«Fate or Chance?»

***

The sun had recently risen above the horizon, but it shone as inexorably and brightly as in the middle of the day. The blinding rays passed through the glass, and somehow managed to penetrate the dense fabric of the canopy. They illuminated the golden curls that scattered on the black pillowcase of the pillow and the huge number of freckles on the swarthy face. Mikael turned around in displeasure, trying to get back into the world of Morpheus, but it did not work out. Raising his head, and ruffling the hair that was already in the house, the blonde turned his gaze to the windowsill. A huge black cat was sprawled on it, covering its flattened muzzle with a long tail. It was he who lifted the canopy with his paw, which is why the sun woke the magician up. Snorting with laughter, Mikael tugged at Fuzzy’s right ear, and stretched, got up from the bed. While doing the warm-up, Mikael was also thinking about the information he had received a week ago. Predictions from the Reader Clare. How did it happen? The young man did not strongly believe that this prediction was from the real Claire. This Reader lived 2 thousand years ago, and was considered dead for a long time. Perhaps the prince simply exaggerated the significance of his find. But this does not diminish its features and importance. The Chosen One or the Chosen One will appear with his team in a year and a half, and “defeat” him. How many such predictions has he read and heard? A great many. How many of them are at least half-turned? Almost not one. And there is no evidence that this is true either. The Prince may simply not find the Chosen One and his artifact. Well, if he does, then a small team will not be able to capture the whole castle in any way. So it’s pointless, but interesting enough. Mikael, putting his glasses on his nose, reached into the closet in search of his weekend raincoat. In addition to thinking about how the next year and a half would go, in surveillance and surveillance, he was interested in who might be chosen as a spy. Dark ones are not allowed, it is very suspicious. Most of them obey him, and the backstory of betrayal needs to be carefully worked out, and not that there is no time. A magician practicing the dark arts, too. The Masters will quickly understand, and the same trick with the backstory. I have neither the time nor the desire. And betrayal cannot be ruled out. A magician practicing light magic? It doesn’t fit either. They have a very noticeable appearance and very peculiar behavior, and it is also easy to understand from the Masters who they are loyal to. And the chance of betrayal increases even more. Mercenaries? Absolutely not. Huge amounts of payment and the lack of at least some loyalty. Mikael only wants to follow the developing actions, and not die, having previously paid for it. And he doesn’t want to kill anyone for no reason. A spy must have a pretty, but not beautiful, inconspicuous or scary appearance. To make it difficult to suspect him. Outstanding skills in combat and magic. It’s also a good idea to lie. He must be loyal to the Northern State, and also be on the side of the Dark Lord. And don’t be a crazy fanatic. If in kracia, they need: a smart, handsome, strong, cunning and loyal man or woman whose age is not older than 50 years. And where exactly can you get such a one or such a one? All the unmarried young men of their continent are after them! And they want to get it in a few weeks. It’s a damn injustice… At least make a grimm yourself and pretend to be an ally of the “Heroes”! Mikael exhaled heavily and slammed the closet shut. The guy quickly went to his arsenal chest and climbed into it. Taking out several throwing daggers, a hunting knife and one musket, he secured them to the fastenings that were provided in his cloak and trousers. After taking a calm look around the room, and going to the bed, he began to pack a travel bag. Mikael spoke softly, attracting the attention of his familiar: — Lutz, will you come to the city with me? I need to buy poisons and poisonous herbs. — putting a bag of money in the back pocket of his trousers, he began to look for comfortable shoes, — And new metal, from the Eastern lands, should have been brought… Lucifer, awakened by his master, sat dissatisfied and licked his paws, yawned widely and looked at Mikael, he raised an eyebrow: “… Can’t you send serrrrvants to get it? You have 700 of them, and you yourrrself continue to go to cities and villages… — the cat wrapped his paws with his tail, — And you, just rrrreturned a week ago, wherrrre are you going again?” — I’m tired of sitting in the castle, I want to take a walk… — Lacing up hiking boots made of basilisk leather, the guy straightened up and climbed behind the comb with the ribbon, — And you should take a walk too. How long have you been out in the fresh air? Six months? A year? You’re overgrown with fat, and your fur is bristling and climbing from everywhere… “…Therrre was an athlete and a nutrrritionist herrre… — The cat growled, jumping onto the bed, — I look grrreat… Against you, that’s rrright… But so be it, I’ll go with you… I’ll make surrre you don’t fall into a trrrap…” — Guard fake… You can’t catch a mouse, but you’ll follow me… — Mikael rolled his eyes, taking the cat under his front paws, and kissing him on the nose, put it in a travel bag, — Let’s go, Lutz, otherwise they’ll collect all the mushrooms, and I want to collect them… “…The main thing is not to get poisoned, the talent is not rrrrecognized, because therrre’s no one to trrreat you, and I don’t know how…”

***

The crowns of the trees were located very close to each other, not missing a single ray of sunlight, plunging the forest into semi-darkness. Wild animals were hiding between dense thickets of bushes, waiting for harmless prey. A man was swarming around one of the bushes with berries. Wolves were glaring in the bushes opposite. The leader of the pack, gently stepping with his paws, slowly came out of the thicket and approached the unwary traveler. Poisonous saliva dripped onto the grass, burning it to the ground, and the teeth were bared. The black cat shifted his bored gaze to the stalking predator. Baring his white fangs and hissing, the cat turned his head back, examining the bushes. The wolf, fearfully tucking his tail between his legs and whining, rushed into the bushes, where the pack was waiting for him. Upon seeing the leader, the other predators howled and rushed to their lair, trying not to look back. Mikael, throwing berries into a wicker basket, got up from the ground. Looking at the bushes that were still trembling a little, he turned a questioning glance at the cat, which lay comfortably in his bag. — And why did you scare them? They usually scare stupid travelers away from the castle… And they don’t let any suicides get close… “…He thinks of himself for who knows what… I just rrreminded him of his place in the food chain, nothing morrre…” — Well, yes, I believe, I believe… — Mikael adjusted his glasses on his nose, — You just reminded him of the place, and did not brag about your capabilities… You’re so humble… “…Would have been betterrr prrraised… I’m prrrotecting you, you know…” — A defender has been found… even children can scare stupid animals. So—so protection… — Mikael chuckled, walking slowly along an inconspicuous path, talking quietly with the cat. The wizard stopped abruptly, turning to the west, “Lucius, is there an altar here?” Or is the temple pagan, maybe? “… No… What makes you think that at all?” — Yes, it’s so noisy… — Mikael, tucking a strand of hair behind his ear, silently walked to a thick fir tree, and hiding behind it, looked out, “Hmm… They want to summon a demon here, or something like that? “…What otherrr demon?! What’s going on therrre? — The cat rolled his eyes uncomprehendingly, and tried to get out of the bag, — Who in generrral planned to carrrry out such rrrituals on your land? Is suicide orrriginal or something? — Lucifer got out of the bag, and climbed onto the shoulders of the owner, looked out from behind the tree, — How many people are here… It’s like they want to summon a demon… Call your perrrverrrt, let him figurrrre it out…” — I don’t think it’s a demon… although there are a lot of circles, it’s not enough to summon… And the altar with the sacrifice is not enough… Where would they want to put the demon after the summoning? Into the stone? A hare? Mikael squeezed his eyes shut, trying to make out the small runes that were inscribed on the ground. In general, the clearing was ordinary. Except for 4 blood-red circles painted on the ground with rune chains. And a huge crowd of people who rushed back and forth trying to do everything better and faster. But they were missing something, which clearly slowed down the work — There are Teleportation Runes on the outer circle… And the Runes of Submission… Eeeee… “…What?! What else?! Yes, for one such Rrrune, the Inquisition will bind without interrrrogation!” — Something related to the mind, you can’t see it anymore, it’s too far… — Mikael closed his eyes, as they ached from overexertion, — Let’s go, I need to inform Tyran about this gathering, his guys need to figure it out… But Lucifer, instead of being sarcastic or reluctant to agree as usual, meowed plaintively out loud, and quickly climbed into the bag, completely hiding in it. Mikael looked at the bag with incomprehension at first, after a couple of moments he shifted his wary gaze to the clearing. Everything is the same as before. It is unclear what the familiar might be afraid of. — Who are you? — A hoarse voice suddenly sounded from behind. The blond man jumped, but quickly got his bearings, turned around, grabbing the handle of a hidden knife. Behind him stood a tall, thin silhouette belonging to a man of the human race. His face and most of his body were hidden by a cloak with a deep hood. — Hey, come here. I found a hare* here… “A hare? So these are people from the territory of the East. Well, then what are they doing here? I don’t understand…” Mikael exhaled, and pressed his back against a tree, trying not to miss a single movement of the man. The crunch of dry grass and a couple of moments. A second man appeared next to the first man. Mikael knew him. It was one of the observers who told him about the legend and the prince, and also engaged in the search for a spy. What is he doing here? — Fis, are you kidding me? What kind of Hare* is this? This is a mushroom picker or herbalist. They’re like wolves not slaughtered here. The man snorted in displeasure, and after looking at the short silhouette, he quickly approached him and took off his hood. — What a canissa*! You’re a perfect match, well done Fis for reporting him. From the knife in the neck, the man was saved only by the fact that the blond was at a loss. He saw this Fis. It was one of the new gardeners. What are they both doing here? — Where are you from? — Grabbing Mikael by the shoulder, Eith led him straight into the middle of the central circle near which the magicians were fussing, trying to finish the rune circle of the spell. — From the Northern Peninsulas… — Do you know how to fight? — Well, like… — Are there masters? — Yes… — Can you do magic? — Yeah.… — How are you lying? — Not bad… — That’s nice! Shoving the blond man in the shoulder, the man walked away, putting a black mask on his face. — Your task is to do everything so that the prince and his gang get to the artifact. And also, if possible, find your Favorites. You have to help overthrow the Lord, understand? Now we will send you to the capital of the South. Find the prince, and then follow the plan. We will send additional instructions later. Is everything clear? Mikael was not allowed to answer. The sorcerers finished with the runes, got to their feet and went to the outer circle, folded their hands in a prayer gesture, reading out the spell. The circles glowed red, the runes danced in multicolored arcs in front of my eyes, and there was complete silence. But only for a moment. A few seconds later, there were thuds and a low-frequency squeak. His body convulsed. It went dark in his eyes…

***

“The blood squelched loudly underfoot, creating small splashes. Mikael clenched his teeth in anger, trying to calm down. How could an intelligent race come to start a hundred-year-long war over resources equal in every territory? He couldn’t figure out why. Why are living souls so greedy for gold and lands? When they have everything, they want more. When they have less than others, they blame the richer ones for being poor. Mikael sighed heavily, examining the white pedestal. Four kings, six princes and twelve generals stood on it, turned into white marble. Their faces expressed arrogance, gloating and pride. The poses were relaxed, the clothes were expensive, the weapons were light and obviously not combat. They didn’t fight. They sent weak-willed puppets that were once human to a bloody massacre, but they were brainwashed into animals hungry for blood. Closing his eyes in rage, the man snapped his fingers, and the huge statue cracked and crumbled, turning into small crumbs. The only thing left of these “True Rulers” were four golden Rings of Power, and twelve bracelets of generals, speaking of their statute of Advisers. The corpses were quickly cleaned and buried, the survivors were treated and brought to life. The former battlefield was immersed in a fussy restlessness. All the living were busy, except for one lone silhouette standing in the center of a blood-red field, and looking around with an empty gaze. One day, a beautiful legend will be made about this battle, which will condemn him and praise the actions of people. This legend will miss all the creepy moments, all the manipulations of the human race. But the truth that Mikael saw cannot be changed in any way…”

***

Stars were jumping in front of his eyes, something was cracking loudly in my head, my whole body was twisting, shuddering and cramping with terrifying pain. The man slowly opened his eyes, but even neatness did not save him from the rainbow circles in front of them. A bright purple sky with light pink clouds spread out in front of him. Mikael tried to come to his senses, as even remembering himself was difficult because of the pain in his head. Even his own body felt like lead, heavy and motionless. The only thing other than the pain that the magician felt was someone’s wet nose poking into his left palm. Barely turning his head, Mikael saw a huge black cat that was looking at him with huge dark blue eyes. Noticing the movement of his master, he started up, and happily meowed. After half an hour, the man, when the pain had dulled, was finally able to sit up, and after examining the alley in which they found themselves, looked blankly at Lucifer, who behaved like a typical animal. Stroking the cat’s neck, Mikael licked his dry lips, and began to speak, barely moving his tongue: — What’s the matter with you? Why are you silent…? — Mmm… — Lack of magic.? How can this be? We have a contract. We have one source… for two… — Meow… Mriav! Mrrr, mrrr… — Exactly… Some of the runes on that damn field blocked magic… Damn… — The man buried his face in his palms, realizing that he was seriously stuck up to his pointy ears…