Глава 16

We need to talk, Rankin...

Rankin sighs, brings the melody to a close, and hands the accordion to a nearby miner.

Nikto recognizes the face of Pavel, Bogina's brother. Is Bogina still running a fever? He does not know.

Pavel takes the accordion and begins to sing an unfamiliar song.

Lively, soaring, yet sad.

'Sweet soft fragile flower, lean against the oak tree...'

'Hang not your head, nor sway with the wind...'

(Hushed) Let's talk over there.

Rankin gets up, and they leave the crowd and commotion behind.

You didn't need to do that.

You could have done it yourself, like you usually did. I would have praised you for your kindness, if you had sent Hawley away on some sort of pretext when you did the deed.

But why did you make Hawley do it?

'Rankin the Noble.' 'Rankin the Hero.' Is it not enough that you've triumphed over the foe? Did you need to torture your own comrades like that?

Does it make you happy? Make your victory more glorious? Why did you—

Because I was angry.

Yes... I won't make excuses, pretend that I expected Hawley to let his son go. This was what I wanted. I'm happy about it.

Should I be calm? Should I be merciful? End his pain like you said? Why should I?

Did you think the people who were loaded into their containers did not beg for mercy? Beg for someone to end their pain?

You accuse me of being unkind. Who would accuse those beasts on their behalf?

I do not understand them. They look human and they speak the language of humans, but their deeds are more monstrous than any monster.

How could they prey upon their own kind like that, so calmly, so coldly?

This difference frightens me. It's as though... as though we never shared the same human dignity with them. If they're not the monsters... then it must be me who is the monster.

Rankin's words are clear, his tone impassive, as he gazes into the black night. Nikto wants to turn Rankin's head around and make him say it to Nikto's own face.

But he does nothing.

Silence.

But you were right. I didn't need to do that.

It's pointless...

You're torturing yourself, Rankin.

You shouldn't pretend to be as strong as you think you are, and you shouldn't demand that others be as strong.

It's not my place to accuse you. You carry the responsibility of everyone on your shoulders. You must become the hero. It's a remarkable thing.

But you can't pretend that the fear and hesitation in your heart don't exist... you're trying to hide from yourself.

The result is what happened today... you lost control. It's dangerous. You don't know what you might do, the next time your emotions get the better of you.

Thank you for the warning... I'll remember it.

Let's gather the others and put the bonfire out. It's time to go—how far until the next village?

...Let's wait a while longer.

They're happy. They haven't been so happy for a long time. We found a vehicle, and we're one step closer to the Kazimierzian border... let them enjoy themselves a little longer, and warm themselves up a bit.

You enjoyed yourself when you danced just now, didn't you?

What about Hawley? Do you still care about how he's feeling?

He won't eat anything, and he's not responding to people talking to him.

He'll come around.

You can keep thinking that way, if it makes you feel better.

Rankin turns around, takes a few steps towards the campfire, before stopping in his tracks. He turns back around and walks in the other direction, until he leaves behind the friend with whom he has developed differences, and the comrades still enjoying themselves.

He keeps walking until the scene of unfading crimson once again fills his thoughts.

What do I do, Rankin? I-I think my skull's crushed. There's blood everywhere—

Help me, Rankin! I don't want to die!

Rankin—

Sorry.

Accept it.

Accept pain as you accept mortal pleasures. Accept death as you accept the life that Ursus grants.

Therein lies salvation.

Yes, I accept.

Who are you? Who the hell are you?!

Our souls could have been saved! This isn't how it should have been! It was you, abomination, that set us adrift, never to find salvation!

It's your fault—your fault that we have nowhere to go—

Abandon all hope.

All of you...

You never had anywhere to go.

(Panting heavily)

*pant*... *pant*...

Nadia... why are you here? Is Vetochki not with you?

I came to find you... Rankin.

Why... is there something I can help with?

No... I would like to help you.

Oh...

You killed that thing. It became your revelation, to carry the burden of all.

I understand your pain... it is painful to carry the burden of the life and death of others, to carry the burden of duty... how could it not be?

I witnessed how your soul became torn and tattered. But I do not have the cure. I could not compliment your courage, for it was the source of your pain...

Thank you for your understanding.

But there is no need to pity me. I chose this duty for myself.

Besides... no, I never believed in revelations. I've always done what I thought was right.

Yes. You chose it yourself. Poor boy... no one can save you, except yourself...

I can only send you my sincere blessings, that one day... one day, you will find salvation from pain, and the peace that you desired...

The old woman puts a withered hand on Rankin's chest, and he feels his chest filled with warmth.

I—

Rankin touches his chest.

Was he too tired, or hallucinating?

He does not feel his heartbeat.

Since you asked, let's start with the crackdown in the mining district.

It began with people who had too much time on their hands, who discovered a new substance deep within an exhausted mine shaft.

Of course, we began to study it.

The Infected are one thing, but why can't we leave the mining district either?

There's nothing coming out of the mines. The miners are being shut inside their quarters, unable to go to work. Who knows if the Originium veins inside have really dried up?

Let's sit and wait. The Grand Duchess won't abandon us.

Wait? What's the point of waiting? They're not issuing our salaries, just supplies. Why not just let us leave, then? Not everyone's so carefree like you. I've got a mother to provide for.

We've got news! The mines haven't been exhausted!

What? Really?

Guess what we found at the bottom of the mine?

The Originium's grown back?

No! You don't have any imagination.

Imagination leads to futile hope, which leads to death. I don't want to die yet.

So, what exactly did you find?

Geologists from Bresk say that it's a geological fault, not exhaustion! Faults cause shifts in rock formation, resulting in Originium ore seemingly disappearing, when in fact it's been transformed.

Can you explain it in a way that a non-geologist could understand?

Meaning that the Originium ore is gone, but something new has appeared.

Look at this! Fresh out of the hole. I'm taking it to the lab for analysis. Here's your chance to help!

The excited researcher takes out a flask of black liquid, the surface of which is smooth as a mirror, and shakes it gently.

Are you sure? I'm no geologist, but I don't think faults turn rock from solid to liquid...

Are you sure they didn't make it up just so that we'll have something to do?

I went down myself, alright? The stuff's everywhere. It's like an underground river. The miners said the Originium ore was gone, but it's only been transformed into this stuff.

You have a chance to be a co-author on my paper! You should be more grateful!