And at some point Solmeya awkwardly deviated from the Mayira's kadavra, and flew back down from the platform, but in the air turned over and entered the water with a fish.
- It's not fair," I whispered, "and Solmeya fought with all the contestants, and Mayira was the only one with her. Solomyia was tired!
- Solmeius gave in," said Archarrion quietly and surprisingly. I turned to him.
- Are you sure?
- Yes. And it is strange.
- Why is that?
- Sirens don't do that.
I smiled as I looked at the dark water. The whirlpool underneath is gone, as is the narrow platform. Mayira, to the welcoming screams of the sirens, rose to the shimmering throne.
- The games are over! - She sang," her daughters proved the purity of her spirit and the uncloudedness of her thoughts! And from this moment on we start a new countdown in infinity and celebrate the day of the Creation of the World!
She clapped her hands again, and the water drilled again. But now nobody was going to fight anymore, because on the surface of the lake a performance began!
First, the dark water shone, and then crawled up and grew into a tree! Slowly and madly beautiful water jets formed in the trunk and branches, flowers blossomed, with transparent drops on buds, leaves appeared... A blossoming tree became a waterfall, and then it crumbled with countless drops, which right before the eyes stretched into a flock of silver fish! The water trembled, curved and moved, creating beautiful paintings on the surface of the lake, so fascinating that it was impossible to get away from their contemplation. Unicorns were running along the water surface, and sparks flew from under the hooves, birds soared upwards, spraying water splashes from their wings... And then a beautiful flower grew, shuddered, opening petals, and sirens came out of it. And on the mirror, the water spun in the dance.
And then Danila couldn't take it. The whole time, the guy sat there, opening his mouth, and staggeringly silent. But when beautiful water maidens slipped over the lake, his soul overflowed with delight to the edges, and the guy, having jumped up, enthusiastically clapped his hands and even whistled.
From such an incomprehensible manifestation of emotion, the sirens were a little disturbed.
There was a perplexing silence in the Hall of Purity for a moment.
Looking over at Ksenka, we jumped up at the same time, and the same slammed.
- Come on, support us! - I whispered to Shader and Archarrion, keeping clapping. The demon laughed and clapped looking at me, and Lord Darrell whistled, even louder than Danila.
And not very sure, but quite coherently, they slammed all the mermaids on the platform.
The sirens looked over and... spun even faster, even more flexible, even more graceful, casting evil glances at us. And I thought that even though the sirens were water, they were still girls...
* * *
Solmeya came to us when the show was over and the sirens parted. She was wearing a dress of algae again, and smiled a little tired. I jumped joyfully as she approached.
- Solmeya! I was worried for you.
She smiled a little mockingly.
- I know, Vetriana. I saw the salty moisture in your eyes again. Did you like the games?
- It was... exciting," I honestly said, "now can we ask Mayira for permission to enter the whirlpool?
- The hostess is in a good mood after the games," said Solmea thoughtfully, "and she is waiting for you. One thing," the siren added, as she saw my companions getting up as she was about to come with me.
I nodded, ready to go.
Solmia took me through the Hall of Purity into a small room. There was nothing shining and sparkling here, on the contrary, dusk reigned here, and brown algae swayed slowly on the dark walls. Mayira, wearing a simple dress, turned to her knee when we entered.
- Go, Solmea," she said. The siren nodded and came out. Mayira looked at me. Her pale face shone coldly with light, almost colorless eyes.
- The Keeper of the Source marked Chaos," she said without expression, "why did you come to the Eternal Forest? What question do you want to disturb His peace?
- My friend is in trouble," I honestly said, "I will do anything to help her.
And I told her how I've been able to tell her what happened to Xenia.
- Is the fate of a human girl so important to disturb Him? - Mayir was mockingly asked. I didn't know why she was saying that, and I didn't want to know.
- Ksenia's fate is very important," I said firmly, "to me. It means that I will do everything I can.
- Why are you wearing a Chaos mark? - The hostess interrupted me.
I kept silent, not knowing what to say.
- This is irrelevant," I answered.
Maira's eyebrow slightly flipped, looking at me with arrogant curiosity.
- Your friend's soul is in the power of darkness in the Shadow World," said the mistress calmly, "and they won't help you. They cannot open the Edge... No one can. Almost no one. Or maybe not at all...
- Let me talk to him! - I begged, please!
I thought the Mistress couldn't hear, though her transparent eyes still looked at me.
- Mayira? - I called. She woke up and shuddered a little.
- At dawn," she said in a weak voice. And she turned away," she said, "You'll ask your question tomorrow at dawn. You'll have to sleep on the beach, we didn't expect... guests.
She said nothing more, and never turned around. So I realised the conversation was over and quietly left the room with the algae-brown walls.
Solmeya was waiting for me in the Hall of Purity. Now it was empty and quiet, and the rays of the setting sun had painted the room red orange.
- Chickenpox, why so long! What did Mayira say?
- That I could enter the whirlpool at dawn.
Serena nodded satisfactorily.
- Okay. Now let's go! It's a holiday! Too bad you can't go deep in the lake with me, but we'll swim in the pond, swim with us?
- Me?! Solmeya, I can't swim at all!
The mermaid sparkled with her eyes.
- We'll have to learn, Vetriana! Come on, I already invited your friends! You know, it's been a long time since we had guests! Come on, don't be afraid! You're the Guardian!
- I'm not an experienced Guardian yet," I mumbled confusedly, following the hurriedly coming Solmea. She is still a girl in the soul! She's in a hurry, almost bouncing with excitement!
My companions were waiting for me on the shore, behind the ghost bridge. As soon as the mermaid and I crossed it, the bridge fell smoothly into the lake and disappeared into the depths.
My friends jumped when they saw me.
- Mayra let me talk to them at dawn," I pleased them. But we couldn't be happy," said Solmaias, who pulled me by the sleeve.
- That's what you'll do tomorrow! - She said, "And now to celebrate!
- Solmeius! - I almost moaned, imagining with horror how I was going to puddle in cold water. I tried not to think at all about how to dive into the whirlpool in the morning.
- You're gonna love this! - Solmeya laughed.
- But I can't swim!
The mermaid smiled and put her palm in the lake and made a long draft sound. There was some movement in the dark water, and a long black fish with a sharp nose and a triangular high fin slowly emerged from the depths. And she gently pushed the siren into the palm of her hand. And immediately above the water went a few more triangles.
- The sowers will take you," Solmea laughed as she saw our dazzled faces.
- Aren't these fish going to eat us? - Daniel asked a grim question.
- The seedlings eat lake plants," said the mermaid, "and the men go first.
- I'm not going anywhere without Wind and Xenia," said Shaider cautiously.
- The girls need to change," the siren smiled slyly, "don't worry, the seedlings know the way and will take you where you need to go!
The Archpriest and Lord Darrell glanced over, and the demon shook his shoulders. And silently took off hi
s boots, pulled off his shirt, and rolled up his pants. Only the scabbard sheath and the acanars were thrown back on his back. Sighing, Shyder followed his example, also leaving his blade on his side. And Danila just took off his shirt, because after the field with the red flowers, his boots were still hanging on the bow of his saddle.
The men dived into the water and immediately dived out, grabbed the fins of the nearest fish. The archharrion pulled up and threw his leg, saddling a black body sowed. The fish shuddered a little, swayed, and rushed forward, cutting through the dark water. And in a moment, the Archarrion hid behind the tower. Lord Darrell and Danila waved goodbye and fled, too, clinging tightly to the triangular fins. And Danila shouted, "But, horse!" and "Hey, gay!"!
- Well, now let's get to you," said Solmea joyfully, and for some reason I didn't like her cheerful tone, "get undressed," she said.
- What for?
- You're not going into the waters of Im in...this, are you?
I looked at my dark grey dress and found no reason for such contemptuous remarks.
- Come on! Get undressed! - impatiently stomped on the siren's foot - we'll all miss it if we keep arguing here!
Xenia snorted and quietly pulled off her clothes. I sighed, but I realized that the insistent Solmei would not leave me alone, took off my dress, and carefully folded it, put it in my saddlebag.
- And this ugliness too! - the siren poked her finger into my undershirt. I shamefully stole it, scared to look back. It just seemed like someone was looking at me. But Xenia felt surprisingly calm, even throwing her hands behind her head, setting the breeze on her naked body.
- Now it's my present," said Solmeya, with a sly smile. And she touched each of us by the wrist.
And Xenah and I saw with amazement how a flower blossomed on each of our hands, and dark green shoots and leaves crawled from it, braiding our bodies with an amazing mermaid. And in a few moments we were wearing short fancy dresses, on which the lake flowers trembled wetly with delicate petals.
- How beautiful! - I exhaled, - but... Solmeya! I can't go... like that!
- Why not? - I did not understand the mermaid, - so much more beautiful and better than in that creepy dead clothes you walk in!
- But I'm so practically... not dressed! - I shouted out with despair.
And I looked at my outfit again. Shoulders open, one hand, chest, belly braided by a lake finch, and below flowers and leaves form a skirt, but so short... Much higher than my knees!
- Don't you like it? - Solmeya is upset.
- It's magical! But...
I looked at Xenia for support, and I took a swing at her. The girlfriend's pink buds bloomed on an equally short dress, and she pensively guided her palm through them and smiled. The girl's cheeks blushed with pleasure, and her eyes glowed with red sparks.
- Ksenya! How beautiful you are! - I admired you.
She broke away from looking at flowers and looked at me joyfully.
- You too, Vetriana! - she said, and we laughed. So sincere and light as we hadn't laughed for a long time... Only for the sake of that Xenkin laughter I was ready to go anywhere in a live dress. At least to see the King!
- Our prioresses should have seen us," Ksenia said with laughter. And we laughed again.
- Well, that's wonderful," said Solmea, "and now, into the water!
And the mermaid grabbed us both by the hands and jumped into the lake.
The water was cool, but still not as cold as I feared. Quite tolerable. While I was floating around trying to get out, something big and black picked me up and brought me to the surface. As I took a deep breath, I looked at the shiny back of the sow on which I was lying. The fish froze, giving me a chance to get used to it, swaying peacefully on the waves. I pulled up a little, and sat down with my legs overhanging. I gently took up the smooth fin. I listened. The huge sower thought of warm water and the expanse of the lake. And what a strange siren he had gotten.
I smiled, caught his benevolent curiosity, and grabbed the fin more tightly. Xenia had already ridden her sowing, and was waiting for me. And Solmeya was enjoying the water, shining her silver tail.
- So they swam, or something... I said, and patted the fish on its black and warm side. And I added quietly, but not very quickly, please...
He sowed a snort like a horse, but obeyed, and moved smoothly forward. Xenia overtook me, winked and rushed past me, hiding behind the tower after a couple of moments.
But I was in no hurry, lying quietly on my warm back, looking at the depth of the lake with curiosity and listening to its inhabitants. It captured me so much that I woke up only when I realized that the water had become much warmer and the sowing did not cut the waves, but just swung on the water.
- Chickenpox!!! Stay awake! - Solmeya laughed as she dug up nearby. I raised my head, and then I sat down. We circled the tower from the water and swam through almost the entire lake, finding ourselves in a quiet pond. And judging by the warm water, there were also hot springs. Sirens were splashing near the shore, their silver tails sparkling in the water. The music sounded, though I didn't see the spring. Several mermaids were dancing on the shore and their floral dresses were fragrant in the evening air. There were sparkling balls hanging from the branches of the trees, spraying rainbow sparks of light on the shore, and I guessed that was what Shaider and Danila had done.
Now Lord Darrell was standing on the shore looking at me. And so was the Archarrion. And I was embarrassed by their eyes.
- Come on, let's go! - Solmey hurried me, - ah, here's another...
She touched my hair, and my braids spilled out by themselves, and lake grass woven into a wreath and blossomed with tiny blue flowers.
- Come on, Vetriana, stay awake!
I carefully got off the sowing, thanked him and went to the shore, trying not to look at anyone. Because the way the men looked at me... Those looks made me want to climb back into the water and swim back. You can even do it without sowing...
But of course, Solmeya wouldn't let me. Xenia was already on the beach and even danced with the sirens. One of the mermaids came up to us and handed us the cup.
- Happy Creation Day! - she said. I had a polite smile and a drink. The drink was a little salty, but nice and delicious. And only when I was finished to the bottom, I felt my head dizzy and the paints flashed out as if they had been strengthened several times.
- What was that? - I was scared.
- Don't be scared, it's nectar from underwater plants. Come, now Aya will sing!
The music has subsided, all the sirens have sat in the factory on the rocks, chattering in warm water who's feet, who's tail. We sat down, too. I'm still trying not to look at any of the men. But with my whole body, feeling their eyes.
And then one of the mermaids sang. And the world stopped. I've never heard the sirens sing. I've only read that when I hear that voice, people jump into the water themselves and ships crash into rocks. It was mesmerizingly beautiful.
And then there was the dancing again and a little more nectar. Xenya laughed and splashed with mermaids in warm water, while I smiled and watched the stars light up in the darker sky.
- Chickenpox, shall we go dancing? - called me Aya, I shook my head. Today mermaids lost their cold arrogance and smiled at almost everyone. Maybe it's the miraculous nectar? Or once a year, on the feast of creation, do they allow themselves to have fun?
I turned to Solmea.
- And why isn't Mayira with you?
- The Mistress has been spending this feast in the Tower for many years," she replied sadly, "alone. When I was born, she was already such a... recluse.
- Why was that?
The young siren shrugged her shoulders. And I suddenly had an epiphany.
- Solmeya, and Mayira... Who is she to you?
- The sirens have no human concept of kinship," she said, "but if they were...Mayira would be my mother.
I nodded astonishingly. Of course, as I hadn't guessed. After all, Solmeya is the heiress, the futu
re Mistress of the Lake. Only to be her, she must summon Mayira to the fight. And... win. Solmeya came up easily and left to dance. And I went away from the music and the sirens, reflecting on what I heard. And when I raised my head, I came across the dark look of Archarrion. And at once I was burnt from the inside by an unbearable, rabid desire, so fierce that it took my breath away. It lasted only a moment, and then he closed again and left, dissolved in the forest.
- The chickenpox.
I didn't notice how Shyder came up, touched my hand.
- Chickenpox, can we talk?
- What? - I looked distractedly into the nut eyes, which are now completely dark, - and... yes... Of course. Did something happen?
We moved slowly along the shore. He walked beside us and was silent, and then he stopped and took my hand, brought it to my lips.
- The chickenpox... I can't take it anymore. I can't keep quiet... about how I feel about you...
I was scared, and he grabbed both my hands and kept me from running away.
- Don't go, please! Just listen! - He said in a hurry, looking me in the eyes, - I understand everything... But... Today, when I saw you... When you came ashore in this dress... Vetriana. I love you. I love you so much...
I froze looking at him almost with terror.
- Shaider, please don't, please...
- I know you don't have feelings for me," he said bitterly, "but look... I believe that that will change. When this nasty merger disappears... Everything will change! Wait, please!
He suddenly got down on his knee in front of me.
- Chickenpox, I want... I'm asking you to be my wife.
I pressed my palms to my flaming cheeks. He stood up and looked me in the eyes, noticeably worried.
- I know it's not like that... I don't have a ring and the environment isn't right... And you're not ready... But please! Just think about it!
- Syder...
- Don't answer now! - he pressed my palm against my lips again, then put his fingertips on my face, touched my hair. I saw his eyes change, his breath increases... And I retreated.
The Wind of the North Page 50