CHAPTER 2

This question struck a terrible terror in Russ's spear deck. Ragnar heard the sound of people shifting uncomfortably in the oar. The wizard's wonderful laugh echoed across the water. “Am I a ghost? Does that sound like a ghost? Will my boots become a ghost if I lick my ass for being rude?

Laughter was heard from the deck of another ship. "Then come ashore, wolf priest, welcome here." Bring your friends and let's celebrate.'

The strange ship performed a maneuver that seemed supernatural to Ragnar. Without turning your back and returning to the shore in sight of the dragon boat. The sound of the oarsmen's drums brought the Russian spear to life at the wharf. Ragnar followed the Wolf Priest through the streets, not knowing why, but before he had another chance in this life, he followed him and asked questions. The rest of the crew either waited in a tavern near the harbor or wandered scattered about the streets. Ragnar was left alone with the wizard. Ragnar walked through cobbled streets, strange black buildings and narrow alleyways. The air was filled with the smell of smoke and irritating chemicals. People didn't know him and he spoke a dialect he didn't understand. Most were small, stacked and looked untouched. They collected garbage from the streets, transported goods and rushed to work. And here poverty began on this island of metal. The rulers of the islands were fewer and richer. He wore iron armor and carried a steel sword in a dragon skin sheath. They were tall, muscular, dark-skinned, brown-eyed people. They gave him a very polite nod, and he responded kindly. "Why are you following me kid?" asked the wolf priest. "Because I want to ask a question." The old man shook his head, but smiled and showed his terrible fangs. “At your age there are always questions, questions, aren't there? ask.'

'Why are you here? Or even, why did I pay to bring you here? Can I use magic instead? "Port magic, dear, I don't mean," he said.

"But your amulet is like a dragon slayer. It's…"

"It wasn't magic. "Amulets" as you said were just as cool and more complex than an ax or a spear. weapon?

'weapon.'

"You're not a wizard?"

- Let me, no! I know you will summon a wizard. And I won't trade them for all the iron on this island.

"Why?"

"They lift heavy objects."

Ragnar was speechless. It was clear that the old man would speak no more. Ragnar Lanek's iron amulet must have symbolized powerful magic, no matter what the wolf priest said. They walked down the street and passed an open shop. When Ragnar looked inside, it was a workshop full of blacksmiths. Their inner shadows glowed in the light of the hot metal. He hears hammers from other places and knows that in these places the products of the blacksmith are made. "You still haven't answered my first question." Ragnath said, surprised at his carelessness. — I don't know if I understand if I can leave.

'Why not?'

An old man's hoarse voice was heard in the alley. Ragnar saw everyone turn to look at them and made a hammer sign. "You're really mad, aren't you?" 'Not.'

"Reasonable. I was on a mission. There was an accident. My ship was destroyed. I had to come back here and contact the brothers. You will need a parent ship to cover such a long distance quickly and he will be rewarded for his help. "What was your mission?"

"I can't say that." Ranexide said in an undeniable tone. "Please?"

- They were gods.

“Aren't all gods the same? Everyone on the island worships Russan and his father. "Sodom, but not like you."

"How could that be?"

"One day, baby, you'll find out." - But not today?

"No, not today."

They went out into the big square on the hill. The big buildings are lined up. They were all wide enough to look stocky despite being ten times the height of a human. The walls are strangely carved. Each large block of stone is engraved with locking wheels. Metal pipes ran through the bricks in and out, like huge swarms of maggots emerging from the ground and coiling back. The walls have turned black from soot and previously had sewage leaking from the pipes, leaving large rust stains on the walls. From inside came a terrifying engine noise.

With that, the stranger turned and headed towards the bow of the ship. He stood eagerly like a great god. Filled with fear and reverence for strange superstitions, Ragnama made his way to his father's house. Looking up, there was understanding. — My son Isabit. his father shouted. Ragna knew that no further explanation was needed. As the defeat of the dragon defeated the evil, the sea began to calm. A few hours later , she was smooth as glass, and the only sound was the pounding of the oarsmen, except for the sound of the waves lapping against the hull. The stranger was still standing by the bow, as if waiting for the sea devil. He stared at the distant horizon, covered his eyes with his hands tangled, wandering in search of what only he could see. It was not a pale winter mood. Now a gigantic fireball appears and fills the sky with gold. The soldiers were silent. Fear conquered them. None of the rumors and boasting usually heard from survivors of such horrific storms. There was no fun or singing. Ragnar's father did not order the barrel ceremony.

0Ragnar opened his mouth. The stranger admitted that he was a supernatural being. None of the Fenris, including the oldest Graybeard, lived more than 35 years. Before singing this death poem, a stranger listened as an old man in the village and said, "I'm glad to see you again." The stranger shook his head and smiled at Ragnar through worried teeth. “I have to get old, I have to talk,” he said. Ragnas said nothing and just stared at the mountains stretching away from him. “For once, back off and tell your father to change course. Go to starboard and follow the embankment. We will reach our destination as soon as possible.” He said it with all the power of prophecy and Ragnar believed him. For the next two days they sailed along the coast of Asaheim. Two days of calm seas and cold winds and the sea from the mountains. the silence was broken when the huge chunk of ice flowing into the pole collided. It was just north of Asaheim, a land of great icebergs, a frozen land of floating ice mountains. Giant sea eagles soared overhead, and people occasionally glanced towards the entrance to the gigantic gardens that rose from the cool, clear waters. They passed the entrance to majestic fjords, awe-inspiring places and sometimes saw glacial stone villages perched high on their slopes. And instead of enslaving them, he offered to eat them. This fate has seduced even this horde of demons. The stranger did not leave his seat at the bow of the ship all the way ashore. He stood there as the sun set, paralyzed by the dying rays of Russ's eyes. At dawn he was still there because the day of waiting had come. Ragnar was not surprised when he told the night watchman that the stranger had not slept. When he felt tired, the stranger showed no signs. His eyes were as clear and bright as the day he fought the dragon. He didn't know what Ragnar was looking at, but the old man was glad to see it. As he watched, Ragnar felt he could do them no harm. The earth fell away again behind them and they were in the sea. The weather was still favorable. The stranger sniffed the wind and said the sea would be calm until they reached their destination. The sea, fearing disobedience, obeyed them. After two days at sea, they smoke ahead and light up the night sky. The men prayed to Russin out of superstitious fear, but Rusin feared they would not hear. They knew they were entering a realm sacred to fire giants, and Russ and his father had little influence here. The next day, as they approached the island, Ragnar saw that they were fire. Their tops were burned. The fire giant's molten orange saliva flowed down its black cheeks, hissing and steaming as it entered the water. The screams of the captured giants made them tremble. Ragnar approached the reluctant sorcerer again. He was relieved to see that there was no sign of fear in the old man, but a serene joy and a certain sadness, like a man who enjoys a journey and has no hope of an end. — The canyon and SlaNach are said to be imprisoned together on this island. Ragnar reiterated what the skald had said after the spring trade. Despite his fears, he was excited. He had never sailed this far with his father. “Ruth is said to have bound them there when the world was young.

"That's a bad name, dear." said the wizards. "You can't name them."

"Why?" Ragnar never feared strangers, Ragnar said. Curiosity triumphed over his admiration. The stranger smiled at him. He doesn't seem pleased with the question. “This is the name of a great demon born millions of leagues and thousands of years ago. Russ didn't tie them. No one could do that.

Ragnar was not surprised to learn their ages. Finally, Russ fought until dawn until he drove his men from Asaheim. He was surprised to learn that they were born millions of kilometers apart. It was incomprehensible. "I thought they were the children of the dragon god Screennair, married to the dark god Horus." “And that's another name you can't say, kid. Because I don't know its true meaning.''

"So you mean Willyoutellmeits?"

- No, my son. If it is your nature to know such things, you will soon find out. "But what should I do?"

"My child, having died and been reborn."

Did you gain great wisdom by doing this?" Ragnarasde was annoyed by the stranger's reaction and surprised by the sarcastic remarks in his own tone. The surprised stranger laughed. "You have courage, you are young, there are no mistakes." He turned away from Ragna and looked out to sea. Dark clouds rose before them, and the sea was covered in fertile black. The mountains shook to the west and a great fire broke out at the ends. — The mountain of fire is angry today. said the wizards. "It's a bad sign."