Chapter 8
The second stage begins!
The whole next day I devoted to idleness. Lunch with the lords was all on the same scenario - attempts to hurt each other, and most importantly - Airedan. Reniard still pretended that his words do not hurt a drop, and I began to envy his calmness and ability to control himself. I wish I had such willpower! I would have smashed the same Liverani on the wall when he said so:
- And confess, Ayordan, that you are more enticed by the throne or the charms of Princess Eliza?
I would have been outraged a long time ago, but Reniard only smiled a little:
- I am tempted by the opportunity to win and be away from you, lords. And at the same time, I want to see how you feel about my victory.
- A daredevil," Liverani filtered through.
- No more than you do," said Reniard, reaching for the fork, letting him know that the exchange of courtesies is over.
However, after last night's fights, my passion faded, and by evening I was bored. Exactly until my personal maid came to the door knocking and knocking. That is the maid of the princess, of course.
- Lord Cavernell," she whispered in a conspiratorial manner, "now her Highness has been sitting in the library for a long time and found some wonderful books. Here, she asked you to pass them on to you, so that you also appreciate them.
- Thank you. - I accepted three books in embossed bindings. - Give her my regards and words of sincere gratitude. As soon as I have my opinion on the books, I will let her know.
The maid bowed down and disappeared, and I jumped on the news from Arietta as a kite. At first, it seemed like there was nothing in the books. It was just the Search Magic Manual, the History of the Palace and the Essays of one of my ancestors. But then I spent a hand over the books, using the same search magic, and from the pages of "Sketches" appeared a white corner of an envelope. However, Ari did not stop there either. The envelope contained a blank white sheet. But now I knew what to do because we used to exchange notes like that when we were kids.
- Riardi," I cast a spell on the manifestation, and the girlfriend's neat handwriting appeared on the paper.
Dear Elias, I was delighted with your achievements during the Illusion.
I laughed quietly. Well, even if an envelope had been found, it would have been a letter for Elias Cavern.
Hopefully, the next six steps will be no less successful. And in order to increase your chances of winning tomorrow, I am handing you books that I think should help you. Pay attention to the pages from the fortieth to the seventieth in the History of the Palace Erection. I think they will interest you as much as I do. Good luck to you, Lord Cavernell!
Sincerely yours, Her Highness Eliza Aldonskaya
Come on, Ari! Well, it's a big deal! I took a candle and immediately burned the letter with the envelope. Since no one has seen it, I need to cover up any traces. She opened the window and scattered the ashes in the wind, and then looked at the books with much more interest. So, "Search Magic Manual". So, we have to find something. Wasn't it a staff accident? Although, since he was not found by a bloodhound, where do we go. But I repeat the basics - just in case. Now "History of the construction of the palace. From the fortieth page began the story of the royal greenhouse and the rare plant species that are there. That is, the search will be in the greenhouse? Carefully studied the selected section - and eaten. But in the greenhouse, there are far from friendly herbs, which can and gnarled, and even poison. You have to be careful! "She flipped through the sketches with almost no interest, believing that Ari had just used them to hide the envelope. But in the end, my ancestors wrote that underneath the greenhouse were once laid underground passages in case of war. With magical protection, by the way. And drew a plan of these very moves. And if... If you have to get out of them? Or to find something in their depths? I also memorized the plan until late at night and fell asleep with a book under my cheek.
And in the morning the servant woke me up and reported that breakfast was about to be served, and immediately after breakfast his majesty was waiting for us. Perhaps the lords were not very happy about their early awakening. And I am so, especially after half a night's sleep. But there is nothing to do, trials are trials. My heart was beating furiously. I was so nervous that I could barely cope with the buttons on my shirt and regretted that I did not let the maid help me. I corrected the amulet with the illusion on the spot. Great. You can have breakfast and start the selection.
This time we were taken not to the ceremonial hall, but to the park, to a small fountain, throwing out colorful jets of water. I always liked this place, but I had no idea what it had to do with the search, the greenhouse and so on. The lords were also confused until my father showed up on the track. Alone, without Ari. Decided not to torture the "daughter" with a long wait?
- I am glad to welcome those who passed the second stage of selection. - The king graciously smiled, but I noticed that he looked tired. Apparently, it was because of the staff. - Today you will have a short walk. For this task, I ask you to break into pairs.
I didn't even have time to bicker before the lords formed four pairs, and I was expected to leave Reniard, with whom no one wanted to be in the team. But I was only happy!
- I think we'll work together, Reniard," I nodded to him.
Ayordan smiled. He seemed happy about that outcome, too. A servant came up to us and handed us a sealed envelope.
- There were five envelopes before you," said the king. - They contain a description of what you need to find. The search time is eight hours. With the last bell strike in the palace temple, the test is complete. The last couple to arrive will leave our selection. As well as those who cannot cope at all. Good luck!
We were immediately enveloped in a white haze. And when I could see again, I was standing in the middle of tall thickets together with Reniard. There were no other lords around.
- I think it's time to print the envelope, Elias," said Reniard. - At least we'll know what we need to look for.
I broke my father's seal and read it out loud:
- My color is like the sun, but I can't see it. I went underground as low as I could. Touch it - I will take it to the dream world. What am I? Here is your question.
Reniard took my sheet and read it again.
- Maybe it's the roots of a plant? - He assumed.
- Yes, most likely. But which plant has the yellow root? And again, what does the dream world have to do with it?
- Apparently, the root causes visions. What can it be?
I immediately remembered the book I read yesterday about the greenhouse and its plants. Not just read, but almost learned.
- The visions do not cause so many plants. And we need something that uses only the root. Of all the things around the palace, there is blue philafion, agonizing and Circassian loach.
- I'll bend over... Maybe a loach? - was suggested by Reniard. - And then, not to dig up plants for us?
- Do you think so? - No, something is wrong here. Too obvious. There was a thought in my head, but I couldn't catch it. - You know, Reniard, since we're on the same team, let's throw away court etiquette. May I speak to you alone?
- Please, - he nodded.
- So... I think we should first find all three plants and look at their roots. I have a rough idea of what a loach and agonizing looks like. But the filaria...
There was no philafian picture in the book.
- I will find Philafias," said Reniard. - You have to be careful. All three plants cause visions.
- Note: "Touch it and I'll take it to the dream world. So, you can't touch the root".
- Is it just the root?
I shook my shoulders. My father could think of anything. Or rather, he was the one who made the mystery for him. Why did they give him eight hours of time? I doubted more and more.
- Come on, Elias. - Reniard turned to the nearest road. - I had to start somewhere.