The Mist and the Lightning. Part III - страница 6

"No," Tol whispered. "I don't believe you. You're crazy, Lis!"

"I don't like to believe it myself," Lis said quietly, "but look at their actions."

Tol swallowed hard. Enriki kept sitting still, somewhat grey and silent. Poor Vil looked in such a way as if the only thing he dreamed about was to vanish in the thin air now. Only Squint-Eye appeared undisturbed; it seemed no conspiracies could frighten or bother him. Very calm, he stood not far away from Asa, indifferently waiting for what would happen next.

"What shall we do now?" Enriki asked.

"We have to tell Orel about it," Tol said. "Let him decide what to do."

"What can Orel do?" Lis answered. "Orel can't do anything, he is in their power."

"But you can," Nikto said turning to Lis. "You're the cleverest, the most inquisitive, the most cunning – but not the boss for some reason!"

Squint-Eye grimaced smiling, watching Lis who did his best to keep a neutral expression.

"I don't mind telling Orel," Lis said, heroically coping with his wounded pride.

"So why are you still here? Go and share your discoveries with him!"

"You're mocking me! He dares mocking us, he isn't afraid of anything, he feels he's the master here!"

"Perhaps we give Nikto a chance to explain himself."

Everyone turned to this quiet voice. Vil, very tense, sat at the table and looked at them.

"Ooh, you have some more allies here!" Lis could barely control himself.

"You know, Lis, I would also like to listen what Nikto has to say," Enriki interfered.

"Come on, Nikto," Squint-Eye winked to him happily, "do Lis away!"

"Bert, stop with your foolish jokes," Enriki said quickly. "Don't add fuel to the fire."

"What do you want to hear?"

"Truth."

"If I say that I'm not in conspiracy with the Unclean or with anyone else… will you believe me?"

"We need a proof," Enriki said. "Can you prove it?"

"I didn't know Asa. I saw her for the first time when Tol brought her to Orel's castle, just like you did."

"Why is she attracted to Tol? Perhaps Borgan sent her to watch you?" Enriki suggested.

"If Borgan uses her as a spy in the castle, we should just get rid of her and that's all," Squint-Eye said.

Nikto kept silent.

"No," he said at last, "there is another thing between Asa and Tol. But I won't say anything, you will not believe me – as always – and it will only turn to the worse. Despise me, hate me," he stumbled for a moment, checking whether he'd used a correct word. "I know I didn't wish and don't wish evil to you, and I don't do evil."

"You don't have anything to say," Lis smirked.

"What do you mean 'turn to the worse'?" Enriki asked carefully.

"It's enough. I've said enough." Nikto put his elbows in the table and pressed his palm to his forehead.

"Nikto in not to blame," Asa said suddenly in Unclean, apparently having figured out something. She got up from the floor and now stood in front of them. "My master Borgan told me to be with Tol because Tol is Unclean."

"What? What did she say?" Enriki whispered.

"Quiet, quiet, calm down," Lis reached his hand as if pushing Enriki aside.

"Why should we believe you?" Lis's Unclean was very good. Asa shrugged.

"Because I tell the truth. Why should I lie? It doesn't make sense, since you can check Tol. I think there is someone among you who can do it and confirm my worlds. Nikto can hear the 'phone' and Squint-Eye can, too. Tol spent all his life among humans but you can still hear him. No matter how human-like he looks, he is not human, and one can hear it. Borgan heard him at once, I didn't, his 'phone' is very quiet. Nikto likely heard him too, that's why he took him along. Borgan was delighted with Tol, he at once did his best for Tol and for you. He gave Nikto and Tol his chosen warriors. I love Tol and he has to be with us. Not now, now it's too early, but sooner or later he'll come back to us. And… You won't tell him anything, will you? He is very attached to you and he needs you! You won't turn away from him, right? I gave him away only because I felt there was trouble. I don't know what exactly you talked about but I'm telling the truth!"