The unicorn snorted, but it's quiet now. Lane sat down in front of her, continuing to sing. As if enchanted, the unicorn knelt down and bowed her head. Very slowly, Lane took off her golden bridle, unbuckled the buckle of a girlfriend. The unicorn didn't move. Lane put down the saddle, stroked the tangled maneuver, whispered something into a long, pointed ear. The unicorn rose to her feet, turned around, swaying sleepily, and chickened out into the bushes.
Dil jumped to the ground before the white skin stopped flickering in the bushes.
- Purpose?! - he woke Lane up on his feet.
- Of course," the elf turned abruptly. - You better deal with your suicidal con artist!
Dil turned to the shaking girl.
- But I'd never really been with a man..." she sat down under his gloomy gaze.
- And with a woman?
- I thought it didn't count... - she was crying.
Lane snorted like a unicorn.
- There is a fool. And you fell for it, Dr. Demon.
Dil just gave up. The nun sincerely believed in her virginity. How was it not to make a mistake?
* * *
Contrary to Diehl's fears, the royal (and only) magician Lagorra honestly returned Lane's debt receipt and paid the agreed hundred gold pieces.
- It's nice to deal with you gentlemen," Kedar smiled dryly with his thin lips. The grey eyes on the parchment face remained serious. - It is quite possible that I have more work for you. Will you do it?
Dil sparingly nodded, hiding in a bag pleasantly calling purse. Lane bowed gracefully.
- At any time, my lord. You know where to look for us.
- Or maybe, well, him? - Diehl doubted when they got home safely. - I don't like this magician. Shall we leave? On Lagorra, the roads didn't converge with a wedge.
- Let's decide tomorrow, shall we? - Lane yawned at the risk of dislodging his jaw. Too wide and too diligent. - I didn't get enough sleep.
- Wait," Dil struggled to block the stairs to the second floor. - First, explain why you were chasing me down a girl, if you can handle unicorns yourself.
Lane got bored, fell against the wall, and stared at the socks of his boots.
- I don't know how. No one can handle them except... Well, you're right. Only it doesn't matter whether it's a girl or a boy. The main thing is chastity.
- Yes? - Dil stood and sat down on the bottom step of the stairs. - And why is it considered that a unicorn can only catch a girl?
- Think about it," Lane jerked his shoulder peskyly. - Unicorn children are eaten by unicorns and obey only those who are of marriageable age. And what guy confesses at the age of sixteen that he is still a virgin?
- Or at 43 if he's an elf," Dil turned his head. - I wouldn't admit it either. But how did it work out? It is not customary for you to remain a virgin, is it?
- Who needs me like that?! - Lane threw desperate eyes at him. - Except to charm myself with lovers. But I hate it so much, I really want to!
- What is wrong with you?
Lane suffocated.
- You're... you're kidding, right?! I'm ugly!
- That's not true! - Dil is outraged. - You're unusual for an elf, that's all. But you have beautiful eyes and hair...
- Hair?! - Lane's eyes were sprayed with evil tears of swamp green with golden speckles. - The elf's hair should flow like moon silk or night wind. What about me? The chips are rusty! Well, who would love such a person?
Dil thought about the possible answers and stopped at the simplest one.
Lane, who was wiping his face furiously, dropped his handkerchief.
- Are you serious?
- Much more serious," Dil sighed. - Otherwise, how would I have stood up to you all this time?
- I'm acting like an angel!
- Angels don't play gambling. And if they play, they don't lose to the ground, - Dil stood up.
We managed to admit it, you can`t say anything. Now Lane will start practicing in wit, and then we will have to leave. Go and go until the road is over.
- How long ago? - Lane asked quietly.
- I don't know," Dil scratched his head puzzlingly. - Though... Remember the first time you lost our money? I decided to teach you a lesson then. I caught a stinking toad, thought I'd put you to bed. And you were sleeping and smiling. So..." he awkwardly crushed the hem of his jacket, "since then.
Lane was silent, swallowing strangely. Dil sighed. Again, he ruined everything.
- Okay, forget it. I'll get over it.
Heavily stupid, he started climbing the stairs. On the second flight he was caught by a small tornado. He twisted it, dragged it into the bedroom, knocked it over on the bed, and turned to Lane. The elf glowed with eyes, a smile, and every red hair in his hair.
- I love you too! I just didn't believe it at first, I thought you were mocking me.
- Why not? - He touched his cheeks as if he was afraid of getting burned by this shining light.
- How many times had it been like that..." Lane parched. - Our people know how to play a joke.
- No one else will hurt you," Dil covered his eyes so he wouldn't scare Lane into a hot wave of anger. - No one ever did.
And if anyone dared even think about it, I would destroy it," he thought. - And body and soul, so that they would not be reborn again.
In the middle of the night, when Lane was asleep, quietly purring, Dil took hold of him and talked him into it.
- Promise me you won't lose so much anymore! Kedar would want a dragon next time.
- I promise," Lane rubbed his eyes and yawned sweetly. - I don't need it anymore.
- In what sense?
- Well, you know what they say: unlucky in cards, lucky in love. And I was already lucky.
Dil groaned.
- Lainie, but it's just a comforting saying! Not even an omen.
- I know," Lane smiled and curled up on his side. - But it worked!