Sparks floated in the air and dying, driven by streams of hot air. Smoke and ash clouded everything, and now in this impenetrable world, Wtorak saw only one image. Varaha. They stood face to face and did not say anything. Heavy silence continued for some time, only the crack of flaming wood sometimes interrupting this cold and deep silence, which was like a chasm. Varaha was gathering strength.
- I... - he finally began. - There was no time to look after you after we broke up then... but I heard a lot of things about your adventures. Tell me, what is really true from all of it? What happened?
- I got to the lake in the Glass mountains. I discovered secret blacksmiths. I became their hand, like you.
- Hm... - Varaha tensed even more.
- You do not believe me?
- I... for too long we have not spoken to you. I can only guess what happened at the time when you disappeared...
- They put me in prison! I thought everyone goes through such tests.
- Everyone has their own trials, - Varaha answered evasively.
- And yet you do not believe me, - concluded Vtorak, and drew his sword from the scabbard. Varaha's hand jerked to the hilt of his own weapon, but at the last moment with this aggressive movement he decided to wait, - But then where did I get the blade of the dwarf Gods?! - Varaha hesitated. It seems that he, as he could, pushed away the moment when he had to voice his main assumption.
- There was no news of you for several months, and then, when you showed up, Chetaka and Gavran disappeared without a trace. I was the only hand of the four... Do you think it was easy to keep order in the valley alone?
- Chetaka died. Khali decided to withdraw from the service of dwarfs. I don't know anything about Gavran. You have only me. They also called me a Hand, believe me, I'm not lying!
- Khali?.. - Varaha was surprised, - How do you know about him?
- I traveled with him for a long time, he often helped me along the way, until...
- Khali is dead, - Varaha answered. - He died a few years before you were born. There are three of us left. I myself saw his death. I buried him in the armor of his ancestor. He. Is. Dead
- What? - Vtorak only had nothing to say.
- I don't know who told you about Khali, but you are lying to me. Never mind. I heard that you led a military coup in Stargrad. You helped Pat to take the throne. He untied his hands with the dark cult...
- I was tricked! No one knew that Pat...
- And now, - Varaha continued calmly, - you are killing a valuable witness right before my eyes... do you think I should believe you, Vtorak? - He had nothing to answer to that. Varaha held steady, earnest and collected. He, obviously, had been preparing for a meeting for a long time, - Silence... I am going to deliver you to the Dwarf gods. Will they accept me or not, it doesn't matter. I will take you to them, and let them decide what to do with you, - He hesitated, and then confidently drew his sword, - And if you resist, I will have to convince you by force.
- I see, - said Vtorak, and suddenly laughed nervously, - you and Uttama have long been planning to end me. Just did not find a reason. I just always wondered why? For what? What have I done?
- What are you talking about?
- Once, when I was wounded, I heard your conversation, do you remember? You said that I am an unwanted guest in this world. How do you explain this? How do you explain the fact that the only native person for me decided to calmly end me in cold blood? With no doubt. Answer me!
- We were not talking about you ...
- Yes, of course...
- We talked about Orrick.
- I don't believe you either.
- Well then... - heart-rending cry of pain interrupted his words. The building behind Varaha began to burn. Inside, obviously, there were residents. Both warriors turned to sound.
- There are still people there. Need to help them! exclaimed Vtorak and took a step towards the house, but Varaha stopped him.
- No. I am here to make sure they are dead.
- What?
- These people must die. My mission here is not only the taking of Pat, but also their death. So the gods ordered.
- What kind of gods can wish such a terrible death for innocent people?!
- Fair and wise gods. Those who see more than we are.
- I will help them, Varaha, - said Vtorak with pressure, - Get away.
- No, Vtorak, - the experienced warrior took the fighting stance, pointing the blade at the young mercenary, - I will not allow it.
To the symphony of screams of people burning in the trap of the old house, the swords of warriors sang a ringing song. Sparks born by strikes of swords were scattered to the sides. Mixing with flashes of flame, they flew up to a heavy black sky. With a weighty hand he rained the sword on Vtorak. Powerful strikes answered to him. Blood bubbled in veins of both fighters. Sweat poured from the foreheads with a streams, but not one could injure the other. And as soon as Vtorak relaxed the pressure a little, Varaha immediately seized the initiative. The warrior seized the moment and kicked Vtorak in the stomach, pushing him toward the burning house. The mercenary pierced the burnt boards of the wall of the wooden extension with his back, and was about to rise when he received another blow. Varaha never gave mercy in battle.
- And now what? - asked, grinning, Vtorak, - will you kill me?
- I will stop you. At the cost of your life or not, but I will stop you.
- Think about what you say! You are too cruel to them!
- The gods spoke to me. I remained their only hand in the valley. Perhaps they will even accept me as their good servant...
- Varaha... what are you talking about... - Vtorak growled, but he immediately got a boot on his ribs.
- I don't know what Chetaka and Gavran were doing there, maybe you killed both of them, but you can't imagine what happened to me in their absence. I traveled all the villages, single-handedly patrolling the entire northern border of the valley, catching and killing ashy people seeping through mountain trails! I had a horse, but even with her it was too... I hardly slept. I knew that it depended on me whether the residents had time to prepare or not. The existence of the whole people of the Valley fell on my shoulders in an instant! I'm not complaining... I'm not complaining... But what the hell was I alone?! Where were you?! All of you?! You... I don't know who you decided to serve, but tell me, is not survival a common goal? Is it not worth joining with any enemy in order to survive? With a man of any beliefs?
- It's worth it, Varaha...
- So why are you getting in my way?! - he cried out.
- Because... because you serve the gods who tell you to kill the innocent...
Varaha grinned again and hit Vtorak, but this time Vtorak caught his boot and pushed the attacker away. He felt the rage of a bear boiling inside and let its power flow into the blows. Varaha collapsed on his back, which gave a few moments to the young warrior to rise to his feet. The battle began with renewed vigor. And now Vtorak has already begun to squeeze a strong mercenary. Grabbing a copper shield from the ground to close from the blow, Vtorak strongly burned his left palm by the handle of a shield heated in a fire. Varaha picked up one of the shields too that fell from the roof, prudently wrapping his hand in a piece of cloth torn from his shirt. Then the warriors again collided. They beat and chopped copper of polished shields until it became rough from scratches. Having strained all their muscles, the young mercenary contrive somehow knocked the shield out of Varaha's hands. But he was experienced and, not paying attention to the loss of shield, hit Vtorak in the right hand. Vtorak tried to fend off the attack, but did not have time. Varaha's sword did not cut his hand, but slid along the hilt of the sword. Four cut off fingers soared into the air, scattering ruby drops, and disappeared in the glow of a fire. A sword forged by dwarf gods, falling pierced the ground at the feet of the owner.
Growling in pain, Vtorak grabbed the weapon with his left hand, throwing away the shield. Varaha put all his strength into the final blow. The young mercenary put the blade under attack, but could not stand against the strength of Varaha. Shards of witchcraft metal stuck into the Vtorak's ribs. Bald, bloodied, covered in dust and ashes, Varaha now towered over his wounded friend. Vtorak could not move from weakness and pain, so the old warrior was in no hurry to finish him off. The screams in the flaming house sounded even louder. The door swung open and Varaha turned around.
An emaciated young woman crawled out of the flaming building. Her clothes burned, and plague abscesses were visible on her painful skin. Varaha took several steps towards her. He looked straight into her eyes and... calmly chopped off her head with a sword. A cry of despair burst from Vtorak's chest. After that, Varaha kicked the door shut in front of the other patients, propping it up with boards, and turned to Vtorak. His beard was shaken by the wind, which fanning fires behind him.
- It is their destiny, - he said firmly, - So the Gods decided.
- Arr...
- They will die here today, but others will survive because of this. The gods do nothing for nothing.
- Ghhh...
- You should know, Vtorak, that I will get to the bottom of the truth. I will find out what happened to Chetaka and Gavran, and if you are involved in their disappearance... If you manage to survive this day, I will find you. I will find again.
Having said this, Varaha turned and walked away. The wooden balcony above Vtorak creaked. The beams burned out enough and were ready to collapse at any moment. Varaha froze, as he also noticed this. For a moment he hesitated, but then the tree cracked, and a wooden burning structure fell upon Vtorak. Varaha made an effort on himself to leave. Vtorak fainted.
However, he was lucky. The beams almost did not crush him, falling mostly around. He was still trying to get out from under them, wasting his last strength, when he suddenly saw a lizard that appeared as if from nowhere. He slowly rose from four limbs, frozen on two.
- Ro... sha... - the warrior called weakly. The lizard came closer.
- How could you... - said Rosha, completely not distorting the words, - I expected more from you. Much more.
- What are you…
- Now I'll explain everything to you, my good... You see, the three gods rule our destinies! Gods of Light, Darkness and War. You have served the God of Light for a long time, but here I am... The God of war gave me power. Once upon a time, I defeated Akshayah and death is no longer scary for me. I seriously injured him, and not just drove him away. Wounded the demon of death itself how ironic, isn't it? And now I live only the dream of its destruction. But I need even more power. I'm going to take the power of that alien from outside world... Orrick. With his strength I will overcome Akshayah.
- Ch… ah…
- I kept eliminating those who could interfere with me. The long Hands of the underground gods stretched over the valley, and the cultists hid in each hole... They could be interested in what I do, but I do not need too much attention, so I decided to get rid of them. I killed Chetaka and Gavran, but I realized that I couldn't do anything further with my own hands. I had to play with the cultists. I made an agreement with Pat, helped him collect a cult in the city, so that you destroy everyone in one fell swoop. And so it happened. By the way, I counted on the fact that you will kill the Hand of dwarfs, but you did not manage to complete what was begun. You took Khali to Koschei to destroy him from the inside, but Varaha could not be defeated by you... I overestimated you.
- W... why...
- Now I have to subjugate Varaha. With my help, he will defeat Akshayah, about which he so dreams, and then he will help me to capture Orrick. Even such an omnipotent creature can be defeated! I will take his power to myself, using the techniques of the Power Keeper. Funny... Not one has yet gathered so much power. They were always content with the forces of their fallen teachers and, although they became mighty warriors, but their thoughts never touched the power of the gods. But Orrick... he is unique. I myself will become a deity. I will destroy Akshayah, disperse the eternal clouds and move the glaciers! Goodbye, Vtorak. You were useful... for the time.
Rosha smiled, sank to the ground, and in the blink of an eye disappeared into the smoke. Vtorak finally let go of his consciousness. In oblivion the night flashed, bringing cold winds from the north. They cooled the coals of the conflagration and awakened the weakened Vtorak by the morning. He opened his eyes with a groan and moved. Raking the ash near him, the wounded warrior found the strength to rise to his feet. Vtorak rose from the mountain of ash, like a died phoenix. That's just his strength did not increase - he barely stood on his feet. The warrior looked around: everywhere only the coals lay, and the burnt stones of the walls. The streets around were littered with the charred bodies of the dead, which were compressed into a lump in the last painful convulsions. Only now Vtorak noticed that he was not alone. Nearby stood a man. It was a middle-aged city dweller. He looked among the ruins for surviving people and things. Vtorak called out to him, but only a hoarse whisper escaped from his dried throat. The forces left the warrior and he again collapsed to the ground. A man noticed him and ran to help.
- Ashes, ashes everywhere... - he said, lifting the sufferer, - They are now part forever part of this world. All that is, one day will only increase them...
- G... gah...
- You want some water... wait a bit, I have a whole flask here.
The man gave him a drink and slowly led him away from the city. Vtorak barely had enough power over himself to walk weakly and slowly. Consciousness again with all its might sought to leave him and fight with the desire to fall asleep again seemed truly unbearable.
- Just hold on, hold on, man! If you disconnect, I could not alone drag you!
- Y-yes...
- It's okay... it's okay... - the man said, glancing at the bloody stains on the clothes of Vtorak, - All your wounds can be healed. Before the wedding, as they say, it will heals. You're strong in appearance. It only needs to... eh, - the man more conveniently grabbed the wounded warrior by the arm, - ...endure a little.
- Yes... - Vtorak looked at his right hand. Instead of five fingers, there was now only one big one. The rest were absent. Blood still oozed from the wounds. These fingers ... they are so used to the sword that they felt uncomfortable when they did not strain under its weight. More Wtorak will never take weapons. Never. What a mercenary he is now...
- We camp not far from the city," the man said when they passed the fortress gate. - Everyone who managed to survive this nightmare are there. Where did you live before all this?
- I'm... not... not from... - the warrior whispered.
- I got it, got it... you're not from here. But I, for example, lived in a craft quarter. Tannery master.
- Uh... Uhh...
- Yes, it impresses many, I know. When it all started, I only managed to get my daughters out. I have two daughters. I didn't even have time to save the tools... it was... real chaos, - his voice trembled from the surging memories.
- Mm...
- Yes, I agree... I can still find the tools for myself, but lives are priceless. When they, maddened, rushed along the streets and slaughtered anyone who came across them, in the hope of saving their own lives with this victim... I will not survive it again. It was so scary...
- Gh...
- What? Did my conversations tire you? All right, sorry! By the way... my name is Atiha.
- Mm...
- Thank. I really like it too. They say this name the old one. You are a very pleasant conversationalist, someone told you about this?..
Communicating in this way, they reached the city refugee camp. From the fabrics gathered in the surrounding villages, people made tents for themselves, forming a camp. Atiha laid Vtorak inside his tent on a soft bed and ordered his daughters to keep an eye on him. The girls called the doctor, and he treated the wounds of the Vtorak as needed. He also prescribed an ash herb to the wounded, which was supposed to strengthen his body. Atiha always came to sit and chat with the guest when he had time free from business in the camp. So a few days passed. One morning, Atiha joyfully pushed the guest to wake him up.
- That's it! Wake up, Vtorak! Today you can get to your feet!
- Damn... - the man rolled over onto the other side. Atiha's voice woke him.
- Get up, get up!
- Okay, okay, - the decoction prescribed by the doctor really had a truly miraculous effect. The warrior was undoubtedly still extremely weak, but he felt already much more fresh, - Why have people still not gone anywhere in all this time?
- We sorted out the rubble in the city and looked for everything that could be picked up. Today, nobles and other respected people will decide what to do after all this. You can also participate in the discussion.
- Yes, sure! - said Vtorak and got out of bed. His head started to spin and he immediately fell back to bed.
- Damn it! What are you doing! - Atiha exclaimed, helping him to rise, - Watch out! Not so hurry.
- Wow...
- Here, I made crutches for you. Rise slowly and lean on them. So... yes... here you are, well done!
- My hand... - Vtorak looked mournfully, catching his eye, a bandaged stump that reminded of itself with a particularly sharp flash of pain.
- The doctor healed all your wounds, do not worry, - these words did not please the mercenary, - Do you know what? At least you don't have your whole brush cut off! And the head is in place. And fingers...
- Fingers are all! - snapped Vtorak roughly, pushing the man away, -
Fingers are the sword that fed me!
- Well, it's okay, - Atiha answered calmly. - You will learn to fencing with your left hand.
- I will not learn, - the warrior shook his head and went to the exit of the tent, - I do not want to.
- You never said who cut you like that... fanatics?
- Yes... n-no... I don't know what to say... You can take it as you please, - said Vtorak and slowly walked to the center of the camp. He recalled the words of Rosha. The lizard has revealed a lot, but what has it changed? Vtorok is no longer a fighter. Varaha despises him and suspects the murder of his comrades. Rosha will get to him first and will surely whip a lot of ornate speeches. Vtorak only remains to lie down for the time. He will follow Khali's example and get out of this fight. The valley will still give birth to its heroes, and his path is completed on this.
In the center on an improvised square, respected men of the burnt city have already gathered. They scolded and argued. No one could accept the position of another. Everyone knew better than others where the people should go. Wtorak slowly approached them and wearily leaned on his crutches to rest a little. Walking was surprisingly easy for him, which could not but rejoice. Of course, his legs were not injured, but general weakness made him completely incapacitated.
- Before the northerners arrived, the city had already fallen! - Tragically heralded some of the nobles.
- It's a shame! How we will hold the defense? - said another.
- It's clear that the northerners are uncouth barbarians, but it's impossible to defend against them in an open field: they will crush us with number, overcome with ferocity!
- Wait! And who is this? - All eyes turned to Vtorak.
- Damn, I recognized you! You led a squad of mercenaries who overthrew Delius. So what? Satisfied now?! This is what all this has led us to! - said one nobleman. Others raised a disapproving grumble.
- You all financed that rebellion from your own pocket! - retorted Vtorak, with a steel, cold gaze pacifying the crowd, - I served to the Oha, but Pat set everyone up. He bribed the warriors who were under my command, and then threw me in jail.
- Not for long! - said the bald shriveled man - Count de Luca, who came from the west. Vtorak remembered him from the time when he lived in the city before the uprising, - Besides, we all remember, what sugar friendship you had with him before the conspiracy and after!
- Pat betrayed everyone, - repeated Vtorak, - In the end, I killed him as soon as I managed to get here. His priest, who pretended to be a doctor, is also dead. So don't waste your strength on me in vain, my lords. We have more important questions! For example, the question of the survival of citizens.
- You are right... - the count bowed his head, - But we cannot decide where to lead people. We have some supplies and horses. And the journey will be long.
- Go to the mountain fortresses in the south of the ash valley, - said Vtorak, thinking, - At least the stronghold of the Cheshtaa clan is free. I was probably there about a year ago. Pretty spacious castle. It's not easy to besiege him. It will obviously be too tough for the northerners, unlike Stargrad, - an approving rumble was heard.
- Cheshtaa clan disgraced it's name. Their hands are in blood, sir, - said de Luca. - To seek refuge in their defiled stronghold is stupid and blasphemous! At least in relation to hundreds of people who fell from torture.
- A stone is never cruel, de Luca, - objected Vtorak, - The stupidest thing that can be done now is to turn away from the fortified fortress due to resentment against its old owners.
- The stupidest thing that can be done now is to listen to the mercenary who came from nowhere with unclear goals, - the tall, broad-shouldered boyar Boris, who served for a long time under knyaz of Stargrad, voiced his voice.
- I want to help you, - said Vtorak.
- Who knows, - the boyar answered, - May be you do the northerners help for money? Suddenly they already know about the abandoned fortress, where do you want to take us? We need to go east, I tell you! In the villages there are supplies necessary for people. And out of their stone we will build at least three such fortresses, like Cheshtaa had! The northerners descend from their damned north to the south, and this man, - he pointed to Vtorak with a finger with a golden ring, - offers us to go south. Do not leave the avalanche along its route. Sooner or later she will catch up! But quickly dodging sideways - it is possible. We have to rush to the side! To. The. Side.
- The scouts say that the northerners are on a very broad front, - said the Vyazem warrior, - We can't get away from them either south or east. We need to dig in here. We will strengthen what remains of the city, and we will wait. This wave will break against the walls, like on a coastal rock in the salty waters of the south!
- We must gather our strength and strike the northerners ourselves! - cried the blacksmith Kuzma. - We will break through their ranks and, when they go further, we will settle in their rear!
- Oh, and you both just be silent, please! - exclaimed de Luca, - Do not forget, the northerners are not just coming towards us. They are driven by a glacier. They have no rear. Only death alone follows them... If we want to survive, we need to go where the ice will not reach us: to the south!
And the argument flared up with renewed vigor. Vtorak left these conversations and slowly returned to the tent. Discussion drastically drained him, and he felt that he would soon fall back into sleep. In front of the tent, he ran into a girl who backed away, looking for someone in the crowd. At first he thought that this was one of Atiha's daughters, but as soon as she turned around, the warrior was immediately dumbfounded with surprise.
- Mara! You...
- I found you, - she smiled with restraint, - Well, hello then...