1. Dream or reality?

Well, they came. So I have not yet met! I chuckled in confusion and pinched the bridge of my nose, trying to figure out what was going on.

Did I fall down the stairs, hit my head and now I'm delirious? Arthur still finished what he started, and I went crazy from shock or pain? Or maybe I'm just dreaming? I have strange dreams.

Of course, deep down I dreamed of meeting a man, starting a relationship and stop seeing pity or gloating in the eyes of my friends, but I never thought that this desire would result in such unusual hallucinations, and my imagination would throw me such an extraordinary gentleman, more precisely - two, and more directly opposite. A dark, domineering handsome dragon and a light, gentle cutie elf. Or to what race should this stranger be attributed, who looked up at me, waiting for something incomprehensible?

Slightly elongated, pointed at the top, the ears of the man barely perceptibly trembled from excitement or tension. Long white hair blowing in the wind. And in the eyes of different colors - yellow and blue - alertness shone. He looked at me as if at least his life depended on my reaction to his words. And I didn't like it at all.

- Who else are you? - I asked the man apprehensively and, pinching my wrist, hissed - it hurts! So, delirium, not a dream. It's a pity. - Where are we? Is this some kind of prank? I was pumped up with something and I see glitches?

"I'm sorry, I don't understand, Mistress," the blond turned pale sharply, which made his eyes become even brighter.

- What kind of place is it? - sighing, I waved my hand around the space, wanting to get an idea of ​​the scale of my delirium.

- Ishhartran, illa in'Ravien, - respectfully, but with a degree of apprehension, the elf answered, throwing a wary look at me, however, it did not become clearer to me.

- I don’t know what this abracadabra of yours means, but you can break your tongue about it. So, - noticing the disbelief on the man's face, I thoughtfully held out, - come on, for starters, let's get to know each other, or what? My name is Mariana, you can call me by my first name. And get up, finally, from your knees, you're uncomfortable!

And what? My nonsense, my rules.

- But, Mistress ... - a chalky pallor spread over the man’s face, and he leaned even lower, not looking at me anymore, but I managed to notice how his features were distorted by a short spasm, as if I had mocked him in the most cruel way after as promised something incredibly valuable.

“Without Mistress, please,” I sighed. Just Mariana. Or, at worst, Ryana. And get up already, not at the prayer service! Your name, I take it, won't you tell me?

The elf got up slowly, and I could hardly keep myself from staggering back a couple of steps - just instincts to stay away from possible danger. Although, it's all a figment of my imagination, I won't hurt myself, will I?

Reassuring herself in this way, she tried to reassess the stranger. Okay, this cutie might not be so harmless after all. Even a shapeless hoodie could not hide the wide turn of his shoulders, and there’s nothing to say about height, I reached his armpits with the top of my head. Involuntarily, she backed away and cursed when the elf again fell to his knees, noticing my fright, and practically flattened himself on the ground, stretching his palms forward, as if to convince him that he would not harm me.

So. Something about this imaginary adventure I like less and less. Why do I suddenly see such contradictory instances? Maybe it's my mind projecting male obedience after Arthur tried to take me against my will? In any case, I was not happy with this, so I decided to turn the hallucinations in the right direction, since it was not possible to escape from them.

- Get up, - I sighed and said firmly: - Short and to the point. Where am I, how do you know me, and who is waiting for me where you should take me?

The elf got up and looked at me as if I was his nonsense, and not vice versa.

“You, Illa in'Ravien, have come to Ishhartran to select slaves for your coming of age at the biggest auction in Raigon, where I am to take you. And, sorry, Madam, but I don’t understand how you decided to come unaccompanied, what happened to your clothes and why you don’t remember anything! - with each word his voice became quieter, and despair slipped in his words. “Of course, I can protect you, but it will be… a bit more difficult.

- Raygon - what is it? I frowned, trying not to dwell on the eerie word “slaves”.

“This is our world, Mistress.

- And mine? - Suspecting something was wrong, I asked.

- I don't know, Mistress, - the elf said quietly and lowered his head, as if afraid to look into my eyes. “I was simply ordered to meet Illa in'Ravien in the portal circle and escort me to the auction in Ishharthran.

- Well, - once again I marveled at my imagination and resolutely stepped forward. - Lead.

‍​‌‌​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​​‌​‌‌‍