The Mist and the Lightning. Part III
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"I can guess what," Lis said darkly. "What then?"
"Then they put the Unclean child in the baby's place. The master and the mistress didn't suspect anything, they were very happy that the baby was handsome and strong, they named him Ram and loved him very much. They didn't have any more children and doted on him. And the Unclean loved him, too, they dreamed that he would grow up and become a master, and then they'll tell him everything and he'll free them and the estate will belong to the Unclean. But Tol left them and isn't going to come back. He destroyed their hopes."
"What is she saying?" Tol couldn't stand it any longer. "What?"
"She explains that there is nothing between her and Nikto, and you know, Tol," Lis made a somewhat guilty expression that could deceive only Tol, "it seems she made me believe her. Forget everything I said before. I was wrong," he finished quite cheerfully.
Asa was listening worriedly.
"Relax," Squint-Eye said quietly. "Lis will not tell him anything." He smiled. "I suspected it from the beginning. I heard he was 'phoning' at once. But damn it…"
"You won't tell him, will you?" Asa interrupted him.
"No, you can be sure I won't."
"So, Lis, it was your fantasies, right?" Tol asked suspiciously.
"Yes," Lis said simply. "Just imagine, I was mistaken, my imagination got me carried away."
"Really?" Tol narrowed his eyes. "There is something wrong in it. You gave up too quickly."
Lis shrugged.
"What can I do, your Asa is very smart and made me change my mind. She really loves you, she loves you and does everything to secure your future."
"Yeah? Why did she call for him and not for me then?"
"Ooh, it's simple, Nikto has saved her life once, and she says she got friendly with him," Lis smiled at Tol nicely.
"Got friendly?"
"Yes," Lis looked at him innocently. "She got to respect him, stopped putting on airs, is it bad, huh, Tol? You wanted that, didn't you?"
"Yes," Tol said. He was tense, he started getting confused. "What else did she say?"
"Nothing special."
"But she said a lot."
"It just seemed so to you. You know, Tol, learn Unclean and ask her yourself. I don't mind your Asa any more. Is it enough for you?"
"Yes."
"Then keep enjoying your life. Besides, you started it, it was because of your shitty temper Orel got angry, nearly killed her, cut off Nikto's braid, made us think hell knows what about them. He paired Squint-Eye and me even though everyone knows what terms we are on. Squint-Eye wants to kill me!"
"It is not true," Squint-Eye exclaimed quickly.
"True or not but I have written a lot in my farewell letter – in case if I suddenly get killed. One letter is for Orel, another for the royal prosecutor. I've foreseen everything."
Squint-Eye went pale.
"So, Tol, next time before you argue with Orel, think twice and follow the example of Enriki, me and the others: we don't dispute. Orel is our master and we have to do what he tells us."
"Look who's talking," Tol muttered.
"Tol, what are you saying?! I always obey Orel," Lis was extremely incensed.
"Fine, ask her once more, is there something between her and Nikto, let her answer honestly. I'll forgive her, I promise."
"As you wish." Lis turned to Asa. "I didn't tell Tol anything, I'm covering up for you. But please admit, did you know Nikto before?"
"I only heard about him, have never seen him."
"You're lying, bitch, you had to see him, he's your Borgan's friend!"
"So what? When he came, I wasn't there."
"If you don't tell the truth now, I won't believe that you're not together."
"Lis, I'm tired of it! Fine, I saw him a couple of times from afar, he didn't even notice me. Is it important for you?"
"Yes, it is." Lis turned to Tol. "Here you are, I asked her again, that's right, there is nothing between them, they didn't even meet before. Do you believe me?"
"I dunno," Tol drawled doubtfully. "You say one thing at first, then another…"
"Well, forgive me for that, I'm a suspicious son of bitch, I was wrong. Do you forgive me?"
"All right," Tol smiled, a little strained.
"Then let's drink for it!" Lis reached for the bottle. "Let's drink for peace and friendship among us."
"Let's drink," Squint-Eye agreed. He walked around the table returning to his place.
"What shall we say to Orel?" Enriki suddenly asked barely audibly.
"We can tell everything, we can tell nothing," Lis filled Enriki's glass to the brim. "I think he and Nikto will make up soon, right, Nikto?"
"I would like to."
"I don't doubt." Lis filled his glass, too.
Before going to her place, Asa walked up to Nikto and gave him his braid. Nikto took it without saying anything. Asa returned to the table.
Lis raised his glass.
"Let's forget everything! No more suspicions among us. We are a family! For us and for Orel!"
Their glasses touched. They drank: Tol and Vil who didn't know Unclean and didn't understand anything; Enriki who knew Unclean very poorly but understood everything; and Squint-Eye, Lis, Nikto and Asa.
"I will never, never listen to you again, Lis," Tol said wiping his lips.