I turned around and walked down the path, between the bushes of amazingly beautiful flowering roses. Dhir came quickly and quietly, I could not hear. He grabbed my hand, pulled me towards him. He grabbed me by the waist, pressed me hard against his body, tightened with a black deaf uniform. Pulled me so close that I could see a stretched, snake pupil shivering inside my transparent eyes. And I froze, looking into my eyes. I don't know what he wanted to see... fear, maybe?
My hands were stabbed with power. Bright flowers slammed their buds at once, squeezed. The dark clouds quickly crawled across the sky, closing the stars, and it got cold as if we'd moved from warm Elloar to snowy Riverstein.
- Take your hands off me, Daarhar," I kindly asked, "otherwise I can't vouch for myself.
He didn't clean, he held me down harder and harder, a strange, painful expression froze in his eyes. I put my palms on his shoulders, watching frost crawl across his black uniform. So beautiful, prickly, wrapped in patterns, penetrating to the heart... Cold, able to kill gently, almost gently...
Daarhar stitched from the pain, pulled off his hands, recoiled. I saw his purple aura, tight, shaking threads of life. And a chill devouring his body... I took a deep breath, stopping.
- Don't you dare touch me," I said.
And I went deep into the garden, knowing that he was watching me. There was a snow drifting under my feet, and a white winter carpet stretched out... Where I walked the flowering bushes were turning into icy statues. Along with me was my cold.
* * *
Lord Elwon and Antashar's blades were ringing in the depths of the park, and a crowd of curious people had already gathered around them.
- That's enough," I said.
But, of course, no one heard me. Neither the Elf nor the Faceless led with their ears. I noticed with pity the blood on Antashar's white suit and the tear in Clarius' uniform.
- That's enough! - I said a little louder, and I waved my palms. The white frost quickly crawled on the grass and flowering shrubs, ice-covered the ground. Snow swirls swirled with a funnel, grew up, and scattered rivals in different directions, swept the clods of earth into the air.
The crowd of elves aghnulled, ejected and squeezed, looking with fright at the ice snow that fell from the sky, and breathing in the frosty air. In an instant, the cold north came to Eloar and covered the blossoming garden with the breath of winter. The jets of fountains froze in the air and crumbled with ice. Everything around became white, frozen and quiet. Ice. The courtiers shuddered in their silk outfits, but did not move, only looking at me with bright eyes.
- But magic is impossible in the palace..." one of them whispered in astonishment. And quietly, frozen. He even took his eyes away.
I came to Clarius, and he jumped up on his feet, still unaware of what had happened.
- Lord Elwon, the portal, please.
- What? Chickenpox, I... But what about the ball... Dancing... I was hoping...
- The portal, Clarius. Open it up.
He looked into my eyes, frowned, pulled out the locket. I took Antashar's hand and walked into the portal.
We fell into the torn space, and in a moment Eloar disappeared, and the stone wall of Riverstein grew next to it. I let go of Antashar's hand and nodded at the elf.
- Goodbye, Lord Elwon. And please, don't come to Riverstein again. I think you understand that you are no longer welcome here.
- Chickenpox, if you'll excuse me...
I turned my back and went to the gate. The Elf followed me, but flew away, thrown away by the castle shield. He jumped up on his feet.
- Chickenpox, wait, please! I made a mistake... I wanted it too much... I wanted you to be my bark... Are you so cruel that you don't forgive mistakes?
I turned around. His purple eyes sparkled like gems, and for the first time I saw the arrogant elf's face confused.
- I forgive mistakes, Lord Elwon," I said quietly, "of course I forgive. Even the most terrible ones. But only to my friends. You don't belong to them.
- Chickenpox! Let's just talk, shall we? Listen to me, I'll explain... Don't go... Vetriana!!!
He weaved the destruction spell, but the shield threw it back. And again. And again. The Elf did not want to admit defeat.
- Are you hurt? - I asked Antashara.
He looked at me in a strange way. Frightened or something.
- No. The scratch, - and I sighed, - so I went to the ball. And I was hoping that you would have fun.
I shrugged my shoulders.
- The most important thing is that the Emperor is ready to give us his support.
Faceless and I watched the power ball fly towards Riverstein and melt as it touched the shield.
- I'm afraid he won't give up so easily," Antashar said thoughtfully, "used to getting what he wanted. And to get you, he, um... just wants you.
I looked carefully at the invisible wall around the castle. It's strong. I closed my eyes, reached into the forest, into the thicket. I smiled when I heard the response. A grey flock of wolves came out of the forest because of dark fir trees, dropping sensual jaws to the ground. They looked at the evil yellow eyes of an elf in a green uniform, preparing for a leap of death.
Lord Elwon realized that this time it was better to leave and it was quiet outside the gate. I smiled, and I let the pack go with gratitude.
- He'll be back," Antashar shook his head.
- Let's go home," I smiled at Faceless.
* * *
A few days later, Shyder came back, and I jumped out into the yard to meet him. I gave him a happy pat on the Kairos barley. Next, Xenia ran, but flew out the door and saw Danila, immediately stopped, made indifferent face and went leisurely, playing acanar.
- Well, dummy, did you really come back? - She mockingly said, looking at the guy sitting on the horse, and I was hoping that you would get lost somewhere on the way!
- I love you too, Xenia," Danila said calmly. Suddenly the girl blushed all over her face, even the tips of her ears burst into flames and dust!
Shader and I turned our backs on each other, hiding our smiles.
- How was your trip? - I asked Lord Darrell. He was in a hurry, threw the reins at the groom's servant. And he gave me a hug. For a moment, but he pressed me firmly against him, then squeezed his shoulders and moved away, smiling.
- It's good to be back home," he said, "joyfully.
I smiled, too, but I was very glad to see him. Schader was calm and wise, a true friend, you could count on him. I hoped that someday his feelings for me would cool down, grow only in warm affection, without a painful need, in friendship.
And while I was smiling, looking at his nut eyes with a mocking squint.
- Were you good without us here?
- Well... almost, I was a little embarrassed.
- Almost?
- Come on, I'll tell you," I laughed and pulled his sleeve into the castle.
The others had already gathered at the refectory. The cook had parted today, cooked meat stew for lunch, boiled kissel and baked buns. Delicious smells were flying in the air, making us greedily smell.
We sat down, and I told Shaider briefly about my visit to Elloar. He frowned, but he wouldn't fight. I just got a look at Antashar. Still, Lord Darrell was too clever to be fooled by my cheerful and rosy story.
- Okay, you'll tell me more later," he shook his head, "and we've reconfigured all the portals along the northern and eastern borders. However, there weren't so many. Next time, we'll check the others. Danila is capable, if she can do it without me. Where is he, by the way?
I smiled. Neither Danila nor Xenia showed up at the refectory. Tiana started talking to Shaider about how to set up portals, and he started talking lively. Solmeya ate silently, picking at a plate with no appetite. I sighed a sigh of stealth. I was sorry about the siren. I know how bad it was, without water, without the usual warmth of the Eternal Forest, in the stone, albeit hospitable, walls of Riverstein. But I didn't know how to help her. But I think Antashar knew. He s
tood up and sat down next to Solmea. The mermaid looked at him not happy, but did not move.
I thought the two exiles might have something to talk about. Even so different.
Chapter 30.
And in the morning, our first disciples showed up at Riverstein Gate.
When the bell ringed alarmingly at the gate, announcing the arrival of the guests, I expected to see a frightened baby, and had already prepared my sweetest smile, but ... there was a very angry girl behind the gate, a thirteen-year-old spring, and a boy. And these two fought desperately, so that curious crows even bowed their heads, hearing!
- Get out," the girl screamed as she clenched her fists, "stop following me!
- I need you to hurt me," said the boy, "I'm not after you, I'm on my own!
We didn't get the point, but very soon these two got together like a cat and a dog. And while I was thinking about what to do, Danila and Xenia came up. Danila just cracked the guy's neck, and Xenia shaked the girl.
- Shut up," my friend said threateningly, "and listen. You're standing on the threshold of the most amazing event in your life, undersized! So close your mouths! So, quick name, who are they and where from?
The young magicians sniffed, though they kept throwing hostile looks at each other. And they told each other their names. It turned out that both of them were from Starover, and there were rumors about a new school. And about where the Call leads... He led the girl, and the boyfriend, her neighbor, followed, and strangely enough, he was able to enter the portal too. I looked at their auras with a smile. Magicians, both of them, not awakened.
- Is it true they're gonna teach magic here? - The girl asked me boycottly and turned pale. Still, how she wasn't chorching, but afraid.
- No, - I smiled, - not to witchcraft. We will teach you to use your power for the benefit of people. And we'll help you understand who you are.
- What, we're not going to do magic at all? - The girl gave it to me.
I thought a little demonstration would be nice, so I smiled at Danila. He winked cleverly, took the girl by the hand, and on her palms winged colorful butterflies, and then flew up at once, and flashed iridescent sparks, melted. It's beautiful.
- Well, just a little bit," said the boy.
The girl lifted up her shaken eyes on Danila, and firmly clenched her teeth and moved towards the gate.
- No respect," Xenia twisted, "will have to teach...
We had a friendly laugh.
And after one turn of the moon, there were three dozen students in our school, and life in Riverstein was boiling, bursting with a stormy stream, and children's voices. Our old gatekeeper volunteered to take over, though I tactfully hinted at him that it was not necessary. But the old man only smiled. In fact, he had eaten away, calmed down, and looked very presentable in his new uniform with the Riverstein sign on his chest. Armed with a cane and a mahogany knob, he met the kids at the castle gate and solemnly invited to the "The only and amazing school of magic Riverstein"! Poor children looked at the old man with sacred horror, and he received a real pleasure from what is happening. So, I didn't disturb him.
Before the learning process began, we divided all the children by age and placed them in rooms. Many were very scared, of course, so Tiana and Solmeya talked to them, talked about the school, about the gift, about future learning. They tried to overcome the barrier of the fear of witchcraft that had long been ingrained in people.
Fortunately, children's consciousness is more easily adjusted to the changing circumstances of life, and after the demonstration of small beautiful illusions by Danila and Lord Darrell, most relaxed and began to smile.
With those who were older, it was more difficult, but they could not resist the charm of Tiana.
And one morning another group of five children arrived, only they weren't people, elves. I even got confused somehow, looking at the pale beautiful faces, long blond hair, and pointed ears. Three boys and two girls. Mr. Yarvan Urgus, our combat magic teacher, came with them from the portal and reported that the parents of these children wished to teach their offspring in Riverstein. And if I am pleased to accept them, they will be very grateful to me.
I was confused to listen to the flowery regalia and clan names. The little elves bowed their heads respectfully.
- I am glad to welcome you to Riverstein," I smiled, wondering whether the elves should have separate bedrooms or live with the people.
- It's not everyone who wants to learn from you," the dark-haired elf smiled as Solmea took the children away, "all the talk of your school is in Eloar," he looked at me a little mockingly, "and it became fashionable to wear black dresses and loose hair at court. And to decorate the garden with icy sculptures.
I shook my head. Yes... I don't understand these elves.
On the first day of spring, Riverstein started classes. And my heart sang joyfully as the bell rang on the tower, and the students reached first for the ablution room, then for the refectory, and then for the student's room. Then silence spilled into Riverstein, and Tiana's voice was heard from behind the door, telling of the Power and the Source. And I felt how attentively she was being listened to, how little hearts were beating to the tune of her words, how something real and beautiful was born at that moment in the souls of little magicians.
It was magic. My own magic that made me want to sing.
One day I couldn't help myself, I opened the door and entered the student's room hoping to stand quietly in the corner and listen. But as soon as I took a step, all the disciples stood up and bowed their heads respectfully. In the children's eyes, looking at me, I saw an enthusiastic, almost loving expression, so sincere and strong that I froze, not understanding why my throat drops.
- Madam Guardian, a quiet rustle like a sigh.
Tiana smiled as she looked at me, and I too smiled, nodded, wished everyone good luck with their studies and went out.
There were more students every day, and not just people, so we were already thinking about getting the second wing cleaned up and furnished urgently.
In the evenings, my friends and I sat in the library or office, drinking wine and hot herbalist, discussing plans and current affairs. I smiled, and I saw the eyes of Schader light up in response to my smile.
The white cold was inside, but I never let it out. I couldn't help it. Almost.
* * *
But one day, my carefully lined rest was destroyed. Lightly, it cracked like a fist hitting an ice-hole, and it cracked and fell into the black water with shrapnel.
I sat with Shider in my office, leaning over the table, teaching me how to read the runes. The bell at the gate didn't ring a bell, but I could feel the protective shield flashed from someone else's magic, shaking without letting the stranger through. Lord Darrell sensed it too, frowned. I looked out the window. From the study the gates were visible, and behind them stood a black figure, with a spiral of maze on his chest. Dharhar was standing still, and at this distance I could not see his eye, but the alarm was jammed inside, his heart clenched in a vice.
- Don't go," Shaider grabbed my hand. I got free in a hurry, ran out to the stairs. Two flights and the lower hall flew like a bird. I ran out into the courtyard, not even taking my coat with me.
Dhira's transparent eyes were full of excitement, her teeth clenched.
- I need help, flower," he exhaled. I looked at his uniform. There was a blade of blood in his hand, a blade with blood in it.
- What's wrong with him? - I asked almost calmly.
- The palace was attacked. Rion has released too much Darkness... I don't know, he's not recovering. It's never happened before.
- The chickenpox," Shider grabbed my hand. I hadn't noticed he was around," you shouldn't do that! Don't go! Please don't go!
Lord Darrell looked at the dhira with a frank hatred.
- Shaider, I'll be back," I promised without looking at him, and Daarhar gave me the white rod of the portal I knew.
- Flower, perhaps you'd better close your ey
es," the advisor said with a tired mockery.
I touched the portal, and together we fell into a torn space.
* * *
Chaos. The palace. No... what's left of it...
The north wing is completely destroyed, from the white staircase there are only fragments sticking out like gravestones. And everywhere... corpses. The corridor, the stairs, the passages, all covered in demon corpses and covered in blood.
- I told you to close your eyes," said the dhir indifferently.
I swallowed the nausea coming up to my throat, and tried not to look around, chasing the dark demon figure. I tripped over someone's body a couple of times, and once my head rolled out under my feet... But the anxiety that burned me was so strong that I only stepped over it and rushed forward.
- The Outer Circle? - On the run, I asked.
- Yes. At the same time, they broke through the border and opened a portal to the palace.
- But it wasn't the Dark that killed those savages!
- These - yes, - said the Councillor, - with the first hundred, we were killed and so... or with two... I did not count.
I jumped over a pool of blood.
- Where are the guards?
- Almost everyone at the border.
- But how did the wild get through the shield?
- The portal," Darkhar whispered, "is a direct portal from the Supreme Palace to the Black Demon clan. Traitors... Hurry up.
The archharrion sat on the floor, leaning against the wall, his hands clenched, his eyes open. But they couldn't see us... The darkness spilled over his face, the body was covered in shreds, in bloody uniforms, bracelets ringed his hands.
I fell down next to him, put my palms on his chest and recoiled. Not a glimpse of light. One huge clot of the Primordial Darkness... I was thrown away by it easily, like a rag, hit so that I bent down trying to breathe. With my head waving, I sat next to it again and my palms on my chest. Once again, I hit the darkness, but this time I didn't even move, closed my eyes.
I was carried away into his darkness like a small boat into the ocean... The raging, scary, black ocean of infinity. There were no shores, nothing but a black lingering darkness, greedy and destructive power. I was thrown into it like a chip, threatening to destroy, absorb, drag to the bottom!
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