What?
This is what the locals call this world. I came here completely by accident when I was fourteen. I was running from the gang, and didnt even notice how I crossed the portal. And there was no turning back. Its okay, its also quite good here, I was able to find a home here.
Then Dorian remembered how he walked around the entire area and did not see a single trace of a car. This clean air, the sun, which turned out to be on the other side. Dragonfly. Horse! So many coincidences.
Although, you shouldnt even communicate with him, so as not to become infected with madness.
What is the year now? Dorian asked.
One hundred and thirtieth era of the eighty-fourth King Henry.
Okay, its worth going with this weirdo. At least until the first traces of civilization. After all, he wont get far without a car, but at least the psycho has a horse.
So where are you going?
«To the House of the Sorcerer, the great royal castle,» answered the White Wolf.
The sorcerers house Okay, the main thing is not to be too surprised. For Eleon these are quite normal words. Never mind, civilization is very close, you wont have to endure it for long!
Can I go with you?
My path is not close and is full of various dangers! I cant involve others in my problems!
Dont leave me here alone! said Dorian.
***
Riding a horse together with another guy is a dubious pleasure. Cinema usually showed a brave adventurer carrying a beautiful lady on a horse. But its time to get used to the fact that life is not Cinema.
Half an hour and Dorian rubbed his crotch, sat on his leg, a complete «bouquet».
When the sun began to sink below the horizon, they decided to stop at a nearby village on the outskirts of the forest. With every mile, Dorians hope of meeting civilization became less and less. Are there really still places untouched by Megacities?
Chapter 2. Execution at sunset
Every self-respecting gossip has at least once been to a tavern called the Old Magician. And today the hall was filled with guests, and old Halfrids treasury was filled with gold. The beer flowed like a river, and the out of breath young beauty only had time to bring more and more mugs of foamy drink and take away the empty ones.
Suzanne, three more mugs! one of the guests shouted.
«Teddy hmm Maybe hmm thats enough?.. hmm,» said his comrade, with difficulty overcoming a hiccup.
Why, Dil? Ali, arent you having fun on this beautiful fine evening?
I hmm to be honest hmm not very good with gold
Dont worry, buddy! Im treating you! Suzanne, three more mugs and fried lanels with maize sauce! Teddy said, slapping the innkeepers helpful daughter on the thighs.
Hands off! Otherwise Ill tell my father everything! He will definitely throw you out onto the street! the girl squealed offendedly.
Its good for you that you shouted! Bring the beer, I tell you!
The girl hurried to fulfill the order, mincing through the dense rows of tables in the room saturated with the smell of beer, just to quickly get rid of the «dork,» as she called him, who was not allowing her passage.
Have you heard the latest news? said the man, sitting down with two drunken comrades.
Whats new, Willie? asked Teddy.
«Tomorrow at sunset there will be an execution,» Willie answered.
Magicians again? Teddy clarified.
Serves them right! There is no point in embarrassing the good people with your tricks! Willie raised his voice slightly.
«Im a bit of a magician myself,» said Teddy. So I may also fall out of favor with the Anti-Witch League. After all, I dont have the right to magic. Who will be executed this time?
Children of the local clerk Herold.
These impudent inquisitors have completely loosened their belts! There is no peace for them! Teddy hit the table with his fist.
And most importantly hmm.. the king hmm will not protect! Dil said, raising his head from the table.
And I thought it was a sinful thing that you fell asleep! Willie laughed.
Henry will protect! said Teddy. He doesnt care about us! Its called the king! Who needs nothing but science! A great magician is a useless ruler! I think even our clerk would become a better ruler, and no less a scientist!
In a heated conversation, the regulars of this establishment did not notice how Suzanne and a gray-haired, mustachioed, wiry man approached them.
Greetings, Halfrid! Willie said, but the innkeeper did not notice the outstretched hand. He looked at his comrade with eyes full of anger and hatred.
Teddy! Youve been harassing my daughter again! I have already warned you more than once!
You misunderstood everything!
Get out! And never cross the threshold of my tavern! Ill see you one more time, and you wont waste any more air intended for honest people! the angry father grabbed the drunkards collar. And he flew away, hitting his back against the corner of the table Teddy was a sorcerer, albeit weak and illegal. Three more strong guys ran up to the lout the sons of the old innkeeper. The three men, who had recently been quietly chatting about public policy issues, jumped to their feet. Dil began waving a knife, Willie a fragment of a broken bottle, and Teddy had a weapon of enchantment invisible to others.
Get Teddy alive! shouted Halfrid. He is an illegal magician! He must be handed over to the Anti-Witch League, as the Law says!
One of the innkeepers sons grabbed a knife from Dil, who could barely stand on his feet, and now crossed him with Willies broken bottle. And the careless owner of the bladed weapon fell to the floor and tried unsuccessfully to get up. Two other strong guys tied Teddy up. Then the three of them grabbed Willie and threw him out into the street. Dil also flew after him.
Throw Ted in the closet! Halfrid said.
And so every day: beer flows like a river, new gossip pours in from all sides, the bored sons of the tavern owner have something to occupy their fists in peacetime. Everyone is having fun, there is bread and circuses, everyone is happy.
But one guest is not having fun today. An albino with red eyes sits silently with a friend, lost in thought and finishing more than his first mug of intoxicating drink. But even beer haunts him from bitter thoughts and memories.
***
A huge hall made of white marble. In the center of the hall is a long stone table. At the head of the table sits a long-bearded old man the Master of the Brotherhood of the Defenders of the Crown. Behind him flies the flag of a secret organization:
Two people entered the hall.
«Weve all gathered today» the master of the brotherhood began, not paying attention to the newcomers. The rest of the meeting participants remained silent.
Congratulations, master! You have joined us again! one of the new arrivals shouted in joy.
What are you talking about, Ilan? I am always with you! I will never leave you! the elder absentmindedly looked around, seemingly taken by surprise by this simple question.
But you, Master Avinius, returned from prison today! Two hours back talked with you in the mirror.
Any, even the weakest, magician could bend the bars without much effort, so special prisons were created for sorcerers. The condemned person touched the enchanted mirror and found himself in a separate world. And everyone could see the prisoner using a special object in the form of a coin, which must be brought to any mirror. But real freedom could only be given by a magician who entered the world through the looking glass or the king personally.
By the mirror? You are probably on Sun overheated! Today like this heat! Avinius playfully waved his palms near his face.
Whats wrong with you, Ilan? I spent the whole morning preparing the meeting with the master! said Sorenius, one of the brotherhood members. So who were you talking to in the mirror?