The first thing that struck me - lace. It was really a lot, and in the form of different bandwidths, and in the form of finished products - collars and cuffs, basically. There were also some women lace pieces, or to pin up her hair, or somewhere else, I'm in this little understood.
A lot of space in the wooden crafts. I for the first time in my life seen so many products of this tree, and they were simply amazing! Different size and shaped bowls and dishes, some boxes, jewelry boxes, beer mugs - everything was done very skillfully, and decorated with intricate carvings. In the corner of the room was even a rocking horse, extremely similar to the present.
The whole rack occupied shoes. They were almost identical, differing from each other in size. There were no frills, simple rugged leather shoes, and wore only a people living in the area. One pair - for years to come.
There were some other leather products - belts cords, something incomprehensible, or harness, or sword belt, but it caught my attention is the top shelf of the rack far. There metallically glistening something strange, I did not see what it was, but I was suddenly like a magnet pulled it to the shelf, everything else I have not looked.
- Donald, listen - whisper I said to someone - and that's where, in the left corner at the top?
- Oh, it's n-crafts Mr. Shaw. Strange toys, children are afraid of them, so no one is buying. Yes, and they are very expensive.
- And you can see?
I turned to the boy, standing behind the counter. The women had already left, so I turned to him.
- Hi. Could you show us there are strange things, on the top shelf?
- And then suddenly, I owe you something to show? Are you customers? Maybe you have money? Go away, little assholes! - He put his hands in his pockets, and contempt stuck out his lower lip.
- Nn-but Miss Emily ... It is us nn-sent ... - the fear and uncertainty Donnie began to stutter more.
- Mm-me, b-b-be that you bleesh like a sheep? Your friend that he can not answer? Or it is as a lamb? - the guy spat on the floor. - You are now two such scatty? Here is Ronnie would be delighted, he likes such zauchek educate.
enemy level I could see, and he is not inspired. Translucent plate pleased with the data, "Bob Scott, a teenager, 7 level." Seventh! Against my second. There was, however, even Donald, with his fifth, but the sense of it, I'm sure it would be a little bit.
- I can answer myself. The answer is - yes, the money we have. Are you full of shit coward, once accustomed to offend those who are weaker. - Most likely, now I get blows, it is unlikely that I have any chance against him. But stepping back now, then I'll always be in the position of a weakling.
I must say that my words made an impression. Bob's eyes just climbed out of their sockets. Being one of the older kids at the orphanage, he obviously was not accustomed to resist.
He pulled from his pocket a metal object, and I, for some reason, very quietly I thought - well, that's all. Brass knuckles, not smooth, but with additional spikes on the knuckles ... Taking into account that a guy heavier than me and a half times, a cut above, and certainly the experience of street fights he had - I definitely end.
Donnie, apparently thinking the same way as quickly moved behind my back to the door and opened the door. Well, now I will beat him, and maybe kill, and even witnesses would not.
- Just touch it, and I'll scream! - thin, broken voice, almost screeching Donald made me wince. - I ZAOr so that hears the whole city! You do not have time to do anything to him, as a crash on the street, and then sit in jail! Do you understand? I am not kidding!
- Oh, the sheep showed teeth? - the guy smirked - and then what will happen to you, you know?
- I do not care, the main thing - you get your! - Donnie was clearly determined. Apparently, he had suffered from great these guys, and now it is simply overflowing cup. Noticing that the big man hesitated, not so strongly getting out from behind the counter, I decided to add drama:
- Donnie, come on, scream, call all! I hold out a couple of minutes! - in fact, the guy could knock me with one blow. But I pretended to be confident in his abilities, his legs spread wide and raising clenched fists to the face, mimicking the ability to box, which was present only in theory.
Donnie was preparing to yell when Bob went back on their word. He dipped his hand with brass knuckles in his pocket, pulled out a second already empty:
- What are you, my friends, everything is fine. Well argued, who does not happen. Why would someone call that we ourselves will not understand? So what did you want to see? - as if nothing had happened he said to me, - there on that shelf? Who'll get.
The system said my victory another achievement, and pleased with the addition of one, this time to appeal. Strange, is not quite appropriate name for the parameter, given that it is responsible, inter alia, and for intimidation. Well, okay, not my business.
Bob, meanwhile, took the top shelf, interesting things for me. It turned out to be a strange kind of toys. All of them were made of yellow metal - copper or brass.
One was a bird sitting on the edge of the drinker, the second - a little man, a palm size, a uniform and saber, the third was a box stunning beauty octagonal, with dancing couple on the lid.
The toys were clockwork. I do not know that I was so attracted to them, in appearance, they were simple mechanical machines, which performed a few movements. They were popular in wealthy homes 300 years ago, there in the real world, and at times were amazingly complex and expensive.
I turned the small key sticking in the back of a mechanical bird. I had earlier seen such birds than once. Now she will drink from the drinking bowls, turn your head, may even clap their wings, and disgusting food.
The bird turned its head and pecked me in the finger.
- Ouch! - at your fingertip bead made a drop of blood. - What is this crap ??
The bird did not take her eyes off me. More precisely shiny black beads, replacing her eyes, but she clearly saw me! How can that ever be?
Yes, she turned her head, as it should be. Just do not mechanically, obeying the plant key and the gears, and clearly conscious, trying to keep everyone in sight. I put a hand closer to grab her, and to consider in detail, but there it was. The bird suddenly flapped its wings, and jerked around the calf forward, almost taking off into the air.
From another attempt my hand saved by the fact that the poultry drinking bowl, which is integral with her legs, was rather massive and heavy, and fell back on the table, yanked back the aggressor. Realizing that pinch off a piece of my finger she did not leave, indignant bird spread her wings, opened its beak and let out a sound: "Ke ...", which quickly turned into a wheeze, after which she again stopped moving.
- What was it? - I took a deep breath, noticing that all this time in surprise, I did not even breathe.
- Well, toys, what else. Now you understand why no one buys? - I came from the door hunger Donnie. He just stood there in the doorway, still not trusting Bob.
- And ... they're all so aggressive? - to tell the truth, I was interested in something else. For example, the way that damn bird could see me glass beads, or why it is easy to move and not bent in those places where it has been a joint and joints? And finally, with what a joy she was behaving like a living being brass?
But I could not ask such questions seeing that others, it comes as no surprise.
This time I said, Bob, and remarkably peacefully. Apparently, our desperate confrontation with Donnie helped to achieve a certain bit of respect.
- Well, we did not see the other. But they say that somewhere in the Regent Square is a huge toy store - kid's eyes were dreamy - and there is the same, only normal. And many others - men, beasts of all sorts of different ...
- And these? All evil? - I could not calm down.
- No, the music box with nothing but very dreary, and it features all mad - Bob pointed to the soldier. - Look.
He reached under the counter a small wooden box, put it in a toy, and a couple of times turned the key. Immediately otdernuv
hand, the guy barely escaped the cut, when the mechanical soldier abruptly waved tiny sabelki.
Unable to overcome the high wall of the box for him, the little man running around, brandishing their weapons. No sounds he did not publish, he was cast steel head and mouth would not open. But at the same time his little face was contorted with rage. In half a minute of throwing the plant had stopped, the figure froze.
All dead - Bob grinned, holding out his hand to the little soldier - Aaay !!! Oh shit! - as it turned out, the toy merely pretended fixed, to get closer to the enemy.
- So, all you bring down here, - not being able to thwart the evil on the road crafts, kid switched to us - because of you all!
- Sherlock, come true - came from behind the voice of Donnie - we still have a lot to do.
Realizing that an angry Bob is now unlikely to show us the music box, I nodded thoughtfully to someone, and left the shop. We moved just a few meters into the yard like Donnie stopped abruptly. I barely had time to slow down so as not printed directly on his back.
Looking up, I realized what was happening exactly what I did not really want in this situation. Donald was going to say thank-you speech, or something like that. I had already felt uncomfortable.
- Sherlock, - he said, I would like to say thank you ...
- Do not. Do not need many words, I beg you. In fact, it is necessary to thank me. If not for you, then I have a few minutes could scrub away from the floor. It was a very bold move.
- You think so? - Donny smiled shyly. - I was pretty scared then. Just before his death.
- But you do not run away. And that Bob is still the shit, I see ...
- Yeah, there's still there, Ronnie, his friend. He even frostbitten, it all fear - Donald shivered - it is not clear how it ends ...
- Okay, do not drift! We're together now, - I held his hand for a handshake Donnie - friends?
- Friends!
- So, what do we have on the plan? - you need else would bypass all the "masters" as they called Miss Emily, whoever they were not there.
- Well, let's go to Mrs. Rose. She teaches cooking, can show how to plant plants that knows how to make a soothing tea and dill water. Even ointments and tinctures can do.
Yeah, I mentally compiled, ie cooking, maybe herbalism, or gardening, and some rudimentary medicine. Profession, of course, useful, but, as for me, ladies ... Not interested.
Acquainted with Mrs. Rose, full, good-natured middle-aged woman, I was convinced of their guesses. A modest vegetable garden was laid out the backyard shelter, where ripened quite good cabbages, carrots and autumn. Also be present small glass Teplicka with some grass, and attached to the wall of the house, which passed the chimney.
Learn to cook, I did not want, so, introduced me to the cook, we moved on to the next master, ie the skilled worker - Madame Gasquet. She was a small, dark, very lively woman talking with a noticeable accent, and could teach me how to sew, embroider and weave lace. I must say, these studies have also not particularly inspired, therefore, to squeeze out a few compliments her skills, I hastened to say goodbye.
Follow the wizard was a man, Mr. Robinson. He taught everyone carpentry and artistic cutting of wood, as well as working with leather. That was interesting. I liked his works exhibited in the charity shop. They were really, really beautiful.
Work with the skin, I immediately dismissed. Maybe I'm wrong, but did not want me to stitch boots, that's the life of me. I did not want it. There was no other arguments. But of the tree it was worth to think about ...
- Donnie, let's go to the next? - it is necessary to see everyone and then decide.
- And all, no more - Donald response was an understatement, surprise.
- How that? And this, Mr. as his ... which makes toys? Mr. Shaw, remembered ...
- So it does not make them a long time, it is already 15 years old how. And it does not teach anything.
Strange. Judging by the fact that the quest will not be counted, still I should visit him. Yes, I definitely would have gone without a quest, such a strong impression on me these mechanical monsters.
- And who is he did this? - I must admit, it was becoming more and more interesting.
- Well, no one knows exactly, say it to some distant relative of Miss Emily, but it's just a rumor. He's sitting all the time in her closet, and comes out only when you need to clean the fireplace. - Donnie looked around, and began to speak softly - but many people think that he does crazy. When he came out of his basement last guys heads to tease him, so he threw the baby in Bo crutch, and almost did not Pryshyb.
- Crutch?
- Well, yes, it lame, he walks with a crutch.
Well I'm so lucky it! Again crippled. I hope that this meeting will not end with just sad for me as a Trickster.
In any case, the quest to be closed, have to go then.
- Well, I'll try to close to him not to approach, and you stand out at all. If anything - run away. - At that decided to do.
Old Man Shaw, as he called Donnie, lived in the basement, with entrance from the backyard, around the same vein, Molly. With a minute to our knock nobody spoke, then he heard the hoarse old voice:
- Well, someone out there has brought the unclean? Go to hell! - the door remained closed. I did not give up and continued to pound into her hard, ready at any moment to jump and ask Strekachev, at the slightest danger of being dejected crutch.
The first lost patience with Mr. Shaw, the door opened, and appeared on the threshold a tall old man, completely gray, with disheveled hair and unkempt beard. I must say, he looked, in spite of old age, it is very impressive and menacing.
- Oh, it's you at last! For a long time I was waiting for you. Come quickly! - issuing this tirade, the old man turned around, and again disappeared into the depths of his home, leaving us with Donny in complete bewilderment.
We looked at each other.
- What did you see? - I asked my friend. He silently shook his head.
- Me neither. Let's go to?
- Let's go to.
For a moment, stumbling over the threshold, we have also stepped into the darkness.
Chapter 8.
I must say that it was dark only by comparison with the street. While we are cautiously holding on to each other, rather short way down the stairs, his eyes a little accustomed to the surroundings and the very room in which we find ourselves as a result, the more a pair of dim lit oil lamps, do not look so much darker.
To my surprise, it was not crowded anyhow some junk, but when something expensive, downright luxurious furnishings. Now, however, scrapes and scratches, and in some places and tan mutilated polishing. Silk upholstery, once red, now a dirty red, shamelessly exhibited wool inside sofas and armchairs in the many gaps.
Old Man Shaw remarkably fit into the environment. In his greasy, sometimes ragged robe to the floor, with unkempt beard and a pipe in his hand, he seemed to be an integral part of it.
- Well? How long you'll be there to mess around? - he pointed at the tube sagging sofa. - Take two.
Honestly, I was so stunned and the environment, and a host of colorful, that of confusion forgot what I was going to ask ... A couple of minutes later we looked at each other, the old man coolly puffed sleeve.
- Why are you waiting for me? - Finally, I choked.
- I was told you were coming, and I must say I expected that you look up to me first!
- Um, we were here in the shop - I do not really understand what was my fault, but just in case, decided to change the subject - see your toys ...
- And?
- They are very interested in me - is an understatement, I just tore to pieces a desire to know how he did it.
- I do not make toys for 17 years. And no one is teaching ... - old club released stinking smoke, leaned back in his chair.
- Well, I told you - I whispered Donny - go from here.
- I did not teach, - the old man raised his voice, - but I will teach you!
- Why? - I, frankly, for ours
elves have not decided if I want to learn from Mr. Shaw. Toys, of course, interesting, but the practical application of them I have not seen.
- I'm going to teach you because ... - The old man paused dramatically, and again shoved into the mouth tube. I suddenly felt that I have been involved in a bad performance.
- Because I have chosen? - No, but what? We are, after all, in the game.
My words are clearly reduced degree of drama. The old man laughed, then immediately began to cough, choking on smoke.
- You're an idiot, not elected! Because I asked about my granddaughter.
- Granddaughter?
- Emily. You're really stupid or just pretending?
- I did not know that your granddaughter Emily - that is mischievous grandfather.
- Yes, she's my granddaughter. And you, young man, you must first learn politeness before starting to learn something else! - suddenly he held out a stick, on which rests a crutch, I would not call it, and snapped my leg! It hurts, damn!
- Excuse me, sir! - I jumped out of a sagging couch - I'm sorry, sir, that you took the time! I do not want anything to learn from you, sir. Come on, Donny, - I pulled the arm of a friend. I must say all the time, Donald sat in silence, with a rather stunned views.
- Yes, yes, you bring down to hell! That's what I tell my granddaughter when she comes to ask for one more minor dunce! Yes, and I will say - the mechanics, the science is too complicated for the idiots who do not even trained to politely refer to an older man!
Damn it! Yes, I'm an idiot, man show rights. Only an idiot could not see the obvious. Mechanical toys ... mechanical. Mechanics! It's exactly the skill that is needed in order to open and start the uncle's watch. Although at the moment it from me and has not been, but I expected them to return.
You can certainly try to justify my stupidity even the fact that I was so impressed by the amazing vitality of these monsters, he forgot everything else. In any case, you need to be urgently corrected.
Donnie meanwhile almost out of the room. I pulled back the sleeve of each other, now directing back.
Named Sherlock Page 10