p 3

Looking at the setting sun, I realized that if my friend flies away, then he has no time to burn fires. After all, he promised to give me the bracelet and leave an address to which I could write letters to him.

What if he's still there? Sits on our stump with buns and waits for me. I promised that I would come.

Resting my forehead against the frame, I didn’t know what to do.

Because tomorrow will be too late!

He will fly away and return so soon. The thought of the impending separation upset me to tears.

- You want to sneak out to a friend? Talya whispered behind me.

- How do you know? I got scared.

“I saw you once in a wheat field. Yes, and there is a rumor among the peasants that the elder Lera is on friendly terms with the son of the dragon general from across the river. You can't poke people's eyes out. They notice everything.

Did your mother hear? I turned around.

My nurse took out clean sheets from the chest.

- Mommy? - Talya whispered with her lips. — What are you. She doesn’t go to the village, she always sends me. How could she know?!

"Whoa," I breathed out in relief.

I like your friend, he's funny.

“No, Frodi is not funny.” I shook my head. “He is very strong and smart. And also ... beautiful.

“Well, Lera, you shouldn’t look at the appearance of dragon boys,” Talya smiled dreamily. “Although, as I understand you. I also like the blacksmith's son from across the river. He seems to be from a noble family. Older than me and you will be. Hair as white as snow, eyes like pieces of ice. When he looks at me, his cheeks start to turn red. And then he completely throws the tool and runs into the back room. And his father laughs and treats me with lollipops. This war... They will leave too. Is that why adults fight, Alicia? What lerds do not live peacefully.

“I don’t know, sister,” I breathed out onto the glass and drew a heart in a misted circle. - We must believe that they will return soon, and everything will be as before.

- And if not soon? Talya was completely upset. “I don’t even recognize my love. You know, when dragons cross the line of growing up, their appearance becomes different. Hair can change color, and sometimes eyes. Facial features coarsen, and a thin strip of scales appears above the eyebrows. He will return to his native lands, pass by, but I do not recognize it. He is much older, and even though he is still a boy, his coming of age is not far off.

“Talia, but you didn’t tell anyone about Frodi and me, did you?”

— No, what are you, Alicia. They will scold and punish. And I'm much older than you and I have to make sure that everything is fine with you. Yes, and mother will begin to find out where I am instead of following you, and it turns out that I am running to the village on the other side to stare at my dragon. We'll have nuts later.

"And why aren't you my sister?" I whispered.

She just shrugged.

- And if I run to him to say goodbye - will you cover? I looked into her eyes hopefully.

- All I can say is that you ran to the kitchen for buns. Mommy, of course, will reprimand and there will be so many lectures, but if it is for a just cause ...

“Thank you, you are so good,” I happily hugged her and, clutching my flower in my hands, rushed to the exit.

The nanny changed the bed and did not even notice that I had left.

Will it fly? Of course, both me and Talya.

But I needed to get to our clearing. Suddenly Frodi is waiting, because he promised a bracelet.

Real... wedding...

With him, it's easier to wait ...

Going down to the hall, I noticed my brother there. Cautiously going behind him, she heard:

“...yes, father, I checked, the dragons are flying away. They have already packed their things. How animals loaded their own warriors. They are lizards, as they are.

“Go and make sure they get out!” said the lord coldly.

Fly away!

I'll be late!

Not listening to anyone else, I rushed to the exit and almost knocked down the cook with a tray. But turned away. She grabbed a cheesecake from a bowl and, opening the door, climbed out into the courtyard of the castle.

Further through the northern gate and towards the wide river that flowed into the restless ocean.

Through a wheat field... I rushed, not making out the paths, to the gorge behind the hill at the very foot of the gray mountains.

I have never run so fast before. As if spirits persecuted. The tall grass clung to the hem of her dress and scratched her arms and ankles.

But now all of this has suddenly become such a trifle.

A partridge fluttered up from under the very feet, frightening.

Oyknuv, took a breath and rushed on.

Ahead appeared a deep but narrow crevice, running around it, deepened into an oak grove.

It was getting darker.

Having reached a tree that had been felled many years ago during a thunderstorm, she stopped and bent in half.

The side hurt so much that it was difficult to breathe.

“Frodi,” she called quietly to her friend, peering into the twilight. - Are you here?

Silence was my answer.

I wanted to apologize for laughing. I really liked the flower! Frodi?

But he did not answer, did not come out to meet him, holding warm buns in his hands.

- And I brought a cheesecake, - looking at my hand, I realized that I pressed the muffin to the flower, which made it slightly crumpled.

Frodi!

He did not come. Cautiously, stepping on a log, she moved to the other side of the gorge. It was scary to do it alone. Having examined our place, I realized that he did not appear here. There were no gifts familiar to me on the branches. No wreath, no bouquet.

Frustrated, I looked up at the sky.

Large shadows flickered over the horizon.

Dragons!

They flew away, and with them my friend.

My Frodi!

How could you not say goodbye? Burning tears welled up from my eyes. - What about the bracelet? What about the address? Where will I write? How can I find you now?

The cheesecake fell out of my hands and, quickly rolling on the grass, fell into the gorge.

Sobbing, I watched the huge lizards. Smaller figures flickered among them.

- Frodi!!! - my desperate cry scattered around the area, but no one heard. - I'll be waiting for you! Just come back soon. General!

Falling to her knees, she wiped bitter tears down her cheeks.

The sun was slowly setting below the horizon.

The dragons were out of sight.

When I got up, I realized that I needed to return home.

For the first time, I was not afraid of being scolded. Let them punish!

It didn't seem so terrible anymore.

Stepping on a log, I heard a loud rustle in the bushes. Branch crunch. She stopped and looked around, but in the twilight nothing could be seen. After taking a few more steps, I felt a sharp gust of wind, as if from nowhere. He was not strong, but so unexpected.

Sighing, I took just one step back. The log shook. And again the wind. Stronger and sharper. Right in the face. I recoiled.

An abyss suddenly appeared under my feet.

Water and bare rocks approached with great speed. Fear fettered, but the desire to live was much stronger. Holding out my palms, I called on my magic.

All that was.

She slipped from her fingertips, trying to keep me flying. The air thickened and the fall slowed down. I tried my best, but it wasn't enough...

Lying on sharp stones, I watched a delicate blue flower slowly descend next to me.

Snow primrose...

P4

Falling to her knees, she wiped bitter tears down her cheeks.

The sun was slowly setting below the horizon.

The dragons were out of sight.

When I got up, I realized that I needed to return home.

For the first time, I was not afraid of being scolded. Let them punish!

It didn't seem so terrible anymore.

Stepping on a log, I heard a loud rustle in the bushes. Branch crunch. She stopped and looked around, but in the twilight nothing could be seen. After taking a few more steps, I felt a sharp gust of wind, as if from nowhere. He was not strong, but so unexpected.

Sighing, I took just one step back. The log shook. And again the wind. Stronger and sharper. Right in the face. I recoiled.

An abyss suddenly appeared under my feet.

Water and bare rocks approached with great speed. Fear fettered, but the desire to live was much stronger. Holding out my palms, I called on my magic.

All that was.

She slipped from her fingertips, trying to keep me flying. The air thickened and the fall slowed down. I tried my best, but it wasn't enough...

Lying on sharp stones, I watched a delicate blue flower slowly descend next to me.

Snow primrose...

The last time he looked in my direction.

Then I just ceased to exist for him.

Krites nodded wisely in support of the Pope's decision.

And I ... At that moment my soul died.

He has two more daughters.

And I'm not needed.

I'll die and they don't care.

At that moment, I learned what betrayal of loved ones is.

The door closed and there was silence.

I was completely alone in the room. And I wanted to live terribly. Go crazy!

It was even scary to close my eyes.

Through the open window I could hear the trill of crickets and the distant hoot of an owl.

Tears slowly trickled down from eyes. After all, I considered my father so fair, indestructible, the best ...

And he just turned away and left, leaving me to die in this room alone.

"Non-resident, so non-resident"

This phrase was spinning in my head, bringing such pain that it could not be compared with the physical one.

“I will survive!” I repeated to myself. “There is always a reason to live.”

The door creaked softly and there were footsteps. Through my tears, I could make out a woman's silhouette.

- Mother? - for some reason, I thought that it was she who came for me to take me to the land of the dead. - Mom, is that you? It's not time for me yet... No...

“Be quiet, my little one,” the nanny gently stroked my head. “Save your strength, my girl.

Warm lips touched his forehead. She had never shown so much love.

It felt so good at that moment. Not alone! They didn't abandon me.

"I'm dying, nanny," I complained.

- Well, what are you, daughter. Who will allow you? She smiled, but in the twilight that shrouded the room, I could see how her eyes gleamed treacherously.

“The healer will leave…” I whispered.

- We have our own! Really, Talya?

Next to the nanny, a second figure appeared from the darkness.

“Really.” Warm hands gripped my wrists. “I will help you, Alicia, and I will never leave you alone in trouble.

Crying, I buried my face into the pillow.

Warm healing magic penetrated my body through the skin. Weak, but still. Talya's hands flared up, engulfed in a bright orange glow. She kept me warm. Burned out the pain and instilled hope ...

"Don't burn out," I whispered.

- Well, what are you, - in the twilight, I made out her smile. - It is the noble lers who cherish the gift until adulthood, and we, simple peasant women, use it from the cradle. I am not a strong healer, but we will take not quality, but quantity. I will give you everything that accumulates during the day. The main thing is to stop the bleeding.

“Go to sleep, Alicia,” the nanny stroked my hair in a way she had never done before. “You will feel a little better in the morning.