Читать книгу Faculty of Dragon Riders - Dmitry Nazarov - Страница 6

– If you don’t want to, don’t drink! I grumbled in annoyance, and I was doused again with a fountain of water.

More precisely, spat out directly from the mouth. So feed-poi after this wild dragons! After wiping the drooling water from my face, I looked around to see if there was anyone in the pens, after which I used a household spell to dry hair and skin, as well as a stronger one to dry clothes.

Today is the last day of the three-week ill-fated punishment! No more pens cleaning! Now I will be a good girl and I will never be caught! If they do not give additional punishment for yesterday’s jumping on the pictures.

– Why are you looking at me like that? – I turned to the dragon, who dared to spit out all the water that I carried him in buckets. – You won’t get any more. It’s not my fault that you were brought here. And I certainly didn’t cut off your paw.

Wild, in fact, it was a pity. Big, strong, but crippled – the front paw was missing. It was him that the beaters brought today. He was the one who ran amok in the backyard. Why we need him like this – violent and crippled – for the practice of students, I could not imagine. Yes, and arrogant, and ungrateful, and in general…

Sighing, I turned around sharply, but then almost fell on the fifth point: fortunately, they intercepted me in time, wrapping my arms around my waist. Otherwise, I would have flopped right into dragon dung. M-yes, it’s not pleasant.

– Master Dan, – I said in confusion, finally examining my sudden savior.

Or a scarecrow. It’s another side to look at.

– You can let me go.

– And where is the gratitude for saving your pride and at the same time the body? the dragon asked, but let me go.

I was able to step aside. Suddenly I thought, but he is also a dragon, judging by the latest information. Reasonable. Bisexual. Someone is also… uh… cleaning up behind his dragon? And in general, if a dragon eats more than a person, then where does it all go then? The dragon walks with this «load» in human form?

As dad would say: – You don’t think about it! – Really not about that. But these thoughts cheered me up and forced me to distract myself from the attractive black eyes with darkness swirling in them, at least for a moment. But, apparently, he is an onyx dragon.

– Thank you very much, Master Dan. But if you had not appeared behind me so suddenly and silently, this situation would have been completely avoided. Ah… – I paused and looked around. – What are you doing here? Do you have a stall here too?

The dragon’s eyes widened.

– A stall? he asked in surprise.

I nodded seriously.

– Yes. For your dragon. By the way, what does he eat? Exclusively meat or oats is also sometimes suitable?

– Oats? the dragon asked again in surprise.

Surprised or with the hope that they will give him some food?..

Still, it’s probably surprising. I did not expect such cordial care and kindness from me. Like me from yesterday’s «compliments» about the figure.

– Student Wilt, – Master Dan gnashed his teeth, – what are you only taught at this faculty of yours? – Do you know anything about sentient dragons?

– Not much, – I shrugged. – My profile is wild. But if your dragon needs oats, I can show you where they are…

– Student Wilt! Master Dan said loudly. Wow, that way he can give odds to our rector! Before that, only he managed to pronounce my last name so menacingly. Almost mine. I don’t need oats. And anticipating your next question: you shouldn’t clean up after me either. I manage myself. Thank you for this amazing dialogue. For the first time in my life, I felt…

– Beast? I prompted, and the master nodded.

– Good luck, student.

– Ah… – he quickly turned around and left the pens, so I uttered an unfinished question under my breath: – …why did you come?..

Strange dragon, very strange! Although, maybe they are all like that, I just don’t know many people?

Without becoming further to talk about it, I ran to the rector’s office. I’ll put my signature on the form for punishment, then I’ll wash myself!

– Master, – I entered the office after the permission of the secretary, Madame Jabot.

– Ah, it’s you, Wilt, – Master Ingvar waved his hand to a free chair and put a cup of tea on a saucer. – Come on, sit down.

His good-natured tone made me wary. Either he is planning a big nastiness, or there is already enough cognac in his tea. Or maybe both.

– Good afternoon, master, I came here to sign the form with the punishment, three weeks have expired. By the way, this noble emerald color suits you, – I said, trying to smile politely, and sat down in a chair. – And the perfume is so… is it possible that a novelty was brought to Madame Lucrezia’s shop?

The rector, a slightly overweight man with a bald head that he hid behind a bangs combed to one side, drew himself up. He straightened the cuffs that peeped out from under his green frock coat and cleared his throat.

– Let’s leave these, of course, flattering words for later, Alicia, – the rector said and took another sip of tea, which convinced me that there was cognac, otherwise he would not have been so addicted to this cup and his face would not have acquired such a relaxed expression after all a sip. – Yesterday there was one unpleasant incident, for which no one was held responsible.

More precisely, I did not bear responsibility, which in the case of rector Ingvar was considered an unforgivable omission!

By the way, the picture on the wall remained in the form that the boar gave her. That is, a half-naked rector flaunted on it. Apparently, Ingvar liked it so much that he has at least some press cubes somewhere that he decided not to remove the indecency, despite the fact that it could hurt the feelings of innocent girls!

Mine, of course.

But the rector didn’t care about my feelings.

The Magister hypnotized me with his gaze, tapping his fingers nervously on the tabletop. Can’t keep calm without miraculous tea? So I myself will pour him cognac now, since everyone from our stream knows where cognac is stored in the rector’s office. Only we will keep silent about that, the story was an old one, which happened in the first year.

– Well, where is he?

– Who? I was surprised.

– That magical creature, of course, – the man replied irritably, as if I should have read his mind.

– I don’t understand what you mean.

I honestly didn’t understand! The rector pursed his lips.

– Yesterday, you, student Wilt, broke into the rector’s office in a completely unacceptable, tactless way using a magical creature.

– If Madame Macy has already visited you, then you should know that I had no idea what kind of magical creature this was. I have become as much a victim of circumstance as you or Master Dan.

The rector narrowed his eyes and began tapping his fingers on the table again. I slowly pushed the punishment slip towards him. He had nothing to cover, so he had to pick up a pen. Lifting it over the paper, he gave me a cold look. I smiled ingratiatingly.

The sweeping signature has been delivered! Hooray! Time to tick away.

– Wait, student Wilt, – the rector suddenly stopped me, – and who, three days ago, after lights out, stole four pies from Madame Humphrey’s kitchen?

Not four, but two! – I was indignant, and the rector narrowed his eyes rather.

I bit my tongue. Oh fool! I would have been silent, I would have been more whole. That’s what my father told me: the sense of justice in me must be eradicated. But I really did steal it: then I stayed in the pens longer than usual, skipping dinner, I was hungry, I went into the kitchen, there was no one there, so I took them: fresh, ruddy, not specially prepared for the rector. I took not only for myself, the second honestly gave Adin.

– Two weeks of cleaning the dragon pens, – the master said contentedly, thus causing me an irresistible desire to declassify my knowledge of the alcohol cache and personally pour cognac for the rector. With him, he is adequate, by God!

So, Alicia, breathe in, breathe out, everything is fine. Think two weeks! You once cleaned all semester and nothing… nothing but pride was hurt. But the character was tempered and disgust disappeared. Forever and ever she left, waving goodbye with a white handkerchief.

Yes, even if I fell into a pile of dung in front of the dragon today, I would disappoint him: I have no pride after that trimester, so I would dust myself off and go. Delov something!

– Good, Master! Take away the punishment form from Madame Jabot?

The rector was not ready for my calmness, and therefore he was confused. But Master Ingvar would not have been himself if he had not quickly pulled himself together and added even more vindictively:

– You won’t go to the Autumn Ball either – you’ll clean the pens.

Autumn ball is sacred!

For what?!

Imagination quickly drew a picture: I, with a pitchfork in my hands, in glass shoes and in a white shiny dress, stand in the middle of the paddock and shift manure from one pile to another…

Brr. This is overkill!

– Not fair!

– Talk to me here! Then you will spend the Winter Ball in the corrals.

I was blown away by the wind. More precisely, I was actually blown away by the wind. The rector waved his hand, the door swung open, the chair soared, and a few seconds later I was already in the rector’s waiting room. Gritting my teeth, I rose to my feet and smiled at Madame Jabot. Or rather, grinned. The rector’s secretary, an advanced lady with flowing wavy gray hair and scarlet lips, was unimpressed. She quickly wrote out a form of punishment for me and looked frowningly, shifting her glasses to her nose.

– The door is there, – the woman pointed out.

Proudly lifting my chin, I got up and walked to the exit. A plan of revenge was going to pieces in my head. Oh, Mr. Rector, you will regret it, oh you will regret it!

– Everything? Is the punishment over? Adin asked when I returned to the room after a shower.

By the way, now it was warm in the hostel! I would even say hot, so everyone opened the windows to somehow breathe in the air. The caretaker, apparently out of revenge for having forced the boiler room to work so early, took revenge on all of us in such a sophisticated and very wasteful way.

There was no doubt about who caused the early heating. Master Dan! Just a dragon. Otherwise, our supply manager would not have led with his ear, he does not even obey the rector.

– If! I got a new sentence.

Adin sighed and shook her head.

– Oh, and why is he breathing so unevenly towards you?

Who would tell me!

– And he also forbade me to appear at the Autumn Ball, – I complained.

Adin pressed her hand to her heart. Her eyes filled with tears, which she quickly wiped away.

– Tyrant! Despot! Fanatic! Satrap…

Adin, even before night, came up with various names for the rector, but I remembered the black eyes of one dragon. He has a lecture tomorrow. I wonder what awaits me on it?..

There was a knock on the door. Adin and I looked at each other, and then went to open it: Clara and several other girls from our faculty showed up behind the threshold with sweets and bottles in their hands.

– What’s this?

– Like what? Clara was indignant, winking. – This is a provision for celebrating a successful individual practice!

– Come in, dear guests, – Adin immediately wedged in, removing notebooks and books from the desktop. We are always glad to see such guests. Will there be cherry filling?

– Mom recently spun, – one of the girls confirmed, and the smile on Adeen’s face grew even wider.

I initially did not like this idea with nightly gatherings, but… and what do I have to lose? The autumn ball has already been banned! Will winter be banned? Yes, okay! Then my revenge on the rector will be more grandiose!

After about three bottles of liquor, a simply «great» idea popped into Clara’s head:

Let’s take a look at this new teacher!

I hiccupped, pushing down my half-drunk cup of liqueur. Cleared up in my head. Exactly for a moment. And then my lips stretched into a wicked smile. I suddenly realized that I really want to see this black-eyed impudent dragon!

See and poke fun! In a sober state, I would never have thought of such a thing, but in a drunken state…

– I support! the rest of the girls agreed, only Adin squinted suspiciously and looked at me.

– Maybe we should not? I woke up common sense.

You are boring, Alicia! Don’t you really want to know what color our dragon’s eyes are?

I already knew what color they were, but wisely kept silent. Needless to say, I got a good look at them.

– It’s without me, – I said decisively and stood up, immediately staggering.

What about you, Adin? Clara switched to my friend. Will you support the idea? Well, don’t be shy!

Adin gave me a pleading look, but I shook my head. The alcohol was already enough for the brain to work with difficulty. But I didn’t want a new punishment at all!

– Adin? – Clara repeated with pressure, and her friend gave up.

– Bad idea, very bad, – I muttered.

I had to go with them, because I knew: a neighbor always gets into trouble, from which she has to be rescued. However, in this we are similar, only from my troubles I usually rescue myself. Or I rake to the fullest. Here’s how lucky.

We got out through the window using levitation. Have you seen drunk girls levitating? I haven’t seen the night watch either. Luckily, I didn’t see it. After landing, we filed off in the direction of the teachers’ dormitory: it stood alone on the outskirts of the park.

– Girls, give me a minute, – I suddenly remembered one necessary prank, since I decided on this outing.

The girls did not understand me, and I ran towards the corrals. Scooping some oats into my pants pockets, I imagined Master Dan’s expression when he saw the «gift» on the table.

You should also leave a note: «Bon appetit!» Giggling, I headed back. And when I got there, I realized that the girls had already easily entered the open window of the teachers’ quarters: apparently, because of the heat, it was open, and besides, it was on the first floor. Eh, did Master Dan not even protect them with magic? What kind of irresponsible person is this? Fuck you dragon!

Although many do not magically protect the chambers. Why is it when there is a powerful defense throughout the academy, and patrol magicians guard the territory both at night and during the day?

Or Master Dan simply does not care about his chambers. With his habit of moving through non-stationary portals, I would not be surprised that his chambers here are only nominal.

But I’ll leave the oats anyway.

Groaning, I also climbed out the window. The girls were here in the living room, and were already heading resolutely into the bedroom when the siren sounded. Looks like someone got caught. The accomplices, shrieking, frightenedly rushed back to the open window. Adin caught her dress on a chair, so I had to disentangle her, and then seat her on the windowsill. And on time! A second later, the dorm was covered in a red spell net.

She managed to jump, but I didn’t.

I instantly sobered up. Farewell, winter ball at the academy!

– Run! whispered to her friend.

A moment of doubt – and Adin nods, running away towards the alley.

I rushed to one of the doors of the chambers, which were locked. Really lucky to stumble upon an office? I rushed to the next door, but did not have time to get far: they grabbed my arm and turned me around. I literally imprinted in the male body. Yes, what is it! How long can you press me in such a free way?

– Student Wilt, did you bring oats with you? – they said just above my ear with malice in my voice.

How did you know about oats? I especially wanted to leave him in the room! Now it’s kind of embarrassing. On an almost sober head.

There were footsteps in the corridor, followed by a knock on the door. A man’s hand fell on my lips, unequivocally calling for silence.

– Master Dan, are you all right? – Allow me to enter, students have entered the hostel. Everything needs to be checked.

– Is it because of the fear of the students that such a fuss has risen? the dragon asked with a grin. – I beg your pardon, but I’m already going to bed.

A few seconds of silence, after which the indifferent answer of the guard:

– Good dreams, Mr. Dan.

A minute later I was released.

– Thank you, – I said with a sigh of relief. – Next time I will definitely bring oats with me and thank you, there are still a lot of them in the pens. Or you come somehow, I’ll sleep generously. I was stuck there for at least two weeks. I’ll even miss the Autumn Ball.

Were you punished for what happened yesterday? Master Dan asked tensely, as if right now he was ready to go solve my problems and eliminate injustice.

I wanted to say yes, yes, yes, but no, no, no. Conscience, damn it!

– Unfortunately, not because of yesterday.

– Then why? – the man asked in a more cheerful tone.

– Because of two pies. Stolen, – I admitted, lowering my head in guilt.

For a while the man looked at me in surprise, and then he laughed. There were even tears in the corners of her eyes.

– Student Wilt, you never cease to amaze me! Are you ready to feed me with oats, but do you drag pies from the dining room for yourself? For the future, if by then you have not already left your thief career: I also like pies. With meat.

I frowned, not knowing what to answer. There was a knock on the door. I shuddered in fear. The Magister winked and reopened the portal to my room. Only this time I was alone: Adin hadn’t returned yet.

– Master, – I began, biting my lip, – my friend… she doesn’t seem to be back yet. And she gets caught.

Are you suggesting that I follow her? – the dragon was surprised, and I nodded guiltily. – You do not have impudence, student Wilt.

– Please, Master! If you have helped me, you will certainly not refuse to help my friend. You are so wonderful, kind, sympathetic…

– You won’t get off with pies alone, student Wilt, – the man grunted, after which he disappeared into the portal.

I bit my lip. What am I doing? I ask the teacher to violate the student charter! What a nightmare! What a disgrace!

A minute later, the master returned through the portal with the sleeping girl in his arms, whom he laid on the bed. For a moment, she experienced an irrational feeling of jealousy. I’m just too attached to Adin, to her!

Thank you Mr Dan. Thanks a lot.

– Your oats spilled out of your pocket a little, – the man remarked casually, and I blushed deeply. The dragon quite seriously and even ominously added: – You are now in my debt.

Is Adin all right? I missed the last one.

– I put her to sleep so she wouldn’t remember who helped her.

Thanks again, Master! As a thank you, I can give you one valuable piece of advice.

– Advice? The man wondered, raising his eyebrows. He seems to be seriously interested.

– Master Dan, be sure to close the windows in the chambers! After all, they can marry you.

– How is that?

He needs to explain everything. A dragon not trained in human female tricks at all.

– They will open the door at night, sneak into bed, undress and raise a squeal, they say, they have dishonored a girl. And then you get married. Do you need it?

– No need, – the dragon replied with a grin and took a step forward. I am back. – But you won’t catch me like that. I marry only my couple, there is nothing for others to catch. That’s why I’m not afraid of such female tricks.

– Then the council is withdrawn.

I sighed, feeling a weight descend on my body. The energy from alcohol began to pass and was replaced by fatigue. The master seemed to understand this, picked me up in his arms and laid me on the bed. The last thing I remembered was the tickling warm breath touching my lips.