Immersed in my thoughts, I did not notice at all that I was lagging behind. When I woke up, I realized that the Kertar was not around. All around was only a bright forest, and the chirping of invisible birds.I thoughtfully looked at the squirrel, which enthusiastically gnawed a bump, tightly clasping it with small paws. Yes, it is unlikely that she will be able to suggest the way.Well, at least I'm not in danger of dying from thirst now. The flask is here, full.-August? – just in case, I shouted.Silence was my answer.Okay, don't stand here alone. I'll go ahead - I'll go out somewhere. Maybe I'll find our footprints, which we generously left on the way to the lake.Walking through the forest without a hunter turned out to be not so easy: driftwood constantly fell under his feet, low branches whipped his face, a lone mosquito rang disgustingly above his ear. Soon I wandered into such dense deadwood that I almost got stuck there.Somehow getting out and tearing my hands to blood, I
Alas, the euphoria from a successful landing quickly evaporated. The sun was slowly going down, and the air was getting colder. Having examined the area, I concluded that we were on a small green plateau, next to the rocks.Fortunately, the elemental was not going to fly away and leave me cuckooing alone. But he didn’t let me approach him either, as soon as I approached, the horse briskly ran off to a safe distance and continued to pluck the grass.- No, I understand everything, such stress: they woke me up, led me by the nose, and also rode without permission, - I could not stand it. “But what am I supposed to do now, huh?”The horse twitched its ears and turned its back to me. The bushy black tail twitched contemptuously.I crossed my arms over my chest and thought as the only chance to get out of here continued to ignore me. If I do not agree with him soon, I will have a hard time. Who knows when they'll find me here? The backpack was left somewhere in the forest, the flask of wate
August helped me lead Smoky to the makeshift stalls that had been hastily put together from thin logs. Then the games began: the horse did not want to go into the corral, and completely dodged the rope with amazing dexterity. In three hands, we barely coped with it. Looking into the eyes burning with resentment, I felt guilty.- Do not worry - I stroked the freedom-loving animal on the neck. - It's not for long. Now I'll bring you water and apples if I can find them.There were no problems with water: in a day, freshmen dragged a whole bucket to the stalls. But with apples it turned out to be more difficult. But Eitin unexpectedly came to our aid. The magician left for a short time, agreed with someone, and soon brought three large red apples.You have no idea how you saved me! I said gratefully.-Nonsense. You owe me.- Hey, wait a second! We didn't agree on that.“Okay, okay, I was joking,” the half-elf snorted when he saw my surprised face. - Come on, we're on the same team.It too
In the morning, Borch woke up everyone who managed to tame animals, as soon as the red disk of the sun appeared above the horizon. The rest, less fortunate, had another day of hunting ahead of them.Sleepy and yawning freshmen climbed out of the tents. Then they brought their companions out of the stalls.Smoke hopefully sniffed my pockets, snorting and hot breathing, but found no food and out of spite tried to bite me on the shoulder.“We’ll have to be patient,” I patted the horse’s withers. - I'm hungry too.August failed his griffin. He stubbornly glared angrily at the hunter with orange eyes. The front bird's paws plowed the ground with their claws. The lion's tail twitched nervously from side to side. I looked at the griffin in fascination. And she shuddered when Thunder snapped his powerful beak right next to August's face.With persuasion, and even shouting, we, along with other students, pulled our companions into the luminous circle of the portal. The animals were stubborn, r
Finding a much-needed vampire was not so easy. His office, with its shiny brass sign, was locked. And where does he hide on weekends?I hope the professor didn't leave the academy and head into town to have a couple of drinks with friends, or, well, dine with an unfortunate townswoman.Thinking, I walked over to the silent armor in the corner. These were very old, the feather was faded, thick cobwebs twined around the helmet. Perhaps no one has asked for directions here for a very long time."Honorable sir," I said slowly, imitating Fiona. “Can you tell me where I can find Professor Valentine?”The armor was silent for a while, either surprised by the question, or trying to find what they were looking for. With a terrible clang, the rusted spear hit the stone floor, and a thin, shining line snaked into the corridor.- Thanks! - I threw on the run, following the prompt.She led me lower and lower, first to the first floor, and then past the utility rooms and the kitchen straight to the
Three more months later...- Deya ... - male fingers, lightly tickling, ran along the bare back. - Deya-ya-ya ... - Beria whispered in the ear of his wife, who was sleeping sweetly, hugging the pillow touchingly. Pillow, not his, legal spouse.- Mmm… what? the girl sighed, eyes closed as her hot breath touched her neck.- It's time to feed the children, - said Beria, carefully brushing aside his silky hair and kissing the soft skin on his neck.-Yeah...His fingers traced wavy patterns between his shoulder blades, moving down and up his spine.Dea, are you sleeping? the man asked ingratiatingly.- Get away from her, - Aznar's displeased voice was heard. Bery tried to get it in the dark with his foot so as not to interfere, but instead he heard a dull sound of a blow and a quiet hiss.-For what? Beria groaned. - Deya!“Your children, you feed…” the princess muttered unintelligibly.“Yes, I would love to,” Bery quipped, rubbing his cheekbone.- Shh, - Aznar hissed at him, - let him slee
Light aspen leaves whispered drowsily overhead, and through them a piercing autumn sky could be seen. Light cirrus clouds froze in height. It was quiet, no birds were heard. The air was filled with the spicy smell of leaves, moss, earth and blood.The girl turned back. Everywhere broken, spattered with scarlet and brown spots of the body. Light chain mail, shining in the sun. Deadly white faces. Eyes wide in horror, completely blind. Everyone has frighteningly white hair. An overturned wagon a little further. Several female bodies nearby. The girl staggered, turned away sharply, which made everything dark and swam before her eyes for a moment.Step, one more.Farther and farther away from that glade saturated with the smell of death. Sharp pain. The girl took a deep breath, pressing her hands to her stomach. Scarlet spots were slowly spreading across the light blue dress. Step, one more. A stubborn breath."Not today. I won't die today."Pain. Step, one more. Bloody path on the leaves
It does not hurt anymore. It was the girl's first thought. Only then came the slow realization that she seemed to be alive. Then fragmentary pictures of recent events flashed in my memories: bloody bodies, an attack by the undead, a wound... Markats!She opened her eyes abruptly and almost jumped. At that very moment, my stomach was deeply cut with pain, my breath caught, and the bright light blinded me. There were tears in my eyes. Almost immediately, someone's persistent and strong hands pressed on his shoulders, forcing him to lie back down.The girl tried to catch her breath, not making any more attempts to move. A voice next to him cursed in displeasure. The picture before her eyes gradually gained clarity, and the girl saw a small room, a wide gap in the fireplace opposite, the soft light from which at first seemed so bright. Then she froze, barely breathing - a tall, broad-shouldered man was standing very close, thick reddish-brown hair was gathered in a ponytail at the back of