Читать бесплатно онлайн книгу автора  First-called Ilsa. The First Dead Princess. Immortals

Sergey Solovyov

Contents

PROLOGUE

It was a long, long time before sunset. And the sun, only occasionally peeked out of such scary-looking crimson clouds, as if painted with heavenly fire. The whole earth seemed to blush because of this. Grass, trees, a huge earthen rampart of an ancient city, everything turned into a heavy and terrible color of blood.

And last night it was even worse, then the magician looked at heaven, and just gasped. A tailed star rolled across the sky. Hard news for people, and there was neither good nor peace. The gods gave a sign, but the magi could not recognize, for thin or good, how many bones he did not throw, they did not answer, did not want to speak, to reveal the will of the gods. The magician was silent, without raising his eyes to ordinary people, he did not know to say this, to find the right words, to encourage, to calm down fear.

I also went to the healer, the seer. A strong herbalist was their Elena Belaya or Beautiful, as she was called here, a found girl. In a good hour, she came to the childless Horu da Zaya, to her husband and wife, and began to take care of them herself. True, everyone was surprised at her face, as if sculpted from snow. Skin, whiter than white. But the girl was always kind, attentive, did not do bad to anyone, did not say bad words. The beauty was extraordinary, but no one sent matchmakers, and matchmakers did not enter that house, as if they knew what was secret. And she, read, could drive away any ailment. And the giants forgot the old news about the evil ignorant giants, with faces white as snow. Those who were unbearable in battle and did not know the fear of death, for they lived forever.

He asked, although he was afraid, of Elena, but then her icy eyes flashed, and she muttered something mysterious:

“Everything will change… Maybe I’ll find my brother… Know, and I’ll have to leave soon…”

Then Rist was frightened from such words that he heard, grabbed the White Swan by the sleeves, spoke himself:

“So what are you missing from us? We will put Terem twice as high. of that. Take all my gold and jade, no pity! Just don’t leave us with your grace!”

“I will not leave you magi, do not be sad… Now go to the magicians and elders of the city. Everything will be fine, I will help you to get rid of any trouble!”

It became easier from these words to the magi. And he looked at the bad omens in the sky, and was almost calm. There was no such thing that Elena the Beautiful was wrong! But, sitting and waiting is always dreary. And then, after all, she did not promise that everything would be fine, but only a misfortune to be lost. So, it was necessary to prepare for the bad… He fidgeted on the seat, not even helped by a soft hare fur pillow.

— Can’t you see who? cried the Magi in impatience.

“No, our rati are not coming,” Elder Lin answered with concern.

“And they should have returned,” said the elder from Ouma, wise Okat, quietly.

The large, simply huge city of Oum, on the banks of the great Ob River, above all the surrounding hills. Here, on rich lands, in Mother Siberia, and in the middle of the entire Russian Land, where the steppes had already begun, but the forests did not deprive people of their protection, three generations ago they erected this mighty fortress. A high steep shaft, poured on top of a wall assembled from log cabins of huge trees, grew to the top by as much as ten fathoms. Outside, the defense was a deep and wide moat, three fathoms deep, eight wide. Inside the shaft, dwellings for people were arranged, like honeycombs by bees. They looked only inside the fortress, into the courtyard. There were wells and sheds full of grain, even workshops for craftsmen-copper workers. But people, until danger threatened, lived around the fortress, freely wide, in their estates. They grazed cattle, planted rye, wheat and barley, looked after extensive apple orchards. The generous Ob richly endowed with fish, and well-arranged marinas stood nearby, where steep-sided boats and nimble shitiks awaited merchants and fishermen.

Here, in front of the huge rampart of Oum, on carved benches, sat the elders and magicians of the largest city of the giants. Behind each stood their unots, and even the youths who saw little of what were in great anxiety. Already with a week since the united army of Sargat and Oum left in the steppe, but there was no more news, as if they had failed in Tartarara. Sometimes Rist thought, why did the king not wait for help from Warta and Gandvik? Hoping for your own crowd? Did you want to get all the glory yourself? And then, he raised a army of three thousand soldiers, a great strength, unprecedented, no doubt…

— Here, drink kvass, — the magician Rist suggested to the elder who was sitting next to him, — Sakat, take all the husbands you have! — said the magician to his unot, — and you, Zhivko, give gingerbread! Yes, live, what are you sleeping on the go!

The young man nodded decorously, and taking the enda in his hands, walked past the benches. Nearby he went and helped him, quite a boy, Lit, and filled the bowls of the audience with a small bucket. Zhivko distributed sweets. And then, good rye gingerbread on honey, and there is nothing tastier! And, happy, thinking men, it seems, left their tuga-sadness.

Sensible were unots, could not get enough of them magi. Yes, and dressed smartly, in embroidered linen shirts, pants, soft shoes with windings. Heads from the wind were covered with felt hats, with nasatals, and blades that could cover the neck. So it is understandable, and both, according to custom, wore children’s hairstyles. They left several strands of hair braided in pigtails on their heads. And these braids hung on the backs of teenagers. And as I enter the age, up to eighteen years, this hair will also be cut off, leaving only a lock on the back of my head. It is worn by all gants, according to the custom of their ancestors.

Drank drinks Rist from his ladle, enjoyed the taste of currant kvass, which was put personally by his daughter Ilsa. And then, one of his joy remained when the Likhomanka took his wife and two sons. It happened four years before Elena came to them on the Ob and drove away the disease. True, a new attack came to their lands, which had not been expected for a long time… Again, strangers began to disturb them with raids, but small clothes were beaten by Siberian soldiers. True, a large army from the steppe came here, and the tsar himself raised the entire Siberian force against them.

But, other people were calm. The White King Dutun himself was now leading a huge army, and with him were the mighty Uli, the invincible Plist, and Fokey. Both the governors Sargata Salim and Tark and the governors Ouma Kintal and Gord. But the magi doubted. Will everything come out as wanted? Will they win? The seer’s words gave rise to fear in his heart.

— Here, it seems, dust rose above the road… — one of the elders whispered uncertainly, — someone jumps, goes on horseback…

— That’s right, Timai, — praised Elder Rist, — there is no one in Sargat, as sharp eyes as you!

“Salim is how good and smart I am,” the elder boasted of his son, “he grew up smarter than his father. That’s right, our rati are going back. And this, a messenger with good news!

Yes, I have seen Salima Rist more than once. And, for sure, the sensible was the leader and warrior, who more than once led the rati Sargat into battle against strangers. At least on dry, at least on foot, or in a leather boat — everywhere the young warrior achieved victory!

But, a warrior on a dry, there was only one. Nobody followed him. The carts did not dust, the severe infantrymen did not get away with the rolled road. And this man looked… Bad. It was evident that he was not happy to go to the hail on the hill. Black was the messenger’s brow. Ash covered his face, and the bad news was ahead of him. The warrior dismounted, bowed on four sides, and pulled the hat from his head. The elders and magi jumped up from their seats, surrounded the messenger in a semicircle, fearing that they would miss at least one word. They waited for what they would say, although everyone felt with their hearts what the answer would be. The faces of the Vyatsha people stretched out, even strong fingers on the staffs shrank… Heavy, ringing, silence stood on the hill, people seemed not to breathe.

— The whole army died! — shouted the sinister, jumping off his plow, — those who stayed are coming here to lock themselves behind the rampart! Another messenger went down the river, to Gandvik, there to ask for troops!

— And the Sargat army and those who came from Oum? — asked the Magi Rist, — the army also fell? And the warriors from Oum? Royal squad?

Could the seer believe that their warriors could not resist! They gave themselves to beat! He leaned on the carved staff, looked at the messenger, moved his bushy eyebrows. I looked, thinking that the malevolent was lying…

— The Sargat leaders Salim and Tark, and the leaders from Oum, Kintal and Gord fell. They did not catch up, but no one retreated. Before my death, the king sent me to Oum so that I could convey such news.

— And the White King? Rist asked hopefully.

— The royal banner fell. This means that Duptun and his close squad also died. All thirty knights fell on the battlefield. Many enemies were cut down, but ten enemies stood up for each of us. Such trouble came to us! And I had to return, — the warrior whispered.

And he, saying everything, suddenly grabbed his dagger, and at once pierced his heart. A minute later, the warrior lay dead in front of the captured people of the giants. Now for sure, the entire royal army died, every single one. No one expected this.

He looked back at the elders of Sargat the Magi of Oum. It was evident that the people of the second city of their kingdom simply lost themselves. But, he noticed how Timai’s eyes flashed, how he whispered that cunning words to Hian. And Rist remembered the second Sargatsky elder for a long time, as he wove intrigues against King Duptun, wanting to put Zia Bear on the White Throne… And Zia is now in Gandwick! Could start, oh and could…

Rist sighed heavily, and covered his face, decorated with a gray beard, palm. There was no strength to see this day, nor to hear other people. It was bad, so much so that it never happened worse…

PART 1 Lady of the Dead and Living

CHAPTER 1 Elena the Beautiful

The girl was engaged in an important matter, sorted out barley cereals for porridge. Separated the grains, and already prepared a cauldron with water, soak them for brew and a good stew. Grandfather Khor slowly prepared firewood for the house, chopping dry branches for kindling. Baba Zaya slowly weaved on the machine, inserting ducks into the row. Dressed smartly and well-groomed were both. Good linen clothes, fur sleeveless warm, so as not to be cold in the wind. Yes, and shoes, okay and sensible on everyone’s feet, everything was just right for the place.

Now the elderly could rejoice again, sadness left their house, their adopted daughter cured them both. The grandmother was sitting, and could not get enough of Elena.

“What would we do without you, granddaughter?” ‘an elderly but not old woman said.

“And I have more fun with you. It’s boring all alone, but one, — the girl suddenly said, — and my brother was missing something… It doesn’t seem like a long time! I was looking, looking… And where he is, angry, and I can’t understand.

— It will come, of course it will come, — an elderly woman put an affectionate hand on the girl’s shoulder, — but I don’t understand what’s wrong with me? Zaya smiled slyly and stroked her stomach.

Ella, or Elena, or Alyona, who called her, looked at Zaya’s face, at her hands, at the beating vein on her neck, put the finished business aside. Slowly rinsed her hands in a wooden shag, wiped on a towel. I sat down nearby, as if listening.

— You are not happy… Carried the child. You see, the Gods heard you, blessed you. Soon you will give birth.

— What about…

— So now everything in the house is in abundance and health, not offended. Is it right? And so, from Sargat they handed me over, and Ella put a heavy cat on the table.

She opened the ties, and he was full of small gold rings. Each weighing only two shares, but it was possible to get a cow on the bargain for one such ring, and a small calf for six. In each estate they kept the weeds tamed even more, and rode them on horseback. True, the moose got used to only one who fed them from childhood.

But, the forest giants were big helpers, they could carry their riders far through the forests. Strangers, here, rode horses, but with a grin they looked at such a Siberian, much stronger and bolder than a horse, and is not afraid of anyone. And, a year ago, Elena also got herself a calf. At first, he was funny, on thin legs he ran after the hostess, who watered him with milk from the nipple. But he grew rapidly, and turned into a mighty ruler of the forest. And on it Elena traveled on it to Sargat and even to Warta. Well, in Gandvik, of course, I went on a boat, along the Great River Ob.

— Yes, thank you daughter. Anyway, you, and my husband, my own daughter, and the woman kissed Elena on the white cheek.

It seems to be used to the fact that their pupil is cold, but here she seemed to be burned by frost. Zaya grabbed her stomach in fright, looked at the girl with fear. But she only raised her icy eyes to her and said:

— There is no evil from me, you know it yourself. Never has been and never will be. Especially for you, and you know it. And the baby will be born soon, in a month or a little later. You and Khorem will have a son, and not one… And then three more will be born. I know that for sure.

— Oh, how are you! With you, happiness came to our house, Elena!

“And I feel good with you, but calmly. You look, and I will find the missing brother!

— That’s right, so it will be! — the woman answered calmly, — But what did people run in? Is it not otherwise that the army returned home? Hey, Horai, look, what’s in there?

But the healer herself got up from the bench, looked at herself in the mirror, and was pleased with what she had done. She summed up her lips with a light, cheek-carrot decoction, blush on her cheekbones, and now, you can’t distinguish it from local people. And then, at first, the children shouted out of fear, hid behind their mother’s skirts, as they saw her white face, like snow. And then, unlike Elena, she looked like people from Oum.

— I’ll go to the outskirts, I’ll see… — the girl said decorously, — otherwise some kind of fuss.

She straightened a scarf on her head, twisted gold bracelets, in the form of snakes, which held the sleeves of an embroidered shirt. A necklace made of minted gold, a gift from Gandvik, also rang deafly. And a golden moon hung on the beauty’s braid. Everyone who did not know who she was would immediately identify the great witch by bracelets and embroidery on rich clothes.

As soon as she stood on the high porch, she looked around. No, no troops were visible. But everywhere the horsemen were dusting, the carts drove heavily loaded carts to the fortress. Whole families hurried there, with children and old people. However, the youths with shields and spears went to the rampart of the city, and gray-haired men, with copper weapons, hurried there. And here, and the copper beat swelled on the high tower of the fortress, warning everyone about the danger. The girl looked around, not yet understanding what was the matter? But, it became alarming in my heart.

— What happened? Elena shouted, not understanding.

— The Siberian army died, witch! We are under siege, from strangers! Now the only hope is for Varta and Gandvik! — shouted another very boy, with a bow in his hands, and two quivers full of arrows, behind his shoulders — it’s good that you are with us, Elena the Beautiful! With you and any wound is not terrible!

“Shut up, Jurey! ‘the elderly warrior cut him off, ‘don’t be angry with him, girl! We rely on your help! So nothing, hold on!

“I’m always with you! ‘she shouted back.

I felt how rage seemed to rise to her heart, to her head, and could no longer restrain herself. She hurriedly returned to the house, fell to her knees in front of Khorei and Zaya, who were sitting on the bench.

“You are my second parents,” she said clearly, “if anything was wrong, I’m sorry.” Apparently, I myself need to go… Into battle. I don’t know if I will return…

“What’s wrong with you, girl?” Have you started again? ‘the woman replied, covering her quivering lips with a handkerchief.

It was from what they are afraid. Elena’s face became blue-black from wild rage. Zaya saw such a girl only once, when, out of ignorance, dashing people attacked them on a long road. Yes, just saw her face, as in fear and ran away.

— I’ll go to the elder and Vedun, gather my army for permission. Those who are not afraid to follow me! And you, go to the fortress. Everything will be fine, do not hesitate!

She came out of the hut, straightened the dress and fucked, and whistled her sooo. The hornet ran up and bowed his horned head in front of the hostess. Elena jumped up on the moose, and galloped to the elder of the city. People in the streets were stacked, someone turned away, hid their face. The appearance of the witch already inspired horror, not reverence or respect there. It was horror, just wild horror that was now on the faces of the residents of the city of Ouma. The black face framed by silver hair of this rider could not but scare. The Unots did not dare to detain her dry, mighty Hornet, and so she rode into the courtyard of the estate and drove in. At once she dismounted at the high stairs leading to the residential.

— Hold it, — threw the reins of the bridle unota.

He only nodded hastily. The dog of the elder, Smooth, was not afraid alone, but rushed to flatter the girl, rubbed his lobbed head on her knee.

“And hello to you,” Elena ruffled his fur between his ears.

Calmly, like her own, she opened the carved door and entered without knocking into the tower of Elder Oakast. He sat on the lara, hanging his head, and mourning the fallen sons. Nearby sat and Vedun Rist, looked at the images of ancestors in the red corner of the tower, as if asking them for help. But they only looked at the descendants, without blinking or lowering the eyes cut out of wood. Only shadows played on skillfully executed faces, making them so similar to the living.

“There’s no time to talk, Elder. Let me beat the army of strangers the way I can. And, exactly, you won’t reproach me? Elena said sternly and without equivocals…

“How can you do that?”

“I’ll do it, and it’s my business. Well, what?

Rist was silent, did not understand what was the matter. He knew the considerable strength of the healer, but what she was going to do, he could not make money. And why did your face turn so blue? I didn’t ask, I thought maybe it was a matter of custom.

— Do Elena what you want, take what you need for the cause of the military!, — and the elder knocked with a staff, affirming his word.

— Don’t you need a guide, a witch? Rist asked respectfully.

“I am grateful for your care. But I’ll manage. And if I take helpers, then those who I need!

“As you wish, herbalist! But it is dangerous, our soldiers have already seen the travels of strangers.

— Nothing, do not interfere. Give me a full haze of oak oak!

— Take what you need, girl!

The giants were surprised to see Elena’s caravan. But, as Elder Oakast said, so be it. Two deer shook a strange load for Elena on the way. The soldiers who stood guard did not understand where their savior healer went?

CHAPTER 2 Empress of the Realm of the Dead

She walked for two days, along forest paths. Now she had all one thing, that day and that night. She did not know fatigue, like her reindeer in a team, dragging a difficult load, and the dry, as if gaining new strength, tirelessly walked along the path, on the border of the steppe and forest. The grass grew tall here, the girl could not admire such beauty. But here, as if it was burned from the inside. She got off her saddle and led her Hornet about. He did not resist, although he walked reluctantly, snorted everything and shook his head.

— And I don’t care about this place, dry. But you see, I’m going… ‘she said quietly.

But now, the girl smelled an expletive field. And how not to smell it? Crows in the sky curl, foxes bark, and wolves howl. The mountains were piled up, many, many dead bodies. The girl sent her dry gallop, and galloped for a short time, and found herself at the scene of the battle. The killed giants lay here, robbed and undressed. The witch drove away the raven with one sign of her fingers, and a black flock rose up, covering the sun with its wings. Elena closed her eyes a little, looked around… She walked along and across, sighed heavily and shouted in a terrible voice Elena the Beautiful, again showing herself on the ground:

— Get up!

There was a terrible cry, reflected from the hills and forests, and as if running into the distance, along the river valley.

They said later that out of fear then the bulls were squatting on their hind legs, the wolves were crammed into the distant oak forests, and only the crows were curling over the girl’s army, because they smelled the dead. But, they flew away, because

the corpse stench blew away like a wind, and the smell of meadow flowers spread over this field, as if death itself was running from this place.

And what happened was that no one had seen for many thousands of years. The dead giants rose, silently looked at each other, as if they did not understand how they got here. The brother looked at his brother, at each other, the warrior-governor. The king himself, Duptun, stepped forward. He knelt before the savior, and held out his crown, a golden hoop about twelve rays. And everyone knelt.

“Go home to Oum and Sargat, and tell me that I am now fighting for this land. She was given to my lot! Elena raised her hands above her.

And the new Mistress looked, turning her Black and Terrible face on the resurrected ones, but the giants, geese-swans, did not move, only with shaved foreheads touched the damp earth. They asked, and Elena could not refuse them. She came up, ringing with gold bracelets, and put a crown on her silver hair, laying braids under it. A ray of ardent sun fell on gold, and the crown shone with such fire, as if the light itself was burning on the forehead of Elena the Beautiful.

And then the giants rose from their knees, obedient to her will, and moved back.

***

The Queen herself, scouring around, next to the battlefield, like a forest beast, found a weapon for herself — a large sickle made of forged copper, with the sharpest edge. Changed the small handle to the shaft from the spear. Twisted in her hands, yes, and as if the wind moaned, but withered. The girl received a heavy and terrible weapon in her hands. And with which it was possible to chop and prick! But, isn’t she the only one to do? She needed helpers, but not advisers, but only faithful servants…

And so, she noticed a huge mound of fresh earth. This hill grew up as if by itself, and strangers covered it from above even with turf. It was the place in which the finders buried their ten thousand dead. They failed to hide from me, Elena thought. Like a wound, her blue lips opened in an angry smile. She was not going to lure or hustle the power of the Gods to lure, she did not need it. After all, it was she herself who was this force. She just raised her hands above her, palms forward. The sleeves of the shirt jumped out of the bracelets, fell to the very shoulders, and now her hands were black, like her face. She put her eyelids together, felt her heart beating, as if the blood in her veins was fluttering and rushing outward, almost boiling. She opened her eyes, and the earth on the hill, as if alive, climbed out of it, animated by the power of the Queen of the Dead. Strong hands threw aside the soil, hard and hard, which had not seen rain for a long time, breaking through their passages outside. But these inanimate, swarming in the ground, like ants, climbed out of their anthill to give glory to the Underground Princess. They were no longer people, but only dead bodies taken by her power to serve a terrible service. It was in front of her lively strangers, who have now become her invincible army.

— Stand before me! — Elena the Beautiful ordered inanimate in a heavy, low voice.

And they stood in front of her, standing in a dense crowd. How the wall lined up, from inanimate bodies, stinking and terrible. But, it was her army, a source of power and strength. For everyone knows that power relies only on military power, and more on nothing.

“Pick up a oak tree!

And each of the dead was now armed. Elena traveled around these warriors obedient to her will. Now she had the Power, and there was no one to match her.

— Forward!

The dead jumped up according to her Word, and according to her Word they took different clubs with weapons, which the elders brought. She was pleased with this, but, it should have been hurried, every minute was dear.

She sensed herself, the path along which the huge rati of strangers walked. Neither traces of red tape nor clods of earth, knocked out by the hooves of horses, disappeared from her eyes. And the Dead followed her tirelessly, obeying only the movement of the hands of the Mistress, as if they were children’s dolls, with ropes tied to them. Stubbornly walked, in front of them. We climbed through hills and ravines, through hummocks and gully. And hung over this army, as if sewn, a whole cloud of gray crows, who read the earth with their croak. And the sun went down, hid behind gray clouds, as if he did not want to look at all this. But, Elena was in a hurry, led her dry trot, and the Dead Host did not think to lag behind.

This army did not need sleep or food. They did not need warmth or a comfortable overnight stay. And Elena herself no longer wanted to eat or sleep, but saw at night, no worse than during the day. And exactly — it was not just a girl — but the Underground Princess herself appeared in all the splendor of her fame. For only she, and her bright brother obey the Dead — after all, Elena the Beautiful rules the dead in the Baking Kingdom.

And she led her army to Oum, who was besieged by strangers. The dead do not need rest, and in the darkness they see them as in the afternoon, and Elena came to the city in just half a day instead of three days.

And the army of strangers stood next to Oum, smashed a huge parking lot, fenced with drags and carts. Black smoke rose above their yurts. She heard someone else’s guttural speech, and saw the soldiers who stood guard.

Elena gave herself to see, and noticed how they chased her. With a dozen warriors on low horses. They could not catch up with the Hornet, but she put her plow on the ground and hid in the bushes, watching. The chase approached, and the riders examined the forest. The queen intercepted the handle of the weapon, taking it more comfortable, and rushed at them, like an angry bear. Two managed to shoot at her from the bows, but only she even saw these arrows, and easily dodged. In two strikes, she beheaded both shooters. The blood hit the thick grass with a stream, the bodies still fought in convulsions, and the Queen again chopped and pricked. Strangers tried to defend themselves, but their movements seemed to her terribly slow, sluggish. Three more were killed. The rest tried to surround her, threw darts at her. Where is there! Next to Elena, a dozen shafts were already sticking out of the ground, and not a single tip even touched the clothes of a girl, already almost completely covered with someone else’s blood.

“It’s a demon! You have to run! ‘one of the strangers shouted.

“Not a demon, but a Sovereign. Elena shouted in response, And run late. This is my Earth, and I will kill you all, all to the last!

She saw these riders staring in horror at her black, furious face, as hands trembled, barely holding the reins of snoring horses. Her blue lips opened in a grin, and she jumped forward. She beat quickly and accurately, depriving the heads of two, and three blows of the shaft, threw to the ground. She tied the fallen with belts, strongly and mercilessly. They lay without feelings, rolled their eyes to the sky. It was necessary to scare, strongly scare the prisoners.

Elena did not think long. She took her knife, hanging on her belt, another belt, and with a quick blow struck one of the severed heads. Cutting the belt through the wound, she smoothed the skin of a dead face with smooth fast fingers, slightly scratching the dark skin of someone else with her long black nails. And then, nails became like blades of sharp knives. I tried, she played with this creepy tool, bringing her fingers together and spreading, and was pleased. And the dead head opened its eyes, and the lips curled up in a terrible smile, so that the tongue fell out. Both heads were still on the belt, and then the Queen put this monstrous band around her neck.

“Now don’t be silent,” Elena whispered.

The awakening of those left to live was not merciful. A couple of blows to each under the ribs with the strong foot of the Queen forced them to their feet.

— I won’t pull long. How many warriors have come?

— Our army is more than grains of sand in the Great Desert! chuckled the oldest of the warriors.

— There is no time to joke, — said the Queen, sparkling with her icy eyes, — to answer quickly!

— The great leader Takrat brought the allied army to these lands. And we will win! — said grinning, the youngest, — and I will not take you to my yurt even with my younger wife!

— Come on, — Elena said calmly, almost in syllables, — I didn’t get stuffed.

Then, calmly, without haste, so that this warrior would feel, she began to tear off his hand. She would never have offended a frog before, but here… The man shouted terribly, trying to escape. Yes, it would be easier to get out of under a twenty-pound stone than to free herself from her hands. She unscrewed and turned until the elbow joint came off with a nasty crunch, and then the skin burst. She was holding someone else’s hand with which blood was dripping, and suddenly, with this hand, she hit the face of the oldest of the soldiers with a swing.

— Speak, otherwise I’ll tear off your head like that!

Streams of blood flowed from the forehead and nose, and it was clear that the person was trembling. Deprived of his hand, he lay on the ground, and screamed in pain, frantically tucking his legs under him.

— You’re strong… You’ll still get an answer. There are twenty thousand soldiers in Takrat’s army, and sixty thousand in the wagon train. He decided to move here to these rich lands.

Elena appreciated the words of the warrior, and the fact that he did not ask for mercy. She recognized her strength and power, and knew how to penetrate anyone. Life and Death are what Power gives and what subjugates anyone. The queen scoffed at her thoughts. But, it was necessary to do…

She grabbed him lying on the ground, pulled off the remnants of his shirt, leaving him naked to the waist. Then, taking her time, she put her severed hand to the bloodied cult. I looked into the eyes of this man, and he could not lower his own for fear. It was done…

Strangers, not believing their eyes, looked at the unprecedented. Yes, you have seen this to cut off your hand. Well, to tear — so the bear tears… But what would put his hand back, and it seemed to grow back? They did not believe what had happened, even their wide-open eyes. Both touched the hand of a comrade, himself.

— And now get out to yourself, — said Elena Beautiful sharply.

All three bowed uncertainly, falling to their knees and rising quickly. They caught their horses, got on horseback, and trotted to the parking lot, sometimes looking back at the Queen.

Elena knew people, and understood how they feel now. She showed her power and power over them, and most of all, that she can Everything. Having released the prisoners, she was sure that now all the finders would only talk about such a miracle, about a cure, about a hand increased by unknown witchcraft.

But, a little she doubted herself. And the fly flying around her head was so annoying. Buzzed and buzzed. But, literally, one movement of her long right fingernails, knives, and it’s over. I saw how the fly was dissected by its black nails, and only a few small remnants, and silver wings fell into the grass. The queen looked thoughtfully at her hands, at her nails and knives. And I thought suddenly:

“Or maybe it was necessary to tear off this head, and not the hand? For clarity… But no, I would have died right away, I would not feel pain. And here, perhaps, he will realize, learn to understand someone else’s pain. Only, their Takrat will kill them all one. What would be less said…”

She ran to her haired waiting mistress. The hornet immediately pulled his face to her hands, expecting to receive a treat. And he was not mistaken, the rye cracker was in his rough tongue. The moose was rather sad, and Elena was again on the back of her favorite. Nearby, so stood her Dead army, which no one could defeat.

Now, read, the strangers were already defeated, it remained only to drive their remains into the ground.

CHAPTER 3 Her deck

The queen rode freely on the Hornet, examining the place from where it would be more convenient to attack strangers. Most importantly, the space was dry, there was no stream or rivulet nearby. The stream was behind the finders’ parking lot, and from there they took water. Dry and comfortable, the place is excellent, even if you graze the cows. Although no, cows love water, having come to their senses, Elena recalled. But now, in the bushes, very close, I heard rustles. By the smell, judging by it, it was their own. Elena could not help but make fun of the unlucky warriors. She dismounted, walked quietly, as if she was hiding between the branches

And for sure, there were four guys and three girls here, with arrows and spears, dressed like hunting, in oiled leather clothes. One sat on his knees, pulling a string on the kibet of his bow.

“Who are you?” ‘she cried.

The guy looked back and missed the bowstring, and the kibet hit the forehead of this “lucky” with a swing. That grabbed the forehead with both hands. The girls immediately laughed, not holding back. Elena the Beautiful herself would have been able to laugh — so she would have laughed.

“So we are giants, fighting enemies. The news has passed that you have resurrected our army.. Won’t you, Lady, take us into your army? — asked one of them, — Here well done and brave Slavs gathered. All the courage is considerable, they were never afraid of enemies! Tivda, Hwylya, Sysoy, Tan, Vaya, Apta and Priya. And here I am, Sysoy’s name!

For each dozen Sysoy showed, naming names. And the fact that he broke his head, Tivda called. Elena calmly put her palms on his forehead, drawing blood at once.

— What doesn’t hurt now?

— No, Queen! And we heard that you revived the whole army of giants?

— So what? ‘she replied calmly.

— Miracles… — muttered this fretful young man, — would look at this!

The princess thought a little when she heard these words, but then her speech flowed calmly and smoothly, like a quiet trickle:

— Only the Dead in my army. But if you are not afraid, drink my blood, and then you do not know more death. You will become stronger, in many ways. And I only need immortal helpers!

Everyone looked at each other, and bowed to the Mistress, agreeing with their difficult lot. Elena, before the eyes of her soldiers, cut a vein on her wrist, and hit her blood into her brother with a stream. Sysoy and Priya closed their eyes at once… But not red, but light, like water, was the blood of the Queen. And the brave men prostrated, realizing who was in front of them.

“Drink my blood, and you will be forever in my Kingdom,” Elena whispered, “But you will no longer be able to live among Mortals, such is my unshakable word!” You will become alone, outside the tribe and clan, without a family to age!

And although the clouds hid the sun, and began to drip a little rain, but the golden crown of the Mistress shone as if by itself. Not immediately, the knights were able to make this step difficult. It seemed, here, just do a sip — nothing so terrible… But, as if in the heart, in the head, everyone hung these words:" You will not be able to live among Mortals.” The past life faced the chosen ones, in which there was a lot of bad, but also good. And you go one step further — the path to it will close forever. But everyone wanted to see the Golden Kingdom of the Earth Queen! Great temptation! Everyone heard a lot about that place, in wonderful stories, but the soldiers and Poles wanted to see this place in reality!

Sysa was the first to decide. He drank a sip, and as if he was intoxicated at once, his legs gave way, and the knight fell on his side, bending his legs under him. Next he drank from the common bowl of Tivd, and after him, Priya, Vaya and Apta. A little later, Khvyl and Tan finished dry. Seven bodies were already lying on the grass, beating in agony. The convulsions stopped, as if the dead alone were in front of her. But now, those who had betrayed her began to open their eyes, to cough.

— The head is buzzing, as if with a hangover, — Tivda grinned, — your blood is strong, fences of old honey, Queen!

— Oh, Kashchey always measures everything on honey! Priya laughed.

— So lingonberry beer and it happens more disgraceful! — Khvylya did not agree.

All of them drank the blood of the Immortal Mistress, Ihor, and fell to the ground dead, died, and already stood Immortal.

— In battle, death is not written to you. And now you can’t die, if only you want. Come with me, I will show you my Rat, — Elena the Beautiful clarified.

The Queen sat on the dry, and the Seven ran after her. They thought that it would be hard for them, but no, now they did not know fatigue. So, they ran eight miles, as if they had walked a hundred steps.

— And here are my soldiers! — Elena pointed to the Dead, — they do not contradict, obey everything, do not ask for awards!

Immortals, tried not to give a look. And Sysoy took off his hat, bowed to the ruler’s belt, and said simple words:

“Let the Queen serve you!” Faith and Truth! You will not regret that we are in the royal service!

— Not only to me, but to the whole Russian Land, the whole Mother Siberia!

***

Nobody really knew the truth about how big the Russian Land is. But, the neighbors called the land of Ella Helena, Ileia or Elos, and who and Ulus. And behind the Stone, that country stands, and behind the Ob. And Russian — so from the fact that they believed in the Elder from the One God, White or Race. Also, everyone knew that the gods were white, and their blood was transparent. So in the language of Hanza once, everything sounds the same, and means the same thing. And Siberia — by the name of one of the tribes of Hanza-gants, sievers or northerners, too, who, as they said.