However, a friend decided not to come to class without her.
- By the way, why haven't you changed?
- Changed into what? - I didn't get it. Xenia measured me with her eyes and knocked on my forehead with her knuckles, - well, Vetryana, you give! No, of course, you've always been absent-minded, but not as much! Ow! Look around! Don't you notice anything new?
I took a good look around. Mother ancestor! Oh, my God! When I got carried away with what was happening to me, I missed the changes in Riverstein once.
And they were quite significant.
First, the student in whom we were sitting (and the whole castle, it seems) had changed. Where a single oil lamp used to thrive, making the novices squint blindly, displaying letters on parchment, now a lamp with at least a hundred candles in it was shining under the ceiling. And on long tables, too, the lamps were cozily placed, giving additional light. Cute curtains appeared on the windows, and in the corners - pails with an evergreen footman. And most importantly, the fireplace, the so-called punitive place - an enclosed enclosure, studded with sharp stones, mica and peas, where disobedient women were put on their knees, disappeared. There was always a reed with strong salt solution in which the roses were soaked.
Secondly, the students themselves had changed. The girls lost their frightening thinness and pallor, their faces frosted and their eyes shone. Weary and frightened look, so distorting our faces disappeared, and I was surprised to find that many of the students are very attractive. And the dresses... ooh... how did I not notice?
Instead of the usual brown hoodies, the girls were wearing dresses! Light green on the younger ones and turquoise blue on the older ones, with fine embroidery on the hem and neck, from under which the white lower shirt looked coquettish.
- Shut your mouth, forty - kindly advised Xenia - I put the same dress on the bed in the evening, did not you see? They were brought in last night, the girls almost went crazy when they saw it. I thought Riverstein was gonna raise the roof with their squealing.
Of course I didn't see it! The edge of my eye caught some bundle on the bedside table, but that's all. And in the morning I was yanked out so sleepy, I woke up at the sight of a dragon. What a dress, and I went down the stairs, trying not to open my eyes.
- Amazing..." I whispered, and couldn't help but touch the fabric of Xenin's dress. It's soft...
- And also warm fur coats, mittens and boots," a friend bragged, "for everyone, you know? And shirts. And... underwear. And hair bands and hairpins! The novices will soon begin to pray to the Lord, not to the Virgin Mother, but to the Lord the Benefactor!
- Did Shyder order everything?
Xenya looked at the squint. She couldn't hide that I called the Lord by his name, but I didn't discuss it.
- Well, who did? Our prioresses have been so generous for two days, they can't bear it. Harpy locked herself in her room, Aristarchus foretells the punishment of heaven for her sins. True, he tries not to be heard by his lord.
- And Mother?
- The Prioress is the only one who has approved. And the priestess reprimanded, said that it was time to start watching the appearance of the novices, that it was a failure of the teachers and a great blessing, that we had a good patron. Harpy sizzled for an hour that beautiful clothes corrupted our immature souls and cast into temptation, the Lord began yawning. But the Lady of the Village besieged her, and the curator approved. Though it is clear that she would not approve, nothing would change, the Lord will still do as he wants. So the Mother, with her reasoning, decided to take his side. Well, with the King's Viceroy, it's not her place to fight.
I have exhaled in astonishment.
- Also, they put such things in the ablution room on coals that warm the water, and now you can wash with warm water, you know? - Ksenia's fantastically stretched out. - And they promise a train from Zagreb, with new shoes and warm blankets, and the firewood was brought so much that we certainly will not freeze! The Lord has ordered us not to save money on heating! And before bed, everyone will be given a sweet pretzel or a candied apple... really, I still don't believe it, it sounds fantastic...
I looked into her shining eyes and calmed her down:
- They will be, Ksenka... since the Lord has promised, they will be.
Except what happens to all of us when the Lord leaves? One day he will leave anyway, because his life is not here, but in the Rainbow Empire, in the world where the Force is, in a city with crystal towers. But as I said, life is so unpredictable, you don't have to worry about the future.
Anyway, I could barely wait until the class was over and with a bullet I flew to the ablution room, reverently grabbing a new outfit wrapped in a thin canvas.
In addition to the amazing device that warmed up the water, there was a delicious soap that smelled like flowers instead of the usual mixture of ash and sand, and soft canvases instead of our holes. From the warm water I crumbled, relaxed, never thought that washing is a pleasure! Yes, it is!
And what a pleasure to put on a beautiful, bright dress of soft fabric that clings to the body! It's a pity there's no mirror, I wanted to see myself better.
I still sat by the warm coals, and gathered myself. The scythe didn't weave, let the hair dry.
Lord Darrell sat on my bed in the room, bored with a swaying boot.
- Oh," I said, "I'm sorry, I didn't expect to see you here. And I hurriedly reached for my hair to put it away.
The Lord jumped up and intercepted my hand, keeping an eye on me.
- Don't... don't take it away...
And he froze without taking his hands off my wrist. I froze too, not knowing why he looks at me like that. And then he just walked up to me and I pulled back. The lord shook his head and turned away, went to the window, froze, clutching his fingers.
I didn't speak at all. In the ten days of our class, we had rubbed ourselves together, and the relationship that had developed between us, though not friendly, I was no longer afraid of him, and he suspected me of all my sins. It even seemed to me that the Lord was not against spending time together, and he volunteered to teach me himself. He even insisted that I call him by his name, and I called him... sometimes.
And now it's this strangely tense silence that makes his cheeks cheeky, like a man is terribly angry. But what did I do wrong?
- Lord Darrell," I shyly called, "did I... did I do something to offend you? I'm sorry, I didn't know you were here, or I'd have worn a braid, I know I look... indecent. Don't be angry, I'll get my head cleaned up!
- ...Sala deacon! - the man shook his head as if he was broken, and turned to me. There was no more tension on his face, only an incomprehensible hunger expression in my eyes.
- Sala the deed! - He repeated and smiled, "What an astonishing stupidity your head is full of, Vetritsa! What makes you think that your loose hair... makes me angry?
- But how," I was surprised, "do the mentors say that showing off with your head uncovered, let alone with your loose hair, is a sin, a sign of promiscuity! That's the only thing corrupt girls do! And if one of the novices does so, her soul will immediately go to the Black Earth for mass to the cursed witch ... oops! - ...I scorched a phrase into me since I was a child, and I got blindsided, thinking. If after death souls don't go to the Devil, where do they go?
- Amazingly," the Lord bowed his head, looking at me and surprisingly reminding me of the crow he was turning to. "The Vetriana, and who are the corrupt girls? - He asked ingratiatingly.
- Don't you know? - And a magician! He doesn't know such simple things! - These are girls who sold their souls to the Blackwoods! And that's why they're corrupt!
- Really? Why did they sell it?
I was wondering. Really, why?
- Honestly, I'm not quite sure, - I downloaded it, - actually I somehow took an interest in this question, as a child, purely out of cognitive interest, of course ...
- Of course," nodded the Lord. His lips trembled strangely.
- And she turned to Aristar
chus with this question, who threatened that all of us would face the fate of corrupt girls...
- And what's the Honourable Irene?
- He ordered me to be locked in a closet for two days and not to feed - I replied with regret - so that I would not even dare to think about such nasty things. So I did not find out the details...
- For two days and not to feed... - he thoughtfully stretched out. His lips squeezed into a thin line. - And often... did the abbots teach you so...?
I shook my shoulders and sighed.
- It's just that I'm very curious. Like a cat. And this, everybody knows, is a obscurantist animal... although so beautiful!
- Cats are very much loved in the underworld," the man smiled.
- Really? - I was delighted, - How wonderful! To tell the truth, it always seemed to me that cats are accused unfairly, there is nothing dirty about them, on the contrary, they are very clean and brave, mice are caught ... pity, novices are forbidden even to look in their direction, and if you look, you must make a fencing sign. And if a cat crosses the road ... everything, it is urgent to change his undershirt from the back to his face three times, turn around and five times read the psalm calling to the holy elders!
- And how does that help?
- I don't know... I was embarrassed, I think it's stupid. Just don't tell anybody about it! - I prayed when I was scared.
- I won't tell," said the Lord very seriously.
I was silent, sorry I told him about the cats. And who pulled my tongue?
- Do you know who the corrupt chicks are? - I remembered.
- Yes, Vetriana, you're very curious. And stubborn. Even the closet didn't teach you anything! Don't be scared, I'm kidding. Well, how can I explain it to you...
He looked at me confusedly, I looked at him with expectation.
- Er... well... it's... it's girls... it's women, I'd say, who... sell...
- What? The soul?
- Hmm... not really... I mean, I'd say not a soul at all!
- Well, why is that? - I rounded my eyes.
The lord looked at me with despair and gave up.
- Um... I'll tell you later. Another time!
I'm so pissed off, I'd say he doesn't know! The man moved decisively towards the door.
- Lord Darrell, why did you come?
- Then," he waved, "I think I've had a conversation with this... moon gha... Aristarchus! and the others, too. - And he hid in the corridor. I shrugged my shoulders, and went to bed.
* * *
I went to bed, but I wasn't dreaming. That's a strange thing: in the morning I want to sleep incredibly, sleep envelops with a foggy blanket, glues together the eyelids and immobilizes the body, and to break out of his sweet hugs have a fight, and now the dream stayed away from me, as a giant guardian, went around the tenth road.
And the strange feeling that Lord Darrell has stirred in me today with his strange look, what is it? It's like fear, but not fear. Waiting? But waiting for what? It's the same feeling I get when I see the Arch'arrion. Or thinking of him. But still it feels different: as if with different shades and colours, which I cannot discern as blind.
I sighed and turned over on my side.
I wonder if I want to see him, will the demon feel? Will it come? It comes when it wants to and goes without saying goodbye... no, not when it wants to. Only when I need him, or when I'm in danger. Me or Argard? Lord Darrell is right, I am but a human girl who foolishly initiated an ancient artifact of Chaos.
So if they find a way to get it off me, it'll all be over?
I'll never see you again?
I sat on my bed, biting my lips and scolding myself. What kind of strange thoughts get into my stupid head? The first time I thought about what's gonna happen to me. Although... what's sad, maybe I won't survive.
I hummed myself, amazed at the illogicality of my thoughts. And looking into the shadows on the floor... How astonishing that each of them is a door for him.
I couldn't see myself asleep. And in my dream, the Arch'arrion came out of the darkness, sat on the edge of my bed, gently pulled a strand of hair from my face. His swarthy fingers touched my skin, tracing a warm path across my cheek, touching my lips. My dark eyes are like an abyss, an abyss... why is he looking at me like that? My eyelashes are shaking, I want to wake up, but he won't let me. And I fall deeper into a dream, because it's only a dream...
* * *
In the morning, and I stood again in the glade by the frozen lake, chilly eating. Though more by habit, because my new clothes are surprisingly warm and comfortable. Instead of the cloak, I wore a short hood, but even in it was not frozen, a thin blue dress and soft shoes did not miss the cold.
And the winter had already taken over the border. The lake had risen intentionally, covered with a thick layer of ice on which you could walk without fear of failure. The field was covered with snow and we had to make a circle to avoid getting bogged down in snowdrifts, but the Lord was tired of jumping fast and, having set a protective contour, he blew the snow with magic. Once he tried too hard, and on the liberated glade there was grass and yellow dandelions bloomed. So I had to wait for the stunned one to lie in the grass and spit a wreath. When he did it the second time and then the third time, I still suspected something wrong and stopped jumping. I even got offended, so I found some fun!
So there was no more grass, she slept quietly under the ground and a thin layer of trampled snow. They were heavily puffed with white hats at the top and drowned with black bare trunks in snowdrifts below. The whole world became black and white and contrasted, so it ruffled their eyes.
Xenia, wrapped in a cloak, stood silently under the same oak tree. She kept her promise to accompany me and deserved the disgruntled look of the Lord and the strictest order to stand aside and not interfere.
- Vetriana, try to remember what you felt yesterday when you hit me with a power wave. Keep your eyes open, so remember.
The Lord was gloomy today, barely looking at me. Looks like the early rises got him, too. I frowned a little, remembering a strange feeling in my chest, a rising wave and a splash! The snow was boiling at the Lord's feet, the ice crumbs were scattering.
- That's not bad. At least you caught the right feeling. Let's do it again. At least aim for that stump, not me!
Well, in the stump, so in the stump, why growl like that! I turned around obediently. After an hour of training, I dug around the stump a lot of dimples of different depths, caused a light snow that went into the rain, got wet, and froze the hood instead of drying it out.
- Warm air, Vetriana, warm! Not ice! - with annoyance my lord punched my bloody hood on the long-suffering stump. I'm tired of losing my swollen neck with tension.
- I thought if there's magic power, it should work itself out! - The perplexing one I gave out.
- In your dreams! That's what everyone thinks. Kids come to magic school, they just smell a bit of Power and immediately think they're great magicians! They think everyone knows and knows without study or work!
Shyder smiled.
- And you were like that? What do you mean... you? - I guessed it.
- Yeah, you did! Stupid arrogant boy. Well, in magic schools, they're quick to do that!
- Do they lock them in the closet, too? - Well, I was surprised.
- No, of course... we have methods... more interesting. Well, you'll find out for yourself. When this is over, you have to get into one of the schools.
- Well, I'm an adult!
- So what? At any age, you have to learn magic, otherwise you're not good at it. It's like... you've got eyes, right? You can see that. And there's parchment on which the words are written. But if you can't read, you can't understand what it's about. You also have to learn how to use the Force. As long as you're just trying to feel it, to understand it, you can't call it real magic, of course.
- And what's the difference between the Force and magic?
- Power is a tool, and magic is the final product, what you get by using the
Force.
I had a dreamy smile.
- It must be wonderful in your schools!
- Oh, yes, it's very funny! You'll love it!
I smiled and shook my shoulders.
- It's going to be all right, Vetriana," Shaider said quietly. "We'll be sure to find the one who used the night guest. And we'll be able to get the Argard off you. Do you believe me?
- I don't know, Lord Darrell," I said slyly, "after that cemetery and death... I don't know if you should believe me!
- I've already explained that..." But I saw my sly eyes and laughed, "Oh, you sly! Speaking of phantoms! Well, try to deal with it!
And a creature appeared above the forest clearing: a hunched skinny calf overgrown with a bunch of dirty red wool, a round bald head with a rat's face and a black elongated nose above a maliciously sensible mouth with two rows of curved yellow teeth. Leathery wings were protruding from the bones of the ridge with moulting rags, which could not even lift a mouse into the air.
- It's an eater," Shaider said, "a rare butcher, I must admit...
I had my doubts about the shepherd. The creature pulled the air with a buttoned nose. Well, how am I going to fight him? Well, what can I do with a little girl as tall as a cat...
And just when I thought about it, eater stopped sniffing, lifted up on his hind legs, gutted thin wings, opened his mouth and... yelled! The sound knocked me down and I, thrown back by a sound wave, and flew a good pair of sazhens, the truth did not fall on the ice, but only thanks to the Lord, who held me in time magic. The squeal of the eater was getting thinner and taller, my ears pawned and my head was ready to crack like a crossed-out pumpkin, completely refusing to think. I didn't think so, I clutched my ears, tumbled over, and quickly waved my hand like a Harpy whip. An invisible air whip of a loop grabbed the emere along the body, squeezed it, keeping it from escaping, and flew Ksenia on the other side, hitting the creature on the bald head with an oak branch with one precise movement.
He was surprised by the silence and disappeared with a slight click.
The Wind of the North Page 17