Chapter 9 (continued)
Where do the searches lead
I wish I knew which part of the maze to look in! We've been going over the plot by plot, and not a hint of plants! It was beginning to seem like a stupid idea. Maybe that's not what Ari meant when she sent me my ancestor's notes. Or did I misunderstand? So what do I do?
I turned around the corner and recoiled.
- Wren," I called quietly.
- What? Airedan was just behind me. - What a curse!
Yeah, I had a lot to shout about. There was a huge dog lying peacefully in front of us. It was the size of six regular dogs. Of course, I've heard of dungeon guards, but I always thought it was a fantasy. You could have turned around and left before we were noticed, but behind you could see a pot with a bright yellow flower.
- I think it's protecting our plant. - Reniard said the obvious.
- I think we're going to be eaten here.
The dog raised his head and drew in air. Then he roared, and the ground fell from the ceiling. Help!
- I will hold him back. Grab the flower and run to the exit," Ayordan ordered.
I wanted to stop this madman, but who was waiting for me? Reniard rushed forward to put up shields. A flame broke out around the dog. The guard howled.
- Elias!
I rushed through the fire, which seemed to be becoming a bad habit," I picked up a pot of flowers, trying not to touch the plant itself, and ran to the exit. It's a good thing that Reniard invented these tags! Otherwise, she would have stayed here. I got lost in the passages. She ran as fast as she could, pleading with the bright gods to get Reniard out. She flew up the fragile stairs and fell out into the greenhouse with a flower pressed against her. Wren, please! She put the pot on the ground and was about to rush back to Ayordan's aid, as she heard the hum. He was gradually growing. Reniard was running down the hall, followed by a dog. The monster's fangs were dripping with saliva. He'll just swallow Reniard! If it weren't for the fire shields, Ayordan would have been dead long ago! Reniard took off on the stairs.
I immediately put the lid back on, and Reniard sealed it on top, and then collapsed next to me, trying to breathe.
- Wren? - I leaned over him. - Wren, are you hurt?
- It's all right," the Lord waved. - I thought I was done. Is the flower here?
I solemnly raised the pot.
- It's called Gascony. - Reniard took a glimpse of the plant. - It really grows in mountain caves, but it was made especially for us.
Suddenly there was a bell fight.
- We are late! - Ayordan jumped up.
Judging by the fact that it was almost dark around, we were really late. And this time we rushed away, forgetting about fatigue. And the bell ruthlessly counted the hours - three, four, five ... With the eighth blow, we flew out of the greenhouse. We were already waiting for us. My father was sitting in a chair with a high backrest. Ari was standing next to us, and her chair was still empty. She must have been worried about me. Along the walls, the lords were seated. To my pleasure, I noticed that they were also very wrinkled.
- You were the last ones to come, Ayordan," Listings said.
My father looked at him with a grim look, and Listias bent over his bow, mumbling:
- Forgive me, Your Majesty.
And the lords are not all here! I counted seven. One thing was missing.
- I am ready to announce the results of the second stage of the selection, - said the king. - Alas, gentlemen, you all understood the task wrong.
I pressed down the flower, which came at such an expensive price, forgetting about possible illusions. Did they find it?
- It was a test," Father continued, "to show whether you were able to find common ground even with your opponent in order to reach a common goal. Alas, not all of you have managed. Lords Laherney and Yarden returned separately. And Lord Edwins' partner Lord Victor did not return at all. Hence my decision - Lord Edwinet left the person with whom he had to negotiate in danger. And their couple is out of the selection.
- That's not fair, Your Majesty! - rushed to King Edwina. - I was one of the first to come back and bring back a spike leaf!
- The plant was also found incorrectly," Father continued. - Therefore, your fate has been resolved, Edwine. Alas, you will have to stay in the palace until the staff is found, so your belongings will be moved to another wing today. Congratulations to all the others on the stage. And in order for you to get to know my daughter and the future wife of one of you better, the next two days will see you in person with Princess Eliza. Have a rest, lords.
Is this a bad joke? Personal meetings with Ari? Even evil has taken me. Like a show of some kind! But who is in the role of the product? Me or the lords? We need to talk to Ari, urgently!
- Elias, are you coming? - Reniard called me out, with the lords observing the rules of etiquette.
- I'm on my way. - I gave the flower to the servants and rushed after Airedan.
We let the rest of the lords go forward and slowed down ourselves.
- I thought we'd lost," said Reniard quietly.
- So did I," admitted Frankly. - But the dungeon guard was worse than losing. I never thought that such monsters live in the palace.
- That's for sure.
We laughed together. And the team worked together!
- You know, Elias, I couldn't have done it without you," said Reniard. - If my partner had been someone else, he would have gladly left me in the dungeon, and closed the hatch.
- I couldn't have done it without you either," I shook my head. - And I would never have defeated a dog. So we're even. If I learn anything about the next stage of the selection, I will inform you.
- Thank you, Elias.
- And you, too, Wren. See you tomorrow.
However, instead of washing and resting, I immediately grabbed three books from Ari.
Your Highness," I sketched on a piece of paper, "thank you for your favor! I would like to personally pay my respects to you right after breakfast tomorrow. I will wait in the library.
Lord Elias Cavern
She put an illusion on the handwriting, sealed the letter in an envelope and, like Ari, hid it with a spell between the pages. Then she called the servant and ordered him to hand over the books to the maid who brought them. They will - I will say that I fell in love with the princess, so I made a date. And let them prove that this is not the case!