Wandering Spark - Part 9
In the off-season in highlands, there is nothing but hot stones. All living creatures hide in the ravines - animals, birds, and people. And tricky plants, like spike leaves, lie in narrow slits, where there is no space for a drop of water. Naked shore, but at the time of season beginning, fleshy green shoots, open like umbrellas, grows foliage, thorns, white and pink flowers, dress the shore with a shadow, and neither Gorni nor low-born people can recognize their Round Fang.
Butterflies with the size of a large frying pan swirl over the inflorescence, over the water, and over the variegated pools. Bathing places are clinging to the rocks and to each other, leaving no free space. Down, under the foamy edge of the surf, lead wooden steps, marble steps, rope steps, clay stairs; here and there, poured on the clay small pebbles, or sharp shells, or sand.
What would the lord of the Round Fang do, if not for the season? If, by the wish of nature, the harsh island did not turn into a honey kingdom for three months with warmth and light, sluggishness and satiety? Praise the Emperor and the rainbow glow of his money - the sea is calm, winged patrols are flying over it, and the rich merchants from all over the world in the Round Fang are happy to leave their money here...
Varan was sitting on the pier board. On the very same, on which many times he threw his father's screw. The sea swayed under bare feet, almost touching the worn out soles. The stars were reflected in the sea.
Today evening his father shouted at him. Father was afraid that a smiling visitor wants to take Varan to a cheerful house, one of many that blossomed during the season throughout Fang.
"Do you know how he asked about you? This Cute One! Don’t dare to leave me in the tavern ..."
"He does not want anything like that! He has these… serpants!"
"To divert your eyes they will tell you not only about serpants... Just dare to talk to him again and I’ll cut of your skin... And be silent!"
Varan understood his father and therefore was not offended. A cheerful house in the higher lands is not a good place; from Toroch family smeared daughter last season - and the girl disappeared. They say that she has remained to serve some kind of Gorni, or maybe she entertains soldiers...
There was no other work for Varan. Fish just fleshed with its tail and said hello. So it always happens - you wait months for the season, but once it comes you want it to finish sooner. No strength. In the ears there is a cry, a clatter of dishes, drunken songs; eyes are hurting. All night long would walk, bathe, dive...
The port did not sleep at night either. There, something knocked, creaked, and scolded in an undertone. On the roads there were ships, touching the stars with bare masts. Varan counted eleven huge ships, and after all, they are hiding behind the cape... And on everyone, except for the nobility, there is a whole brood of servants, all with money, all greedy for entertainment and generous with payment...
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
