item on the table, he silently watched as sand poured from different sections at different speeds.
«This clock, made in Shelber,» he finally broke the silence. – To find out what time we live in, you don’t have to turn them over for years. When the minutes are up, the hours remain higher. When the days are up, there will be years, and then eclipses. But, sooner or later, they still have to be turned over. – In his other hand was a watch from the dungeon. He placed them next to his watch, watching the grains of sand rising in it. – If the sand fell first down and then up, they would work forever. I know that eternity inextricably connects us with the world around us. We must devote all our efforts to building an electronic computer, and read this devilish book next month.
– What?! – Vaidah was indignant, clutching his stubble. – It’s impossible. Why is there so little time?
«If this is the book mentioned in Svurt’s Law, Shelber’s governors will want to take it for themselves. Our find cannot remain a secret for long. Moreover, we all know that unknown diseases are spreading in the Nahmaut valleys, turning people into monsters. Perhaps this book, which they are so diligently searching for, is to blame. Having learned that for more than one century, it turns out, we were hiding from them, their main treasure, without a doubt, they will decide to crush Vayelon to the ground. If, fifty years ago, Rohvem did not need even a reason for the attack, then what can we say about our case. Damn the king who decided to bury this thing right below us. He set us up pretty well.
«Shelber and Vayelon have always been on good terms,» a young woman stood up from the table. «Let’s make some books and just give the original to the Supreme Governor,» she suggested, blinking her big brown eyes.
– There is no more supreme governor, – Haste spread his fingers on his hand and brought them to his chin. – Galbront imprisoned himself in an eternal prison, fearing the complications of the disease, uncontrollable strength and rage. The previous viceroy, Okkrat, jumped out of the window. And, the one that was even before him was killed by his own guards. In the Shelber Valley there has been no contact with the outside world for a long time. They are already dangerous to themselves. What kind of good relationship are you talking about? You better stay tuned, Neilie, otherwise why are you here?
«Actually, you yourself called me here,» indignantly, she straightened the long bangs of her short haircut. – I am the only person in the city who would have translated this book for you in two days.
«I don’t care about the translation,» he jumped wildly towards her, frightening the fragile woman. – Better tell me how to read it correctly?
– Fuck off, – she pushed him, with both hands and left the underground laboratory.
«Don’t get excited, my prince,» Assam put his hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down. – Women love good manners. You should have learned from them, otherwise, you won’t be able to find a worthy wife. – Haste removed his hand from himself, and, grumbling something under his breath, put his watch back into the sideboard.
– Who would talk about a worthy wife, – Vaidah laughed at him, finally, sitting down at the table. – We all would not be disturbed by worthy women. Using the services of priestesses is no longer so interesting. I want a little more to be loved. Hey, what’s wrong with you, aren’t you listening? Assam ignored him. His stone face, completely emotionless, as if under hypnosis, and his eyes look at one point. Slowly turning his head, he looked around, as if someone had possessed him, or he had come here for the first time. He has never been seen like this before.
– Again these strange feelings, – the boy grabbed his face. – This is the first time this happens to me at such a time. Maybe it’s all the same controversy? Wake up, wake up, wake up, – he begins to lightly beat himself on the head. Noticing that something was wrong with him, Haste went up to his friend, helped him to sit at the table, and gave him a glass of coffee. – You said that this is innate in me, – he turns to the prince, – then why, I now feel it again. The attacks became sudden. Previously, they were cyclical, now, they are completely random.
«What is he talking about?» Dambi, the most outstanding employee in the field of applied mathematics, approached them. He is thirty-four years old and one of the leading minds of the NRC. Most of the ideas considered both in theory and in practice are offered by them. Its potential seems limitless. Haste himself, considers only two people to be stronger than himself in mathematics, these are Dambi and Vaidah. Outwardly, he is good, but leads a reclusive lifestyle. His father was Osiris, who abandoned them even before his birth, and his mother was Nahmau, who fled from Rohvem. Now he lives with her.
– And you still do not know that our friend has such an ability, or an illness, when he falls into a special state. New feelings are opening up in him, «» Vaidah explained to him.
«Interesting,» Assam feels his fingers. – It started ten years ago. I was fifteen or sixteen then. These strange sensations manifested themselves once a month, maximum two. They arose at a strictly defined time. Exclusively at the moment when I fall asleep, and when I wake up. This transition, from the state of sleep to the state of wakefulness, is always accompanied by a fall from the familiar reality. Literally for a couple of minutes, but during this time, I manage to understand the world more than in my entire previous life. I feel all objects around me, as if they are an inseparable part of my body. I also feel my body, unusual, as if it were an object, such as a table or a cup. In this state, I came up with ideas about representing the universe in minimal geometric units of dimension. It would be nice if I could manage it all. Change the physical condition and structure of the environment. But, alas, reality is not a children’s fairy tale. This is a challenging game.
– Very difficult, buddy, – Vaidah shook him by the shoulder.
«But we’ll pass it,» Dambi replied calmly, leaving to the other side of the room in search of his documentation. – Let’s pass with dignity or stay in it forever…
– The second option is more attractive, I have to admit – added Haste, getting ready to go to the test instruments department. Casting a glance at Assam, he jabbed a finger on his cheek. – We will find the cause and effect of your seizures as soon as we have free time. Plus, they are good for you. We all could use this feeling. Imagine if Dambi and Vaidah begin to feel the surrounding objects, as you do. They already see the world in too much detail, I’m afraid with your ability, they will become gods.
– It seems to me that these psychos were born in such a state, – laughs Assam, following the departing prince. – They are just silent, cunning.
«All nahmau are born like that,» Dambi heard him, tearing himself away from his wires and connecting ply plates with an ironic smile. – Just to be afraid to admit it. We, it turns out, are the apostles of Selim, half people, half gods, according to the Osirian priests. Do not forget, in Vayelon there is a law not to oppress all peoples and nationalities, therefore nahmau, it is forbidden to hold all managerial positions, especially in the council.
– Well, well, it’s time to introduce amendments to this law, – his interlocutor grinned. – The superiority of the Nahmau over others is too obvious, and the rest of the peoples are enraged, especially the Osiris, who make up eighty percent of the total population, Assam says, drinking coffee. – Envy or pity, two opposite feelings, equally leading to disgust. This is where the first signs of nationalism are born. The people have already staged demonstrations about the eviction of the Nahmau diaspora, who never work in regular jobs. All of them are either dependents, or on creative, incomprehensible employment. Sabars, Vutes and Sumerians are the best performers. Of course, I condemn this, but not just like that in the era of the last kings, the Nahmau took them into slavery. Osiris are good traders, organizers, and managers. Well, nahmau, by nature, are inventors, innovators and discoverers.
– Let’s close this topic before the committee of Osirian activists tumbled down here, – Dambi raised one eyebrow, lazily stretching in his chair.