There were young maids who brought the heated wine for the coppersmiths to the public. They blinked anxiously at Shaurus, but quickly turned their eyes away and returned to their work. It was as if they were afraid of her. It was strange.
Miriel was well aware of the Roma community of Kofa and their traditions. They were a simple and happy people. They communicated in a family way, on one short leg. And Shavra ordered the man as a noble lady - a servant. Very strange.
Little Krikh came back with two huge glasses. Shavra took them from him and brought them to the guests. Dale immediately drank a sip. Miri smelled carefully. Shavra smiled.
- Can a fairy be poisoned?
The girl shrugged her shoulders.
- You must not die. And we can hang around with our stomachs like humans.
- Drink, have no fear. I have prepared such potions all my life. Today I sell to those who don't drink wine.
- I am not afraid.
- Fairies don't know fear? - Shavra smiled again.
- You know the fairies well, Monna Shavra.
- Not so much. It's okay to get to know each other better. The circus will be here for another week. Come visit me and we will talk.
Miri smiled politely. Shavra continued:
- And if you want, we can start right away. Your girlfriend is obsessed with circus tricks and you're about to get bored. We can talk while he's having fun.
Mirielle looked back at Dale. The drink had an effect: The groom turned red, opened his fur coat and looked into the magician with his eyes open. He didn't look at Miri.
- Okay, let's talk. Are you really interested in fairies?
Shavra's eyes sparkled. Curiosity? Or. Greed? She shrugged her shoulders with indifference.
- It is really interesting. Since you went into my tent, why don't you get to know your race better. Let's go to my snack - it's too loud here.
The offer surprised Miri. She didn't expect Shavra to offer to talk privately. It is strange to be strange.
If Miri were a man, her observations and premonitions would be enough to turn the groom into a pile and run away from this circus. But she was a fairy. And she felt invulnerable under the protection of the line.
And Shavra, without waiting for her consent, went through the entire circus to the curtain and hid the adjoining rooms. Miri wanted to stay put and not go anywhere. But she felt uncomfortable after she had promised to talk to the Roma woman about fairies.
She followed the mistress through the ruins of the circus props. Shavra's lap was blocked by brightly polished ornaments. Behind them stood a square table and a narrow topchan.
- Sit down," Shavra stressed. - More tea, or do you want something stronger? There is wine, beer, alcoholic cranberry tincture.
Miri waved her head. The further she went, the less she liked it here. She suddenly wanted to go back to Dale, pick him up and get him out of the tent.
- You know, I will go after all. I should not have left Dale there alone. He would worry if he didn't find me. And it's time for us to go, the parents are waiting.
- Your friend will be here soon.
- Why?
- It is necessary, fairy.
Something in Shavra's intonations alarmed the girl. She squints at the mysterious alien, a gypsy, nerdy gypsy woman. She struck back when she saw Shavra's eyes blink purple. It enveloped the whole woman and crawled around her like a flame. Only for a fraction of a second - even the fire did not ignite so quickly.
Purple tongues attacked Mirielle, and the girl screamed. Not because she was afraid or in pain, she had no feelings either. Out of protest and outrage. How can this stranger dare to use magic against her? Against the fairy!
Miriel wanted to push the woman, jump out, grab Dale and run away together. But she couldn't lift a finger. And behind Shavra's back it was as if the air had opened and the bottomless blackness had ploughed in front of two women.