Illigulus! One of them exclaimed, raising his hands up.
I didnt guess, dog! Eleon shouted, whom they tried to kill. Avinius performed the initiation ceremony! I have the right to magic! Run, friends! Ill try to stop them.
The two uninvited guests grabbed their throats, as they were enveloped in threads invisible to others, and the Herald, Esmeralda and Dorian hurried to hide.
Damn it, he owns the Elements! said one, in a black hood. He made a subtle movement with his hand, and Eleon fell to the ground. At this moment, the Herald looked back to see what had happened to his comrade. He returned, and lightning flashed from his eyes. The pursuer fell, and the second ran into the forest.
A curse! The second one escaped! He will tell others our location! Now we definitely need to run! the Herald shouted, extending his hand to Eleon.
You saved me!
You saved my daughter, White Wolf, and I owe you!
They ran, taking only short breaks.
Somewhere in the distance the clatter of hooves could be heard. Some time passed, and three horsemen appeared.
Faster! Do not stop! Otherwise they will catch up! the Herald shouted, and no one began to argue with him.
When the executioners had almost overtaken the fugitives, they suddenly stopped.
A curse! Why cant we cross this invisible wall? asked the anti-mage.
This is the ancient magic of the forest. You are not welcome here! Go away! said the Herald, who was on the other side of the wall. Here magic ruled, and its opponents could not cross the line.
Well meet Again! the inquisitor shouted, and the three horsemen galloped away.
Now you can relax! Esmeralda was delighted.
I wouldnt be so careless! said the Herald. Its sunset soon. And who knows what awaits here! The forest is full of surprises, and at night you can meet them
Chapter 5. Magic forest
The sunset kindled a bright multi-colored fire in the sky. The smell of myrtle that filled everything around. This place cannot be confused with anything.
They say that once upon a time elves lived here, and their magical songs imbued these places with enchantments that cannot fade, despite the fact that time does not stand still. Some say that it was here that Antimonik gained power and created the Dark Empire. But if this is true, then those ancient times have passed, leaving only memories and legends.
Four travelers passed through these places.
This is an ancient forest. It is already several thousand years old, but it still does not fade. The cities that were built of stone to be durable were destroyed, and the lush gardens that gardeners tirelessly looked after did not survive. The mountains are destroyed, the seas and rivers are dry. But even the ancient Evil could not destroy the forest,» said the Herald.
«Im scared,» Esmeralda complained. «It feels like we are being watched tirelessly.»
But we broke away from the inquisitors!
Now Im not sure that this is really that good!
Eleon gently took her hand.
Calm down, honey.
What is this strange noise? Esmeralda looked around in fear.
Maybe these are wolves? Eleon suggested. You dont have to be afraid of them. Or the wind is noisy.
No. Its them,» whispered the Herald.
Who are they? Dorian asked in fear.
Spirits of those long dead. They say they still live in the local swamps, and at night they sing songs and take away lost travelers.
Lets try not to catch their eye.
A huge stone flew over the heads of the travelers and knocked down a tree.
Are these your ghosts, Herald? Dorian glanced sideways at the crushed plant.
No. These are giants! Get down!
As soon as Dorian lowered his head, another cobblestone flew over him.
Out of the frying pan into the fire! Run!
There was no need to repeat it twice all four immediately started running as fast as they could. A huge hairy monster ran after them, its toothy mouth open. Then the giant bent down to throw another stone.
The travelers ran deep into the forest, and somewhere in the distance they could still hear the dissatisfied roar of the cannibal giants.
Looks like theyve come off! said Eleon, and immediately realized that he was mistaken: someone was pulling his leg.
Hands without flesh grew out of the ground. At first there were few of them, but then completely skeletons began to appear. In rusty armor and with rusty swords, they blocked the path of our heroes.
Fate, be merciful! We found ourselves on the ancient Swamp Mound!
Run! once again the cherished phrase sounded. But this time there was nowhere to run: the wights stood on all sides, and there were more and more of them. Eleon used his skills, and a couple of monsters flew up, and then fell, and all that was left of them was dust. The Herald and Esmeralda did not stand idle either. After all, they also had magic. The father fired the cherished lightning, from which the living dead turned into ashes, and Esmeralda pushed them with the power of thought. Dorian grabbed a nearby branch, so he also defended himself. The strength was already running out, but it was impossible to stop only a third of the revived ancestors were defeated, and now the hands that protruded from the ground were becoming more and more numerous.
You know, Esmeralda! Im glad that we met. This was worth living for.
I love you too, Eleon!
I cant die! After all, I didnt tell Aingi so much,» Dorian continued the old song.
«It looks like these guys were out of luck,» said the Herald, looking at the pile of bones behind the wights. They didnt survive the meeting with them. The main thing that
Before the clerk had time to express his thought, the pile of bones began to take on human shape and stand up!
Now its definitely over! said the Herald.
Sorry! I betrayed you, teacher! I never fulfilled your last wish! Eleon lowered his head.
Dont get soggy! Lets give them the last battle and die with a sword in our hand! shouted the Herald.
With which we will then begin to kill new passers-by, returning from the grave. But how many will we take with us? Go ahead, friends!
Dorian took the rusty sword of one of the fallen wights.
In preparation for death, our heroes received new powers. Now tenacious hands were no longer able to hold them to the ground, and the skeletons scattered left and right, as if from a whirlwind.
Stop! a womans voice sounded, and the corpses froze.
Behind the dead stood ten people in red cloaks with hoods.
You must return to the world of the dead! Rest in peace!
Thank you! the zombies roared, and they suddenly crumbled, turning into ashes.
Tie them up! commanded the woman who had just saved our travelers. Lets take them to Sylvia. Let her decide their fate no one can cross the line of our forest with impunity!
Esmeralda tried to fight the woman, but all the rescuers had magic suppression runes, so resistance was useless. Soon all four were tied up.
They were heading east. The prisoners were exhausted from the latest events, but the guides pushed them from behind, not giving them the opportunity to stop.
Who are you and why did you come to our forest? asked the woman who saved their lives.
We were looking for shelter in your forest from the inquisitors.
Our forest is not the best refuge for honest people. Do not stop! Cant you talk while walking? Did you wake the wights? Its good that this time the rune of repose worked correctly! Otherwise, last time we were missing two So why did you do it?
We didnt revive the dead! said the Herald. We fought them off!
The Creator grant that this be true. The hostess will judge. But if you are a necromancer, then you will be in trouble, I promise you this with the bodies of my dead comrades!
Sienna, stop! one of the captors held the sword in the womans sheath. «You yourself said that their fate should be determined by Sylvia.»