Рами Юдовин – Wind in the Hands (страница 11)

“This is your imagination, illusionary worlds which you instill with power and make real,” the Stranger muttered. “Well, if you tune on to the Source of Knowledge, you will see anything and won’t be able to tell the reality from imagination. There might be no distinct border in between.”

“I’m not going to argue. You are very conservative, but you are a curious man. You are unlike others,” the Medium looked at him tenderly and said affectionately, “I have seen a strange light above your head and it wasn’t a halo. Do you know what it is?”

The Stranger suddenly felt light tongues of the Wind.

“Can you see it now?” he asked and the Medium looked narrowly at him.

“Yes, I can see it now,” she looked in the companion’s eyes and saw an unknown glance, which emitted power. She felt uncomfortable. “Your eyes! What is wrong with your eyes?” she exclaimed and continued to peer at him frightened.

“Nothing threatens you,” the Stranger said detachedly and the woman thought that the light above his head became brighter. “It is the Wind. He is my friend. I can see that you are connected with some energies and forces. As soon as they show they can arouse the Wind to act against them and touch you. If possible, do not try to summon spirits in my presence and don’t do anything extraordinary.”

“Is it bad?” the Medium lowered her head. She did not want to listen to another challenge to her abilities.

“It is also knowledge, but the source of this knowledge is doubtful. In any case, a person will not benefit from this. But I know very little about this,” the Stranger did not want to hurt the woman.

“That’s how I was born. I have a talent,” it was important for her to justify herself.

“I’m not your judge, but they can use you. It is dangerous.”

“But no, I’m using them. That’s how I earn my bread,” the Medium smiled.

“There are different energies which cannot be seen to normal eyes. You might see more. Animals see in a totally different system. Microscope, telescope, or X-ray can be used to see something inaccessible to human eyes. Such people as you or the Seer can see something that cannot be seen through these devices. But no talent gives access to the country of justice,” the Stranger tried to speak as soft as possible.

The woman was almost on the verge of a nervous breakdown, and despite external confidence could hardly keep control.

“And what will?”

“Our endeavors, acts, and belief.”

“Do you believe in the country of justice? Where is it? Over there?”

The Medium pointed her finger at stars.

“It is somewhere, far away and nearby at the same time. It might reach the Earth,” the Stranger was silent and then added: “someday.”

“Ok,” the woman nodded eagerly. “It’s a pity we won’t see that.”

“I won’t live to these days and I won’t see the time when my songs are needed… If the Creator so wishes, He can shift our substance to another medium. Do you copy important information from your computer to discs?”

“I don’t copy all information to other media.”

The Stranger nodded and sighed heavily:

“I’m afraid you are not the only one who does like that.”

“That’s personification of the soul,” she found it hard to smile.

“There are heavenly shells and earthly ones…” the Stranger sank into reverie.

Silence set in. The woman seemed to be fighting a thought. Breathing out, the Medium made a decision.

“Do you want to sleep with me?” she asked sharply, even without looking in his direction.

The Stranger did not expect such a straightforward question and could not keep from smiling.

“Do you, magicians and enchanters, usually reinforce heart-to-heart talks with sex?”

“Well, no, but sex is the easiest way to get to know a person and you are a riddle to me,” she looked up at him with her fiery eyes.

“Then let’s postpone the learning process,” the Stranger grinned. “I fear to disappoint you when you get to know me. You may deprive me of your hospitality in the City and that would be quite an unhappy occasion.”

The woman smiled, looked at the Stranger playfully and thought: “And he does want me, I can see that.”

The Medium went to the bathroom. She came after shower, completely naked, demonstrating her splendid figure, proudly passed the man, languidly sighed and lay down on her bed and did not cover herself with the blanket.

“There is a draught, you’ll catch cold,” he said yawning.

“Maybe, you are not interested in women, aren’t you? Anyone in your place will be sitting at my feet.”

“I’m not anyone. I thought you could see that. The strong differ from the weak not by lack of desire, but by the ability to manage and control, they know the reason to hold their passions. We had a nice talk,” said the Stranger through his teeth and turned to another side.

The woman could not go to sleep. She rolled herself up in a sheet, went out to the balcony again, and smoked.

“Can I ask you a question?” the Stranger could not go to sleep either.

“Sure.”

“Why do you both smoke so much?”

“Who both?” the Medium asked to clarify.

“You and the Seer. If you are able to see, you must know what harm it makes.”

“As far as I know, the Seer cannot quit smoking.”

“Why?”

“After his leg was crushed in the death camp, he experienced heavy depression. Have you heard about this time?”

“I have, and about a wonderful escape from the camp, too. Despite his mutilated leg, he hypnotized security guards and escaped.”

“Yes, he escaped, crossed the border, returned home, did not see anyone for several months and even did not leave home. He was fed almost from a spoon. His power can break anyone, but he himself is weak and spleeny.”

The Stranger was silent for some time.

“I think you haven’t understood. He didn’t worry about his leg or agonies in the death camp. I think he felt something was wrong. He saw imminent danger, knew he was chased and still could not avoid getting into the hands of his pursuers. And then he saw: there was something stronger than him, understood there were rules even he couldn’t change. He experienced a withdrawal syndrome and that was the most difficult as it meant loss of self-confidence.”

The Medium came up to the Stranger and sat beside him.

“I have bad premonitions, I have been anxious for several weeks. I have come to speak with the Seer. Maybe he understands what is going on with me,” the woman took the Stranger by his hand.

“You are not the only one; all of us feel like that. We are on the threshold of amazing events and I think I will learn something important in the City. I’m drawn there as if by a magnet.”

“A call?”

“This is vampire terminology. More likely, a mission. I hope, it is a mission,” the Stranger softly removed her palm and went to the balcony.

“Do you enjoy looking in the sky?” the woman followed him.

“I sometimes think that the sky is looking at me, inviting me to be its guest. It illuminates the way by the stars and the Moon. You think that I’ve decided I’m someone very special, don’t you?”

“I don’t think so,” the Medium interrupted him. “I believe that you can do much. But I can see how the air condenses above you. Has the Seer warned you of an imminent danger?”

“He warned my comrade.”

“I’ve seen him. I don’t like him. I strongly don’t like him. I don't understand what you might have in common with a man like that.”

“You don’t know him. He, like many others living in the time of troubles, has another attitude to life and death.”

“Could you have made a mistake with the choice of a companion?”

“We’ll see when time comes. Let’s go to bed. Tomorrow will be a tough day.”

Chapter 10. A favor for a favor

The Seer could not get to sleep. Anxious thoughts prevented him from relaxing or getting the story out of his mind. He thought he should take some action, influence the situation, although it was not typical for him to interfere with anything not directly related to him.

“Ok, suppose, there is an anomaly in the City, and a man capable of fighting it shows up. He hears a voice, commanding him to go to the City. Tries to build a team, or?..” the Seer winced. “No. They are not friends and barely know each other. Mobilized a liquidation specialist. Wanted to employ me. Funny guy. They probably go to fight. But against whom? Magicians and sorcerers? Is a black magic conference planned in the City? Most likely, no. So, what’s the anomaly?” the Seer tried to concentrate. “No. Nothing fits. Maybe there is no anomaly in the City, and this man, call him the Eccentric, has power which is activated in case of….” the Seer rubbed his forehead and said at hazard: “emotional shake up of the holder. A memory of the great events of the past, history of the City can provoke an outburst of energy in the Eccentric. A mechanism was activated for some reason and he decided he could use his ability in the City. Ok. But why does he need the Liquidator? He could feel he needed a battle tactics specialist. So, is the Eccentric dangerous? What happens if he wanders around the City. Although there are places where you better avoid. Well, it’s not our problem, he is not a small boy, and he will sort it out. And what if he loses control over his energy in the City, what will happen in this case? Can’t happen? Is it my imagination? But I have experienced the power of the Eccentric, and he found hard to suppress it and it nearly killed me. So, the best way is not to let him go to the City.”