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Dragon’s Empire – 1. Curse of the younger Prince
Natalie Yacobson


The youngest of three princes is beautiful, bold, loved by the people and, alas, cursed. The king’s advisers are afraid of prince Edwin, but magic creatures, on the contrary, take him for their own lord. Edwin has almost fallen in love with the beautiful fairy that follows him. But the gloomy sorcerer attacks the kingdom with flocks of dragons. He needs Edwin to come to power in magic empire.





Dragon’s Empire – 1

Curse of the younger Prince



Natalie Yacobson



Translator Natalia Lilienthal



© Natalie Yacobson, 2021

© Natalia Lilienthal, translation, 2021



ISBNВ 978-5-0055-4049-2 (С‚. 1)

ISBNВ 978-5-0055-4050-8

Created with Ridero smart publishing system




Prologue


As soon as the road rolled toВ the cliff, the horses were frightened. Countess Francesca hurriedly jumped out ofВ the sleigh. InВ aВ road dress, with disheveled blond hair, she resembled an angry nymph.

В«How did you dare toВ leave the castle not toВ say goodbye? She shouted, but the young man who stood on the edge ofВ the cliff did not even turn around. It seemed that he was not worried or anger, nor the favor ofВ famous persons.

For the first time, Francesca regretted that she was sheltered in her castle this stray painter. When he late at night came to the gates of the fortress and showed her samples of his works, she was fascinated and did not even notice that the grave’s cold was blowing from these pictures. She wanted to hire a talented artist to work, but as soon as he crossed the threshold of her dwelling, the castle was filled with invisible guests. Objects moved by themselves, the wind broke the windows, and at night there was a mysterious melody, as if someone played on the harp. The servants began to happen about the mischievous elves. But after all, Francesca did not believe in the elves. She did not believe and then when at night went down into the ballroom and saw there six ghostly, pale ladies.

The countess drew attention toВ the fact that all animals, especially horses, feared the painter. So now the horses were afraid toВ approach him. And inВ the meantime he dropped the bag toВ earth, inВ which he kept his miniatures and brushes, and began toВ push some object toВ the edge ofВ the cliff. InВ the outline ofВ sharp corners, Francesca guessed that it was aВ picture wrapped inВ aВ scarlet velvet. But why the artist will discharge one ofВ his paintings into the abyss, because he could sell it and thus earn for aВ living. Judging byВ clothes, he was very poor.

В«What are you doing, Camille?В» The countess approached the young man. He did not even pay attention toВ her. The red hairs under the green beret, really gave him similarity with the mischievousВ elf.

The anger ofВ Francesca began toВ give way toВ curiosity. She decided toВ buy this picture, at least for the sake ofВ pleasure toВ see what is drawn on it? Once the artist himself wants toВ get rid ofВ his work, it means that the price will not be high.

«Camille, how much do you want for this… thing?» Francesca’s elegant hand pointed to the picture in the velvet. «Do you really think that its place is in the abyss?»

However, the mysterious and, obviously, poorly educated young man didn’t want to start a secular conversation. Only on the moment he broke away from his occupation to look at the countess. Francesca seemed that pain flashed in his eyes.

В«You do not understand. IВ have toВ destroy the proof,В» he whispered so quietly, that she barely heard the words.

В«And if IВ give you the fastest horse and inВ addition, the wallet with silver,В» without thinking, offered Francesca.

InВ response, Camille only sadly grinned.

«To travel, I don’t need a horse, Milady,» he said. The simplest phrase in his lips sounded like a mystery.

«Although on the other hand…» Camille became thoughtful. There was a deep fold between his eyebrows. «If I sell you this picture, you promise not to put it in the sun?»

В«IВ promise,В» Francesca nodded, although this requirement seemed toВ her strange. She stretched out the wallet with money, and he reluctantly accepted them.

В«IВ hope that you will not get aВ mischief toВ your head, my reckless mistress,В» Camille whispered. He raised his bag from the ground, he threw it over his shoulder and went away, not even saying goodbye. When he passed by, the horses frightened and beat about the ground with hooves, but Camille did not even pay attention toВ them, as if used toВ such reaction ofВ animal toВ his appearance.

As soon as he disappeared from sight, Francesca wanted to take away the velvet from the painting, but immediately remembered the warning. The snowfall recently stopped, and now in the sky shone a cold, winter sun. And it is impossible to exhibit the picture on the sun’s rays. She had to ask the coachman to bring the picture to the sleigh and turn back to the castle.

There was an extensive forest around her castle. Her family lived here already aВ lot ofВ centuries. Nearby are several prosperous villages. As aВ child, Francesca often played inВ the forest with rustic children and never was afraid toВ meet the night on the forest road. So why does it seem toВ her now that aВ dangerous observer can hide inВ this forest?

The way toВ the castle seemed toВ her long and tedious.

В«How did you pale, mistress!В» Exclaimed the maid, waiting for her mistress at the gate. The countess looked into the manual mirror. Yes, indeed, she was too pale and felt aВ strange dizziness, just like the heroine ofВ aВ fairy tale, bewitched byВ elves.

Francesca told toВ bring the picture inВ the tower and put on the easel. When the servants left, Francesca drew the curtains on the windows, lit the candles and only then removed the cover from the painting.

InВ the first moment, she lost the gift ofВ speech from amazement. InВ her head aВ thought was still flashed, and suddenly Camille stole somewhere this picture. InВ any case, such work is not typical for him, and no one court master could create something similar. At first, Francesca thought that an angel was depicted on the canvas, but already inВ the next moment rejected this guess. Each item was identified very clearly, and at the same time, aВ mysteriousness forced all the colors, except for black and gold. InВ the background there was aВ lattice ofВ the dungeon and chains attached toВ the raw walls, aВ wonderful, blonde young man was sitting at the oak table. He leaned over the revealed book. The glare from the candle lays down on his face. The large, pensive eyes shone. The bright curls like halo surrounded the smooth forehead. What an exalted image, Francesca thought, and only aВ moment later, noticed that behind the young man stands the black winged creature. Long claws stretch toВ the shoulders ofВ aВ diligent student who does not even want toВ tear his eye from the book toВ see the demon for his back.

The countess inspected the angles ofВ the picture inВ the hope toВ find the name ofВ an artist or at least the name ofВ the picture, but did not find any or another. Looking on the picture, she asked herself the same question: who is this young man, did he die many years ago or is still alive, and maybe this perfect face is just aВ fantasy ofВ the painter?

В«Who are you?В» Francesca asked out loud, touching with her fingers the canvas, as if she was hoping that the drawing could answer her. She wanted toВ say something else, but here they knocked at the door. AВ frightened servant was on the threshold.

В«Milady, there is aВ fire inВ the village,В» he began without warnings.

В«So send people who will help toВ put out the fire,В» Francesca ordered.

В«No one wants toВ go toВ the village,В» said the frightened servant, not knowing whether he should tell her the whole truth. В«There is no accident at home. The peasants swear that they saw aВ dragon.В»

В«AВ dragon,В» Francesca repeated as echo, В«but this is incredible!В»

The servant left and she rushed toВ the window. She opened the window. Now on the place where the village had even recently stood, the flame was raging. The black smoke rose toВ heaven, and aВ flexible, golden creature was circled over aВ huge burial fire. Francesca did not have time, as it should, look at, the winged destroyer disappeared, and the fire continued toВ be raging.

Francesca closed the window and pressed her back toВ the wall. She had toВ close the eyelids. All candles except one, at once went out. Shadows drank on the walls. Some voices sounded inВ silence.

Francesca opened her eyes and almost screamed from surprise. Before her stood the same blonde young man. He was as beautiful as inВ the picture. Only this time his head was decorated byВ the crown.




AВ warning


The light of the moon makes its way into the window. Sharpened feathers lie next to the inkwell. I have to start my story. The magic clock count the time allotted to me until dawn. And in the morning I will have to be present at the coronation and no longer be able to work at night, bending over the book of spells. Now I’m just a newly magician who wants to write down the history of his life on the pure pages of the witchcraft’s folio. Maybe some novice of the magic school will visit the corner tower and will find my memoirs. I want that at least someone will recognize my secret, and read about who I was before becoming a warlock. To do this, I have to forget about the elves waiting for me at the entrance of the fortress, and look far back into the past.



Eternity toВ that yearВ ago



I stood before the arched window and looked at the city spread down at the bottom. Is there a richest and prosperous land in the world than the kingdom of my father? I could not know this, because no of the princes was allowed to travel beyond the country. I had no right to go on a journey even under someone else’s name, such a law was established by the Royal Council.

At the bottom, the lights of the sleeping city were sparkled, the motley flags were flushed on the fair tents, pigeons nests were nesting at lower roofs. Houses of the capital even at night did not plunge into darkness. On the streets lit the lanterns, as if their light could protect the peaceful citizens from attacking robbers or evil spirits. What a majestic look opened to me from the windows of the tower, the whole city was lying, as on the palm. There was a blue cold sea to the left from city’s gate. Brightly burned the light on the lighthouse. In the royal port flies off shopping ships from around the world. Many of them stood in a quiet harbor. From the foreign merchants I listened many stories about distant countries and exotic islands, but I didn’t long keep the hope of going to the maritime journey. How much I did not ask about it my father, the answer was always alone and the constant warning that outside the native country a danger is waiting for me.

Although why suddenly such concern about the younger son. After all, I could not inherit the throne and was not educated enough to give any advice in state affairs. But every day, from dawn to sunset, I spent on the school stadium or archers’ contest. Even old, experienced knights recognized me with one of the best, and the native brothers looked at me as if I could not withstand even the first test of fate. I used to hide from the inhabitants of the castle that at night, when nobody could notice me, I went out in the city to fight with my sword the first robber I met. But today I was in no hurry to descend down the fortress wall. I, as enchanted, looked at the starry sky, spread over the castle towers and on a bright flag attached to a high spire.

I wanted to move away from the window, but suddenly some strange sounds came to me.. Who can demand to open the castle’s gate in such a late hour? To my surprise, the guards immediately hurried to the winch, plundered chains and squeezed lattices. The lifting bridge was immediately lowered, and a black carriage came into the courtyard of the castle. The coachman opened the carriage door. It seemed to me that the whole eternity was held before from the crew’s darkness came out a high, state-owned gentleman in the long, dark clothes decorated with sables. In his right hand sparkled the gilded staff. His uncovered proud headt seemed to be intended to wear a crown. The appearance and manners of the stranger made an indelible impression on me. He moved with an extraordinary, predatory grace and led himself with such dignity, as if he was headed above all the terrestrial rules.

My older brother Florian ran into the courtyard ofВ the castle. Despite the late hour, he was dressed inВ his festive camisole, briefly marked hair inВ the light ofВ torches were cast gold. He ran up toВ aВ stranger and respectfully bowed toВ him. Who is this gentleman? What did he deserve the bow ofВ the heir toВ the throne? After all, everyone knows that the heir toВ the throne is not putting anyone except the king.

IВ disassembled curiosity. IВ had toВ find out what aВ night guest inВ our area needs. Probably he came from afar, from some country that IВ never heard. After all, IВ was able toВ paint the world map only byВ stories ofВ seamen. Now IВ was interested inВ questioning aВ stranger about his lands. His clothes, although it was rich, but did not correspond toВ the last fashion installed inВ our country. But apparently, this guest was waitingВ for.

IВ left the tower, descended down the screw staircase and stopped inВ front ofВ the front halls. This usually brought all visitors, but this time it was deserted around. No magnificent reception. Only guard stood before the closed doors.

IВ turned into aВ dark gallery. It was quiet and deserted here, only knightly armoires stood inВ the walls ofВ niches and the mirrors flicker coldly. Steps heard ahead. IВ hastily slipped behind the tapestry and from my shelter could observe how the king was accompanied byВ an alien. Slightly behind them, sadly lowering the blond heads, my brothers Florian and Claude walked. Since childhood, these two all the time kept together. It seems that they were not embarrassed at all that the crown would get only toВ the eldest son, and the average will be able toВ take only second place inВ the country.

Carefully choosing from my shelter, IВ followed the strange procession. The king, aВ mysterious stranger and both ofВ my brothers entered the throne hall. The key turned inВ the castle, and all the subsided. IВ went toВ the closed doors and listened.

«Believe me, if I want, he rushes at my call and even the whole army will not be able to keep him», someone’s domineering, triumphant voice came to me. From these sounds in the head clouded. In front of the eyes there was darkness, and one single word was in my head. It seems that it was someone’s name «Rothbert». Strange, I have never heard this name before, why did it come to my mind, as if one of those magical words, with which you can get open any locks.

The door of the throne’s room suddenly swung open. Someone grabbed me by the shoulders and dragged to the side.

В«Edwin, what happened toВ you?В» The concerned voice ofВ Claude brought me out ofВ stupor. В«Previously, you did not have any habits toВ sleep on the go. Maybe you are unhealthy?В»

В«No, everything is fine with me,В» IВ lied and leaned back toВ the wall so as not toВ fall. В«Tell me, what is the name ofВ that gentleman, who just arrived inВ the castle?В»

InВ just aВ moment on the face ofВ my brother, the gamma ofВ feelings from the complete despair toВ the cold indifference was replaced.

В«You were mistaken,В» Claude finally squeezed out. В«Today inВ the castle they did not allow any messengers or guests. Such is the royal decree.В»

В«But IВ saw aВ black carriage inВ the courtyard ofВ the castle.В»

В«It seemed toВ you,В» Claude said with aВ impermeable expression. В«Go back toВ your chambers. Tomorrow IВ will send toВ you aВ doctor.В»

Claude himself took me toВ the door ofВ the bedroom.

В«Close the door and do not come out ofВ your chambers before dawn,В» he advised. It is necessary toВ say that his advice seemed toВ me strange. IВ have never been afraid toВ look inВ the face ofВ danger, on the contrary, wandered on the dark banks ofВ the capital, looking for opportunities toВ expose the sword. So what do IВ fear inВ the walls, where IВ was born and grew up. Is only the fact that the court doctor poison me with one ofВ his potions.

Why would you suddenly begin to deny the existence of a night visitor? For the first time in life, I felt offended of my father for the fact that he did not devote me to state’s secrets.

At the bottom I was heard the crash of the wheels of the departing crew. I threw the first raincoat on my shoulders, grabbed the sword and rushed down to the stables. Claude’s warning did not have values for me. If something is hidden from me, then it is no reason. Well, I have enough courage to learn everything myself.

IВ quickly saddled the horse and slipped along the lowered bridge. Thin grooves from wheels and traces ofВ horse hoofs were noticeable on aВ wet dirt road. The chain ofВ traces rushed toВ the forest. Who would have been this strange traveler, but he chose an unsuccessful route. The dark forest road led toВ the ruins ofВ the old city. People were afraid toВ walk there even during the day. It is unlikely that there would be aВ brave one inВ the entire capital, which at night would go toВ the ruins. But I, without thinking, sent my horse after the mysterious crew.

IВ spurred aВ horse, hoping toВ catch up with aВ carriage before it deepened into the forest, but, toВ my surprise, IВ discovered that despite the rush, the distance between me and the black carriage is not reduced. Well, not even better, IВ can follow aВ person who caused my curiosity, and at the same time remain unnoticed. After all, if IВ just catch it up and ask him directly, what did he need from my father, will he give me an honest answer? There was no rear window inВ the carriage, there were no grooms on the footboard. And the coachman could not see the pursuer.

When I accepted the fact that I would have to comply with a respectful distance, the horses neighed wildly. The carriage lurched slightly, there was a crack. I looked closer and saw that one of the rear wheels landed in the ditch. It must be now the driver will jump from the box to inspect the damage, and I will try to provide all possible assistance and, of course, the conversation will begin. But a careless driver and didn’t leave his seat. There was a whistling whip exploded in the night air a few glittering sparks, so bright that I closed my eyes and when I opened them, I could not help but startled a cry. The road was empty, no horses, no coach, just next to the ditch left deep furrows – the latest evidence that there has recently been stuck wheel of carriage.

IВ was so surprised that IВ forgot about my own difficulty. When IВ looked around, IВ realized that IВ could move off very far from the edge ofВ the forest. The darkness deepened over the road. InВ this forest, even during the day it lacked light, and after the midnight thick gloom became impenetrable. IВ had toВ make the return journey inВ the possible shortest time and closely monitored so that my horse did not hit aВ hoof into some pit. The trees surrounded the trail as the fabulous giants. The thorny branches clung toВ my clothes and aВ long mane ofВ aВ horse. Maybe IВ too succumbed toВ the play ofВ the imagination, but it seemed toВ me that the road is rapidly shrinking, and it will be impossible toВ go through it soon.

Somewhere flashed a light in a thicket. I dismounted, tied my horse to the trunk of a spruce and rushed to the light. I did not believe the stories of wandering flames and was not afraid that the devil will knock me off track. The farther I went, the brighter was the light. A few more steps and I could see that the flame is burning in a window. Is someone still lives in the hunters’ house. I thought it was already abandoned for a long time, and the royal manager would still not have time to send here a huntsman.

IВ approached the hollow and looked into the window. There was aВ candle on the table. AВ bright radiance was spread from the candle inВ the room ofВ the hut. And next toВ the table two girls were sitting. Judging byВ their luxurious outfits, IВ would count them toВ the number ofВ noble ladies. Although what could ladies do at night inВ the forest wilderness? They did not notice me, and IВ stood at the window and could not take aВ look from two red-haired beauties. One ofВ them kept inВ the hands ofВ the golden yarn, and the other cleverly wove the threads inВ the ball. They spoke about something, perhaps they joked. One girl laughed, swung inВ the tact ofВ the movement ofВ head fiery curls. Her silver laughter echoed from the walls ofВ theВ hut.

В«And the youngest prince is beautiful as an angel,В» the girl said suddenly. She copied with accuracy toВ the compliment, which IВ so often heard from the court ladies. ByВ the tone ofВ her voice, it was impossible toВ understand whether she was saying this with admiration or simply messengers someone.

«Yes, he is very good,» the second lady agreed more reserved. «I’m sorry for him. Unhappy, handsome boy! He is not created for such fate.»

В«This beautiful young man does not even know what is waiting for him. Even the king will not be able toВ protect him from the wrath ofВ sorcerers,В» the girl carefully chose the words as if she was afraid toВ pronounce the prohibited names. В«He is too noble toВ agree toВ the terms ofВ the prince.В»

В«From those who like toВ play inВ honor and valor inВ childhood, are obtained the most revealed villains,В» her girlfriend objected completely calmly.

В«Is it really that he must choose the way ofВ evil?В» said the first lady. В«But if he wants toВ survive, he will have toВ renounce his nobility and his mortal family. Forget that he himself was once mortal.В»

В«Prince will take care ofВ opening apart before the elect ofВ the fate the gate ofВ the Empire,В» was an answer.

В«Keep silence,В» the first girl whispered. В«Even inВ the forest it is impossible toВ disclose our secrets. InВ addition, the gates inВ the magic world can be anywhere and at the same time remain invisible for our eyes.В»

Her friend nodded silently, postponed her tangle and began toВ sprawl lace frills on the dress.

В«And this country flourishes,В» she decided toВ translate the conversation toВ another direction. В«Any king would like toВ have such fertile lands, and even gold mines inВ addition. Sometimes it seems toВ me that the gnomes themselves violate their own laws and help this mortal toВ produce emeralds and other treasures.В»

В«Dwarfs are trying inВ vain. At the expense ofВ mines grow rich only the retinue ofВ the king and residents ofВ cities, and dissatisfaction is growing inВ the provinces.В»

В«But the king holds aВ strong army and does not give the ambitious neighbors toВ invade his territory. Now, if his advisers were less corrupt and more intelligent. They never even asked the younger prince about his opinion, and he is smarter than all ofВ them. Whether he is aВ king, then he would lead aВ more skillful policy than his father rather than.В»

IВ moved closer toВ the window. Under the sole ofВ my boot, the dry branch cried. The girls were fixed. One ofВ them looked into the window and noticed me. Anger broke out inВ her eyes.

IВ hurriedly moved away from the window and opened the door. IВ wanted toВ apologize toВ the ladies and ask if they did not know another road leading toВ the castle, but there were no longer them inВ the hut. Only moths circled over the candle flame. The light danced on the wick aВ few more moments, and then went out, as if someone blew it. IВ did not have anything, how toВ return toВ the place where IВ left the horse. Even the most desperate adventure seeker does not want toВ spend the night inВ the hut, where creatures like ghosts live.

ToВ my surprise, the milled trees were broken, freeing the roadway. Now IВ could safely return toВ the castle. The light ofВ the moon made my way through the lush crowns ofВ firs and felt on an uneven path. Before the edge ofВ the forest, IВ got safely, only sometimes inВ silence IВ was heard aВ slight fluttering ofВ the wings ofВ the moth.




Hunt on the wildВ boar


Until the very beginning of winter, life at the royal court flowed calmly. The visits of ambassadors and the council meetings were replaced by noisy feasts. Passing along the halls and the galleries, I often caught admiring looks of people. Only Florian and Claude avoided meetings with me after a secret conversation with a midnight guest. In their eyes, I often noticed fear. How could I cause their fright? It was worth looking into the mirror, and I saw my beautiful twin there. Oval face looked very young, gold curls were always shone too bright, but I tagged them on the back of a black ribbon. That’s just huge blue eyes sometimes light up with a cruel, steel gloss, as if from the depths of the mirror I was looking at me not naive, blonde young man, and the evil angel, dressed in the clothes of the royal son.

Once from the tower’s window, I saw a messenger who was rushing to the castle. According to coat of arms embroidered on his clothes, I guessed that he serves one of the barons. There must be something terrible, once the servant of one of the royal vassals rushes here at full speed. Maybe the robbers attacked the baron or peasants rebelled against their master, and the needed a rapid help.

IВ was waiting for me toВ be brought into aВ throne hall. According toВ custom, the younger princes, although they did not have the right toВ vote, but were toВ be present at the meeting ofВ ambassadors and receptions. Without waiting for invitations, IВ myself went toВ the throne room. Passing byВ the room, where the Royal Council was usually held, IВ heard excited voices. Before me came scraps ofВ poisonous phrases and ordinary stockings. Advisors led aВ fierce dispute.

The door was open. I looked in the opening. Around the huge round table, were advisors. Florian, with a bored look, lifted a heavy curtain and stared out the window. He would read Knight’s poems, and not prepare to take the weight of the crown. Claude was much more interested in what was happening and even tried to ask the messenger. The king listened carefully to everyone. I saw the wrinkle on his high forehead, thoughtfulness and wisdom in the eyes, gray in blond strands. Here he is a sample of royalty. Looking at him, I thought that the real monarch could not have a young face, as it turned out later, I was brutally mistaken. Wisdom and monstrous force can be covered with eternal beauty. And beauty, in turn, is only a cover for the villains of the dragon.

The king raised his hand, calling present toВ silence, then with aВ composure, worthy ofВ aВ admiration, began toВ ask questions. The answers were unnecessarily polite and excited. As far as IВ understood, the messenger was sent byВ one ofВ the barons whose possessions bordered with the royal. There was inВ the forests ofВ this feudal, aВ creature which the frightened messenger was used toВ denote byВ one word В«deathВ». And as it turned out later, this very death wanders inВ more often inВ the image ofВ the wild boar, which helps the evil spirit.

В«Several peasants died,В» the messenger continued. В«And the rest are afraid toВ move away from their dwellings. After all, anyone can be the next victim.В»

«As far as I know, the Baron is one of the best hunters,» the king’s calm voice was heard. «Did he try to kill this creature?

«Your Majesty, can I, simple mortal, join the fight with… them?» The messenger thought for a long time before he spoke the last word. Whom did he mean? Why was he afraid to talk about «them»? Does one wild boar can harm the possession of the rich feudal? Maybe all the trouble is in the superstition of the peasants and in the habit everything to dramatize. I used to treat everything calmer and rely on the fight against evil only on my own strength. Let others hope for conspiracies from evil forces and amulets, and only a living being, nor the Spirit, will be able to hurt me. Before death, it will take time to read a prayer, but for now I wanted to fight with a sword.

В«If the situation is exactly the case, then none ofВ the knights will decide toВ help your unfortunate vassal,В» the first minister said carefully, turning toВ the king.

В«IВ will decide,В» IВ responded, boldly crossing the threshold. The messenger sighed with relief. Only Florian reacted toВ my statement skeptically.

В«How are you going toВ kill this wild boar? Keeping all your charm?В» he asked coldly. He wanted toВ say something else, but he preferred toВ keep silent, as if decided not toВ disclose the secret.

В«Your highness, it would be better for you toВ stay at the court, because the ball is scheduled for tomorrow,В» the first minister addressed me more diplomatically.

«Yes, right, a great cavalier has to dance with ladies. He doesn’t wander on big roads,» one of the advisers supported him.

Such aВ tone was hurt me. Does the royal sons inВ this country are considered only another decoration ofВ ballroom halls, not knights?

В«Better stay at home,В» Claude advisedВ me.

«And wait until the evil spirit also goes to our forests,» I grinned in response. – Do you think I am not enough to own such a weapon as a sword? In your opinion, I do not get courage and accuracy in shooting, gentlemen?:

Such questions were aВ sick prick. After all, everyone was aware ofВ my victories on numerous competitions and tournaments.

В«Your courage borders with the recklessness?В» whispered toВ me Claude, so quietly so that no others heard. В«Leave the astrologers be on their duty and toВ deal with the dark evil.В»

«Do you want to throw these people in trouble?» said I as quietly he. «If someone needs my help, then I can’t just turn away, like all these proud diplomats, which filled the hall of the Council.

Claude wondered over my words. InВ the azure eyes flashed something like understanding and hopes.

В«You can die,В» he warned.

В«Like every knight, going toВ fight,В» IВ replied fearlessly and asked louder, turning toВ the king. В«Will you let me go toВ the way immediately?В»

The king alone nodded with such aВ sorrowful expression ofВ the face, as if he had given permission toВ my funeral.

В«With you will go six ofВ my best knights and your brother,В» the king threw such aВ piercing look at Claude that the protest words immediately froze on the mouth ofВ the latter. IВ involuntarily thought that these two binds some kind ofВ mystery that their decision did not depend on the fear ofВ my life, but that one ofВ the relatives should follow me all the time. ButВ why?

It was necessary toВ go toВ the path not toВ slow down until the king changed his decision. IВ returned toВ my chambers only toВ capture aВ fur cape. Winter was cold. InВ the fireplaces ofВ the castle, the day and night flared fire, and snowflakes were spinning outside the windows. On the stairs, IВ ran into aВ court astrologer. His long fingers clung toВ my sleeve. Evil black eyes with red streaks studied my face as if trying toВ find footprints on it. The astrologer released me and slowly went up the stairs.

В«Edwin, are you going or staying?В» IВ heard the displeased voice ofВ Claude. He was already going on the road. Several knights from those who are afraid ofВ only the royal wrath, and not demons, were on the horses inВ the courtyard ofВ the castle. The groom brought from the stables the horses for me and Claude. We had aВ long way toВ go. Soon the gate ofВ the castle with noise slammed behind us. The messenger rushed ahead, pointing toВ us the road through aВ snowy forest.

Each ofВ us prepared toВ meet with danger. We have already crossed the line ofВ royal possessions. The forest around became gloomy, landscapes with incentive, and heaven was dragged with gray clouds. So soon snowfall will begin. There was no twittering ofВ birds, there was no coarse red squirrels who flooded the surrounding forests. It seemed toВ me that the nature was extinct, and dry spiny trees were only aВ temporary housing for spirits, united inВ the coronal trunks. Magic can both disagree inВ nature and transform it, tales guided us. This forest was turned into aВ sullen earthly evil. As soon as we drove into the thicket, as IВ felt an insurmountable fear, as if someone squeezed my heart with an ice hand. Surely, each ofВ my accomplices felt the same thing, but no one dared toВ confess toВ another that the atmosphere ofВ the forest was oppressed.

В«Soon we will reach the meadow, there the wild boar will hunt every night,В» the messenger said. В«We need toВ get there before sunset and surround the meadow.В»

В«So, this wild boar hunts only at night?В» IВ asked.

В«He came from his lair as soon as the sun comes,В» the messenger nodded.

В«Where is the lair?В» IВ asked.

В«Nobody knows. Most likely, not far from the gorge. But it is unlikely that you will find nearby at least one bold-sprit, which will dare toВ go there.В»

В«Must be, Goblins settled there,В» IВ joked and wanted toВ laugh, but suddenly very close, over our heads there was all the same annoying knock, as if the woodpecker would beat the drum fraction on the tree trunk.

IВ raised my head, but did not see the birds, only some tiny creature, only distantly similar toВ the child inВ the scarlet velvet cape settled on the top ofВ theВ oak.

В«Rather, look upstairs,В» IВ asked Claude.

He also looked at the tree, but no one was sitting on a bitch. Didn’t it seem to me? I must have spent too much time in the saddle and I am very tired.

В«What is the tree so much different from others?В» Claude was surprised.

В«It seemed toВ me that IВ saw aВ thrush there.В»

В«You have never seen aВ thrush before or wanted toВ put one ofВ them into aВ cage. Forgive, but IВ am afraid that we will not be allowed toВ bring anyone more canary.В»

Hung away from the tree, Claude decided toВ refer toВ the messenger.

The messenger on horseback ahead of us disappeared in an unknown direction, the road ahead was empty. Dust did not flow over the earth, it means that no one was joined by a gallop on it. I looked around to look at our knights, but there was no more of them next to us. If they decided to turn back, the forest would now be shocking from the knock of horses’ hoofs, but there was silence around. Could our knights fail through the Earth, but as otherwise they can explain their disappearance.

В«Where are our companions?В» IВ looked around, but IВ did not see aВ trace ofВ the presence ofВ people anywhere.

Claude was amazed and frightened no less than me, but his pride did not allow him to show his fear. He was, as always, restrained and cold-blooded – a sample of mentor and elder brother.

В«You could not ride aВ little behind,В» Claude said it with such aВ cold tone, as if IВ was not fit toВ go side byВ side with him or represented aВ danger toВ anyone who remained alone.В»

Such aВ request seemed toВ me offensive and nevertheless IВ hold the horse, passing my brother forward. Do IВ really do not deserve trust? Claude marked noticeably and looked at me as if he was afraid ofВ attacks on my part. What aВ change happened toВ him after the night visiting. Since then, he never talked with me alone.

«Edwin, you stick to me like a shadow, the distance between the horsemen should be observed,» fear heard in my brother’s voice. I noticed that he somehow nervously squeezes the samples at his chest, as if he was afraid of attacks on the sideways.

IВ made my horse go slower toВ retard from Claude at least aВ few steps, but my horse was not used toВ such slowness. He loved toВ rush inВ the steppes at the speed ofВ the wind, and not drag aВ slow step. Even tired, he rushed forward.

Noticing that IВ catch him, Claude snatched the sword, but instead ofВ turning aВ sparkling blade toВ me, he only raised it up and showed me aВ cruciform top ofВ aВ sword. Is Claude thought that the devil himself goes next toВ him inВ my appearance.

В«You are not afraid?В» he asked inВ surprise.

В«Do you want me toВ crossed my sword with yours instead ofВ killing aВ wild boar?В» IВ answered the question at the question.

В«OfВ course not,В» Claude hastily removed the sword.

He did not even apologize for his strange behavior. Then we drove inВ complete silence.

В«Edwin,В» My brother turned uncertainly. В«IВ have long wanted toВ ask you aВ question. You never felt next the presence ofВ some evil. Maybe sometimes you felt that inВ you there is something dark and dangerous?В»

В«What?В» IВ did not believe my ears. В«You could not explain inВ the moment! You consider me dangerous.В»

«No – no,» he hastily objected. «I said it just like that. Did it happen to think about you? From you the endless light comes, and not darkness. It was necessary just better to look at you before listening to slanders.»

В«Who could say something bad about me?В» IВ was surprised.

В«There will always be evil tongues,В» he answered calmly and added with aВ tagged grin. В«You see, the devil is accepted toВ attribute aristocratic origins.В»

«Oh, well, then we are both approaching this category,» I sincerely laughed, but Claude didn’t even smile, just nodded.

It will be dark soon,В» IВ spurred aВ horse. В«It is necessary, as soon as possible, get toВ the glade, about which the messenger said.В»

But it was not possible toВ find the ill-fated glade. Darkness found us on the forest road. After aВ long hour ofВ the ride, IВ understood with horror that we got lost inВ this dead, dried forest. The air heavily got very cold, and IВ flopped up toВ my cape. Past we ran some little creature. The horse ofВ Claude frightened and stood on the sill, getting ready toВ reset the saddle. My horse was also frightened, but IВ kept the reins firmly. IВ shouted that Claude was tightly held inВ the saddle, but it was already too late, the horse dropped the rider and inВ gallop rushed away, inВ the darkness ofВ the forest.

Fortunately, my brother was not injured and could go. He was lucky that he was separated byВ several bruises. Then we went on foot, leading my horse. It was still scared, but did not dare toВ disobeyВ me.

В«Look, this is the place,В» Claude pointed with his hand forward. IВ took out the arrow from quiver and charged the crossbow. InВ the snow, aВ chain ofВ traces ofВ some large animal was really stretched. So we were late, and the wild boar was already gone toВ the hunt. If this huge creature went toВ the village, then the peasants will not last. After all, they will not even try toВ defend themselves, thinking that they are doomed toВ defeat inВ the fight against evil spirits.

Claude took the sword from the sheath – the only weapon that he left after his horse’s escape. I was first going to experience my accuracy. If there is some truth in the winning words, then the wild boar will return to its lair through this glade. From here on the horizon protrude the outline of the mountains. There must be somewhere there is an ominous gorge.

Snow flakes were spinning in the air. The winter cold penetrated to the bones. From the forest side I heard noise, sounds of movements, crunching dry branches. After a few hours it will break. The wild boar returns to his refuge. I first noticed it and realized why the locals were so afraid of him. More than predatory and frightening beast I have not had to see. Its barbed wool, a stupid muzzle and sharp fangs could make an unpleasant impression, but feverishly glittered red eyes, indeed, attached to it like a militant demon. Without thinking, I released the first arrow and got a beast to the ridge. Wild roar swayed above the clearing. Claude took a combat position, and I reached out for the second arrow. I will not miss anymore and get right in the animal’s heart. But I did not have time to recharge the cross, the wild boar rushed to me and fell to the ground. I felt the back on the ice cold of the frozen earth, and my face burned to the hot poisonous breath. The boar slowed, as if someone had forbidden him to break my throat, as if someone was invisible and domineered told him to leave me.

I felt a heavy carcass fell away from my chest. The wild boar chose another sacrifice, and even the sword of Claude could not save him from deadly fangs. I quickly rose from the ground, snatched the sword out of the sheath. The weapon seemed to me light and useless. Claude’s sword was reversed in half. How it happened, I did not notice. The monster wanted to beat him to last, like a minute ago.

В«Step aside!В» IВ shouted Claude.

He obediently jumped toВ the nearest tree. No one has yet escaped from the battlefield with such ease. And inВ me, on the contrary, aВ predator, aВ gloomy, fierce creature with two black wings, woke up. IВ swamped with aВ sword and hit the beast along the neck. The first time the sword only slid over aВ thick skin, splashed aВ thin trickle ofВ blood, but from the second strike IВ managed toВ cut off the head ofВ aВ wild beast. IВ was tired ofВ falling on the ground next toВ the decapitated carcass. It was hard for me toВ breathe after the struggle, after two blows that took all the forces with me. And at the same time IВ was sure that my strength is not enough toВ kill such aВ beast. IВ almost felt that inВ the last moment someone invisible grabbed my hand and helped put aВ decisive blow.

Claude approached my horse, took out aВ flask with wine from the saddle bag and handed me. Above the gloomy silhouette ofВ the mountains cut the first rays ofВ dawn. The night passed, as inВ hell. And the morning revived the former beauty ofВ the faded forest.

В«You fulfilled your promise!В» Claude said this phrase solemnly and with respect. Does one heroic act really transformed me inВ his eyes.

On the other hand, we were inВ aВ distress. On one frightened horse, you will not go far together. IВ suggested Claude toВ take my horse and go for help at the next village.

В«Yes, the baron should know that you saved him from this beast,В» Claude kicked with his boot aВ heavy carcass. В«IВ hope that inВ honor ofВ the hero, at least aВ feast will arrange.В»

«I would be glad just with a good dinner in the tavern and buying two rapid horses. I hope you won’t get lost, looking for a village and do not make me wait a long time.»

InВ fact, IВ was pleased with any pretext toВ get rid ofВ Claude and alone go toВ the gorge, thereby proving that there was no evil inВ the vicinity. According toВ the old knightly custom, IВ cut out aВ tongue from the mouth, so that inВ case ofВ the appearance ofВ impostors toВ prove that the winner am IВ and no one else.

IВ rose from the ground and shuddered from the surprise. Directly inВ front ofВ me stood aВ tall, static gentleman, from his head toВ the legs he was inВ black. Even the lower part ofВ the face was tied with aВ black, silk scarf. Only eyes glittered, shimmering aВ multitude ofВ mixes under the fields ofВ hats with aВ gold buckle.

В«Good morning, my prince,В» aВ stranger greetedВ me.

В«You worked nicely!В» He pointed toВ the defeated beast.

В«IВ just performed my duty,В» IВ answered briefly, byВ tone ofВ my voice you could toВ understand that IВ do not want toВ join the conversation.

В«Yes, ofВ course, your duty is take care ofВ the good ofВ loyal subjects. After all, you will soon become aВ king. The throne ofВ this country belongs only toВ you.

– What about my older brothers? «I stared in surprise at a stranger, really he accepted me for the senior prince.

В«IВ said that this country will either belong toВ you or lie inВ the ruins,В» is patiently, as toВ aВ stupid student, began toВ explain the stranger. В«The king will be either chosen one or no one will take this place.В»

В«What do you have inВ mind?В»

В«And why do you need this poor kingdom,В» the stranger continued.

ToВ think only, he called one ofВ the richest countries inВ the world the poor kingdom.

В«Why do you need these people with their eternal discontent and fear? Why do you need toВ have aВ power close toВ your sunset? After all, the magic empire is waiting for you!В»

He laughed calling, turned away from me and headed for the forest.

В«Stand!В» IВ shouted, but he already was disappeared.

IВ heard the ringing ofВ the bells. AВ rich, silver sleigh was rolled through the glade. It stopped next toВ me. AВ little man, more like aВ gnome, jumped out ofВ the sleigh, removed from the head aВ hat decorated with colored feathers and bowed toВ me. Horses impatiently beat the ground with their hooves. Two charming ladies were sitting inВ aВ sleigh.

В«Hello, Monseigneur,В» greeted me one ofВ them. Her face was covered with aВ veil, but under the folds ofВ lace it was possible toВ consider the outline ofВ the pink lips and aВ gentle chin. She was dressed inВ fur coat. Her girlfriend was dressed inВ aВ luxurious purple cloak with aВ hood, she covered her face with aВ veil before she greetedВ me.

IВ reservedly answered aВ greeting.

В«IВ wanted toВ ask you, my lord, how do we get toВ the gorge?В» asked the lady, which turned toВ me first.

В«InВ the gorge?В» IВ was amazed.

«Yes, today we are going there, Monseigneur. Didn’t you know?»

Her question surprised me even more than the fact that two ladies were going toВ go toВ the place with bad fame.

В«You confused me with someone else, ladies.В» IВ answered hastily.

В«No that you, Monseigneur, IВ would not confuse you with anyone,В» she quite sincerely objected.

«Do you really not honor with your presence our meeting. After all, we are so long… waited for you, – almost dare the second lady, making a pause before the last words. It seemed to me that her lips under a veil had a delighted smile.

В«So you will show us the way,В» the first lady insisted, and her voice reminded me ofВ aВ ringing ofВ small bells.

IВ waved my hand aside, where, as it seemed toВ me, there was aВ gorge. IВ was more than confident that IВ see her for the first time inВ my life. None ofВ the court lady had such aВ proud posture and the grace ofВ the waiting predator.

«Thank you, Monseigneur,» sounded a silver voice. The sleigh drove off. The ringing of the bells ripped frosty silence with unpleasant music. A few minutes later, the same note «Dzin – Dzin – Dzin» was repeated, and silence came again. The sleigh disappeared behind the rotation of a narrow, dangerous road, which fastened the abyss.

I was confused and stunned and, nevertheless, I decided to get to the gorge. What meeting did this lady talk about? Are the black crows going to circle over the gorge? And maybe there really live fairy, elves and other dangerous unearthly creatures, but as far as I know, they love summer, streams, flower beds and thickets of wild roses. So what do they do here in the kingdom of winter? I laughed at my own thoughts. It was stupid to think that at the depth of the gorge, the fairies will arrange a ball. But the reception in the father’s castle will begin tonight. But I no longer have time for him. But I had a sword with me, arrows and crossbow, and I could safely go to the gorge. I went the same way as the ladies went, and, to his surprise, did not notice the traces of the hoofs, nor the usual slim traces in the snow, as if the sleigh flew, without touching the snow.

Just inВ case, IВ charged the crossbow and kept it inВ my right hand all the time, inВ any moment preparing toВ shoot. But on my path no longer met any dangers. There was no soul around, only sparkling snow, pebbles, rolling down the cliff, and the sullen wall ofВ the trees.

As IВ move forward, the road narrowed. Soon it was aВ narrow, winding trail, descended down. Fat crust ice covered the ground. IВ had toВ go ahead carefully, so as not toВ slip and not fall into the black splitting ofВ the abyss. Despite the fatigue, IВ got toВ the foot on the mountains, climbed the trail looked over the cliffs and felt an inexplicable fear. Yes, indeed, this place was too gloomy. Probably, IВ climbed into such aВ height, which would not be solved byВ none ofВ the locals, but toВ go deep into the gorge would be aВ suicide. IВ looked into aВ black emptiness. The rays ofВ the sun did not penetrate there. Over the gorge hung aВ sinister silence. IВ had aВ long time inВ one place, not deciding toВ go down and unable toВ turn back. Suddenly, the sounds ofВ mandolin came toВ me. Pleasant, quiet music. InВ this wilderness, it resembled the paradise tunes. But who can play mandolin among mountains and frozen paths? IВ was so fascinated that only after aВ few moments IВ realized that the sounds come from the depths ofВ the gorge.

IВ went aВ little further and saw that the steps were cut down right inВ the mountain, they left the straight staircase down, right inВ the dark depth. IВ began toВ descend on solid steps. Just on the moment IВ was inВ complete darkness, but without difficulty, descending down, IВ saw the daylight again. Joyless, cold rays lit aВ high stone arch. The intricate ornament, as if bought it with the whole single-flowers garland from the flowers carved on the stone surface. On the frieze ofВ the arch was engraved some inscription. The letters decorated with many curls seemed unfamiliar toВ me. As far as IВ could judge, the inscription was made inВ one ofВ the ancient, now forgotten languages.

Passing under the arch, IВ was on the shore ofВ aВ small reservoir. The rapid flow ofВ the river brought toВ the shore aВ small shuttle. It seemed toВ me that IВ was sleeping. Does the bottom ofВ the gorge can be so light and beautiful. IВ climbed into the shuttle, which as if was waiting for me. The course ofВ the river itself suffered it forward. The shuttle sailed past gray monoliths and stony shores, then dived under the arcade. The river proceeded under the arches, as inВ aВ tunnel, at the end ofВ which the light suddenly cut. Yes, at the very end ofВ the arcade, the coast was seen, more precisely the wide ofВ the staircase leading toВ the cave, the entrance toВ which was closed byВ aВ heavy velvet curtain. The folds ofВ purple velvet rolled down, at the likeness ofВ the tent, decorated with golden tassels.

IВ jumped out ofВ the shuttle, ran up the steps and stopped inВ indecision. What awaits me there inside the cave? Maybe the people ofВ Baron have not been afraid ofВ this gorge without reason. After all, IВ hoped toВ come here and prove that there are no spirits here? But who then sent toВ me aВ shuttle? What if the robbers were inВ this cave? The last thought liked me more. likely. Robbers are just people from flesh and blood. With them you can fight on swords. It is better than aВ senseless fight against essential, malicious beings, which byВ legends are looking for aВ shelter inВ abandoned places.

IВ pulled the heavy curtain. The tassels swung with the rustle, the smoke ofВ golden dust was swayed, and aВ small room appeared toВ my sight, from the floor toВ the ceiling trimmed with marble. IВ went inside. On the wall hung aВ carnival mask with elegant openings for the eyes and thin bulging ofВ the nose. IВ removed it and tried out. The mask smoothly fell on the face, as if it was intended only forВ me.

In addition to the first entrance, there were three more arched openings with heavy velvet curtains decorated by the countless number of tassels. There was a n mirror on one of the walls. In front of it on a round console stood a slim elegant girl. She was dressed as if she was going to the ball. That’s just the lush rollers of the pink dress too much emphasized the deadly whiteness of her skin. In her right hand, she held an oval mirror and with a flirty smile examined her face in it. She had such thin, elegant features and at the same time, despite all the affectedness of her posture, the girl seemed lifeless. I approached nearer. Around the console stood candlesticks in the form of golden hands holding candles. Another step forward. The light fell on the elastic women’s curls, and I realized with horror that they were made of marble. Did I accepted the cold sculpture for a living person? Yes, and to whom it occurred to put on the statue of real muslin dress and stick into the marble fingers a manual mirror. This clothing was just a mockery above the talent of sculptor. In addition, near of it the statue looked sinister. A live smile on marble lips was washing the border between animated and empty. The sculpture again seemed to me alive. Probably located on such a manner of mirrors and candles it can create visual illusions.

В«You have aВ similarity with the goddess,В» IВ said the phrase from the poems, turning toВ the statue, and inВ this moment someone hurts me toВ elbow. IВ turned around. No one. Only from one ofВ the aisles came the hurry steps. Raising the curtain, the boy slipped into the passage, most likely the page, although he was dressed too smart. InВ his hands he held aВ small mandolin. IВ was ready toВ swear that the strings were jerked byВ themselves, making aВ long-distance sound.

В«Do not wake her!В» came toВ me aВ frightened boyish voice. В«She will wake up only tomorrow.В»

The page dragged me from the statue. IВ continued toВ look at the sculpture. The boy pulled me over the sleeve.

«Let’s go, everyone already gathered in the hall,» he said.

Thin features ofВ his face were somehow strained, aВ fold was laying between his eyebrows. The hair was assembled under the velvet beret. IВ noticed that his ears with pointed toВ the top ends were too long and do not combine with an elegant face.

В«Come on!В» He grabbed me at the lapel ofВ sleeves and pulled insistently behind him. В«Do you really want toВ skip such an event? The prince himself will take us today with his presence.В»

Without keeping even my senses, he raised one curtain and pushed me into a huge half-walled room. There were no candles in the room. The dull rays of the light made their way through a large glass dome in the center of the ceiling. Thin marble columns lined up near the walls of the round hall. Several elegantly dressed ladies and cavaliers passed by me. They were in completely identical blue half masks. Of these, all I managed to dress a black mask. But I found it quite by chance. I was sure that I was confused with someone, so it is so kindly adopted on this strange collection of graceful, almost essential beings. And someone else’s mask, which I decided to try, allowed me to maintain incognito. This hall under the dome reminded me of an illustration from some novel. Its overwhelming sizes made an unpleasant impression on me. And it was worth only to look at the dome, as a noise in the ears began. A dizzying height can only be safe for those who have reliable wings and strength for flight.

IВ looked at the page more attentively. Undoubtedly, he was nice, but these sharp ears tips were an unpleasant addition toВ charming face. If IВ heard his music, he knew how toВ play well on mandolin. As if he felt that IВ was looking at him, he hurriedly moved away from me and stopped next toВ the lady, sitting on the sofa inВ the shade ofВ the column.

«You don’t seem that we have a stranger here,» she turned directly to him. «I feel the presence of a person.»

«Strange, I didn’t feel anything,» the page responded. «Believe me, the person’s foot has not yet stepped into this place. People would pass by, without even noticing the steps leading to the gorge.»

IВ hurriedly stepped into the shadow. If IВ go now, then it will be aВ cowardly act. My hand did not want toВ release the handle ofВ my sword for aВ moment.

Quiet, musical blows were heard under the dome, but the clock itself could not be seen. People inВ the hall became noticeably more. Some ofВ them were talking among themselves inВ some unfamiliar toВ me language. IВ have already begun toВ get used toВ quiet, rustling voices, how suddenly all the conversations stopped, as if someone mighty and invisible came in. The curtain at the entrance raised itself, as from the gust ofВ the wind, passing into the hall aВ man, the face and proud posture ofВ which seemed toВ me vaguely familiar. IВ have already seen him somewhere. But, no matter how much IВ stared at him, IВ still could not remember where we met with him before and under what circumstances. This man had some secret power over every one at whom he looked.

IВ wanted toВ look at his face, but instead IВ stared at aВ gilded staff inВ his hand. InВ one moment, all the surrounding seemed toВ me toВ be aВ ghostly, unnatural, fog and remained only the stately figure, dressed inВ blackВ fur.

В«There is aВ stranger here,В» the accusatory speech has come toВ me from aВ magical emptiness, topped with aВ transparent glass ofВ the dome. В«Someone broke the ban and allowed aВ stranger toВ go through the sanctuary.В»

IВ have already thought that IВ have toВ get ready for defense, but suddenly the same domineering voice announced.

В«It seems IВ was mistaken. The stranger has the full right toВ be present here.В»

AВ man dressed inВ fur several times stuck up on the floor. Sharp sounds brought me out ofВ aВ stupor. IВ pinned myself toВ make sure that all this is not aВ dream.. Several suspicious eyes turned toВ me from the slots ofВ masks.

В«Leave!В» whispered inВ my ear someone. Even without looking at the speaking, IВ obediently backed up toВ the exit. Passing byВ the statue, IВ noticed that the position ofВ the marble statue changed aВ little. Probably, the mirrors have played aВ joke with me again. After all, the sculpture can not move. The shuttle still swung on the water next toВ the staircase. IВ jumped into it, without even thinking about the need toВ find aВ paddle. But it was and no need. The shuttle itself moved across the flow. IВ could only observe how the arches and stony shores slip.

Despite the fact that it had toВ go against the current, the shuttle gained speed. Fearing that it would not take me too far, IВ jumped up and went toВ aВ high arch. It, as aВ gloomy guard, was bent around the lower stage. IВ did not want toВ go through arched opening, but IВ decided toВ bypass the arch and step immediately toВ the second step. IВ stepped into aВ staircase cut down inВ aВ mountainous stone, but stumbled upon an invisible barrier, as if aВ glass barrier appeared on my way inВ the blink ofВ an eye. IВ went around the arch on the other hand, but groped there the same smooth glass wall. ToВ get out ofВ the gorge, IВ had toВ go under the arch again. Stages crumbled under my feet, small pebbles rolled down. AВ superstitious peasant would call all my adventure an evil joke ofВ elves. IВ myself could not find aВ logical explanation toВ everything that IВ have seen. When IВ came out from the gorge, IВ hurried toВ the place where IВ promised toВ wait for Claude.

My brother, at the same time, arrived at the glade. He brought aВ beautiful white stallion forВ me.

«The gift of the baron’s people,» he explained.

«His people are very generous,» I stroked a silky mane and jumped into the saddle. “ The baron already knows that the wild boar is killed.»

В«No,В» Claude dismissed. В«He does not go anywhere from his castle. It will take some time before he is reported about us. But here nearby is aВ small village where we can spend the night.В»

В«Then we go toВ aВ local tavern, if, ofВ course, such aВ place is inВ aВ small village,В» IВ decided toВ joked aВ little over Claude. He, as always, instead ofВ smile nodded quickly and drove ahead, pointing the road.

Soon we sat at the table at the window in the cozy room of the tavern. In front of me in the tin mug smoked some hot drink. The aromatic fluid taste turned out to be tart and astringent. As long as the hostess prepared lunch for us, I decided to tell Claude about my adventure. Of course, I risked to get in response to my revelation alone ridicules, but I had a proof – a carnival mask, which I put in a wide pocket of my camisole. In proof, I took it out and showed it to Claude.

В«Well, what will you say now?В»

В«Edwin, this is an ordinary leaf ofВ fern. Perhaps the sprout made its way under the snow,В» on the face ofВ Claude was written aВ complete bewilderment. В«IВ am afraid that the superstition ofВ the messenger was contagious.В»

IВ looked at my palm and IВ was surprised toВ find that IВ keep not aВ mask, but aВ leaf ofВ fern. Strange, IВ just had aВ mask inВ my pocket. With an annoyance, IВ threw aВ fern on the windowsill. As soon as the sheet spikes with glass, several color sparks exploded inВ the air. Claude flinched and moved away from the window.

I plunged into meditation and woke up only when the hostess put two plates with hot meat before us. I was hungry, but I was waiting until Claude begins to eat the first. However, he didn’t touch the food.

В«How do we explain the disappearance ofВ the knights and the messenger?В» He suddenly asked.

«So let’s say that they threw us,» I replied, although I have long been tormented by doubts about this.

«They didn’t think to throw us in the dense forest,» said Claude. «They were the most loyal knights of the father. They would never have broken his order.»

«In this case, I can not explain their disappearance of anything else, except…»

В«The intervention ofВ witchcraft,В» finished Claude forВ me.

«That’s it, but everyone knows that witchcraft is limited to those focus, which are shown on holidays in the cities.

В«As you know,В» Claude blurted out inВ response.

The tavern’s door opened. The gust of the cold wind swept over the tables and threw the snowflakes to me in the face. There were several armed warriors on the threshold. I noticed on the shield of one of them the same coat of arms of the baron as on a messenger’s clothes. I looked at the coat of arms attentively, there were intertwined branches of the thorns, roses and other plants, the baron crown at the top, and under it several scrolls. However, I could not admire the coat of arms for a long time, the guard moved to us and after ordinary polite bows, reported about the desire of the baron to thank us personally. We had to say goodbye to a cozy tavern. The fortress, the black silhouette of which has fallen over the distant hill, was the place of our overnight.




Treasure ofВ Baron Raoul


The castle was dark and deserted. Daily light barely pierced through narrow windows – loopholes and brightly colored stained glass windows. The servant held us through the spacious hall and guests’ rooms. In the rectangular hall there were tables for a feast, but there were no guests on this feast. All places at the tables were empty, except the chair with a high carved back, set in dangerous intimacy from the melted fireplace.

From the chair, the old man rose toВ meet us. White curled strands relate toВ the collar. Wrinkling hand reached my face. IВ thought the baron is relatively young, and he turned out toВ be aВ memorable elder. He hugged me welcome as aВ son.

В«Welcome, winner ofВ the wild boar!В» He whispered inВ myВ ear.

IВ was confused, pre-thought-out words ofВ greetings were frozen inВ my tongue. IВ did not think that someone from the feudal will take me inВ his castle as an old friend. The only thing that the winner could count is, so it is an ordinary dinner arranged from the need. And the court etiquette did not allow the manifestations ofВ any feelings atВ all.

The baron suggested us toВ take places at the main table. All other chairs remained empty. There was no guest on the feast, except for us. Only servants poured wine inВ glasses and immediately retired.

«Baron… Your lordship,» I looked into his bright, radiant eyes and I forgot how to turn to the baron. But his face was glowing such a serene wisdom that I was unable to take my eyes away from him, and was silent.

В«Call me just Raoul, Your Highness,В» he pretended toВ not notice my mistake, and IВ was grateful for it. At the court, such aВ behavior ofВ the prince would immediately cause condemnation and gossip. InВ the royal castle, not only noblemen, but even the servants constantly looking for the topic ofВ gossip. After all, that may be more interesting than learn the latest news about the sons ofВ your monarch, and about him himself.

At the empty table, Claude clearly felt uncomfortable and wary looked around, hoping that my unfortunate behavior did not attract a special attention. The position of the prince is very difficult. I did not have the right to make friends, could not hide in the shadows, as the peasants hid from the wild boar in their huts. The baron’s eyes spoke about that he understands me and admires me.

В«You showed an amazing valor,В» said he with courtesy. В«None ofВ my people for any reward would have decided toВ approach the wild boar. And you defeated it alone.В»

В«No, my brother was with me,В» IВ hurriedly objected.

Claude looked at me with displeasure.

В«As you know, inВ our dynasty, the younger sons were always shy, milord,В» he explained with cold courtesy. В«IВ managed toВ get toВ the place ofВ the battle, just that moment when Edwin beheaded the wild boar.

Such aВ lie from aВ calm and balanced Claude struck me. IВ almost dropped aВ glass ofВ wine from the hands. ToВ keep his impeccable reputation, he decided on aВ lie. The baron nodded restrained, thereby showing that he unconditionally believed him, and turned toВ me again.

В«You are doubly bold, my prince. After all, my messenger must have explained toВ you which superstitions are common among the locals. You must be surprised that IВ sent for help toВ the court, but, as you can see, IВ myself am too old for such fun, like aВ winter hunting. InВ addition, at the courtyard there are fearless knights, you are aВ proof ofВ that, and my people are afraid ofВ everything that goes beyond their understanding. Perhaps most peasants are too afraid ofВ this because ofВ their illiteracy. Even the books inВ my library seem toВ them the work ofВ magicians.В»

В«Do you have aВ library?В» IВ asked. Talking about local superstitions began toВ scare me, because IВ remembered those creatures inВ the gorge and the statue.

«Oh, the rarest books are collected in my library. I have manuscripts written in the ancient languages, the works of philosophers and scientists,» wrinkled, but still very strong baron’s hand reached for a bundle of keys left on the table. «Do you enjoy reading books, your highness?»

«Honestly, I don’t know how to read very well,» after hesitation, I admitted and felt a thick paint poured my cheeks. I could not say such a wise and a steady senior that almost didn’t know the alphabet’s letters, but I practice a shooting and fencing every day. However, baron Raoul without words understood the reason for my embarrassment.

В«Oh yes, the ability toВ fight with sword is valued above the diplomas,В» he agreed. В«InВ young years it was difficult for me toВ find time for enlightenment. IВ dare toВ notice, inВ military sciences you have surpassed your predecessors.В»

В«IВ assure you, another knight inВ my place would have done the same thing,В» IВ looked around the empty places again.

В«The guests went out, as soon as they found out about the wild boar,В» the baron replied toВ an unexpressed question.

«And your heir?» I asked and myself was surprised at my audacity. Do I have the right to put in other people’s affairs, because I noticed that baron’s children are not in the castle.

В«My son died aВ few years ago,В» answered the baron. The intonation ofВ his voice seemed toВ me strange.

В«How did he die?В» IВ immediately asked, but this time my question remained unanswered.



For the night, we were allocated the best apartments connected byВ adjacent doors. The idea that Claude sleeps behind the door, encouraged me. If it were not for the presence ofВ aВ brother, then inВ this empty, an impregnable fortress IВ would feel like inВ aВ trap.

InВ the bedroom burned aВ few candles. The windows were pulled with heavy curtains, so the moonlight did not penetrate into the room. AВ jug and aВ glossy basin for washing stood next toВ the mirror. InВ the air was the heavy aroma ofВ amber and some kind ofВ incense. From such aВ strong mixing ofВ the smells my head was spinning. Probably, only sorcerers can burn such fragrant oils and candles inВ their secret laboratories. IВ imagined the dungeon, many ancient books, magic things and curves mirrors. Young students ofВ the warlocks mix poisons and potions, prepare magic elixirs and kneeling before books inВ precious salary before opening them. Voices coming out ofВ emptiness are heard. Where does this vision come from. IВ stubbornly shook my head. This time my imagination was blown too much. Not undressing, IВ lay down on aВ narrow bed under thick, heavy canopy.

The magnificent folds ofВ the matter were fastened on the ceiling and descended down, surrounding an uncomfortable bed like aВ tent. The bed could well be an old, hence the inconvenience. It seemed toВ me that IВ was sleeping on the stones, surrounded byВ aВ canopy ofВ foliage. InВ the uneven light ofВ the candles, IВ noticed aВ thin gold pattern, which stretched along the edges ofВ the canopy like an ornament. It seems that many vintage letters and unusual characters are woven into the intricate patterns. IВ was literate enough toВ understand it. IВ have never had toВ see the inscriptions wounded on the material, but here they were, long and bizarre, like aВ magic spell.

I plunged into a shallow, disturbing sleep. When I woke up, the bedroom was immersed in the dark. I must have slept only a few hours. I closed my eyes again, but I could not get rid of the feeling that someone watches me from the darkness. I listened, no sound, silence and darkness became all thicker, and the danger was hidden under their cover. I felt someone’s unwanted presence in the bedroom. Suddenly, there was a fire, and I saw the baron.

«Let’s go, a beautiful prince, I have to show something to you,» said the baron. I obediently got up and went after him. We descended down the screw staircase. I did not even have time to capture the transshipment with the sword. The only weapon in the case of danger was a little instructed by pearl and mother-in-law dagger, which I always wore with me.

A black suit of the baron merged with darkness, and the elder face seemed just a mask silently hung in emptiness. I had to follow this silent ghost only in order to prove my courage. I added a step and soon stood with the baron, but I didn’t even decide to touch him, fearing that my hands do not fasten anything but emptiness. The candle’s light was becoming more dull and lifeless. Steps under the feet began to slide. I looked around and noticed that water drips from a low ceiling. Green moss pierced on the walls. We must have descended into the dungeon. I kept my hand over the wall so as not to fall, however, the baron moved surprisingly easily and cleverly, as if he was used to a long descent along a narrow slippery staircase.

Then we found themselves in a long corridor. I’m leaned about the wall and immediately pulled out my hand. The baron, having seen my confusion, immediately brought the candle closer to the wall. The dim flame snatched tiny drawings and symbols carved right on the stone. I looked at patterned letters, long bizarre inscriptions and small figures, even more elegant than those that the jeweler carries out on the female cameo. The image of a winged woman immediately attracted my attention.

В«That genius, which made these inscriptions, believed inВ the legends about the fairies,В» IВ said.

«No one knows how long the letters and numbers are carved on a stone. No sage can tell what it is written here. It is even possible that these are witchcraft’s symbols, and the walls themselves existed under the ground long before the building of the fortress.»

I heard some sound. Silent, patched steps. Someone invisible passed by me, someone laughed. Music female laughter was in my brain. I started choking, as if someone’s strong hand squeezed me throat.

В«IВ ask you, take away from here. This is aВ bad place,В» IВ prayed, but the baron did not listen toВ me.

В«Do you not really feel that there is someone here!В» IВ exclaimed.

«Everyone who first descends here, becomes bad,» the baron explained condescendingly. «But this corridor is not the worst. Let’s go further!»

My head began toВ spin and, nevertheless, IВ went ahead, risking inВ any moment toВ lose consciousness. What is it, aВ terrible dream? Some severity fell on me, as if the ancient walls were about toВ collapse and bury us both under their wreckage.

Still, IВ got toВ the end ofВ the corridor and inВ the glare from the orange light saw the doors.

В«IВ ordered toВ establish them here for the sake ofВ the security ofВ others,В» the baron explained.

IВ noticed that the door was with aВ variety ofВ heavy chains. The chains were firmly fortified inВ cast-iron rings inserted into the wall. Why such aВ precaution? Is there really aВ monster behind this door, which the ancestors ofВ the baron have been held inВ sharpening for centuries. IВ wanted toВ express my guess, but IВ was afraid toВ be ridiculous.

В«It must be aВ gate toВ hell,В» IВ grinned. Just think, even at such aВ moment IВ did not leave aВ sense ofВ humor. Although it is unlikely toВ be aВ hereditary feature. My brothers have always been restrained and serious as young philosophers.

В«Evil is hidden there,В» the baron raised his hand and his unnaturally long index finger almost touched one ofВ the numerous hanging locks.

В«Do you keep the dragon inВ imprisonment?В» IВ asked with the same smile.

В«With such aВ light-mindedness, you will not be able toВ keep even aВ titmouse, my prince for aВ long time,В» the baron was clearly offended byВ my untimely jokes. В«Dragons are too powerful creatures, you will not hold them with chains. At this door there is aВ hatch, also with chains, and under it aВ stone staircase, which descends deeply into the womb ofВ the earth. There, many generations ofВ my family hid their scary treasure. If you open these doors, then aВ black hurricane will break out ofВ them and knock you down. And if we go aВ little further, we will be threatened with inhuman voices. They will also ask toВ open the hatch, but sorrow toВ someone who believes their sweet speeches and will release evil toВ the will. Sometimes the hatch cover shudders so that the chains are ringing and the walls are shaken, as with an earthquake. Even it seems toВ me that some monster sits underground and is trying toВ free themselves from its century old shackles.

В«And what is under this hatch?В» IВ already asked more seriously.

В«If you go down, then you will find yourself inВ aВ small room,В» my enlightener clearly slowed down with the answer, as if he was weighed, what could be said, but what is not and is it worth talking with aВ skeptical guest.

В«There is an organ inВ the corner. Sometimes you heard how someone plays on it, although there is not aВ single living soul inВ the dungeon and nevertheless the organ makes heartbreaking sounds. And the manuscripts with the witchcraft symbols are stored near.В»

«Are you saying that there is a witchcraft? Then why don’t you invite any scientist to decipher all the records?»

В«It is excluded,В» shook his head the baron. В«No one can even touch these ancient scrolls. If you just knew what force they hide inВ themselves and the curse falls on the one who keeps them inВ their home. AВ few years ago, my son tried toВ descend under the ground and died. Since then, these doors are always closed and sealed byВ aВ variety ofВ locks.В»

В«But there must be some kind ofВ dare-devil!В» IВ protested. В«If the witch mysteries hide behind this set ofВ locks and seals, someone who wants toВ decipher the manuscripts will come.В»

В«IВ have no more heir, but maybe someday you will return here toВ take care ofВ my ominous heritage. Are you bold enough toВ take on such aВ cargo? If so, IВ will show you aВ place where the keys are hidden.В»

«Yes, someday I’ll be back here,» I not think that I promised. It seemed to me that in this moment the triumphant laughter came across the door, from which the chains were shouted and ran.

Although IВ was and uncomfortable, but on the way back IВ asked exactly how the son ofВ the baron died. Are there any wounds on the body?

В«No,В» he shook his head calmly. В«Only his shirt was broken, and three scratches and aВ red handprint remained on the throat.В»

В«Maybe it was not aВ palm, but aВ paw ofВ some kind ofВ creature?В» IВ expressed my assumption.

«No, it was a track from a very elegant female hand. I can’t say anything else. My help was late,» he showed me a cache, where he hid the keys from the locks. I tried to remember the simple cipher. Although if the story of the Baron is truthful, then these keys had to be destroyed long ago, and the door to leave the locked forever. I looked at the door covered by the web of a heavy chain, and her species made a depressing impression on me. In my heart, cold and fear were sought. It seemed that from under the ground, despite the cast-iron barrier, I heard a joyful, victorious laughter and someone’s voice, at the same time, and a terrible and attractive, whispering to my ear:

В«You finally come back! We waited for you so long!В»




Deceiver


On the way home, I tried to observe the silence, so as not to tell the brother about my night adventure. The baron showed us on the map the shortest path and explained how we can drive around dried forests. In the capital, I was hoping to relax, persuade Claude to walk along with me past shops selling flowers and baubles. Alas, the city met us with sullen silence. Stone streets were empty, shutters on the windows are closed. And today there was not a soul around. Even closely pressed to each other, stone houses seemed uninhabited. The city looked abandoned, as after rat’s invasion.

We turned toВ the main street, but here it was also quiet and deserted. Only inВ one alley IВ saw aВ girl. She dressed inВ aВ wool shawl and pressed aВ bracket with aВ silk goods toВ the chest. IВ called her, but she ran past, without even paying attention toВ us.

It seems she is in a hurry to the square of two swords. Let’s go there,» suggested Claude.

I sighed quietly, but obeyed. The square of two swords, named so in the emblem of one duke’s family always caused me dislike, because there were executions. The heat of fire and the whistle of the ax at the frontal place every time spoiled me a mood, although numerous yawns flocked there from all over the capital. For the first time in life, I found myself in such oppressive loneliness, in the center of the empty city.

Claude leaned and raised aВ colorful poster from one counter.

«Oh, that’s what some robbers execute today,» he will notify me. «There must be all the townspeople gathered to see.»

He sent a horse to the sinister square. I followed him, although I didn’t want to look at the execution at all. On the wall of the gray house in front of the square hung a shield, and two crossed sword were drawn on its smooth surface.

Claude was right. It seemed that today all residents ofВ the city were glanced at the place ofВ execution and only the most god-fearing remained sitting inВ their tightly locked houses. From the saddle, IВ could only see the heads ofВ citizens.

Some boy volunteered toВ hold our horses, while we go through the square. We rushed into the thick ofВ the crowd toВ listen toВ people talking about. Claude joined the sides enthusiastically. IВ also considered people from the crowd until IВ saw aВ strange lord dressed inВ all black. He, as if, wore mourning on the occasion ofВ execution. He looked completely supernatural. Mysterious and bold eyes have long been followed after me. Somewhere IВ saw this man, but only where and why he seems toВ me so elusive and ghostly against the background ofВ aВ noisy crowd. He stood, leaning her back toВ the wall ofВ some house, and looked atВ me.

IВ wanted toВ get lost inВ the crowd and even pushed Claude forward, but, turning around, IВ noticed with surprise that the stranger still does not take eyes from me. This time, inВ his glance flashed something unkind.

В«Claude,В» IВ grabbed my brother for the sleeve. В«Why does he look at me, that man inВ black?В»

Claude looked at the side where IВ pointed toВ him and seems toВ be confused.

«I think because you are extremely beautiful,» he immediately found with the answer and pulled me, as far as possible from the subject of my observations. «Let’s go better from here. How do we know what kind of people will break off at the place of execution.»

IВ wanted toВ remind Claude that he himself decided toВ look at the execution, but did not do this. We just took our horses and continued the path inВ complete silence. For the first time inВ aВ long time IВ felt aВ strange fatigue. It seemed that the black wings ofВ some birds slammed over my head. And above the castle flashed the rays ofВ aВ bloody sunset, similar toВ the bright all-consuming fire. For aВ minute IВ even came out that the main tower is glowing, and the red flames ofВ the flame break out from the windows ofВ my apartments. Only with difficulty IВ managed toВ shook the obsession.

Claude and IВ slipped past the guard and omnipresent royal secretaries. On the go, IВ managed toВ shout at one ofВ them, that we will tell you everything as soon as we rest. Judging byВ the surprised expressions ofВ persons, IВ realized that the castle had already begun toВ happen toВ whether it was not worth ordering aВ requiem. Only Florian did not leave hope toВ see us alive. After stormy greetings, he began toВ talk quietly about how he worried, as he watched his dear from his balcony or even surrounded byВ aВ suite went toВ the forest toВ meetВ us.

В«Did you believed that one wild boar can cope with both ofВ us?В» laughed Claude.

«I’m not only talking about the wild boar,» said Florian excitedly and looked at the sides. Only, making sure that there is no one near us, he continued. «Did you not hear that death wanders around the city. And if they returned at night, they could quite be the following victims. Several citizens died and even travel merchants. In the royal port is also restless. Sailors are afraid of something, one of them swear, he saw how a strange woman in a dark cape wanders at the pier. They even say that she does not look like a living person, that it is white and cold, as a revived statue. According to their expression, a marble hand can strangle anyone. Others come to the head of the guard and explain that they saw in the streets a man in black, and then at the place where he stood, accidents occurred. So that the folk excitement calmed down, had to condemn several robbers on the execution.

В«And what do you think about all this?В» IВ asked.

В«IВ prefer not toВ go toВ the city after the coming ofВ darkness and advise you the same thing,В» Florian brushed aside. В«You personally, Edwin,В» he turned toВ me, В«IВ advise you toВ close the window ofВ your bedroom before bedtime, and IВ will lock the shutters every night.В»

This time IВ could not hold back aВ laughter.

В«Who, inВ your opinion, will be able toВ get toВ my window, on aВ smooth fortress wall, while bypassing the sentries and not be wounding about sharp spikes?В» IВ asked. В«For this you need toВ have wings.В»

«There are also winged creatures in the world, «Florian shrugged vaguely, clearly he didn’t tell everything.

В«Well, IВ will not mind if at night toВ me inВ the window will fly aВ nightingale or aВ crimson. IВ love birds and specially open my window for them.

В«IВ would not advise you toВ do this,В» Florian objected completely seriously. He never allowed himself toВ smile and only read the instruction. Probably, he considered me an incorrigible joker, but IВ could not resist jokes when IВ looked at the gloomy expression ofВ his face, tightly compressed lips. InВ the beautiful years ofВ his youth, he tried toВ seem thoughtful and wise.

В«Well, well, IВ will do how you want, even if you order me toВ lock all the windows inВ this castle overnight,В» IВ agreed. В«IВ can right now nail up windows inВ my apartments.В»

В«No, no need toВ do this,В» this time he smiled after all. В«ByВ the way, IВ invited aВ merchant toВ the castle, which brought the amulets for the welfare ofВ its owner.

IВ wanted toВ refuse the amulet proposed toВ me, but could not. AВ merchant with the chests ofВ his goods was waiting for us inВ the courtyard. He caused my curiosity. IВ managed toВ talk with him just aВ few minutes, but, obviously, IВ made an impression ofВ an educated person on him, because IВ received aВ big book inВ the binding ofВ morocco as aВ gift.

«It’s an expensive thing, I can’t take it just like that,» I protested and reached for the wallet.

«No,» the merchant hurriedly stopped me. «Perhaps once this book was really expensive, but now it’s just a parchment with the text of spells written in a language that no one understands.»

В«So why do you think that IВ can read them and understand?В»

В«It is unlikely that among my buyers will meet another such enlightened person as you,В» my interlocutor replied.

IВ wanted toВ say that all my enlightenment takes the origins ofВ conversations with random counterparts, but changed my mind. Meanwhile, the merchant said softly on some dialect, on which sailors spoke inВ the port, and which IВ learned toВ understand.

«You are so young, but in your eyes the ancient mind glows,» he fell silent, but for some reason it seemed to me that he wanted to add «and ancient evil.» I have already heard this phrase as a child when our old teacher read us out loud some book. Why, when a person grows, so many fragments of happy childhood eclipses from his memory. I adopted a book with gratitude, although I didn’t even know what to do with her. Put on the shelf for decoration? But why do I need a book that I can’t read?

When IВ stayed alone, IВ revealed the gold-plated latches, opened the book and started flipping the pages, as if trying toВ determine what was written on them. All letters were neatly bred on the handful parchment with black and aluminum paints. Scarlet letters, as if burned against the background ofВ dark symbols.

There was a persistent knock at the door. I broke away from the book and let the valet, who courteously reminded that it was time to change to the evening reception. On the way to one of the halls, I looked into the mirror and saw some fabulous, mysterious stranger there. Is it really my reflection? It appeared to me very dazzling and someone else’s, as if the gold-haired ghost looks at me from a dark mirror.

In the spacious hall under the sounds of the flutes were spinning in dance only two – three pairs. I decided to play chess with one of the nobles, and we took a table at the window. Time was nearing night. I won several parties in a row and already looking for a reason to retire when I heard the heralds’ tubes. The king appeared in support of his suite. I looked for a long time as the stone sparkle in his crown, how the folds of his mantle fluttered when he is walking. Probably Claude has already managed to tell him about the battle with the wild boar. For the first time my crowned father looked at me with gratitude and even with respect.

В«Edwin!В» Claude took me under the elbow and took toВ the side. В«The father told me toВ present you one lady. She just returned from the journey and can tell you aВ lot. Let me introduce you toВ Lady Silvia.В»

A slim lady turned to meet us. Curls of reddish hair covered her back and shoulders, even lay down on a smooth forehead. For some reason it seemed to me that she had never come out on the sun in her life. Only this could explain the painful pallor of her face. The white openwork dress only emphasized the marble white skin. Black eyelashes beautifully bent over expressive eyes. In a deceptive light from the walls, it seemed to me that the girl’s face was just a smooth gypsum mask framed by rag curls of the hair.

IВ approached her, more and more convincing that she was just aВ doll, which was forced toВ speak and move with help ofВ some kind ofВ cunning mechanism which was inserted inВ her head. Maybe inВ front ofВ me really was the creation ofВ aВ puppet master.

Lady Silvia stood motionless. Just noticing me, she cried softly and would fall, if Claude did not support her on time.

В«You must have not got used toВ noisy reception, Milady,В» he said, helping her toВ get toВ the nearest sofa.

В«No, just not toВ the fire,В» she dismissed when Claude tried toВ sit down near the fireplace. She settled inВ the chair, which stood rather far from the fire. Maybe she was afraid that the flame even inВ aВ distance could burn her white, gentle skin or spark, accidentally escaped because ofВ the low fireplace, it would fall on her dress. Never have aВ single lady fainted from the presence ofВ aВ prince. Claude also did not understand anything, but, nevertheless, he tried toВ bring Silvia toВ feelings. IВ could only retire. Several ladies standing at the exit from the hall, seeing me, sat down inВ low courtesy. IВ answered them with aВ nod ofВ head. Other courtiers, found inВ the galleries, also bowed toВ me, someone made aВ compliment, and only this strange Sylvia for some reason was frightened ofВ me or ofВ someone who was invisible attended behind my back. IВ turned around, thinking that IВ would see the ugly shadow behind my back, but IВ saw only how the black smoke was swept away, taking the shape ofВ the winged being. Just aВ shadow curve from some kind ofВ subject, but it seemed toВ me frightening and mysterious.



There was a candle on my table. I could not fall asleep for a long time, listening to silence. It seemed that sometimes a quiet, silk rustle hears outside the window. So rustled the dress of the late queen – my mother, when she went in support of her maids of honour along the narrow corridor in her bedroom. From her kingdom, she led several astrologers in the royal castle, which to this day gave some valuable advice to the king.

Again I heard some sounds. Only now I remembered that, contrary to the promise, I forgot to close the window. I wanted to rise from the bed. The candle was almost burned down and dropped only weak reflections on the morocco’s cover of the book. From the side of the window there was a quiet flap of wings. Did some kind of bird decide to take off so high? Maybe it decided to make the nest on the windowsill? I turned to the window, and what I saw seemed incredible to me. In the arched opening of window, was a graceful female silhouette. I looked at the white marble shoulders, hands, prayer-crossed on the chest, the pile of dark curls and two transparent, sparkling wings behind her. The face of the night guest was also strikingly beautiful. She did not look at me, her lips barely moved, as if in prayer. And I was afraid to twitch her and feared that, bypassing the window opening, she would fly straight into the room, put off the candle with her wing and would speak about the ancient secrets. I carefully rose from the bed and, trying to stick in the shade, approached the window. Suddenly the winged guest raised her eyes.

Under the dark eyelashes flashed aВ cruel fire. There was no one before the window. My guest disappeared as suddenly, as it appeared.

IВ remembered the instructions ofВ Florian. InВ this midnight hour IВ was ready toВ give the tribute toВ his mind. How could he foresee it? He also warned me not toВ go toВ the city after the coming ofВ darkness, but IВ could not obey this instruction. If some murderer roams around the city at night, then IВ have toВ fight against him, as IВ fought against many before him. IВ took the sword, left the bedroom and on the long-mastered route got out ofВ the castle. Soon IВ had already walked around the dark streets. Sometimes IВ went out onto wide, well-lit roads. But the robber is unlikely toВ be painted inВ such places. Too much light. Snowflakes are circling near the lanterns like silver dust. InВ several windows, the light was still burning. InВ one ofВ them IВ saw the silhouette ofВ the seamstress with the needlework. IВ wrapped inВ aВ raincoat and continued my way. InВ addition toВ echo ofВ my steps, IВ have not heard any sound for aВ long time. Then IВ heard the noise ofВ carriage on the deserted street. The crew, almost came up with me. IВ wanted toВ leave the road and stand aside, because on this narrow street it was impossible for us toВ pass on this part ofВ the road, but suddenly aВ graceful head looked out ofВ the window.

В«IВ am glad toВ see you, Monseigneur!В» sang aВ familiar voice. This very voice called me from the sleigh, passing byВ the deserted glade.

В«IВ am surprised how you are not afraid toВ ride at night on these sinister streets,В» said I, standing near the crew.

«I’m trying to imitate your courage,» she answered in all the same playful tone. «And, moreover, you must help me. Have you not noticed that we have just broken the axis in the wheel, so I had to stop. And not because I am looking for meetings with our beautiful lord.»

IВ looked at the wheel. The axis was broken. We needed aВ master toВ replace it. Meanwhile, my random acquaintance was impatiently tangled with the tips ofВ the fingers along the door.

В«Unfortunately, IВ can not fix it just like that. Does your coachman have any tools with him?В» IВ really wanted toВ help her, without even thinking about the fact that IВ am aВ prince, not aВ coach-builder. Florian would be horrified byВ one such thought.

«I don’t understand why you need tools,» the lady was displeased. «With your abilities, you continue to think like a simple person. And it surprises me. So you help me?»

«Sorry, but I really can’t,» I looked at the hopeless breakdown.

«No, you can,» the lady said a imperious tone. Her eyes burned in the light of the lantern. – Call for help your secret force and everything will work out. After all, I have no relation to your brothers, you should not hide your talents from me.»

Her words hit me something. IВ looked at the broken axis and strained thoughts, presenting how slow the tree would grow together how the wheel rises. And indeed, inВ just aВ few moments, breakdowns did not happen. The axis moved toВ the previous place. The wheel looked like aВ new one, although IВ did not even touch it. IВ was amazed. However, the lady took all this, as granted.

В«Thank you, Monseigneur,В» she nodded, quickly retired the curtain on the window, and the crew smoothly rolled on the street.

IВ did not even have time toВ ask her. What does all this mean? Did the wizard stood behind my back, who did it all. IВ looked at the lantern hanging on the hook and presented how the glass crawls from aВ strong impact. Only IВ managed toВ think about it, like aВ glass cap scattered on aВ plurality ofВ sparkling fragments, and aВ tiny light ground. Only aВ small iron frame swayed on aВ hook.

В«Excellent, you really know how toВ do something,В» said aВ voice behind my back. IВ turned around. For aВ moment it seemed toВ me that IВ saw aВ tall, gloomy stranger.

He immediately disappeared. There was no sound ofВ steps, and even echo did not respond toВ his words. The labyrinth ofВ urban streets ran ahead, IВ wanted toВ wander around them all night and think that these places were enchanted and uninhabited, but, unlike travelers, who first found themselves inВ the capital, IВ knew that at night at every corner aВ villain with the dagger could wait for the travelers. InВ one ofВ the poor quarters, IВ once crossed the swords with aВ young robber. Among the robbers, he was famous as the best fencer, the first blade ofВ the robbery world. He was so sincerely surprised when IВ won him that he swore toВ do an honest craft and that most importantly kept his promise. IВ helped him get aВ job inВ one ofВ those bakers that they supply bread toВ the royal table. He was so grateful toВ me for keeping his life and was ready toВ fulfill any order. IВ easily found that the building, where his room was located on the ground floor, and IВ knocked him three times into aВ low window. Immediately the candle broke out, the bolt clicked and the door opened. On the threshold, sleepily rubbing his eyes, stood my repentant rival. InВ the night cap, he rather reminded aВ silly schoolboy, although he could manifest himself as the most dexterous spy and aВ good comrade inВ arms.




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