Mechanic

– Mom, everything will be fine! – I cheered her up. – I think Pontiar made this decision for some reason. He is the ruler and knows what we don’t know.

She nodded. Only now I noticed the circles under her eyes. Probably mom cried, and my father sent her away from the capital because of the child. Mom hugged me, and now I stroked her hair. It was such an unearthly, pleasant feeling of care. What a birthday present I’ve got! Only the news of the war spoiled the moment of happiness.

– I love you! I won’t let anything happen to you! – I assured.

In the history of our world, I’ve heard about only one war. The leader of Phaeton’s army was a magician who, like my father, had the gift of controlling the element of water. Alice said that then the whole sky was illuminated by lightning strikes that reached the ground. Many settlements were burned down, and even the Ellenian and Weirian elf forests were harmed.

Now I’ve decided that I can protect our house, and grandpa Marash will help me, because without magic it will be difficult. As the saying goes, together we are stronger.

Mom expected hostilities to unfold from day to day. Now I had the tools and I knew what to do. Grandpa Marash and I pulled half-meter steel rods from the old hangar. A year ago, I traded them for a rare typewriter that was aging in a bunch of scrap metal in a closet under the stairs. Alice said that it wouldn’t be useful to us even in working order, but for the merchant Paco it’s just right.

From the rods, I made an umbrella-like structure, covering the tip with liquid silver. I proceeded with the rest. Of course, I didn’t have any rope, and even more of this length. And I was thinking how to replace it.

– Master, will the liana fit? – a skein of green vegetation hung on the old man’s shoulder.

I clapped my hands happily.

– It will perfectly fit! And where did you get it?

– I grew it, – Marash smiled. – Only a little. Is it enough?

– Well, not enough… Maybe we can stretch it out with magic? I asked uncertainly.

– Magic? I think we can! – Marash agreed.

It’s been two days already. Mom watched as Marash and I fiddled and tried. The spiers were installed, the liana conductors soaked in saline were hung and grounded. I threw the ends into the lake. We are ready. We will only need to raise the spiers, by means of magic, just above the highest point of the roof during hostilities. And then the lightnings won’t scare us.

I looked at an oak tree in the very center of the backyard garden. It is too dear to me. I also put a spire next to it and connected everything with one liana.

In the evenings my mom and I had tea. But not in the living room, but in the kitchen, with the servant. Mom missed the simplicity of life. According to her, the arrogant urban society was annoying. She wanted coziness and warmth.

We spent time together like before. We walked and laughed. We baked cinnamon rolls. We were happy, I was… I enjoyed. We often came to our oak tree. And now I was lying, closing my eyes with pleasure, under the tree crown. I wondered. An oak tree in a coniferous forest. It is also a tree. All magicians – are people, even if I am not a magician, but I am a person! And I’m not afraid to be an outcast.

The whistle and heavy boom shook.

– It’s started! – my mom exclaimed, jumping up sharply, and grabbed her belly.

Water ran down her legs.

– Mom? – I looked wondering at the wet sand.

– Waters have broken. Nicholas, your little sister decided to be born at the wrong time… Help me!

Mom screamed and bent down as if someone had hit her in the belly.

– Mom! – I ducked under her arm and let her lean on myself.

From the house a governess and a young maid were rushing towards us.

– Alice, waters have broken. Reemay is asking to get into the world… – Mom smiled bitterly.

The sky was covered with thunderclouds. It darkened abruptly around. Marash raced from the stable at full speed.

– Hostess, go inside, quick! Niko, tell me what to do!

– You know. Raise the spiers just above the roof and secure them. How long can you hold on? – while I was talking to the gardener, Alice took mom into the house.

– I will hold on as long as necessary! Don’t worry, master, I only look old, but the magical powers don’t age, and I have a soul…

I smiled. I love grandpa Marash! He was always on my side. And he believes in me, unlike my father.

Whistle. Pink-purple flashes above the clouds. A net of lightning lit up the entire sky. The discharges began to fall on the ground here and there.

– It’s time, Marash! Come on! – I shouted.

A scream was heard in the house. It was mom. I rushed into the house. Dinah grabbed me just in front of my mom’s bedroom door.

– Let me go! – I snapped.

– Where are you going? Aphelia is giving a birth. You can’t go there! – a friend scolded.

Another puffy scream. The door flew open. I saw a large wooden tub. Mom was sitting in it up to her chest in water. The white shirt was soaked, she had an oak branch in her teeth. She gripped the side of the tub tightly, so that the knuckles of her fingers turned white.

– Well, step aside, men shouldn’t be here! – Alice snapped up mildly.

Varya hurriedly rushed behind her with a pile of towels.

– Niko, don’t bother! Do something useful. Heat some water. Dinara will help you!

Varya kicked the door to my mom’s chamber with her foot – and again there was a scream. But not so loud.

Mom realized that I was at the door and, apparently, she restrained herself so as not to frighten me. In the street, the noise increased. The thunderstorm became worse. Dinah pushed me on the shoulder.

– Let’s go. Come on! – She commanded.

I almost rolled down the stairs when another thunder shook the walls of the house. A flash of lightning came streaming with blinding light in through all the windows that weren’t shuttered.

Dinah staggered back.

– Why should I heat the water? – I didn’t understand.

He grabbed two clean wooden buckets from the stove and put one under the tap.

– Well, of course you didn’t understand. It’s for your sister and mother. The water is needed to wash them after the childbirth. You should listen open-mouthed and carry the water!

Dinah grabbed the buckets from my hands and poured the water into the pots. She threw coal into the stove and tied her skirts. I could hardly hold a laugh, she looked so ridiculous. She looked like a goose, only her neck should be longer, and she will look exactly as a goose.

– Don’t grin, do you think it’s comfortable to run up the stairs in a dress? I’ll tell you! No, at all. You should try and only after that you can smile! – the girl muttered resentfully.

Her words erased my smile. There was such thunder clap that my ears were plugged, and then came the crack of a falling tree that was very close. I looked out the window. A burning tree fell on the liana that was connected with my oak. Grandpa Marash stood right there, wet of the pouring rain, without his raincoat. I rushed outside.

– Where are you going? – I heard in pursuit.

But I was already rushing to Marash.

– What happened?! – shouting over the rain, I tried to clarify the situation.

But everything was obvious. Two spiers, between which the liana was stretched, tilted.

– Lightning hit the tree! – Marash shouted in response and shook his head towards the oak. – It is without protection now! What we are going to do?

I grabbed my wet head. Streams of icy water flowed down the temples.

The sky was lit up with flashes of light, the battle was just at the height. Our war magicians didn’t back down. They held the defense firmly. I think they gave a powerful rebuff.

The fallen tree was consumed by fire. It whistled and crackled, emitting death moans. The smell of ozone and pine burning thus mixed. Oak. So, what to do? Now the liana will burn out, and I can throw its ends into the lake. But, will I make it in time? The liana was almost burned out, I was about to dash to it, when suddenly a bright flash fell like a column on the oak tree.

– Nooo! – I screamed so that I even lost my voice. My throat ached, and I whispered. – No, no… Please. Rain, extinguish it…

But the oak was burning, splitting in two. The merciless fire tore off the leaves withered from the heat, gnawed at the branches, and bit into the pliable wood. The oak seemed a two-headed torch on the hill. I moved towards it, but what could I do? I am nothing without magic… I couldn’t run to extinguish this gigantic tree with a bucket of water. My legs gave way, I fell on my knees and grabbed the ground. The dirt seeped between my fingers, munching sadly. As if it was sobbing with me. But no. Only I sobbed here, like a mute fish, opening my mouth. The vocal cords only emitted a hoarse groan. Marash didn’t move. He kept his defenses. The flashes in the sky stopped, as did the rain, which until now was ruthlessly whipping me with rapture. Is it enough? No, get more! Maybe the magic will wake up? After all, it happens that in the case of affect, the gift awakens. But not in my case… Damned lightning burnt my memories. Completely and mercilessly. The oak wasn’t glowing so brightly now. In the silence of the crackling fire and the echoes of the passing thunderstorm, I heard a child’s cry. It was Reemay who announced her presence. I smiled bitterly.

Marash came up and patted me on the back.

– Niko, don’t cry. We will plant a new tree. I will help to grow it faster – he tried to cheer me up.

– It will be another tree. Another memory, not mine – I whispered.

Getting up slowly, I trudged into the house. The boots got stuck in the mud somewhere along the road. Well, and to the demons of Ruby them. I went to the kitchen barefoot. Dinah stood in a daze, silently swallowing tears. Marash followed me, shaking his head. He was chilled and asked some tea to warm him up.

– Niko… – Dinah called me.

I waved of her and went up to my room. The clouds in the sky parted, but it was already evening, and the room was in semi-darkness.

I sat down on a chair without undressing and, folding my hands on the table in front of me, dropped my head on them. My shoulders were trembling. I was painfully hurt. I thought of everything so well, and these lightning rods, but I didn’t foresee that a tree could fall on the liana. My oak. It’s gone. Well, okay. The outcast among the coniferous forest disappeared. Maybe it’s a sign. Should I disappear too? I couldn’t protect my memories. What am I worth then? Maybe my father is right. A blank, I am just a blank…

Someone knocked at the door.

– Niko, babe – Alice looked into the dark room.

I didn’t even move.

– Are you sleeping? – the aunt asked uncertainly and walked over to me. – Marash said that lightning hit the oak. I’m sorry, I know how dear it was to you.

– Alice… – I whispered. – Why did Sherida give me this life? I’m a worthless blank. Without a gift, completely useless!

The woman sighed excitedly.

– Niko, you are very talented! And your gift will manifest itself, but later… You have protected the house from lightning, you’ve built such wonderful lightning rods.

– Not good enough! – I grumbled and coughed. The throat was scorching with fire.

– Excellent! But only the Gods know why this has happened. And you are a precious gift for Aphelia! You are her treasure…

– Yeah. A gift that she has completely forgotten for eleven years… – now the resentment was seething in me. Either at my mom, or at myself. I wasn’t offended at my father. What can you do? He didn’t pretend that he loves me. – I understand my father… He needs a worthy heir. Otherwise, who is he then in the society of magicians? And he got me… a blank.

– Don’t beat yourself up! You’re wrong! You’d seen how happy was Aphelia to see you again! – Alice stroked my head. – Let’s go. Reemay is so cute. Do you want to see her? She looks so much like you, when you were little. But, at first you should take a bathe and get warm as you were chilled in the freezing rain.

Alice tried to calm me down, but I was sick at heart.

– I hope she is gifted, not like me…

Aunt choked and froze.

I got up from my chair and walked slowly towards the exit.

– While you… you’re in the bathroom, I will clean up here.

Aunt clapped her hands carefully, and all candles were lit in the room.

«Magic… why am I bad for you?» – I thought with sorrow.

But seeing as Alice had quieted down, I whispered it aloud.

The water washed away not only the dirt and rainwater from my body, but it also numbed the pain, that tied my heart with tight knots.

I changed my clothes and I went to my mom’s chamber. The wooden tub has been already carried away. Mom was lying on a wide bed with my sister in her arms. Reemay was red and wrinkled like a small raisin. I couldn’t see the color of her eyes as she was dozing, sniffing with her snub, like a newborn hare’s, nose. But her brown curls and thick black eyelashes made her look incredibly cute. I sat down on the bed and looked at her with tenderness. So tiny, fragile, defenseless. Mom took my hand.

– Nicholas, you are so brave! You were able to protect our house from lightning. I am very sorry that the oak has burned down. Dinah told me. But don’t be sad, we’ll plant a new one.

I didn’t answer. I was tired. And my mother was completely exhausted. I silently kissed her on the cheek and headed to the door. With peripheral vision, I noticed a blue scroll on the writing table. The wax seal was definitely royal. I wondered what was the magical message from my father?

Chapter 2

The dreams were grievous: the lightning again hit my oak tree, and then the war, but not the one that was yesterday, but another one, even more cruel. And a girl with dark brown eyes. We stood against the enemy shoulder to shoulder… And the darkness.

The morning was sunny. Warm rays touched my heels. Still half asleep, I buried my face in the pillow and tried to put together all events of yesterday. The war that lasted almost an entire day. Our war magicians defended the boundaries of Pyramid. Otherwise, I wouldn’t lie calmly now in my bed.

The lightning rods that we installed with grandpa Marash did their job. But I didn’t take everything into account. My burnt oak cannot be returned anymore. It was not only a place of my memories, but also a symbol of myself: an ordinary person in an extraordinary society. And now it was gone. I felt an emptiness in my soul. It felt like somebody had turned me off. Now everything is indifferent. The hope, that I could become a hero in the magical world, has burned out with this oak tree…

Somebody scratched softly at the door.

– Niko, babe, are you awake?

The door opened slightly. Alice went into the room. I heard her steps.

– Uh-huh – I could only squeeze out this.

I had a sore throat as if it was scratched with small branches.

Alice sat down on the edge of the bed.

– Do you want to talk? – She asked and straightened the blanket, covering my cold feet.

I didn’t answer, just shook my head and turned to the wall.

– I know, this tree was a part of yourself. I understand your pain. But you are not a tree, you are a man. Strong, talented, with an open heart… Don’t shut yourself. You have the whole life ahead to find your special talent, your place, – Alice spoke softly, lovingly, inspiring the hope.

I turned to her. And as if it was in a haze, the image of a phoenix appeared before my eyes.

«My oak is like this bird,» – I thought. «And I can get it back.»

– Alice, do you know how much I love you? – I wheezed enthusiastically and grabbed my throat.

– I know, and now we are going to drink warm milk with honey. And then a tincture of fern flowers, – the woman shook her head and added, smiling. – I love you too, baby!

My aunt took the clothes off the back of the chair, raised an eyebrow and reproachfully looked at the hole of the pocket that was mended with staples.

– The pocket died from the grasping paws of a blackberry – I croaked in excuse.

– I see. Well, we will need to trim the claws of this blackberry! Marash will take care of it, – Alice joked while I was pulling on a shirt with a high neck. Summer has come to an end, and now the cold is not so far off. And after yesterday’s freezing rain it became fresher outside.

Before going down to the kitchen, I decided to look in my mom and sister.

– Nicholas! – Mom exclaimed happily.

Reemay was swarming around, close at her hand. I came closer to see my little sister in the sunlight. Big mustard-honey eyes looked at me curiously. A pink bow of her lips was blowing out tiny bubbles. She was no longer as wrinkled as yesterday. I bent down and involuntarily reached for her. My finger was immediately captured by a tiny hand. Mom laughed.

– Reemay is funny, isn’t she? How were you when you were a baby, – she ran her hand over the chestnut nap on her head. And with the other hand she wrapped our fingers.

I squatted down and silently looked at both. I absorbed these pleasant moments, touches, the smell of a newborn sister and autumn flowers that came from the half-open window.

– Now you have become not only an older brother, but also her protector, – my mother’s eyes smiled sadly. I looked at her questioningly.

– Sit down, dear, – she patted the blanket. I obediently sat down beside her. – It’s hard for me to talk about this. We’ve been together so little time… and now again…

She stumbled, and inside me it was as if the bowstring had been pulled, but so tight that the tension hurt all over my body.

– We’ll have to part. Last night the magic mail arrived from your father, – she glanced furtively at the blue scroll with the royal seal.

I knew it.

– Father is alive! But Ruby’s attack reduced the number of magicians. And now the king is calling all gifted ones for military training. It will last for about five years. Of course, not everyone will get into the Royal Academy of Magic in Phaeton. The rest will be assigned to regular training units. You’re enlisted in the Academy.

– But mom! I have no abilities! What if I take the place of a more talented, worthy magician? – I croaked.

Mom’s eyes widened.

– What’s the matter with you, babe? – she immediately touched my forehead.

– Well, I broke my voice yesterday. Everything is fine, – I calmed her and asked insistently.

So? I’m not a magician!

– The king promised me and your father to arrange you to study at the Academy. And he kept his word! You deserve this! And don’t say nonsense! Alice told me how quickly you remember everything, besides, you know the languages of the seven worlds very well. You don’t need to have any magical abilities to become a good diplomat. You will serve at the court of Pontiar. Father wrote that you have to come immediately to the capital.

– But… – I cleared my throat. A spasm tightened my throat.

I pulled my finger out of my sister’s tenacious hands and burst into tears.

Mom put the baby to her breast, she greedily munched, although she looked in my direction.

– You can go when your voice will return, – mother placed the child more comfortable and sighed. – And I’ll write to your father about the lightning rods. Let him be proud of his son! I will also inform him that you are now a little ill.

I winced. Tut-tut. To be proud? There is nothing to be proud of… And it would be better to keep silence about the weaknesses. I’m a man!

– Maybe you shouldn’t? – I looked at her prayerfully, but her pursed lips answered for her. I had to agree. – Okay, Mom.

I said goodbye and left the bedroom. As I walked down to the kitchen, I pondered over the idea that haunted me. Academy, studying – everything was leading there. But I have an unfinished affair.

«I need to collect goose feathers, get some wire and pigments for paints from the hoarder Paco. I hope there is at least something left of the oak tree.» – I ruffled my bangs when I entered the kitchen, where there was a smell of mushroom pie.

– Why do you need feathers and paint? And I don’t think that you can find anything from your oak, except some coals and firebrands… – Varya took thought and wiped her hands from the flour.

– Did I say it aloud? – I shrugged my shoulders embarrassedly.

– Uh huh. Everything that you have in your mind, is on your tongue, – the cook grinned.

– Baby, let’s go to the table! – Alice commanded, placing the plates with my breakfast. Some plates, she put on a small tray, probably for mom. I plopped down on a long-legged stool and looked around at my breakfast: honey, nuts, herbal infusion, hot cakes with butter. Alice poured some milk into my mug, over which a steam was curling, and moved the plate with the mushroom pie to me.

– You will need to drink the infusion a little bit later, it hasn’t drawn yet, – she said and left with a tray.

I screwed up my eyes. The sun’s rays, which seemed to sneak into the kitchen, reflected in buckets of water. The dapples of light were dancing on the wooden ceiling and on my face. Now I didn’t feel emptiness in my soul. It had filled with something …With hope. Bliss spilled over my body. I will give my heart new memories. Yes. Now I have a little sister. I will protect her! And I will also do what I have planned…

I chewed a cake, ate a pie and drank a slightly bitter infusion of fern at one gulp. A handful of chopped nuts with honey muffled the bitterness. I thanked Varya and rushed to my room.

My wristwatch was on the table. The spheres on the dial were circling in a time dance. Soon the merchant should pass by, if, of course, he survived after the hostilities. I kissed three folded fingers, and put them to my forehead:

«Sherida, dear, help me. Let Paco have both wire and pigment for paints.»

I grabbed my work bag and hurried to the oak tree. On my way, I came across an old man Marash, who was cutting that evil blackberry bush.

– Master, where are you rushing? – he cleared his throat. – no one is chasing you.

– I have one idea… – I wheezed trying to recover my breath. A cut for your gift… – I waved and was about to run on, but was distracted by the gardener.

– Look, again the heavenly space is polluted with miasma… – Marash raised his head and sighed heavily, squinting unkindly towards the flying cargo ship. – They don’t have you… and your golden hands and priceless ideas. The city mechanics are stupid, they think only about the profit, but who will think about the people and nature? – the old man chuckled.

– If it is a fate, I will definitely fix their mechanisms, – I smiled and hurried to see Paco.

Approaching the burnt tree, I slowed down. I saw it and it took not only my breath. It was as if the soul was turned inside out and sprinkled with the ashes remaining from the carnage. I couldn’t move, my body turned to stone.

The sand has curled up into gray, bubbly chamfers that resemble frozen, bubbling water. Apparently, under the influence of lightning, the sand converted into natural glass, but of an ugly shape. The trunk of the tree was split into two unequal pieces. There was no crown left, only the largest branches. In the deepening of the oak, the wood was still smoldering. I knew I would get dirty, but I had to do it. On naughty legs, I walked over to the oak tree and hugged my friend. Leaning my cheek against a black stump, I said:

– I will give you a new life! Now you will always be nearby. Outcasts should keep together. You and I are so familiar… – it seems the tree thanked me. I didn’t see or hear, I just felt it. – You will become a bird. A phoenix risen from the ashes. We will leave home together.

I looked around. Something crunched under my foot: a solid branch, partially burnt, but quite strong. I picked it up and shook it in my hand.

– It will be a great body for a bird! Do you like it? – I asked the oak

And the oak answered: «Thank you. I will try to keep the most valuable for you…»

I’m sure it has heard every word. Breathing stopped for a moment. Heart beat so loudly that tears welled up. But I wasn’t going to cry. No. I won’t shed more tears. Wiping my wet eyes with my sleeve, I carefully put the branch into my bag.

A horse whinnying was heard behind the fence. It was Paco.

– Sherida, I put all my trust in you! – I looked up into the sky and, having said goodbye to the place of memories for the last time, ran down to the stone fence.