A line of three carts rolled solemnly down the street, scaring away random passers-by who had not managed to hide from the midday sun under the roofs of stone houses with the clatter of their iron-bound wheels. In front rode Ned and two Security guards, led by a rather angry Major Sert, whose head was racing with thoughts of how good it would be to flog this demonic sergeant, and even better - to hang the bastard who had forced him to drag himself in such heat to an unknown place, for an unknown reason! The scoundrel was impatient to stick his demonic appendage not into an ordinary whore, the usual soldier's slut, but into the daughter of a distinguished citizen of the city! And on top of that, a citizen married to a harmful woman and with high-ranking connections in the capital!
Ned turned off his mental perception - listening to these evil thoughts was quite difficult. Especially since the major's dreams of punishing the wicked man could soon come true.
Ned thought for a moment: what if he really was sentenced to punishment or even death? Would he meekly wait for that to happen? And he decided – no. No one would ever mock him again. Enough. He had had his fill of this "pleasure".
The burgomaster and Sanda's parents rode in the second carriage. They were silent and gloomy, as if at a funeral. After Ned told them the truth, Sanda's mother screamed for a long time, saying that Ned was a vile scoundrel, a liar and a scoundrel, and that their well-bred daughter could not have acted like that. And that they would expose his lies when they went to his house, where the bastard was holding the unfortunate girl.
The colonel, delighted that he could get the matter off his hands, immediately seized upon her words, and twenty minutes later the whole crowd was already rushing through the streets of the city.
The third carriage carried guards from the city police force, seemingly sad types with sharp, all-observing eyes.
The ride to Zadara's house by cart did not take long. Fifteen minutes - and they were at the house. As if they were expected - the gate swung open, and Zadara appeared in it, looking menacingly at those who arrived from the height of her small stature, so that it seemed that she had grown at least four spans.
"What kind of procession is this?!" she asked in a menacing, ringing, metallic commanding voice. "Please explain what you want at my house!"
- There! She is hiding the crimes of her lodger! - Sanda's mother immediately screamed, rushing to the gate and trying to push the old woman, who stood like an iron pillar in her path, aside with her shoulder.
- Back! This is a private residence! And until I let you in myself, you have no right to enter! I will defend myself! Asana!
Zadara stepped aside and was replaced by a dark-skinned woman, towering over her mistress. She held a huge battle-axe in her hands and wore an ancient horned helmet that had belonged to a big guy, probably her mistress's husband, and had been taken from northern pirates. It was polished to a shine - apparently, it had been scrubbed with sand, and all this - the helmet, the axe, and the cook's hands, as thick as an ordinary man's legs - indicated that the enemies were about to have a very hard time.
And also - from behind the shoulder of the black battering machine, a thin, sinewy woman of about fifty was looking out, holding a loaded army crossbow in her hands. She squinted angrily over the crossbow stock, and the steel bolt was aimed at the chest of the pale Major Sert.
A small dagger appeared in Zadara's hands from somewhere, and the way she held it indicated that its owner had the ability to handle a sharp blade. After all, being married to a desperate warrior and not learning at least a little bit of martial arts was out of the question.
There were a few agonizing seconds of silence, broken only by the hoarse breathing of the parties, then Ned, with a wry smile, cleared his throat and said:
- Aunt Zadara, it's me.
- You? I didn't even notice you! - the woman said serenely, her old fox eyes gleaming slyly. - What are these people doing here? Did you invite them? I thought there was an attack on my house.
- What made you think that, you old fool? - one of the city guards shouted angrily and immediately pinched his nose, from which streams of blood spurted. Zadara, without a swing, deftly hit him in the face with her left hand, clenching her fingers into a fist that turned out to be truly steel.
"I may be old, but I'm not stupid!" she said coldly. "And I'll file a complaint about your behavior with the burgomaster!"
- Here I am... - the burgomaster said boredly, stepping forward. - Forgive this idiot, Mrs. Zadara. There was a misunderstanding.
- And you are here, Mr. Burgomaster? - the woman asked with an expression of immense surprise. - What is going on anyway? Why is this group of people trying to break into my house, and the Burgomaster not only does not stop this act, but is also among the criminals?
"We have information that the kidnapped daughter of these gentlemen is in your house," the burgomaster pointed to the couple, who had stepped aside just in case and were looking warily at the axe in the hands of the black warrior. "Tell me, is it true that a certain Sanda is on the territory of your estate, whom this young man has kidnapped and is holding in captivity?"
- Sanda is. But no one has kidnapped anyone. Since yesterday, this pleasant young lady, the fiancée of the young man, my lodger, has been living in his house, taking care of his household, and this morning she submitted an application to the Temple of Selera to perform the marriage ritual. The ritual is scheduled for the day after tomorrow, if the young man agrees to the marriage. And as far as I understand, he will agree. Right, Ned?
"It's true," Ned said a little sadly and sighed lightly. "It's the absolute truth."
- So what's the matter then, gentlemen? Did you hear what he said? - Zadara asked again, puzzled. - Or do you still insist on breaking into my house?
- We heard! - Sanda's mother declared belligerently. - But it's all lies and nonsense! Until I hear what my daughter has to say about this, I won't believe you! You're all criminals and liars! Robbers!
- What?! How dare you say such words to me?! - Zadara came out of the gate, demonstratively playing with the dagger, and the woman screamed, hiding behind her husband's back:
- Take her away! This old woman is crazy! Burgomaster, why are you standing there and doing nothing?! Let them tie her up, she's gone mad!
"I'll cut off your ears now, you stupid creature!" Zadara said coldly, slowly moving towards the enemy. "So that you'll become smarter and stop wagging your long tongue!"
- Quiet! Everyone calm down! - commanded the gloomy burgomaster. - If everything is as Mrs. Zadara said, then the situation changes completely. Silence, I said! You have already dragged me into trouble! You should have kept a better eye on your daughter, so that she does not run after the sergeants!
"How dare you?!" Madame Nitul began, but the burgomaster interrupted her:
- I dare! Mrs. Zadara is a well-known, honorable citizen... or rather, a resident of the city, her husband was a colonel, a well-known man... with connections in the capital. And she is not the last person in the kingdom either! By making groundless accusations, you risk getting the opposite effect - if she files a complaint for slander, you will be fined a hundred gold pieces, and also - serve a week in the city prison! Is that clear? That's it. Mrs. Zadara, could you take us to this young man's fiancée to put an end to this strange and stupid story? Please.
- Well... since you ask... only for you, - Zadara said grumpily, heading towards the open gate, where the defenders of the bastion were still standing. - Girls, let them through. I would not like, gentlemen, for my guests to be disturbed. They are like my own children to me. But since the lord burgomaster asks, I cannot refuse him. Let's go!
The women lowered their weapons and walked away. Ned could hardly contain his laughter and even bit his lips to keep from laughing – the cook and Zadara's servant looked as menacing as they looked funny with their weapons. However, he noted that both handled their weapons quite confidently, like old warriors. And Zadara didn't look like a helpless old woman. Incidentally, the dagger disappeared as quickly as it had appeared – somewhere in a secret place, not visible from the outside. The colonel's widow knew how to stand up for herself, that's for sure.
The whole company solemnly proceeded to the guest house standing in the garden. In front of Zadar, on either side a convoy of two warrior cooks, followed by the burgomaster, gloomy as a cloud, then a couple of parents, and the rest, among whom was the city guard with a swollen nose, glaring angrily around.
Ned walked beside the mistress of the house, and when they reached the door, he stopped behind her.
"Sanda, my dear, come out to us!" the old woman shouted loudly, and the door immediately opened, as if the girl had only been waiting for the signal.
Sanda appeared on the porch, looking at the crowd of people with feigned bewilderment:
- What happened, Aunt Zadara? Oh! Mom, Dad, where are you from? How good that you came! Meet my future husband, Ned. The day after tomorrow morning we will be married in the Temple of Selera. I submitted the application today. You can congratulate me!
There was a deathly silence. Then the burgomaster turned to Zadara and asked loudly:
- Ms. Cedar! Will you file a complaint for slander? Your case is winnable. Minimum fine of one hundred gold pieces plus compensation for moral damages as decided by the court. By the way, Sergeant Cherny can also count on compensation. Sergeant, will you file a complaint?
- On your future relatives? - Ned smiled. - Anything can happen in a family, right? The last thing I need is to involve the authorities. No, I won't. And you, Aunt Zadara?
- No. Although I would really like to, - the old woman smiled. - To call me, a respectable lady, the widow of a colonel, a bandit! How horrible!
- And who will compensate me for my broken nose? - the detective shouted angrily. - Am I not a human being at all? Let her compensate me for the damages incurred in the performance of my duties!
- Let Kualtuk compensate you! With a spear in the ass! - Zadara answered maliciously. - Say thank you that I did not sue you for your vile accusations! Get out of my garden! Gentlemen, if there are no more questions for me - leave my garden and let the feeble old women rest in their final abode...
- What do you mean - feeble! - muttered the detective, looking warily at the huge cook. - Look at that black woman, she could kill a deer with her bare fist! My thigh is thinner than her arms!
"Come out of here," Black Sea "answered with the bass and twisted the wind, raising the wind of hair at the crossbow."
The guards snorted towards the gate, looking back at the axe, the burgomaster cautiously backed away, muttering to himself something like: "What a mess I've gotten myself into!" Major Sert had been looming at the gate for a long time, having sensed the developments with the keen sense of a security guard, and only Sanda's parents remained in place, looking reproachfully at their daughter and disdaining the threat of reprisal.
- My daughter, how can this be? - the mother asked plaintively, shaking her head. - Sergeant, what a pauper? Do you have any sense? We offered you good matches, and you? Well, if you really wanted to get married, you could have married the merchant's son, he has the title of aristocrat of the first rank, even if it is not hereditary yet, but this one? From the corps? There is only rabble, robbers and thieves there!
- Please don't talk about my fiancé like that! - Sanda said sharply, walked up to Ned, stood on tiptoe, grabbed him by the neck and kissed him on the lips. - I don't need anyone else! And your merchant's son - he's a complete idiot! And by the way, was daddy rich or something? He worked as a pie delivery man!
"But you said something about two hundred years as a confectioner…" Ned whispered quietly, looking into the mocking eyes of his future wife. "You lied, you wretch!"
- So what if she lied? - she was not embarrassed. - What, are the candies and cakes bad? Dad knows how to make them. And Mom is an aristocrat - she fell in love with him, and that's it. She left home.
"So it runs in your family?" Ned chuckled. "Well, I'm in trouble."
- You're in trouble. Shut up. I'll deal with them now. Mom, Dad, why aren't you congratulating me?
- Congratulations, daughter! - Sanda's father smiled broadly. - There was a misunderstanding, but, thank the gods, everything was resolved. Will you invite us to the ceremony?
- How can we do it without you? - Sanda laughed and, running down the porch, hugged her parents. - The day after tomorrow, at ten in the morning. We won't invite anyone else. And we won't have a feast.
- What do you mean we won't? - Zadara was indignant. - We will! Married for the first time - and without a wedding?! We'll throw a feast. The house is big, why not? And it's more fun for us. By the way, parents, what about the dowry?
"There will be a dowry," said Sanda's faded mother sadly. There was no trace left of her militancy.
- That's great! - Zadara beamed. - Let's go, we'll talk, we'll leave the young people to sort out their problems. And we'll discuss how everything will go - about the wedding, of course. Come on, let's go into the house! Girls, follow me! Asana, take that pot off! It's giving me circles before my eyes, it's so shiny! What did you clean it with?
- Crushed brick. Does it shine really well? I found it in the basement. It's strong! You can't break it! Pegra, try hitting it... Ouch! Where did you hit it? Idiot! I said on the helmet, and why are you kicking me in the ass?! Now I'm going to give you a real whack!
- Girls, quiet! Stop it immediately! Let's go inside, let's discuss the wedding feast. Enough, I said! Let her go, you'll strangle her! What kind of demonic women are these! Don't pay attention, they'll fuss around and then come. They're good, but a little crazy. So, I suggest we seat the guests... by the way, how many guests will there be? Have you decided?
* * *
- Well, are you happy? - Ned looked at Sanda's face with a sad smile, sitting opposite him at the table. - You married her and are you happy?
- I'm happy. Why should I cry? - Sanda laughed. - By the way, it's funny. It was almost the same with my mother. She wanted to marry my father - and she did. True, she had to leave the capital, but she still got dad married. That's how it is, my dear! That's the kind of family we have.
- Well... it all happened so fast... so fast that it's hard to imagine. I was single, and suddenly...
- But you're still single, yes. The day after tomorrow you'll be married. My parents were always trying to foist suitors on me. And they were all such freaks - stupid, ugly... and rich. Mom tried her best. She said she had to get me out of this hole, out of this town. Then they spat and told me to look for a suitor myself. And when I found one - look at the show they put on. Didn't you get into trouble at work because of me?
"No. The Colonel is on my side," Ned said thoughtfully. "He's thinking that if I did something to you, he should somehow cover for me. And he doesn't believe that I'm capable of doing anything nasty."
- How do you know what he thinks? - Sanda grinned. - However, you are smart, insightful. Look how you guessed what I was dreaming about. About love. And I got it.
Sanda got up from her chair, walked over to Ned and climbed onto his lap, hugging him around the neck:
- Will you stay? Don't go, okay? Let's say you're shaken by the events and need to rest. We'll lie on the bed... and then we'll rest, okay?
- Hmm... I wouldn't mind lying around with you... and resting, but I have to go to work. But I don't want to leave like this, to be honest!
Ned hugged Sanda, found her warm, elastic lips with a kiss, stroked her back, which made the girl almost purr, and slightly shuddered from the tickling, pressing herself against her beloved. Then she laid her head on his chest, and they sat like that for about five minutes - silently, not saying anything.
"Darling, dear, dear… Selera, how good I feel! How wonderful everything turned out… Forgive me, Ned, I couldn't let you go! Never mind, I'll make a real officer out of you, you'll be a colonel! No – a general! Let everyone envy you! We'll live in the capital, we'll have a beautiful white two-story house and a garden. And also – two children. A boy and a girl. No – three! No – four! Two boys and two girls. You'll go hunting with the boys, and I'll go with the girls… By the way, why do men have such privileges?! I'll go hunting too! That's it, we'll go in a crowd!"
- Darling, do you like hunting?
"No," Ned chuckled, turning off his mental perception. "Or rather, I've never hunted."
- By the way, you've never told me about yourself! - Sanda frowned deliberately. - Who are you, where are you from? Who is your family?
"Couldn't you have asked me before you decided to marry me?" Ned chuckled.
- Why? I don't care who you are or where you're from. I'm just curious. Shouldn't I know who I'm going to spend my whole life with and who I'm going to have kids with? Don't frown - not kids right away, not right away! For your information, Zadara took me to a mage-healer, and he cast a spell against pregnancy. So I'm not as irresponsible as you think. As soon as we decide together that we need to have a child, we'll immediately lift the spell.
"And after that night… you didn't get pregnant?" Ned asked cautiously. "What's the point of the spell if…"
- No. The magician fixed everything. Such a funny guy! He kept looking at me and asking if I had been in contact with any magician these days! Had that magician taken my virginity! What got into his head? He barely left me alone.
Ned felt like he was being doused with cold water – wow! And how did the healer determine that Sanda slept with a mage? Maybe there are some ways to see traces of aura on the one he slept with? He knows nothing about magic – almost nothing. Maybe they somehow see these very traces of aura? After all, the healer in the village saw his aura right away. Maybe the local one can do it too? Most likely, he can. And why can't Ned see it? Or maybe he can, but doesn't know how to do it? Most likely, that's the case.
And again he was overcome with annoyance at his own inability and ignorance. If only he had a teacher! If only he could study properly!
- Why are you frowning? - asked Sanda. - So are you going to tell me where you came from? Or are you going to hide it from your wife?
Ned thought for a moment, then replied:
- An orphan. From the Ards. Found on the seashore. Worked as a shepherd, as a slave. Escaped. Enlisted in the army. That's it. No family.
- Poor thing! - Sanda stroked Ned's cheek. - Now you have a family! A little crazy, yes, but a family.
The girl giggled and pressed herself closer to the guy, he gently but decisively pushed her away:
- It's time for work. I'm leaving. I'll come in the evening.
Sanda nodded silently, sighed, slid off her future husband's lap and sat down on a chair. Then she followed him out onto the porch and watched him for a long time, smiling slightly, contented and calm. Everything had worked out as it should. Then she looked at Zadara's parents leaving the house and hurried to find out how what she had been dreaming about for the past few years would go - her wedding with her beloved.
* * *
The next few days passed in a blur for Ned. The wedding was not very grand by city standards, but for him, who had never seen anything else, it was simply stunning.
He sat next to his young wife, looked at her, at those around him, and seemed not to understand what was happening to him. Stormy events had captured him, carried him away, like a leaf that had fallen from a tree, carried away by a stormy rain stream. Ned seemed to be looking at himself from the outside, as if everything that was happening was not happening to him. Guests, kisses with his wife under the shouts of guests, new faces that he had to remember, and new names that he tried to remember and could not.
Then the visits to girlfriends began - Ned was introduced, shown like a new toy, and he mechanically bowed, smiled routinely, readily hugged his young wife - did everything that was required of him.
People reacted to the appearance of Sanda's new husband in different ways. Some were sincerely happy for Sanda and her young husband, others smiled outwardly, congratulated, but in their heads thoughts of envy, malice and even hatred slid, like vile poisonous snails.
And there were many of them. Which, however, did not surprise Ned. For all the time that he had been hearing people's thoughts, such duplicity was not a revelation to him. Sanda enjoyed the attention, and also the love games. They spent whole nights in each other's arms, and the girl was inexhaustible in bedtime stories. When Ned once asked her how she knew all these things, Sanda answered that a woman in bed should be a whore, even if outwardly she is a strict and respectable matron. This was told to her by Zadara, who slipped Sanda books about THIS, saying that every woman should be able to please her man, otherwise he will actively look to the side. However, she added, he will still look to the side, but at least this way he will come back, having compared and come to one and only conclusion - his wife is the best.
This is how Ned's new life went: Sanda's loving embraces at night, service during the day, and after that a mix of training (he didn't give up sword training) and visits to Sanda's relatives, lessons from Zadara – she taught them both good manners – reading books and much, much more… There was a catastrophic lack of time.
Ned was given two days off for the wedding; the colonel himself offered to provide time off after learning about what had happened.
Sanda's parents paid for the wedding feast. They also brought a whole cartload of dowry to Zadara's house, where the newlyweds lived - sheets, blankets and a bunch of other little things the newlyweds needed.
Sanda's mother burst into tears and said that she had been preparing for her daughter's marriage for many years. And that she wished only happiness for the young couple. Alas, she understood happiness in her own way. And this happiness consisted in the fact that when Ned went to war, he would be killed there, and then Sanda would be free again. Of course, she was no longer a virgin, but there would still be someone who would want to take her as a wife. With such beauty, there was no doubt about it.
Ned listened to his "mother's" thoughts and frowned - he personally was not going to part with his life to please this worthy woman.
Sanda's father was sincerely happy with his daughter's choice - he liked Ned, who looked like him in his youth. At the wedding, the father got drunk and spent a long time declaring his love for his son-in-law, glancing sideways at his angry wife and winking at his beloved daughter. There was no evil in him, and, as often happens, he went through life at the behest of his energetic wife, sincerely loving her, although often not approving of what she did. But love is love, people forgive their loved ones for what they would never forgive anyone for anything, even if he were the most wonderful person in the world.
Sanda... here everything was more complicated. The girl was not evil, bad or mean. Like a child who wanted a toy, she did everything to get it. Smart, calculating, with all her crazy and eccentricity, Sanda clearly understood what she wanted. And she wanted Ned. And also - to become an adult. As soon as possible and at any cost. To fly away from home, to lead an independent life, her own house, to sleep with a man, to catch envious glances of friends and disappointed - of acquaintances. She got all this. And enjoyed it.
Ned sometimes thought about their future together and understood that if everything continued as it was, then their family would suffer the same fate as Sanda's parents' family - a strong, self-confident, aggressive woman and a kind henpecked husband who did everything she ordered.
Ned had no intention of being a henpecked husband, so after two weeks of living together with Sanda, he said that he was the boss of the house and would do as he saw fit. And if he didn't want to go to Sanda's cousin's, then he wouldn't go. If he didn't want to come to Sanda's mother's Sunday dinner, then he wouldn't set foot there.
Sanda wasn't offended, she smiled slyly, and thought to herself : "It's okay! Papka rebelled at first, too. And then he calmed down. Without women, you men are nothing, but with us, you are everything! I'll still bring you out into the world!"
Ned almost revealed his powers, barely restraining himself from responding to his wife's unspoken thoughts. Ned did not like those thoughts at all.
Everything went well at work. His company was no worse than the others, there were no particular complaints about the soldiers, and they soon got used to the fact that they were commanded by a former colleague. Ned did not fraternize with his subordinates, but he did not allow himself to be arrogant, unlike his immediate commander, Lieutenant Shusard. He showed with his whole appearance what kind of cattle he commanded and that this cattle was not worth his fingernail.
Ned spoke to Drancon about Shusard, and he shrugged and said:
- You're still young. They don't elect commanders. Wait, you'll get to war, then it will be clear who's who. And here - what do you care about him? So what if he doesn't like us, you rootless scum? What can he do? Take away your salary? Punish you without reason? Don't give him a reason, that's all. And so - let him walk around and make faces. Screw him. Most likely, he'll soon run off to some cushy job at headquarters, and that will be the end of it. Forget about him. Prepare the soldiers - your survival in the war depends on them. Soon, soon we'll be on the road... I have a bad feeling. I hope this local conflict doesn't escalate into a full-scale war. That's where things are heading. I heard that Isfir's army has advanced another eighty li into our territory? That's it. So expect a commission soon - and off we go, to the front. I have a feeling we'll be missing a lot of people. They've announced a recruitment drive again - to replace you. That's how it is, brother Ned...
And Ned calmed down. To hell with him, with this lieutenant. He'll die himself. Or an enemy bolt will shoot his head off. Why get on his nerves?
And the commission that Drancon spoke about did not take long to appear...
* * *
– Gentlemen officers! A commission from the capital has arrived. Tomorrow there will be a general corps review! After the review, there will be competitions. Watch out, if they find any violations, I will drink your blood! Check your equipment, check your weapons – so that there is not a single spot! Sharpen your weapons, oil them, make sure your chain mail shines! Is there sand in the boxes for cleaning your chain mail? Check! The review will begin at ten in the morning, and at noon there will be competitions in honor of the high commission. Running, wrestling, hand-to-hand combat, crossbow shooting. Sword fighting – among officers for the prize of the corps champion. Sign up – which of you, officers, will compete among the swordsmen. By the way, please do not evade, we must receive the commission at the highest level, show your combat skills! Any questions?
- Colonel! - one of the captains stood up, a forty-year-old veteran with a crippled left ear, of which only half remained. - Maybe we will show our skills on the battlefield? Why should we jump around like comedians in front of the commission? For nothing...
- That's right, - one of the majors supported him, as far as Ned knew, the commander of the crossbow battalion. - Every time it's the same! They'll get drunk and watch us gallop around for them! Let them go... They won't send us further than the front anyway!
"They won't send you, " Heverad thought angrily. " And the fact that they might cut the corps's funding and start digging – does that concern you? Of course it doesn't. But it certainly does concern me. Why don't you shut your stupid mouths?! As if I enjoy appeasing the commission! I'm the one who's forced to buy them a bunch of whores, fill their throats with wine and put on a show! And your job is to at least shake your asses a little!"
- So, gentlemen, - Colonel Heverad said coldly, not betraying the rage that raged in his soul. - My order: there must be at least ten officers at the swordsmanship competitions. And at least ten soldiers and officers for each type of competition. If you don't find them, you will be subject to penalties with an entry in your personal file plus monetary deductions in the amount of a month's salary! And I'll start with the regimental commanders, and they will already be screwing the battalion commanders! So that in two hours the lists of those who will take part in the competitions will be lying in the office! Do you all understand?! Or should I repeat it again? I can see from your faces that you understand. Now I'll sweeten the deal for you. Everyone who wins the competition will receive a prize. The officer who wins the swordsmanship competition – three hundred gold pieces. A soldier or officer who wins a competition in hand-to-hand combat, running, wrestling or shooting gets one hundred gold pieces. That's a lot of money, gentlemen. So don't make such sour faces as if you were snatched from your mistress in the middle of the night and forced to march with your bare bottom!
"Well, it sounds better with prizes," the captain of the swordsmen grinned.
- Of course! You will receive this prize! As usual! - the captain of the crossbowmen, a thin, tall man with the rough face of a driver, shouted sarcastically.
- So what if you get it for shooting? - the swordsman retorted. - What's wrong with that? Especially since it's not a given that I'll get it. We've got some young guys coming up - Black in a duel, remember how he fought? And his commander, Lieutenant Shusard, is the "silver sword" of the officer school. Don't hide your abilities, gentlemen, no need - here are the first two participants in the competition. So it's still unknown who will win.
"Ned fought with a spear. No one would let him use a spear in a competition," the crossbowman retorted. "Besides, why is it that crossbowmen get a hundred gold pieces and swordsmen three hundred? What kind of humiliation is this for archers?"
- Because even a market trader can use a crossbow, - the swordsman grinned. - Point it at the target, press the trigger - bam! And miss... He-he... But people learn the art of wielding a sword for years. You need to have an inclination for it, among other things. So it is quite natural that swordsmen will get more. That's it. So, gentlemen, let's look for craftsmen, and well... let's prepare our pockets for gold!
- That's great, - Heverad intervened, watching the squabble with a smile. "As always happens, money decided everything. A good prize always acts like a bundle of hay in front of a donkey's muzzle, makes it run forward." - Gentlemen! On the day of the competition, the gates will be open to all who wish to support their husbands, fathers or children. In addition, there will be a tent selling beer, pies, and we will set up tables and benches for spectators! You can invite whoever you want! Admission is free!
- Half the city will come then! - Major Sert shouted sullenly. - And how can I ensure safety in this case? For some it's a holiday, and for others it's just a weekday as always!
- That's always the case, Major Sert! - Heverad grinned. - And if you're not happy with the position of Chief of Security, you can always apply for a transfer, and I'll be happy to make you commander of a spear battalion. You'll be given the opportunity to meet the enemy head-on on the battlefield! What, you don't want to? Then serve and don't make that face. Everyone has their own service. Everyone, gentlemen, disperse! We're getting ready for the review and the competition! Colonels, I'll hold you accountable!
The officers' meeting was slowly dispersing from the headquarters hall, cheerfully discussing tomorrow's event. Sergeant Drancon was gloomy and unhappy. Noticing Ned's glance, he whispered quietly:
- A sure sign that war is coming soon. The commission came for a reason.
"And why is there suddenly this holiday? Competitions?" Ned shrugged his shoulders in bewilderment.
- It's a common thing. We have to entertain the general and his crowd of hangers-on. The corps's funding and attitude toward the commander depend on what kind of report they write. They come about once every six months. They get drunk, get drunk, have sex with women - and then go back to the capital... until next time. So the colonel tries. It's disgusting, of course, but what can you do? It always has been and will be. From time to time, scandals arise with the lazy people accompanying the general. They go crazy when they come to our city. They get drunk, they fight. And then we are surprised that the townspeople have such a bad opinion of the military. You tell me... pick someone for the competition. By the way, here's a reason to knock Shusard down a peg or two. Did you hear what Captain Eston said? You know, the captain of swordsmen? Shusard is the "silver sword" of the officer academy. This means that he is the second best swordsman in the officer school. Will you participate? The prize is excellent, the colonel did not skimp. However, the prize for hand-to-hand combat is also very good. But according to the rules, you can only participate in one competition. So, how about it?
"Hmm... I'd like to try my hand at a sword fight," Ned admitted. "I've been training all this time, so I think I have a chance. Will it be a fight with sharp swords?"
- Are you nuts? - Drancon chuckled. - This way we'll be left without officers! There are heaps of dull training swords in the warehouse, why do we need combat ones? So, swords are... interesting. And how do you rate your chances? Should I bet on you?
- I don't know... I haven't seen Shusard or Eston fence. As far as I understand, this Eston is a local celebrity, an eternal winner?
- Exactly. He always wins. What a swordsman. Animal strength, incredible speed, endurance like a mule, and multiply all this by the ruthlessness of a wild animal. That's how you get Eston. He's a good guy, reliable, he'll always cover your back. But it's better not to stand against him - he'll trample you like a bug. Have you seen how long his arms are? They reach far. A real swordsman. Think before you go into a sword fight. Maybe hand-to-hand combat would be better? A hundred gold pieces is great money! And loyal, you'll knock anyone down here in hand-to-hand combat like a child. Or maybe I don't understand people. By the way, did you notice that Eston mentioned you? Do you know why?
- Why?
- He wants you to go against him. After that duel, he said he would have won this fight against you. That you weren't that good. You were just lucky. You went against a fool. But if it had been him... They even made a bet with Captain Gears that he would win against you. For fifty gold pieces. That's how it was.
- Why was he against the competitions then? I can't understand anything. He stood up and started speaking, saying that he didn't need any competitions and all that. Why?
- He squeezed money out of the colonel, - Drancon grinned, - and once he squeezed it out, he kind of gave in. It's all played out. Eston loves such performances. Especially since he always wins. Okay. Will you invite anyone to the competition? Your wife?
- I'll ask. I'll invite - maybe it'll work. And can I invite anyone else? Or just close relatives?
- Who else did you want to invite? Well, everyone is free to invite whoever they want. If, of course, it corresponds to the status of the corps. Slaves, for example, are prohibited from entering the base territory. Or some poor slobs from the street. Ragamuffins.
– I want to invite the owner of the house I'm renting, Zadara Ivarron.
– Ivarron? Oh! Of course! What are you saying… Colonel Ivarron is a legendary figure. He served in the corps for a long time, commanded one of the regiments. He was a desperate swordsman. And his wife… she was a beauty, the likes of which are rare. I thought she was already dead. There were several duels because of her, five were killed. The colonel did not like it when people showed her signs of attention… too persistently. She knew how to turn heads. I was still a youth when I saw her for the first time. Zadara was no longer young then… wait… how old was she then? Ugh! Only over forty… And I thought she was some kind of middle-aged matron. But now I understand: a woman is simply the death of men. Even at forty, she was a real beauty. It would be interesting to see her. The colonel died by accident. Or maybe not by accident… They said that it was not so simple. It seems that someone took revenge for an officer killed in a duel who had flirted with his wife. Rumor had it that Zadara was not always very strict in her rules… However, the colonel also allowed himself to relax. More than one of his illegitimate offspring is running around the world.
- And how did the colonel die?
- The horse bolted and fell off a mountain path into an abyss. They say someone shot the stallion in the balls with a slingshot. The colonel was later found on the seashore. Broken. That's the story. Beautiful women are the cause of all evil! However, ugly ones are the cause of all evil. Women are the cause of all evil. How did you manage to get married?
"They've got me hooked," Ned chuckled. "I didn't even realize it, bam - and I'm married. And it all started with one innocent kiss."
- Exactly! First kisses, and then you wake up - bam! And you're already in their net. Married! No-o... better an honest whore - give her money, the girl does her job, and go home. No worries, no troubles for you... unless, of course, you pick up something. - Drankon laughed sharply, surprising those around him. Seeing Drankon laughing was as surprising as seeing... Ned laughing. Both sergeants agreed on that.
- Enroll me in the sword competition, okay? And for hand-to-hand combat... I have a man. I'll go check the company's equipment, appoint those who will participate in the competition. And I'll be going home soon, I don't want to linger here any longer.
- Are you in a hurry to see your young wife? - Drancon grinned. - Well, well, well... For now, I suppose you like it. Every day in bed, kisses... And then it will start... he will nag about money, no matter what. Well, yes, I was married. And nothing good came of it. I'd rather sit in my room in the barracks. To hell with them, this womanly thing. Okay, I'll declare you a swordsman, but... watch out, you're taking a risk. Anyway, it's your business.
* * *
- Ned, don't sip so loudly - it's not nice! See how Sanda carefully takes small sips? Don't frown - you're already making progress. By the way, I expected you to be much more of a country bumpkin. But you're quite at the level of city boys. Only ill-mannered. No, don't wipe your mouth with a napkin! You have to blot your mouth! Like this, neatly... Knife in your right hand, fork in your left. By the way, it's different in different countries, oddly enough. Here - cut off a piece, put it in your mouth. And in malicious Isfir - cut the whole piece of meat into small pieces, put the fork in your right hand and swallow them however you want. An ill-mannered people.
- Aunt Zadara! Tomorrow there will be a review and competition. Would you like to visit the base? Sanda will go. And I will compete in sword fights.
- The base... I haven't been there for a long time... - the woman smiled sadly. - Since my husband died, I haven't been to the base since. Of course, I'll go. Can I take my girls with me?
"Well… they…" Ned began, embarrassed.
- Slaves? - Zadara interrupted. - No. They don't even have a slave earring, as you can see. I let them go long ago. I know about the stupid ban on slaves visiting the base. By the way, I don't know who came up with it and why. What nonsense. Should we take the girls?
"Let them go," Ned shrugged, "it will be more fun. I never asked you… Tell me, how did your husband die?"
- What, have they told you enough already? - Zadara smirked, looking shrewdly into Ned's eyes. - And that I'm a whore, right? And that my husband was a seasoned duelist, killing people in duels by the dozen? Right? Have they told you enough?
"Well… not like that, of course… but… they told me," Ned said, embarrassed.
- So, it's all true! - Zadara suddenly declared and, looking at the dumbfounded Ned, burst into cheerful laughter. - Oh, come on, I'm kidding. So, I had some flirtations - nothing more. It's just that I was such a beauty that many men were crazy about me. And my husband was jealous, hot - a real man! Both in bed and in battle! Uh-h-h! Fire! That's why I forgave him all his pranks. It seems that they brought him to his death. He seduced a beauty, most likely married, they were afraid to touch him openly, so they killed him on the sly. Yes, yes, they killed ... I know it. Who killed? How should I know. We were out for a walk, riding horses. A mountain path above the sea. I fell a little behind, but I heard his horse neigh and bolt. And I saw a lead ball lying around – either from a slingshot or a slingshot. Then they looked for the ball – they didn't find it. Someone picked it up. That's how it all ended. I raised the children myself. But let's not talk about sad things. Better about tomorrow – what will happen there?
– Competitions, festivities, guests, tables and sales of drinks, pies and buns. It should be fun.
- Oh, Heverad! I recognize him! - Zadara smiled. - He always knew how to profit from everything. I'll bet a hundred gold pieces to a copper that all the tents will belong to his traders, and the colonel will take a bribe from each one. What difference does it make to us? The main thing is that it is comfortable and fun. Well, you have your supper, and I'll go tell the girls - let them get ready for tomorrow.
Zadara quickly jumped up from her seat, disappearing into the depths of the house, and Ned and Sanda exchanged glances, smiling and winking at each other.
"And our hostess had a good time at the time," Sanda chuckled.
"I hope you don't follow her example," Ned raised his eyebrows. "When I return from the war and find out something bad about you, I'll kill you!"
- Hmm... yes, maybe you will, - Sanda looked appraisingly, narrowing her eyes slyly. - I don't need anyone but you. They're all fools and freaks. You yourself there, at war, especially... don't be naughty. No, I understand, buying a whore is a soldier's business, but... try not to abuse it, okay? And choose cleaner girls. The last thing you need is to bring an infection into the house.
"I wasn't really planning on going to the whores," Ned said, confused. "What makes you think that?"
- All of you men are like that. Okay, don't be angry. I just told you in advance so you'd understand – I'm not stupid. Are you full? Maybe I should add some more? Try this salad – our family dish. Mom brought it from somewhere in the capital. By the way, it contains an herb that increases men's abilities in bed… You're going on a hike soon, so I want to take everything I can from you. When else will we see each other… - Sanda sighed sadly, then her eyes sparkled: - Well, shall we go home? I heated up some water there… we'll take a swim now… together. Then we'll climb into bed… I hope you're not going to read your stupid scrolls before going to bed? By the way, how do you manage to read them? What kind of language is that? How did you learn it? What's written there, in those scrolls?
"Just ancient scrolls," Ned tried to wriggle out of it, "written about different things: about magic, about demons - as the ancients understood them. I like them. You won't be interested."
- You didn't say how you know the ancient runic language? - Sanda narrowed her eyes. - Secrets from your wife again? What are you hiding?
- Me? Hide? I think I'm as open as this plate! And just as simple!
- You are not simple at all, my dear, - sighed Sanda. - Okay, if you don't want to, don't answer. Let's go home. Auntie Zadara! Let Asana pack us some salads to take with us, okay? We'll have something to eat in the evening.
- He'll bring it now! Go, children, go! - Zadara responded from somewhere in the depths of the house, where she was talking to her hangers-on. - You're young, you need to strengthen your strength, yes! A man needs to be fed, otherwise he'll run himself ragged like a skinny stallion!
Sanda smiled and stood up from the table. Ned jumped up, politely pushed his wife's chair back, as Zadara had taught him, and, taking Sandra by the arm, walked importantly to the exit. Then he couldn't resist, smiled, picked up the girl in his arms and ran with her to the exit, looking into her shining, loving eyes.