Chapter 3
Escape from the palace
Escape day was inexorably approaching. Ari and I talked a hundred times about his details, but still, it was scary. The first emotions calmed down. I realized the madness of my decision, but I was not going to retreat. I am a person. A living person with his own feelings. And I will not let anyone dispose of me as a thing. But I should have given my father one last chance.
It was a sunny spring afternoon. Father, accompanied by his courtiers, walked through the garden, and I waited in his office, trying to find those very convincing words. Alas, it turned out badly, because the prepared speech was reminiscent of either hysterics or a foolish girl's talk. But the waiting time had elapsed, and his father appeared on the doorstep, accompanied by the faithful Villian.
- ...We need to meet with Ambassador Rydania," I heard a fragment of the conversation. - They have offers that are beneficial to us.
Villian noticed me and stopped talking. And I went up to meet my father.
- Elisa? - He looked surprised. - Did something happen?
- I need to talk to you, Father," I said calmly, even though there was a storm inside. - And the conversation will be personal.
Villian waited for his father to let him go, and walked out on the way, glancing at me with a sorry look. Maybe I was afraid of the secretary for nothing for so many years and we could be friends. Alas, now I won't know.
- I listen to you. - My father sat down at the table and stared at me.
- Father, we will talk about selection. - The prepared words got out of my mind. - I realize I've been acting a little... careless lately. I promise it won't happen again. Please, let's postpone the selection.
- It's impossible, Elisa," the king frowned. - The invitations have already spread across Aldon. And it's time for you to stop being childish. Marriage will help you to enter into full magical power, and motherhood, you look and calm your irrepressible temperament.
- Motherhood?
This is the last thing I thought about, but I was still horrified. What kind of mother am I? I just recently stopped playing dolls.
- Elisa, the decision is made.
I flew out of the office and rushed to my room. Well, my decision is made too, and since the father doesn't want to listen to the daughter, the daughter won't listen to the father. Stop! It doesn't matter if they find me or not. I will prove that I have the right to vote. Am I a princess or not?
Ari was already waiting for me.
- Well? - She asked.
- My father wants to see me as an exemplary mother and wife," I said frowningly. - Nothing can change. Get ready, Ari. Today I will leave the palace.
I couldn't believe I'd make up my mind until the last moment. But my father just left me with no choice! Finally, I stopped at my mother's house to see my little sister. Too bad we won't be seeing each other for a while. If I ever came back as a non-selectant at all. I told the maids I was going to sleep at around ten o'clock. They helped me undress and turned on the night light. Everything went to sleep.
I was the only one lying there counting minutes until midnight. I slipped out of bed and dived into a closet waiting for the clothes to be prepared. She changed her clothes quickly, and when she returned to the bedroom, Ari was already there with the knot assembled.
- Don't forget to impose an illusion," she suggested.
I froze in front of the mirror. Of course, a girl wouldn't turn into a man. But you can hide your breasts, add some muscles, change your figure a little bit. Ari shortened her hair with scissors on her shoulder blades. And what would I do without her? The main thing was to make the voice youthful. One more spell - and the high notes disappeared, leaving not a low, but a pleasant male timbre.
- The main thing is, don't let anyone touch you! - The girlfriend taught me. - The illusion is visual. And it's better to bandage your breasts just in case, as you will fit in the inn. So far, it will wait, but not so much ... And less talk. Elisa, what kind of guy is he? No, he's cute enough, of course, but he doesn't have manhood in you!
- I will run away anyway. - I picked up a knot. - Thank you, Ari. See you at the selection.
I hugged my friend one last time, and I sniffed into the hallway. The guards had just finished their rounds, and I had a quarter of an hour to go down to the maid's floor and slip through it into the courtyard. I had to go quickly. Unusual shoes interfered. I pushed the lever on the wall, opening the aisle for the servants, and went down a narrow staircase.
- ...And I said to him, "Who did you call a chicken here? You brainless ram! - ...and suddenly I heard the sound of it, and I went up against the wall. My heart was pounding, my head was spinning. Pull yourself together, Elisa! Your fate is being decided now!
Luckily, the maids who were discussing their boyfriends passed by and I continued my journey. The last door and the night air smelled in my face. I pressed the knot tighter, whispered my prayer to the light goddess Adis, the patroness of the family, and snapped behind the gate.
I had spent my whole life in the capital city, and I didn't know the city at all. At least Ari told me where to find a good inn. Otherwise, she would have gotten lost. The streets were crowded, despite the late hour. I was trying to stay away from noisy companies and I was speeding things up. The last streets left to the inn were almost running. And when the sign "Cozy Courtyard" appeared in front of her, she barely held back the cry of relief.
As soon as I got inside, the smell of roast hit my nose. In the common room, the guests were still feasting. And I wanted to turn into an invisible mouse and sneak past everyone.
- Bright way, sir. - A woman in a brown dress and a white apron came out of the hall. Probably the mistress. - How can I help you?
- I need a room for a couple of days," I said. - Preferably a single-seat room.
- Alas, there is only one bed left, and that bed is in a double room," the woman put her hands together. - If you agree, she is yours.
I would never agree! I just didn't know where to look for another inn, even in the middle of the night. Alas, Ari and I didn't think there might be no room. How stupid!
- Well, I agree... Sen. - I got better in time.
- Can I get your name?
- The Supreme Lord Elias Cavernel. - I spread my shoulders and lifted my nose like all the representatives of the Higher Houses.
- Oh, I'm sorry, my lord. - The woman immediately bowed in a curtsy. - My humble home is always at your service. Only the room...
- I'm tired of getting out of the way, so I'll be patient for a couple of days. Until another one is free. And the retinue, so is it, will have to stop somewhere else. Lead the way.
We climbed the creaky stairs. The experience dried up in my mouth, and I dreamt of a glass of water, but I did not ask. The room I was taken to look very cozy. Not without reason "Yard" was considered one of the best inn. In the unclear light of the lamp found a table, two chairs, a wardrobe, a nightstand with a carafe of water and a bed. One of them was already sleeping with a man facing the wall. Of course! They think I'm a man too! And the other one remained free.
- Sleep well, my lord. - The mistress sat down in the curtain again, left the lamp and left for me, and I finally poured water into a glass and drank a salvo. How nice! Despite the excitement, I suddenly realized how tired I was, and without undressing, I climbed under the blanket. Let the neighbor think he wants to, but I'll sleep.
In the morning there was another good news waiting for me - the room was empty! No, the stranger's things, of course, remained in place, but he went somewhere else. So it wasn't time to sleep! Time to act.
First of all, I ordered some water and washed it. I decided to postpone breakfast for later: food is tolerated, business is not. On Ari's advice, she tried to hide the differences in figure - if not, suddenly someone will decide to touch it. I looked in the mirror - yes, someone else's face was a little tense, but in general - not everything is so bad. That just constantly maintains the illusion of a low-cost. And what if in the midst of trials it will fall? In the palace did not magic - you can attract unnecessary attention. If the illusion is an easy spell and does not stir up the general magic background, the work with artifacts is a serious matter.
The pendant that's been slowed down on the table. I put my hands on it and whispered the spell formula, directing the currents first to open the magical channels, then to secure them. Finally, she attached the currents inside the pendant to the illusion. Now, as long as I'm wearing it, there's nothing to be afraid of. There is no more Eliza, there is only the unknown Elias.
The idea that one of the contenders might know Cavernel in the face came up belatedly. But I drove her away. The lands of the Cavernels are far away. And that's it. And I will succeed. The pendant slipped around my neck. I decided not to leave the room, so to speak, to avoid it. The selection is tomorrow. And I was most likely boasted. So, they are looking everywhere they can. But closer to lunch the feeling of hunger was not a joke. In the end, it is necessary to try the disguise. Having convinced myself that nothing terrible would happen, I went down to the hall. Time was lunchtime, and it was still crowded. I looked for a place at the far table, called the maid and ordered me to serve lunch.
The maid returned with a large tray, smoking meat and baked vegetables, and splashing wine in the glass. Of course, local guests are unlikely to drink juice at lunch.
- Give me some water," I ordered, trying to seem as confident as possible.
- Right away, my lord.
After bowing down, the girl disappeared, and I took off for lunch. Alas, half the usual cutlery wasn't here. Of course, the High Lords must have rented entire mansions for themselves, and only a fugitive princess has to stay in the inn. But I didn't complain. And when I imagined the turmoil in the palace, I even smiled. Alas, it is now dangerous to get in touch with Ari, otherwise, I would have learned the news first hand.
When lunch was over, I got up, threw a silver coin on the table and went to the stairs. But I got too carried away with my own thoughts and woke up when I hit a gentleman with my shoulder.
- I'm sorry," I mumbled on the way.
He grabbed my elbow.
- Did you get your eyes out, puppy?
- I said I'm sorry," I frowned, and magic was already tingling my fingers. But to scuffle in the inn was to draw unnecessary attention to yourself. Gendarmes will appear and will quickly determine that I moved in at night, introduced myself as a stranger because no one to confirm my identity is around. There are no fools working in the royal search. They will quickly realize that the matter is not clean. One thing that made me restrain myself.
- Who are you staring at? - A dork woke up - above me on my head and so wide in my shoulders, which is strange how I did not hurt him at all. - I'll put my eyes on your back!
- Sir, take friendly advice and go your way. - I was trying to reach a peaceful agreement, but my interlocutor was thirsty for a fight. He spread his fingers, trying to grab me. I jumped under the wide paw and found myself behind his back, and then pushed him with my boot into a soft place, hoping that the hog would count the steps on his forehead and calm down. It wasn't here! It is easier to move the mountain than this pile of fat.
- You worm! - He cried out and grabbed me. Long live bandages! Otherwise, I would have been caught here. But the situation was getting more and tenser, and what to hide was scary. No one had ever allowed themselves to be treated like that. And I, too, did not have to hit anyone. And I don't even have a gun... Here's a fool!
The enemy took advantage of the second confusion and clenched my ribs.
- Avi... - I had already started casting a spell, like a cold, calm voice:
- Let the boy go.
- What? - The paws opened, and I swallowed the air convulsively.
- I say, it's easy to attack the unarmed, isn't it?
The man in the mountain was backward, and then he let the hare go faster. I didn't suspect him of being such a pimple! But I finally saw who came to the rescue. In front of me with a sword in my hand was a young man - twenty-five years old, no more. His dark hair was on the back of his head, but he still had naughty strands on his forehead. But what was the look... Brr. The ice froze in the blue eyes. So, probably, they are looking at an empty place, not at a man. My "assistant" was dressed more than decent. Rather, it was expensive. And what did he forget in the inn?
- Thank you. - I looked away.
- Next time, hit with magic, it's useless to talk with such people," he shook his shoulders and continued to climb the stairs.
I was shivering. I wanted to get under the blanket, hide with my head and hide from the world. I accelerated my step to get back to the room, overtook the man and opened the door. Only the blue-eyed man came after me.
- What are you doing here? - I asked, and I was going to take his own advice and cast a heavy spell.
- Actually, you and I are neighbors. - He sat on the second bed. - Lord Reniard Ayordan, at your service.
He bowed his head slightly, but I felt like I was the one who had to bow down to the ground. Wait! Ayordan? Was he still invited?
- Lord Elias Cavernel," I came to my senses and copied a bow to Reniard. - We seem to have arrived in the capital in the same case.
- Cavernell? In the inn? Did your family go broke at all? - Ayordan bent his eyebrow in surprise.
- My family lives and lives. - For some reason, I was offended by the stranger Elias. - But tomorrow the selection will begin, and I arrived that night. They recommended this place for me to a sleepover, that's all.
- Well, good for you," Ayordan snorted and turned his back.
What a guy! And it is right that they are not allowed into the palace, with such ego! It's strange that he stood up for me at all. Or maybe the neighbor moaning from his wounds wasn't one of his plans? Or was he alerted to the title? Their house doesn't get along with other Higher Houses, does it?
- What?" Reniard asked, "and I shuddered with surprise.
Yes, it was rude. I sit and stare at someone I barely know.
- It's okay, I'm sorry. - I turned the other way around, but that was how I could see my neighbor in the mirror. No, when he doesn't say anything, he even looks attractive. Not handsome, of course, but his face is correct, aristocratic. The impression was slightly spoiled by the thin lips, slightly curved in a haughty smile. But the figure of the goddess did not endow. Against his background, I really seemed like a boy. A kind of chicken that fell out of the nest. But I will have an example of male behavior before my eyes. Moreover, the behavior of the Highest.
Meanwhile, Ayordan put the paper on the table and started to write something in the scroll. And all I had to do was stare at the wall. Or should I dare to go out and get my weapon in town? Magic with magic and a sword wouldn't hurt me. All the more so because I knew how to fence. My father considered this skill necessary in a number of general magic sciences.
- Do you know where to find a gunsmith nearby? - I asked. - On the way, there was an unfortunate case, and I lost my sword.
- I saw a sign around the corner. - Ayordan answered as if he were doing me a favor. - But I don't know if it would fit your status.
I don't care about the status! I put on a cape and hurried to the door. I ran a bullet down the hallway, fearing a recent acquaintance, and it was only on the street that I took my breath away. It's okay, Elisa, you can do it. It's just the first day in a new role. It's always hard at first. It takes a little patience.
The gunsmith's shop was really around the corner. Behind the counter missed the old man with the grey hair. For the magician, gray is a sign of a more than respectable age. So, he is three hundred years old, if not more.
- What can I do for you, sir? - He asked, bowing down.
- I need a sword," I answered. - Light and comfortable, yet worthy of the Highest. Do you have one?
- Of course, my lord. - The old man instantly realized that it wasn't just a boy who came to see him. - Please wait a second.
He disappeared outside the door and soon returned with a gun. The sword was really beautiful. And the main thing was that it was strong. The enchanted weapon was expensive, I knew it. And I paid the required ten gold pieces, thanking Arietta mentally. I also bought a thin dagger - it will also be useful if someone starts to spread their tongue like in the morning. With a sword, I immediately felt more relaxed and went slowly to the inn, staring at the sides and listening to the conversations.
- And today Lord Laherney arrived," the rumor caught on to the scraps of the conversation between the two girls. - There was a luxurious entrance! The king himself would have been jealous.
- Yes, but the lord had to wait at least an hour to get into town. They say something happened in the palace. All the guards were summoned there. And only the participants of the selection are allowed to enter the city and nobody is allowed to leave.
