Evening.
A red sunset illuminated the windy valley of the small village of Daxas, located near the sea.
There was riotous fun in the largest tavern, someone was singing songs, someone was pouring beer, and two of our Musketeer heroes were jumping on stage, but only by 75%, because Winus, a fearless soldier, was a Musketeer, and Darth*, always a cheerful adventurer, was not, but he told all his friends, What.
— It remains to sign a couple of papers and that's it / The ink is gone/The hat feathers won't arrive until Thursday.
So he called himself a "half Musketeer."
Somewhere there at the table sat the polite Karumis with a mug of beer and the diligent Jonis, who had been talking about the same topic for half an hour.
Karumis just nodded and nodded all the time.
Soon the whole gang of "Musketeers" were at the same table with mugs of beer.
They bumped their mugs and spoke in unison.
— One for all!..
— He pays for beer!
Winus spoke, who finished his drink first, followed by Jonis, Karumis, reluctantly, and Darth*, who finished last, spoke.
— Six times in a row already, maybe that's enough?
— So you suggested it yourself, — Jonis reminded him.
— Did you agree that you don't have an opinion?
A small barker came into the tavern with a piece of parchment and was shouting something loudly in a squeaky voice.
— Well, so be it – I'll pay today, — said Winus, putting the bag on the table.
Winus opened the bag, everyone looked inside, the Musketeer took out one copper coin.
— Not much... Well, look, let me pay for you, and you pay for everyone.
The barker's voice rang out again.
— A pitcher of Obscurite, A Pitcher of Obscurite!
Karumis spoke with a hiccup.
— And I... said that... It's better to buy a gun when you have the money... not when they're not there.
— But now, as soon as someone jumps out, and I immediately go on! And there is none.
— Who's him? — Jonis asked.
— Well, the one who got out.
— Where did he come from? — Darth* asked.
— From the bush.
— Oh! I love brush... — Karumis hiccupped.
By this time, the barker had come closer.
— Reward for the found jug!
— Boy, get out of here.
The bearded dwarf turned to look at the Musketeers for a second, and then spoke again.
— Reward for finding a jug!
— Get off me!
Winus said, throwing a mug at the halfling, but the projectile missed the barker and bounced off the stone floor, landing directly on the table to the goons, spraying them.
One of them spoke in a gruff voice.
— I see the cavalry is completely rotten now that they are already taking such men.
— Who did you call rotten, huh?! — said Winus, getting up from the table.
The bully also got up and came over.
— You.
— I see.
Winus said, trying to get his sword out of its scabbard.
— Just give you swords and muskets, you brave ones.
— What are you doing? Do you think I can't teach you manners without a sword?
Darth*, who was watching, sighed.
— Again?
— Well, let's be happy, because it's boring today. Jonis croaked.
Karumis just nodded.
The barker was trying to spread the conflict. He was pushed away.
— Come on, repeat about the Musketeers.
— Pompous, proud fools.
— Arch-ah-ah. — with such screams, Winus attacked the bully.
A fight broke out in the tavern. The musicians began to perform an incendiary song.
Darth* and Jonis drew their swords and went to help.
Dishes flew everywhere, chairs were thrown, tables were overturned.
While everyone was fighting, Karumis was staggering to the beat of the music, dodging the projectiles.
The barker, barely getting out of the crowd, tried to shake himself off, but Karumis threw him back.
Karumis continued to move to the rhythm, occasionally catching pieces of meat and eating them.
He was accidentally dragged to the table, but he did not lose his head, drank from a nearby mug, stood on the table and began dancing there.
One of the thugs decided to turn the table over, which caused Karumis to follow the wave to the exit.
At that time, Winus was fighting with the bully with his fists, but he was losing effectively, then he grabbed the bag from him with a deceptive move and shouted.
— Go on!
He threw the bag on the floor, gold spilled out of it, then he gestured to the exit.
Darth* grabbed his things, Jonis grabbed Karumis, and the four of them rolled out of the tavern.
The men ran away from the tavern and hid behind a stone, Darth* spoke.
— It seems to be fine.
Jonis is catching her breath.
— It's not okay, they almost died there.
Karumis added.
— Like flies-and...
— they defended the main thing. — Vinus argued.
— Yeah, maybe you've earned an honor. — Darth* suggested
— Money would be better.
They quietly went to the paddock to pick up the horses, and on the way, Jonis picked up a piece of parchment from the ground.
— Oop! It will come in handy on the farm.
— So that's it... The pointer is a club.... — said Karumis, hiccupping.
As they got closer to the paddock, they saw a dwarf who couldn't get on his horse in any way.
— Hey! Borodyach, what kind of jug?! — Jonis cried out.
The halfling looked at the Musketeers, sighed, and began to mount the horse again.
— A jug of Obscurite. — The king apparently likes to collect beautiful and incomprehensible things, or dear, I don't know.
— So what? — Winus asked.
— And the fact that this jug is for far fu... It's very far away. He won't go there himself, so he's looking for someone who can find him, and the reward is coins, all kinds of benefits, glory...
— Coins? — Winus grinned.
— Benefits? Jonis imagined.
— Hiccup, — Karumis said.
— Glory... — thought Darth* — we agree.
— Really? — the halfling was surprised, because of what he fell off his horse.
— Yes.
— Then I'll write it down now.
The halfling took out a pen, an inkwell, and another similar parchment.
— I've already skipped so many cities, but how can I write you down?
The Musketeers lined up.
— Winus.
— Jonis.
— Karumis, — Karumis hiccupped.
— And Darth*. Write it down with an asterisk.
The Darth* looked at the parchment and thought about it.
— Hmm... Can't it be shorter?
The Musketeers lined up again.
— Four. — cried Darth*
— Three — Winuscorrected.
— And a half... — Jonis was pointing.
— Muskegons, — Karumis mumbled.
The halfling dipped his pen in ink and scribbled on the parchment.
— Yeah... I recorded "Four and a half muskegons".
Then he snatched another parchment from Jonis and spoke.
— So this is yours, try to come this week, and don't worry, I signed everything for you, good luck!
The halfling packed everything into a bag, jumped on a horse, and rode off into the sunset with joyful screams.
— And what was that? — Jonis was perplexed.
— That's right, what the hell are "muskegons"? — Winus was indignant.
— On the left. — Karumis was saying.
Only Darth* studied the parchment on which the jug, incomprehensible inscriptions, and the
halfling's checkmarks were painted.
Darth* raised his head and spoke.
— Well, brothers... the hour has come for our stars to shine in this bureaucratic firmament — he raised his fist above his head — for we are four ...
There was a whistle of Winus.
— Are you coming or not?
Darth* turned around and saw that all three of them were already on horseback and waiting for the fourth.
Darth* walked briskly towards the horse and muttered something under his breath.
Soon our heroes set off down the road to the nearest gun shop.
Winus came up first.
— Well, where do we start?
— So we don't have any money. — said Darth*
— Why not? — Jonis, don't get too tight.
— Well, okay... Jonis said listlessly, taking out a bag. — Madam, how much will that knife over there cost, a couple of bags of gunpowder and a fuse?
The figure of a golden-haired girl appeared from under the bench.
— So, let's do the math – 2 gold and 3 silver, please.
— Uh, can we agree on 4 tin coins?
— No, we do not accept overseas currency.
— I did everything I could, — Jonis said, relieved.
Dart adjusted his hat and spoke.
He came closer and leaned on the bench. — Madam, would such a beautiful maiden not deign to negotiate with such majestic cavalrymen?
— Well... Good. — the girl smiled, Darth* grinned in the direction of the Musketeers.
— 3 gold pieces. — The girl said.
The smile faded from Darth's face, but Winus pushed him away, after which he threatened him with a gun.
— Sell at our price, you blackmailer!
The girl looked at the gun.
— And there's nothing to shoot with...
Winus lowered the gun.
— Okay, we'll do without gunpowder.
Everyone mounted their saddles.
Jonis asked.
— Where should I ride to?
Darth* unfolded the parchment.
— The city of Mont-de-Mars guild No. 6.
— There's just nothing here, we'll be in time for lunch, — Karumis said, riding ahead.
Everyone follow him.
Morning of the next day.
By sunrise, the doors to the guild opened. The Musketeers put out the bonfire next to the building and went inside. There were already three people at the tables in the room, two were watching intently while the third was quietly having breakfast in the distance.
Winus spoke softly.
— Well, we have well-known faces, so we don't show up once again, otherwise they won't leave us alone.
The guys approached the reception desk, Karumis slapped the parchment on the counter with the words.
— Hello, we would like to know where this item is located.
— Good morning, let's see. — the girl said, taking the parchment.
Darth* did not miss the opportunity and leaned against the bench.
— Of course I'm not a baker...
— That's good, because you smell burnt.
— The girl said, holding out a marked card, — that's 2 silver coins.
Darth* started sniffing himself when Winus nudged Jonis.
The latter only managed to get the bag out, as Karumis tripped him up, which caused the bag to fly over the counter.
The girl rushed to pick it up, but when she got up, she did not see the Musketeers and the map.
She looked into the bag and sighed angrily.
At that moment, the Musketeers were already galloping down the road. Karumis, holding a map in his hands, showed the way.
The Musketeers set off along the road, then turned onto a path, and soon they were galloping across a golden field. Soon they reached the forest.
There was a long river in their path.
All passed confidently, but only Darth*'s horse stumbled, which caused the rider to fall into the river.
The Musketeers decided to make a short stop.
Darth*, wearing only footcloths, tried to catch fish while his clothes were drying.
Jonis was making a fire, Karumis was lying down looking at a map, and Winus was replenishing supplies of water and berries.
After that, everyone ate the successfully caught fish.
After resting for half an hour under the shade of the trees, our heroes continued their journey through the forest.
An hour passed, the second, the third. The heroes had been walking for so long that the sunset was already visible.
Winus asked.
— How long is it going to be? Renka's hooves are going to fall off soon!
— Right now, right now, — Karumis said, glancing at the map.
— That's the third time you've said it. — Darth* corrected.
Karumis's horse stopped.
— Well, yes, yes, we got lost, congratulations! A map of the path was drawn, but there is no map of the forest! And how would you like to work in such conditions, eh?
— Come on, we'll figure it out, don't worry. Not tonight, we'll find a cave first, otherwise I don't want to have dinner.
The Musketeers moved closer to a large hill, and a comfortable damp cave was conveniently located in it.
Jonis spoke.
— So, Karums and I will look for firewood and cover the entrance with something, and food and bedding, okay?
— Yeah.
— Yeah.
— Where are we going to get food? — Darth* asked.
— I don't know, think of something. A real Musketeer must have wit and so on...
— Come up with it, come up with it, am I an inventor or something?.. Oh, the mushroom... and another one... There's a whole clearing here!
— Well, at least we won't starve, — Winus said, dismounting from his horse.
In the next hour, they were preparing a place to spend the night.
They covered the entrance with branches, lit a bonfire, and covered a sleeping place for 3 people and 4 horses.
It was getting dark outside.
While eating fried mushrooms, Darth* spoke.
— Aren't we going to suffocate from the smoke here?
— Don't... The smoke is leaving, I checked. Jonis replied.
Darth* finished his portion and then spoke.
— It was delicious, of course, but we need to decide who's on duty.
— And there's a lot of choice here! — Winus said, looking at Karumis.
— Okay, okay, we still need to study the map.
— Couldn't you before? — Winus asked.
— Am I a cartographer or something? We should have taken a guide!
— At least I took my hatchet. But if someone didn't have to spend money on booze, they'd probably eat something normal! — Jonis emphasized.
— Hey, hey, brothers, we're a team! No need to fight over all the little things! Moreover, you might attract wolves.
Everyone dispersed.
Karumis sat at the entrance and looked at the map, Jonis watched the campfire, Darth* examined the horses, and Winus fell asleep altogether.
Several hours have passed.**
Everyone was asleep, Winus in her place, Jonis by the campfire, and Darth* next to the horses, only Karumis was sitting at the entrance and trying not to fall asleep.
Nevertheless, Karumis closed his eyes. Suddenly, a small light entered the cave, then another and another.
Karumis opened his eyes and reached for his sword.
He walked up to the entrance and abruptly parted the branches with his hand, after which he pushed the sword forward.
Small blue lights appeared on the surface, as if they were going in some direction.
Karumis lowered his sword, then wanted to call the others, but quickly changed his mind.
He followed the lights.
At this time, Winus opened his eyes and looked around.
Karumis followed the lights from a distance, constantly looking back. There were already glowing mushrooms and vines on his way.
After walking for some distance, he stopped on a hillock behind a fallen tree, after which he checked the area with a map.
There was a noise behind Karumis, he abruptly grabbed his sword and sent it back, his blow was deflected by Winus with his sword.
Karumis began to protest in a whisper.
— You scared me, you idiot! What are you doing here anyway?!
— They're coming for you. — said Darth*
— What are you doing here? And why didn't you call me? Winus asked.
Karumis looked behind Winus, Darth* waved his hand.
— So you didn't invite Jonis yourself.
— That's not what I called him either, he did it himself.
Karumis ran a hand over his face.
— Okay, just sit here, just be quiet.
They went up to the log and peered at the lights that were going to some hut on stilts.
Darth* asked.
— Is there a jug?
— It doesn't look like the temple is located somewhere in a field on the map, and not in a house in the forest with strange lights.
— Maybe someone who knows about him lives there? — Winus suggested.
— We'll see and find out. — Karumis said.
— So the bruises don't bother you at all? — Winus asked.
— I've read about this magic somewhere. — said Darth*
— Well, of course, there is not such a thing in the capital. — Winus was cutting it.
— You're quiet. Well? And what is it? — Karumis asked.
— In short, these are spirits, a wizard puts his soul into objects with magic, and they come to life, and they help, clean, work, and live as if they were alive. — explained Darth*
— I see... What are these guys doing? — Winus asked.
— I don't know, maybe they show the way. — Darth* said.
— To whom are the animals? Or the one who's lying in bed there right now? — Winus was saying.
— Or whoever can find him! — Karumis suggested.
— Exactly! Suddenly, the jug is magical and thus he tries to free himself. — Darth* said.
— And it's probably expensive! — Winus suggested. — It's decided, we'll storm.
— Be quiet, suddenly it is guarded by something magical, too, it was not for nothing that the king recruited people from everywhere. We need to get Jonis. Karumis said.
— Come on, there's work for 5 minutes. — Winus waved him off.
Karumis raised an eyebrow.
— Do you remember the assault with the cart?
— What kind of assault? — Dart asked.
— It's nothing special. — Winus waved him off.
— In short, this radish decided to storm the captured convoy alone... — Karumis explained.
— How did it go?
— Well, they tied him up... Then we rescued him...
— That's it... tales should be told around the campfire. Let's go already.
The guys got up and quietly walked along the road of lights.
They came to a hut that was 5 meters off the ground. There was no entrance from below, and no way up either.
Everyone looked at each other. They had no choice but to climb the stilts.
Winus climbed first, then Darth*, and Karumis brought up the rear, looking around all the time.
The boys quietly approached the door. Karumis indicated with gestures that there was another entrance, Winus made obscene gestures, and then reached for a pen.
Karumis grabbed his hand and spoke in a whisper.
— The window is necessary, through the window.
— I should have told you right away, not made fun of me.
They went further to the wooden window, which is open for ventilation.
There was a nasty smell coming from it, but the heroes looked into it anyway.
Due to the thickness of the window and the lack of light in the room, it was not possible to make out anything except for flasks and some kind of grass, but if you listen closely, you will hear barely noticeable breathing, which looked like snoring.
Winus spoke in a whisper.
— The witch is dozing. You have to take it and bring it down before it turns you into toads.
— What does he look like? — Darth* asked.
— I don't know about the clay jug.
The guys went around the hut, but apart from 2 two windows, they did not find any entrances.
— Why don't we just knock and ask? — Dart suggested.
— So he can definitely kill us, right? — We don't even have anything to pay with. Karumis said.
— I have a gun. — Winus suggested.
— Without gunpowder.
— Oh, that's it. He won't kill us. We're the Musketeers, Darth, no offense...
— It doesn't matter...
— The maximum will drive us away, so let's go, what are we going to steal or something?
Winus walked forward. Karumis spoke softly.
— I'll tell you about how we stole the armor later...
Winus went to the door, grabbed the handle and tried to open it, but it was locked.
Karumis and Darth* came up, Winus shrugged his shoulders, and then knocked on the door.
There was a soft sound of breathing. Winus knocked again, the sounds stopped, Winus wanted to knock a third time, but he was interrupted by a girl in a dark purple hood, who turned out to be behind his back.
— They don't answer?
— No, he's sleeping or something.
— Maybe.
The stunned guys backed away, only Karumis spoke in a trembling voice.
— V-ins...
— Eh?..
Winus turned around, then abruptly straightened up and took out his sword.
— Who are you?!
The girl laughed.
— I'm Caroline.
Then, with a wave of her hand, she bent Winus' sword.
— And who are you?
— We are...
Karumis interrupted Winus.
— We're just lost travelers who thought we could hide somewhere, but since this house is occupied, we'll go.
Karumis had already dragged Winus by the hand, but then the girl, without turning around, spoke.
— So stay, I have plenty of room.
After that, the front door opened on its own.
Darth* spoke in the same trembling voice.
— Yes, but what are you, I'm not satisfied.
Darth* looked at the ground, but the height of the piles suddenly increased 10 times.
Darth* swallowed something and then spoke.
— But in principle, you can stay.
— Then please.
The girl said, and then went into the hut.
The guys cautiously began to go inside. In the place where the window was, there was a small kitchen with dishes, a boiler, and ingredients.
Winus walked over to take a closer look. There was a glowing purple mushroom on the board, and next to it was a powder made from it.
Karumis, who was walking in front, called out to him.
The heroes followed the girl, and the door slammed shut. Caroline spoke up.
— I don't like drafts... Don't be shy, have a seat.
The boys sat down on a bench, and the girl lit a lamp. Suddenly, she burst into purple flames.
— Oh, sorry, I forgot to clean it.
— Nothing. And so... beautifully.
Winus spoke up.
— So, will you tell me who you are? Why did you come here?
Darth* stood up and spoke proudly.
— We are four...
Karumis lowered it and immediately spoke.
— We are three brave travelers who have lost our donkey and food supplies, and we are also lost.
— Hmm... And where are you heading?
— Wherever you look...
— To the kingdom. — Winus interrupted.
Karumis glanced sideways at Winus.
The girl spoke.
— To the kingdom, you say? I haven't been there in a long time...
Caroline went to check some banks.
Darth* in a whisper.
— What should we do? I'm getting goosebumps here.
— We need to ask about the jug quietly. — Winus suggested.
Caroline abruptly appeared next to him with a plate.
— I completely forgot, you're hungry from the road. Don't be shy about eating.
Winus swallowed his saliva.
— Come on, it's not for Musketeers to pick a girl.
— So you're Musketeers? — the girl asked happily.
Winus broke out in a sudden sweat. Karumis spoke.
— Yes, retired...
— They look young... but they probably screwed up a lot, so they forced me to leave, right?
— Yes. Because of him. — Darth* and Karumis said, pointing at Winus.
— Hmm... But it doesn't look like it.
Caroline said, peering at Winus quite closely.
He made signs in every possible way, the guys did nothing, only Darth*, pointing with his finger, said.
— My Lady, your pot is glowing.
— Huh? — the girl looked at the corner where there was a closed jug, around which there was a purple ring.
Caroline put on her gloves and picked up the jug.
— It's not a pot, but a jug with a very old demon.
—Oh well... Wait, what? — Darth* asked.
— Take a look at this.
Caroline opened the lid and a huge dark figure emerged from the jug, which reached the ceiling. I saw a head and hands that began to reach out to the guys.
The Musketeers were nailed to the bench. As soon as his hand touched Darth's hat, he shouted.
— Holy shit!
Suddenly, a silhouette muttered in an intimidating voice.
— Run away...
No sooner had the silhouette finished speaking than he was immediately pulled back into the jug.The guys clung to the bench. Darth*screamed.
— What was that?!
The girl laughed.
— Well, you guys are funny, you were scared of a little demon.
— And how... Why is it back in the jug?
— He tormented my family for a long time, and all sorts of cities, but... Not even he managed to escape from my vault.
— Tell more, if you don't mind. — Karumis said.
Caroline grinned at him.
— Well, finally! At least someone, at least someone cares about new magic too!
— A new one? And what is the old one? — Winus asked.
— Yes, my mom... She's been trying to switch to potions for ages, like "back in the day," but she doesn't understand the beauty of spells.
— Forever? How old are you? — Karumis asked.
— But it's not decent to ask girls that. Karolina said, then waved her hand and taped Karumis's mouth shut.
— So where were we?..
Then the girl talked about magic and potions for an hour, Winus tried to listen, Karumis tried to open his mouth, but without success, but at some point they started talking to Darth*.
— Hey, guard, can you hear me?
Darth* was taken aback and looked around.
— Don't move around, I'm wearing your hat here.
— You... Darth* croaked
— Don't say it out loud. Talk about yourself.
— Who are you, you mysterious face?!
— I'm the one who will help you get the jug.
— The jug?
— Yes, you just need a jug, right?
— Well, the ad only said about the jug.
— Okay, you'll get it. Only I have a small condition.
— What's that?
— Smash it...
— What? Darth* said aloud, then immediately covered his mouth.
Caroline, showing the broom, spoke again.
— I'm talking raises up to three sheep, what are you listening to?!
— Sorry, I was thinking... — Darth* said, after which he was lost in thought.
— Hey, voice, we actually need to deliver a jug.
— Do you only need a jug?
— Well... Come to think of it, yes.
— Break the jug, and I'll put it back together... it will be as good as new.
— And what is yours... your benefit?
— For the sake of freedom, you can do more than that. Won't the good Musketeers refuse to help?
— Hmm... It's a deal.
Darth* held out his hand.
Winus, Karumis, and Caroline looked at Dart. The girl spoke.
— Is he always this weird? Ouch... Or did I stop the mushroom flower powder?
The girl went into the kitchen.
The guys approached Darth*. Winus asked.
— Did you use some powder too?
— Don't... But I know how to make a jug, listen up.
At that time, in the cave, Jonis was rolling in his sleep, because of the noise and glare of the light. In his sleep, he spoke.
— That's enough, huh?.. Stop talking, you're disturbing my sleep! They've already got it...
Jonis got up, but when he saw that there was no one else but the horses, he spoke.
— Where is it?
He got up and looked out of the cave.
A crowd of people with wolf skins was walking along the path of lights.
The leader walked in front with a torch and encouraged his friends with words.
— Today, this witch will finally pay!
— Yes! Stop it! — the others yelled.
Jonis sighed.
— We're in trouble again...
Picking up his sword, he set off after the crowd.
The crowd followed the trail of blue lights, and Jonis quietly watched them and, waiting for a moment, attracted the attention of the straggler and dragged him into the bushes, after which he himself came out in a wolf's skin.
He sneaked right into the crowd and eavesdropped on their conversations.
— We're finally going to get rid of her today!
— Yes, she's already unbearable!
— The "Bad Wolves" will finally be respected!
— Yes, yes, respect!
After that, one by one, everyone started howling like wolves, Jonis first twisted his face, but then mumbled softly so as not to arouse suspicion.
The chief, coming closer to the hill, crouched down and signaled the others.
Everyone sat down.
The leader looked around.
— Here it is - a hut on bone legs...
— And why on the "bone"? Jonis asked quietly.
— Because it's made of human bones and even on elven bones, but I think it's a myth about human bones," said the wolf cub with the inverted skin.
— Oh, yeah... It's clear.
— Wait a minute, I haven't seen you before.
— So that's it... Did you forget him or something? We were together.
— Hmm... It didn't seem right...
Jonis slapped him on the back of the head.
— Listen, come on, or we'll miss it.
At this time, the leader was drawing on the ground with a stick.
— So we'll break the support here, the hut will tilt, and then we'll throw the torches, we've repeated the escape plan before...
— It wouldn't hurt to repeat it, — Jonis said.
— If there are no questions, then let's start...
The crowd surged forward, shouting.
Shortly before, in the hut, Darth* had explained his plan to the boys.
Karumis opened his mouth and spoke.
— So what if we smash it? She'll incinerate us right away, he won't even have time to assemble it.
— Well, let's fight!
— No, no, you can't fight with a girl. — Winus said.
— She was just showing us a collection of skulls... Karumis reminded him.
— Oh, well, you never know what happened before that, maybe she's not like that now. — Winus said.
Karumis grinned.
— But it seems to me, or you just...
— Oh, it's not for you to judge, you've settled in well yourself.
— I'm just saying...
— Everyone dropped the subject. I'll ask her right now, that's all.
Winus moved closer to the kitchen.
— My Lady, would you mind doing the travelers a small favor?
— Of course, ask for literally anything, I can do anything.
— Would you give me your precious jug?
Caroline instantly found herself in front of Winus and, with violet burning eyes and a lowered voice, said.
— NO!
Winus mumbled under his breath.
— Come on, we just need a jug, we don't need the contents...
Caroline returned to her seat.
— Hmm... Well, if that's the case, why did you give up the jug at all
— A mission from the king, — Winus boasted.
— So you're not travelers?
— No, we are Musketeers.
Caroline approached again with burning eyes.
— SO YOU LIED TO ME?
— Yea... — Winus whispered softly.
— I CRU!..
A wolf-like howl came from the forest, and then another and another.
Caroline sighed.
— Them again...
Caroline began rummaging through the shelves.
— Who are they? — Karumis asked.
— Yes, only half-witted people from the nearest village. They put on wolf skins and started calling themselves "bad wolves."..
— Why are they coming here? — Darth* asked.
Caroline sighed.
— I admit, I scared them a couple of times, and it's not that they didn't go deep into the forest - there's a lot going on here...
—Oh, right.
Karumis was indignant.
— In the sense of "clear", what do you understand?
— That the half—witted savages first killed the wolves, and now they're after the witch...
— Exactly! Caroline exclaimed.
The guys were wary.
— I'm a witch after all!" Teach them a lesson and that's the end of it, come on, guys, follow me.
The witch took out a large bag and began to take out various items from it.
— Here's your hat, the vine from the viscous jungle is very strong, you're bored with the pipe of Frimis, which blows away everything in its path, right... And you have a rose...
—Rose?.. — Winus said when he took hold of the flower, but immediately pulled his hand away.
— It hurts...
— Yes, the most prickly rose in this world, if you can't grab it, then hold the ring.
— Is it magical, too?
— No. The usual one with a diamond...
At that moment, everything was shaken, then another.
— On the street. — said Darth*
Darth* and Karumis ran out onto the porch and saw the Wolves breaking the piles.
They already wanted to warn the others, but at that moment the hut swayed and the guys almost fell out, but they grabbed the fence with a vine in time.
At that moment, a torch flew into the hut through the window. The floor began to burn.
Caroline grabbed her staff and began to extinguish the fire with mist.
— Bring the jug, Thorn!
— I'm not a thorn!
— Bring it now!
Winus climbed across the mowed floor towards the jug, picking it up, he said.
— I got it.
At that moment, the hut shook even more, the Wolves continued to knock down piles and throw torches, Jonis tried to track down the guys.
Darth* and Karumis climbed down the vine and used it to pull the hut in the opposite direction. Karumis took out a pipe and blew into it, blowing the Wolves off the piles.
But Karumis couldn't stop the flow of air, which is why he headed for the hut.
Winus was lifted through the cracks to the ceiling, after which he immediately fell to the floor, and the jug fell out of a hole in the wall.
He started to fall right into the crowd, but then Jonis ran right over the backs and, jumping away from the leader's head, caught the jug with both hands, then lifted it over his head.
Suddenly, the Wolves cheered, and in the hut, Caroline's powers began to fade.
— Thorn, do something!"
Winus abruptly pulled out a pistol, filled in the mushroom flower powder, set fire to the fuse, and fired.
The improvised projectile hit right in the center of the jug, which caused a small purple explosion, the jug shattered, and Jonis fell to the ground.
A dark mist emerged from the broken jug with a scream.
— Freedom!
The wolves screamed. They started throwing pitchforks and torches, and then running as fast as they could.
Jonis, lying on the ground, asked.
— Who the fuck are you?"
—Me?.. I am an Obscurite, the embodiment of darkness! And his words... I got it.
The silhouette absorbed the fire that ignited on the ground, the blue lights, and the pieces of the jug, and after a red flash, the jug recovered and landed smoothly in Jonis' hands.
— I have to go... Have a good trip...
After that, the mist flew into the depths of the forest, and Jonis went to the guys with a jug.
He also grabbed a vine, and Karumis, having finally mastered the pipe, blew the fire off the piles.
In the hut, the fire spread more and more. Winusextinguished it with everything he could, and Caroline, having lost her source of energy, sighed, drank a blue potion and turned into a blue sea monster and extinguished the flame with a jet of water.
Everyone calmed down. The sun began to peek out.
The boys tied the vine and carefully climbed up.
When Darth* saw the blue monster, he screamed.
— Ah, ah! The monster!
Then Caroline drank the potion and turned back.
— Ah, ah! The witch! Jonis shouted.
Caroline rolled her eyes.
— Well, Musketeers, you've done a lot of business...
The girl began to inspect the rest of the hut.
— In general... It wasn't us who did it, but the wolves, but... We take responsibility for breaking the jug. — Winus said.
— And they released a dangerous demon... Karumis added with empty eyes.
— Don't worry about the jug, but you'll pay me for the demon... — Caroline looked at the Musketeers
The guys fell into a stupor.
— Well, come on, turn out your pockets, I'm waiting.
— Just a second... — Karumis said.
The guys gathered in a circle.
— What should we do? Karumis continued.
— Is she without magic now? Let's just run away. — Darth* suggested.
— And we leave the girl in trouble? It's all our own fault. If it wasn't for us, she would have just killed everyone.
Winus said.
— Or maybe this, — said Jonis, taking out a bag, — probably fell off the leader, you can't count a lot at once.
Jonis shook the bag.
— 17 gold and 2 silver... — Winus said.
Everyone turned to look at Winus.
— I offer 2 silver coins to her, the rest to us. — said Darth*
— We haven't left a living place here from the house, we need to leave more. — Winus was saying.
— Actually, whoever found it, got the slippers, — Jonis protested.
The guys started arguing, it almost came to a fight.
Karumis exclaimed.
— That's enough! He took away the bag, took out some coins, and then went to Caroline.
— My Lady, we understand that we have caused you some inconvenience...
— Yes, yes, let's do it already.
The girl took the bag from Karumis, counted the contents, and sighed.
— Okay, consider that we're even, but next time you won't get off so easily. Now get out of here, I have to get ready myself.
— Where to? I will deign to ask. — Winus said.
— Where to? To my mother, you tore up my house and smashed the source of magic.
— Well, we'll give you a ride.
— That would be great.
— Well, since everything is agreed...
— Hey! Does anyone want to ask me? — Jonis asked.
— Let's tell you on the way, now we don't have the strength... — Karumis said, going downstairs.
After collecting their belongings, our heroes set off back to Daxas, through fields, rivers and forests.
Leaving Caroline not far from Daxas, the Musketeers found a barker dripping on a trash can and then went to the capital to the king.
The throne room.**
The troubadours began to greet the heroes.
There were guards at all the doors.
The boys knelt in front of the throne, lowering their heads.
The throne rose above the floor with a platform. A barker knelt right in front of the throne, and next to him a man in a wig holding an open parchment.
After a long moment of singing, Winus asked softly.
— How long will they be blowing there? My legs are going to fall off.
— I don't know, we have to be patient, or else the heads will inadvertently be cut off... — said Karumis.
— Why did we get involved in this at all? — Jonis asked.
— Everyone wanted to cut off a piece there, and now we're sitting here, taking our breath away. — Darth* replied
The melody ended, and the applause began.
— And where are the claps coming from? There aren't even any people here. — Jonis asked.
The King stood up with his hands in the air.
His greatness appeared in full height, tall, broad-shouldered, with a black beard, crown and cloak.
— Gentlemens! It is a great honor for me to meet today, because you are the brave ones who responded to my request and delivered a jug of Obscurite!
The clapping started again.
— Parsifal, you have the floor.
The man in the wig spoke while the king put his hands back.
— Louis Petit L. L., for timely informing and recruiting the group, as well as for the shortest time to fulfill the request, is awarded a plot of land equal to 100 and 1 diameter of the owner in Bezkrakoss.
The peasant approached the halfling, who stood up, but the peasant still had to bend down to give him the awards.
— Thank you very much, Your Majesty, I will also continue to serve for the good of the kingdom.
— Ho, ho, ho, I have no doubt...
The halfling descended.
— Well, now you.
The guys stood up, and Winus spoke.
— Oh, great King, Benjamin II, let me introduce you to a jug of Obsurite!
— Obscurite. — Karumis whispered.
—Obscurite! I apologize for the ignorance! Ugh... It was already disgusting, — Winus finished under his breath.
Jonis handed over a jug on a velvet cushion, almost dropping it.
— Great!.. — Said the King. — Parsifal!
The peasant immediately came over and took the jug. After that, the king clapped his hands and a cart covered with a velvet sheet rolled into the hall, and another peasant opened it.
— Of course, where are the heroes without awards! Jonis is an ornament that more than one maiden cannot resist, Winus is, of course, a monetary reward, Karumis did not give me any wishes, so I am providing a collection of fine wines, and Darth* now you are officially a Musketeer, it remains only to arrange a couple of signatures.
— We serve Your Majesty! — The Musketeers shouted.
— Well, since we're done, I think you're tired, take a break, and in the evening I'm waiting for the feast, I'm not saying goodbye...
The Musketeers and the halfling were immediately put under the door.
The guys didn't understand anything.
— And what was that? — Winus asked.
— Heh, the monarchy... — Jonis said.
— And what should we do? — Darth* asked.
— Well, since we were told to rest, I suggest we prepare for the feast, and at the same time celebrate the past. Karumis said.
Karumis opened one of the bottles, and the guys headed for the exit with their glasses.
At this time, in the throne room, the King and Parsifal left through another door.
Parsifal handed over the jug and took the copy himself.
— Take them to the cups in the showcase on the south side, and wipe them there.
Parsifal nodded and left, and the King went down the steps. Next to the cellar door, he looked around and pulled on a torch.
A secret door opened. The king lit a torch and passed on.
Unlocking the iron door with a key, he entered a dark room, in the center of which there was something covered with canvas.
The king threw off the canvas, and behind it was an iridescent sphere surrounded by glass.
The king put the jug in the prepared place, and then walked away.
At the same moment, the jug glowed purple and began to absorb the energy of the sphere.
Watching this, the king smiled maliciously.
The Tavern
The Musketeers, having tasted the king's gift to their heart's content, were talking merrily at the table. The halfling was already dozing on a chair while the guys were trying their hand at it.
At that moment, a melody of musicians sounded on a small stage. Darth* stopped Jonis and Winus by saying.
— So that's it, friendship has won, let's get out... sing songs.
— Okay... Then you pay! — Winus said.
Darth* nodded awkwardly.
The guys got up and went to the stage, only Jonis returned and took Karumis, who was almost asleep.
— Where to? What's that again?
The guys stood in the center of the place in a row and began dancing to the rhythm of the music.
— It's time, it's time, let's enjoy our own...
At that moment, Karumis, sleepy, stumbled and fell back, grabbing a chair and hitting Winus, which caused him to throw a mug of beer at the nearest man.
A few moments later, a massacre began in the tavern, accompanied by joyful music.
At this time, in the awards hall.
Parsifal brought a jug and placed it next to the display case, after which he called the maid who was cleaning nearby.
— The main thing is, don't forget to wipe and lock it, and make sure that the heirs don't run around here.
The maid bowed. Parsifal is gone. The maid opened the display case, wiped and put down the jug. After locking the window, she spoke softly.
— I'll keep an eye on it...
Purple eyes could be seen in the reflection of the display case.