Half-demon happiness king full version read online.

Galina Goncharova

Half-demon. King's happiness

Innis looked over the find once more.

The old pages did not want to give in, warped under the fingers, the paper smelled unpleasant - still, how many years no one opened the book ...

Innis had stumbled upon it herself quite by accident.

She simply climbed onto the top shelf in the library, and it twitched under her fingers, the girl hovered for a moment, barely touching the old stairs with her toes - and something crunched.

It's ugly, it's embarrassing.

How did she end up on the floor?

Miraculously, nothing else.

She later looked, when she caught her breath and still climbed for a book a second time.

It turned out that one of the bookshelves was sawn out inside. Such is the secret.

Where is the easiest place to hide a book?

Yes, in the library.

And it wasn't even a book. A thin notebook hardly as thick as a finger, bound in red - she still thought that the color was unpleasant, as if smeared with dried blood ...

But is it worth it to lie to yourself?

Didn't think.

At that time, she was only interested in the content.

Books. Yes, books. Gates and passages to other worlds, other people's lives, other countries ... If it doesn't work out in any other way, then you can travel with their help.

They also help you forget. Forget yourself.

The notebook, however, did not serve this purpose. Not a drop. As it turned out, it was the diary of her great-great-great-grandfather - a magician. And not just a mage. Necromancer.

And such people were not respected in Riolon. And they were always ready to help the necromancer cleanse himself. With a clear flame of a fire - and to bare bones licked by fire.

Especially now, when godlessness was gaining strength in the neighboring country. Yes, they said that the Radenorians are fierce! Can you imagine, their king deprived the Temple of its rightful fifth share! Moreover, he forbade hunting magicians! And the fires have not been burning there for five years now.

And they say - only ts-s-s-s! – this is because he himself is a magician! And as if not a necromancer!

But if he were like that, would his majesty agree to marry Princess Dariola to him?

But he agreed - the wedding was played a couple of years ago, however, the Light One has not yet blessed them as the legal heir, but it happens differently here.

Although Innis was interested in these things insofar as. She doesn't care to leave the yard. But in Radenor I would like. She could feel safe there.

Innis Andago, daughter of Count Sidon Andago, was a witch. Or, if you call it correctly, an airbender.

Weak, of course. Her strength was only enough for little things. Inflate the breeze a little, drive a couple of clouds or drive them away, arrange a draft in the carriage - to breathe easier, or indoors ...

Now she knew where she got these powers from. The ancestor wrote that if there is a gift, he will definitely show himself in the offspring. But how else!

Blood, you can't fake it. If, of course, someone's mother did not play with the groom of the heir.

However, this did not happen in the Andago family.

Yes, the genus Andago ...

Innis was proud of her ancestors and wanted to be worthy of them. Portraits looked down at her from the walls in the art gallery.

Finn Andago. The same necromancer - with black hair pulled back in a ponytail, black eyes, a haughty expression, a hooked nose and a chin protruding forward. He seemed to radiate strength and power. Even now.

Tidann Andago. His grandson, according to legends that no one listened to, is the strongest magician of life. He saved people, literally got them from the other world ...

Faces, faces...

All black-haired, black-eyed, with unexpectedly white skin... and at the very end, her mother.

Ritanna Andago.

Black hair, burning black eyes, bright scarlet smiling lips, haughty face, a jet necklace around her neck - she knew her worth.

And yet, love is evil.

Oh, mother, mother, why did you do this?

And now there is a danger that the Andago family will be interrupted ...

Innis had every reason to be afraid. And it was like that.

What struck the imagination of the young Ritanna Andago Sidon Timar, the youngest son of Count Timar, the daughter did not understand. But his mother married him.

True, since she was the last in the Andago family, she set a strict condition. They marry, but the husband takes her surname and becomes Count of Andago. This is the first.

Did the husband agree?

Would you refuse in his place? From the third son, no one needs even on big holidays, to become a count and his own master? Yes, he ran with a joyful screech!

And the second.

The county of Andago, the title and castle, and all the money will be inherited by her descendants. What was clearly spelled out in the marriage contract.

Innis then, when her mother was already dying, asked - why ?!

Why, why did she think about it then? Indeed, in a moment of happiness, we are all so careless, we think so little about the future ... but my mother only shrugged her shoulders.

I don't know, Ine. So it was necessary.

Later, when she found the diary, Innis realized that perhaps it was the gift speaking. Even if unmanifested, even if there were only crumbs in the blood, but they turned out to be enough. Sometimes her mother could say something - and hit right on target. Her advice always turned out to be in place, although they were not immediately taken seriously, her words hit without a miss ... Life experience? Or is it still fragments of the gift?

Nevertheless, the papers were kept by the king.

And the Andago family lived, made good, gave birth to a daughter ...

For some reason, more children did not work out, but Ritanna did not grieve. The girl grew up healthy, cheerful, smart ... and the son?

It will turn out - we will give birth. Not?

Well, it will be as before - there is one receiving graph, we will find the second one! Tea, not an overseas crocodile is growing, a beautiful girl will be!

Innis and faithfully grew all in Andago. The same black hair, the same eyes, marble-white skin, haughty chin and - a gift.

The weak gift of the airwoman, which she, due to her childish habit of keeping secrets, hid from everyone. From father, mother, servants...

So it's more interesting!

Everything was fine, nothing foreshadowed trouble ...

Mom burned out in two months when Innis was thirteen.

She was mowed down by a strange, unknown disease. The templar advised to pray - it did not help. The magician of life shook his head - his strength went into the countess, as if into an abyss, but there was no improvement. Travel to the capital?

We didn’t go right away, and then - Ritanna would not have endured the road. She faded away quickly and hopelessly, in front of her relatives, who were unable to help her.

Innis sat with her mother day and night, her father filled her grief with wine ...

He filled it with wine even after the death of his mother. It was then that he met Amorta.

Amorta Morales, the youngest daughter of the baron's neighbor, was not very good, but she was smart, cunning and prudent. Although no. Not smart.

Mind is something else. But to be worldly, practical, predatory and prudent ... This is called something else. She would not pass by her own benefit, even though she had not read a dozen books in her life.

And it didn't pass.

Past Father Innis.

What did they have there - drunk or what? Innis didn't know. But when, three months later, the father, hiding his eyes and blushing, mumbled that he was obliged to marry Amorta, because she would have a child ... a daughter, well, you understand, you're an adult ...

Innis still understood. And the scandal was not childish. She yelled, threw things ... The earth had not yet settled on the grave of her mother, but he!

Can't keep your pants buttoned up?

The father did not like it - and the girl received a slap in the face. Then she paused, turned around and left. She will repay.

When she is twenty-five years old, she will become a countess and throw this traitor out into the street. You will have to wait quite a bit - twelve years. She'll be fine.

Innis was also silent during the wedding. She was silent when they congratulated her. Silent during the wedding feast. And only the next day, when Amorta went down to breakfast, pleased, like a cat that had eaten sour cream, spoke out. Sharp and evil.

It was a matter of getting Amorta suitable quarters, and Innis took her first fight.

“I suppose, dear, I should take the chambers next to you?” Amorta murmured.

Innis raised her eyebrows.

“Why would you, madame?”

Amortha grimaced, but…

- Baby, dear...

“You cost the most here,” the girl snapped. “Father, I urge you to keep up appearances.

Sidon tossed his head and crossed his gaze with that of his daughter. Uhhh!

Like it fell into a ditch. Black, cold, bottomless.

“Daughter, I understand…

- No, father. You do not understand.

- Shut up and listen! Amortha is my wife! She will give birth to your brother! You may not love her, but at least a drop of respect for her ...

"Dear father," Innis looked at her mother, angry and mysterious. Oh, dark blood! - It is hardly possible to show respect for a woman who, not ashamed of people, climbed into bed with a widower, before his wife's body had cooled down yet.

The slap came out. Would go out...

Innis dodged. Amorta's hand hit the back of the chair, hung helplessly.

– Sidon! Blue!

Father rushed to this one, looking at her pen, lisping ...

And Innis coldly finished off, chasing every word:

“The Countess's quarters cannot be occupied by a prostitute.

Of course, Amorta occupied the coveted chambers. Yes, here's the problem - it didn't stay there. A ghost began to visit her. At night it blew cold, rustled in the corners, whispered something incomprehensible ...

I had to move until the child was thrown off.

Innis stared hard, meeting her father's gaze directly. He did not dare to accuse directly, although he understood that it was unprofitable for anyone else. And Innis was just beginning to discover in herself gift.

And how glad she was that she was silent in childhood! Right now…

Drafts, from which the hated stepmother did not get out of colds, an impudent breeze that brought straw and dirt to her hair, rustles in the corners - after all, the wind also carries voices. Ask - and he will begin to whisper, releasing whispers from the captivity of his wings.

It is a pity that the gift was not enough for more.

Although ... Would she dare? Or not?

To condemn a person is scary. And to carry out the sentence...

On the other hand, at a young age it is much easier to lower the string of revenge than earlier or later. Innis ransacked the house, looking for her great-grandfather's other things. Something else besides a diary. Something that could help?

Not found. Alas…

Amortha gave birth to a son. They named him Ingor. On the double "n", obligatory for all Andago, the father still did not dare. Then.

Now that wouldn't stop him.

Did Innis love her brother?

Funny question. She didn't even consider him a brother. So… vestige…

The father was furious, Amorta weaved intrigues, setting him against her daughter - and achieved her goal. Sidon was about to marry Innis.

And for whom!

For a neighbor! For Amortha's little brother! The sixth son of a baron, a blockhead and a heliport!

The boy had already come with his father to the bride - and Innis almost turned inside out. That's because ... worm!

Like Amorta - blond, bright-eyed, with a face resembling an unbaked pancake, and a potato nose ... and with this - even take hands?!

And nowhere to go!

Until the age of majority, her father can marry her off. Another question is that he will crush this boy under him, his wife will help ... And Innis will turn out to be the Countess of Andago, but in tenth roles in the house. Will not throw anyone out and will not stop. It is not yet certain that she, Innis, will not die of an accident during childbirth. Now she can do at least something, then there will be nothing left. And so already Amorta takes away the threads of power from her.

Here and there...

Well, okay, let's get even. Tonight is a good, dark night...

Innis grinned at the window. Well, it's a new moon today. No stars in the sky, no moon... coal night. The clouds pulled from somewhere - good. For her purposes, such a night is the most suitable!

Innis slowly picked up the diary, leafing through...

What did her ancestor do?

He generously shared his experience! Didn't hide. And he left descriptions of rituals, and who, and what, and how ... Thanks to him for this.

Hope, of course, frankly dead, everyone has long known that there are seven varieties of magic and those who are capable of one are not capable of the other. And it is true - the fire is not subject to her. And water, too, and ...

Necromancy is another matter.

Because the templars do not like her, because she is largely dependent on blood. There is a caveat here.

If you had this power in your family, it will not go anywhere. She stays in the blood.

One has only to look at the gallery of portraits to be sure. She is Andago's flesh of flesh, blood of blood. Of course, appearance is not everything, but she has everything else. A gift in the blood, character ... No wonder they tell her that she is by her actions - like a mother, like a grandfather ...

And therefore...

It was quiet and clean on the tower - the noble countess did not disdain to wave a rag.

Candles, crayon, pentagram...

Innis concentrated.

She took out a needle, poked it in her finger, touched the tip of the chalk - then she would have to repeat. For each line of the pentagram, once. Let her blood mix with chalk - so the protection will be stronger, this is important for her.

And now…

Innis concentrated. Sometimes it seemed to her that the power inside was beating, pounding like a second heart, and now everything was twisting into a tight spring, squeezing in impatience ... come on!

And the gift straightened inside.

No, not necromancy. Her own gift of air...

If Innis had seen herself from the outside, she would have been surprised. She has little talent. But, having concentrated, she no longer paid attention to anything. But in vain.

Clouds were gathering over the tower, spinning as if they were stirred with a spoon, an invisible string sang thinly in the height, tiny whirlwinds curled around the girl ...

Innis gave all her best, and that's important in magic. You could say it defines everything.

Now symbols.

Death, summoning, blood, hunting, demon.

What you need is what we ask. Just in case, take a dagger in hand. Not for protection - what can she do against a demon? The dagger is specially taken so that you can easily inflict a wound on yourself. Demons can be bewitching. Now, if this happens, then there is nothing better than pain.

What more!

But this is one chance in a hundred. She doesn't even have that with her father and Amorta. The baron comes more and more often, his son stays longer and longer, the gentry becomes more and more disobedient ...

And when this nonentity tried to kiss her in the far corner ...

I would have killed!

Unfortunately, I had to get by with a knee in the groin instead of a dagger, but ... a demon can do it! And the fact that she will destroy the soul ...

Templars, of course, say so, but don't give a damn? It's better to ruin your soul than to betray your family. Her ancestors, her blood… even if she were to die now, it would be fair to look them in the eye—she had done her best. And if he doesn't even try, if he puts up...

Better then at once on a knife.

But this is also a betrayal of the ancestors. They gave her life not for a cowardly flight.

Innis looked at the completed pentagram once more.

Like this. Rovnenko, at least apply a ruler. And now…

Candles in the corners, light, focus - and say the words call.

You don't need much, just give it a chance...

Innis did not understand at what point everything went wrong. The spell began to draw more and more strength, the lights of the candles stretched up almost to the elbow, pain grew in the chest ... be patient, girl! You can!

By the last sentence, she was barely breathing. She even knelt down - it was hard to stand, she was afraid to fall, but she spoke stubbornly. As if a granite slab from the mother's grave pressed on her shoulders. And then suddenly someone picked up her load, divided it into two - and it became easier to breathe.

She stubbornly finished her last sentence and pressed her forehead against the icy floor.

If only not to lose consciousness ... if only ...

She already knew with her sharpened flair of the witch that everything had worked out.

He came…

I, Alexander Leonard Radenor, am half demon. It is a fact. But I'm a complete fool. And this - no matter how sad it is to admit this - is also a fact. Stubborn…

And after all they taught, and after all they said, but no! The pride of the demon was destroyed. Or pride?

The dog knows him. They say that pride does not allow a nobleman to kneel before the king, pride - before the Creator. But I didn’t talk about that ... Okay, here it’s necessary in order, otherwise I’ll start spitting poison.

Okay, I don't have that ability. But I'm a demon, I can get it without poison.

I sat down on the throne. Everything was in order here. There was no one else anyway - Rudolph and all his children, except for his daughter from Carly, are dead, Abigail - in the monastery, I hung most of her relatives. Yes, that's the kind of living creature I am. And nothing trembled in my chest, and the Chartreuses did not dream of me at night, much less did they come. I, too, found the innocent victims! Yes, this dirty trick should have been strangled in the cradles!

Anyway.

I sat down on the throne - and howled. Naturally.

No, the king, of course, can not deal with the affairs of the kingdom. But then his successor has to do it - and you should not expect it for a long time. Careless kings don't rule for too long, fact.

And therefore...

The first thing I did was flood the capital with ghosts. They were in all the mansions and informed me about all the aristocrats. Then I toured the country for the same purpose.

The aristocrats, of course, thought that I, like Rudolph, went to castles for hunting, women and other entertainment.

I had to be disappointed.

Of course, I accepted gifts, I allowed women to visit me, but to a limited extent. That is, at the time of the act.

And then she went out.

I couldn't sleep with anyone and didn't want to. It's too intimate.

Relatives - I also stopped by them, albeit for a couple of days - were happy. Rick minted the coin with might and main, Henri drove the robbers through the mountains, Martha ...

Martha asked to come with me.

She was dreary in Torrin, and there was nothing else to do. I was her favorite child. Native and beloved. She did not have such sympathy for the baby from Carly.

I thought and agreed. Not immediately, but a little later. Here it will become a little safer in the palace ...

Marta stipulated a period of six months - and she hung around my neck quite happily. And yes - I'm such a beast, I thought then that at least some of the worries she would remove from my neck. After all, she is also a necromancer. So let him chase the ghosts, for example.

I was also going to flood the palace with "hunting trophies." Make stuffed wolves, bears, foxes, wild boars - bigger and more terrible, put inside a living bone and call on the spirit. Let them stand in the corners. But in case of danger ...

It's a scarecrow! You can chop and stab as much as you want - nothing will happen to him. And what will happen to a person ...

Either gnaw, or tear, or trample. Looking at what to equip ...

But then again, it was difficult for me. Not enough, no, that was enough. Where can I get the time! Martha could have been involved in this as well.

Rene would… But he was not going to leave Torrin. He did well there, too, with Cassie and the kids. They raised the child Carly and Rudolph to the conscience, although everyone considered the girl their daughter. The baby had no abilities, but it was for the best. Let him be an ordinary child. Then I will marry her off.

Good in Torrin. I left the entire court pack outside the county, by the way. He took only Tommy with him, he didn’t even call Rene. Let him prove his loyalty.

No doubt, he is useful, smart, serious, but for the time being he needs to be checked. Power and not such broke.

And I took over the country.

I had to travel around all the provinces, including the annexed Rataver. Everywhere I checked the governors "for lice" by the simplest method. I went to the cemetery, raised several dead people, preferably from those recently executed, and asked questions. They couldn't lie to the necromancer, so...

I hanged someone according to the results, I awarded someone. Left a collection of orders - and went on.

And the collection was simple, Rick compiled.

First, the nobles were forbidden to mint their own coin.

Secondly, the Temple was forbidden to collect a titel. If someone wanted to donate to them - the question is one. Not? Sorry then. For blackmail and extortion, you can hang.

Thirdly, the amount of taxes was clearly defined. I explained to the officials that for the collection of "surplus" I would hang. Maybe for the legs.

At first they didn't believe me. But the ghosts remained. And when I again drove through these places, they reported to me about everything. After the twelve governors were hanged, the rest began to be afraid. Bribes were taken almost in the dark and under the covers. Yes, and in kind too. But the ghosts did not doze - and the heads flew again and again.

Morinar, by the way, was pleased. Still, much more money went into the treasury than before.

No, he didn't steal. So far he has invested. In craftsmen, merchants, roads, roadside inns... ignoble?

But profitable!

I sincerely tried to delve into all the subtleties and often sat with him almost until the morning.

Fie on you! What points?! When can I get time for them?

Tournaments?!

Yes, the same!

Parties were organized for the common people, but now only one type of entertainment was recognized in the royal palace - work. And if someone is bored, you can always wipe the dust or wash the floors. I do not mind.

The knights murmured and quickly infuriated me to the point that I sent them away. Not where, no. Across the country, fight the robbers.

ignoble?

But it's exciting! The same hunt, only for people. Have a good run, gentlemen! I had no sympathy for the robbers. Walked with Rudolf - and that's enough. It's time to go home and mind your own business. Plow the land, raise children ... boring?

I agree. Outside, it's more fun. But not for long.

The knights grumbled, but after I announced the reward for the largest number of destroyed robbers - not killed, but brought to the capital - they were inspired. Just as interesting!

Boys!

Let in iron, but such boys!

The rest was a matter of technique.

They secured and repaired the roads - trade improved - money appeared - they invested in mines and production - money appeared again - helped the guilds - made a profit - helped the fleet - strangled the pirates - helped the army ...

Routinely, calmly, methodically…

The main thing here was to determine what we are doing right away, the later, where to invest, how much, what to ask in return ...

Morinar did this, I coordinated his plans with Rick, sometimes corrected them - and worked. And the country sighed a little more calmly.

And I relaxed.

Idiot juvenile!

Self-confident brat!

It never occurred to me that, like a Christmas pig, they let me work up fat for the holiday. I say idiot. And Darius hinted that he would have to regret.

I also planned to deal with Riolon, although a little later. Still, the Vednensky Forest and the Mine Mountains ... here they got ahead of me.

I had been sitting on the throne for two years when Darius sent me an offer.

Do I want to meet his sister? And then the king, the last in the family, is a mess ...

I myself understood this, but I was not drawn to the wedding. With no one. Of course, I knocked a couple of court ladies, not without that, but ... such a dirty trick!

Before he has time to get out from under you, how to moan is accepted. But can I have a trinket, or papa of the earth, or a lawsuit for my brother, or ...

Don't donate?

They will denounce the whole kingdom as a miser.

And what kind of king am I when I break my own laws? Not just because they ask me! Most often they try in their favor, but at the expense of others. You can’t say anything, they try with their soul, but then it’s still disgusting. The soapy taste remains in the mouth.

I had to spit on the court beauties and go to Eliza. I spoke with the lady as with a friend, explained the situation and began to drop in twice a week. To one sweet and quiet girl. He paid with gold, sometimes gave expensive trinkets ... at least she drank potions - and I could be calm. I did not want to produce bastards.

Excuse me here. Whether the ladies during the reign of Rudolph fled, or I was unlucky, but sincerely no one loved me. They only dreamed of profit. Ghosts reported...

Also Carly...

She behaved in such a way that sometimes I wanted to kill her. It hasn't even been a week since giving birth...

Alex, we need to talk.

I didn't need this as a gift. But…

“About the recognition of my daughter as a princess.

- Maybe even hereditary?

Irony my former love did not catch.

- Why not?

I chuckled. Handed the key to Carly.

He took out a bag of gold from the table, put it on it.

- What's this? What for?

- This is from the tomb. There lies Rudolf. You take a strand of hair, you go to the magician of life, you pay, you compare. If they match, great. If not, I'm sorry, you actually didn't just sleep with your uncle.

– Alex! I'm sure!

- That's when the magician is sure - then come.

Carly left, swearing contempt at me... only to return three days later.

- Here's the evidence!

I read. I sighed.

“Carly, how much did you pay the magician?”

– Umm…

“I can find out myself. To him - a chopping block, to you - a monastery. I checked it too, back there, in the brothel. They have their own magician on a salary ...

Redheads blush so easily... I used to think that was attractive.

- Al-lex ...

“I understand, Viscountess. So, if you want to stay at court, be quiet. Otherwise, the monastery will seem like paradise to you. Understood?

Understood, but did not believe. And why do minstrels assure that old love does not rust? If you water it like that, it will crumble to dust!

Carly, Carly...

But that's before the wedding.

* * *

Princess Dariola.

What is she?

Not pretty, in my opinion. Tall - half a head taller than me, very thin, blond hair, watery blue eyes, almost white lips. Her hands are good - with thin long fingers, graceful, the hands of a musician, an artist.

Alas, when I met her, I also did not cause an excess of sympathy in her. Apparently, I seem to her too flimsy and fragile, and I have no desire to prove the opposite.

So I just kiss her hand.

- Your Highness.

That's it, so far neutral.

Not - my princess, not - welcome to my kingdom. Enough of the fact that they made me an offer that is difficult to refuse.

Well, yes. I divorced shortly after my ascension to the throne. The temple granted the request, although it tried to bargain. Here, Your Majesty, of course, we are always and everything for you, but we have become so impoverished, so impoverished, that it’s just crazy to go!

I, in addition to the lack of flea, offered the templars to work in free hospitals. Mandatory.

They did not want this, and therefore the question was instantly decided in my favor.

Dissolve Your Majesty?

Yes, instantly! All the same, marriage with evil spirits is actually invalid.

How is it not consumable yet?!

And you are not lying, our magicians are not mistaken.

Then - in general, the recognition of marriage as invalid, congratulations to you, Your Majesty.

And with a clear conscience, I took up state affairs!

Taxes, incomes, expenses, trips, calculations, executions and appointments ... All this took so much time that it was crazy to go.

Well, at least Martha, who arrived soon, took over the ghosts. Now they were talking to her, and I could breathe a little. And so the process of grinding new areas to the kingdom required all my time and effort. I even thought about women only for five minutes and in the morning. What are the tricks with the ladies of the court?! There was no strength, no time, no desire. I wonder if I'll ever get some time for myself?

A year later, Darius wrote to me.

He wrote that, they say, got excited. Of course, I was not obliged to share the fruits of victory, since they did not participate in the battle. But ... it's not good when two states are at enmity. And I'm probably sad without my wife, too.

But he has a sister...

Her Highness Princess Dariola Elianol of Riolon. And, perhaps…

I thought. Not for long, about six months.

Why not?

But everything that you devoured under Rudolph - you will return as a dowry. And pay more. Otherwise, look for her husband somewhere else.

Naturally, neither Darius nor his father were happy about this turn. And they offered to come to visit, and only there they could calmly discuss everything.

OK.

I agreed and looked at the princess with the interest of a naturalist.

Amateur, but cute. What she thought, I don't know to this day. What did Martha think...

My nanny spoke out the same evening and quite definitely. Calling the princess dried sterlet implored by the whitish viper and the Riolon monster. And offered to send it back.

Then she became sad and agreed that I still need to get married. For the benefit of the country?

Oh, Alex, how you look like your mother!

On the occasion of the arrival of the Riolonians, a tournament had to be arranged. I myself, however, did not participate. Once upon a time, bad luck. I sat next to Dariola, looked at the knights, who were happy to rattle their pots.

However, the princess seemed to enjoy it all. Knights, ballads, minstrels, flowers and admiring glances, trumpets and timpani... boring.

“Alex, don’t you fight in the name of your beautiful lady?”

I shrugged.

“Your highness, that would be ugly of me.

Why not?

- I'm the king. And forcing knights to choose between bravery and vassalage...

“You are noble, your majesty. And your act is very smart.

Her Highness knew how to flatter. And her brother is a bargainer.

But finally, after a couple of weeks, we agreed on a figure that suited everyone. And they began to prepare for the royal wedding.

Expenses, more expenses. And I still have so many roads, so many places where money is needed ...

* * *

The bride was… charming? Well no. Beautiful?

Not for my taste.

Most of all, Dariola resembled that same sterlet, only in lace and diamonds. She was made to look like a fish by a sloping chin, and small eyes, and a protruding lower lip.

Ghosts told me about the spiritual qualities of the bride.

The princess prays a lot, but judging by the fact that her prayer does not interfere with the ghosts in any way - out of duty. Not a prayer, in which they actually put their soul into, but simply spoken words. The princess spoke frankly only once, and only to her brother.

Dar, is it really necessary?

– Darina, we discussed everything before leaving.

- Well, yes! But…

“You do realize that for Riolon…”

– Yes, I know! But it's so hard...

- Darina...

Nothing sensible was said further, only tears, on the one hand, and consolation, on the other. Of course, I didn't suspect anything. Even felt sorry for her a little. Maybe she had love in Riolon. And here is me. And it is necessary to get married in the interests of the state. Princess or.

And I want love...

He even promised himself not to offend her. Lop-eared idiot.

We got married the same night…well, yes. Why wait? It's not evil, I knew for sure. But you still need an heir.

In bed, Dariola suddenly turned out to be very passionate. She scratched, she bit, she squealed… well. At least on one point we will not disagree.

They weren't in bed. But for everything else...

Celebrations died down. The Riolonians have left. And only then, gradually...

Dariola was revealingly pious. Her manner of condemning everything that was not part of the dogmas of the Temple irritated me. And even more irritated were the attempts to drive everything around into the framework of the regulations. And everything - and everyone.

It was necessary to dress in a certain way - the Temple and etiquette. Eating is etiquette and the Temple. Spending time and having fun - Temple. Walking, talking, making friends - etiquette. Even go to bed - and then according to the Temple.

No, the bed was fine. But having heard for the first time about the ban on intimacy because of the day of some martyr ...

That's it. You come to your wife, and you - excuse me, dear husband, today my servant does not order me, for the day of the beheading of the head of Sizard immaculate. As I understand it, this Sizard was ... criticized for that, that she either didn’t give it, or gave it to the wrong person ...

And what was I to do?

The first time I agreed with my wife.

And the second.

And on the third...

Said she was absolutely right. So I went. And went.

To a brothel.

I didn't do anything like that, by the way. I just sat and talked with Eliza, but my wife was informed. And what started here!

Darina squealed so that it seemed to me that her eyes would fly out. And how could I! And I shamed her! And this is a great sin! And I have to pray on my knees to...

Dreaming.

I listened to it to the end, once again making sure that a good deed would not be called a marriage. And he politely informed his wife that these were her problems. And I ... Every time I have to spend the night outside the bed of my wife for her religious beliefs, I will spend her in a brothel. According to my convictions.

I have such faith.

Darina began to squeal three times louder, I turned around and left. Ghosts reported - she roared, raged, broke all the dishes and knick-knacks ... The next day she apologized to me and did not break off such religious entrechas anymore.

Martha didn't like it.

Tommy finally married and went to Torrin to introduce his baroness to the family. Rene was wildly busy, so I was practically alone.

Can't say we lived. In fact, they coexisted in different universes. I had my business, she had hers.

And then the roads finally crossed. They jingled like swords in hateful hands, sparking. We drove over each other with a loud rattle.

* * *

When I heard from Martha that my wife must have become heavy, I did not think to be surprised or worried.

Doesn't tell me? Why is it that this can happen!

Maybe he doesn't understand what's going on. Or wants to make sure. What is there to talk about? You just need to give the task to the court physician.

Alas, I was wrong. And I had to pay for the mistake sooner than I thought.

Two days later, on the way to Livaren, a small town. After all, I still travel around the country so that the officials appointed by me do not relax. When a king appears on the threshold of your office and demands an answer… Or it may simply arise… It is very tonic.

Bad news came from Livaren. About a dozen of my ghosts were disembodied there. Worth a trip and figure out what's going on.

So I did.

I'm used to no one getting in my way. Did I already say I'm an idiot?

The mayor, Baron Feigin, greeted me joyfully. Obviously screwed up. But since I went straight to the ball in honor of the coming of age of his daughter, it was a sin to refuse. Okay so…

I will attend.

That's where I ran into Liana Rattern. A noblewoman, from the poor, but from very beautiful. The same fiery hair as Carly, deep blue eyes, a gorgeous figure - and a clear interest in my direction.

I confess - I could not resist. Who would have acted differently in my place?

There were several dances, there were hurried kisses on the balcony and in the garden, an appointment was made - and I went.

Is cheating on your wife bad?

Yes I know. But I really wanted to. And therefore...

Imagine.

Night, moon, nightingale sings ... okay.

And there was no nightingale, and the new moon is dark, like in an oven. So the romantic atmosphere did not work out. It even seemed to me that Liana was a little nervous, but I did not attach any importance to this - and we quickly ended up in bed. There I discovered that she was not quite a redhead, but this did not diminish the woman's passion. So we indulged in fornication with delight. Once, another...

There was not enough time for the third due to the fact that they entered the bedroom.

From four directions - a door, two windows, a secret passage, exactly twelve templars.

Liana squeaked and rushed towards them with such speed that I didn’t even have time to grab her. Instead he asked:

To what do you owe it, gentlemen?

I didn't even grab the sword. There are twelve of them, I am one. Either to switch - and then I don't care about the sword, I have enough claws, or ... or not to switch. And wait for the moment.

If they wanted to kill, they would shoot with arrows.

— Alexander Leonard Radenor.

Yes, you know it's me.

The templar did not support the joke.

“We tolerated your transgressions for two years. You humiliated the Temple, you...

“Deprived him of illegal income, stopped the witch hunt and generally forced him to benefit people. What exactly was not to your liking?

The man's eyes lit up.

“For your deeds, the Temple has sentenced you to death.

But no weapons. AND?..

“You will die a terrible death. And let it serve as a warning to those who decide to follow you.

I tensed, ready to lunge forward.

Where there!

The templar raised his hand - and something big, round, silver flashed in it ...

And this is where it got me twisted.

The pain was such that my eyes popped out of my head. If I were a human, I wouldn't remember myself at all. But the half that got from the demon quickly helped to come to his senses.

I couldn't move - it hurt too much, but...

Templars stood around the bed, Liana - I'll get to you, treacherous bitch! sobbed behind them, the silver disc in the man's hand scattered sparks...

Rene's lessons popped into my memory instantly.

Why don't mages resist? Why let yourself be burned? It would be nice to have village witches, but magicians too! Strong, experienced ... they are first drunk with something like a "vampire". They replenish the energy of the Temple at their expense so that there is no trouble. And then after all, the magician of fire, for example, is dangerous to burn. So you start, and he will answer, and who else will burn is a big question.

And they think that I...

I'm just being sucked out right now.

But no one knows that he encountered a half-demon.

Call for help?

Drops out. Nobody will come, I'm sure. Otherwise, they would not behave so calmly ...

Resist?

Undoubtedly!

What else is left for me?

And in the next moment, a half-demon soars from the bed.

It's easy for me to switch to another form. And she has both claws, and fangs, and a tail ... two templars die at once - I get one with my claws, and the other with my tail. The spell viciously grunts in the end and crumbles. In order to support it, you need twelve templars, this is the law. The main bastard, unfortunately, is still intact, he stands the farthest. I discard the second body and lunge at the third. And the blade of the sword meets me.

I manage to dodge and grab the candelabra standing next to me, drunk with rage and a surge of strength.

I'll put you all here, creatures!

Your Temple will cry with bloody tears!

Blood pours down my claws, I parry the blows, pulling out another bastard with my tail - and it was not worth hitting in the back! Someone falls, someone rushes at me, Liana's squeal is above the fight ...

I underestimated the bad guys.

Another templar falls - and I'm looking for the main one. But he is already standing in the corner and looking at me gloatingly.

And in his hand...

Only not this!

"I'm banishing you from this world, demon!" By the power of the Temple, by the will of the Temple...

Words fall like stones on my head, the sign of the Temple, carved from crystal, shines in my hand - apparently, he is a strong exorcist, therefore the instrument of production is always with him ...

- By the blood of the servants of the Temple, the sacrifice of the servants of the Temple ...

I can almost physically feel myself being pushed out of this world.

It’s like it’s being pulled into a funnel, and I’m helplessly trying to cling to at least something ...

Don't wait!

I won't leave here!

This is my world!

This is my house!

I am a half demon. I'm a king! I…

It grabs me and drags me somewhere into the unknown. There are only lines around.

Black, blue, scarlet - the latter are becoming more and more, they pull, they twist into bundles, they try to overwhelm me ... I struggle with my last strength, trying to slash them with my claws, the bedroom has long disappeared from view, I seem to be hanging between heaven and earth , my strength is running out, a little more - and I just lose consciousness ...

And in this darkness, a thin blue thread suddenly flashes.

So pure... clear... like the sky.

Scarlet cords recoil for a moment - and I rush to her. I grab my claws, pour everything I have left into it - and finally surrender to the mercy of power.

Let it be what will be.

* * *

Innis stared in surprise at the demon that appeared in the pentagram.

Some he...

All as ordered, yes.

Claws, tail, scales... but is he supposed to be covered in blood and lying unconscious?

There was no mention of this in my grandfather's diary. Too bad she couldn't find any other notes. But... now what to do with it?

Try calling him? Shake?

No, putting your hand or foot inside the pentagram is prohibited.

What if you poke it with a stick?

He can't lie in her tower like that, can he? She only lacked a dead demon for complete beauty!

* * *

It was painful.

Everything that wasn't torn off hurt like hell. It even looks like a tail. And also…

Demon, are you alive? Daemon! Yes to you!!! You are a bastard, not a demon!

I strain and try to lean on my hands. Then open your eyes.

M-yes, they patted me notably.

My eyes are completely filled with blood - it seems that someone hit me on the head. Bastards, if the scar remains, I will let them go for processing! Well, at least you don’t need to be afraid of a concussion - half-demons have a stronger skull. And some have a completely different brain. Probably me too. Not with my head, I thought, that's for sure.

- Alive…

The girl is clearly happy. Or not? Because the next moment...

“Eh… demon, what’s your name?”

I turn my head by force of will. However…

A girl is standing in front of me. Young, almost a girl, ten years younger than me. Pretty?

No, I wouldn't say. She is too thin and pale.

Black hair, black eyes, prominent cheekbones, a simple dark dress...

- And who are you?

“I am Innis.

- And I'm Alex.

- A-Alex?

Well, yes, demons are not called that. They must have a different name. Terrible, secret, fanned with glory ... I smile.

- It's abbreviated.

- And completely?

- Why you asking?

The girl blinks her eyes, but the answer is quickly.

- I have business with you.

In the meantime, I'm trying to get on all fours. Then sit down. It turns out not bad, even taking into account the wobbly limbs.

- State?

I don't think about giving up. Well, if I was thrown out here, it is necessary to establish contacts with the local population. By the way, where did you throw me?

My name is Innis. And I'm the heiress of Andago County.

Something familiar…

- The country?

- Riolon.

I shake my head. I don't understand anything. But how?

- Wait a second…

I squeeze whiskey. Well, yes, I was attacked. At first they tried to dry it. Then, when I spread, - expel. And they even succeeded. I didn't exist in this world. I slipped somewhere outside.

And then he returned.

I look at the girl. But she is...

“You are not a necromancer.

- Not. I am an airman.

“Then why did you take up the call?” It's dangerous, you know. Such things and necromancers turn out every once in a while.

- Are you going to teach me?

- Someone needs it, if the parents are not honored ...

Here I feel like a shaped pig. Innis suddenly shrinks, wraps her arms around her shoulders, and it is clear that the topic is very unpleasant for her.

- Mom ... left.

- And the father?

The girl shakes her head.

- Yes, he would be better too! You can at least be proud of the dead! And he! Bastard!

And a stream of complaints is pouring on me, from which I isolate the main thing - after all, the girl is really bad. It's easier for men. And we come of age earlier, and more rights, but where is she? This is where necromancy comes into play. And… her grandfather was a necromancy. So, he may have a library. I would like to read about what happened.

- What is the date today?

Innis answers without a hitch, and I catch my breath. The number is the same. And yet it could…

Yes, it could. I could blabbed in this interspace for ten years. Lucky.

“All right, Innis, let’s make a deal. What do you want from me?

In the meantime, I test the pentagram, letting out my gift. She fits in well. Although…

And no, it's not that simple. She gives in because I'm not a demon. And also because I don't wish harm on Innis. Not a drop. I even like her.

Beautiful, smart, serious girl. And by the way, in some way she prepared to call the demon. At least the pentagram is in her blood. For protection, you can't imagine better.

Innis looks calm and cold.

- I do not want to get married. I want to be the Countess of Andago. Can you help me with this?

- I guess so. But not sitting in this ... by the way, where am I sitting?

“This is my family castle. One of the towers.

- Not bad. So. We'll have to decide what you want to get.

- I.e?

If I were a demon, I would gladly take advantage of the situation. After all, the girl was not prepared, like me, they didn’t explain anything, they didn’t teach necromancy ... she wouldn’t have lived a day, becoming a countess. She didn't mention that she wants to live happily ever after.

But I just pity her. And that's why…

- Look. You called me, that's good.

Although who called whom is another question. Her call served as an anchor. And she would not have had the strength to summon a demon for centuries. Rather, I clung to myself, because I was nearby, in the nearest layer ... here I still need to think it over. For now, I continue.

“Now you have to decide what you want from me.

“But I said…

“Innis, my dear, there are many ways to become a countess. You can kill your father and everyone else in the castle. You can petition the king. You can urgently marry you - and you will also become a countess. Understand?

The girl understands. She nods, biting her lip.

“Then let’s start over.” I do not want to get married. What can you do about it?

“I can kill my fiancé. Your father. His father...

- And without killing?

We can marry you. For another.

But father...

“But you don’t have to worry about his consent.” To call demons - she is an adult, but to decide about her husband - how will dad say?

Innis blushes. A little bit. By the way, very nice.

- What if I don't want to get married? Generally?

- If you remain the eldest in the family, the king can grant you independence. Direct vassalage. Or allow to inherit the name and lands before. But it still needs to be earned and to prove its ability to manage.

- I can.

“Then we must go to the king.” Innis, how dear is your fiancé to you?

“I wouldn’t want to kill,” the girl admits.

I shrug.

I promise I won't kill him on purpose.

Although it would be better to kill, it is more merciful. Innis clearly suspects this, but decides not to go into details.

“You will save me from marriage, as bloodlessly as possible.

“And without harming you. Note - if you die, they will write on your crypt - Countess Andago rests here. And you won't get married.

Innis opens his eyes.

“If I wanted to kill you, I wouldn’t have warned you, right?

Innis breathes a sigh of relief.

- I've never before...

- I understand. That's why I say.

“I swear not to harm you. “I take an oath quite calmly. I like Innis, I don't want to raise my hand against her, but in the old habit of a necromancer, I stipulate: - If you do not harm me first.

Innis snorts.

- You? You are a demon!

- So what? Maybe deep down I'm soft and defenseless.

A smile blooms on his face.

- May be. So?

“I will help you avoid marriage. And I will help you become a legitimate and recognized Countess of Andago. I swear.

- Blood?

I stretch out my hand. The fist clenched, drops of blood dripping from under the claws onto the floor.

- I swear.

The girl looks seriously and thoughtfully.

“I accept your oath, Alex.

- Will you let me out?

Yes, I can go out myself. But why disappoint a girl?

Innis nods and erases the chalk line with the toe of his shoe.

- Welcome.

I'm next to her in one leap. I bow in obeisance.

“Thank you, beautiful lady. May I change my appearance?

- Can you?

I nod. And I am changing. Innis gasps and turns away. M-yes. I completely forgot that I was pulled out of bed. In an extremely natural way.

- Sorry...

A short girl's cloak flies at me, I catch it and wrap it around my waist.

- You can turn around. Are there any men's clothes in the house?

Innis turns around, looks at me and issues a verdict:

- And you're pretty.

“And you didn’t like me with a tail?”

Innis blushes. I cough in embarrassment.

“Sorry, okay?

“Keep your demon jokes to yourself.” The girl looks arrogant and haughty. Tries. True, it turns out rather badly ... - I have clothes. In my quarters.

- Let's go to?

- Let's go to. Only first...

Well, yes. Cleaning.

The most hated thing in my magical experiments.

I crawl across the floor, erasing the chalk outline while Innis collects the candles, and think.

It's a classic attack. And it's certainly not the only one. If this is a conspiracy, it must be branched. The templars kill me, and their pretender takes the capital, sits on the throne, and so on. But here's the problem - he can't.

There was a precedent.

Hence the conclusion - they have the blood of King Radenor.

Well, the choice is small. Rudolf's daughter was in Torrin a month ago, and stealing her from Rick is an impossible task. From there, even I was not kidnapped at the time.

Nothing was pumped out of me either, I would have noticed.

And who was silent about their pregnancy?

That's the same...

If my wife is not in a conspiracy, call me a half-angel. Hence the conclusion - you can not rush to the capital yet. We must wait until everyone crawls out into the light, and only then grab. Besides, I'm in Riolon right now. At the same time, let's see how expensive the neighbors are involved in the conspiracy.

Of course, Dariola could negotiate with the Temple directly, but this is hard to believe. But in Darius, who helped his sister, - calmly.

I'm probably to blame for what happened. He married out of duty, lived nearby out of a sense of duty and forgot that both the first and the second mean people.

Alive. Which you will not drive into frames and borders. Which must be studied, and taught, and learned. Just like they did with me.

But I didn’t bother to take a closer look, or think about it - and I paid the price. Pretty fast and brutal.

What more.

If only I had received it.

And here is the second lesson - my negligence can cost my loved ones dearly. And now I can't help them. Too far, even ghosts can't reach. Now my family can only rely on themselves.

Why didn't I think about their safety before?

Why didn't you insure?

I will never forgive myself if something happens to Rene, Tommy, Martha.

Careless self-satisfied cretin.

* * *

I had two options. First: urgently call Ak-Kvir - and to the capital. There I will restore order, but the conspirators will have time to escape, this is clear even without a fortuneteller.

The second option...

You can sit on the throne of Radenor. And even sit. Twenty seconds. Then ... a scoop and a whisk for dusting. And the coffin will no longer be needed, the remains can be safely poured into the palace flower bed.

If I wait a little longer, I can identify the conspirators. But… my family?

What's there to think about?

If I were in the place of the conspirators, I would first kill the king, that is, me, and then, if everything worked out well, I would take on his entourage. But… I suspect there are no surviving templars left. I'm generally kind and affectionate, but they really pissed me off. That is, I have some kind of temporary backlash before they attack Martha, Tommy, Rene, the same Darina ...

Although they will attack Darina?

Her child is now the only one, not counting her daughter Carly. But they didn’t get to that one, I would know. So my wife will be protected. But Martha needs to be warned.

Here the necromancers have their own ways.

I look at Innis. Okay, trust me more than you do now, and you shouldn't. So that…

I am close and touch the neck under the thick black strands. The girl falls silently to the floor. Then I will say that her head is spinning, and I myself pick up the stub of the candle from the floor. I fearlessly pierce my finger with Innis's dagger, touching the wick, the tip of which ignites a flame.

“Blood to blood, fire to fire, ashes to ashes, dead to living…

An old conspiracy pours from the tongue, power obediently coils around like a big black snake.

Marta is not related to me by blood, but by strength. She is a necromancer, she loves me, and she always has a part of me with her. A strand of hair…

Far...so far...

But finally I feel a response on the other end. So you can’t convey a word, you can’t tell anything, but you can imprint something else into your consciousness.

Danger!

Hide!!!

And here it comes to the addressee. I understand and calm down. Martha can take care of herself. Tommy?

Believe me, about him too.

Rene? Morinari will survive under all rulers and in any weather. The rest are…

They haven't touched Darina yet, and I don't have anyone else. Well, unless someone naively sticks his head in Torrin. But there the question will be decided by Rick. Yes, and Rene ... in general, you need to feed the fish! Even enemies.

I look at the girl.

Now I will bring her to her senses and begin to understand here.

“Innis, wake up…

* * *

Martha opens her eyes in the middle of the night.

Power sings in the blood, power screams, power calls - and the call cannot be resisted. She knows the feeling...how long she's known it. And sometimes I was afraid. Before I met Michelle. Then I realized - no matter what power you are gifted with, it is important not to use it for evil. Although necromancy… hmmm.

A black snake, woven from darkness, coils at his feet. She, too, felt the call of Alex.

Danger.

Her child is in trouble. Marta knows that now she will not help him in any way, except for one thing. Hidden, hide, disappear, as if she did not exist. And where is such a place? Where can't they find a necromancer? They won't see, they won't hear...

And the anxiety in the blood sings louder and louder.

The string is ringing, Martha, with the blood of a necromancer, feels death standing nearby, she looks at it, grins, rubs her hands ... No, girlfriend. You won't wait for me today.

I'm not afraid of you, but I won't leave my child. A good mother would never do that, and Alex's mother is me. Let Michelle give birth to him. He is hers by blood, mine is by spirit.

I will come when my time really comes. Now, wait.

There is no time to get dressed, in the pockets of a warm cloak thrown right over a nightgown, coins and some jewelry fly - Alex gave them to his mother almost in caskets, Martha grabs her dress, shoes, grabs the ritual weapon of any necromancer - and the snake slides to the wall . Touch with your hand - and the road down opens before the one endowed with a dark gift.

Look around the room, smile at the end - and a curse flies to the threshold. The will of the necromancers is strong in this palace.

Thank you, Alethar Radenor, wherever you are right now.

The same curse that young Martha once cursed the rapists. The first spell - it, like first love, works best, easier and simpler. Stays with you forever.

Martha disappears into the wall exactly five minutes before the door to her room is kicked in.

She no longer hears screams. Although the four who burst into her quarters first are screaming and writhing on the floor.

Their eyes bleed, their arms and legs wither, their skin becomes covered with scabs ...

Nothing personal.

It's just that anyone who comes to visit a necromancer with evil runs the risk of swallowing this evil to the fullest. They could have come with flowers, you see, and they would have survived.

* * *

Tommy sleeps in his house, Henriette dozes next to him, burying herself in his shoulder, sniffing, smiling in her sleep. And then he jumps up with her husband when it blows sharply with icy cold.

You can’t hide from this wind, you can’t hide, you can’t shield yourself with a blanket.

This is the wind of death. And the cold from him is grave, as if you are already being lowered there, down, in the coffin. From this, the dead will rise. And they got up, by the way.

The darkness in the bedroom deepens, takes on the form of Martha, grins with a wide, almost shark-like mouth.

- Tom, it's me. Martha.

Tommy immediately calms down. He saw this, and more than once. Think...

Alex threw out worse numbers, and in general - to live with necromancers, not to be afraid of the night.

- What happened?

- Treason. Take your wife and hide immediately. I'll warn the Morinars, so... try to get to Torrin. Of all of us, you are the most vulnerable.

- What about Alex?

Tom breathes a sigh of relief.

- Good. Or maybe raise the guard?

- Against who?

- Understood. Rey, come on.

Tommy jumps out of bed. And that is true, while it is not known who, what, how - the best course of action is to lie low. Hide and not give news about yourself. And then... when everything is clear...

Tommy was not distinguished by love and forgiveness. But for now, the wife must be hidden. A pregnant woman is wonderful, but such a burden on her neck ...

And warn the Morinars.

Henriette has to be shaken a couple of times, but then the woman begins to move, and an hour later, only crumpled pillows remind of someone sleeping in the bed.

And they've been cold for a long time.

* * *

Innis does not recover immediately. But then the dark eyes open.

“You are… a demon…”

“Innis, call me Alex, okay?”

The girl thinks for a few minutes. Yes, not a girl, a girl. And there is a figure, and it is round, again, where it is necessary ... So, what am I talking about? Are you crazy, dumbass?

You actually have a wife!

And that Innis even agreed to become a mistress?!

I can seduce her, but then her life will not be a joy. She is too good and smart to be second. Always and forever second.

Others may call mistresses favorites, but is there only one word? Whore…

No matter how you cover a torn sheet with a gilded bedspread ...

- Okay, Alex. What happened with me?

- You spent a lot of strength, so you got sick.

“Maybe…but why now?”

“You used to be on your nerves, but now… by the way, let’s discuss how we should act?”

Innis grabs my arm. Thin fingers are just icy and tremble a little.

- I.e?

“Innis, I can kill all your family right now. It's not hard. Only then will the investigation begin, and you will suffer in the first place.

Innis thinks. It didn't seem to cross her mind.

- But as?..

- Tell me, can a guest come to you? Or a relative?

- So-so ... in general, I have relatives ... by my mother ...

“My grandfather had a sister. Annita Andago. She married, Baron Belente, in Tevarr, and it seems she had a son. But we haven't talked to that branch for a long time.

- It is understandable. So, I'm your grandfather's second cousin. Alex Bellent.

I'll be back tomorrow morning, don't be surprised.

- But on what?

M-yes. At least get out onto the main road.

No horse, no money... Of course, I can lift at least a dozen horses, but... I don't even have normal clothes! Slept without anything!

Innis smiles mockingly. I'm more than sure - this infection knows what I'm thinking.

- Went. Let's try to come up with something.

* * *

In his quarters, Innis points me to a chair, looks me over from head to toe once more, and disappears through the door. I make myself comfortable and unleash my strength so as not to waste time.

The call spreads through the castle, as if I were the center of a web with a thousand threads.

I flood it with my gift - and I can definitely say that - yes. The founder of the Andago clan was a necromancer. Or lived here, albeit a long time ago.

Feels…

The skeleton under the cornerstone of the castle is not the most ordinary one - some small demon was obviously walled up, several curses from the category of wishes are carved on the foundation to those who covet someone else's. Innis might not have called me - if her father had appropriated someone else's, then he himself would have renounced and fled.

It is fraught, you know, to encroach on the inheritance of a necromancer, not having common blood with him. You can grab such joys for your soul ... At the very least, these are undead ghosts along the corridors of the castle, and even something more predatory can wake up.

There is definitely something in here.

Built on blood and bones.

I like.

By the way, I'll have to look later. So that a smart necromancer doesn't have a lab? I do not believe!

And great-grandfather Innis was a very intelligent necromancer, I already understood that. No worse than Rene. Weaker than me, but this is not an indicator. Not everything is decided by bad power, once again I am convinced.

It's just that some things are far from being revealed to everyone and not always. But I have the strength and desire, and Innis has the blood of Andago. We can combine.

I look around the rooms.

And do not say that a young girl lives here. No, you won't.

Darina's chambers, for example, look like a bonbonniere. Bows, ruffles, pink, white, gold, pictures, figurines…

Yes, even small dogs that look like big hairy cockroaches. I don't understand these creatures. A dog is supposed to be a beast, but what is that?! Has the paw clutch grown?!

Innis has none of that. Everything is very strict, simple, neat. The light green walls of the living room, the large fireplace, the heavy curtains, the polished light wood furniture and knick-knacks…

They are not here at all. Even a vase for flowers. But over the mantelpiece hangs a healthy crossbow. And they take care of him, you can see it. And on the other wall there are several daggers, each of which should be removed at least now and used for its intended purpose. Heavy candelabra with candles, polished wood panels.

Unfeminine room.

Weird…

And - books?! Yes, there are a lot of books. Some are open, some are bookmarked, look through?

No, not yet. Innis wouldn't like someone rummaging through her things. I would definitely be.

Oh, and here she is...

She enters with quick steps, and in her hands ...

I hope it's not your father?

- Not. grandfather. Will it go?

Well, there is still no choice. I unfold and guess. However…

“Innis, you are smart.

Instead of smiling, the Countess blushes and turns away. Hmmm, but it would not be worth changing clothes like that right away ... Well, nothing. I do not seduce, I just did not think. Especially since things are good. They smell of lavender - they obviously lay somewhere in a chest, but they did not go out of fashion. Innis, the smart girl, brought me something like a hunting suit.

A white shirt of the simplest style, such as they always wear, leather trousers and a leather jacket. Good expensive brown leather, soft as butter. Under this and underwear is not yet necessary. And here are the legs...

- Look. I'm not sure what will suit you, but this is the best.

The boots are clearly too big and the soles have dried out. But still not barefoot.

- Where?

- These are paternal, old. He is greedy, strangles himself to give gifts to servants, and his leg has grown. That is, swollen.

- It will have to be changed. Is there where?

- Nearby, about eight hours away from the town. Anderron.

- On my land. Can you get there?

Can I?

Funny question.

“Innis, sweetheart, you’ll be meeting Cousin Alex tomorrow afternoon—er—”

- Belenta.

- Here, the main thing is not to forget.

The girl smiles at all maliciously and thrusts into my hands a sheet hastily torn out of some book. Uneven, shreds stick out ...

- It's a family tree. Learn.

“Yes, my Countess.

— Cousin Innis.

“Dear cousin, my grandmother told me so much about Andago. You have no idea how much I wanted to see her home! And after the recent war...

Innis darkens.

- Yeah…

I'm smiling.

“Cousin Innis, don’t think about sad things. I will go?

She nods.

- Yes. Tomorrow afternoon?

I put the paper in my pocket.

- Promise.

"Come on, I'll take you out of the castle." And I have some money...

“Cousin, I don’t take money from women!”

- I'll find it. Believe me, lack of money is not for demons.

Believes. She smiles timidly...beautiful. Perhaps Darina is much scarier, even though she is a princess. I take the dagger off the wall.

- Will you let me?

- Of course.

That's fine. Do not scratch yourself with your own claws? And you never know who will meet along the way? Suddenly you have to ... talk closer?

We pass through dark corridors, meeting no one along the way. Good luck, I don't want to kill you. Saying goodbye at the gate, Innis looks at me sadly. I touch her cheek.

“Cousin Innis, smile. I promise I won't disappear until I solve your problems.

Does not believe. But we'll manage. We'll definitely make it.

* * *

Summoning Ak-Quir is easy. He appears almost immediately, sniffing.

“You again, necromancer?”

- Are there any objections?

Do you have anything to pay me?

I bare my teeth ferociously.

- Then settle down.

I sit on his back, and Ak-Kvir takes off like an arrow.

Eight hours to town?

Innis, my dear, about twenty minutes - and then for some reason this demon was completely lazy. We swing the city wall with careless jumps, since his claws are like your sabers - they dig a meter into the depth of any stone. And here I am standing on a narrow street.

Well, gentlemen, robbers, do none of you want to profit?

Funny question.

They last exactly five minutes, and then a company of three people wanders out on me. And it's so lively that it's even funny.

- O! Who complained to us!

- Aristocratic, skinny!

- Man, do you have a wallet?

And they try to surround me from all sides. No, well, what naivety! Am I supposed to talk to them too?

I take off with a dark lightning.

The first I reach with sharply extended claws at the throat, the second with Innis's dagger in my other hand. The third screams, preparing to run away, but Ak-Kvir grows up behind him, and the terrible mouth simply bites off the impudent head.

- Bon appetit.

- Thanks to.

- Wait, do not eat his pockets, suddenly there is money there.

Without superfluous disgust I search all three bodies, I pull out a dagger, I wipe on their clothes. Well, the money here, frankly, is not much. But these are not the last robbers in the town, are they?

Let's take another walk ... do you need a lot of time to eat them up? Ah, already! Fine! Let's go.

The demon is quite grinning. In fact, they do not have free access to our world, but I let him in here, my strength is like an anchor for him, I allow him to feed - for this you can carry a necromancer on your back. Oh well, it won't break.

Before morning, we manage to clear Anderron of another twelve inhabitants of the city bottom. Ak-Kvir looks pleased and gorged, coins jingle in my pocket... And no, I'm not ashamed. Why would it be! Just think, he fed a couple of dozen scoundrels to a demon! Those who feel sorry for them simply have not met such creatures on a dark street. But if they met, they instantly forgot about their humanity. It is very intelligible when a noose on the neck or a flail on the crown of the head.

I release the demon in the morning, and I myself fall into the nearest tavern, where I order food. Plenty, hearty and delicious. I'm sleepy, but I promised Innis. Never mind, I'll sleep at night when I get to Andago.

Where is the nearest horse dealer?

Ah, two blocks from here? Fine! And the shoemaker?

There is enough money for new boots, and for a raincoat, and for a horse with harness and a couple of saddlebags. And a good county here, if you can shake off so many scoundrels from a dozen and a half. We will be poorer for now. Or check?

I will walk at night under the moonlight along the narrow streets of the capital ...

True, then one little thing remains in the wallet, but why not linger? I'll call Ak-Kvir again later.

The horse moves slowly towards Andago. Oh what a shame to waste so much time!

On the other hand...why lose it?

It is possible while to learn the relatives. And you can talk to Martha.

I'm not just anyone, I'm a half-demon, I can not wait for the night to call. And they will hear me.

Forces leave a breakthrough, but I still manage to get through to Martha. She's alive, definitely. Healthy, calm, but very angry. That is, not in captivity. But he perfectly feels my curiosity and answers it as best he can.

Rage, anger, anxiety… you should try to summon a small demon at night, let him take the letter to her. Or now?

No, it's not worth it. I'm already exhausted, and I'll have to do more than just conjure. And the day is not my time, and a lot of energy is spent, and the disguise is much worse. Some kind of serf will happen here - and they will start looking for me. To nothing.

Here in Andago it will be better, the walls help there.

Hmmm, sorry I didn't know about Innis before. Good blood, by the way. Necromancers - they do not come across every day, besides the Countess. And what a character!

What woman would risk summoning a demon not for herself, but for her kind? Not knowing if it will work out, how it will end, will she be able to bargain with him? It's not for profit, I would have noticed. She doesn't care about money, but Andago's blood must not be wasted.

Wonderful girl.

* * *

The towers of Andago Castle appear on the horizon in the evening. The horse is tired, stumbles more and more often and takes a step. They are uncomfortable though...

They meet me at the gate.

- Stop! Who goes?

- Alexandre Innorant Belient. Junior heir of the Baron Belente. Report me to the owners.

The views of the guards are incredulous, but they do not dare to argue. Here, after all, the main thing is how to hold on, and my authoritativeness has already eaten into my blood. For so many years on the throne...

So one remains at the gate, and the second goes to report to the count. And not the slowest pace.

I don't have to wait long, because Innis flies out into the yard.

- Cousin! Finally! I'm so glad!

And here is her father…well, what can I say? The girl was lucky that she went to her mother. Papa is short, bald, stout, with drooping bulldog wings and a displeased expression on his face. Clearly knows everything, likes to read lengthy notations and does not tolerate objections.

“Cousin Innis, I thought you were simply charming.

- Yes! Alex, this is my father, currently holding the position of Count Andago.

M-yes. I would like to - I would not lower the trenchant. Sidon Andago's eyes flashed, turned purple, but there was nothing to cover.

“Daddy, I told you. Alex wrote to me a couple of months ago and I invited him to come.

“I won't be long, Count, and I promise not to embarrass you. It's just that my grandmother told so much about Andago that I wanted to see it.

Sidon would have thrown me out, but the duty of hospitality did not misfire.

- Well. Welcome cousin. Let me introduce you: my wife. Amortha Andago.

- Very nice.

I touch the fingers that a middle-aged lady of the same average appearance coyly gives me.

How could she not love Innis?

Light sparse hair, a face with small features, a skinny figure that is not saved even by cotton wool placed in all places, thickly blackened eyebrows and eyelashes. Against the background of Innis, it looks like a piece of uncooked dough. And what did Sidon see in her?

If Innis' mother looked like a daughter?

Although ... men do not always choose strong and smart women. It is much easier to find the one next to which you will seem like an eagle to everyone. Let her be a goat, but you proudly soar in the sky, overshadowing the earth with sweeping movements of wings and tail. Something drew me to the lyrics ... let's take a closer look?

Yes, the lady generously uses love spells!

Creams, ointments, it is possible that it adds to food! Why didn't Innis notice? So it does not work on magicians, and these spells are quite specific. I know them through conversations with Madame Eliza, but where does a snotty girl get such an experience?

Let's figure it out.

I smile sweetly.

“Amortha, you are adorable. I can understand your husband.

Certainly can. And about the charm - pure truth.

“And your sweet child?”

- Ingor? Oh, he's in the nursery now. Was Innis writing about her brother?

- How could she keep silent about a loved one? - I proclaim with all the pathos.

Of course she couldn't. Although he does not consider him family at all. What to do, blood is not everything. There is also upbringing and communication, and if the girl is not allowed near the baby, of course, there will be no talk of any kindred affection. Would you be attached to a person you see once a month for about three minutes, under constant supervision?

Here I am about the same.

To Innis's credit, she didn't wish the baby any harm. But nothing good either. Simply - do not intersect in any way. Let Amorta's relatives take him and do what they want, even if they eat with porridge. Her family is her problem.

Sidon sighed and invited me to the dining room, surprised on the way that I was traveling light. I had to sigh that they don’t like us in Radenor now, poor Tevarrians, but for what ?! We are nothing, never, and in general ...

The topic turned out to be very fertile - and for about ten minutes we poured mud on the scoundrel Radenor. And then! A sorcerer, evil spirits, almost a necromancer, they say that his mother was a fiery one, and he himself is unknown. And his mother almost burned his own brother, and what this type has done is completely unknown. But for sure, as soon as he appeared in Radenor, his uncle's troubles immediately began.

M-yes. I knew that this can be traced, but so that like this, insolently, the people were set up against me?

And Princess Dariola... yes, poor girl. How hard it is for her with this terrible type! It remains only to pray that the unfortunate woman does not ruin her soul. And then anything can happen.

M-yes ... related to his own head.

If they gossip like that - you see, is it really worth showing up, showing everyone your strength and ruling with steel and blood? Or not worth it?

The king must be loved. Otherwise, he will not sit on the throne for a long time, he will simply burn himself, trying to achieve at least something. The state is already an old, terrible and rusty gate, and you can twist it only if you are not opposed. And with the hatred of subjects - what is there to talk about?

Although these are not mine, I hope they treat me better in Radenor. But it is a symptom, however. How much did I miss by the ears and eyes? Although the ghosts report a lot, I did not send them to Riolon. And it would be worth it, oh so worth it.

Trusting bastard. Did I already say that?

* * *

At dinner, I feel like the main course. They ask me just about everything - from the price of silk in Tevarra to my family, from the weather to the royal court. I dodge, as if in a frying pan, trying not to blurt out something superfluous. It turned out well.

By the end of dinner, Amortha graces me with a smile and a suggestive look from under her sparse eyelashes, and Sidon thaws and begins to share hunting stories. If they were at least a third true, he would not have enough animals in Radenor.

I listen, nod, and then I have the honor to see the heir. Copy of Sidon. Is that the ears there from Amorta, and the rest - as is the spitting image of Sidon Andago. Apparently, because the child is loved by the father, Innis is still too smart, sharp, independent, and even completely Andago. Don't stop blood.

I had to lisp, at the same time I collected a couple of hairs from the baby's clothes. Let's see today if he is Innis's brother or not.

And I inform you that I will not visit them for long. I will get acquainted, and then go home in a dozen or two days. If I'm not shy, of course. And so I can return to the city, or settle in the countryside?

Of course, Sidon does not allow such a disgrace to the family, and I am once again invited to stay as long as necessary.

I won't take an extra day.

You still have to rake your stable, so for yours - in the minimum time and with maximum efficiency.

They live there, of course.

Great place, by the way. Demon bones at an angle, the oldest building, walls that have seen a lot, a couple of ghosts that need help to become manifest, the aura of spilled blood - lovely!

I appreciated!

And even more so when, closer to night, a secret passage opens in the wall, from which the smiling face of Innis appears. Here's a trickster!

– How are you here?

- Perfectly. Keep company, cousin?

The girl's endurance is at its best. She sits down in a chair, drinks two sips of wine and even takes a bite of an apple before asking:

“Do you know that Amortha dabbles in love spells?”

“What rude words from the lips of a young lady!” Innis! Rod Andago is watching you!

The apple flies towards me. I had to catch and also bite off a piece.

“It is a shame to offend dogs with such comparisons.

- And use love spells?

- Who else would be seduced by this moth without a dowry? Also, I need your hair. Or blood.

– Why is that?

Let's check your relationship with your brother.

“As soon as we find your great-grandfather’s laboratory.”

– Laboratory?!

- I'm sure she is. Somewhere in the basement, maybe even under this tower.

“Most likely,” Innis muses. - This tower was built the very first, the rest was added later.

“Then… can we go down to the basement?”

- Right now. Everyone is already asleep, so...

So I lock the door and let's go. Countess, will you keep me company?

“As you wish, Cousin Alex.

Black eyes are shining, lips are smiling ... definitely, I won’t leave here just like that. Innis is too pretty for me to leave her to her fate. Here I will arrange the girl - then go home.

By the way, I'll have to talk to Martha as soon as possible.

She is alive, nothing happened to her, otherwise I would have felt. But you need to know what is happening in my kingdom.

* * *

I like basements. Although it is necessary to clean up here, it is necessary. And then dust, cobwebs ...

But all these shortcomings are outweighed by the smell of necromancy.

Yes, she smells too for those who understand. Dry snake skin, fresh blood, sagebrush night wind that is bitter on the tip of the tongue ... Peculiar, but pleasant enough.

Innis shudders a little, after all, the girl is an airhead. She is more accustomed to open spaces, height, free wind, but here - no, it's uncomfortable here.

- Alex, do you think Ingor is not my brother?

- Quite possible.

I confidently walk down the corridor towards the smell. Where it smells the strongest, there will be a laboratory. Or cache. Or…

Something will happen. Otherwise, there would not be such an atmosphere here.

– Amorta could cuckold her father?!

- This? No, who would be flattered by her? Even under the love potion there were few fools.

Innis's eyes sparkle so that you can see in the dark.

"You're actually talking about my father."

- But this is not a fact.

The mouth of Innis swings open in the letter "O".

- What you…

“Innis, dear, have you noticed that you don’t look like either your father or your brother?”

I am a copy of my mother...

- That's what I want to check.

“You… you think you are my mother?!

- I do not know. But it doesn't hurt to check. By the way, if Sidon Andago is not your father, you can ask for royal custody. And it will no longer be possible to marry you without royal consent ...

Should there be a "but"? I tease. - What you girls distrustful. Horror!

The answer is a hiss and a small fist that they try to poke me in the ribs. Hey, by the way, I'm an evil and scary demon! I'm supposed to be afraid!

“You said yourself that nothing unequivocally happens with demons.

That's insolence! He remembers that I am a demon, but he does not understand that I cannot be beaten. Where is the world heading?!

“You may well be married off by the king. You understand yourself - a countess, with a title, with lands - a tidbit. And it’s hard to argue with the king, there they can rewind me to a thread. Temple…

Judging by the swear word that refers to royal indigestion after eating templars, Innis doesn't like the prospect.

Alex, what do you do then?

Let's see, let's think. Let's say, if your father is incapacitated, you can not report about it. He will live in his chambers under the supervision of reliable servants, and you will be calm for yourself. You yourself will choose a husband, you yourself will be the mistress of your life ...

The girl shudders.

- He's my father...

- Let's check.

- And where are you going?

- Seeking. Your servants don't feel comfortable here, do they?

- Highly. And somehow nothing to me.

“So you’re Andago, and blood means a lot. I would not be surprised if, during the construction of the castle, your ancestor not only walled up the demon here, but also watered the stones with blood.

And the Temple...

“That didn't stop you.

Innis is silent. He clings to my hand, tightly squeezing the candle. The flame trembles and trembles, emphasizing the gloom rather than dispelling it. I don't care, I can see well in the dark.

- Alex...

The smell of wormwood is becoming more and more distinct, soon, already near ...

“Even if I'm not Sidon's daughter, I'll never say it.

- Why?

- Sorry. I'm a blockhead.

“I suppose demons have no such problem.” Innis sighs in the half-light. “But… even if I never say it out loud, I need to know the truth.

I carefully squeeze my narrow palm.

“You and I will know the truth. It's enough.

The corridor ends with a wall. Monolithic even in appearance, built of large blocks of dark stone - what a move. But that doesn't stop me. It is from there that a familiar smell draws, and I slowly touch the wall with my palm.

AND - open up towards her.

How to describe this feeling? As in childhood - you run through the flower meadow in a race with the wind. You laugh, the sun is shining and there is not a single bad thought in your head. Yes exactly.

When you open yourself to your strength, the sensations are the same. A warm, cozy wave ripples through me.

Death is rot, decay, decay?

No. This is cosiness, peace, this bottomless black lake, in which it is so pleasant to rest... a wave of power floods me - and when not a single thought remains, I slide forward. I myself am this wave.

I roll onto the wall, penetrate into the smallest gaps between the stones, and see what is behind them.

The wave has no barriers.

And if so...

Now the wave is moving backwards, wrapping around the Innis figure…yes, that's right.

Vozdushnitsa. Although not the weakest. It's just that her magic is strongly tied to age. Here, after twenty - twenty-five years, her gift will begin to awaken. Or earlier, but after strong shocks.

I was right.

She didn't invite me here. Her strength was barely enough to open the door, and at best she would have received some kind of semi-sentient creature or even a demonic creature. It was I who used her ritual to escape from that abyss between worlds.

Innis is alarmed. She feels my magic, feels that I somehow influence her, and she gets nervous. Nothing, girl, I already stopped. Like this…

I open my eyes, and Innis's gaze seems to pierce the pupils.

“It's all right, baby. Will you give me a hand?

“I just found the entrance. But that requires your blood. You are Andago...

Innis holds out his right hand to me, long fingers twitching a little...

- Sorry.

I run my claw across her palm. The girl hisses through clenched teeth, but does not think to remove her hand. Like this. And now - to press her palm to the wall. There, where a cloud of power, akin to mine, pulsates with warmth. Not quite in front of us. Slightly to the side.

- Kindred blood ...

I might as well not speak. The door opens silently. Just part of the wall moves away. Quietly. And from the opening of the failure familiar pulls wormwood. How nice, almost like home.

Innis is trembling so I touch her black hair. Soft. And they looked so tough...

- Do not worry. Everything is fine.

The answer is a proudly raised head. He's afraid, of course, but he won't show it for anything.

And I'm the first to go through the opened door.

Yes, a necromancer really lived here. Have worked. He called and conjured, strengthened the circles with his blood - not only Alethar Radenor sinned with this, apparently. Were they familiar in those ancient times?

Necromancy, in general, began to be driven only in the last hundred years, and before that it was a completely respected art. Nothing better than the rest of the powers. It's not the color that matters, it's the application. You might think that a fire mage won't do nasty things if he wants to? Why is a fiery tornado better than the living dead? Any direction can be adapted to evil, if you really look at it that way.

I take a candle from Innis, light the torches.

- Light! – involuntarily escaped from the girl. And it was something to sigh in amazement.

The lab wasn't particularly large, maybe forty paces long and about the same wide. But how much was interesting here!

Shelves with books along one wall are clearly not the most “law-abiding” reading material. Wardrobes with different differences along another wall. Several handcuffs embedded in the third wall are not easy. And whips, chains, whips hung there ... What did you think about?

What perversions?

With some demons or evil spirits without a good whip, you can’t agree. Torches in stands, circles and pentagrams on the floor - so you don't have to draw. Heavy table in the corner.

Comfortable, in a word. To me. And Innis?

I look around, expecting to have to catch her now and bring her out of a swoon. Yeah, how ... The girl looks at the books with enthusiastic eyes.

Innis shakes his head.

“Your call is more than enough for me. And so to still ... but it's true interesting!

And how I was interested in digging! But first…

“Do you mind if I talk to someone for now?”

- Not. And with whom? And How?

- There are methods. You dont mind?

- I will not bother you.

And steps aside. Aristocrat.

I already noticed the mirror on the table. Small, but clearly visible correct. From early times. Such mirrors were poured, adding a particle of dust to the glass - and the mirror became obedient to the will of the necromancer. Showed what he wished, obeyed his power. But that's before. For the last hundred years, such craftsmen have disappeared, only Rene told something.

I touch the simple copper frame with my fingertips. Habitual warmth echoed in his palms, as if he had stroked a puppy. How is it missed you here for hundreds of years...

Mirror? Did you miss?

Yes exactly. When casting, dust was added, words were whispered, magic was woven - with such mirrors it was possible to talk to each other. And you can do what I wanted to do now.

I put my hand on the glass, feeling a sharp thorn that easily pierces the skin. The mirror greedily begins to drink my blood. Hungry…

Yes, and who else would not have taken it. I am a necromancer, I know what to expect and I can deal with it. And if it were someone like Innis in my place... where is she?

You don't have to worry about the girl. Innis is standing by the bookshelves looking completely detached from reality. Even if you drop these shelves on it, it will not come off the scroll.

And he would, but first Marta.

If only everything worked out...

And the next minute I calmly translate my breath. Martha was whole and unharmed, though disheveled, but otherwise clearly not experiencing deprivation. She did not suffer from hunger and thirst, but otherwise - even the great necromancers, providing for a shelter, do not guess to place an ordinary comb there. Not Alethar Radenor, nor me.

Martha is sitting in the dungeon, in my secret chambers, contented and calm, wrapping herself in a warm cloak, and a dark snake coiled at her feet. The spirit of my palace.

Only now I understand how nervous I was for my second mother. You never know what ... even if I destroy the scoundrels later, who will return it to me?

Okay, if Martha is alive, I'll be kind. There will be no quartering. I'll just hang them. For the legs.

Meanwhile, Marta sensed something, turned her head to the right, to the left ...

- Yes. It's me... are you okay?

I barely move my lips, but she hears me. For sure. Because he runs his hands through his hair, takes a deep breath - and suddenly bursts into sobs.

I haven't felt so stupid in a long time. But Martha did not sob for a long time. She threw her face up.

– Alex. Son… Alive!

- Mommy…

That's really - not the mother that gave birth.

“I was so worried about you. When I felt it, I immediately ran away here, your snake accompanied me. It's calm here, but the ghosts are afraid. The palace is full of templars, dancing on tiptoes around your wife, I suspect that this is all your sterlet and started.

Mom, what about Tommy? Rene?

- Tommy managed to escape, now he is taking his wife to Rick. Rene and his father also disappeared from the capital. I believe that now they are hiding somewhere so that their heads are not deprived of a hot hand.

- Someone ...

- Yes. Treasurer, chamberlain ...

Martha began to list the names, and I could hardly suppress my anger. That's because ... s-bitch! Destroy those whom I found with such difficulty and put in office! For several years I have been choosing a team for myself, so that in two days ... It seems that I got excited with hanging. Better - wheeling.

Did anyone manage to escape?

- Five people.

- Few. Mom, can you keep an eye on things there with the help of ghosts? Who, what, how...

- Completely.

– Do you have everything?

- Honey, there is water here, and as for food, some of the ghosts can materialize. And they may well bring me something from the palace kitchen. No frills, and God bless them ...

- I'll try to be quick...

Better not take unnecessary risks. Alex, believe me, to appear here, you will need an army. Here everything is so saturated with light that even in the dungeon it becomes sickening. And what these fanatics are capable of - I know better than you. Save yourself!

- I promise, Mom.

“I’ll be here for at least another year. But if something happens to you, it's better for me to die right away.

And he doesn't lie. Not in a single word.

“Then stay in the shelter for now.

When I return, I will make a comfortable room in the dungeons. Now there is a ritual hall and some kind of laboratory, especially you won’t clear up. And I'll build a chamber there just in case! And I will swear on blood!

- Where are you now?

- In Riolon.

- Don't take unnecessary risks.

- Promise.

With that, I switch off and take a breath.

Definitely, this is a serious conspiracy. At the right moment, troops were brought in, they destroyed the unwanted, they attempted on me - and it's not their fault that I survived, they are guarding Dariola ... not bad. Now she will give birth to a child - and they will grow out of him a pocket king who will sell Radenor for a handful of gold to anyone. Or even establish a theocracy.

Question: who started all this?

The answer is...

And the answer will have to be found here, in Riolon. Something tells me that my wife's brother must know something. Should we chat?

Necessarily.

So the cousin of the Countess Andago is obliged to visit the court. For now…

I touch the mirror again. This time it shows me Torrin. There is peace and quiet. Everyone in the castle had already gone to bed. I glance around the bedrooms. Rick, Mira, Rene... Rene jumps up when he feels my gaze, but I immediately leave his bedroom. To nothing.

Rudolf's daughter is also sleeping peacefully. Everything is fine. Tommy hasn't gotten here yet, but I know he's alive. He's still my little brother. Although not native, but we mixed the blood. This is where she makes herself known.

I fall into a chair and take a breath.

Innis stands over his shoulder.

“Yes, cousin?”

- Are you all?

Blockhead! So what could she see? This is necromancy, not airbending!

It was so cold in here...

I squeeze her hand.

- Calm down, cousin. Everything will be fine, I promise. Let's check your relationship with Sidon Andago?

Innis nods obediently.

An no. The hair shows kinship. Still, Sidon Andago is the father of Innis, although, looking at them side by side, you would never think.

“That's not bad at all,” Innis, all flushed with emotion, smiles in such a way that something shrinks inside me. “I am a legitimate child, born in a legal marriage, no one will dare to challenge my rights ... And besides, I used to be proud of the Andago family. You know, I don't want to know that my mother was the first perjurer in it.

“It’s just not clear how she coveted this little bastard?” I'm sorry...

Innis shrugs his shoulders with startling indifference.

- Love is evil, and the goats use it. I belong to the Andago family and I hope not to upset either my ancestors or my descendants, and one rotten apple on a tree does not mean his death.

What is left for me to do?

I respectfully bow to the girl and touch my thin fingers with my lips.

- Milady. You are wonderful.

- Take your hands off, tailed one.

Didn't understand?! What else is this?!

A cold wave of necromancy sweeps through the room, freezing the corners. I involuntarily release my claws and turn around, ready to repel the attack. An no.

In the very center of the room, above the pentagram, a ghost hovers. That's because ... Andago! And it was definitely a relative of Innis. The same black hair, the same black eyes, the same features, the narrow bones… even their expressions were similar.

To Innis's credit, she doesn't squeal. Doesn't hide behind me, doesn't faint. Just squints at the ghost.

- Who is this?

I believe your ancestor.

- Truth?

Innis moves forward cautiously, close to the ghost, peering.

“Looks like… You’re Finn Andago, aren’t you?”

- Not. His son, Tydann.

The mouth of Innis is rounded with the letter "O".

“But you are the magician of life!” Healer!

The man laughs. Fun and sincere.

- Granddaughter, think for yourself who can be the best healer, if not a necromancer. I could drive away death from anyone, and even to recover is a matter of time. After all, they are two sides of the same coin. Death is scary, but flip a coin and you'll see life.

- What are you doing here?

Innis is not interested in ranting, she is too practical for that.

- And you? You are… yes, air magic,” the ghost peers at her attentively, “and to awaken me, you need necromancy, and not from the weak ones.

I make a bow.

- And this is me.

The ghost peers at me. The feeling is as if they are rummaging through the body with a whisk to brush off dust, such as with feathers.

“So… half-demon.”

- Why - to the floor ?! Innis is surprised.

“Because I really am a half-blood. But this will not affect our contract in any way.

– Details?!

Inconsistencies in the story Tidann Andago pulls out at a time and looks at me questioningly. Behind Innis I show that I will explain everything later. Accepts.

“So Rinna got caught after all.

- Got it?

“Well, you see your father yourself. Don't you think it's funny that when he set nets for your mother, he ended up entangled in them himself?

It gets to me faster, to Innis a little slower...

“So he… too?!

- There is such a thing. A love spell is a powerful tool.

Innis gives out four folded floors, clumsily but diligently. I put my arms around her comfortingly.

- How do you know about the spell?

- Shouldn't I know? Innis, don't you know that your mother also had an older brother?

Innis turns pale.

- Y-yes. But he does...

- Missing. And then - why did Sidon Andago need him?

I grab the girl before she faints.

“Details, motherfucker!”

Now it's said in the right tone. The ghost peers again, I unleash the force - and here he turns pale.

- Yours! You…

- Yes. I. And if you don’t answer me now, I’ll set fire to your chicken coop from four ends!

The ghost sighs and begins the story.

He's actually a necromancer too. But as a result of some cruel joke of fate, he became a healer. If you turn a minus into a plus, you can heal with the power that is intended for killing, that's right. It’s just that I was never taught this, but the Andago family did not shy away from experiments.

Tydann died, as expected. But at one time he conducted experiments in this laboratory. Including your own blood. And as a result...

Exactly twenty-three years ago...

Yes, exactly twenty-three years ago Dianne Andago died. Mother's older brother Innis. And he didn't just die.

In short, the boy was stunned, dragged down here, tied up and thrown into one of the dungeons, where no one had looked in a hundred years. It was not enough to kill the spirit, and by itself a person will die in three days from lack of water. Especially wounded, weakened ...

So, in fact, it happened.

But native blood shed in the dungeons of the family castle awakened Tidann. The boy, though not for long, before his death, but came to his senses. And cursed the killer.

The blood in the boy was fast asleep, but there was no need for any magic.

A house built on blood and bones, martyrdom, the desire to take revenge on the killer - more than enough.

The boy's blood awakened his ancestors. Specifically, Tidanna, who appeared in the laboratory, but could not get out of here.

And what could?

Albeit indirectly, affect the blood of Andago. Not just because the airwoman had thoughts of necromancy, although one of the first rules of every magician is not to play with someone else's power.

Here is the result...

- Who?! Innis almost growls.

- Is it a killer? - the ghost grins maliciously. “Are you sure, girl, that you want to know?”

Innis looks surprised.

- I.e…

And I already understand what's going on.

- Sidon so wanted to become Count Andago?

The word falls from the ghost's lips hard and cold. He does not lie, does not keep silent - he honestly lays out everything, especially in the presence of a necromancer - he is not a fool, because he is joking with me. I will unfold…

Innis turns pale as chalk.

- Yes unfortunately. Your father killed your own uncle, and your mother was generally drugged with a love potion.

"She wasn't even a sleeping mage?"

That is, with an unawakened gift.

Rinna was a smart girl, kind, good. But yes. Her brother could be a magician when he grows up. She herself could only pass Andago's blood on.

I sigh, I support Innis, who is being beaten all over. Yes, such an amount of truth per person is a clear overkill.

“I always thought that the most heinous things happen in the most respectable families. Sidon Andago secured his future and lived happily ever after. But the blood of the clan has awakened in Innis, right?

“You yourself understand that magic strives to be preserved. The blood is calling - and force hears. You are just like that...

The blood of the kings of Radenor did not want to dissolve in the demonic one, that's why I have two gifts, that's why I am a copy of my mother, the ancestral palace recognizes me ...

“Ritanna Andago died of her own accord?”

“Say thanks to that blond bitch her daddy married for that,” the ghost almost spits. - Witch's blood...

And this is interesting...

There are magicians in the world who have taken the power of the elements. There are witches who know the world. And there are sorcerers. That is, those who did not get anything from birth. And want...

And it prickles.

And those idiots are idiots! - summon demons and conclude a contract. They give them access and soul. Demons in response - strength. Not the cleanest, but still better than nothing. Enough for all sorts of mischief.

It is because of such freaks, by the way, that necromancers are not liked.

There are demons and there are demons. Appeals, contracts... only the difference between a necromancer and a sorcerer is the same as between a king and a peasant. The first will command, and the second will humbly beg, that's it. I don't need contracts, I'm a force on my own.

Mom, by the way, also did not conclude a contract. Martha helped. So I'm not a sorcerer, I don't have that on me.

“Amorta comes from a witch family?”

- And she, and her mother, and sister - all three ...

- And I understand that it did not start with mother?

- What are you about? Innis shakes his head, looking from me to the ghost. I sigh and begin to explain.

We must pay tribute to the girl - she understands everything very quickly. And she just gets mad.

- That's because ... a creature!

“I would say creatures. See how everything in the world moves in a circle? Once Sidon did everything to marry your mother. He killed her brother, drugged the woman with a love potion. And he himself fell into the same trap. His wife was killed, and he is drugged with a potion almost every day. By the way, because he is so lousy and looks at his age. Potions - they either become addictive, and the guinea pig quickly realizes that they are drinking it in the wrong way, or they ruin their health so much that they are afraid to look.

“And what am I to do now?”

We exchange glances with the ghost.

Here. You are here about pure, high, the theory of magic and other joys, and women look at the root. And the truth is what?

Innis seems to be reading my mind.

- On the one hand, the father is to blame. But he is my father. And Amortha is to blame. But her child is not? And now what i can do?

I do too, but not for long. And finally, I propose.

“Innis, let’s solve problems one by one, shall we?” We have Amorta. And I guess I have to deal with witches. Will you trust?

The girl nods without even thinking. But what am I going to do?

I guess we should stay here for a while and see what Amortha does. And there...

- And if I get married during this time?

"You'll be widowed until your wedding night!" - we bark with the ghost in one voice and begin to laugh. Innis looks with surprised eyes, and then, apparently, imagines how on their wedding night the groom will receive a half-demon and a ghost on his bed - and he also begins to laugh to tears.

That's better.

Why am I worse than a bride? There will definitely be more joy!

* * *

We return to our chambers only at dawn. Innis goes to his room, I fall into bed and fall asleep soundly. Get a couple of hours...

They wake me up for breakfast.

This time the line-up has been expanded. In addition to Sidon, Innis and Amorta, there are two other personalities at the table. Scary…

One, apparently, is Amorta's sister. In any case, the sparse hair, flat figure and missing chin are the same. The other one is also related. What can I say?

Even of bad memory, Rufina was prettier. This one... Such a little rat would cause indigestion even in Ak-Kvir.

It seems, understanding this, he lives by the principle "I'll get more" - and sweeps everything that is within reach from the table. Innis looks like I seriously fear for the lives of those present. No matter how nailed in the heat of the moment ...

I bow, I introduce myself in all forms. I am greeted with two glances. Angry - a rat, interested - a lady's. Amortha smiles.

– Alex, meet my younger sister, Clarice.

I pretend to bow, kiss my paw - and I almost suffocate from the stink of love spells. Family contract?

- Nice to meet you. Truly, your family is endowed with outstanding beauty.

Innis snorts into his glass, glaring at himself.

“My younger brother, Rifar Morales. Bridegroom of our Innis.

I look at the little rat in such a way that a man would have thrown wine in my face long ago or grabbed his sword right away.

- Cousin, do you really have six illegitimate children? Or forbid Light legs crooked and hairy?

- Not at all! Innis is outraged. And then he blushes.

“Then why did you choose this?” The youngest son of a baron, without money and land, without charm and even without honor?

“What did you say about my honor?! Rifar rises from his seat.

Gently I hold him by the throat, pinching the artery with my fingers so as not to flutter.

- You can prove that you have it - in a duel. Or to dishonor you literally?

And I pretend to be ready to unbutton my pants.

A wild screech rises in the dining room. Innis squirms with laughter, clutching his father tightly. Amorta and Clarice hang from both sides in my arms, Ingor, who was finally dragged to the table, squeals like a castrated pig, the servants huddle along the walls ...

I release my hand.

The defeated Rifar crawls under the table, and I manage to kick him in the ass. I shake off my aunts, I sit down at the table.

“Cousin Innis, if you wish, I can take you to the capital. Look, we'll find a nicer duke there.

We won't find anyone! Amorta screams. – Alex Belient, you must leave our house immediately!!!

- Why did you undertake to command in my house, a hanger-on?! – Innis does not even think to raise her voice, but they already hear her. After all, an airbender...

I smirk wickedly.

“Come on, Innis. We are going to the yard.

- What?! – Sidon Andago shakes off the numbness. I look at him. Hmmm, but Innis's daddy needs not retribution, but a cleansing of the body. Otherwise, it may not last long. Where do you want to take my daughter?

“Actually, it’s up to you to take her to the court. And find the right groom...

But Rifar...

Said Rifar inadvertently sticks his head out from under the table and immediately gets hit on the head by Innis with a plate. Here even Sidon Andago is grimacing.

“I think we all need to come to our senses. We got excited,” says Amorta. And he leaves the dining room. And the lady is more dangerous than I thought. Following her, her sister leaves, the servants drag the baby, we are left almost alone, not counting Rifar under the table. But Innis did not spare the plate for that, she does not come to her senses for a long time.

I change seats closer to Sidon, touch his hand, sniff. I release my power for a moment.

“Monsieur Count, I think we really got excited. Please forgive me for my intemperance.

Sidon nods as if the air in front of him is denser than a brick wall and he is trying to push through it with his forehead. I take my leave and Innis follows me.

- Hoarfrost, is your dad very dear to you?

And Innis rolls his eyes in a funny way when he's surprised.

“Actually, love potions can have such a side effect. And in your case, it will.

- I feel sorry for my father...

“Maybe Amortha will take pity on him and stop giving him the potion.

- It may not be. What did he give my mother to drink?

- I do not know.

Innis turns to me, grabs my hand. Icy fingers clench convulsively.

Alex, I want to know! What happened to my mother, is it my father's fault... do you understand?

- Understand.

I wouldn't be able to live in peace either.

“I must know all the circumstances. Only then can I make a decision.

- Good. I will summon your mother's spirit. Let's talk...

- She knows?

- Spirits know far from everything, that's true. But every dead person knows what he died of. Otherwise, the perpetrators would not were.

But mom doesn't...

“That's more the exception than the rule. Are you sure you need a boring lecture on necromancy?

- And you tell interesting!

Here's a little trick...

- Well, if you're interested ... As you understand, any murder has a bad effect on a person. And you can get such a rollback that oh-oh-oh. But some murders are especially repugnant to nature. If magicians are killed, for example, witches, kings, there are several more categories ...

“But a simple person can’t do it here?”

“Maybe a simple person. But very strong spiritually. And obsessed with a certain thought. If a person wants to stay in this world, whether for revenge, for help ... there are many options. But the idea is the same. The thought must be incredibly strong. Up to madness. And a person must invest in it completely. Soul, life, blood, death...

- And then?..

- ... a ghost appears. And he fulfills that for which he lingered in this world.

- Does he feel bad? Painful, sad...

- Anything can happen. You can't guess here. There are ghosts who spend their otherworldly life quite cheerfully, and there are those who dream of leaving. Their trouble lies elsewhere. When the deed is done, they cannot dispel themselves. They must be released.

– Necromancer?

- Not necessary. A person of the same blood, one who fulfilled the ghost's vow, a servant of the Light, living a righteous life - the latter is also important.

- How many reservations ...

- Not without it. Trust me, necromancers are - simply by virtue of their profession - extremely quirky bastards. Try, negotiate with the demons, so much so that you get your own, and not give them more than they need.

- With you ... oh!

“Innis, I swore I would not harm you. And I will keep my promise. But promise me, okay?

“That you won’t summon any other demon.” I will solve your problems, but I don't want you to suffer further.

I won’t be next to her, but you never know what ...

But can I call you?

"I'll teach you how later."

I smile and wink slyly.

How-how ... yes, easily. Send a messenger. I'll come - and I'll smash everyone here to smithereens and in half. I like this girl.

* * *

We go to the grave of Ritanna Andago after a failed breakfast. Innis decides it's easier to get out of the house than to listen to whatever Amortha has to say.

It is clear that it is possible to send a stepmother, but it is a pity for the ears.

So we slowly exit through the kitchen and disappear into the park. The family cemetery is a 20 minute walk. Like and close to visit the dead at any time, but not too close to home.

A quiet pine grove, a white crypt with a high bulbous dome, peace and quiet. It's cozy here ... at least lie down yourself.

Innis, visibly nervous, opens the crypt door.

Alex, can you...

- Do not go.

To chat with Ritanna Andago, I need something. Innis' blood will do, but I don't want to use it in necromantic rites. Still, the blood of Andago, you never know who will come to the call? One Tidann is more than enough. So a flap of a dress, a strand of hair ... whatever I get hold of, then okay. The crypt is dry and clean, as if they clean it every month. I walk along the sarcophagi.

Ilonna Andago, Laminna Andago... yeah. The last in the row is Ritanna Andago.

I lift the lid of the sarcophagus and shake my head. Death spares no one, but if you see a corpse in such a state… in crypts they are preserved differently. Here the smoldering is especially strong.

I carefully pull out a strand of long black hair. Like Innis.

And rightly so, a girl should not see her mother like that. Almost a skeleton covered in dry brown skin, with bared white teeth. The clothes are well preserved and make an eerie impression. M-yes.

Either damage, or poison, or ... there are many possibilities. It is difficult to cure a person, but to kill a person - yes, in a hundred ways! There would be nothing good!

Innis waits at the crypt. I nod consolingly.

- Everything is fine. Let's talk to her tonight...

- Oh, Alex...

I take the girl by the shoulders. Quite brotherly. And I crush the inappropriately awakened desire, the child is still! And not twenty!

“Everything will be fine, baby. We'll manage.

Innis leans trustingly on my shoulder. Well, how can you leave her unprotected?

Galina Goncharova

Half-demon. King's happiness

Innis glanced over the book again.

The old pages did not want to give in, warped under the fingers, the paper smelled unpleasant - still, how many years no one opened it ...

She stumbled upon it quite by accident.

She just climbed onto the top shelf in the library, and it twitched under her fingers, the girl hung for a moment, barely touching the old stairs with her toes - and something crunched.

It's ugly, it's embarrassing.

How did she end up on the floor?

Miraculously, nothing else.

She later looked, when she caught her breath and still climbed for a book a second time.

It turned out that one of the bookshelves was sawn out inside. Such is the secret.

Where is the easiest place to hide a book?

Yes, in the library.

And it wasn't even a book. A thin notebook, barely a finger thick, in a red cover - then she still thought that the color was unpleasant, as if smeared with dried blood ...

But is it worth it to lie to yourself?

Didn't think.

At that time, she was only interested in the content.

Books. Yes, books. Gates and a pass to other worlds, other people's lives, other countries ... If nothing else works, then you can travel with their help.

They also help you forget. Forget yourself.

The notebook, however, did not serve this. Not a drop. As it turned out, it was the diary of her great-great-great-grandfather. Maga - and not just a magician. Necromancer.

And such people were not respected in Riolon. And they were always ready to help the necromancer cleanse himself. With a clear flame of a fire - and up to bare bones licked by fire.

And they say - just shh! It's because he's a mage himself! And as if not a necromancer!

But if he were like that, would his majesty agree to marry Princess Dariola to him?

But he agreed, the wedding was played a couple of years ago - however, the Light One has not yet blessed them as the legal heir, but here it happens differently.

Although Innis was interested in these things insofar as. She doesn't care to leave the yard. But in Radenor I would like. She could feel safe there.

Innis Andago, daughter of Count Sidon Andago was a witch. Or, if you call it correctly, an airbender.

Weak, of course. Her strength was only enough for little things. To inflate the breeze a little, to drive or drive away a couple of clouds, to arrange a draft in the carriage so that it is easier to breathe - or indoors ...

Now she knew where her powers came from. The ancestor wrote that if there is a gift, he will definitely show himself in the offspring. But how else!

Blood - you can't fake it. Unless, of course, someone's mother is not walking with the heir's groom.

However, this did not happen in the Andago family.

Did not happen.

Yes, the genus Andago ...

Innis was proud of her ancestors and wanted to be worthy of them. Portraits looked down at her from the walls in the art gallery.

Finn Andago. The same necromancer - black-haired, with hair tied in a ponytail, with black eyes, with a haughty expression, with a hooked nose and a chin protruding forward. He seemed to radiate strength and power. Even now.

Tidann Andago. His grandson, according to legends that no one listened to, is the strongest magician of life. He saved people, literally took them out of the other world ...

Faces, faces...

All black-haired, black-eyed, with unexpectedly white skin ... and at the very end - her mother.

Ritanna Andago.

Black hair, burning black eyes, bright scarlet smiling lips, haughty face, a jet necklace around her neck - she knew her worth.

And yet - love is evil.

Oh, mother, mother, why did you do this?

And now there is a danger that the Andago family will be interrupted ...

Innis had every reason to be afraid. And it was like that.

What struck the imagination of the young Ritanna Andago Sidon Timar, the youngest son of Count Timar, the daughter did not understand. But his mother married him.

True, since she was the last in the Andago family, she set a strict condition. They marry, but the husband takes her surname and becomes Count of Andago. This is the first.

Did the husband agree?

Would you refuse in his place? From the third son, no one needs even on big holidays, to become a count and his own master? Yes, he ran with a joyful screech!

And the second.

The county of Andago, the title and castle, and all the money, will be inherited by her descendants. What was clearly spelled out in the marriage contract.

Innis then, when her mother was already dying, asked - why!?

Why, why did she think about it then? Indeed, in a moment of happiness, we are all so careless, we think so little about the future ... but my mother only shrugged her shoulders.

I don't know, Ine. So it was necessary.

Later, when she found the diary, Innis realized that perhaps it was Dar speaking. Even if unmanifested, even if there were only crumbs in the blood, but they turned out to be enough. Sometimes her mother could say something - and hit right on target. Her advice always came in handy, though it wasn't immediately taken seriously, her words were hitting hard... life experience? Or are they fragments of a gift?

However, the papers were kept by the king.

And the Andago family lived, made good, gave birth to a daughter ...

For some reason, more children did not work out, but Ritanna did not grieve. The girl grew up healthy, cheerful, smart ... and the son?

It will turn out - we will give birth. Not?

Well, it will be as before, there is one receiving graph, we will find the second one! Tea, not an overseas crocodile is growing, a beautiful girl will be!

Innis, indeed, grew up all in Andago. The same black hair, the same eyes, marble-white skin, haughty chin, and - a gift.

The weak gift of the airwoman, which she, due to her childish habit of keeping secrets, hid from everyone. From father, mother, servants...

So it's more interesting!

Everything was fine, nothing foreshadowed trouble ...

Mom burned out in two months when Innis was thirteen.

She was squinted by a strange, incomprehensible disease. The templar advised to pray - it did not help. The magician of life shook his head - his strength went into the countess, as if into an abyss, but there was no improvement. Travel to the capital?

They did not go right away, and then - Ritanna would not have endured the road. She faded away quickly and hopelessly, in front of her relatives, who were unable to help her.

Innis sat with her mother day and night, her father filled her grief with wine ...

He filled it with wine even after the death of his mother. It was then that he met Amorta.

Amorta Morales, the youngest daughter of the baron - a neighbor, was not very good, but smart, cunning and prudent. Although no. Not smart.