Long and successful, Sehbet, the great necromancer, and the valiant man, who had covered himself with a lot of glories, was in control of Illum-Nadine. Many and many years have passed since he laid the first stone in the base of the castle. Since that time, under the watchful eye of Sekhbet, who turned out to be not only a fearless warrior but also a wise ruler, Illuma Nadin repeatedly rebuilt and represented today a truly impregnable citadel with a deep moat, fortifications in several tiers, with loopholes and towers, with labyrinths underground passages and vast reserves, which would allow us to withstand the most grueling siege. Yes, there, the living enemies of Sekhbet would have already begun to perish from hunger, cold and disease, and the inhabitants of the castle would not have experienced the slightest inconvenience - so the owner of the house in Illum-Nadine arranged it, so he was a man, and it is not surprising that about the merits it was legendary.
As one should suppose, at first, seeing the scale of construction and understanding the grandiose plans of Sekhbet, some called him a madman, while others, far more far-sighted, came to him, to his uninhabited northern lands, and asked for his patronage. He almost did not refuse anyone - he took knights and necromancers younger, alchemists and healers, giving them plenty of land and allowing them to be built solidly; they brought with them knowledge, brought soldiers, and soon Sekhbet could expose in the field an army, numbered in the thousands of soldiers, living and dead.
In Illum-Nadin, attracted by the opportunity to perform extensive orders, the craftsmen stretched, followed by the sly merchants, fortunetellers, servants from impoverished families ... Sekhbet himself, almost without needing anything, cared about the fate of the living, so that they had what to eat and what to drink , so that they could dwell in Illum-Nadine in purity and health ("Why should Lord Aranthir, in his own house, superfluous troubles, complaints and different kinds of filth?" he explained, with his own straightforwardness), and in a short time grew around the castle an entire city with a commercial area, benches and hostels courtyards. In the vicinity of it, with the permission of a visionary ruler, felled forests, built houses for artisans and engineers, plowed fields, grazed cattle; even their mines were in the tireless Sekhbet, and the experts called to them were looking for more and more veins. At his court he welcomed the poets and scientists, inviting them to work in his vast and richest library, which he expanded and replenished relentlessly...
From this and that library it all began. I was no more than sixteen years old when, examining the writings of sages in my house, I came across an interesting book about spirits, containing among other things amazing notes on the depth and clarity in the fields, and so much they gave me these notes, how many would not have given voluminous volume. To my great chagrin, a good half of the chapters were withdrawn from the book, but at the end of the same hand, once written priceless words in the fields, a note was made that the continuation is stored in the Illum-Nadin library ... At that time I was already heard about Sekhbet and about the protection that the scientists found at his court, but who compared to them was I, the little boy from the remote estate?
I was confused and shared my doubts with my mother. My good lady, as always, came to my rescue - she signed with Sekhbet, whom she was remotely familiar with during her service, and received from him a very kind reply - he invited me to visit the castle at any time and stay there for so long, as I wish. I was in great agitation, and I was afraid that my mother would not let me go-she was too jealous for my absences, even necessary, but she did not hesitate to let me go to Illum-Nadine. Apparently, she trusted Sekhbet, and it was not in vain - he gave me the warmest welcome, gave me not only the right book, but also many others, expensive and rare, and when it was time for me to go home, he sent several guards with me, yes such that on the way everyone respectfully parted at the sight of me and my retinue. It was necessary to see the face of my mother, who came out to meet me, when I, her skinny scion, appeared before her accompanied by six immortal knights!
"Asha Almighty, bless Sehbet!" only she could say a word and immediately sat down to write him a thank-you message.
So our acquaintance took place. Since then, I was a frequent visitor in Illum-Nadine, and with Lord Sekhbet I started with me soon, despite all our differences, surprisingly strong friendship. Many considered her to be just the whim of an eccentric lord who had been an eccentric since the founding of the castle, but the years flowed and flowed, but his wits did not pass, and mine, too, and we did not help each other with advice and deed.
To be continued
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