Leodan the Son of Lion Chapters 1-7

— "To begin war with Sabia? It is remembered, we began a conversation from another subject, uncle."

— "Of course, we spoke about the blue-eyed beauty. Her father — one of the richest merchants of Darnat. Whether it is known to you?"

-" Certainly, uncle, I know that her father Uzmay is a rich man. And what?"

-" For construction of the new fleet money is necessary."

— "And you offer me ..."

-" It is unlikely the heads of merchant guilds of Darnat will refuse you if you ask money for construction of the new fleet. Besides we know that Uzmay, the father of our beautiful Shemmer-Ta-Nat, owns the private shipyards, the largest in Darnat. "

— "And what about Shemmer-Ta-Nat?"

— "You will make her father the court shipbuilder, and it is a high post. It is more than that, I did not accidentally ask you to please Ygerabal's priests. They can if you want, grant to the court shipbuilder a high title of the Sea Son. Once, in ancient Darnat, the Sea Son was considered to be the second person in state after the Shofet."

— "Do you suggest me to glorify some merchant of humble origin? But what`s the purpose? By Gods, I can not follow a smart texture of your thoughts, uncle!"

-" His humble origin is the key. You can take Shemmer-Ta-Nat in the house. You are the Shofet, all is allowed to you. But this girl is of too low origin, and your communication with her will be got in the opinion of tsar Zurappa as adventures with idle maids. It is bad. But everything will change when her father will be glorified. If the Sea Son is considered under our ancient laws to be equal to highest grandees of state, then why the Shofet cannot take his daughter in his bed?"

-" I swear by eyes of Kua, you are right! — The look of Ras Navan began to sparkle, the young man rushed to the priest and embraced him. — My father-in-law Zurappa will condemn me if I take just the concubine, thereby having humiliated his daughter, but will not be able to challenge our customs! "

— "You will conclude ritual marriage which does not exclude carnal rapprochements at all with fine Shemmer-Ta-Nat. Small cunning, but as a result you will receive at once three things which will make you even more great and happy; the blue-eyed maiden, money of merchants and the new ships which will strengthen Darnat in the West, and at the same time you will save the face before the strict father-in-law, — Ashran summed up. — The threat from Sabia will justify everything. This way the great governors govern in their realms."

— "Uncle, you are truly a fount of wisdom! However the Holiday of the Sea will be next week. We have not enough time."

— "It means only one — that in a week you will enjoy delights of Shemmer-Ta-Nat, and both any jealous wives and their fathers will not prevent you. Trust me and prepare two decrees — about construction of new vessels and about purpose of Uzmay the chief court shipbuilder. That will do. And I undertake Ygerabal's priests."

-" I will make today! — Ras Navan literally shone with happiness. — After the meeting with you I will bring together Council of Wise and will announce the decision to strengthen the fleet."

— "And gods will generously reward you, — Ashran rose from a bench, kissed the nephew bluntly. — Prior to a meeting, nephew. May Shat-Tsebu will bless your hand and your mind! I am happy that I helped you to make the right decision to your and all Darnat's benefit!"

-" I have wise advisers, uncle."

— "Not any governor listens to them, — Ashran told, going to an exit. — But gods presented me the reasonable nephew. You will receive what you wish. I never waste words. But at first I want to tell something to you. It is time to talk about public affairs, and put these, dear nephew, great importance. Two days ago the secret representative of one Sheran magician came to the temple and met me. The magician wanted a meeting, and I agreed to this meeting."

— "Sheran magician? — Ras Navan fitfully turned on heels, stepped to the priest. — Here, in Darnat? You were going to meet him? And you so quietly speak about it?"

— "Yes, nephew, because I am going to find out what was conceived by this magician. Sheran spies got into our lands earlier, but never before the messenger of The Cup Circle was looking for a meeting with the head of priests of Darnat. There is something unusual in it. I intend to meet him and to learn what the Sherans want."

-" I swear by Ygerabal! The secret envoy of the sworn enemy of our kingdom looks for meetings with you, and you are so quiet! But it is good that you told me about it. Go and try to find out their plans. Where the appointment is made?"

— "In the Old City. I beg you, nephew, no guards and detectives are necessary. If the Sheranite suspects something, it will destroy my plans badly. One Shat-Tsebu knows what secrets of a black arts this magician owns. Therefore trust me. I will manage everything as it is necessary. And after the meeting I will tell you what the damned queen of Hera-Dalor wanted from us."

* * *

In an hour after the meeting with the Shofet the Supreme priest of Shat-Tsebu dressed in common dark clothes of junior priests left alone the temple at Square of Gods, passed sacred gardens of Kua and, having gone deep into poor men's quarters of the Old City, arrived imperceptible home on Darnat's city edge. The silent servant with face wrapped up by the fabric impregnated with tar so that only eyes were visible opened him the door.

— "Bring me to the owner", — Ashran ordered. The servant made the strange sound similar either on rattle, or on low, began to nod the head and led the priest in depth of the house along the long corridor lit only with dim oil lamps. Ashran looked to the conductor`s back with fear and disgust — he guessed whom Kiris used as the servant. Though, on the other hand, could not be more reliable servants than the Silents of Sheran. The house was old, shabby, the loosened floor boards in a disgusting way scrunched, the peeled walls were covered by a thick black coating, all house smelled of mice and a mold. Following the servant, Ashran walked upstairs on the second floor of the house and entered the spacious, but dirty and poorly arranged room where the owner was already waiting for him.

-" Lord Ashran! — The thin shaven-headed man in wine-red clothes standing at the window turned to the guest and gave ceremonious bow to the priest of Shat-Tsebu. — What an honor to see you!"

— "Master Kiris", — Ashran answered with bow.

— "Did you come alone?" — Kiris released the servant with gesture, and they remained together.

— "Alone as you can see."

— "Very imprudently of you. I am in your city for the very first time, and I don`t like Darnat. It is too much beggars and thieves there. This part of the city teems with them. For the person of your dignity and situation it is dangerous to go on poor man's quarters alone. I would not object if there were a sort of guard with you — three or four persons at least."

— "I am protected by Shat-Tsebu's strength, — Ashran answered. — And still these clothes are sacral. The respect for priests in Darnat is very big. Any robber will not dare to raise a hand even against the junior priest."

— "Well", — master Kiris pointed the guest to one of benches, sat down opposite. Magicians were keep silence rather long time, looking at each other. It was their first internal meeting, two wizards had communicated by means of the encoded letters before. Now Kiris made what lord Ashran did not expect from him — arrived to Darnat personally.

— ""Wine?" — suddenly Kiris asked.

— "No, thank you", — Ashran understood that it is time to pass to business. — "I read your last message and decided that it deserves attention".

— "It is very flattered, — with irony in a voice the magician answered. — I am glad that you found time to meet me."

— "However it is strange that such powerful person as you are, decided to stop here in these slums on the edge of the city."

— "I had no choice. It is unlikely in Darnat would be enraptured with a visit of the Sheran magician."

— "Darnat and Sheran are not enemies long ago," — objected Ashran, perfectly understanding that he is unconvincing. Kiris laughed.

— "But also ain`t friends, — he noticed. — Our ambassador is not at court of your Shofet and at other yards too. Possession of Force, my friend, often gives some inconvenience. They are afraid of us — and correctly do. Our true purposes are clear to very few people. Sheran's time has not come yet. But will come soon. And you made a right choice, having agreed to help us. "

-" I want ..."

-" Of course, you want prosperity and power for Darnat. And it is possible if the worthy person, the brave man and the experienced wizard would be a governor of your city. You, master Ashran would be the best Shofet. By the way about His Majiesty Shofet — have you stated our plan to your divine nephew?"

— "Yes, and he agrees to carry it out. But he has his own reason for this purpose."

— "Love! — Kiris smiled, but his black shrill eyes remained cold. — Well, he will receive what he wishes. And all of us will receive what all of us want when time comes."

— "Let us be frank as kind friends, master Kiris. My nephew wants to take the woman whom he fallen in love in the bed and for the sake of this he is ready to begin war against Sabia. I want to become the governor of this city and to make it into the stronghold of Force on the seashores. And what is wanted by you?"

— "Really do you want to know all this, master Ashran? Sometimes ignorance is far better than knowledge. Knowledge brings grief and alarm. "

— "Don`t you trust me?"

— "Oh no! In two years of our correspondence acquaintance you proved to me that you are quite credible. But my queen undertook the obligation from me to keep in secret our general plan. And magicians of the Cup will be dissatisfied if they learn that I told you about our plans."

— "In a word, you will tell nothing to me."

— "On the contrary, — Kiris told, having noticed the offense which flew on the face of the lord of Shat-Tsebu priests. — I so appreciate you that I will tell you everything. I consider you as the friend and the ally and I do not want to use you in dark. But you should have patience to listen to all background."

— "I am ready", — Ashran's voice even trembled from impatience. Kiris laughed.

— "What do you know about the Shadows Father Relics, master Ashran? — he asked."

— "Only what is written down in sacred books."

— "Would you comment,please?"

— "In sacred books it is written down that twenty thousand years ago the whole world was under the power of governors of the Nin-Ouchtian house, and people lived so long that it is difficult to imagine it now. The tsar Ningirakh the First ruled five thousand five hundred years, and his son Nin-Ouchtian — seven thousand three hundred years. It was wonderful time when force and knowledge of Nin-Ouchtian dynasty changed all earth. The cities then were built of gold and crystal, and the paradise fruits granted to people by gods grew in gardens. People then were very pious and esteemed gods for their care. So proceeded until the throne was occupied by Ayukka the grandson of Ning-Ouchtian who decided to be equal to gods in everything— simply speaking, to become immortal. He appealed to the Eternal Nine to grant him immortality, but gods refused. Here what they uttered Ayukke through the oracle: "The human is only the God's creation and also cannot be to equal to gods. Your life is so rather long that you managed to make in it everything that is foreordained to you from above. You demand is impossible". However Ayukka continued searching immortality, and once priests of the Shadows Father, the Lord of Abyss came to his diamond palace to Atal."

-" Everything is right, — Kiris confirmed. — And Ayukka accepted from them three gifts which together brought the greatest benefit — immortality. The Shadows Father handed to Ayukka through the priests the Word of Abyss, The Crown of Abyss and the Flame of Abyss. You know sacred texts well, master Ashran."

— "Our sacred texts are learned that great troubles came for people with the Shadows Father's Gifts. Shoo's era, time of domination of demons of the Shady Side began. The world plunged into continuous horror ... And then the flood began and totally destroyed the world of the Initial Century. Since those times human life became much shorter, and we live it in works and diseases."

— "But Abyss Gifts remained in our world, — Kiris told."

— "However nobody would manage to find them. Any of sacred books does not explain what gifts were received by silly Ayukka from the Shadows Father priests."

-" Sheran magicians know it."

— "Really? — Ashran looked at the magician with curiosity. — Interesting to learn."

— "It is more correct to tell, we have a description of each of these Gifts. Word of Abyss are two tables, gold and silver, with inscriptions. They contain spells which give the chance to awaken strength of ancient governors of Shoo and to operate it. The Crown of Abyss is a magic helmet. And Flame of Abyss is the staff radiating underworld light. Among three Gifts Flame of Abyss has the largest force."

— "And what do they give?"

— "Three things which was being looked by Ayukka — force, eternal youth and immortality. The things people in eras of Ning and Shoo possessed."

-" Should I understand that you already have these Gifts?"

-" Only one so far— The Word of Abyss. But we know where to look for other two, and Gifts will be in our hands soon."

— "And what it will give you?"

— "And do not you understand? — Kiris raised hands to a ceiling. — What the person looked for from the moment of his creation by gods — true immortality. We, Sheran's magicians, had been trying to solve the mystery of immortality for long centuries and achieved much, but did not find a key to the real eternal life. All three Gifts, gathered together, will return the world by times of the Golden Age of Shoo when Earth was under the power of one lord, there were no wars, and people lived forever, without being afraid of death. And we will make it, magicians of the Cup."

— "And your queen will be the lordess of Earth?"

— "Why not? Her Majesty Margiana is worthy the absolute power as nobody else. If you know more worthy monarch, tell me his name. Do you know him?"

— "However I don`t absolutely understand the role of Sabia, master Kiris, — Ashran left from the answer, having changed the subject. — Explain me why it is so necessary to begin war against Sabians."

— "For two reasons. Sabia is the old enemy of Darnat. And the second reason is the knowledge we possess. In one of Tables of Destinies it is written down that the hidden governor of Sabia can capture the Gifts and to become the destroyer of the world."