Читать книгу Dragon’s Empire – 2. Goddess for Dragon - Natalie Yacobson - Страница 3

The dawn, illuminating the picturesque forest’s glade, smoothed the latest memories of the night fire. Most visitors, of course, managed to carry their feet in time. The burning hotel is not a whole huge city, but the inhospitable owner lost his institution.

The shore of a small forest lake was fenced with a border of flowers. Water, as a mirror, reflected the flexible branches of willows’ and wild roses’ bushes. The sounds of music came from the far edge of the glade. It made me alert. There was something unusual in this music. The traveler who heard it would certainly turn off from his way and would run to a deceptively calm lake. A pleasant colder freshness came from the water. Another would hear in this melody all his dreams, but I caught a hidden catch. The sounds were too clean, measured, but without a single fake note. A musician must have very long deft fingers, person can not have those fingers. Through thickets of the reeds I moved to the side where the singing of violin came from. I did not immediately realize that this was a violin.. It is impossible to get used to such perfection during visits to theaters or holidays. Even if the nyx hides in the crowd, he will not work on the stage to entertain the people. The only exception to this rule was Camille. During the service, accustomed to tolerate the adversity, he did not want to miss the opportunity to have fun and deserve at least someone’s approval.

As I approached, the excitement was intensified. Really, I will see the violinist that as the ghost flashed at the reception. Contrary to expectations, no transparent silhouette was there. Only a nyx was sitting on a stump and playing a small violin. He did not even notice a number of outsiders. What can he be afraid when he is so close to his native lake.

My steps were almost silent. The nyx broke away from the violin. He heard the sound somewhere far beyond the forest and put the ears, as if wishing to disassemble someone’s call.

«How was it said there?» the nyx said. Then he smiled, as if he remembered the long-being forgotten chorus and whispered quietly, like a prayer:

The nyx noticed me only when I approached him closely. All the mood to read poems instantly passed, he shuddered, dropped his invaluable violin and turned frightened. By rounded blue eyes, it was possible to say that he was not deceived, having taken me for a traveler or an elf. From his attention did not slip away any trait and he felt the presence of hidden strength.

He realized that no one was going to hurt him, he, even at the speed of slow-witted person, but still decided that the reverence would not hurt. The nyx hastily rose from the stump, muttered something instead of a greeting.

«Does this pretty place belong to you?» said I. «Have you settled here for a long time?»

In response, he only nodded.

«I see you more like your underwater house than the land?»

Again the short nod. Loved to chat with himself, The nyx was shy and did not expect a sudden invasion. He did not tear off his eyes off the upward socks of his shoes.

«Are you looking for a place to rest?» answered the nyx. «Unfortunately, there is neither the cave nor the gorge, nor the palace, only the hut.»

«Does anyone live in it?»

«The forester lived with his family. Now the hut is empty.»

«Why?»

«The guard came from the city and accused the whole family in witchcraft,» the nyx smiled slyly. «No one else will live there, mortal are faint-hearted. And you are dangerous.»

Last words, he said quietly with noticeable respect.

«Did you not take my lake?» he asked with the excitement.

«No. Would you really give it without a fight?» Against my will, the question sounded with a contemptuous mockery.

«And you do not tell him that I settled here without making a gift in the treasury?»

I immediately understood that he spoke about Rothbart and almost laughed.

«If he understands that you give the lake only with life, he’ll immediately leave you alone.» If you are able to repulse him, then I will be on your side.»

The hut was in the forest’s wilderness, I immediately liked it. There was all necessary for a sorcerer with his books. Little windows almost missed light, instead of glasses in the frame was inserted transparent mica. Obviously, the glass turned out to be too expensive for local residents. A small furnace in the corner could become useful with the beginning of cold weather. The floorboards strongly creaked, but it could be fixed, besides, Percy is unknown from where it managed to drag a soft carpet, who faded the steps well. Little furniture remained in the room, and the firewood were folded in the yard. Apparently, after the hut was empty, no one dreamed of visiting here to pick up something.