Читать книгу Faculty of Dragon Riders - Dmitry Nazarov - Страница 8

– Oh, you!..

There were no good words. Indecent, however, too, because I was not taught them. No, no, I heard them, from the grooms, most often, but I never used them in speech, even mentally. I’m a decent girl!

A decent wet girl, more like a chicken. This wild demon once again refused to drink, took water in his mouth and doused me from head to toe with it! I also sprinkled oats on top. Not out of revenge for the elder brother, reasonable. Although I would doubt the wisdom of Master Dan.

– Are you determined to die of hunger? she asked directly.

Wild snorted and turned away. There was nothing beautiful about him: a gray color, sometimes downed skin growths, scratches, and even no front paw. Apparently, he is one of the weakest in his tribe, so he often snatched. Although not surprising, with his character.

No, I definitely felt sorry for the dragon. But to show pity towards him was wrong, humiliating, so I even mentally tried not to allow such thoughts. He is strong in spirit, since he endured so much. Cope!

– You can, of course, die, but not on my shift, – she said with pathos and went to the well.

She took a bucket of water, washed herself and stomped back. Poured. And she was wet again. After all, I’m trying to influence magic, but my magic is like words for a deaf-mute!

– I ask for the last time in a good way! Then I will feed from a shovel, agreed? She asked sternly, putting her hands on her hips.

The dragon was dumbfounded by the pressure and turned to me, looking like I was insane. Well, I thought so. It’s just that they are wild like pets, they seem to understand something, but not literally. And then the look is as if he really understood something.

– That’s it, I went for the seventh time for water, and you sit here and get ready. This delicious piece of meat is for you, you understand? And they shouldn’t wipe the floor anymore. I will wash it, pour water for you, and you will have supper like an obedient boy.

The obedient boy looked attentively. And as soon as I turned around, he pushed me with his muzzle in the back, right into the dunghill. Instincts worked: I used magic, hovering in the air a couple of centimeters from the fiasco.

I hope no one saw. The dragon had to carry water until the evening, and then I, exhausted and dissatisfied with life, went to the shower. We’ll see who wins!

When I returned, the corridors of the academy were empty. This is for the best. I was planning to visit Magister Elaine’s lab and prepare an anti-love potion, because… just the reaction of my own body to one unbearable dragon was very alarming! I might as well lose my head. We must prepare the potion before it’s too late.

I made a duplicate key to the laboratory a long time ago, in my first year. It just so happened that my relationship with Siena didn’t work out for me from the very beginning: the girl tried to strengthen her authority at my expense, infringing on my rights, but I didn’t agree to this alignment. And unleashed a war with her. What later I repeatedly regretted, because how much effort, time and nerves were spent! My father would definitely scold me for that.

«Alix, diplomacy is the best science of all time! Sometimes even more effective than magic. Never get into conflict if you can avoid it. Even if you emerge victorious, losses on both sides are inevitable,» as I now remember the words of my father.

She even shuddered in front of the very door of the laboratory, she was so immersed in memories. Taking the key out of a secret pocket, which I personally sewed to my trousers, I inserted it into the lock and went inside, after which I carefully closed the door behind me and put the key back in my pocket.

Wonderful! Where do we get the right ingredients?

I tried to work quietly and not make noise. I enjoyed making potions and the experience was great! When Siena and I went to war, I had only one type of revenge: potions. I had to cunningly make a duplicate of the keys, having spent the last money on it at the shoemaker’s in the city, and then brew various harmful potions in the laboratory, with which I responded to Siena’s dirty tricks. More precisely, they were not made by the daughter of the count herself, but by her loyal subjects, but she was the instigator.

It was then that we also clashed with the rector. Siena was his favorite (no way because of her father’s money), but I made life difficult for his favorite, and he couldn’t even convict me. Then came relatively unfair punishments for all sorts of little things that never ended. But Rector Ingvar was especially infuriated by the indifference with which I reacted to his attempts to break me.

Ha, attacked the wrong one!

The protective anti-love potion was already ready. I put the vial in a leather pouch and attached it to the belt of my trousers, after which I began to put away all the ingredients and vials. I always took everything from the top shelves of the racks: they rarely made an inventory there, which means that the loss will be noticed in a month or two, when the robbery of the laboratories will not be caught. And now, out of habit, I climbed the stairs of one of the shelves that stood like in a library – in parallel, blocking off work areas from each other – and deftly scattered the ingredients into jars when I heard the sound of turning the key in the keyhole.

Heart ran to the heels. I put out the magic lamps and clung to the rack, praying to all the gods that they would not notice me.

– He came here for a reason, Julie, – I heard Magister Orand’s voice and quieted down, clutching the stairs with cold fingers. – I’m sure of it.

The magic lamps against the far wall lit up, but I was still in the semi-darkness. She breathed out a little.

– Vincent, you’re paranoid, – Magister Elaine concluded as she locked the door and walked over to the podium from which she began gathering papers. – The dragon was hired by Master Ingvar to train students. And, by the way, laid out a tidy sum.

– Do you seriously think that Magister Yngvar would pay that kind of money to have an intelligent dragon teach at the Dartan Academy? – the master asked skeptically. – Yes, Ingvar is a miser!

I covered my nose with my hand. How dusty it is! With difficulty, she kept from sneezing, continuing to pretend to be invisible. Luckily, I couldn’t see from here.

– Ingvar – maybe, but Prince Oliver, who recently took custody of the academy, is not a fool at all. He wants to establish ties with Drakmar, which is why he invited a specialist here. This is his initiative. I beg you, stop looking for a second bottom in everything!

– Julie, – the teacher sighed and pulled the girl towards him. I saw everything through the gap between the shelves. «Don’t you understand, I’m just worried about us. I’m worried that we’ll be discovered ahead of time, before we have time… you know?

– I understand, Vincent, – the Magister continued more tenderly. But we have nothing…

– Apchi! Unable to stand it, I sneezed and immediately covered my mouth with my hand.

– Who’s here?!

Gotcha! Demons! She ran down the stairs and ran to the window.

Opening the shutters before the master turned on the protective blocking spell, I jumped down. I never had the best relationship with levitation, but now I managed to correct the course a little to the left, closer to the bushes, and in the dark I couldn’t see anything.

And I would have levitated to my feet if someone’s hands had not intercepted me, pressing me against a strong body. Almost screaming, I rested my palms on the man’s chest.

– Who was that? I heard Magister Elaine’s frightened voice from above.

My unexpected invader understood everything without difficulty and pressed me against the wall, just behind the bushes that sheltered us from the curious look from above. Definitely a very close look!

A familiar scent hit my nose. I couldn’t help but recognize him. At the same time, I wanted to take a deep breath… I urgently need to drink an anti-love potion, urgently!

The man opened above us an invisible, but tangible shield from the inside, sheltering us from the search spells of the masters.

– Master Dan, what are you doing here? – I decided to ask, breathing in surprise into his neck.

– I catch beautiful students who can’t sleep at night. By the way, why can’t you sleep?

– I can’t close my eyes when I think that while I’m sleeping, you won’t have anyone to catch, – I answered as I walked, continuing to inhale the scent of a man.

A little sharp, coniferous. He flew in a pine forest and only recently returned?

– What nobility, – the teacher grunted and suddenly leaned over.

Just at that moment, when I decided to raise my head. Our noses touched. I exhaled convulsively and tried to move away, but there was only a wall behind me, and in front of me was a rock man who couldn’t be moved. It’s easier than a wall!

And somewhere there were the voices of Magister Elaine and Magister Orand, who levitated behind me.

And here he was. With its pine scent. She swallowed, unable to look away. Master Dan continued to hold me close. He could open the portal right now and stop this madness, but he continued to stand, listen to the whispers of his colleagues and cling to one windy female student in a completely shameless way.

– There is no one here, – Magister Orand said nervously. – Either this spy took cover with a shield, or managed to escape.

– You shouldn’t be so worried. He heard nothing in particular, Magister Elaine assured him. You are being too dramatic.

– Perhaps, – the man did not argue, and together with his beloved, they returned to the office in the same way that they had gone down.

I was able to breathe a sigh of relief. He saved me! Which time. Shielded us both. How strong is dragon magic?

– Thank you, – I sincerely thanked, whispering literally into my lips. The dragon nodded, nuzzling me lightly again. This simple action caused my body to stretch along the string.

– And what did you hear, student Wilt? the dragon asked, narrowing his eyes.

Oh, something strange and mysterious. Master Elaine and Master Orand have some secrets! Moreover, Master Dan should never know about them. Very strange and mysterious. Mysteries have always fascinated me…

– Something indecent, which I can’t repeat because of my puritanical views, – she answered confidently.

I had no intention of revealing the secrets of Dartania’s subjects to foreigners. At least until I figure out what’s going on.

– Opinions can always be changed, – he said, barely audible.

– What? I asked, but the man said nothing, only stared thoughtfully at the wall. «Master Dan, don’t you think it’s time to step back?»

– I don’t think.

Is this the whole answer? Nothing to even cover.

– Master Dan?

– Student Wilt, don’t you think you get into trouble too often?

– Don’t you think that you are too often around when I get into these very troubles? – I retorted.

– Maybe I’m your keeper? – The Holy Spirit sent down to our sinful world for your protection.

– I’m sure if there are any, they’ll be less gifted with malice than you, magister.

What am I saying? Inappropriate for a teacher who also saved me! But in his arms, I literally lose my head. We need to drink the potion quickly!

The dragon chuckled and pulled away, but not for long. Grabbing my hand, he literally pulled me towards him, slamming me into his body and at the same time dragging me into the portal.

We left in my room. Adin was not, most likely, the girl went to the shower. I immediately pulled away from the master.

– Thank you very much, Master Dan. Good evening.

And she glanced with a hint, waiting for the man to open another portal and quickly leave the girls’ room of the women’s dormitory. But for some reason he hesitated. Perhaps he is not so omnipotent and the magical reserve is over? Not enough for another portal?

– And what were you doing in Master Elaine’s lab? – the dragon suddenly asked.

I shrugged

– Preparing sleeping pills. Lately I’ve been having nightmares.

– And in reality. And you are to blame, Master Dan, – she added mentally. The dragon, for some reason, did not believe me, sniffed the air, leaning slightly, and grinned.

– Really? Very strange. The smell of the ingredients is all too familiar. Are you, student Wilt, going to protect yourself from me with an anti-love potion? he asked, and his voice was so… so… satisfied, in general. With notes of superiority. – Did you fall prey to my charms?

– Master Dan, let me ask you a question within the framework of the curriculum, – I said, taking control of my emotions, and after a nod from the teacher, I continued: – Is self-confidence and a complete lack of tact a trait of all sentient dragons or exclusively black ones?

The last question was a trick. Adin said that she did not know what clan Master Dan belongs to, but I could clearly see the color of his eyes. This is darkness. ruling clan.

He took a step forward. I am back. He takes another step, literally pressing me against the wall, without taking his eyes off my eyes. Demons tear apart these black pools! How many emotions are in them, how much is forbidden in them. It drives you crazy, makes your thoughts confuse, and your heart beats faster.

The magister squeezed my wrist with his fingers and lifted it, turning it upside down. Tickled with breath. I didn’t move, as if hypnotized. He smiled. Victorious. But he never kissed.

– So I’m self-confident, or are you fascinated by me?

Okay, okay, it’s pointless to deny! Yes, and what’s wrong with that? The point is not in the master Dan himself, but simply in the features of intelligent dragons. I’m not the only one. And why does he jump from «you» to «you» and back? Teasing?

– It’s just a residual magical effect, nothing special. But tomorrow it will all be over.

– Are you so sure about that?

Am I sure? Unlikely.

– Absolutely.

He chuckled and let go of his wrist, but instead moved even closer to me, almost touching my lips.

– The potion won’t help, student Wilt. Although I am amused by your attempts to pacify the awakened feelings.

I opened my mouth. The dragon’s gaze immediately fell on my lips. Resting my hand on the man’s chest, I looked up at him indignantly, full of challenge.

– Master Dan, after all, it’s about your self-confidence, that’s undeniable! It remains to find out whose feature it is: your individual or all dragons.

– Take care of this issue during the preparation of the report, – the man grunted and stepped back, after which he opened the portal and disappeared.

Phew! What a relief!

The door opened and Adin stepped through the threshold with a towel wrapped around her head.

– Alicia? How did everything go?

Taking out the potion from the leather pouch, I smiled and shook the vial slightly. Now everything will be fine!