The story Drazik\'and (Gothic 2)

20.

Sir Roche went for Mud. And I was told to wait in the ruined tower. I offered to look for Mada together, but the Rosh rejected this idea. Said first he wants to talk to Mud himself. Eye to eye. It was obvious that the twin doesn't trust me. Well and figs with it.

I sat down on the bed that stood in the tower. The noise of the Camp almost did not penetrate here. It was dim and cool. I started uncontrollably sleepy. What? While this mage dropout looking for jerk Mada, I can sleep. In fact, sleep the hero in Gothic is not needed. Sleep only restores health and mana. The hero of the game can not sleep for years without compromising health. But I was a real person, albeit in the fictional world of the Game. And I wanted to sleep.

Sleep came at me so fast, as if just waited for the moment when I close my eyes. I fell into the darkness...

I had a dream. It sounds strange to be outside of reality and still dream dreams. But the dream was. Bright, colorful.

I dream that we are standing with Roche at the portal. I know that this is the way home. And one has only to take a step and return to your world. I want to login to portal, but hear behind the noise of the battle. I turn around, sir Roche, in the garb of a firebender, desperately fighting off the squad of orcs. He sends the lightning and balls of fire at the creatures, a pair of orcs is already lying on the ground. And then there is the Enemy. I can't see his face, but immediately understand that it was his will that we with Roche ended up here. He set us up against the orcs. He doesn't want so we went home. And so we will have to kill him. This is the only way to get out of here.

Roche also sees the Enemy. Lightning shooting down the nearest Orc Fire mage turns toward the Enemy and throws his hands to the sides. Head over to Roche clouds are gathering in divorced the hands of flashing lights, in his right hand — red-red, in the left — unbearably blue.

I understand that I can just step in and go back home. I no longer can interfere. But I also understand that you can't leave the Roche one-on-one with enemies. And I turn around, snatch from behind two-handed sword, rushed into the midst of orcs. The sword goes in fur-covered bodies of non-humans, almost inaudibly...

And then the portal behind me disappears. Just dissolves in the air. I feel it back, I turn around — portal no. The only hope for the return of the disappeared. The silence makes me look back to the battlefield. No battle no — orcs sat on the ground and rest, Roche put his hands down and looks at me with an unpleasant smile. And the Enemy standing next to my twin and is also laughing quite gleefully. They won! They didn't let me out of the world of Gothic. Roche at the same time with the Enemy. And they tricked me to stay here. In The Game. Forever. I've started so desperate that the heart contracts and stops. I fall to the ground, no heartbeat, but I still see as the Enemy shakes Rosu's hand, and that, in response, slaps the Enemy on the shoulder. To me they don't care. And I'm dying...

Drazic — I hear your name. The voice comes from afar...

Drazic, Wake up! Roche was shaking my shoulder. — Wake up, found the time to sleep. Yes, Wake up....

I nodded and sat down on the bed. My mind was blank, only the remnants of sleep still moving in some parts of the mind. I once again shook his head, waking up completely. Sir Roche was standing in front of me very anxious.

Drasic it's really bad. Mud left. Faster, we can catch up! — these words are my twin yelled already on the move. I moved over Roche. "Something important, I now have a dream" — I was trying to remember your dream.

— Faster, Drazic!

— I'm going to go... I stopped thinking about the dream and went on running.

21.

Roche set a good pace, I barely keep up with him. We ran from the South gate of the Old Camp and down the road leading to the camp of the cultists. My twin stomped ahead. I was belatedly surprised that he knows exactly where to go. From the Old Camp you can go in any direction, it is in the center of the colony, and all paths converge to it. And no matter what gate you came out — you can still go in any direction. It is almost impossible to guess where the person left from the Old Camp. Unless, of course, do not know. It seemed that Rosh knew, had gone mad. The guards at the gate saw us views, one of them chuckled after us very disapprovingly. Or so I thought.

The right of the road I noticed the blueberry, but the time to collect the berries were not. On the left, not very far from us, walked two of the scavenger. Fortunately, they didn't see us. The scavengers seem to be very poor eyesight and they only see what they have in front of them. Ahead on the road I noticed the green carcass — like crocodile increased in thickness five times. In Gothic IT's called lizard. Hell no, lizard! The creators of the game seem to imagination. And a good sense of humor. Only very black. A dark sense of humour — a horrible sound. Better — a sense of black humor. Even worse. In General, the humor was. Only very black. The creature turned to us, lowered his head flattened to the ground, throwing from the jaws of a forked tongue. Roche, without breaking stride, turned to the right:

Drazic here! — he shouted on the go. I understand the idea and also ripped to the right. Terrible lizard, loud stomping, rushed us. The zeal that has developed this bold creature, caused me horror. Can not such carcass so fast. Or maybe... I didn't wait to ponder over this question, and just pushed hard, trying to reach saving trees.

I saw the first crossbow bolt struck the green monster behind my back, only heard the sound of viscosity, slurp. And the roar. The lizard roared in pain, but the speed is not slowed down. Roche has already reached the trees. I saw beside him the guard Pacho, who raised her to shoulder the crossbow. Shot. A second bolt flashed in the sun before my eyes and went for my back — again the thud sound. And a new cry of pain. The creature jumped, trying to get me to jump. I felt on his back the breath of the monster. Or is it only seemed. And then the third crossbow bolt smashed something important in the head of a lizard. Perhaps brains? Not sure what this monster had some brains. The creature collapsed to the ground. The earth noticeably shook. "A ton, no less" — I thought, not looking back. The danger has passed, but I continued to run. And stopped only when he was behind Pacho.

— Hey, you! — Paco turned to me.

— Who? I? — I was breathing heavily, his mouth was dry. Tongue moved with difficulty.

— No, your grandmother. — Pacho, apparently, had a good sense of humor. Or seem like a good sense of humor. — Who else do I turn?

Good question. Especially when you consider that next to Pacho stood sir Roche. If I were single, I would, of course, did not begin to specify, who to turn to guard.

— I wouldn't go there. — Pacho spoke calmly, without a threat in his voice. So, in a fatherly way. Like father counseled his foolish son.

Why?

— This road leads to the lands of the orcs. They will be happy to prepare you a snack with alcohol. — Pacho laughed. He apparently thought it was a joke. I didn't get the joke.

— Thanks for the help — intervened Roche.

— That's — good-naturedly responded Pacho.

My DoppelgangeR moved to the road to the Swamp Camp, carefully avoiding the carcass of a dead lizard. I went after him. Breath almost recovered, but to escape is not wanted. I was hoping that we go on from step.

Approaching the bridge over the river, we saw the other side of the Mada. Rather, the corpse of Mada. A large wolf lifted his bloody muzzle from the body of the fool. I fouled. The wolf turned in our direction the whole body. And suddenly scratched the back of his paw behind his ear. Just like a dog. A very large, angry and dangerous dog. Deadly. I pulled the sword from the loop on the side Sword — the best remedy for the wolves.

Drazic, wait! Creek Rocha hit me in the back. By the time I stopped. The wolf slowly trotted towards us. Re — Drazic!

I took a step back holding the sword with two hands in front of him.

— Are you crazy, Roche didn't even pull his blade. — The wolf will kill you immediately. Tired of living?!

Look, I thought. I have these wolves hundreds Ruban sausage. Not on the first level, of course.

The wolf slowly came up to us. I knew this tactic — slow approach, which relaxes and fascinates the victim, and then the deadly jump. I'm wondering how the agile plunge the sword into the wolf's belly at the time of the jump, when in the hand of the Roche lit a blue flame.

I was taken aback wolf — no. My double extended his hand forward and a blue flame from his palm fell, turning into lightning. The wolf jumped, but lightning struck it in the air, spun, and threw it on the ground. Roche was great in this moment — a smile wandered on his lips, and his hands are lightning continued to whip the wolf. A second later the wolf died. My DoppelgangeR lowered his hand, the blue flame went out. There was silence, even the birds in the forest that was near, fell silent.

I was amazed at what happened:

— Rosh, how are you...What are you... I mean, how did you do it?

Ordinary zipper. Roche smiled. Did you see Drazic! Here it is — the real power!!!

Sir Roche was jubilant. Whether from the fact that so cleverly got the wolf, or from the fact that he was able to use magic.

Roche, give the scroll view, I held out my hand.

Future the magician gave a scroll with a magic formula to me. Scroll as a scroll. On a piece of thin skin had inexplicably captured the image of two lightning. Quite sketchy. Below the colored circle. And that's all. No inscriptions, spells, or anything else. It is not clear.

Roche, how does it work? — I really was unaware.

— Don't know — honestly, my DoppelgangeR. I'm just thinking about the flash and she appears.

Just think? — I didn't believe. As it turns out, just. To think I can, nothing complicated about it.

Well... Roche hesitated. — Another scroll must be in hand...

Is that all? — I understand that he's not telling us something.

— Leave Me Alone, Drazic. You magician want to be?

— You need to figure. I am a warrior. And your magic stuff I don't need.

— Give the scroll.

I returned Rosu scroll. Twin immediately hid it in his bosom.

We walked over to what remained of the mud.

Yeah. Though the fool was, but still — man — I really felt sorry Mada.

— He is not human. — Firmly said Roche.

All Drazic, very overworked, I thought. Here, in the world of Gothic, there's only two real people — me and Rosh. The rest — the generation game. Need to remember this every second. Otherwise not to survive. It is possible that there is a third person — the Enemy. But this is a big question.

The wolf gnawing from the back of the Mada large chunks of flesh. It was a terrible sight.

— Not yet, — said Roche. — Let's go.

I decided to turn the Mada, I don't know why.

— Correctly — brightened the future of MAG. — You need to search it. If it's something valuable there.

Looting ought not magicians, I thought. But I decided not to. Just in case.

Turning mud's body, I immediately saw on his throat the black dot. One day I saw a — on the body of a man killed by electricity. This is called the entry point. Must be the exit point — the same black mark. I visited in turn the hands of Gajah Mada, and on the left found black mark. All clear. Dia was killed by lightning, and a wolf came too late to profit by a fresh corpse. Who can kill a lightning? Magicians of Fire, magicians of Water. Xardas. And yet... was unpleasant to Me to think about it, but this morning's dream again emerged from the depths of my memory. Heart was sad, the light of the day faded. Because lightning could kill Mada my partner sir Roche.

22.

I met Roche in winter, five months ago. I played Gothic almost 20 hours a day, took me to the game. And at one point I stalled. I didn't know how to go further. On the game box was written the address on the Internet. So I got on the forum Gothic. To begin, I looked around. Noticed that some people have a PostScript before the name — goth. The rules of the forum I read that goth is an active member of the forum Gothic. The most active, judging by the number of messages, and was sir Roche. At first he was pretty sarcastic, but gradually we almost became friends. And when I became a goth — began to treat me as an equal. Smart was also from the forum Gothic. Too goth. And Demobilization. Madrigal, Robespierre, Fatal... In real life we never met. We lived in different cities. The only thing that unites us — Gothic. Great Game. We even started creating a fan site for the Gothic, each of us wrote articles and stories for it, doing tables, and screenshots. The creation involved not only all 8 ready, but the forum moderators, and simple forumite. The charm of this game was so strong that the players started to write — poems, short stories, poems — all of it was inspired by the Gothic. No other game, in my opinion, did not cause such a flow of creativity of the players.

And now, being in the world of Gothic, I had myself to answer the question. Simple question — do I trust sir Roche.

On the one hand, many things were strange. Roche was already in the world of Gothic, when I saw him for the first time. And although he said he came here after me, it's just his word. It is very strange behaved in the beginning, abrasives with weapons on the hunters from the New Camp. Sir Roche, as I imagine it did not need to rush to opponents who are obviously stronger. Happiness, that people in the world of Gothic, not kill to death. Leave one unity health. I believe that the creators of the game showed in this humanism. The only thing that saved us from certain death. Next — sir Rosh learned from Smart, as he himself said, but deliberately took me half a day to test my reaction. Or maybe he does not know what handwriting is Smart? It is possible that he was just bluffing? It may very well be. Only, why should he? And why he took the Fire mage scrolls? He could take a more valuable reward — the elixir for the enhancement of mana. He's a natural mage, certainly understood the value of both. Incommensurable value.

And Roche knew exactly where to find Mada. As sure as if he himself brought here. And lightning could strike...

On the other hand, he saved my life a couple of times. Nursed me after wounds no worse than the soccer mom. Have nekoval swords to get ore. The wolf cleverly killed by lightning. To Velie, again, torn. Exactly what would sir Roche. The Rosh, I know.

Not come to any definite conclusion, I asked:

Roche, I did not answer. Why you took the scrolls? Why scrolls

What? My partner scraped from the pockets of the corpse Mada sorts of small things: a few pieces of ore, a small bottle of water, a roll of becoming a scavenger.

— Why you took it scrolls? The magicians of Fire.

— Why-why — Rosh turned to me. He looked to the side. Smiled sheepishly. — You know, Drazic, wanted to see if I can do this. Well... Magic or something.

Simple as that. Future MAG was just not confident in their magical abilities. And I have a garden pile up to the heavens, far-reaching conclusions made. And everything was so simple. I wanted to ask why he to the hunters climbed to fight, but changed his mind. Roche, after all, admitted it was a mistake and apologized. What old to remember.

— How do you know where dia went?

Snap said. Cook. Neighbor Mada.

Snap? How the fuck does he know? Ah, Yes... mud do not know how to keep quiet... Why did he go? Snap not said?

— No. Said mud went to the swamp idiots. And added that where it belongs.

Okay, let's assume that sir Roche — present. Then a new question arises — who killed Mada? And, most importantly, why?

— Why, I wonder, someone kill Mada...

The wolf just wanted to eat, Roche shove found treasures in his bosom. He's got a warehouse full already, I thought.

Roche, not wolf killed. Later the wolf came by the corpse. Mada killed the magician. Lightning.

— MAG? Roche looked at me astonished eyes. What makes you think that?

I showed my partner the labels from lightning on the body of Mada, explained why they are taken. Roche only shook his head. It seems that for him it was all new.

— Against mage we can not stand. No way. Not now, not then. Especially since we don't know who is against us doing this. Khan us, Drazic.

Wait, Roche. Don't panic. If we understand why we were here, we realize who is holding us here.

— I've thought about this Drasic, but nothing does not occur. I can't figure out who you need within the game to keep. You just have to come up with.

And I also thought. And, too, none of which have not thought of. There is no reason to keep me here. None. It is, apparently, not me.

— You said yourself that this is a trap for you. Why are you all confused Drazic.

— I thought for me. Now, understand that it is not for me at all.

— And for whom? Roche was interested.

— For you, Rosh. Do.

— For me? Roche smiled. — Who I want in Fig. No, Drazek, che, you got it wrong.

— No, not messed up. You said yourself that you at 9 am need in one important place to be. If you're stuck in here, in this important place will not fall. So? Kolis, the head of that important place. Why you need it. This is the key to the solution.

— Some nonsense! Roche disappointed sigh. Is not the key no, and garbage. Are you Drazic from weed so mind-boggling. I told you not to eat weeds. And I wanted to feed...

— Rosh, where are you at 9 am need? — I decided not to pay attention to a silly joke on the subject of weeds and demolished the roof.

— Yes, it has nothing to do with Gothic anything! My double began angry.

— You tell me and I'll understand, has or not.

Drazic, have you by any chance name is not Poirot? What stuck. I'm telling you that this idea sucks...

Roche, you find it hard to say? We maybe will eat in a minute, and then you secrets of the Madrid court bred!

— Okay. The draft Board I need at 9 am. The army leaving.

23.

We went back to the fallen tower, which at the South gate of the Old Camp. Oddly enough, it was warmer than outside. Although the street in full sun was shining. "Yes, little snow the summers in the Gothic" — the thought flashed in my head, but was immediately superseded by other more important.

— Well, Drazic, now you know who is playing against us? Roche openly mocked. And in many ways he was right. Which of forumites didn't want Roche went into the army? Everything!!! Any every. The circle of suspects is not only not narrowed, and even, on the contrary, expanded. Will have to come up with something else to determine who our Enemy is.

— Here you, for example, want me to go to the army? my double didn't let up.

— Oh, Rosh, I get it... Nobody wants that, including me. Without you, the forum will be different.

Plan to catch the spy — Mada — ineptly failed. No more ideas I had. And Rocha, apparently, was:

— Listen here, Drazic. Here's my plan. We go to Xardas. But wait, hear me out. We go to Xardas and shake the truth out of him. He probably knows everything. To pass the Golems, we need magic scrolls is I can get it. Still need a good hammer to break the stone Golem. This is your task.

Roche and orcs? About orcs you forgot? There's a bunch of them. Plus Varga. As we past the orcs and Wargs go?

— We will not pass by, — my DoppelgangeR spoke in a very harsh voice. — We kill them.

— All???

— All.

— How?

Drazik, you surprise me. Do the mage and warrior together will not pass through the land of orcs? Or is it you — Dragon Hunter?

Roche, of course, was right. The warrior and mage together can go anywhere. Only trouble is that Roche was not a warrior and a mage. We were heroes 1st level. No armor, no good weapons and runes. With low health. Therefore, we can not go. I outlined this idea Rosu.

— You understand, Drazic, I'm not suggesting right now to go to the tower Xardas. Now we're going to start to gain experience and increase level. You're going to swing power I Manu. And in 4 days we will turn into an invincible fighting unit. Rapid response team — the future the magician smiled. — How about this: you go to a New Camp and do the service of the General Lee, and I stay here and become a magician of Fire. 4 days should be controlled.

I understand that the idea of the Roche — utopia. But no the best plan I had. To be honest, and the worst was not. No.

The best hammer in the Swamp Camp. The idol of Oran, I decided to show off erudition.

— No, we are now in the Swamp Camp you can't seem. Times mud there was, then we do not need. While the Camp of the sectarians, we should better avoid.

Roche again was right. It is possible that our Enemy is in the Swamp Camp and settled. Or there at a certain time. For example, to learn new information from their spies.

— You just me a list of Jan with Old mine get. Without a list I to a New Camp to join.

— Come evening, as the sun sets — you will have a list. Don't worry, Drazic, right. We're with you all the ins-outs know. All the quests known to us.

And that Rosh was right. We are one of the persistent researchers of the game Gothic. We know many things that ordinary players do not even know. We must cope.

— Well, Rosh, I went. Take Mordraga a guide. I like you, maybe the sword will give? Well, "the Miner Sentence"... the Fig mage sword?

— Well, do not tell me... Okay, take it. I'm good today, my counterpart handed me the blade grip first.

In the evening come for the list.

— There will be a list, don't worry.

— I'm not worried.

— All Drazic expenses. Time is of the essence.

— You... be careful here... not to run once again.

— Never offer to teach fish to swim, Roche winked at me. Then rummaged in a chest and handed me a small bottle with red liquid inside. The essence of healing. Immediately restores 50 points of health. A rare and valuable thing, especially to start the game. — Here, take this, it might come in useful...

"Thank you," I took the bottle. It was a very generous gift.

Twin handed me our bag:

Drazic, here. I'm ore poured. Divided in half.

At this point, the future magician is more reminiscent of a caring grandmother, gathering his grandson in summer camp.

And yet, Roche looked at me seriously. — See mrakorisa — don't run.

— Never offer to teach fish to swim! I knocked Rocha on the shoulder and went to look for Mordraga. The New Camp is better to go with a guide. The road is not long, but very dangerous. One can not be reached.

24.

The thief's name was Mordrag. In fact, the so-called Gothic universe. For a thief it was too loud, here the game developers did something clever by half. I really didn't care what his name is. The main thing is it brought me to the New Camp.

— If I want to join the New Camp... can you help me? my question was just part of the ritual. I knew that Mordrag will help me. This is why he was in the Old Camp.

— If you are serious, the thief said a squeaky voice, not giving with his appearance, we can go right now. I'll take you to Lars. 'Cause he's in charge.

Mordrag run away to the exit of the Camp. On the run managed to shout to me: "Follow me!". It is clear, we will move at a run. At this rate, I'm going to be the best runner in Stannaries Valley, and possibly in all Horinise.

Cheerful gallop Mordrag ran along the outer wall of the Old Camp to the North. I knew that ahead grazing a small flock of scavengers and that they may well be around bottom of dry defensive moat, but Mordrag did not recognize the easy ways. He ran straight in and immediately ran into a bunch of annoying blue creatures. Scavengers don't even immediately pounced on him, just stunned in surprise. The thief took out a bow that, in my opinion, was pretty stupid and decided to shoot monsters in the face. Artificial intelligence, which has given the characters in the game, its creators were far from perfect. On the side Mordraga hung hideous club with steel studs, and he, instead of destroy this cudgel skull disgusting chickens-age, shot from a bow, lethal force which was a lot less. Scavengers, finally recovered from the sudden appearance of the enemy, and fell on the thief the whole crowd. Four against one. If someone was taking bets I would put on Mordraga. First of all, great armor protected him from the blows of the beaks. Second, he could easily kill twice as scavengers. Not straining. I knew it for sure, so I stood aside and waited, when all will end. Get into a fight, I felt stupid. Experience for killing creatures still automatically credited to my account. And help me to Mordraga no it was not, he did great.

Carcass carrion left lying in the dust, marking our path, and we were already running on. The road led to the hunter's home Kavalorna. A couple of scavengers died from clubs Mordraga, the thief simply ran out of arrows. The club he wielded much more effective than shooting arrows. One shot — one kill. "A good weapon. I had it..." — the thoughts in my head were born simple and clear, like the world of Gothic.

At the house Kavalorna the way we were held up by two green Goblin, armed with rusty swords. Death overtook them almost simultaneously. In that moment, when Mordraga Mace smashed the skull of one of the green arrow, put a label in the hand of a hunter Kavalorna, struck the head of the second Goblin through. Here's what it means to bow in the right hands. What a precision! Will have to take the hunter a few archery lessons. I have decided to become a Ranger — a specialist in remote arms. Better to strike enemies from afar than to carry on their skin bumps piercing, cutting and crushing weapons. Fig! Fools are not present. It's one thing when you look at a figurine of his character on the monitor, watching the red stripe in the corner of the screen which shows the remaining health. It's another thing to feel every impact really. To feel pain, fear. Feel as weak as takes the life out of you. No, better enemies close to him to keep!

Having dealt with the goblins, Mordrag turned towards the New Camp. But I had other plans: I decided to stay in a welcoming house Kavalorna and, with impunity, to rummage through the chest of the hunter. Much useful information was in those chests. Collecting trophies in the house, I headed to the cave that the hunter's house. In this cave were also chests. And chests is wealth. The place was safe, two pink fat crookrise grazing in the cave for me was a serious threat. The sword — "the Punishment of the Miner" — quickly turned them into two lifeless carcass. One of them, however, managed to nip my leg. But the wound was shallow and healed quickly under the action of curative herbs. What I really like in the world of Gothic, so this medicine. Chewed medicinal herbs — instantly recovered. Wounds heal, broken bones mend... Beautiful! That would be in real life so.

In order to reach the chests, it was necessary to go to the farthest part of the cave wall. In the wall and unlocked the door. Wood, unpainted, cracked. I pulled the handle, stood on the threshold, getting used to the darkness. Took a step.

And there my heart boomed down into the heel. And, perhaps, have fallen still lower, but the boots I was strong. In my head flashed the thought: "Everything. This is the end".

In the gloom of the cave stood an Orc.

25.

Time practically stopped. Between two beats of your own heart I could see and feel very much. At that moment, while my body is unfolded to the saving exit from the cave, I noticed that the air in this cavern of the cave was literally filled with the smell of Orc. Heavy, disgusting smell. The smell of death and horror. Apparently, the Orc spent a lot of time here, just managed to get enough of his exhalations. I noticed that it was the Orc shaman is one of the higher castes in the hierarchy of the orcs. Orcs-shamans, unlike ordinary Orc warriors have magic. Combat magic. This thought only increased my horror. If the Orc warrior can just run away from the magical ball of fire, the common people called fireball, not escape. And zipper also can not escape...

The second that I saw the Orc had not expired, and I turned back to him and pulled the door handle itself. The door cracked, but not opened. Trap! It is cleverly organized a trap! This Orc knew that sooner or later, in this cave will be another adventure on their... well, ugh, that is the head. Each player in the first Chapter comes to the house Kavalorna, stealing stuff from the chest of the hunter. And necessarily go into THIS cave. Definitely. The perfect place for an ambush. These thoughts raced in my head, and his hands, meanwhile, pulled the door handle. The door popped but didn't open. Another pull, the door did not yield. Horror and hopelessness flooded my heart. The inevitable death scared me, but I was hurt that Roche won't know anything about how I died, land in an ambush. After all, he's probably going to look for me. And probably also turn up in this cave. And also die! How careless! How thoughtlessly! I realized that it was a mistake to leave Roche. Together we could survive, and divided — became an easy prey. The door wouldn't open.

We had another second. The Orc did not attack. Strange, he could see me in the dark, but did not attack...

The door opened outwards!!!! Horrified, I yanked the door open, and it opened outward. From the terrible smell, I was breathless. Heart thumping somewhere in his throat. I pushed the door, the light of day hit my eyes. I rushed to the exit of the cave. And in that moment the Orc behind me did something that I never expected. I was waiting for the stab in the back. But the Orc did something completely unexpected. He speaks! And the most surprising was not that, after all, the orcs talking, there is nothing unusual. They can even speak the language of the people. Unexpected was a word that said the Orc. I froze, rooted to the spot, when she heard behind her a dull, low, almost savage voice:

— Hydroelectric power plant!

26.

What? — I involuntarily turned around. My heart continued pounding somewhere in my throat, breathing was frequent. The air seemed to become dense and went into my lungs with great difficulty. The Orc stood motionless in the dark. — What did you say?

I have decided it is now a difficult task: to run or to stay. On the one hand, escape is always on time. But on the other hand, if do not have time.

Of gerrrr-ro-berrrr-ro-station — strongly pressing "R" replied the Orc.

All arrived. Or I went to the roof, not only as from communication with the Mud, or in the world of Gothic there are hydroelectric power, but all the orcs, this became known. Or the orcs had built a hydroelectric power plant... Innos protect us all. My head was spinning.

— Don't worry, ' growled the Orc — I'm human, a player like you.

What?! — I could not believe my ears. It was incredible. More incredibly than Orlovskaya power.

— I also play the Gothic. I'm a man. I'm a real person. Player. You know? — Orc spoke to me slowly, like insane. I recently spoke with Mud.

Nonsense! I've lost my mind. For sure, I'm in a madhouse, and this is all just a hallucination. Yes, it happens. I force pushed with fingers to the eyes. A proven way to identify visual hallucinations. If after that, everything will be split, it means, no hallucinations, no. And if not split... Then any psychiatrist will write a dissertation on "the Influence of computer games on the development of a delusional hallucinatory state". Well, or something like that. The Orc silently watched my manipulations. I took the fingers from his own eyeball, blinked. All double vision. So, all true. This is worse than madness. Or better. At that moment I was not able to solve it.

— Do you believe me? — the voice of the Orc made the air vibrate.

Do I believe him? Yes, I myself do not believe. Another player. Another, except Roche. But, why Orc? The players in the Gothic people, and like each other as two drops of water. As we Roche. I expected to meet another twin, but not Orc.

Well... I started. — Why are you in the body of the Orc?

— Dabbled with codes, migrated into this body. You know about codes?

If I know about codes?! Yes I fucking dog in the Gothic ate. Or, rather, Varga. This question pissed me off and brought out of his stupor.

— You know, of course — I began to back away with his back to the exit of the cave. Just in case.

— Moved — continued Orc, — but could not. Couldn't find his human body. And can't leave the game.

Hmm... and this too. Also can not leave the game. Or pretends to be? Sitting behind your computer screen, entered codes and enjoy our Roche horror. Here it is — the Main Enemy!

At this point, the Orc lit the torch. It was so unexpected that I jumped backwards. If the competitions in jumping backwards, I would have probably won first place. I jumped from four meters... or three. Well, it's nothing less than a meter. The Orc, apparently also in surprise, dropped the torch. At the moment, until Orlovskaya face was illuminated, I saw something familiar... I turned around to run away, but then behind my back sounded so intricate obscene phrase that I run has changed his mind.

Three minutes of highly Mat. Such complex verbal structures I never heard. Lie, I heard once... But that was long ago... anyway, not important. It is very rare to hear THAT The only censored word was "torch". No, the player sitting behind the monitor of your computer SO the mother wouldn't! The air is noticeably there was a smell of singed wool. The Orc roared again something about my mother of the torch.

— Hurt? just in case I asked. — I have a medicinal herb is...

— You have the torch on the eggs — Orc added a couple of strong words.

— Here, take the herb treatment, I took a few steps deeper into the cave, the Orc.

— Yes, I human medications are not fucking helping, — Orc spoke almost calmly. — You're from Moscow?

What? — I did not expect such a sudden change of topic.

— You're from Moscow?

— No.

— Bad... — Orc sighed in frustration, sigh, this was accompanied by a growl and a whine.

Creepy I was. My second "I" strongly suggested I immediately escape.

— And in Moscow relatives or friends there? — Orc didn't let up. I could not grasp at what here Moscow.

— No. A Fig for you?

— I'm from Moscow. It is necessary that someone came to my house and turned off the computer, I'll get out of here I can not sit here for two weeks.

— Two weeks? — I could not believe my ears.

— Local time — corrected Orc. — Today, how many in real life?

— June 8, — mechanically I answered.

— So, in real life the day is already spent, — Orc again terribly sighed. — Even if the electricity in my house turned off, that is...

— So you're here for a day sitting?

He did not answer my question.

— Listen, and maybe to the forum to throw an ad that someone from the Muscovites to my house pulled up and the comp turned off? — Orc perked up. — You have the Internet there? I'll address the forum and say your address in Moscow. A new topic will create "Urgent assistance". There is Internet do you have?

The Orc, in my opinion, gone crazy from a long stay in the game. And therefore did not understand that if he me to talk about it, so I'm a prisoner of the world of Gothic as he is.

— I also can not exit the game, I decided to tell the truth. — I'm only here for a day, local time.

— Yeah... — has thoughtfully said the Orc and stopped. I waited a little bit, but he wasn't going to say anything else.

— What do you mean "yeah"?

— So the two of us now. Brothers, — Orc again issued another sigh.

Tambov wolf is your brother, I thought. But aloud he said:

— Not two, but three.

As "three"? — Orc turned his head.

There's one more... a hero.

Here?

Here in the game. He's in the Old Camp now.

— Multiplayer — grimly said the Orc.

— What?

Multiplayer for three players. The dream of all ready — Orc added a couple of obscene epithets to the word "dream".

Orc — not a sight for the faint of heart, and swearing ork — it's all the horror flying on wings of night.

— How to get going? he was able to think clearly. And to ask intelligent questions. And I thought it was crazy here from loneliness completely.

— We have a plan, I pondered whether to inform the Orc about the details. You need to consult with Roche. I can be too trusting. — Let's go to the Old Camp. With a partner my talk.

— In The Old Camp?! the Orc howled. — I'm an Orc!!!

Damn it, just overlooked. Any Orc in the Camp waiting for certain death. What should I do?

— Well, — I decided, I'll go to the Old Camp for a partner, and you wait for us here. Is?

And your...um...partner as to the orcs to take? — suspiciously asked my counterpart.

— He orcs not apply! the joke was not so hot, but the tension left me, and I wanted to make a joke. — Everything will be okay, don't worry. I'll explain everything to him.

— Wait here, ' growled the Orc.

— I quickly.

— Wait, he's from Moscow?

— Who? — stupidly I asked.

— Your partner.

And, from Tomsk, sort of.

"Pity," another sigh.

Bright sun after the darkness of the cave forced me to squint. Behind my back, left the cave with the unfortunate Orc from Moscow. Along the familiar road I sprinted ran to the Old Camp.

27.

Old Camp is just a jumble of simple huts around a stone Castle. Live at the Castle of the ore barons, chief among them — Gomez. In the barracks of the Castle guards have an apartment — the next bar after the ore barons. They guard the Old Camp from the attack of orcs and wild beasts. Well, from attack from other Camps, of course. They also protect the Old mine, which produces a priceless magical ore. Here, in the Castle, is the seat of the Fire Mages. Mages are somewhat aloof from all the intrigues that weaves the ore barons, but the power of the mages is almost unlimited. Yes, but they do not use it. Almost never use it. The guards below on the social ladder are the ghosts of warriors, traders, hunters, and scouts of the Old Camp. They live outside the Castle walls in huts. Under the protection of the log walls surrounding the Outer circle. Chief among ghosts Diego. At the very bottom of the social pyramid of the Old Camp are miners. These poor people all day toil in the Old mine, barely earning a piece of bread. In addition, they are forced to pay guards for their "protection". In my humble opinion, this is pure extortion. But in the world of Gothic do not know that word, so meekly pay for "protection".

Here, in the Old Camp, home to no more than a hundred people criminals fall into this colony under the magic Dome for various reasons. The title of the Camp does not pull, even a village it is impossible to name. So, just camp...Camp. But two forges and a couple of merchants here. And even is the arena in which in the evenings is something like Gladiator fights.

At the North and South gates of the Old Camp is always on duty at the three guards. Well armed, good armor. Round the clock. Always.

I'm an easy Jogging approached the North gate. The guards at the gate were not. It was so unusual that I stopped and began to look around. The lack of guards is a bad sign. My heart sank, darkest fears had raced through my mind. I imagined the surprise attack of orcs to the Old Camp. The blood, the cries of the wounded miners, the groans of the dying ghosts. And the dead Rocha. My imagination helpfully draws this picture by the gruesome and chilling details. My childhood was quite good to provide something awful and terrible. Years trained imagination had painted in my mind the most apocalyptic picture of the destruction of the Old Camp.

Innos protect us all!

Horror my feet rooted to the ground, I couldn't take another step. And at that moment I heard the music. Barely audible, she, nevertheless, seemed vaguely familiar. The instruments on which it was played was medieval. Without any doubt. But music was my real world. Quite modern music. The melody was distorted, and I was still in the captivity of fear, drawn by my imagination, so I could not understand what the song is. Music could be heard from behind the walls of the Old Camp, and it is bad consistent with those terrible paintings that existed at that moment in my head. Several times I took a deep breath, staving off the vision of the blood-stained body of sir Rocha bathed in blood and strewn with corpses the courtyard of the Castle, and headed to the North gate. As I approach the music got louder, but remember that the melody output is invisible musicians, I couldn't. It was a variation, a medieval variation on a very familiar song.

And already at the gates I could hear the lyrics. Several male voices in unison pulled:

Of chami, and chami, and chami, and chami...

28.

I was looking for you at night......of the chami...chami, and chami...

Under the refrain I broke into the Old Camp. The sight that appeared before me was truly awful. All the space from the Northern gate up to the entrance to the Castle was strewn with bodies. Miners, ghosts, and the guards lay in the most ridiculous poses, some side by side. Strange, but there was no blood visible. And above all this loud resounded the song of a famous singer from Ufa, played on medieval instruments virtual doubles of the German group In Extrimo:

I was looking for you at night......of the chami...chami, and chami...

The sight was so unreal that I again questioned the fact that this is not a dream. At this point one of the bodies turned with her back to the side and began to snore. I flinched in surprise. Looking closer, I noticed that the other is alive. Alive, but dead drunk. The air smelled of moonshine and drunken burps. Buster! Grand Buster in the Old Camp! Who would go through all this? How long have I been in the Old Camp? Hour. Well, two. No more. Two hours to get drunk SO I just could not believe my eyes. Only one person was able to get the entire population of the Camp in such record time. Sir Roche. My fists itched again. Instead of bring me the list from the Old mine, he's here vodka drinks! Kill!!

I rushed to the makeshift stage, hastily converted from a scaffold, where the singers started:

I was looking for you at night......of the chami...chami, and chami...

Damn, are they songs others don't know? I, of course, not absolute ear for music. But even I could hear that the musicians don't get into music. Not much fall.

At the stage I saw a dancing naked woman, on either side of which two beggar has released a jet of flame from his mouth. Portrayed, presumably, dragons. The woman was also drunk, but danced well. Packed earth near the stage was covered with the bodies of the inhabitants of the Old Camp especially thick. Everything pointed to the fact that the epicenter of the disaster is here.

Roche!!! — I roared. — Rosh, where are you!?

Some of the bodies lying on the ground, my scream moved. A couple of miners who tried to move in time with the music, stopped dancing and stared at me. But Rocha I have not yet discovered. First, get punched in the face, and then I'll kill you. This murderous thought seemed quite fair and reasonable.

— Friend, let's drink, — from the wall of the shack was now divided one drunken body in the clothes of a Ghost and swung towards me with the bottle in his outstretched hand. Without thinking I gently punched him in the ear. The body slumped to the ground.

I felt ashamed. Don't like drunks, but I never stooped to that to beat them. My rage subsided. I don't think I'm going to kill Rocha. Fighting and killing won't. But the face is a must. I have it for all get. Wholesale.

Roche!!!!! again I roared, moving closer to the stage. I had high put my feet up, stepping over drunk, and it slowed my progress. Interesting, I thought, where did he get all this booze?

And then I saw my twin. This mage dropout was sitting on the ground leaning against the shack. In the arms of Diego and Bullet. Near them stood the half empty box of rice schnapps. A bottle each of them held in his hand. Roche smoked a joint out of the bog. Diego was explaining to my double, he nodded his head. Bullit looked at me with drunken eyes for a few moments it took to the signal from the retina made it finally to the visual cortex of the brain. Finally Bullit focused on me his glance and asked:

— Do you respect me?

29.

Why I didn't, I don't know. Affected, probably, the innate intelligence. Or anything.

— Do you respect me? again insistently asked the bullet, trying to rise to his feet.

I'm proud of you, — I retorted, trying not to pay attention to him.

— No, you tell me you respect me?! for Bullitt, it was a very important question.

He stood up to his full height and tried to pull the sword from the scabbard at his side. So, right now, is fight! I felt kind of forgotten the feeling of joy. Fight! He started it... He started it... I grabbed the hilt of his sword. And in that moment, I noticed Rosh, happily twitched to me with all your body and inadvertently made the Bullet cutting. The guard lost all remaining balance and fell backwards. In flight bumped head on corner of a wall, fell and died on the ground in a crumpled heap. Fracture of the base of the skull, death was instantaneous. It's even to the fortuneteller do not go.

Rosh, not paying attention to the last flight of the bullet, happily yelled:

Drazic!!! Belljar where have you been?!

Diego, too, stared at me and said:

— Have a drink with us. We're your brother's in the army bid farewell.

Thought for a moment and added:

— He decided to go into the army. Will serve the king and the Innocent.

And then I screamed again my twin:

Drazic, I'm leaving to the army! The guys decided to walk me out, as it should, — with these words he pointed first at Diego and then at what was left of the bullet. — I told them the drinks were set, and they are called musicians... Come on, Drazic, join...

I was looking for you at night......of the chami...chami, and chami... again tightened the musicians over our heads. This song was beginning to bore me.

In stature and physical strength we have with Roche in this world were the same. Gemini. But I grabbed him by the collar and easily put on your feet. Apparently, rage has doubled my strength.

— You...you... How dare you?! What are you doing?! — I screamed the words right in the face of understand nothing of the double. — You have taught these musicians?!

I pointed to a virtual counterparts In Extrimo, which again delayed:

I was looking for you at night......of the chami...chami, and chami...

Roche did not understand, but the smile slowly began to slip from his drunken face:

Drazic you... I have taught, Yes. I wanted the songs to DDT to learn, but they are unable to understand music. I sang a couple of songs, I do not understand. Only this song Zemfira could learn...

Yeah, I thought, then sang. If anything I sang, they "Chizhik-Pyzhik" would not be able to play. In the childhood the bear stepped on my ear. Twice. Remember when in school in class 4 we might have started singing lessons, the teacher called all the children by turns to the piano, playing any musical phrase, and the student was supposed to repeat. Called me up, played me some music. I sang as I could. In the class there was a dreadful silence. After a pause, the teacher said: "Children, never hurt this boy. He was so in life is not lucky." So with an ear for music I got was bad. The Roche apparently better, but not much.

— Shut them down! Now! — I growled, skorchev the brutal grimace.

Drazic, right? Roche didn't understand why I'm angry. — It's fun. Bolotnikov want to smoke? I have...

So, it's time to take action. Alcohol-drug intoxication my double could permanently close a way for us to go home.

— Well, go firmly holding the twins by the arm, I dragged him along. Away from this celebration of life.

Where? — surprised by Roche, but to resist was gone.

I dragged him to a fallen tower at the South gate, where was our headquarters. Here the music was almost inaudible. Not another soul around. At the South gate, too, was not the guards. Come on, who want and take what you want. Krenicki, damn it! No discipline.

When I tried to drag Rocha inside the fallen tower, he began to resist:

Drazic you th...I do Not want there, come back. There's still schnapps left...

So good we don't understand? Inside me rose a new wave of rage. The alcoholic kleptomaniac, mage dropout! I turned on my heel and threw a right fist to the chin twin. Head of Roche jerked, he fell to the ground. I was ready to strike again, but then he raised his head, looked at me with sober eyes and said:

— Enough!

30.

Blow to the jaw, instantly sobered twin. It is a pity that in real life it does not happen. Although, on the other hand, I introduced myself work detox.... Using one would be a beaten face went.

I took the future of the MAG all the cigarettes with bog, dragged to the tower and asked sternly:

— Well, you guys gave it all?

You wouldn't understand...

— And you try to explain!

We sat in the fallen tower, it was quiet and cool. Only my voice rang with rage in silence. The twin hesitated, looking to the side, and then said softly:

I wanted to make friends with them. Felt in the chests of Gomez, passed all the stuff Fisk, bought the schnapps and Bolotnikov. And they jumped on the booze, like the African children on the snow... I took them more schnapps, they are musicians somewhere called...

Why? Why did they want to make friends!? — I at all do not understand.

Roche began speaking with a kind of inner anguish:

Think of Drazic, after a sleepless night spent near the TV, watching with one eye the football, and the other edge of your plot on the mechanics in the morning to go to a stuffy, dusty audience to listen to a lecture on the Tower. And then in the same audience listening to the same lecture on the theory of electrical circuits. When at the same time outside the window, spring, nature wakes up, begins the usual noise of the city and downstairs in the dining room bake tasty pies with meat, potatoes, sold by cool juice in your mouth than cold coffee was nothing. — He swallowed, probably remembering the taste of those pies. Or coffee. And continued:

— Then go to the library and do all the scoring, stupid to read the textbook on political science do you know how hard it is to sit in the library and staring with one eye on the textbook, and the other on the girls in short skirts? Sitting next to guys from the group and doing exactly the same thing. The science and break through... Roche grinned. — And then come home and quarrel with my sister for an incredibly stupid reason. In the end, to climb to the forum of the Gothic for about two hours at most. And then come the ancestors, the evening dinner, she called Again... a forum for the Gothic, examples on the Rig, plots on mechanics problems in physics, text in English football on TV, a couple of chains on OTEC, football in the Internet, again called the girl... night, a couple of pages from Belyaeva under DDT, which is now why I took to read... an Hour to play Gothic... And sleep, the long-awaited, completely dreamless, blank and black...

Rosh said, staring at the wall. Talked hurriedly, almost slurring the words. I still such did not see. He didn't stop:

— And tomorrow is another day, exactly the same...

He paused in mid-sentence, looked at me in the eye and said:

Drazic, let's stay here?

I got a chill went from his words, from the strain with which they were spoken. After all, like, normal life, University, soccer, mom, dad plus sister, the girl's favorite, the Internet. Gothic, again. Listening to music, reading clever books. Yes, many people are much worse live! But came through in his words of such anguish that the fever had me on the back. Like on a cold day, if you jump out from a warm room in a shirt in the cold. Maybe it is because of this longing in the army preparing for? Who knows...

At this point I felt sorry for him. And I was ashamed that I hit him.

— You...I'm sorry I hit you. Out of emotional balance, I could not resist.

— Well, Roche gave up, letting go of my sins. — Stay?

Again, twenty-five! As a small child.

We can't stay here, — I said softly. — I told you. We will not survive here. Need to get back... Rosh, you need to go home.

He looked at me, eyes wide, asked:

— No way-no way to stay?

All.

Rosh turned away. We paused. Around us there was absolute silence as if the whole world, the virtual world of Gothic, froze. As if time has stopped. Sometimes in life such moments.

— It is necessary though a sea swim, while we're here, Roche said in a quiet voice but in the silence the words sounded clearly. — I have two years of sea does not to see...

"All right," readily agreed I take a swim. The water is probably cold. But I think nothing we will not...the Flu game is not provided.

And then I remembered about the Orc. How could I forget?! I did this and searched for Rocha. Completely slipped my mind until the fight against alcoholism...

Roche, — I shouted. The twins jumped in surprise. Roche, I have one player met! Behind the house Kavalorna. In the cave. He is from Moscow!

Rosh looked at me with attentive eyes and carefully asked:

Drazic you in the head?

31.

Roche didn't believe a word I say.

— Nonsense, complete nonsense! is still the softest words that I heard from him. And when I said that I met a player from Moscow is found in the body of the Orc, Rosh laughter fell on the earthen floor.

— Orc, ha ha... the Double comes in laughter. I could not understand what made it funny, and decided to take offense. I'm not a clown, in fact, that these explosions cause. And Nitsche funny said.

A twin lay on the floor and bellow. In other words not find. I was silent. Roche stopped laughing, sat down and began to explain to me:

Okay, no offense, but this is complete nonsense. First, do not can there be other live players. I realized a long time ago, almost at the beginning. We were here together only because at the same time started a new game. And none of us in here can not. Okay?

— Well, what does it mean? — I honestly do not understand. In apples and uncle in Kiev. As connected to one another? It is not clear. Especially strange to me to hear these arguments after I TALKED to the other player.

— Gothic game. Multiplayer here. So?

— Well, nope — this is not to argue I couldn't.

— So TWO characters can be here only at the moment when both enter a new game. Crashes, op! And two heroes. An accident, nothing more. And no one else here can not go.

— He's been here for two weeks! — I had the arguments. Strong arguments.

— Two weeks? — the eyes of Roche climbed on his forehead. Is he told you?

Well, game time for two weeks...

— So Drasic, you're saying that we're trapped in someone else's game with some kind of Orc from Moscow? This is nonsense! Bullshit!

My patience ran out:

You know what, let's go to him and ask, is nonsense or not nonsense.

— To whom? — I do not understand twin.

To the Orc, of course, to anyone else.

Roche thought for a few moments.

Okay, Drazic, let's go. Just come this way, if any of the ork behind the house Kavalorna no, you give me all the cigarettes with bog back. Is?

So, I thought, addiction to immature young body was developing very quickly. You figure, not bog! But aloud he said:

— Okay, good. If no Orc, give the bog. Only Orc there!

— See Roche jumped to his feet. — Well, what? Race?

32.

Crookrise is not the most dangerous monster in the world of Gothic. Despite its name, it is not similar neither a mole nor a rat. Like it more than the pig. The same dirty pink and thick. From afar it even seems funny goof. But in the mouth of this pig-creatures — sharp teeth. In a moment of danger, or during hunting of crookrise is fast and very unpredictable opponent. Kratocracy hunt in packs. Five or six individuals. Sometimes — more. Such a pack can hardly withstand even a very popular character high level with good armor and weapons. Hunting tactics of krotokrysov simple — they surround the victim and attack at a time... For the first meeting with a large flock of krotokrysov can be fatal.

Roche ran ahead of me and chatted incessantly:

— What's his name?

— Who? I tried to keep up with the twins, but was breathing with difficulty.

That's... well, an Orc from Moscow.

I do not know.

Roche stopped and stared at me:

— I don't know?!

— I have not asked. In short — I now felt like I made a huge mistake.

— Well, Drazic... Roche was looking for a word to better describe my behavior when meeting with the Orc. — You... You...

At that moment I caught a glimpse of movement to the left of us. The bushes swayed, something rose was bursting through the undergrowth. Kratocracy! A large flock of krotokrysov pearl right at us. I turned in the direction of danger, the hilt of the sword jumped into my hand itself.

What?! Roche had not yet seen the enemy.

In turn, Suini children! — I shouted, swinging. This was my favorite battle cry from the times of Fallout. Twin realized that something was wrong, reached for the gun, but a belt loop on his belt was empty. Then he reached into his pocket. Taking the scroll, I shouted:

Drazic, stall them! I now!

He has already commanded me, in between times I wondered to myself, cutting crookrise that led the pack at us. At me! In half. Critical hit, not otherwise. The pink creature began to surround us. In the left hand lobe lit up blue light. Yeah, we have already seen.

— Get down! — yelled the twins. I quickly sat down. On top of my head hit the white flame, smell of ozone. Lightning burned two monsters. Lucky they were on the same line.

Rather, we were lucky and cataclysm — quite the contrary. I realized that Roche takes time to create a new magic spell, so jump between him and the three monsters that were preparing to attack my partner. A couple of hits, leaving the grass bloody footprints, they retreated. Retreated again to attack. I was wounded, one of them managed to get me sharp as a razor teeth. Pain I have yet felt, but the blood from my right hip literally gushing stream. Kratocracy, smelling the scent of blood, a new force came at us. Roche struck again by lightning. Another monster charred carcass froze forever on earth. I managed two blows to finish off a wounded fatty crookrise, deftly poking him in the eye and over the ear. There are two other creatures, one of which was bleeding. I am, however, too.

— All the scribe!!! — Extremely foul language yelled the twins.

— What happened?! — I couldn't turn things back, to see what happened to Rocha.

Scroll over, — double not plowed. — All, no more magic.

— Well, to hell with it, with magic! I replied, rushing to the wounded crookrise. The skill with one-handed weapon I still had a small sword I was holding two hands, but it seemed to me, even better. I poured all my hatred into the blow, and another monster sprawled on the blood-soaked grass.

Drazic left! — again yelled Rosh. Right in my ear. And deaf so long! He jumped and hit crookrise foot flat toothed head. BAM! I, too, karate was found! The creature immediately grabbed her outstretched leg Rocha. I arrived on time, the twin nearly lost his lower limbs. Slashing blow from the top down have tempered the appetite of the monster, the second blow forced the creature to attempt to escape from the battlefield But I didn't run last crookrise...

Hold it, kitty. — I yelled, polosa pink carcass.

Drazic!!! Creek Rocha has forced me to sharply turn around. We were flying three of the hornet. They were sometimes called bloody flies. The size of a big dog, with a terrible venomous two-foot salami, terribly popping translucent wings, they tended to us, attracted by the smell of blood. Saw an easy mark.

The twin was already in a combat stance, holding his fists. I, knowing the vile habits of these creatures, he pressed her back to Rosu and took the blade of the sword to the left, to strike obliquely, when the hornets fly up very close. These monsters attack their victims by the method of "sting — bounced — stung", while constantly circling around. Dangerous flying creature. They nevaljalice on us at the same time, one bumped into me, and the two rushed to Rocha. Vzh-W-W-W-W! A blade with a noise cut through the air, just throwing the hornet aside. I held the sword at the top, in preparation for blow-down to repulse a second attack. Boom! At me! Behind my back Rosh fists treated the monster like a punching bag. But long double was not last, I knew it. With all the dope I lashed the hornets, who went at me again. With the thud sound the blade landed in the chitinous carapace of the creature. Minus one.

I spun around, just in time to repel the attack of another flying monster. And then got hit by a venomous sting in the back. The third hornet had to fly me to the rear and to strike a treacherous blow. I swung forward, all in front of me was shrouded in a red veil. Roche caught the sword from my weakened hand and deftly finished off one of the winged monster. But the monster fell to our feet, covering us with his blood.

Was the last of the insectoid creature, which again went into an attacking dive. The purpose was me. Rosh pushed me aside, and hornet with a fly ran into the sword in the hands of my partner. The sharp blade went through and through, Rocha split in two from the shell rained down some nasty guts and gushing blood in half with foul-smelling green muck. Something else was given to me.

— Oh, man, that shirt soon, I tried to joke. The world around me was still coloured red, but clearheaded. Partner at my joke did not react.

We breathed heavily, standing back to back, looked around at the battlefield, ready for new attacks. Fortunately for us, we killed all monsters. Rosh came out of fighting stance and just noticed that I'm hurt.

— As you hooked... do you have Drugs?

Yeah. — I began to chew the herbs.

Medicine in Gothic — the dream of all progressive mankind. Chewed grass stopped the arterial bleeding, fused bone... Beautiful!

— Again, the weed eating?! With obvious disapproval, said Roche.

— Leave me alone. They're medicinal herbs. You better tell me where's your sword?

Sword...this...hmm...I have a Fisk changed to schnapps. Roche hesitated. — Probably.

— Probably?!

— Yes, I do not remember.

— Well, you a pancake, give! The sword on the schnapps! — I smiled. Weed acted as it should, the bleeding stopped, the wound is overgrown directly on the eyes. Fantastic.

Herbal remedies have to bring in our real world, not the magical ore. That would be a revolution in science. The Nobel prize in medicine. At the very least.

— Buy new, said Rosh, kicking the carcass of crookrise. I lost the thread of the conversation, so bluntly asked:

— Who?

— Not "who" but "what". Sword new buy, DoppelgangeR thought for a moment and shook his head. Not Fig the sword. Better buy more scrolls with lightning. Saw me two burned?!

I've seen it. I replied, and thought to myself that was just lucky. Typically, the zipper only works on one opponent. — Want to go?

Yeah, let's go. I told you that magic is a powerful force.

33.

Of course, in a cave behind the house Kavalorna no Orc was not. Roche triumphantly looked at me and demanding extended his hand:

Where are my wedge-s?

I had to give him a bog. Twin poked around in the trunks that stood in a cave and pulled me out. To fresh air. And then he began Smoking a joint with bog.

— Honestly, Drazik, you probably Bolotnikov smoked? Here's the orcs from Moscow and imagined. Huh? Roche was sarcastic as ever. He laughed at me!

— Was Orc. Don't know what happened. And this stuff is not smoked and will not smoke. And neither should you.

— And in vain — double dreamily rolled her eyes to the sky. — When I first was delayed, I'm so high that I started to pin and sausage. And I became so good that began Diego about his future to tell. I told him and about his house in Horinise told, and the fact that his partner in the business Gerbrant — it here, under the Dome, and put away, the house coveted. And about that time the Barrier will collapse. Said he with a bag of gold coins going to the money to arrange retribution Gerbrant. And he didn't believe me at all.

— So the future predicted? And fingers are not sparking?

— Which finger? Roche was puzzled.

— Yes, it's from the movie of the same phrase. So, the way I had.

We returned on the way to Old Camp. The sun was setting. The day was not particularly hot, but the evening became cold. My teeth began to tap. I thought that it would be good to quickly get the armor of the merc Camp where a lot of fur. And protection and insulation in one. We climbed the hill on our right there is a small mountain with a ruined watch tower on top. Such watchtowers in Stannaries Valley had a few. They were on the borders of the lands of the orcs, but was long abandoned and partially destroyed. Some of these towers were left some property. So, nothing particularly valuable. Sir Roche turned right, to a rickety bridge that was moved from the top of the hill directly to the watchtower.

Hey, Rosh, where are you going?

— I remember the code of the lock of the chest in this tower.

— Yes, there is nothing valuable stuff — I was reluctant to go to that tower, I was freezing, dreaming about the campfire and hot dinner.

All in the household chores! Roche did not think to turn to the campground. Look at the economic. For me, it's true kleptomania is to drag everything that is bad.

Sighing, I trudged behind with a double. And where is Orc gone? I have not imagined, the Orc was exactly. And I talked to him. I did not doubt it. Almost no doubt. One thing I could not understand why he us with the Roche didn't wait, we had an agreement!

Sir Rosh run slipped a small suspension bridge and pulled the door of the tower. In the doorway stood the same Orc from Moscow. It makes me wonder jaw dropped. Well, I did not expect to see it here. Rosh happily yelled:

Hey, beaked! What brings you here?

I actually purchased from these words. So they are, therefore, familiar?! Roche is familiar with the Orc. So far, so chudesatee.

How do you know? — I asked carefully Rocha.

— You th, Drazic? the twin was genuinely surprised. — You know him too. It's Ur-Shak.

34.

Ur-Shak is one of the Orc shamans, exiled from his tribe, and indeed of all orlovskih tribes, only for the fact that spoke against the sacrifices of the Sleeper. In the language of the orcs Sleeping name Krushak. Here's how to describe the appearance of the orcs and Krushaka in the universe Mordrag renowned expert on world of Gothic — the Chimera — in his immortal creation "the words of the Gods. That fourth":

"...deep in the mountains woke up the orcs, the enemies of all things and servant Belgara. Belgar left Mordraga, but hiding in mountains and caves, announcing his will through 8 demons gate Guntara, the gate of darkness. The names of them in the annals of the human Huder, a senior demon, Taur Dress, Raped, Desty, D. L., Sillar, Krushak.

... And took the demons orcs and taught them his knowledge: Dasha gave them knowledge of magic and sorcery. Rated taught fire and crafts — blacksmithing and mining ores. D. L. gave them into the hands of the swords and axes and showed how to handle them. Sillar trained Orc hunting, and Taur and Dastig writing and the construction of dwellings. Guder's put them in the hearts of fiery hatred of children, innocent and Krushak gave them the black blood and an iron will. So came to the land of orcs".

In the game Gothic Ur-Shak is one of the key figures. This exiled shaman helps the hero to enter the city of the orcs and the Temple of the Sleeper. The tragic fate of this Orc has been discussed by players on the forum Gothic. One of the defenders of Ur-Shak from attacks by intercouse minded players and was sir Roche. I, by contrast, is opposed to the fact that Ur-Shak the can be trusted...

Now, Ur-Shak stood before us in the flesh, in all their tremendous growth. Huge, hairy, anthropomorphic animal. Although some refused to believe the orcs animals. And for me, orcs are animals. Though fluent in speech, writing, able to make weapons and various other items, know the secrets of magic and know how to prepare medicinal elixirs. Still, they are animals. Because if you think differently, it turns out that we, the people — the players in the Gothic style, staged a mass genocide of the ancient people of the orcs. I can not consider himself guilty of genocide, so I feel safer to consider them animals.

Is the Orc from Moscow — I was embarrassed that I didn't recognize Ur-Shak. But I met him in a dark cave, in a completely atypical place for him. I was scared, and didn't see it properly.

Is — Ur-Shak! — authoritatively said Roche.

But he is from Moscow, ' I answered.

The Orc looked at us very strange look and was silent.

— Tell him! — I went straight to the Orc.

— KKH-m-m-RRR-hmm... — he coughed in response.

Drazic is — Ur-Shak! Roche tried to tell me that I was very wrong, taking a live player from Moscow ordinary Orc shaman.

The Orc was finally able to say something more articulate:

Drazic?

It seems that Ur-Shak was surprised. He was surprised my online nick. Perhaps we met?

Yes, it is. I Drazik. — I poked a finger in his chest. And he Roche.

I pointed to the twin. We stood in front of the Orc, illuminated by the evening sun, smeared in someone else's and his blood. Complement our clothes dried inside the hornets smeared on clothes. The spectacle of it all.

Roche? — even more surprised the Orc.

Sir Roche — corrected his twin. And asked: 'are You really a man?

The Orc stood silent, only looked from me to Rocha. This continued for quite a long time. The DoppelgangeR finally broke down and repeated the question:

— Are you human?

The Orc scratched his head with his hairy paws and said:

In a sense, Yes.

35.

Most boring voice, on what was capable, I said Rosu:

— Bring back the bog.

— Huh?

— Cigarettes with bog back — even more boring voice I repeated, holding out his hand.

— Well, Drazic... ' wailed a twin.

— Come on-come on — I was adamant.

The Orc was watching us silently. Roche took from his pocket the shoals of the marsh grass and caught my hand. With obvious regret. I counted my cigarettes, lacked three.

— Three more, I tried to speak calmly. Without emotion.

Of DRA-I-Yazikov, you're a pig, — plaintively said double. — Leave me a little bit.

I didn't react to insults. Was just waiting for Rosh did not get the remaining three joints and put in my hand.

— Take it and choke!

— Thank you! — I did not respond to the vicious attack. What to take with a person caught in the addiction of bog? After all, suffered.

The Orc decided to participate in the conversation:

— Bog?

Roche spat on the ground and turned away. I decided to turn the conversation to less explosive topic:

— We need to discuss. Let's go somewhere else, and then stick there for all to see like three poplars at Plyushchikha.

Good idea, responded the Orc. The twin remained silent, his back expressing contempt for me.

— Maybe back to the cave behind the house Kavalorna? Why are we not wait? How are you even in this tower turned out to be? — I finally asked the questions that worried me.

— This... — ork again, scratched his hairy head. — Rune of teleportation I...

— Rune? Roche turned around. Undisguised interest shone in his eyes. Yeah, there's still something that bothers him more than Bolotnikov. That's good.

— Runes, he corrected himself, the Orc and began to talk.

We thought that the watchtower was built on the border of the lands of the orcs. However, we did not pay attention to the strange, inhuman architecture. Typical anthropocentrism to the words of the Orc. These towers were built by the orcs. On the border of the lands of men. To protect from people. To monitor the troop movements of people. Was created runes — the runes orkowski, which transferred Orc scouts and Orc warriors right in these watchtowers. After you create a magic Dome the danger of invasion of the human forces to the land of orcs was almost zero, so the patrol orcs never appeared in the towers. And the runes remained. And now three runes was Ur-Shak. One bore the rune of the owner in this watchtower, the other directly to the city of the orcs. And the third in the Tower of Mists. About where he got that rune, the Orc did not speak.

Tower of the Mists, according to Ur-Shak, was also built by the orcs. Even during the first war. And the dungeon under it too. This tower housed the lighthouse that helped ships find orkowski path to the pier in Stannaries Valley island Horinisa. The amphibious assault ship.

We Roche listened to these revelations with their mouths open. Roche from time to time muttering: "Nonsense...Complete nonsense", but muttering is quiet enough so that the Orc could hear him.

We forced the Orc to show us the runes, I did not understand. Rosh grabbed these dark stones with ragged edges and began to consider them and sniff. I think he and tooth would have tried them, but Ur-Shak in time selected runes.

It was decided to teleport to the Tower of Mist. Rather, the Orc gave this to me as the best solution, and Roche with him immediately agreed. My opinion nobody even asked. Tower — the place is quiet, safe, if not to go to the dungeons. And near the sea, excellent sandy beach. These arguments Orc turned to my twin crucial. However, this beach was chosen by the fire-breathing lizards, I thought to myself. A major drawback!

"Wait," said Roche. — And how all three of us teleported? Rune-one?

— You hug me, growled the Orc. — And then I activate the rune. The carrying capacity limit is not.

To cuddle with that hairy, smelly beast?! Well, not really. Without me! Roche, apparently, was thinking the same thing. Asked:

— Isn't there another way?

— What is this method bad? — in turn surprised the Orc.

"I..." started the twins, I don't hug men!

The Orc burst into a terrible crashing sounds. I did not realize that it is laughter. Evil power at night hoots at the cemetery! Innocent save us all.

Otsmeyavshis, Orc said

— Then I'll hug you, since you are so shy.

With these words, he gathered us in his arms. All around were wrapped in blue mist, the hair on the paw of the Orc in front of my nose flashed blue sparks. And there was weightlessness.

36.

The weightlessness lasted only a moment, and here we are in the cold dark Tower the Mist.

— Let me go! Roche escaped from the clutches of the Orc. I also tried to quickly escape.

We jumped out of the Tower and went down to the sea. And then I remembered about the fire-breathing lizards and expressed their doubts about the feasibility of visiting a local beach. The Orc swung its paws and growled:

— Dinosaurs take on.

— I'll help you, ' I replied, pulling out a sword.

— Big boy! — again terribly laughed the Orc. What's so funny? I do not understand. The DoppelgangeR walked, lost in thought. The message about the upcoming battle with fire-breathing lizards it looks like not occupied.

We passed down the slope and saw the beach. On the sand is the skeleton of an old ship, thrown by the storm. And three lizards.

— Wait here, — the roar of the Orc approached the infrasound, even the ground beneath their feet started to vibrate. Or is it only seemed. Roche has stopped, and I did try to continue the path.

— Wait here — said the Orc and loyalty to crushed my shoulder hairy paws.

— I can help... — I was offended.

— Coping — Orc turned and went straight to the dinosaurs. Without a weapon. I was scared, honestly.

— Rosh, we're just going to stand there? Don't help?

The twin looked at me surprised look:

— Who can we help?

— As "who"? Orc this, I pointed a finger after the furry carcass. — He'll die!

Drazik, you surprise me. Ur-Shak is immortal. Don't you know?

Yes, exactly. Immortal. Of course I knew about it. But I also know that he feels pain from the burns, look how mother, when the torch was dropped.

— You know what, I'll go! — I moved to the beach.

Wait! — Rosh yelled and grabbed my elbow. — Out of your mind?! He is immortal. He can handle it. And we're going to burn. Wanna die?!

— He feels the pain of burns, ' I replied stubbornly trying to shake the hand of the twin.

— It's not the real pain. You said yourself that everything is fake. Yes, you stand there. Look, he's doing great...

From where we stood was perfectly clear, like an Orc waddle came to the lizard, caught him across the torso in his arms and dragged him to the water. Lizard squirmed, spewing flames, but not escape, nor singe Ur Shaka could not.

— What is he doing, I don't understand what makes the Orc.

— Flushing will be casual voice said Roche.

The Orc, meanwhile, went along with the lizard in the water. The lizard was under water, it was evident that he tries to escape, and Ur-Shak presses it to the bottom. The struggle was short, the Orc was stronger, and besides, the water extinguished the flame that was trying to vomit lizard.

There are two fire-breathing creature, they were on the other end of the beach and not seen Ur-Shak killed their relatives. Rosh sat on the ground. As in a movie theater, only popcorn is not enough...

I was still determined to help, but the twins kept me and when I took a step, grabbed me by the leg:

Where?! Tired of living?!

The Orc crept to the remaining lizards, hiding in the shadow of the broken ship. With two at the same time he wouldn't, so he waited for the moment when the creatures depart from each other far enough. As luck would have it, monsters strolled on Golden sand side by side. Just a couple of coconuts. Rosh muttered.

With two he can't handle...

Of course. It was not clear what to do next. How to help?

— We need to distract them! we said the phrase in unison. Surprisingly, one and the same idea at the same time came to the two heads. Gemini, true Gemini.

Drazic, listen to me. I run, and when they chase me — thrown into the sea. In water they are not terrible...

— I? Here I'll wait?! No, that's not right. Better I will go there and otmani Raptor.

Rosh looked at me curiously. Waved his hand:

— Well, and figs with you. Come along, try to divide dinosaurs. The main thing — do not come close.

— Yes you know. Never offer to teach fish to swim!

We rushed down the slope. Orc our maneuver was completely unexpected, he leaned over the dilapidated side and began waving his paws — "Back! Back!". But it was too late, lizards spotted us and took a threatening pose. The main thing — to reach the water... Run to water... to Run...

There was a tramp. Weight in every creature a couple of tons, and stamp them accordingly. The Rosh fled to my left, on lizards I didn't look back, only heard the approaching footsteps. I have regretted that we started this. Fig gave us a beach? What we did not see here? Would have sat near the Tower of the Mists, a quiet safe place...

The main thing — not to fall...

Blood knocked in temples, on the left, I heard ragged breathing lobe, behind — the tramp of the terrible lizards. Saving water is getting closer.

Behind came the roar. I didn't even think to turn around.

We Roche with a run jumped into the water, raising a cloud of spray. The water was cold, but I don't feel it. With fright, I swam like a dog. Behind us there was a huge splash, huge body landed in the water behind our back. Another Grand splash. For some reason I remembered Archimedes ' principle: a body immersed in fluid displaces... Which displaces it there, I could not remember.

We struggled to the horizon, behind was heard the splashing and snorting. Lizards were not far behind.

And then came the Mat, and the water roared behind us. We turned around. One lizard floated on the surface and tried to attack the Orc, who held the second lizard under water. Fortunately for us all, the water extinguished the flame, and the teeth of these dinosaurs were very dumb, and jaw weak. Fire-breathing lizards used to get their production as well roasted form. Soft, juicy, grilled meat. It has ruined them.

Ork alternately drowned lizards came out on the shore and growled:

— Well, what the hell?!

He was furious, so my Roche continued to float at some distance from him.

Really, what we're snooping? He could have done that myself. He is immortal, he is no danger threatened. And we risked. Took a big risk. For heroes wanted?! Sam dies, and friend help me out?! How stupid. We're just a couple of idiots! Beavis and butt-head.

Wet Orc rushed to the shore and mother. He looks for us are scared, and fear this left him with rude words.

We and Roche are already rather cold, but to go ashore was in no hurry. Let him calm down and what kind, and can knock us for our heroism. And will be absolutely right.

Finally the Orc stopped and a calm voice said,

— Well and how long you will swim?

We swam to the shore.

Out to dry.

37.

The sun had set long ago, the sky had rolled a full moon. We dried up, the ork smashed a few big planks of the ship and lit a fire. The world around comfortable, its borders were drawn by the light of the fire. In close forest screaming night birds, the chirping of crickets brings me memories of childhood, and the lapping of the waves soothed and sleepy. Fortunately, in the world of Gothic was not the mosquitoes, which plagued us in our home world. We Roche began to nod. Not to fall asleep, I began to tell the Orc about our double adventures. The Orc listened very carefully, and the twin from time to time inserted cues such as "He hurt kicked me in the ribs", "behaved like a greedy pig" and "Drazic found in made native soul". Very funny, just hilarious...

Then came the turn for the story of the Orc. The story was simple and uncomplicated. Played Gothic, codes moved to Ur-Shak. At some point ceases to see the monitor, keyboard, room. Turned out to be entirely in the world of Gothic. First, not frightened, he searched for his heroic human body, that of the Orc shaman to move back. The body was never found. Panicked. Decided to commit suicide, reasoning that in this case the game simply spit out into the real world. Made several attempts. Nothing came of it, in terms of the game Ur-Shak immortal. He felt pain, but was immortal. Tried to stick their noses in the Old Camp, but were attacked by the guards. The pain of the shock bolts was unbearable. Tried to enter the city of the orcs, but there he was attacked by Orc warriors. Felt like an outcast. Offended people, and orcs of the world of Gothic. Then I got angry and planned revenge. Waiting for the night, the mountains crept into the city of orcs crawled to the tent where I slept one of the five Orc shamans, and strangled him in his sleep. The corpse was removed from shaman runes of teleportation. The alarm was raised, the soldiers rushed at the intruder, but the Orc managed to teleport to the watchtower near the Lodge Kavalorna. Feared the chase, so by stealing the key from the chest Kavalorna while he was sleeping, climbed to the cave where we first met. In this cave the Orc spent a few days, and then the world around has changed. The Orc was unable to explain to us how the world has changed, he really did not understand. Just felt — the world has changed. Guessed that a new player entered the game. And waited, because the Orc knew that neither player will pass by the caves behind the house Kavalorna. The perfect place for an ambush.

Rosh asked:

— You don't fall asleep at the computer during the game?

— No, — Orc, in my opinion, answered sincerely, but the twin he seems to not believe it.

— You say so in full consciousness in broad daylight "failed" in the game? A little like the truth... Roche deliberately said a nasty voice, to piss off Ur-Shak. But he did not get angry:

Yeah, it's weird. I thought a lot about it. And now...

What's the explanation I came up with this fact the Orc we did not know. From the darkness, completely silent arrow flew and struck the Orc in the chest. After her second. Again and again. A hail of arrows fell upon our furry partner. He fell backwards.

We Roche rooted to the sand. It all happened so suddenly.

— To the water! — croaked the Orc. — Faster to the water!

Repeat we did not have. Under a hail of arrows, which, however, was aimed at the Orc, we and Roche jumped huge leaps jumped to the water. For the second time this evening we run and flew into the cold sea water. Not saying a word, we swam to the right, over a ledge of rock, that will safely hide us from the invisible enemy. Orc to help we weren't even trying. Him our help is not necessary, it is immortal. And we are quite mortal.

We swam for a saving ledge of rock, the beach disappeared from view. I couldn't see what was happening, could only imagine...

...That the enemies come out of the darkness, come to istykanny arrows shaggy carcass... Kicked the Orc's legs...

... Suddenly an Orc rises to his full giant height... Panic!... Enemies flee in terror... The bravest are trying to defend...

... Nothing can save these unknown enemies... Ork grabs one and strangles it... Certainly stifled... and some just break your neck...

From this thought, my fists clenched by themselves. We Roche dangling in the water and waited for the end. I was cold, the water was cold. Wetsuit pulled down. Probably would have

In the silence of the night he heard a terrible animal roar.

Innos protect us all. I even rowing ceased from fear and almost sank.

Then they heard the cries of the people, the noise.

And again a terrible roar, even a rock behind which we were hiding, floating in the water, shuddered.

The noise gradually began to subside until there was complete silence, broken only by the noise of the surf and the lapping of the waves around us.

Let's go see what's out there? — quietly asked Rosh.

I nodded, not realizing that my gesture in the dark are just not visible. But Gemini was floating toward the beach, I swam after him.

The picture, which opened our eyes was surreal. On the dark shore the fire was burning. Around the campfire sat the Orc and pulled out of my chest, abdomen, shoulders arrows, while constantly cursing softly. Around lay the corpses The corpses of people. People in the clothing thieves.

We twin cautiously got back on shore, ready at any second to jump into the water. But there was no danger. The Orc did not even pay attention to us, so absorbed in his occupation.

Taking out another arrow from his mighty chest, he florid material of the parents of the artists who made this arrow and this bow, from which it was released. As well as parents of the shooter, which is so aptly hit straight in the heart. Orc remembered the and parents of the boom. Although, in my opinion, the arrows do not happen parents.

Rosh busily began to search the bodies. Fu, looting, I thought to myself. But I did not speak. A more expensive can go. I considered closest to me is a dead enemy. A completely unknown type. He's not from New Camp, where I know all the thieves in the face. Who are they, why they attacked us. And what does it all mean!?

The twin bent over another lifeless body and screamed:

— Quentin!

Orc has ceased to matter, only taken out of the shoulder, the arrow continued to crackle in a powerful paw. Quentin was known to us. The leader of the gang from North of the gorge. I came closer to Roche and stared at the lying body on the ground. Similarly, he said. What were you doing here, Quentin? Why attack us? The dead don't usually respond, and Quentin kept silent.

That's odd, he said Roche. Drazic, have you ever seen Quentin at the Tower of Mists?

— Yes, there was this ever — growled the Orc. I just assented.

What made Quentin to lead his people through the whole Mining Valley here. Night. In spite of the dangers that beset their way through a dense forest. Despite mrakorisov, gorchov, wolves, hornets and other one Bulgaru famous monsters. Why he attacked us? Didn't have the answer to these questions. The Orc then took out a arrows and composing complex semantic structures with the use of profanity.

Roche continued to search the dead. And then I sensed a strong smell of singed hair. The smell, familiar to me: when the Orc dropped the torch — smelled the same.

— Hey, you're on fire! — I shouted to the Orc. He spun on the spot:

— Where? Where? Ugh, scared... No I'm not!

— What singed hair smells like?

— I ...well... into the fire accidentally noticed...when these, — Orc pointed a paw to the side of the dead Quentin, — the mind to mind taught.

"Yeah," growled Rosh very nasty voice. — Well you have taught them. They began fucking scientists. And dead at the same time. At least one had to keep alive. As we now know, why they attacked us?

— Duc, — Orc guiltily threw the legs to the sides. Illuminated by the firelight on the side, all studded with arrows, he looked hilarious. Well, of course he was angry.

But Roche continued to grumble:

— The Fig of all it was necessary to kill...

— So, again apologized Orc.

I could not resist:

— Get away from it, Rosh. What's done is done. You should be thankful that we were alive.

Then we had the bandits of the sea burial, and Roche pulled out of their knapsacks are valuable and not so valuable things piled in a heap near the fire. Why do we need nine bows, in the sense I could not take. But decided not to ask, seeing that twin, and so not in the mood.

Hastily having had a bite simple food of the same gang knapsacks, we started to settle in for the night. Roche just went on the sand, turned his back to the fire and immediately began to snore. Here, a strong nervous system. I helped the Orc disappeared a couple of arrows sticking out from his back.

— Hurt — I asked sympathetically, pulling out the last arrow.

— What do you think? evil replied the Orc.

I was taken aback. What you need to say? Before the wedding live? Silly, somehow. Offer him a cure, so Orc human meds aren't working at all, he said. Pause delayed. And then I presented our users a plan to return home. The Orc listened in silence.

— Well, what's the plan? — I knew that the Orc is our plan not like it, but decided to ask again.

— Let's go to bed. In the morning we'll talk. Tomorrow is another day. And I'll watch it.

Clear. The plan is no good. From the point of view of the Orc. Okay, we'll talk, I thought, Roche will be able to bring the required arguments he can muster.

— You, if anything, Wake us up, I began to meet at a fire near the sleeping the big sleep twin.

Yeah Wake...

The last thought in my head, before I sank into a black abyss of dreamless sleep, was: "We are with Roche here for two days, but not closer to home or a step..."

38.

In the morning when the three of us basking on the Golden sand beach of Tower of Mist under the gentle rays of the rising sun, I asked the Orc:

— Why are you said about hydroelectric power plant? Well, in the cave, when I found you...

— I've been thinking about the possibility to meet another player — Orc scratched his nose. Performed by anthropomorphic hairy beasts that looked quite comical. And understand what is important at the first meeting — the very first word. The word must be such that it immediately became clear that I am only human. I have all your vocabulary went through... Well, at the plant stopped.

— Clear... Suddenly it was...

— I wanted, that was unexpected and immediately made it all clear.

Sir Roche was stretched on the sand — sunbathing. I was funny — a tan acquired in the world of Gothic is even virtual virtual money. This is all complete nonsense. Rosh noticed my smile, made a brutal grimace, and turned over on his belly.

Orc is also sprawled on the sand. From his skin, noticeably stank of dog and some other stuff.

— Would you even showered or something. Stink like a stray dog, I said it almost gently.

— It is useless to wash, — Orc does not offended. — You know, this smell exists only in your imagination. You look at me, see me as an animal, and your subconscious is peddled to you remembering the smell of animals. Any smell is actually there. Rosh, you smell me?

— Feel, ' said Roche, not turning his head. — It stinks badly.

— Here they are — jokes of the subconscious. You both see me as an animal, so smell.

— What's your take? As Homo sapiens? You look at yourself! — I uttered the phrase in the manner of scientific dispute. To hurt the Orc I wasn't into it.

— Anthropocentrism and chauvinism! — proudly said the Orc. Then we had been lying in bed in the sand and said,

— Consciousness — matter is quite thin. The problem of no return to the ordinary world I see that your Orc I managed too well, "realize", as well as his world, and immersion have been several deeper glance through the monitor. In fact, it is likely that the time in the world of Gothic is not simultaneously real, and consists of intervals of the game in his players. But for the character it continuously, and, in the case of "awareness" itself, the character of the game during it, he won't see these gaps — as if the game continuous.

Roche sat, his lower jaw clattered on his chest. The bruise will be, I thought. My double closed mouth. Thought. I opened my mouth. A little more thought. And again closed his mouth. The Orc felt our silence for acceptance of his new theory, scratched his belly and continued:

About to break this continuity and would mean for us, back. Although in the real world we have a wonderful feel in between games, though don't know about it being inside the game not knowing about these intervals. To exit, you will have to win the game.

Rosh noise swallowed. I also was not good. The Orc philosopher is much worse than swearing Orc, in my opinion. Or better?

I finally came out of her daze and asked:

— Something you yourself understand what he said?

Roche has puknul something unintelligible in the sense that he too was interested to know the answer to this question.

— My friends, — Orc again, scratched his belly. What was he there all the time scratches? Fleas it there or what? The thought of the fleas I have itching all over the body. And the Orc continued:

— You cannot climb to the awareness depth of the processes that keep us here. Do you think that there is some kind of Main Enemy that lured you, well, me too, this game keeps force here. So?

Well... Roche gained the ability to speak coherently. I just nodded.

— As it is naive. And I would even say — primitive. You can not live without enemies. You need to be sure someone zaborot and win. If no there is no enemy? Who are you then to fight? — Orc brutally bared his fangs. Apparently, this was supposed to indicate a smile. Horror! The upper left canine had broken off almost to the middle.

— So... is all I could think to say. But Roche only hard nodded his head.

— As long as we'll look for this mythical Enemy, until then we will be trapped here. We hold here the game itself. Game with a capital letter. Our subconscious gladly dived into the world of Gothic and it is not going to come back. Our subconscious it's cozier. Drazic remember how I asked you to go to my house and off my computer?

"Yeah," I was able to speak only one-word sentences. Roche seems to have fell into prostration. His eyes were staring at the sky, his mouth was open. I began to seriously fear for his mental health.

Now I think that wouldn't help anyway — dependence is not physical, the world of Gothic would not have gone anywhere with the power off, as well as his characters, as I'm out of this world. My subconscious thought would be all the computer off. Only I failed to finish the game... And I spent the rest of his days in a madhouse. But it didn't even feel like thinking and sit in the cave behind the house Kavalorna. — Orc turned back up and looked at the sea. — Take a dip, or what?

— Che, I did not understand — a person Rocha made a very meaningful expression. — Are we crazy?

In some sense, — Orc went to the water. — We fell out of reality because we don't like to be in it. It is a kind of escape from life's difficulties...

Raising clouds of spray, he reached into the water. And they say that orcs are afraid of water. Here is the living refutation. Alive and quite wet.

We Roche sat on the Bank and watched frolicking in the sea water Orc. Silent. I felt a complete idiot. My double, apparently, was not feeling much better. The Orc managed to overwhelm us with his powerful intellect, and it was very disappointing.

— You che-thread understood? — I turned my head to the twin.

— Yeah, — muttered Roche.

39.

— Hey, Drazic. And what's his name?

— Who? — I did not understand.

Orc this, Roche pointed out frolicking in the surf furry monster.

— Ur-SHUK.

— Oh no...a Human name?

I do not know.

— Haven't asked him!?

— No, and you?

And I didn't ask. That kind of garbage...

— Well, right now, ask — I jumped up and waved his arms. Hey! Come here!!!

— Well, — muttered Roche — let wash. Can really stink stop.

— It does not stink. It's all a joke of the subconscious. He also explained...

— Oh, Drazic, only you don't start the crap, okay? I have it all in your head.

Here and talked.