Читать книгу Flooded city - Рамиль Латыпов - Страница 2

Chapter 1 The Beginning of an adventure

The horn sounded three times. People in the city took everything that is required in this case went out on the streets. Everyone was waiting impatiently. Many of them were whispering, and some were opening and clenching their fists. The children clutched the stones in determination. The Archmage’s strong voice read out the standard text for such an occasion, which was always the same and recorded on the holo crystal. The large wooden gate opened. Screams filled the city squares. Kick and a young boy of eighteen years old flies with a big mark on his ass from the kick to the ground. Plowing more than one meter. He stands up and dusts himself off, shaking his fist. People start laughing out loud and throwing rocks, dirt, and spoiled vegetables at the goofball. The guy is all red with anger runs through the city and ends up in a field near the city.

«I’ll remind you of that later. A fist was raised to laughter.

That’s how my story began. I’m Mikhail, a former student of the mage Academy. I was kicked out for failing grades and going on a spree with Olga, the daughter of the archmage and academy director Ignacio Otoru. Although I only held hands with his daughter. So I spent the night with her in her room once. That’s where her dad caught us. And the most interesting part was just beginning. But he kicked me out. Why did I need that fool? I started dating her for a bet, and she was worth one silver piece to me. I never got it, though. Here is the reptile Pavel, and another friend is called. Maybe he ratted me out. I wouldn’t be surprised. He’s been with her for a long time balls rolled up. But he’s not as handsome as I am. Although he is the son of King Andrew the Great of the Fifth country of Otis, but the sixth on the list. I am the first and hopefully only son of Baron Theo Urnov, owner of the silver mines and Belaya Skala Castle. Rich as a king. And I should have been so rich, too. But my stupid father remarried a young woman in her late twenties when I was sixteen myself. He was already in his late fifties. My mother was a quarter demon. She had small horns, which she hid behind her hair. She was lucky, and her skin color was dark. Everyone thought she was from the south. He saved her from bandits when she was young, when he was an adventurer. But he found his second wife Masha through a dating service. A poor woman, though of noble birth. Her grandfather lost money at cards, sold the estate and drank it down. She was lucky that her hardworking parents were caught and didn’t end up in the shelter. She didn’t like me right away. A competitor for future heirs. So she immediately took action. He’ll start changing with the door open when I pass. Then the tub won’t close when it’s my turn. Then he’ll sit in my room in a bathrobe and tease me with his juicy body. She told Papa I was the one who was bothering her. What a reptile.

Took all the pretty maids away from me. I was doing so well with a beautiful half-human maid with dog-like spotted ears and tail. Then she put some old women in charge of me. Severe ones with warts all over their faces. It is not surprising that from starvation I attacked her. That’s why my father sent me to the academy. «Study, son, and don’t come home.»

Thanks Dad for everything. I won’t be lost, I thought as I drove here. I studied for three years. It was easy with the girls ' teachers, he made a face and said that he had taught them, but he forgot, and they gave him threes. And if you had a good extracurricular activity. Even a fiver. Then only to the healer came to be checked. And then you never know from these demi-humans you can pick up. Our teachers are almost all of them. Who is a centaur, who is an orc. And there were angels. But I didn’t make friends with male teachers. I didn’t want to study either. So I paid in coins, just like many others. My mother left me some coins in the bank before she died six years ago with interest. So I won’t starve to death. I can charge interest every month. But the principal amount is only thirty years old. My mother Tatiana knew me well. My studies weren’t going well, so I started playing cards and got into debt. Therefore, I had to learn the magic of invisibility and fast running. The female students here aren’t as accommodating as the maids. You should at least know their name before you get them into bed. Just a hassle. Well, at least the local brothel opened a personal account for me. I’ll have to go back to them later to see Lady centaur Agnes, who’s probably exhausted without me. She has the best milk in town.

With these thoughts in mind, I wandered to a cave near the river. It was getting dark. There’s nothing to do, just go in. I can’t sleep in the open air, I’m not a peasant like that. When I was drinking and drinking too much, all the innkeepers and cabmen knew me by sight, so I always woke up in my dorm room. And not always alone. My neighbor, a modest man with an ant face, was afraid of ladies, so he envied me. Although I don’t know who wants to sleep with him. You never know what’s in his pants.

A bonfire would be nice. I gathered firewood. What kind of spell is there. Teacher of the simplest spells. Yes remembered harpy Izvet big breasts small ass. Deep voice, and how she sang after a night of love. Like a nightingale. She said in bed, you’ll find yourself in nature do not forget to light a fire with the spell «Oh flash of light grant fire». Oh, it’s so good to have a bonfire lit. Study light. And how warm it was, just like my fire is now. She was a really bad kisser, but what can you do if she has a beak? But what kind of feathers she has, white, red and golden in hidden places. Surprisingly clean. And I didn’t pick up anything from her, thank you for that. And then I spent a third of the interest on doctors. Picked up almost every known disease. I had it fall off once, waiting two weeks for the growth spells to work. They called me «Little Whistle» at that time, even though he was just growing up. I never stopped seeing the ladies.

But what a noise there is in this cave. Some rustling sounds. So the spell «light» is not suitable. Remembered. This is Cherya the biology teacher. The lady is old, but it will suit me, because she is an elf and looked like a young woman in her five hundred years. The «Flash» spell. I used to do this spell in bed with her, and she showed me her secret tattoos. I went deeper into the cave. With light, it’s not so scary. I didn’t smell any nasty things. But they can always have anti-magic protection. Magical beasts always transform. I go, I go and see a huge three-meter spider. Caught someone and weaves a cocoon. He must have caught the beast. I looked closely, saw a tail, a wild bull or cow, maybe a lynx, and my stomach was hungry too. I haven’t eaten since last night. I spent the whole night and until dinner in the dungeon. I see a person in a cocoon. The face is frozen, but you can see it’s alive. Here it breathes. I banished my first urge to run. Where do I run, looking at the night. I decided to follow the spider. I hung up my loot and left. I ran out and cut the thread with a knife, a gift from my father. Broke the web. What a beautiful face, but grimy. If you’re a guy, then there’s probably no end to the ladies. You’ll be my friend. You owe me.» Or you can swear an oath, because you’re supposed to be a demihuman. An old custom. I took the body in my arms and headed for the exit.

«Where are you taking me?» A hoarse voice said from the cocoon.

«On the way out.» Until the spider came back.

«What a spider!!! The woman’s voice howled in horror.

I heard footsteps behind me. Footsteps of many feet. Large and small. Two large spiders, three meters long and ten meters long, were following me. I couldn’t have run away. They got me, too. The world went dark.

«If spiders attack, remember student, the Poison Mist spell will save you from them. Think with your head, not your head. Get dressed and go, or your husband will be back soon.» Go through the sewer. There are fewer extra eyes. And there are more spiders. Here is the spell and come in handy. The image of Cyclops Elsa, the teacher of the most dangerous magical creatures, appeared before me. I remember her blue eye and the apartment on the fifth floor. And how he ran around the rooftops in his underwear. My husband taught us practical classes on catching magical animals, his name was Julius. A smart and nimble grandfather in his late seventies.

In his delirium, he cast poison spells. The body in my arms began to cough convulsively. We need to protect her.

– General defense spell. – It saved me more than once, when you get drunk, you make a general defense with a sober person and you can continue drinking.

The coughing stopped. I opened my eyes and saw twelve spider corpses lying next to me. One of the spider’s fangs bit into my leg. I yanked it out. I hid them in the void, just like the rest of the bodies. They will be useful for trade or for medicines. They paid a lot for them in the city. Although they won’t let me go there anymore, but the world is big, there are many cities.

The cocooned body began to move, hissing like a cat. I examined her, a beautiful young cat. The ears are black, the tail is white. Freckles on the face, no older than twenty. Cutie. I’ll hang out with her tonight.

«Let me go, let me go.» The young lady began to kick. It’s brisk, but it doesn’t weigh much. Light and soft where necessary.

«Of course, dear young lady. Your savior will set you free.

He took the knife and freed her, while accidentally, almost, touching everything of value. Not much, but just right for me. Her face was rough. But nothing will survive. The spider would have done more to her than that.

«Who are you and why are you groping me?» The cat hissed. Tail sticking up. Her face twisted. She’s really cute. So would zatiskal. But all in good time.

«I am your savior, Mikhail Urnov, future Baron of Belaya Skala Castle. He said as proudly as possible. He puffed out his chest and lifted his nose. She got to her knees. A short blue vest and a short skirt were all she was wearing. Torn in places. Therefore, there were interesting places to see.

«For saving me, I will serve you.» Here’s my vow to you.

«I accept it. «I can use a lady as my servant.» Maybe it will grow together with her.

A bright flash lit up the room. A small chain mark appeared on her neck. What an interesting service magic. It is weaker than the magic of slavery. Whoever serves you with such an oath is loyal to you to the death. You can’t let him go. Although there are also restrictions. You can’t force something that he or she doesn’t want. To sex or murder. But if there was an oath of slavery, then there are no prohibitions. Take it out with all your might.

«What’s your name, my friend?» I said, following the ritual for such spells. It doesn’t matter if you know the servant’s name or not. Such are the customs.

«Sonya, my Lord Mikhail. But call me Sophia

«Serve me faithfully.

– yes.

The ritual was over. Now the real conversation begins.

«What buka made up these oaths?» She scratched behind her ear. I put my hand to my ear. – What are you thinking?» – I was hit hard on the arm. – I don’t like guys, so keep your friend to yourself.» I’ll go with the ladies.

That’s a bummer. Of all the beautiful ladies in the world, I saved the special one. And I’ll have to live with her for the rest of my life. That’s how life laughed at me. Although it was his own fault, he saw the lady and immediately took the oath. I shouldn’t have listened to the teacher and thought with my head.

«Why don’t you say something?» Are you going through the options master? Not worth. I’ll never be with you again. So don’t think about it. But as a companion and friend, I will be faithful to you.

«That’s a good thing. Let’s get closer to the exit and close up the passage. Otherwise, the friends of these spiders will come. We’ll spend the night in this cave.

«So you don’t have a place to live either?»

That’s the news. She’s homeless, too, just like me. What a meeting.

«I left the mage Academy in Melua City. I don’t like it there. I got bored. So I decided to go around the world. Make a name for yourself with adventures.

«I see. Sophia rose from her knees and brushed them off. Cute little legs. – From the academy means kicked out. Booze or girls? She looked at me sharply. «Girls. Maybe the teacher’s daughter. No, you’re a big, proud guy. The director’s daughter. They say that’s another berry. I used to see her when I was going through my pockets in the city. I would have eaten it. The thief licked her plump red lips. Then remembering, she continued.«So what am I talking about?» And I’m not a simple thief, but a specialist. I steal big. I work alone. There is no trust in others, they gave a lot of it. I stole a nice six-gold jackpot.

«Not bad. «That’s half my money on interest a month.

«What am I saying?» You won’t be disappointed in me. I can do a lot of things. Ugh. Don’t look at me like that. The look is painfully disgusting. Like an animal at a feeding trough. Ugh guys. I can’t stand you since I was a kid. You’re nasty.

«Don’t get distracted. And you’re right about the director. The lady was really a berry.

«I knew it. But here I was, stealing money from a merchant at home. Snuck in at night to see him. He is a noble merchant and has a lot of money. Don’t worry, I didn’t kill the owner. Well, today for sure. But he saw me and called the guards. So I ran away. I ran out of town without looking back. I see the cave is empty. Night vision looked, empty. Let me wait it out, I think. And then you know what happens.

I just nodded, and we walked out to the cave entrance. I blocked up the tunnel. The fire was still burning. He took out a piece of bread, broke it off, and gave half of it to Sofya. She devoured it greedily. I also gave him my piece. I didn’t want to eat any more. She accepted it happily. And she’s cute when she eats. He waves his tail. He magically created two sleeping places, set up a guard golem, and lay down to sleep. The sight of my abilities thrilled her. Probably thinking of stealing something with them. What a long day it’s been.

I woke up to a delicious smell. I opened my eyes. My partner is roasting fish over a campfire. I caught it in a nearby river. I patched up my clothes and washed them. Sorry.

«You’re awake. Get up, wash your face, and eat. The fish will soon be cooked. Over a meal and discuss where to go next? What to do? How to live?

I nodded. I went to the river and washed my face. The water is icy cold. It feels so good. While I was washing, I thought about what I should do. There aren’t many options. You can’t go home, they won’t let you in. So we need to go to the adventurer’s guild. There’s always a lot of work to do there. We’ll manage something with my knowledge. Especially since I’m not alone. At least I won’t be any closer to her. As a partner, she’s not bad. «I checked it out yesterday. The thief status. The abilities are Blades of Speed, Shadow, and Nimble Fingers. The name alone made me dizzy. I rented one of them in a brothel once. I couldn’t walk for exactly two days. Deft fingers. Special skills dance of divine blades. A rare gift. Can deal damage without receiving it for a very short time. Almost immortality, even if only temporarily. I went back to her cave. Dispelled the golem. He did a good job last night. Three magical jackal corpses lay near the entrance. I put them in the void. I’ll sell it in the guild. Maybe I’ll raise my rank. I’ll spend the money on equipment. I need a staff. What kind of magician am I without it? My partner has newer blades and more modest clothes. Or I might lash out.» I know myself. I should give her a hint about it later.

«Sit down.» That’s the place I’ve prepared.

She threw two piles of leaves from the trees nearby. Sit softly, just like on a feather bed. Deft fingers. We started eating. She was well-mannered and ate carefully, even aristocratically. Thugs don’t eat like that. This should be learned from childhood. Even then, not everyone succeeds. There were cases when the children of aristocrats were kicked out of the house because of bad behavior. Is she one of them?

«You’re also an aristocrat, I see. I said as she started shaking her head. «Don’t argue, I can see that. Tell the truth, we’ll always be together now. There should be no secrets. I’ll take you anywhere.

«I’m a lord’s daughter. But from a very distant country in the east of Malawi. Go there for at least two years. They stole me, five years ago. But you see, they didn’t return it. Papa died of melancholy, and did not pay the ransom. I had no other relatives. Held like a toy. Tormented in any way. Passed everything. Then they changed their leader and made me a bandit. I learned to be a thief from them. But I miss home. I should go to my father’s grave.

His face was sad. The tears came. That’s why I hate men. They did a lot of bad things to her. So she became like this. I patted him on the shoulder as if he were my equal. It reassured her.

«I won’t let you down. I will protect you from everything. And you love me, too. I said, laughing.

«So what do we do next?» Sofya wiped away tear after tear. But she was determined to go on.

«I think we should go to the Adventurer’s guild. The city of Temjan is only a few hours away. The work is not dusty and there will be plenty of money. You can buy a house. Or for rent. We’ll put your six gold coins in the guild account. Shared account.

«As you say, master.» But maybe we’ll also steal a little. Just a little bit at a time. Here are your spells, how wonderful they are. This golem can break through a wall. There’s no need to mess with the lock. The thief looked down at my white-gloved hands. – You don’t use such spells. Just rob with them. You mages are so strong. I have very little magic. There isn’t enough mana for spells. I’m better with swords and blades, bows and crossbows. But I always wanted to be a magician. But apparently not fate.

«We won’t steal. You have to live honestly. I wanted to go to jail. Can I teach you how to do magic?»

«So what do you ask in return?» I know your manly tricks. You won’t get anything. She bared her white teeth. His tail ruffled. She placed her hands on top of the two black daggers at her waist.

«You’re my partner. I won’t take anything in return. You swore an oath of loyalty to me. I can’t hurt you any more than you can hurt me. «How could she forget the basic rules of such vows?»

«Yes, it’s true. «She was so happy that she went to hug herself. Then she came to her senses and sat down in her seat with a red face.

«Let’s make a deal right away. I’m not picking on you. But you will learn to trust me completely. No tricks. Good. – We should go easy on her. Although she wants to appear strong, she is very vulnerable.

She nodded.

«They don’t know me in Thyme City. Maybe your idea of a guild will work.

We finished our fish. The fire was extinguished. We packed up and went on a trip. What they will be like. Time will tell you.