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(The novel, a fragment)
In this world continually — a trap.
I on own will have not lived also day.
Without me in heavens accept reshenja,
And then the rebel name me! *
Lobster Khayyam
In what we are innocent, in what
We are guilty? All on light are mortal,
All a victim under mechom. **
Maryanna Moore
* G.Plisetskogo's transfer.
** P.Grushko's transfer.
PROLOGUE
It is history about one adventurer, not managed to refuse the made
To it of the persevering offer, and on how far it has come. It has made in
The higher degree unusual travel, brought doubtful good and
Causeless harm, it was convinced of fugacity of pleasures and infinity
Sufferings, has understood, how it is difficult to survive and as it is easy to die, in summary
Has received food for reflexions about vicissitudes of life which seem
Casual, about triviality of a word "freedom", and also about the fatal
Consequences of some acts, in particular, how harmfully to be engaged
Love at dark night on a gravestone.
PART THE FIRST
FAILED IN THE TOMB
The first chapter
STARVJATNIK AND THE SNAKE
There was a seventh night of the tenth month of year 2994 from Christmas of the Savior.
One of those nights, when smart evil spirits and the mad nature
Unite to vex weak and lost the way in search of a shelter...
Fragmentary heavy clouds were carried by low over the earth, as if the huge
Creatures, unexpected and menacing. Sometimes their belly extorted a sleet,
Which streams were ready othlestat everyone who has not hidden or not
Has found time as it is necessary to be protected. The wind fought and groaned in dark crones,
Breaking off branches, destroying nests, drinking the rests of heat from the trembling
The bird's bodies. The Eye of the Devil, though usually its position was Not visible even
Yellow pupil it was guessed in heavens through the most dense clouds.
Spirits of a wind furiously stormed the ancient house of family Gangleti, but not
Could shake its thick, moss-grown walls. Everything, that it
Remains, is to howl in flues, to shake oak shutters and to rush about on
To court yard, dragging behind itself a mourning loop from the turned black leaves and ashes.
However Slot Ljuger, more known among enemies under a nickname
The Egyptian vulture, almost did not notice bad weather. More correctly, it even gave it
To adventure a certain drama shade.
It laid in bed of one of the most beautiful and most influential women
Kingdoms Validija, madams Gella Gangleti, and, having indulged in slackness
After rough caresses, reflected on the libertinism nature... Three times lovers
Rose to pleasure tops, but now Ljugeru it would be desirable to leave.
The only thing, that stopped it, — a storm played in night. And after all
It was going to to leave Gella, having accepted shape of an Egyptian vulture.
Here, in the middle of a stone tower, the bad weather let know about itself
Only wind howls behind windows and the muffled noise of a rain. In the lilac
To bedroom Gangleti fire wood in a fireplace silently crackled and waved from a draught
Gloomy gobelins on walls, recovering ugly, forever forgotten by all
Heroes.
Ljuger did not like the woman laying nearby. Its cool hip concerned
Its hips, but he thought about Segejle, servants from a tavern "Blood of a wild boar", and about
Volume as whims of the mistress of the life called by destiny are casual.
Segejla, according to Ljugera, did not concede to Gella Gangleti in beauty and
Charm, and he well imagined, how much brightly could blossom
This flower in a corresponding environment, however Segejla has received in destiny
Absolutely other life. Heart Ljugera belonged to the servant, but it was too
It is notable and too poor openly to help it.
However it did not lose self-confidence and seriously hoped sometime
To correct the affairs. On opinion of others to it was to spit, to Segejle it
Tested the tender feelings, thus well knew the own
Inconstancy also was not going to in what itself to limit. It has not found out
Still gloomy secrets of ruined estate Ljugerov. The Egyptian vulture did not doubt
In that in history of its sort there would be a place and for the monstrous
Crimes, and for injust riches, and for the mean artful
Sorcery.
Slot reflected and on itself. Its love to Segejle has been profaned it
Numerous changes. Here it could do nothing and consoled itself
That soul remains it is correct the unique present beloved.
That Ljuger was the profligate, was not for it revelation. It
Has visited beds of many women, and it already started to bother it.
The infinite pursuit of pleasures was for it simply way of flight
From itself. Slot searched new communications partly with boredom, partly because of
That was unduly vain. But the boredom was the main reason, of course.
With Segejloj Ljuger did not miss, but he saw it so seldom!.
It was last and unique offspring of ancient sort Ljugerov.
His father has died mysterious death in night of a birth of the son, and since then anybody
Never saw any of its bodies. The Ljuger-senior was unrestrained,
It is too not indifferent to women, plaid about magic a little and has had time to acquire
To itself it is a lot of enemies. Including there are enough influential. The Egyptian vulture considered
Almost conclusive, that they also have taken a hand in his death, but among
Ill-wishers Slota hearings and that rasputnyj and artful went
The spirit of the father was there and then installed in the son.
Mother of the Egyptian vulture has died after three months after a birth of the child,
And it was brought up by the wet nurse. In those days nobody has dared to deprive Slota of it
Patrimonial estate, yes it would be and it is senseless — magic ancient Ljugerov
Was so it is strong in this centre of eagerness to fight and defect, that a stranger not
Would stretch here and weeks.
The son of wet nurse Slota, Gazeus, despite the fact that what was the commoner,
Participated in children's games young Ljugera and became its unique friend.
It was painful for both friendship — they were divided by the insuperable
The precipice caused by a difference in an origin.
Later Gazeus has been killed in street fight and forever has lost the human
Bodies. Two remained sufficed only on dragging in Validii enough
Pity existence, but, eventually, it was destiny of many. Gazeus
Enough suffered, however remained to the correct old friend.
... Gella has begun to move nearby. Slot has looked at her hands decorated
Bracelets, hands which as he knew, sorcery was not alien. It could
To be the dangerous opponent. Two its other bodies were snake and cat's.
Gella voluptuously was pulled and has begun to caress it skilfully. Perhaps,
It is was too able, that this caress could seem to the sincere. Some time
The Egyptian vulture deliberated that is necessary for it from it.
Magic and special instincts of last of sort Ljugerov often used
In different sorts dark affairs, but were now obvious not that case. Slot itself not
Neglected the help of influential mistresses when got confused in was able
Weaved someone's network of intrigues. It has been devoted in many dirty
Secrets; it did its irreplaceable, however at times is intolerable complicated a life.
The wind sadly sobbed behind high windows and threw in handful glasses
Rain drops. Branches scraped about walls, and were from apart distributed similar on
Groans, oppressive shouts of any creature.
Slot jerky has risen, having discharged of itself Gella. Sensation of danger,
Threatening to it, became so strong, that the Egyptian vulture has lost not only
Rest, but also hopes of pleasant end of this night. At it was not here
Neither clothes, nor an armour, the weapon. Not for this purpose it has secretly come today to
To Gella to leave it in a human appearance or to leave in house Gangleti
Traces of the presence...
Gracefully having bent on a wide bed, Gella observed of it with
Bad irony. The Egyptian vulture was high and thin. The fresh scar turned pink on it
Edges. Deeply planted grey eyes with watchfulness examined windows and
Walls. The dense mane of ashy hair waves fell to shovels. Pale
Person Slota became malicious and cold. The instinct drove it away from here. More
In what not doubting, it has opened a window.
The dark tornado has rushed into rooms Gangleti, bearing with itself a cold, freezing
Moisture and the torn off leaves. The wind has struck Slota and has forced it to recede from
Windows. It has rescued to it a life. Arbaletnaja the arrow which has been started up from darkness,
It was stuck into an oak frame at his head level.
Ljuger has promptly turned back. Gella any more did not smile. Her face
Began to vary — Slot has noticed, how its forward top teeth is extended.
He already had to see painful death from snake poison... It has appeared
In a trap.
The horror has paralysed it, but only for an instant. At it still was
Possibility to be rescued. Slot has said a spell, standing in the middle of a room between
Window and Gella, also has soon seen, how it is shrouded by a saving black smoke.
In same time the green fog enveloped its recent mistress.
... Is dirty-white Egyptian vulture with a grey-haired collar round a neck, clumsily
Jumping up and having spread wide wings, has run to a window, has hardly torn off from
Floor a heavy body and at last has flied up. It was carried by by an illusive shade through
The window aperture also has heard a thin sound of the lowered bowstring. One more arrow
Has flown by by...
The wind has accepted Ljugera in monstrous objatija. Everything of what dreamt
The Egyptian vulture, is to depart far away from the treacherous house. He knew, that in
Such storm long will not stretch. But on an extreme case at it was two more bodies.
Widely placed bird's eyes Slot tried to see as
It is possible it is more, that the nobility to whom it remained should.
Shot from the windows located at height of windows of a bedroom in a lateral tower
At home. Ljuger damned itself for carelessness and dullness. To make out the shooting
It was impossible. Slot has seen only their shades and light reflexions on
Metal parts arbaletov.
On safe distance from the house the Egyptian vulture with the big work has turned
Head, having made an inconceivable trick in air, also has had time to notice promptly
Decreasing rectangle of a window in Gella's bedroom, and also a big snake,
Turned off in rings on magnificent carpets which threw the black
Leaves a furious wind.
The chapter the second
SLOT AND GAZEUS
With big work Ljuger has reached the patrimonial estate. From time to time
It seemed to it, that he any more in forces to struggle with a wind and it is carried away by all
Further from the purpose. Slot could fall on the earth and turn to the four-footed
Creature, but he hurried up to get under protection of native walls...
The sleet has selected at it heat rests, in addition it was necessary to it
To be rescued from flight of any evil spirits pursuing it near village
Liliputians.
... Weakened, it has flown in the top window on a house attic. It was
It is broken very long time ago; father Slota and, possibly, the grandfather used it still. On
To naked attic the wind, but any more that shattering force too walked about,
Which hardly has not ruined the Egyptian vulture...
Ljuger has combined the heavy become wet wings, and it was shrouded by a black smoke.
After a minute the Egyptian vulture has turned in bared, shivering from a cold
The person. Slot has hardly unbent the stiffened feet. And then the wooden
Gait has gone downwards, to saving heat of a hot bath and live
To chimney fire.
* * *
It went down on a stone ladder, looking in the rooms located
On different floors. So it passed mrachnovatyj the Hall of Stuffed animals where have been collected
Stuffed animals and the mummies made of bodies of enemies of its sort, umershchvlennyh many
Generations Ljugerov throughout several centuries. Here there was also a stuffed animal
Huge bat — one of bodies Hommusa, deadly enemy Slota,
Which, much to our regret the Egyptian vulture, has still saved the human
Nature.
But bat Slot has killed personally, during bloody fight in air,
And was proud of it much. For memory of this fight with the Egyptian vulture remained
Wound on a neck which at times intolerably itched. Perhaps, when
Hommus was engaged in damage prompting...
Ljuger and now it was not kept from a vindictive smile, having seen a bat,
Forever attached to the perch.
Mummies and stuffed animals of other dead persons — four-footed, winged,
Reptiles and even biped, — darkened and dusty, stared
Glass eyes in emptiness, numbers left in a booming gloom.
Slot has passed by the library which walls have been sheathed by mahogany,
The impregnated nonflammable structure. On his order here candles always flared in
High bronze candlesticks, and he has seen long lines of the books bound
In the veal, snake and human skin, — the meeting of many years rescued from
Fire, water and chaos of interstine wars by ancestors Slota. Mountains of books on magic,
Astrologies, vedovstvu, oracles ancient, manuscripts with lost sense,
Parchments which already anybody never will read... If only the Egyptian vulture
On a slope of the years will not take the trouble to understand them. Now at it
Simply there was no on it time. It has been occupied by training to difficult craft
Survivals...
In one of transitions he has met the servant who has confusedly looked down
Look at the sight of its nakedness. Slot has grinned and ordered to make to it a supper.
Correct dog Gazeus waited for the owner below, wagging a tail. Slot caught
Weak current of its moods. He has put a hand on a head of a dog and has felt, as
It is penetrated by a warm wave of genuine friendliness. But in the opinion of Gazeusa
The alarm has fallen asleep. Let it any more did not have a human body, however
Thanks to the saved mystical communication with Ljugerom it has felt, that at Slota
The big troubles.
The Egyptian vulture has shaken a head in reply to mute question Gazeusa. He
While understood nothing in the happened.
Ljuger with pleasure has plunged into a hot bath and remained there to those
Time, yet has not felt, that in its body last particle has thawn
Ice.
Then he has allowed the servant to dry up and braid the long in a plait
Ashy hair, and after has gone to have supper, having ordered to submit to a table
It is more than red wine.
* * *
Sitting nearby cheerfully crackling fire in hot heated room,
He listened to ceasing howls of a wind, looked, how behind windows floats
Grey haze at dawn, also deliberated why him tried to kill this
At night.
Gazeus laid at feet Slota and whether has dozed off, whether has frozen with the burdensome
Presentiments.
The chapter the third
SLOT AND THE BLIND WANDERER
Next morning Ljuger has woken up little bit lost. He has found out, that has spent
Night in an armchair. The glass which has dropped out of his hand, has been broken, and on a floor remained
Trace from the dried up puddle of wine.
Gazeus sat next both, apparently, already long and steadfastly looked on
The owner. Not having guessed to what after a supper, that has thought up nothing and
In the morning. Slot two ten enemies could list, but could not imagine
To itself the reason on which his death was favourable to Gella Gangleti. In everyone
Case, it needed to double only care and as seldom as possible
To be shown far from a patrimonial nest, there, where magic Ljugerov it is considerable
Weakened.
But if the first condition was desirable and even necessary, the second
It seemed to the Egyptian vulture absolutely intolerable. He already almost felt, how
The mortal melancholy claws sticks into its brain.
Rescue was Segejla. It has grasped thought on it, as if rolling for
Straw. The meeting with Segejloj promised Ljugeru a little with what not the comparable
The hours filled with tenderness and participation. Now, when the world once again
Has shown it the invariable animosities, it required this
To the woman as never. It and Gazeus were two beings which was
Its confusion is not indifferent. Anyway Ljugeru it would be desirable to believe in it...
He has recollected grey transparent eyes Segejly, its attracting mouth and flexible
Pliable body. Vision has appeared so bright, that it has felt for an instant
Former ease and former pleasure. Then they have disappeared, having dissolved in alarm and
To thirst of a revenge.
* * *
Slot a plot under a shirt the thin protective waistcoat made of the steel
Plates. Except a sword, to its belt the dagger in a bone sheath has been hung up,
Which edge the Egyptian vulture has rubbed with poisoning structure. One more klinok —
Sharp as the needle, stilet — has been hidden in a top of its boot. A stranglehold,
Wound round the left wrist, and a massive ring on a middle finger
The right hand, throwing out poisonous needles by means of a powerful spring, not
Settled an arsenal of last of sort Ljugerov — besides, he has secured
Support of magic forces.
On his neck the snake skull bleached by time moistened dangled
Once in blood of the virgin who have died of a snake sting. Hair Slota were
Are strewed by a powder, in which it istolok easy bird's bones. On a breast
Egyptian vulture the sign poorly shone in darkness has been traced, and it was
The sign Deducing From the Labyrinth.
On the most extreme case some magic subjects have been hidden in
Collar Gazeusa. If Ljuger it will be grasped, deafened, deprived the own
Amulets, there will be a hope that nearby will appear Gazeus. And Gazeus in
Difficult minute it appeared nearby almost always.
The Egyptian vulture has hidden the long ash-grey hair under a cape from
Imperceptible brown fabric which hid at the same time from extraneous eyes
Dagger and stranglehold.
Gazeus it is sad observed from a corner of its preparations. Ljugeru
It seemed, that in a sight of a dog it is possible to read reproach.
Slot has grinned. He and itself understood, that too risks. And though inside
It the fear has hidden, outwardly it was quiet and even is derisive. He has decided, that
Takes Gazeusa with itself. Despite slightly melancholic kind, in fight
That was uncontrollable and ruthless. Powerful paws were capable to transfer a dog
Through a wide ditch or a fence in height in one and a half human growth, and Slotu not
It was necessary to see time, how steel jaws during some instants broke off
Another's to a drink...
* * *
Ljuger has gone to the city of Elizenvar, capital of kingdom Validija,
Which suburb so has hastily left at night.
Young horse Tajvi bore it through wood. Purchase Tajvi in due time
Has left Slota without a penny in a pocket, but more often to go on foot the Egyptian vulture
Considered below the advantage...
The huge short-haired dog Gazeus which body has been covered
Numerous scars, ran after Tajvi on distance of fifty
Steps, with watchfulness gazing about. From time to time it stopped and
Carefully sniffed up air.
... Day tended by the evening, wood seemed sleepy and deserted. Trees
It is lazy rustled, when the easy breeze somewhere highly concerned their crones. Only
Once Slot has seen a flock timid kosul, disappeared in a thicket at it
Occurrence...
He knew these places well. To the north from Elizenvara wood was rather
Pure, he was visited seldom by Those Who Serves Night, and servants of the Prince
Vaults. Egyptian vulture Ljuger did not concern their number though did not drive friendship
With Servants of Days. Forces to which he addressed for the help, were alternately
Forces of Light and Darkness; he always chose that its purposes faster led.
It has left on the wood road laid by hoofs of horses and wheels
Crews. It conducted from Elizenvara to northern suburbs of kingdom,
Bordering on possession of White Moles. To an estate of roads Ljugera not was.
Visitors visited him extremely seldom, and the owner even if stayed in
Human appearance, preferred wild wood tracks.
... Somewhere away ahead Slot has heard deaf frequent knock of a stick about
Dusty road. After some instants Ljuger has learnt this sound, which
It was impossible to confuse with what. Having stopped Tajvi, it has spitefully sworn
Through a teeth.
Definitely, at it the bad luck strip proceeded. This day it
Has met on road of the Blind Wanderer, that in itself was bad
Omen...
While Slot deliberated, whether to curtail to it into roadside thickets, the blind man
Has seemed because of turn. On its serene pink person who is not growing old here
Already three hundreds years, the pleasure which he tested always when has been written
Met someone from the future victims of own predictions. But its hands
Were hands of the old man. In one of them it compressed kljuku from a dark tree,
Polished with time, and measuredly tapped with it on a road roadside.
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