded cloak. His skin was a warm bronze tone, and by his appearance, he seemed to be about John’s age.

«Yeah», said Draam with a wry grin, «Masters never fail to make a grand entrance. And usually right where the food is.»

The Master studied the four of them carefully, then stepped toward Draam, and they embraced like old friends.

«I hope you didn’t come here to play cards again, you old glutton!» Zolen said with a smile eyeing the humans with vivid curiosity.

«No, not unless you insist», Draam replied, turning to his companions. «Allow me to introduce Master Zolen – one of the eldest and wisest among the Star Masters.»

Zolen bowed slightly and gestured for them to sit.

«I suggest we let our stomachs join the conversation», he said with a twinkle in his eye. «And these, I presume, are the people from the Blue Planet you’ve recently begun to explore?»

Maarv and Draam exchanged a wary glance.

«Well then», Zolen went on with a sly half-smile, «tell me – what brings you here?»

«You’re uncannily perceptive», Maarv began tensely. «That’s precisely why we’re here. I don’t know how word of this reached you, but we urgently need you to arrange a meeting with your High Priestess.»

«And since you’re not only a wise master but also a devilishly shrewd old fox», Draam added, «I’ll return that relic I won from you last time – as a gesture of goodwill.»

«Well, that’s not a bad start», Zolen grinned again. «Though I was planning to win it back anyway. As for my so-called insight – nothing mystical about it. A few days ago, a pair of rather suspicious-looking mercenaries were poking around a tavern, asking very odd questions about scientists from Vriin who might have arrived with beings from some yet-unknown planet. They were even offering a handsome reward for any information.»

He paused for a moment, as if piecing his thoughts together, and continued, «When I first heard about it, I thought it was complete nonsense – that they’d simply had a bit too much to drink», he chuckled, resting his elbows on the table and studying his guests with sly amusement. «But now… now the picture finally fits together.»

«Hmm… We’ve run into quite a serious problem», said Draam gravely. «And whoever’s behind those mercenaries is directly connected to it. We’re running out of time – the fate of an entire race may depend on this.»

«Well then», Zolen replied, his expression turning thoughtful, «in that case, I’ll, of course, take you to the High Priestess. Besides, I suspect she’s already well aware of what’s happening. And I daresay she’ll be quite intrigued to meet the people from the Blue Planet.»

He rose from his seat, his cloak shifting with a soft rustle, and added with a faint, knowing smile, «Now then, if you’ll follow me.»