Cycle: Land of the Dragon. Selection: Choice or Destiny. Book One

And by pursed lips of red beauties, I realized that once again violated the established etiquette. Remembering that in front of me future emperor, not simply brunet with blue eyes I jumped off the bench and curtsied (as I remember from the movie, I hope not too sloppy), repeated:

– Good day Your Majesty.

Lips of Assol gonna relaxed, eyes softened. But eyes of the heir slightly darkened and narrowed.

– Catherine, Lord Emiren told me yesterday that you wanted to discuss some expenses for your event. Unfortunately, he will not be in the palace for at least two weeks, due to the worsening health of the lord’s mother, so I suggest we discuss it directly with me. I can give you an hour in my office at 16:00 today.

– Thank you, Your Majesty.

The Heir nodded and continued walking with Assol.

Here’s a beautiful couple, I admired them. The Assol in this delicate white blossom, the red-haired curls around the hat like a little corner of the sun, and the heir in his black, with a straight back. Slow steps, Assol is only slightly below Ridon. They looked harmonious. I imagined myself in her place, as my head is somewhere just below his shoulders, and as my hand gets tired, trying to get to his elbow. The heir felt my long gaze, looked back and slightly raised my eyebrows in the silent question, I only shook my head and turned around slowly walked to the castle.

Chapter 18

Nadine was absent from the dinner (departed to her parents after her brother), and Rosalind took her place. I warned her I wouldn’t be able to walk in the park this afternoon because of His Majesty’s invitation, but I promised to look in her chambers the next day.

I warned her I wouldn’t be able to walk in the park this afternoon because of His Majesty’s invitation, but I promised to look in her chambers the next day.

At the appointed time, I entered the office of the heir, which consisted of three rooms: the first room was a conference room, in which up to fifty people could be accommodated. The second hall, which was used most often, housed up to twelve subjects. But I was taken to a third – a small cabinet with a fireplace. Its wall is lined with a dark tree, a window with a view of the garden, unexpectedly cozy.

– Come in, sit down in the chair by the fireplace. Wine?

– Yes, thank you very much.

Ridon poured two glasses of red wine, he gave me one, and with the second he located in the chair opposite. I admired the glare of fire, taste wine and waited for an invitation to talk. Heir treated me, the wine did not touch. I didn’t dare start a conversation.

It was raining outside the window, it charged from lunch and now sounded quiet in the background, along with the crackling logs.

– Catherine, as I understand from talking to Emirenom, you are asking to allocate funds. Have you made a list?

– Your Majesty, you see, the money I need is for a gift to you, and it has to be a surprise. So, can I not get into the details of what I’m spending?

– Try it out

– I need 140,000 on the development of the artifact, the creation of which will take at least a month. But before I give it to you, it s require to test during a couple more weeks. If testing goes well, then after a month and a half I'll give it to you, and you will give the magician certificate of invention.

– I wonder … Who’s going to test? It is dangerous?

– The assignment of the artifact itself is not dangerous at all. But Weedon says that no one before us did multifunctional artifact, so he is not sure of the stability and wants to check whether there is no side effects.

– You intrigued me, Katrin. We’ll give you half by the end of the week, the other half after the test, but with one condition: I want to to be watching the results of the test. Is there anything else?

– You know, maybe it's the wine gives me the courage to voice one more wish, but I will understand if you will be surprised of my arrogance and refuse.

– You are amazing Catherine – he leaned forward. I didn’t notice when his glass was emptied, and the heir meanwhile put him on a low table with a little knocking and returned to his original position. – your speech does not seem to me provincial, but all the same words and phrases that you eat sometimes I have not heard before. – the sound of rain on the glass became clearer, I held my breath, and even seem slight intoxication wine melted. – But I digress, voice your desire.

– You know that I lived a pretty closed. I would like to see the real world. I’m asking you to let me go on a trip. I understand that a request may seem insolence, but maybe I can not only learn something new for yourself, but also be of some use? Start learn mood or identify issues on which you do not know, visit settlements of people.

– Catherine, and do not you accidentally forget why you're in a castle?

– What? – I'm honestly surprised.

– You see, Catherine, the people on this project are trying to win my heart and capture my attention. They come up with surprises, they show the most beautiful dresses, they celebrate any kind of attention, even if it’s a short walk in the park. Not only are you avoiding me, but the only wish you’re expressing is to get as far away as possible – the heir rose from his chair and walked to the window, I admire of his back and somehow try to deal with goosebumps fear that travel through my body – Moreover, I understand that you are waiting for that i will finance it – he turned to face me, leaning on the window sill.

I peered at him , hesitating to put my glass, which still had red fluid at the bottom of it is still splashing red liquid, slightly swinging it, hiding the trembling of my fingers

– But I'll give you a gift, Your Majesty, is not a sign of attention? And I'll go on a trip in the surroundings of your subjects, not earlier than three months (for such a serious journey must be prepared).

– For some reason, it seems to me that you most curious result of the experiment and the ability to obtain funding from the treasury of the empire, not my response to the presentation of a gift and a possible pleasure from it.

We stood in a duel views. Overall, the Heir is correct in his accusations. I’m not seriously considering it as a possible husband (though if you add a couple of glasses and leave the lighting like this. Like now.)

I need Artifacts more to survive really , but i can not to admit .

When silence lingered, the Heir said:

– Well, let's proceed as follows. An artifact money will be allocated. To make a travel decision, you have to prepare more detailed information: which lands you would like to visit , which establishments and we will return to the discussion in two weeks. The second condition, you have to prepare me a gift. But one that will target it to me. So you told something about the socks ?

– Yes, Your Majesty, but you and without them hot, and I knit bad. But well, the conditions are accepted. From me description of where and why, and a gift like socks. I will go? Outside the window was dark, we probably time for dinner.

– Yes you are right. But I need to work, and will eat in office. I said goodbye, but in the dining room did not go, asked to file into the room. And what to present? This thought occupied my mind all the time remaining before bedtime

Chapter 19

In the morning I took out a notebook, which Elegelika presented me to practice (my days so full of events and thoughts that i didn't start study the alphabet , but I firmly promised that allocated for a class a couple of hours tomorrow). I need a notebook today to simply distribute the options.

So I divided sheet of notebook to two columns for possible gifts and for commenting in the second:

1. Bake a cake // I do not know how to look like a furnace here

2. Knitting, sewing / i'm bad in it

3. Sing // I can play a little guitar, but whether there is such a tool here.

4. Portrait // possible, but it would be a caricature, and it can be offended.

5. Maybe there is a souvenir? Shirt and socks, brandy, cup, certificate …// no, he is not an ordinally man

6. I need to see what theatrical productions are going on, maybe buy tickets?

I feel like before February 23, and all seems silly and trivial, but because turning the leaf started to draw Dragon with flowers in their teeth before the tower with the princess. It at least distract from the sprawling thoughts.

After drawing a leaf from a notebook, i made an envelope from a blank sheet and drew a dragon with a kitten on it. And maybe the envelope would never have made it to the addressee, but at that point, I got a knock.

The young man (his name was Richard, I recently asked, accompanies me every day, and was silent all the time) went to my room. He nodded, but when he saw, the envelope in my hands stretched out his hands, asking to whom to send.

– Do not worry, it's for the heir, I'll find a way to send – I mumbled.

But Richard did not give up and took envelope – I will I'll send it through the Secretary of His Majesty, while you have breakfast. I will be glad to help you.

And I had no choice how to give him my letter, stupid to retreat. Nevertheless, no signature. Maybe he wouldn't guess? And, if he guess, would forgive me this little prank?

That evening, I received an answer to that question. On the table beside the bed, lay a living rose, and under it the envelope, inside picture: Tower Princess, to the tower of the charge of stairs, and the stairs down happy and fat dragon, in the teeth it holds a rescued sad kitten.

Chapter 20

But before messages with the kitten was still far off, the morning just begun. And the first thing I went to the library. I asked for some book about the musical instruments of the peoples of the empire, only necessarily with images of those very instruments. So, what tools we had two thousand years ago? Flute, harp … Could they have also come to the creation of the guitar.

I scroll through the entire book, but an identical instrument did not found.

There were so many variations as familiar to me, similar, and completely unknown. But we also have a variety of strings, but the sound of balalaika, for example, is quite different from the guitar, which means I have to look in the music store (maybe I will be lucky to find something suitable by the sound.)

Putting aside the book, I started to study the alphabet. I had one version of the alphabet from Elegelica and a second version from the wizard. I found the pictures with the letters (you know, as we do for children over the letter «A» painted apple), copied to his notebook and put the transcription of the usual Russian letters. So I can slowly begin to learn to read. But not today. It's time to go on a visit. So I can slowly begin to learn to read. But not today. It's time to go on a visit Rosalind.

Chapter 21

Chambers Rosalind combined the emerald velvet canopy, swamp green sofa upholstery, dark wallpaper in the small green flower, brown, heavy curtains and furniture made of wood (not easy and graceful , but rather massive) bed wide high-backed cabinet with heavy doors and dressing table with wide mirror.

Rosalind sat me down on the couch and poured tea in a cup of the most delicate china.

– How’s Nadine’s mom’s health? – I asked – Postpone she the play?

– No, the play was written long ago. Nadine only edits and rewrites details on roles. She promised to finish before the end of the month. We’ll start rehearsals in July. She was, by the way, very happy your desire to insure one of the participants in case something happens.

– By the way, I thought I could rehearse with everyone one by one reading with the opponent to be able to navigate in the text and suggest from behind the scenes, so to speak be prompter.

– Great idea, we’ll give you a copy of the play and we’ll try. Let's start with me.

– As with the male roles? Some of the servants, or disguised themselves of our participants?

– You don’t know Nadine very well – she said Rosalind with a smile. Some roles will play our escorts. The protagonists be played by the stars of the capital theater.

– Will they come to us or are we going out to rehearse at the theater?

– On Tuesdays we to them, on Thursdays they are to us. 10 rehearsals is too short, but they have a tight schedule of rehearsals and performances, so again, your help will be invaluable.

– I can’t wait to read play and start rehearsing.. And costumes, decorations?

– Some costumes and ready sets will be provided by the theater, the rest will be financed by the emperor.

– I’m a little sorry I turned down a part. – I smiled back. Besides the fact that I really wanted to take part in the rehearsals, I think it is also an opportunity to learn the writing faster.– Rosalind, I wanted to ask you for help. See, I know too little about the real world. I made that point to the emperor, and now I have to map out the itinerary and give as much detail as possible. He promised to look it up and give me an answer. I need help with the map. You do know more about what worth to visit.

Rosalind was thinking. I did not expect that such a simple request could cause a range of emotions and deep thoughts.

–Rosalind, is there something wrong? I’m not insisting if you can’t for some reason, just say I won’t be offended.

– I will help. Of course, I'll help you. I just want to ask you – she stopped for a while – Please take me on this trip.

I got up from the couch and began pacing the room.

– Rosalind, but this selection, and purpose of the project to explore each other. His Majesty and so not happy that I instead of being next to – leave. If I tell him that now two of us… I do not know how to tell him about it? – I froze in front of the girl, she was completely calm.

– Catherine, our families are friends since childhood. Yes, I often talked to Nadine and her brother than to heirs, but believe me, the time to look at each other and fall in love was enough, and my presence or absence for some time will not change anything in our relationship. I, as you rightly noted, better acquainted with the geography and traditions of the country, and therefore can help you navigate, but my knowledge is mainly theoretical, I do not have much traveled. After all, I’m curious. I can to talk to an heir myself if you agree.

– Well, if you have long been familiar, probably, he will not mind. I’d be happy if you could keep me company.

– Great, I promised Nadine to come for the weekend, I'll be back in a couple of days and start, okay?

Chapter 22. The legend of dragons

The next three weeks passed unnoticed. In the morning, I learned to read, in the afternoon I took a walk in the park, and later in the evening, Rosalind and I moved to the library and deepened into the study of maps and the construction of a route.

In general, the geography of the empire can be divided into four parts:

In the south there are mostly dragons, in the north werewolves, in the west magicians, in the east people. In the center, stands the castle of the emperor in the heart of the empire.

The territories of the distribution is not legally fixed, but due to the ability to create marriages. As it turned out, in marriage of the dragon and werewolf only can be born man (rarely magician). People live much less both species, watch as aging and dying your child is difficult. Additionally, both dragons and werewolves are pack and drawn to their own, which also generates conflicts. In alliance with any of the human kind is born dragon, werewolf or mage but never a human. A powerful wizard is not born very often, but it can be born in any couple (with a lot of luck with the ancestors). That is such a complex genetics. As a result, each species tries to choose from their own kind.

I have long tormented by the question, why is it possible union of man and dragon.

Rosalind replied: “So we came from the same ancestors”

I specified" Dragons and werewolves from Adam and Eve?», to which I learned the answer;

– I do not know who the Adam and Eve, but how can you not know the legend of the origin of species ?… But, you're a province may have slightly different legends. Okay, I'll tell you

So, lived on a planet human beings, among them grew mad scientist. He dreamed of eternal life, and even a way to come up with. He took four energies, put them in the vessel, mix them up and gave the first subject a drink. That’s how the first magician came to be. Different doses of energy were given to the next subject, so magicians now can live for 100-200 years.

But the scientist was insane, and he continued his experiments and was able to mix the blood of the wizard, the energy of the Elements and the blood of the wolf. Thus were born werewolves. Life expectancy has gone from 100 to 300. But the scientist didn’t stop there either.

Instead of the blood of the wolf he took the blood beast unseen, fragment falling stars and the world saw the dragon. They are able to fly, spewing fire and live up to 500 years.

And it’s quite possible that the mad scientist developed many more species, but he died of old age, never having the courage to inject himself with the serum of one of the previously invented species to himself.

The man was first for all the creations, it is ideal for any of the 4 types, but live too little.

Chapter 23. Zarina

In addition to classes cartography with Rosalind, this week I was able to have lunch with Elegelik and tell her about the evening of culinary delights Zarina.

Zarina evening was billed as a private event. But the heir promised to get an invitation for me.

The envelope with the invitation arrived with an additional investment – a masterpiece man-made in the form of a drawing of the Dragon in a tuxedo, which in one hand held a cake and in the second bag with gold. At the bottom in block letters signed "on the dress and women's stuff." In the same envelope was a decent sum of Gold.

Before the feast of the abdomen remained three days, and for such a short time, it was necessary to have time to spend money. Shopping we went with Rosalind.

I did not want to buy something challenging, but very modest purchase can offend Ridon. Not only was the dress chosen not modest, but it was once again a violation of decency. The only relief was that the event was closed, which meant that not many people would see me in it. Having noticed it in the window of the shop, I could not try it on, but was circling in front of the mirror, understood – «that's it!!». Its silk fabrics color was bright pink, Dress with open shoulders attracted the attention, but it was the open belly that made it challenging (up of dress was cut off, as a result of me wore a wide embroidered skirt on the floor and the topic with V-neck.) . I wish I had some jewelry, and I thought long earrings would be appropriate.

Back at the castle after shopping, tired but happy, passed in response to the heir drawing Princess, who is holding the same bag, and in the upper corner of the cloud. In a cloud, the princess smacks a dragon on the cheek.

In the dining hall (which was used for tasting), I entered with the perfect posture and the only thought: «and did not overdo with the open body parts».

Ridon sat in the center, but from the wide side of the table. I was seated on my right hand by the prince. To my right, Darin. To the left of the heir Rozalind, then Emiron (he returned from the estate). On the table at that time was a roasted pig, a duck (, a rabbit in cream sauce, salads of various kinds. The table was crammed with food, the taste was superb.

The guests split into two conversation groups. Rosalind something lively debate with Emironom, her plate is almost filled. Her cheeks glowed rosy, eyes bright. The heir, quickly realizing that on the left he couldn’t get into a to the flow of endless speeches from his interlocutors, switched exclusively to me, putting all the new pieces of delicious dishes on my plate. At one point, I thought I was going to die of gluttony, which I told the heir. But he only reduced the supplements.

Darina ate silently, immersed in her thoughts, I don’t think she even felt the taste of the dishes. But to ask what happened in front of everyone was uncomfortable.

I enjoyed the heir’s attentions, the taste of the dishes, and I didn’t notice Zarina’s looks until dessert arrived. In fact, the variety of kinds of sweet was not less than previous dishes, but a piece of cake that rested briefly on a plate turned out to be paradise delight. Delicate cream, moderately sweet, mingled with the sour taste of grapes and chocolate cream . I even closed my eyes with pleasure. And when opened, then I stumbled upon look of Zarina full hateful.

Heir, not noticing anything, offered another piece. But I said, I'm afraid my stomach was not prepared for such an abundance of food and I urgently need to retire to his chambers. Heir upset and even offered to accompany me, but I reminded him that it is not very convenient and shamefully fled. Zarina’s eyes burned through my back, and for the first time, I realized I wasn’t on vacation. Here the girls are trying to build their own happiness, to attract attention, and here I come, devour the very cakes, doing nothing at all, and the whole evening Prince is my. How can she not hate a rival? Should stay away from the heir and his potential wives before the end of the selection, or I may not live to see the end of the selection.

Chapter 24

With Zarina we met only at the table, every time she burned me with her eyes, but then I didn’t go beyond the quiet hatred, so I got a little bit used to it and stopped paying attention. Reading the text I mastered in the past month, but the writing worse. I wrote exclusively on native. Nadine finished the play, next week to start rehearsals, I was given a piece, painted on roles. Travel itinerary more or less defined.

Weedon pleased that the invention he finished on time and was ready to present prototypes. And tonight, I’m expected by the Heir in his office, where the magician will first demonstrate the possibilities of invention, and after the demonstration, I stay to discuss a possible journey.

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