Ash-colored Despair (23)
Longboat looked for a moment at the ruby, blazing like fire, then walked up to the merchant and paid.
Talia looked down at the brooch in her hand with a feeling of annoyance.
- Anything else? - Barkas asked in an indifferent tone.
Why do his simple words seem so... probing?
She forced her gaze away from the moonstone.
- No need. Everything else is so-so.
At her indifferent answer, the merchant’s face barely noticeably wrinkled.
Pretending not to notice, Talia turned to leave. Longboat immediately came up and hugged her around the waist to support her. From weakness she staggered every now and then.
A familiar, no longer alien touch. She calmly allowed him to pick her up and left the shop.
Outside, their vassals, including Daren Dru Siekana, were already waiting for them. One of them stepped forward with a serious look and reported:
— The market inspection is completed. Supplies are stable, the main goods are in circulation. However, there have been quite a few complaints about the unstable situation.
The longboat, passing along the noticeably empty passage, turned around:
— Problems with the patrol guards?
“It’s probably not about the guards, my lord.” It's just that robbers have become more active lately. Attacks on traders have become more frequent.
A slight crease appeared on Barkas’s forehead. The vassal added cautiously:
“Lord Dorkaen has requested an audience to discuss this matter.” What should we do?
- …Fine. First, I'll talk to him.
Stroking his chin, Barkas nodded.
Thalia, watching him furtively, suddenly turned around. The image of the stone she left behind flashed before her eyes.
So what? The moonstone is nonsense, you can do without it, Thalia tried to convince herself, but the feeling of regret did not go away. When they left the trading house and headed towards the carriage, she was overcome by a strange anxiety.
What if she never sees a stone with such radiance again?
Once in the carriage, Thalia stared irritably at the ruby and looked out the window.
The longboat was conferring with his vassals about something, probably giving orders to the knights. Talia did not hesitate and immediately reached into the storage compartment.
After going through Longboat's things, she finally found a leather bag with gold coins. She quickly tucked it into the folds of her dress and carefully walked out.
The soldiers were busy packing wedding gifts from the local nobility into the carriage. Taking advantage of the commotion, Thalia crossed the road and entered the shopping arcade again. Many shops were already closing, traders were collecting goods.
She pulled her hood tighter and began to make her way through the crowd. The leg ached from tension, the pain went into the pelvis, but Talia did not pay attention.
When she reached the jewelry store, she quickly walked up to the counter.
The same stone, similar to the eyes of Longboat, still lay on the crimson pillow, shimmering softly. She picked it up, looked at it for a long time and finally turned to the seller.
— I'm buying this stone.
The man looked at her in surprise, but almost immediately his face bloomed with a smile.
“You have delicate taste, my lady.” This moonstone is a rarity: amazing shine, unique pattern. Usually they give him at least thirty-five soldems, but for the duchess - thirty.
Talia listened with half an ear, opening the leather pouch.
And then a mocking voice came from behind:
- You're just a fraud. Is a moonstone worth thirty gold pieces?
She turned around and was surprised to recognize Lucas Raedgo Siekana. He stared mockingly at the stone in her hand.
- Yes, it’s not even worth five coins.
- This... what kind of nonsense are you talking about?! — the merchant rose up, almost screaming with indignation. - This is a rare stone, look at the play of light! Patterns like this are truly rare!
- Still not thirty soldems.
- This is more than a fair price! If you put it up for auction, it will go for even more!..
Thalia interrupted the merchant, who was burning with indignation; she silently poured coins onto the counter.
With a loud ringing, gold coins minted by the imperial mint fell onto the velvet. At first glance it was clear that there were clearly more than thirty of them.
She put the stone in her pocket and nodded her chin arrogantly:
- Too lazy to count. Figure it out yourself.
Turning around, she left the shop and saw three or four horsemen at the entrance. It looked like they had come quickly to get her.
After looking at them appraisingly for a moment, Thalia raised her chin high and walked past. But she didn’t have time to go far, Lucas caught up with her.
- Hey, if you act like that without permission...!
- Hey?
She shot a fierce look at him, and the young man immediately lowered his eyes. The Consequences of Diligent Parenting in the Last Days.
Containing his irritation, he corrected himself:
“I wanted to say, you can’t leave like that without guards, daughter-in-law.”
“I was going to come back right away.”
- But you must warn. What if something happens?..
Talia abruptly threw his hand off her shoulder.
“I am not a prisoner of the Siekan house.” You don't have to account for every step.
- That's not what I meant at all! If suddenly something happens...
Not listening to his reproaches, Thalia headed towards the square.
Meanwhile, the knights had already saddled their horses and were waiting to leave. Thalia hurried to the carriage, and at that moment Longboat, who was talking nearby with some nobleman, cast a cold glance at her.
Thalia swallowed nervously. Is he angry that she left without warning?
While she was tensely wondering, Barkas sighed and briefly nodded his chin:
- Sit down. I'll go on horseback.
Then he walked towards the knights. Talia sighed with relief and climbed into the carriage.
A few minutes later the carriage set off along the main street.
Talia took the stone out of her bosom. The light blue mineral glowed dimly in the twilight.
Like a person holding a jewel for the first time in her life, she looked at it for a long time, then hid it back and turned her gaze to the window.
A few hours ago the sky was clear, but now it is covered with lead-gray clouds. The smell of rain crept into the cold, no longer summer air.
As she had expected, when the carriage left the city walls, the gloomy clouds began to drizzle.
Thalia pressed her cheek against the cold glass and peered ahead.
On a hill, hidden in a shroud of rain, stood a rough-looking castle - it was probably Dorkaen.
- Thank you for your visit!
When they arrived at the gate, a man in a brown bear cape ran out of the castle. He was a middle-aged man with a thick black beard.
He respectfully bowed to Longboat, who was riding ahead:
“This is the first time I have the honor, Your Grace.” I am Uzan Darken, the manager of this region.
Longboat jumped off his horse and nodded indifferently:
- Longboat Raedgo Siekan.
Looking at the new gentleman with curiosity, Uzan smiled softly:
- You've come a long way. Please come in. We have prepared a magnificent feast for you.
- Thank you for your concern.
After exchanging politeness, Longboat handed the reins to the servant and headed towards Thalia.
The girl stood in the drizzling rain, cowering. The longboat opened the tails of his cloak and covered her head with them from the rain.
Uzan watched this with keen interest, and then addressed her with respect:
“This beautiful lady must be the duchess.” Pleased to meet you, Your Highness. Please just call me Uzan.
Thalia just bowed her head slightly in response.
A little embarrassed, he quickly changed his tone to a more welcoming one:
— It is a great honor for us to receive you! I promise I will do everything to make you feel comfortable.
- Leave the ceremony. Show me to your chambers. You're not going to leave us in the rain, are you?
Her harsh tone made him hurry up the steps.
- Oh, sorry! Please come here!
They entered a huge stone building. The smell of burning wood and wax candles filled my nose.
Talia, clinging to Longboat's side, cautiously examined the gloomy castle.
It appears to have been built during the Age of Kingdoms. Inside there was darkness, dampness and a heavy spirit of desolation.
- You can stop here.
Uzan led them to the bedroom on the second floor - quite cozy and equipped.