В«Hello, Monseigneur,В» greeted me one ofВ them. Her face was covered with aВ veil, but under the folds ofВ lace it was possible toВ consider the outline ofВ the pink lips and aВ gentle chin. She was dressed inВ fur coat. Her girlfriend was dressed inВ aВ luxurious purple cloak with aВ hood, she covered her face with aВ veil before she greetedВ me.
IВ reservedly answered aВ greeting.
В«IВ wanted toВ ask you, my lord, how do we get toВ the gorge?В» asked the lady, which turned toВ me first.
В«InВ the gorge?В» IВ was amazed.
«Yes, today we are going there, Monseigneur. Didn’t you know?»
Her question surprised me even more than the fact that two ladies were going toВ go toВ the place with bad fame.
В«You confused me with someone else, ladies.В» IВ answered hastily.
В«No that you, Monseigneur, IВ would not confuse you with anyone,В» she quite sincerely objected.
«Do you really not honor with your presence our meeting. After all, we are so long… waited for you, – almost dare the second lady, making a pause before the last words. It seemed to me that her lips under a veil had a delighted smile.
В«So you will show us the way,В» the first lady insisted, and her voice reminded me ofВ aВ ringing ofВ small bells.
IВ waved my hand aside, where, as it seemed toВ me, there was aВ gorge. IВ was more than confident that IВ see her for the first time inВ my life. None ofВ the court lady had such aВ proud posture and the grace ofВ the waiting predator.
«Thank you, Monseigneur,» sounded a silver voice. The sleigh drove off. The ringing of the bells ripped frosty silence with unpleasant music. A few minutes later, the same note «Dzin – Dzin – Dzin» was repeated, and silence came again. The sleigh disappeared behind the rotation of a narrow, dangerous road, which fastened the abyss.
I was confused and stunned and, nevertheless, I decided to get to the gorge. What meeting did this lady talk about? Are the black crows going to circle over the gorge? And maybe there really live fairy, elves and other dangerous unearthly creatures, but as far as I know, they love summer, streams, flower beds and thickets of wild roses. So what do they do here in the kingdom of winter? I laughed at my own thoughts. It was stupid to think that at the depth of the gorge, the fairies will arrange a ball. But the reception in the father’s castle will begin tonight. But I no longer have time for him. But I had a sword with me, arrows and crossbow, and I could safely go to the gorge. I went the same way as the ladies went, and, to his surprise, did not notice the traces of the hoofs, nor the usual slim traces in the snow, as if the sleigh flew, without touching the snow.
Just inВ case, IВ charged the crossbow and kept it inВ my right hand all the time, inВ any moment preparing toВ shoot. But on my path no longer met any dangers. There was no soul around, only sparkling snow, pebbles, rolling down the cliff, and the sullen wall ofВ the trees.
As IВ move forward, the road narrowed. Soon it was aВ narrow, winding trail, descended down. Fat crust ice covered the ground. IВ had toВ go ahead carefully, so as not toВ slip and not fall into the black splitting ofВ the abyss. Despite the fatigue, IВ got toВ the foot on the mountains, climbed the trail looked over the cliffs and felt an inexplicable fear. Yes, indeed, this place was too gloomy. Probably, IВ climbed into such aВ height, which would not be solved byВ none ofВ the locals, but toВ go deep into the gorge would be aВ suicide. IВ looked into aВ black emptiness. The rays ofВ the sun did not penetrate there. Over the gorge hung aВ sinister silence. IВ had aВ long time inВ one place, not deciding toВ go down and unable toВ turn back. Suddenly, the sounds ofВ mandolin came toВ me. Pleasant, quiet music. InВ this wilderness, it resembled the paradise tunes. But who can play mandolin among mountains and frozen paths? IВ was so fascinated that only after aВ few moments IВ realized that the sounds come from the depths ofВ the gorge.
IВ went aВ little further and saw that the steps were cut down right inВ the mountain, they left the straight staircase down, right inВ the dark depth. IВ began toВ descend on solid steps. Just on the moment IВ was inВ complete darkness, but without difficulty, descending down, IВ saw the daylight again. Joyless, cold rays lit aВ high stone arch. The intricate ornament, as if bought it with the whole single-flowers garland from the flowers carved on the stone surface. On the frieze ofВ the arch was engraved some inscription. The letters decorated with many curls seemed unfamiliar toВ me. As far as IВ could judge, the inscription was made inВ one ofВ the ancient, now forgotten languages.
Passing under the arch, IВ was on the shore ofВ aВ small reservoir. The rapid flow ofВ the river brought toВ the shore aВ small shuttle. It seemed toВ me that IВ was sleeping. Does the bottom ofВ the gorge can be so light and beautiful. IВ climbed into the shuttle, which as if was waiting for me. The course ofВ the river itself suffered it forward. The shuttle sailed past gray monoliths and stony shores, then dived under the arcade. The river proceeded under the arches, as inВ aВ tunnel, at the end ofВ which the light suddenly cut. Yes, at the very end ofВ the arcade, the coast was seen, more precisely the wide ofВ the staircase leading toВ the cave, the entrance toВ which was closed byВ aВ heavy velvet curtain. The folds ofВ purple velvet rolled down, at the likeness ofВ the tent, decorated with golden tassels.
IВ jumped out ofВ the shuttle, ran up the steps and stopped inВ indecision. What awaits me there inside the cave? Maybe the people ofВ Baron have not been afraid ofВ this gorge without reason. After all, IВ hoped toВ come here and prove that there are no spirits here? But who then sent toВ me aВ shuttle? What if the robbers were inВ this cave? The last thought liked me more. likely. Robbers are just people from flesh and blood. With them you can fight on swords. It is better than aВ senseless fight against essential, malicious beings, which byВ legends are looking for aВ shelter inВ abandoned places.
IВ pulled the heavy curtain. The tassels swung with the rustle, the smoke ofВ golden dust was swayed, and aВ small room appeared toВ my sight, from the floor toВ the ceiling trimmed with marble. IВ went inside. On the wall hung aВ carnival mask with elegant openings for the eyes and thin bulging ofВ the nose. IВ removed it and tried out. The mask smoothly fell on the face, as if it was intended only forВ me.
In addition to the first entrance, there were three more arched openings with heavy velvet curtains decorated by the countless number of tassels. There was a n mirror on one of the walls. In front of it on a round console stood a slim elegant girl. She was dressed as if she was going to the ball. That’s just the lush rollers of the pink dress too much emphasized the deadly whiteness of her skin. In her right hand, she held an oval mirror and with a flirty smile examined her face in it. She had such thin, elegant features and at the same time, despite all the affectedness of her posture, the girl seemed lifeless. I approached nearer. Around the console stood candlesticks in the form of golden hands holding candles. Another step forward. The light fell on the elastic women’s curls, and I realized with horror that they were made of marble. Did I accepted the cold sculpture for a living person? Yes, and to whom it occurred to put on the statue of real muslin dress and stick into the marble fingers a manual mirror. This clothing was just a mockery above the talent of sculptor. In addition, near of it the statue looked sinister. A live smile on marble lips was washing the border between animated and empty. The sculpture again seemed to me alive. Probably located on such a manner of mirrors and candles it can create visual illusions.
В«You have aВ similarity with the goddess,В» IВ said the phrase from the poems, turning toВ the statue, and inВ this moment someone hurts me toВ elbow. IВ turned around. No one. Only from one ofВ the aisles came the hurry steps. Raising the curtain, the boy slipped into the passage, most likely the page, although he was dressed too smart. InВ his hands he held aВ small mandolin. IВ was ready toВ swear that the strings were jerked byВ themselves, making aВ long-distance sound.
В«Do not wake her!В» came toВ me aВ frightened boyish voice. В«She will wake up only tomorrow.В»
The page dragged me from the statue. IВ continued toВ look at the sculpture. The boy pulled me over the sleeve.
«Let’s go, everyone already gathered in the hall,» he said.
Thin features ofВ his face were somehow strained, aВ fold was laying between his eyebrows. The hair was assembled under the velvet beret. IВ noticed that his ears with pointed toВ the top ends were too long and do not combine with an elegant face.
В«Come on!В» He grabbed me at the lapel ofВ sleeves and pulled insistently behind him. В«Do you really want toВ skip such an event? The prince himself will take us today with his presence.В»
Without keeping even my senses, he raised one curtain and pushed me into a huge half-walled room. There were no candles in the room. The dull rays of the light made their way through a large glass dome in the center of the ceiling. Thin marble columns lined up near the walls of the round hall. Several elegantly dressed ladies and cavaliers passed by me. They were in completely identical blue half masks. Of these, all I managed to dress a black mask. But I found it quite by chance. I was sure that I was confused with someone, so it is so kindly adopted on this strange collection of graceful, almost essential beings. And someone else’s mask, which I decided to try, allowed me to maintain incognito. This hall under the dome reminded me of an illustration from some novel. Its overwhelming sizes made an unpleasant impression on me. And it was worth only to look at the dome, as a noise in the ears began. A dizzying height can only be safe for those who have reliable wings and strength for flight.
IВ looked at the page more attentively. Undoubtedly, he was nice, but these sharp ears tips were an unpleasant addition toВ charming face. If IВ heard his music, he knew how toВ play well on mandolin. As if he felt that IВ was looking at him, he hurriedly moved away from me and stopped next toВ the lady, sitting on the sofa inВ the shade ofВ the column.
«You don’t seem that we have a stranger here,» she turned directly to him. «I feel the presence of a person.»
«Strange, I didn’t feel anything,» the page responded. «Believe me, the person’s foot has not yet stepped into this place. People would pass by, without even noticing the steps leading to the gorge.»
IВ hurriedly stepped into the shadow. If IВ go now, then it will be aВ cowardly act. My hand did not want toВ release the handle ofВ my sword for aВ moment.
Quiet, musical blows were heard under the dome, but the clock itself could not be seen. People inВ the hall became noticeably more. Some ofВ them were talking among themselves inВ some unfamiliar toВ me language. IВ have already begun toВ get used toВ quiet, rustling voices, how suddenly all the conversations stopped, as if someone mighty and invisible came in. The curtain at the entrance raised itself, as from the gust ofВ the wind, passing into the hall aВ man, the face and proud posture ofВ which seemed toВ me vaguely familiar. IВ have already seen him somewhere. But, no matter how much IВ stared at him, IВ still could not remember where we met with him before and under what circumstances. This man had some secret power over every one at whom he looked.
IВ wanted toВ look at his face, but instead IВ stared at aВ gilded staff inВ his hand. InВ one moment, all the surrounding seemed toВ me toВ be aВ ghostly, unnatural, fog and remained only the stately figure, dressed inВ blackВ fur.
В«There is aВ stranger here,В» the accusatory speech has come toВ me from aВ magical emptiness, topped with aВ transparent glass ofВ the dome. В«Someone broke the ban and allowed aВ stranger toВ go through the sanctuary.В»
IВ have already thought that IВ have toВ get ready for defense, but suddenly the same domineering voice announced.
В«It seems IВ was mistaken. The stranger has the full right toВ be present here.В»
AВ man dressed inВ fur several times stuck up on the floor. Sharp sounds brought me out ofВ aВ stupor. IВ pinned myself toВ make sure that all this is not aВ dream.. Several suspicious eyes turned toВ me from the slots ofВ masks.
В«Leave!В» whispered inВ my ear someone. Even without looking at the speaking, IВ obediently backed up toВ the exit. Passing byВ the statue, IВ noticed that the position ofВ the marble statue changed aВ little. Probably, the mirrors have played aВ joke with me again. After all, the sculpture can not move. The shuttle still swung on the water next toВ the staircase. IВ jumped into it, without even thinking about the need toВ find aВ paddle. But it was and no need. The shuttle itself moved across the flow. IВ could only observe how the arches and stony shores slip.
Despite the fact that it had toВ go against the current, the shuttle gained speed. Fearing that it would not take me too far, IВ jumped up and went toВ aВ high arch. It, as aВ gloomy guard, was bent around the lower stage. IВ did not want toВ go through arched opening, but IВ decided toВ bypass the arch and step immediately toВ the second step. IВ stepped into aВ staircase cut down inВ aВ mountainous stone, but stumbled upon an invisible barrier, as if aВ glass barrier appeared on my way inВ the blink ofВ an eye. IВ went around the arch on the other hand, but groped there the same smooth glass wall. ToВ get out ofВ the gorge, IВ had toВ go under the arch again. Stages crumbled under my feet, small pebbles rolled down. AВ superstitious peasant would call all my adventure an evil joke ofВ elves. IВ myself could not find aВ logical explanation toВ everything that IВ have seen. When IВ came out from the gorge, IВ hurried toВ the place where IВ promised toВ wait for Claude.
My brother, at the same time, arrived at the glade. He brought aВ beautiful white stallion forВ me.
«The gift of the baron’s people,» he explained.
«His people are very generous,» I stroked a silky mane and jumped into the saddle. “ The baron already knows that the wild boar is killed.»
В«No,В» Claude dismissed. В«He does not go anywhere from his castle. It will take some time before he is reported about us. But here nearby is aВ small village where we can spend the night.В»
В«Then we go toВ aВ local tavern, if, ofВ course, such aВ place is inВ aВ small village,В» IВ decided toВ joked aВ little over Claude. He, as always, instead ofВ smile nodded quickly and drove ahead, pointing the road.
Soon we sat at the table at the window in the cozy room of the tavern. In front of me in the tin mug smoked some hot drink. The aromatic fluid taste turned out to be tart and astringent. As long as the hostess prepared lunch for us, I decided to tell Claude about my adventure. Of course, I risked to get in response to my revelation alone ridicules, but I had a proof – a carnival mask, which I put in a wide pocket of my camisole. In proof, I took it out and showed it to Claude.
В«Well, what will you say now?В»
В«Edwin, this is an ordinary leaf ofВ fern. Perhaps the sprout made its way under the snow,В» on the face ofВ Claude was written aВ complete bewilderment. В«IВ am afraid that the superstition ofВ the messenger was contagious.В»
IВ looked at my palm and IВ was surprised toВ find that IВ keep not aВ mask, but aВ leaf ofВ fern. Strange, IВ just had aВ mask inВ my pocket. With an annoyance, IВ threw aВ fern on the windowsill. As soon as the sheet spikes with glass, several color sparks exploded inВ the air. Claude flinched and moved away from the window.
I plunged into meditation and woke up only when the hostess put two plates with hot meat before us. I was hungry, but I was waiting until Claude begins to eat the first. However, he didn’t touch the food.
В«How do we explain the disappearance ofВ the knights and the messenger?В» He suddenly asked.
«So let’s say that they threw us,» I replied, although I have long been tormented by doubts about this.
«They didn’t think to throw us in the dense forest,» said Claude. «They were the most loyal knights of the father. They would never have broken his order.»
«In this case, I can not explain their disappearance of anything else, except…»
В«The intervention ofВ witchcraft,В» finished Claude forВ me.
«That’s it, but everyone knows that witchcraft is limited to those focus, which are shown on holidays in the cities.
В«As you know,В» Claude blurted out inВ response.
The tavern’s door opened. The gust of the cold wind swept over the tables and threw the snowflakes to me in the face. There were several armed warriors on the threshold. I noticed on the shield of one of them the same coat of arms of the baron as on a messenger’s clothes. I looked at the coat of arms attentively, there were intertwined branches of the thorns, roses and other plants, the baron crown at the top, and under it several scrolls. However, I could not admire the coat of arms for a long time, the guard moved to us and after ordinary polite bows, reported about the desire of the baron to thank us personally. We had to say goodbye to a cozy tavern. The fortress, the black silhouette of which has fallen over the distant hill, was the place of our overnight.
Treasure ofВ Baron Raoul
The castle was dark and deserted. Daily light barely pierced through narrow windows – loopholes and brightly colored stained glass windows. The servant held us through the spacious hall and guests’ rooms. In the rectangular hall there were tables for a feast, but there were no guests on this feast. All places at the tables were empty, except the chair with a high carved back, set in dangerous intimacy from the melted fireplace.
From the chair, the old man rose toВ meet us. White curled strands relate toВ the collar. Wrinkling hand reached my face. IВ thought the baron is relatively young, and he turned out toВ be aВ memorable elder. He hugged me welcome as aВ son.
В«Welcome, winner ofВ the wild boar!В» He whispered inВ myВ ear.
IВ was confused, pre-thought-out words ofВ greetings were frozen inВ my tongue. IВ did not think that someone from the feudal will take me inВ his castle as an old friend. The only thing that the winner could count is, so it is an ordinary dinner arranged from the need. And the court etiquette did not allow the manifestations ofВ any feelings atВ all.
The baron suggested us toВ take places at the main table. All other chairs remained empty. There was no guest on the feast, except for us. Only servants poured wine inВ glasses and immediately retired.
«Baron… Your lordship,» I looked into his bright, radiant eyes and I forgot how to turn to the baron. But his face was glowing such a serene wisdom that I was unable to take my eyes away from him, and was silent.
В«Call me just Raoul, Your Highness,В» he pretended toВ not notice my mistake, and IВ was grateful for it. At the court, such aВ behavior ofВ the prince would immediately cause condemnation and gossip. InВ the royal castle, not only noblemen, but even the servants constantly looking for the topic ofВ gossip. After all, that may be more interesting than learn the latest news about the sons ofВ your monarch, and about him himself.
At the empty table, Claude clearly felt uncomfortable and wary looked around, hoping that my unfortunate behavior did not attract a special attention. The position of the prince is very difficult. I did not have the right to make friends, could not hide in the shadows, as the peasants hid from the wild boar in their huts. The baron’s eyes spoke about that he understands me and admires me.
В«You showed an amazing valor,В» said he with courtesy. В«None ofВ my people for any reward would have decided toВ approach the wild boar. And you defeated it alone.В»
В«No, my brother was with me,В» IВ hurriedly objected.
Claude looked at me with displeasure.
В«As you know, inВ our dynasty, the younger sons were always shy, milord,В» he explained with cold courtesy. В«IВ managed toВ get toВ the place ofВ the battle, just that moment when Edwin beheaded the wild boar.
Such aВ lie from aВ calm and balanced Claude struck me. IВ almost dropped aВ glass ofВ wine from the hands. ToВ keep his impeccable reputation, he decided on aВ lie. The baron nodded restrained, thereby showing that he unconditionally believed him, and turned toВ me again.
В«You are doubly bold, my prince. After all, my messenger must have explained toВ you which superstitions are common among the locals. You must be surprised that IВ sent for help toВ the court, but, as you can see, IВ myself am too old for such fun, like aВ winter hunting. InВ addition, at the courtyard there are fearless knights, you are aВ proof ofВ that, and my people are afraid ofВ everything that goes beyond their understanding. Perhaps most peasants are too afraid ofВ this because ofВ their illiteracy. Even the books inВ my library seem toВ them the work ofВ magicians.В»
В«Do you have aВ library?В» IВ asked. Talking about local superstitions began toВ scare me, because IВ remembered those creatures inВ the gorge and the statue.
«Oh, the rarest books are collected in my library. I have manuscripts written in the ancient languages, the works of philosophers and scientists,» wrinkled, but still very strong baron’s hand reached for a bundle of keys left on the table. «Do you enjoy reading books, your highness?»
«Honestly, I don’t know how to read very well,» after hesitation, I admitted and felt a thick paint poured my cheeks. I could not say such a wise and a steady senior that almost didn’t know the alphabet’s letters, but I practice a shooting and fencing every day. However, baron Raoul without words understood the reason for my embarrassment.
В«Oh yes, the ability toВ fight with sword is valued above the diplomas,В» he agreed. В«InВ young years it was difficult for me toВ find time for enlightenment. IВ dare toВ notice, inВ military sciences you have surpassed your predecessors.В»
В«IВ assure you, another knight inВ my place would have done the same thing,В» IВ looked around the empty places again.
В«The guests went out, as soon as they found out about the wild boar,В» the baron replied toВ an unexpressed question.
«And your heir?» I asked and myself was surprised at my audacity. Do I have the right to put in other people’s affairs, because I noticed that baron’s children are not in the castle.
В«My son died aВ few years ago,В» answered the baron. The intonation ofВ his voice seemed toВ me strange.
В«How did he die?В» IВ immediately asked, but this time my question remained unanswered.
For the night, we were allocated the best apartments connected byВ adjacent doors. The idea that Claude sleeps behind the door, encouraged me. If it were not for the presence ofВ aВ brother, then inВ this empty, an impregnable fortress IВ would feel like inВ aВ trap.
InВ the bedroom burned aВ few candles. The windows were pulled with heavy curtains, so the moonlight did not penetrate into the room. AВ jug and aВ glossy basin for washing stood next toВ the mirror. InВ the air was the heavy aroma ofВ amber and some kind ofВ incense. From such aВ strong mixing ofВ the smells my head was spinning. Probably, only sorcerers can burn such fragrant oils and candles inВ their secret laboratories. IВ imagined the dungeon, many ancient books, magic things and curves mirrors. Young students ofВ the warlocks mix poisons and potions, prepare magic elixirs and kneeling before books inВ precious salary before opening them. Voices coming out ofВ emptiness are heard. Where does this vision come from. IВ stubbornly shook my head. This time my imagination was blown too much. Not undressing, IВ lay down on aВ narrow bed under thick, heavy canopy.
The magnificent folds ofВ the matter were fastened on the ceiling and descended down, surrounding an uncomfortable bed like aВ tent. The bed could well be an old, hence the inconvenience. It seemed toВ me that IВ was sleeping on the stones, surrounded byВ aВ canopy ofВ foliage. InВ the uneven light ofВ the candles, IВ noticed aВ thin gold pattern, which stretched along the edges ofВ the canopy like an ornament. It seems that many vintage letters and unusual characters are woven into the intricate patterns. IВ was literate enough toВ understand it. IВ have never had toВ see the inscriptions wounded on the material, but here they were, long and bizarre, like aВ magic spell.
I plunged into a shallow, disturbing sleep. When I woke up, the bedroom was immersed in the dark. I must have slept only a few hours. I closed my eyes again, but I could not get rid of the feeling that someone watches me from the darkness. I listened, no sound, silence and darkness became all thicker, and the danger was hidden under their cover. I felt someone’s unwanted presence in the bedroom. Suddenly, there was a fire, and I saw the baron.
«Let’s go, a beautiful prince, I have to show something to you,» said the baron. I obediently got up and went after him. We descended down the screw staircase. I did not even have time to capture the transshipment with the sword. The only weapon in the case of danger was a little instructed by pearl and mother-in-law dagger, which I always wore with me.
A black suit of the baron merged with darkness, and the elder face seemed just a mask silently hung in emptiness. I had to follow this silent ghost only in order to prove my courage. I added a step and soon stood with the baron, but I didn’t even decide to touch him, fearing that my hands do not fasten anything but emptiness. The candle’s light was becoming more dull and lifeless. Steps under the feet began to slide. I looked around and noticed that water drips from a low ceiling. Green moss pierced on the walls. We must have descended into the dungeon. I kept my hand over the wall so as not to fall, however, the baron moved surprisingly easily and cleverly, as if he was used to a long descent along a narrow slippery staircase.
Then we found themselves in a long corridor. I’m leaned about the wall and immediately pulled out my hand. The baron, having seen my confusion, immediately brought the candle closer to the wall. The dim flame snatched tiny drawings and symbols carved right on the stone. I looked at patterned letters, long bizarre inscriptions and small figures, even more elegant than those that the jeweler carries out on the female cameo. The image of a winged woman immediately attracted my attention.
В«That genius, which made these inscriptions, believed inВ the legends about the fairies,В» IВ said.
«No one knows how long the letters and numbers are carved on a stone. No sage can tell what it is written here. It is even possible that these are witchcraft’s symbols, and the walls themselves existed under the ground long before the building of the fortress.»
I heard some sound. Silent, patched steps. Someone invisible passed by me, someone laughed. Music female laughter was in my brain. I started choking, as if someone’s strong hand squeezed me throat.
В«IВ ask you, take away from here. This is aВ bad place,В» IВ prayed, but the baron did not listen toВ me.
В«Do you not really feel that there is someone here!В» IВ exclaimed.
«Everyone who first descends here, becomes bad,» the baron explained condescendingly. «But this corridor is not the worst. Let’s go further!»
My head began toВ spin and, nevertheless, IВ went ahead, risking inВ any moment toВ lose consciousness. What is it, aВ terrible dream? Some severity fell on me, as if the ancient walls were about toВ collapse and bury us both under their wreckage.
Still, IВ got toВ the end ofВ the corridor and inВ the glare from the orange light saw the doors.
В«IВ ordered toВ establish them here for the sake ofВ the security ofВ others,В» the baron explained.
