Yuri Ivanovich series irresponsible sorcerer read online. Yuri Ivanovich - insane sorcerer

Yuri Ivanovich

Irresponsible sorcerer

Once upon a time, a thousand years ago ...

The keeper of the Sorphite race felt bad. And he could not understand: either from old age, or from the icy, piercing wind. From which even a warm, woolen mantle, covering the body to almost half, could not save. Sorfit absent-mindedly listened to the tongue-twister of his Tag race counterpart and mentally wondered: why isn’t it so cold? Although the miniature Keeper was dressed, it was much better and more compact: a jacket with fur lining, thick pants and bulky boots with rubber soles. Here, however, his puny little body shook the wind from side to side. But Tagi did not pay attention to the weather, only occasionally crouching with a particularly strong gust of icy wind and often clutching his hat trying to fly away. Sorfit wondered once more why his body was becoming so cold. So big and fat! Maybe the fat pad has become thinner in the last year? I do not think so…

Tagi, meanwhile, continued an endless debate.

“... Therefore, I will categorically insist that the Magic Tune be carried out at the age of twenty!” And as soon as summer comes, I will call Concehal El Mitolanov! I will demand the cancellation of the Settings at the age of ten. Too early! Children grow up irresponsible, unfit! Let them fight for the right to become elected at a more mature age! Then the losers will bring tangible benefits to society through their perseverance. Four years is enough for elementary, theoretical education.

- It is unlikely that Concehal will abolish centuries-old traditions! - Sorfit tiredly noticed. “But you, of course, have the right to try ...”

“Why only me ?!” If you support me, half the victory will be guaranteed! After all, once you were a passive supporter of this reform.

- Oh ho ho! When it was! - The Guardian's huge body shook with laughter and immediately shuddered from the cold without transition. “Listen, don't you think this winter is especially cold?”

- This one? - The little tagi looked perplexedly at the mountains that densely surrounded an almost perfectly round, huge clearing. - Not at all! The same winter as always. Look, there’s even less snow than usual!

“Why am I freezing?” - Sorfit raised his head higher. - And some kind of ice in the brain makes it difficult to think ...

- It’s hot to him! .. And you didn’t feel my concern and friendly participation! But I definitely warmed up. You can wait ... Although, it seems to me, they are already coming!

At the same time, from under the snow on the edge of the clearing emerged the head of a sorphite, covered with a brilliant helmet. Behind his head appeared six dexterous forelimbs, throwing snow. And behind them is the entire long body of a warrior hung with armor. Ignoring the Guardians, he deftly rolled away and stood in a fighting stance. Following him, another dozen large and trained fighters jumped out of the hole. They scattered around the perimeter of the meadow and took a defensive position. Little tag warriors immediately began to appear. Each with a magic crossbow loaded with throwing needles that carry deadly poison on their tips for any enemy with hot or cold blood. And only when the little arrows took all strategically advantageous positions, several sorfites and tags of advanced age appeared in the robes of El Mitolanov from the underground passage. Each in turn approached the Guardians and greeted warmly, exchanging a few phrases.

- Greetings to you from all of Concehal! ..

- We dream to see him in full force very soon! ..

“Some of the goodies gave you here ...”

- It’s good that at least we ourselves arrived, otherwise we started to freeze from the cold ...

- Such as you, will freeze! Here are the tags sorry ...

- Yes, at least he’s gotten drunk like rattles! ..

“And why so long? ..”

- I had to disassemble the blockage on the road ...

- Ready to host youth? ..

“We are only preparing for this all year! ..”

- This year is unusual: by decision of Consekhal, it was decided to double the number of initiators. Therefore, two hundred children were selected for Settings. It is necessary to make up for the losses last year ...

- Clear. Then take the children out! Are they even warmly dressed?

- You should not worry! It’s not at all cold!

- And you?! It’s strange, why does it freeze me like that?

- Follow the Sphere! - urged his colleague the Guardian-tagi. - Let's start faster, faster you’ll find yourself on my massage table!

The guests laughed at the Old Guardians, but conducted them with respectful bows of their heads. And then they rushed to the children who got out of the underground passage. Although they were exhausted by a long and difficult journey, the snow-covered glade caused them a whole firework of fun and joy. El Mitolans did not have time to build them into organized columns in front of the central elevation of the meadow. Children threw themselves at each other with snowballs, pushed, struggled with a squeal and joyful cries. Small tags jumped on the neck of powerful sorphites and, colliding in oncoming courses, fell into the snow. It became scary from such games and it seemed that at least one tagi, but their heavy bodies would be crushed by many times large comrades of the Sorfites.

But ten minutes later, when the Guardians came out with their precious burden from their cave, the children nevertheless gathered in something resembling a disorient square around the elevation. There were no injuries. Laughter and negotiations quickly subsided, the faces of the children became more and more serious and befitting the moment. Now what every child in the Sorfite Valleys dreams of will come to pass. A Great Miracle will happen, changing their whole life. A magical Sphere will be assigned to children's heads, and it will Configure their organisms to magically perceive the secrets of the universe. And when they turn twenty-four years old, a surge will occur, and they will be able to become full-fledged and great El Mitolans.

The guardians majestically rose to a height in the center of the meadow, and the sorphite nodded to his colleague to make a speech. And he himself was once again surprised at the cold pestering him. "What happened with me? I only had this before the battle with the dragon army in my youth. Then the creatures attacked suddenly - and my inner voice warned coldly. Maybe now? .. ”The eyes of the sorphite quickly glazed from a magical trance, and the mind soared mentally with penetrating vision over the rocks, an impenetrable wall surrounding the sacred clearing. Nobody! Only black stones, twisted trunks of stunted pine trees and white snowdrifts between them. “Maybe the dragons went around the wall of the spell?” - Without opening his eyes, he carefully examined the entire visible sky to the horizon. - Also nobody! So, I'm freezing from old age! ”His eyes cleared and stopped at the top of one of the surrounding rocks - and there he froze. The pathos of the Tagi Guardian came to the ears:

- Our state is the only one by the strength of its incredible friendship between two intelligent nations! Kill anyone who dares to sow enmity between tagi and sorfites! Our unity is forever! And so be it at all times !!!

Tagi cried out the last word of the solemn speech and looked in surprise at his frozen colleague. Then hissed in an undertone:

“So will you stand with a stone or will you give me a Sphere for overlapping?”

“Oh yes, of course, I'm sorry ...” Sorfit blinked and was about to transfer the carefully maintained Sphere to the little hands of his colleague. But then his gaze, alarmed again, darted to the top of the cliff. Sorfit thought she was flinching. And for sure, the rock leaned more and more, threatening to collapse down into the clearing. Straining his eyesight, the sorphite discerned the ugly cylinders swarming around the top.

- Anxiety! - His throat suddenly exhaled with all his might. - Kolaba! We are surrounded by kolaba!

In complete silence, these hoarse cries sounded like a black omen. But they were immediately drowned out by the roar of crumbling rocks ...

A terrible storm broke out. Clouds of dust, sand and even small stones rushed through the air, trying to simultaneously deprive both hearing and vision. This is in addition to the fact that it became impossible to breathe under a multilayer linen bandage, which Cremon hastily put on his mouth and nose at the first gusts of wind. And what seemed strange from the very beginning was the incredibly intensified heat. As if a tornado had rushed from the very center of the Enchanted Desert. Sweat streams disgusted down the back, and the fabric of the clothes began to create a nasty greenhouse effect.

“All that is missing is thunder and lightning and rain!” Cremon thought irritably. He bent his face to the ground itself and almost on all fours frantically tried to find at least some more or less suitable shelter. “If this happens, I will be one hundred percent sure of the unnatural background of this storm from nowhere!”

Current page: 1 (total of 82 pages in the book) [available passage for reading: 46 pages]

Yuri Ivanovich
Insane sorcerer. Dilogy.

Book 1. The Insane Sorcerer

Prologue

Once upon a time, a thousand years ago ...

The keeper of the Sorphite race felt bad. And he could not understand: either from old age, or from the icy, piercing wind. From which even a warm, woolen mantle, covering the body to almost half, could not save. Sorfit absent-mindedly listened to the tongue-twister of his Tag race counterpart and mentally wondered: why isn’t it so cold? Although the miniature Keeper was dressed, it was much better and more compact: a jacket with fur lining, thick pants and bulky boots with rubber soles. Here, however, his puny little body shook the wind from side to side. But Tagi did not pay attention to the weather, only occasionally crouching with a particularly strong gust of icy wind and often clutching his hat trying to fly away. Sorfit wondered once more why his body was becoming so cold. So big and fat! Maybe the fat pad has become thinner in the last year? I do not think so…

Tagi, meanwhile, continued an endless debate.

“... Therefore, I will categorically insist that the Magic Tune be carried out at the age of twenty!” And as soon as summer comes, I will call Concehal El Mitolanov! I will demand the cancellation of the Settings at the age of ten. Too early! Children grow up irresponsible, unfit! Let them fight for the right to become elected at a more mature age! Then the losers will bring tangible benefits to society through their perseverance. Four years is enough for elementary, theoretical education.

- It is unlikely that Concehal will abolish centuries-old traditions! - Sorfit tiredly noticed. “But you, of course, have the right to try ...”

“Why only me ?!” If you support me, half the victory will be guaranteed! After all, once you were a passive supporter of this reform.

- Oh ho ho! When it was! - The Guardian's huge body shook with laughter and immediately shuddered from the cold without transition. “Listen, don't you think this winter is especially cold?”

- This one? - The little tagi looked perplexedly at the mountains that densely surrounded an almost perfectly round, huge clearing. - Not at all! The same winter as always. Look, there’s even less snow than usual!

“Why am I freezing?” - Sorfit raised his head higher. - And some kind of ice in the brain makes it difficult to think ...

- It’s hot to him! .. And you didn’t feel my concern and friendly participation! But I definitely warmed up. You can wait ... Although, it seems to me, they are already coming!

At the same time, from under the snow on the edge of the clearing emerged the head of a sorphite, covered with a brilliant helmet. Behind his head appeared six dexterous forelimbs, throwing snow. And behind them is the entire long body of a warrior hung with armor. Ignoring the Guardians, he deftly rolled away and stood in a fighting stance. Following him, another dozen large and trained fighters jumped out of the hole. They scattered around the perimeter of the meadow and took a defensive position. Little tag warriors immediately began to appear. Each with a magic crossbow loaded with throwing needles that carry deadly poison on their tips for any enemy with hot or cold blood. And only when the little arrows took all strategically advantageous positions, several sorfites and tags of advanced age appeared in the robes of El Mitolanov from the underground passage. Each in turn approached the Guardians and greeted warmly, exchanging a few phrases.

- Greetings to you from all of Concehal! ..

- We dream to see him in full force very soon! ..

“Some of the goodies gave you here ...”

- It’s good that at least we ourselves arrived, otherwise we started to freeze from the cold ...

- Such as you, will freeze! Here are the tags sorry ...

- Yes, at least he’s gotten drunk like rattles! ..

“And why so long? ..”

- I had to disassemble the blockage on the road ...

- Ready to host youth? ..

“We are only preparing for this all year! ..”

- This year is unusual: by decision of Consekhal, it was decided to double the number of initiators. Therefore, two hundred children were selected for Settings. It is necessary to make up for the losses last year ...

- Clear. Then take the children out! Are they even warmly dressed?

- You should not worry! It’s not at all cold!

- And you?! It’s strange, why does it freeze me like that?

- Follow the Sphere! - urged his colleague the Guardian-tagi. - Let's start faster, faster you’ll find yourself on my massage table!

The guests laughed at the Old Guardians, but conducted them with respectful bows of their heads. And then they rushed to the children who got out of the underground passage. Although they were exhausted by a long and difficult journey, the snow-covered glade caused them a whole firework of fun and joy. El Mitolans did not have time to build them into organized columns in front of the central elevation of the meadow. Children threw themselves at each other with snowballs, pushed, struggled with a squeal and joyful cries. Small tags jumped on the neck of powerful sorphites and, colliding in oncoming courses, fell into the snow. It became scary from such games and it seemed that at least one tagi, but their heavy bodies would be crushed by many times large comrades of the Sorfites.

But ten minutes later, when the Guardians came out with their precious burden from their cave, the children nevertheless gathered in something resembling a disorient square around the elevation. There were no injuries. Laughter and negotiations quickly subsided, the faces of the children became more and more serious and befitting the moment. Now what every child in the Sorfite Valleys dreams of will come to pass. A Great Miracle will happen, changing their whole life. A magical Sphere will be assigned to children's heads, and it will Configure their organisms to magically perceive the secrets of the universe. And when they turn twenty-four years old, a surge will occur, and they will be able to become full-fledged and great El Mitolans.

The guardians majestically rose to a height in the center of the meadow, and the sorphite nodded to his colleague to make a speech. And he himself was once again surprised at the cold pestering him. "What happened with me? I only had this before the battle with the dragon army in my youth. Then the creatures attacked suddenly - and my inner voice warned coldly. Maybe now? .. ”The eyes of the sorphite quickly glazed from a magical trance, and the mind soared mentally with penetrating vision over the rocks, an impenetrable wall surrounding the sacred clearing. Nobody! Only black stones, twisted trunks of stunted pine trees and white snowdrifts between them. “Maybe the dragons went around the wall of the spell?” - Without opening his eyes, he carefully examined the entire visible sky to the horizon. - Also nobody! So, I'm freezing from old age! ”His eyes cleared and stopped at the top of one of the surrounding rocks - and there he froze. The pathos of the Tagi Guardian came to the ears:

- Our state is the only one by the strength of its incredible friendship between two intelligent nations! Kill anyone who dares to sow enmity between tagi and sorfites! Our unity is forever! And so be it at all times !!!

Tagi cried out the last word of the solemn speech and looked in surprise at his frozen colleague. Then hissed in an undertone:

“So will you stand with a stone or will you give me a Sphere for overlapping?”

“Oh yes, of course, I'm sorry ...” Sorfit blinked and was about to transfer the carefully maintained Sphere to the little hands of his colleague. But then his gaze, alarmed again, darted to the top of the cliff. Sorfit thought she was flinching. And for sure, the rock leaned more and more, threatening to collapse down into the clearing. Straining his eyesight, the sorphite discerned the ugly cylinders swarming around the top.

- Anxiety! - His throat suddenly exhaled with all his might. - Kolaba! We are surrounded by kolaba!

In complete silence, these hoarse cries sounded like a black omen. But they were immediately drowned out by the roar of crumbling rocks ...

Chapter 1
Traveler

A terrible storm broke out. Clouds of dust, sand and even small stones rushed through the air, trying to simultaneously deprive both hearing and vision. This is in addition to the fact that it became impossible to breathe under a multilayer linen bandage, which Cremon hastily put on his mouth and nose at the first gusts of wind. And what seemed strange from the very beginning was the incredibly intensified heat. As if a tornado had rushed from the very center of the Enchanted Desert. Sweat streams disgusted down the back, and the fabric of the clothes began to create a nasty greenhouse effect.

“All that is missing is thunder and lightning and rain!” Cremon thought irritably. He bent his face to the ground itself and almost on all fours frantically tried to find at least some more or less suitable shelter. “If this happens, I will be one hundred percent sure of the unnatural background of this storm from nowhere!”

And, as if he had overheard his fears, a roll of thunder rumbled, followed by a second, but closer. A bright flash of lightning pulled out a crazy dance of spinning objects from a rapidly gathering haze, among which even several large branches flashed.

“Wow! - Cremon with rage creaked sand on his teeth. “To whom such tribulations have sent it!” And who, interestingly, has power over such forces? Oh sheytar! - He painfully hit the protruding edge of the rock, because his hands were busy scouring the surface. “It seems to have found something!” At least from the sides I will be protected. ”

Cremon hardly squeezed into the narrow crevice between the stones, dragging a rucksack dropped from his back. Then he quickly unzipped the connecting “zipper” on his luggage compartment and opened it, doubling its size. Tidied up a bit, but put the backpack over his head and rested the edges on the rocky ledges. Then he sat down with his back deep in the recess, pressed his knees close to his face and lowered the lid of his structure almost to the lower leg. Now, only the feet remained open to the raging elements. But they were protected, perhaps better than all other parts of the body. Thick leather boots with high sides on toes were riveted with steel plates. The wide, warmed tongues laced with a brilliant semi-steel tape could withstand even a decent saber strike. Not like a fraction of flying small stones. Is that a huge branch will collapse, but directly komlem, and even for your favorite callus ... But then, as luck would have it, you won’t be safe from everything. And it’s so good that he didn’t get injured when he fell into this “punishment of mother nature”. Otherwise, what was happening was hardly a punishment.

After all, half an hour ago, Cremon did not even imagine that he might be in the midst of a fierce storm. He went through the last saddle and looked around at the opening, slightly winding valley, which he was about to cross. Somewhere there, at the end of it, behind several large hills, was the village of Aghvan - the goal of his long journey. It was there that he hoped to find what he was looking for, to resolve all his doubts, questions and aspirations. The sun was shining, birds were singing, a shadow of a running hare flashed along a deserted white road. A gentle breeze blew, and to the sound of cicadas, Cremon, cheered by the proximity of the finish line, began to merrily descend into the valley. From the rush of good mood, I began to hum a frivolous song about the desire of every traveler everywhere to meet a hospitable hearth, delicious food and non-whimsical, affectionate women. He could not imagine what would happen to him in just a couple of kilometers. 1
We had to wage a real war with the reenactor of these events, until we forced him to translate all measures of weight and time into acceptable concepts for us. And then he also has a six-day week, and the hour is divided by a hundred minutes, and in the days of those hours it’s not like in all normal worlds. And who jumped how much or how fast he drove, you, dear readers, would have to calculate with a slide rule. But now you can read and not be distracted by a comparative analysis that is not needed by anyone. - Note ed.

Now I had to squeeze between the stones, like a snail in a sink, and wait for how it all ended.

Suddenly gushed out of a bucket. Dense streams of water fell on Cremona and tried to literally wash them out of the temporary shelter. The guy struggled to hold a life-saving backpack over his head. It seemed as if someone was sadistically pounding with a sledgehammer from above, while someone else wanted at the same time to raise his backpack over the rocks with a man clinging to him. Cremon, although he possessed remarkable strength, began to think: “How long will I last? Half an hour - for sure! I’ll try ... How long will this roaming element continue? Mgm! Judging by its unreality, then not for long. After all, even the greatest magicians can not do this for more than twenty minutes. So I can hold on! If ... unless it's the end of the world! ”

Chapter 2
Agwan

Visitors sitting in the hall slowly drank their drinks and warily listened to what was happening outside. Sometimes their quiet conversations were interrupted by a too strained gust of wind that shook the entire inn to the ground, or an unexpectedly loud rumble of thunder. At the same time, they frightenedly pulled their heads into their shoulders, froze, and then, renewing their bated breath, again continued their dialogue:

- Wow! Direct doomsday!

- Not in earnest, he broke up! Yes and no good.

- Or maybe just pampering?

- What more? You know, he pampers in a different way. And here it is not only angry at someone terribly!

- Here I am of the same opinion. In my lifetime I don’t remember such a storm. In, in gives! - The old man, gray-haired as a moon, but with a still powerful figure and a huge red nose on his face as if cut with an ax, raised his index finger warningly. - Togo and look, all the shutters increases. Oh! .. And now, hear? It's already raining! Just imagine what is being done in the valley!

- Maybe go out and see what is going on there? - recklessly suggested sitting next to the kid. He looked like an old man, only looked about forty years younger.

In response, the grandfather from all over the mahu drove him with his fist in the shoulder. But the guy didn’t even stagger.

- Shut your mouth, Babu! - the old man of the young drinking companion began maliciously instructing. - Teach you, teach ...

He again waved, intending to show the whole depth of his pedagogical talent, but he froze with his hand laid back. For at that moment the whole strong, timbered building of the tavern shook violently, there was a crack of a broken beam or roof, and dust and sand fell from the ceiling. One of the glasses burst, and fragments splattered with a ringing on the windowsill. Everyone froze again, covering their glasses with their palms. The first to speak to Baba:

“You, Burke, though I’m kindred, don’t give up your hands!” I have them too!

- Just try it, I'll pull it out right away! The old man grumbled lovingly.

- Who are you?! - neighing Babu. - Yes, sand is already pouring out of you! - He looked into his huge mug and, grimacing, splashed out the rest. - Hey! Master! Well, pour us your famous strongest swill! And everyone too - I treat!

The audience stirred animatedly and joyfully, holding out their mugs to the innkeeper, who, passing the visitors from two and a half liter bottles at the same time, poured each gram two hundred transparent, slightly colored lilac-colored liquids.

- And pour yourself! - continued the young kid. Then he raised his mug above his head. - Let's drink to the strongest and greatest!

The attendees nodded their heads approvingly and each adhered to his vessel. After a couple of seconds, there were hoarse grunts and hoots interspersed with interjections:

- Khe, khe! .. Yes! Strength! .. To the skatek! Sneaks! ..

Then the conversation resumed. After a few meaningless phrases, someone returned to the interrupted topic:

- I wonder who El-Mitolan is so upset against?

“If you are lucky with this or that, we will find out soon,” followed a philosophical answer.

- Or maybe the tread was simply wrong and there is nobody in the valley?

- Unlikely. Why then make such a fuss?

“Or maybe it's the Royal Horse Guards?” - Too briskly suggested the completely bald, thin middle-aged man. Huge black eyes stood out unnaturally on his face. Immediately all eyes were fixed on him. After a moment of silence, old Berke asked in a suspiciously soft voice:

- Laen, dear! Why did you need the royal guards?

“Well then ...” The bald man absentmindedly twisted an empty mug in his hands, trying to hide his regret over his previous statement. But the ears and skin on the head turned pink. - It is quite normal! After all, before they often came to us. Either patrolling or escorting tax collectors ...

- Uh! Did you miss your empty pocket? - Babu turned to the old man: - You said correctly: they are not born fools! They become!

From the laughs that rang out in the tavern, the object of unequivocal mockery cast a look at the young child full of hatred and anger. Burke noticed this and explained the thoughts of his grandson:

- We are now living much calmer and richer. For ten years we have been under the auspices and protection of the great Bread, may he live and live forever! And all this time we pay only half of what was torn off before ...

“But we are not paying the king!” - interrupted his bald cry.

- Yes, we pay El Mitolana. But according to the royal decree! And how he manages the funds received is not our business. Maybe he sends them directly to the royal treasurer ... Or he spends it with the permission of the king ... Or do you, Laen, have something against his highest orders?

“No ...” the Bald was clearly embarrassed. “But why not the guards here?” Maybe they are chasing after robbers ... Or for ...

He twisted his fingers vaguely in the air and suddenly choked on a word ready to be broken. Because all those present stared at him with unkind and heavy looks.

- M-yes! - Burke broke off a long pause. “You really are a moron!” Robbers bypass our valley on the tenth road. For the great sorcerer, a pair of trifles set around a security perimeter. And drive out all the unwanted guests from here. But I will advise him to kick someone else away. So as not to spoil the good people their modest trade! - At the same time, the gray-haired grandfather got up from the bench and hung menacingly over the table. - You are not our innocent attempts to earn money mean?

Now Laen looked scared. He listened to the almost silent storm outside the walls of the tavern and hastily set off for the exit, saying on the go:

“Well, what are you, Burke!” I myself am like everyone else. I also like to earn a couple of extra coins. Oh! I have to be at home! I completely forgot to soak the seeds for sowing! ..

The door behind him slammed loudly. At the same time, some managed to notice that only a drizzling, calming rain remained from the storm outside. And Babu shouted in a cheerful bass:

- Master! Open the blinds! Enough to languish already with the lamps.

The innkeeper rushed to fulfill the client’s request, and Burke slowly seated himself in his place and raised his hand up, calling for general attention.

- So, such things are happening here! As you can see, troubles can arise. Therefore, we must anticipate and prevent them in advance.

- But what troubles can be from this goat ?! Someone shouted. - Nobody knows anything, and it’s almost impossible to prove!

- Exactly - almost! Do you really think that the great Bread is not aware of anything? With its capabilities!

“Well ... is he like us?” Came an uncertain voice.

- "It seems!" - mimicked Burke. “Are you sure about that?” And what did you do for such confidence? Nothing! For a good attitude you should always say thank you. And not only! I have already spoken with many here, and everyone agreed. Therefore, I want to remind once again: we need to collect a small amount from each carrier and hand it to our benefactor. And we will be calmer, and he is more pleasant.

- And who does not want to unfasten the agreed amount? Such as Laen, for example?

“Well then, it's their own business!” - The gray-haired old man smiled unkindly: - After I make an offering to the great Bread, I will add a cardboard with the names of those who are too greedy. It seems to be a trifle, but it should act.

There were cheers and coughs in the tavern. Only Babu asked doubtfully:

- Grandfather, are you sure that Bread will not tear your head off at the same time?

- Of course, there is a risk! But you know, granddaughter, that it is not customary to refuse gifts. Even ... among the El Mitolans.

- That's right, Burke! - the curly-haired guy sitting at the next table supported the old man. - You were the first to start our trips, you are our elder, and you better know what to do next. Hey master! Well, go again to our circles with your famous drink! Now I treat everyone!

Chapter 3
a guest

The last raindrops were still trying to wash off the dirty stains from the clothes and rinse out the sand stuck in his hair, when Cremon's gaze finally got a view of the village. Good houses stood mostly randomly and for the most part hid among the abundant greenery of trees and shrubs. The stone buildings towered two, and sometimes even three floors, and were covered with green tiles from the famous Lodian clay that prevailed in the area. Although in some places old huts were seen, made up of thick logs, blackened from time to time, the whole view of the village spoke of the prosperity and hasty improvement of living conditions. On the outskirts, newly erected new, luxurious buildings stood out and several more were under construction. In the center of the village, on an impressive square, there were some structures whose purpose Cremon could not recognize.

Local residents did not carry building material from afar, but took it near by. Rather, from two sides. Since on the left there was no good half of the impressive hill from which they took Liodo clay. There were also huge sheds interspersed with thick pipes of kilns.

On the right, through a small space of well-groomed fields, there was a wide paved road that ran five hundred meters into chaotic rock heaps, which, like a ridge of a gigantic animal, stretched into the distance and, gently curving to the right, went to the foot of the mountains on the horizon. And in these rocky piles, several quarries in which stone was processed were gaping with neat holes.

Immediately after the settlement, almost touching the rocks, the largest and most remarkable house towered. More likely not even a house, but something similar to a castle. Although it was inferior in area to some large Aghvan buildings, it reached four floors in height. Moreover, in the corners of the building stood two slender towers, ending with swift thin spiers. On each of the spiers, a bright, large flag fluttered lazily. One purple-blue, with a white crown in the center - the official banner of the kingdom of Enormia. The second is white, divided by transverse gold and longitudinal black stripes into squares. This flag, belonging to the clan of El Mitolanov, was obliquely crossed by a broken red lightning - a distinctive sign of the sorcerer living here.

A little deep, as if in the backyard, there was a one-story, wide-spread building - something between a stable and a giant barn - very generously planted on all sides by low-growing, most likely fruit trees.

Immediately behind the castle, the valley beautifully diverged to the sides and was divided in two by an almost perfectly flat and wide road. The left half was occupied by abundantly green fields with low shrubs, and the right half was by the enchanting blue of a beautiful and calm lake. It went around rocks lonely sticking out of the water, then larger islands and was lost somewhere in the distance between the huge, steep mountains covered with dense forest.

The rain stopped completely, and because of the diverging clouds, a daylight broke out and illuminated the valley with bright light. Cremona immediately stopped and froze in admiration. And in his thoughts sounded notes of good envy: “Yes! Very nice place! And after all, how vast our kingdom is, and there are so many beautiful places in it, but this valley can be safely included in the hundred of the most beautiful. No wonder El Mitolan Khlebi chose this place for his solitude! Looks like the sorcerers are not strangers to the impulses of the suffering soul to feed the eyes of the earth their native charm!

Cremon grinned at his thoughts and attempt, as always, to put them in rhymed lines. Shook himself and briskly walked the remaining descent. On the border of the village, he briefly examined a boulder sticking out at the side of the road and read the inscription “Aghvan”, which was knocked out on a cut smooth surface. And a little lower: "Protectorate of royal El Mitolan."

The first after the boundary stone was the impressive structure of the tavern and the two-story cottages adjacent to it on both sides. In one, it was clearly possible to rent a room, and in the second, most likely, the owner himself lived with his family, and maybe assistants. The backyards were fenced by a high fence, which the traveler examined from the top of the hill.

"Well! Cremon thought. - After such a long and difficult journey, do not be greedy. The body should be fed at least occasionally. Moreover, an important meeting is ahead. And it is worthless to be declared before the eyes of El Mitolan on an empty stomach. At the same time I scout the situation. I’ll chat with the locals and find out how they relate to their patron and protector. ”

At that very moment, the tavern’s door opened and released a plain little peasant with an egg-like head outside. He immediately rushed to the village, only looking several times at the tavern, either with malice or with fright. But the starving Cremon did not pay much attention to him, restraining the painful urges from the smells of hot food in the air.

He went to a sturdy wooden door and listened first. From inside came the rumble of voices and even the cries of some sort of argument. But since no apparent noise of the fight was outlined, Cremono put on his face as friendly a smile as possible and resolutely went inside. When he appeared, all the sounds died down as if by magic, and twenty people stared at him like a ghost. Not embarrassed by such a technique, the traveler greeted loudly, went to the free table, threw off his huge backpack and put it under the table. Then he took off his jacket, hung it on the back of the chair and sat down with pleasure on it. And only then turned towards the rack:

- Master! For starters, I have the biggest beer!

As soon as the drink was in his hands, Cremon immediately drank almost half. Then he took a breath and ordered fried eggs with bacon, mushroom sauce with sour cream and two servings of fried potatoes. When the innkeeper was about to leave him, Cremon lowered his voice a little and asked:

- And what, do your guests come only once a year?

- Well no! - objected the owner. - Very often local people have nowhere to sit.

“Then why is everyone looking at me like that?”

- Hm! - The innkeeper reproachfully looked around the visitors, and they immediately began to turn away, letting on the faces of feigned indifference. But then the owner continued very loudly: - You did come along the Liodskaya road?

- Of course!

“But there was such a storm recently on that side that I got here too.” I almost ruined the inn. How did you go there?

“In the midst of the storm,” Cremon smiled, “I sat in the crevice between the stones like a snail and covered myself with my backpack on top. Only this saved me! I could not have dreaded such horror in a nightmare. Do you often have such disasters?

- Well no! - The innkeeper once again grunted expressively. - In my century, such a phenomenon for the first time. But my grandfather told me that forty years ago a similar event occurred during the former El Mitolan. Then along the Liodskaya road in our direction moved a large horde of robbers at sled races. And the sorcerer destroyed them all with such a storm. Then, for a whole week, our inhabitants collected weapons, things and harnesses in the valley and buried the decaying remains of the robbers.

- Wow! - exclaimed Cremon and looked around the rest with honest eyes. “But I want to please you: neither robbers nor anyone else followed me.” So you have no one to fear.

He leaned back in his chair, unbuttoning his lower quilted jacket and shirt underneath. At the same time, a park began to rise from the hot body, because just recently Cremon got wet to the last thread. Even in boots he squawked suspiciously, and he regretted that he had not guessed to dry at least a little on the outskirts. In the meantime, one of the most hefty fellows in the tavern’s hall responded to his latest statement:

- And we are not afraid! On the contrary, extra trophies would not hurt us!

“But do not such trophies belong to El Mitolan?” In response, a gray-haired old man spoke, a little less in build than his drinking companion:

“Do you see ... uh?”

- My name is Cremon! - the guest replied, a little getting up from his place in deference to the age of the interlocutor.

- Cremon, mean? - he grinned. “But you know the laws well!” Indeed, the last sorcerer took himself five-sixth of all the collected trophies ...

“Under the same laws, he could have taken everything.”

- Could! - agreed the old man and suddenly added with some bitterness: - But after all, each El-Mitolan himself has the right to appoint the amount of taxes! And our now healthy patron has long announced that only a third of such a case should be delivered to him.

- Good, however, you have it! - exclaimed Cremon and sniffed at the huge plate just set before him. - And the food here is very good. It smells, at least, just great!

- Well, for strangers, he is not so kind! - the old man muttered quietly under his breath, but Cremon, who had incredible hearing, perfectly heard every word. Not wanting to betray his excessive interest, he bent over a plate and began to saturate his body. Yes, and the stomach would hardly have suffered further abstinence.

Yuri Ivanovich

Irresponsible sorcerer

Once upon a time, a thousand years ago ...

The keeper of the Sorphite race felt bad. And he could not understand: either from old age, or from the icy, piercing wind. From which even a warm, woolen mantle, covering the body to almost half, could not save. Sorfit absent-mindedly listened to the tongue-twister of his Tag race counterpart and mentally wondered: why isn’t it so cold? Although the miniature Keeper was dressed, it was much better and more compact: a jacket with fur lining, thick pants and bulky boots with rubber soles. Here, however, his puny little body shook the wind from side to side. But Tagi did not pay attention to the weather, only occasionally crouching with a particularly strong gust of icy wind and often clutching his hat trying to fly away. Sorfit wondered once more why his body was becoming so cold. So big and fat! Maybe the fat pad has become thinner in the last year? I do not think so…

Tagi, meanwhile, continued an endless debate.

“... Therefore, I will categorically insist that the Magic Tune be carried out at the age of twenty!” And as soon as summer comes, I will call Concehal El Mitolanov! I will demand the cancellation of the Settings at the age of ten. Too early! Children grow up irresponsible, unfit! Let them fight for the right to become elected at a more mature age! Then the losers will bring tangible benefits to society through their perseverance. Four years is enough for elementary, theoretical education.

- It is unlikely that Concehal will abolish centuries-old traditions! - Sorfit tiredly noticed. “But you, of course, have the right to try ...”

“Why only me ?!” If you support me, half the victory will be guaranteed! After all, once you were a passive supporter of this reform.

- Oh ho ho! When it was! - The Guardian's huge body shook with laughter and immediately shuddered from the cold without transition. “Listen, don't you think this winter is especially cold?”

- This one? - The little tagi looked perplexedly at the mountains that densely surrounded an almost perfectly round, huge clearing. - Not at all! The same winter as always. Look, there’s even less snow than usual!

“Why am I freezing?” - Sorfit raised his head higher. - And some kind of ice in the brain makes it difficult to think ...

- It’s hot to him! .. And you didn’t feel my concern and friendly participation! But I definitely warmed up. You can wait ... Although, it seems to me, they are already coming!

At the same time, from under the snow on the edge of the clearing emerged the head of a sorphite, covered with a brilliant helmet. Behind his head appeared six dexterous forelimbs, throwing snow. And behind them is the entire long body of a warrior hung with armor. Ignoring the Guardians, he deftly rolled away and stood in a fighting stance. Following him, another dozen large and trained fighters jumped out of the hole. They scattered around the perimeter of the meadow and took a defensive position. Little tag warriors immediately began to appear. Each with a magic crossbow loaded with throwing needles that carry deadly poison on their tips for any enemy with hot or cold blood. And only when the little arrows took all strategically advantageous positions, several sorfites and tags of advanced age appeared in the robes of El Mitolanov from the underground passage. Each in turn approached the Guardians and greeted warmly, exchanging a few phrases.

- Greetings to you from all of Concehal! ..

- We dream to see him in full force very soon! ..

“Some of the goodies gave you here ...”

- It’s good that at least we ourselves arrived, otherwise we started to freeze from the cold ...

- Such as you, will freeze! Here are the tags sorry ...

- Yes, at least he’s gotten drunk like rattles! ..

“And why so long? ..”

- I had to disassemble the blockage on the road ...

- Ready to host youth? ..

“We are only preparing for this all year! ..”

- This year is unusual: by decision of Consekhal, it was decided to double the number of initiators. Therefore, two hundred children were selected for Settings. It is necessary to make up for the losses last year ...

- Clear. Then take the children out! Are they even warmly dressed?

- You should not worry! It’s not at all cold!

- And you?! It’s strange, why does it freeze me like that?

- Follow the Sphere! - urged his colleague the Guardian-tagi. - Let's start faster, faster you’ll find yourself on my massage table!

The guests laughed at the Old Guardians, but conducted them with respectful bows of their heads. And then they rushed to the children who got out of the underground passage. Although they were exhausted by a long and difficult journey, the snow-covered glade caused them a whole firework of fun and joy. El Mitolans did not have time to build them into organized columns in front of the central elevation of the meadow. Children threw themselves at each other with snowballs, pushed, struggled with a squeal and joyful cries. Small tags jumped on the neck of powerful sorphites and, colliding in oncoming courses, fell into the snow. It became scary from such games and it seemed that at least one tagi, but their heavy bodies would be crushed by many times large comrades of the Sorfites.

But ten minutes later, when the Guardians came out with their precious burden from their cave, the children nevertheless gathered in something resembling a disorient square around the elevation. There were no injuries. Laughter and negotiations quickly subsided, the faces of the children became more and more serious and befitting the moment. Now what every child in the Sorfite Valleys dreams of will come to pass. A Great Miracle will happen, changing their whole life. A magical Sphere will be assigned to children's heads, and it will Configure their organisms to magically perceive the secrets of the universe. And when they turn twenty-four years old, a surge will occur, and they will be able to become full-fledged and great El Mitolans.

Format: FB2, OCR without errors
Yuri Ivanovich
Year of issue: 2007-2010
Genre: Fantasy
Publisher: Armada Alpha Book
Tongue: Russian
Number of books: 7

Description: Fairytale lands inhabited by mysterious Sentegs. Unapproachable Altur mountains guarded by aggressive dragons. Icy and fire-breathing gorges that hide in their depths angry kolaba. Paradise Sorfite valleys in which justice are supported by two unique races - sorfites and tagi. And the enormous kingdom of Enormia. All this is a world in which the protagonist El Mitolan Cremon prepares to go all the roads, become the best of the best and combine what is at the beginning of the story at the various poles of intelligent existence. But there is also a mass of mysteries in the sky. Two huge moons Marga and Sapphire constantly color their home planet at night with yellow and blue, interwoven with their radiance into the triple stripes of the mysterious witchcraft rainbow.

  1. Insane sorcerer
  2. Revenge of the sorcerer
  3. Pearl Order
  4. Insane Dragon
  5. War of the Insane
  6. Insane Wanderer
  7. Choice of the Insane

"Insane sorcerer"

Fairytale lands inhabited by mysterious Sentegs. Unapproachable Altur mountains guarded by aggressive dragons. Icy and fire-breathing gorges that hide in their depths angry kolaba. Paradise Sorfite valleys in which justice are supported by two unique races - sorfites and tagi. And the enormous kingdom of Enormia. All this is a world in which the protagonist El Mitolan Cremon prepares to go all the roads, become the best of the best and combine what is at the beginning of the story at the various poles of intelligent existence. But there is also a mass of mysteries in the sky. Two huge moons Marga and Sapphire constantly color their planet at night with yellow and blue, interwoven with their radiance into the triple stripes of the mysterious witch's rainbow.

"Revenge of the sorcerer"

Cremono the Insane, in an incredibly short time, masters a huge mass of magical knowledge, receives a loud name, glorified among El Mitolanov, and can fulfill his cherished dream: to avenge the dragons for the death of his mother. And even manages to take the first steps in this direction. But how sometimes the roads leading to the goal are intertwined! How sometimes you can harm your enemies without even approaching them! Talents are needed for this supernatural. It was in such a roundabout way that the mentors, the king and the magical Council decided to use the unique knowledge and amazing abilities of the young sorcerer. And they sent the Insane to the task, from which it was almost impossible to return. It is regrettable to realize this, but the interests of the state are above all! But, fulfilling the task set before him, Cremon pushes a small lump from the top of his revenge, which every moment grows into an all-overwhelming avalanche.

"Pearl Order"

Cremonus the Insane by an incredible miracle survived the Dead Marsh. Witchcraft skill, physical endurance, luck and a lot, well, a lot of milk of Topian cow helped. But then the body after this began to undergo very strange mutations. Moreover, the enemies managed to implant a dangerous outgrowth into the hero’s body, which constantly gives unsolved magic signals ... As if by order, the cousin of King Darin II demanded the most skillful, dexterous and experienced magician to him to comb the bowels of the Carrangar Mountains. For a minute, the king did not think about who was the most, the most, the most in his kingdom ... And he sent a young hero to a friendly neighboring state, being sure that he would heal and hide from the enemies for a long time.
It’s just not destined for Cremon to sit out in a quiet and safe place. And again, it is necessary to perform feats, and again to receive the next, though quite well-deserved, awards.

"Insane Dragon"

In a sense, the famous sorcerer Cremona the Insane was unlucky - he became a hero. And not simple, but world famous. And who are the heroes? This is a product that at all times is in high demand. Without heroes, you can not conduct a risky experience or a unique experiment. It is impossible to make a little discovery worth it. They help prevent or triumphantly start any war. Without them, the world collapses in a series of disasters, and the fate of intelligent creatures dangerously balances on the edge of a bottomless abyss. Without them, the best women never reach the peak of their fateful glory, and the greatest rulers - the peak of their power. Without them, thousands of ordinary people live in a gray hopelessness and in their lackluster everyday life do not appreciate the very essence and joy of their life. There are no legends without heroes, songs are not composed, and ballads are not composed. Without them, the very concept of romance and violent love disappears. But no one understands that the hero dreams of only one thing: to dispose of himself at his own discretion. But, alas, the world is cruel, fragile and unfair. And again, the young sorcerer rushes to the path, in the finale of which only the haze swirls and complete uncertainty looms. And why is he in a hurry? Yes, because he is a hero.

"War of the Insane"

Before Cremonus the Madman got out of the dragon's body into his own, he again had to go on a dangerous trip with his comrade-in-arms. This time they have to fight not just with rational creatures, but with some titanically huge brainchild of the Ancients - a terrible and unique weapon with which you can conquer the entire Triple Rainbow World and which, by historical chance, fell into the hands of the bloodthirsty, cynical dictator of the Silicon Horde. Unforeseen victims will be another difficult test in the life of the protagonist, but only he will have to make a fateful decision. But even with all his outstanding strength and magical ability - he is mortal ...

"Insane Wanderer"

Any post-war period is characterized, if not by devastation and economic decline, then certainly by social chaos. Sometimes in this chaos it is quite easy to lose the threads of the fate of hundreds, or even thousands of intelligent creatures, and then these creatures go missing, become unhappy tramps or wanderers in search of a better life. At the same time, fate may make it so that a wandering hero loses his friends, makes new enemies, makes contact with old lovers and involuntarily fulfills the data of an oath once upon a time. Meanwhile, in the rest of the world they remember him, admire him, mourn him, bestow awards and ... solemnly bury him. And then, with shame, they are surprised: “Who did we bury?”

"Choice of the Insane"

The greatest and mysterious sorceresses of the Triple Rainbow World took up the treatment of Cremona the Insane, who was badly damaged in the battle with the brainchild of the Ancients. Galirem's magical skills quickly put the hero on his feet and helped him find moral peace. It remains only to return the strength of El Mitholan to the great warrior. Only here, few people realize that the rulers of Ogov, treating the most famous person, pursue primarily their purely mercantile interests. Meanwhile, the fate of the Dead Marsh is being decided, the situation at the Nozzle has drastically worsened, the main secret of the Sleepy World is about to be revealed ... Cremon, due to his restless nature, often manages to break out of the sticky web of suggestion and zombie. And the best friends of the Insane are ready to help in any situations.

Yuri Ivanovich

Irresponsible sorcerer

Once upon a time, a thousand years ago ...

The keeper of the Sorphite race felt bad. And he could not understand: either from old age, or from the icy, piercing wind. From which even a warm woolen mantle could not save, covering the body to almost half. Sorfit absent-mindedly listened to the tongue-twister of his Tag race counterpart and mentally wondered: why isn’t it so cold? Although the miniature Keeper was dressed, it was much better and more compact: a jacket with fur lining, thick pants and bulky felt boots with rubber soles. Here, however, his puny little body shook the wind from side to side. But Tagi did not pay attention to the weather, only occasionally crouching with a particularly strong gust of icy wind and often clutching his hat trying to fly away. Sorfit wondered once more why his body was becoming so cold. So big and fat? Maybe the fat pad has become thinner in the last year? I do not think so…

Tagi, meanwhile, continued an endless debate.

“... Therefore, I will categorically insist that the Magic Tune be carried out at the age of twenty!” And as soon as summer comes, I will call Concehal El Mitolanov! I will demand the cancellation of the Settings at the age of ten. Too early! Children grow up irresponsible, unfit! Let them fight for the right to become elected at a more mature age! Then the losers will bring tangible benefits to society through their perseverance. Four years is enough for elementary, theoretical education.

- It is unlikely that Concehal will abolish centuries-old traditions! - Sorfit tiredly noticed. “But you, of course, have the right to try ...”

“Why only me ?!” If you support me, half the victory will be guaranteed! After all, once you were a passive supporter of this reform.

- Oh ho! When it was! - The huge body of the Guardian shook with laughter and immediately, without a transition, shuddered from the cold. “Listen, don't you think this winter is especially cold?”

- This one? - The little tagi looked perplexedly at the mountains that densely surrounded an almost perfectly round, huge clearing. - Not at all! The same winter as always. Look, there’s even less snow than usual!

“Why am I freezing?” - Sorphite raised his head higher. - And some kind of ice in the brain makes it difficult to think ...

- It’s hot to him! .. And you didn’t feel my concern and friendly participation! But I definitely warmed up. You can wait ... Although, it seems to me, they are already coming!

At the same time, from under the snow on the edge of the clearing emerged the head of a sorphite, covered with a brilliant helmet. Behind his head appeared six dexterous forelimbs, throwing snow. And behind them - and the whole long body of a warrior hung with armor. Ignoring the Guardians, he deftly rolled to the side and stood in the fighting stance. Following him, another dozen large and trained fighters jumped out of the hole. They scattered around the perimeter of the meadow and took a defensive position. Little tag warriors immediately began to appear. Each with a magic crossbow loaded with throwing needles that carry deadly poison on their tips for any enemy with hot or cold blood. And only when the little arrows took all strategically advantageous positions, several sorfites and tags of advanced age appeared in the robes of El Mitolanov from the underground passage. Each in turn approached the Guardians and greeted warmly, exchanging a few phrases.

- Greetings to you from all of Concehal! ..

- We dream to see him in full force very soon! ..

“Some of the goodies gave you here ...”

- It’s good that at least we ourselves arrived, otherwise we started to freeze from the cold ...

- Such as you, will freeze! Here are the tags sorry ...

- Yes, at least he’s gotten drunk like rattles! ..

“And why so long? ..”

- I had to disassemble the blockage on the road ...

- Ready to host youth? ..

“We are only preparing for this all year! ..”

- This year is unusual: by decision of Consekhal, it was decided to double the number of initiators. Therefore, two hundred children were selected for Settings. It is necessary to make up for the losses last year ...

- Clear. Then take the children out! Are they even warmly dressed?

- You should not worry! It’s not at all cold!

- And you?! It’s strange, why does it freeze me like that?

- Follow the Sphere! - urged his colleague the Guardian-tagi. - Let's start faster, faster you’ll find yourself on my massage table!

The guests laughed at the Old Guardians, but conducted them with respectful bows of their heads. And then they rushed to the children who got out of the underground passage. Although they were exhausted by a long and difficult journey, the snow-covered glade caused them a whole firework of fun and joy. El Mitolans did not have time to build them into organized columns in front of the central elevation of the meadow. Children threw themselves at each other with snowballs, pushed, struggled with a squeal and joyful cries. Small tags jumped on the neck of powerful sorphites and, colliding in oncoming courses, fell into the snow. It became scary from such merrymaking, and it seemed that at least one tagi, but certainly heavy bodies would crush them many times large sorfite comrades.

But ten minutes later, when the Guardians came out with their precious burden from their cave, the children nevertheless gathered in something resembling a disorient square around the elevation. There were no injuries. Laughter and negotiations quickly subsided, the faces of the children became more and more serious and befitting the moment. Now what every child in the Sorfite Valleys dreams of will come to pass. A Great Miracle will happen, changing their whole life. A magical Sphere will be assigned to children's heads, and it will Configure their organisms to magically perceive the secrets of the universe. And when they turn twenty-four years old, a surge will occur, and they will be able to become full-fledged and great El Mitolans.

The guardians majestically rose to a height in the center of the meadow, and the sorphite nodded to his colleague to make a speech. And he was once again surprised at the cold pestering him: “What is the matter with me? I only had this before the battle with the dragon army in my youth. Then the creatures attacked suddenly, and my inner voice warned coldly. Maybe now? .. ”The eyes of the sorphite quickly glazed from a magical trance, and the mind soared mentally with penetrating vision over the rocks, an impenetrable wall surrounding the sacred clearing. Nobody! Only black stones, twisted trunks of stunted pine trees and white snowdrifts between them. “Maybe the dragons went around the wall of the spell?” - without opening his eyes, he carefully examined the entire visible sky to the horizon. - Also nobody! Means, I'm freezing from old age! ”- His gaze cleared and stopped at the top of one of the surrounding rocks, and there it froze. The pathos of the Tagi Guardian came to the ears:

- Our state is the only one by the strength of its incredible friendship between two intelligent nations! Kill anyone who dares to sow enmity between tagi and sorfites! Our unity is forever! And so be it at all times !!!

Tagi cried out the last word of the solemn speech and looked in surprise at his frozen colleague. Then hissed in an undertone:

“So will you stand with a stone or will you give me a Sphere for overlapping?”

“Oh yes, of course, I'm sorry ...” the sorphite blinked and was about to transfer the carefully maintained Sphere to the little hands of his colleague. But then his gaze, alarmed again, darted to the top of the cliff. Sorfit thought she was flinching. And for sure: the rock leaned more and more, threatening to collapse down into the clearing. Straining his eyesight, the sorphite discerned the ugly cylinders swarming around the top.