Between the lines is written in fire. Natalie Yacobson
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Название: Between the lines is written in fire
Автор: Natalie Yacobson
Издательство: Издательские решения
isbn: 9785006468597
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«But how is it?» Rosamunda felt sick at the thought of dragon fire.
«How do you do this?» Dandy pointed with his claw at the cracks in the floor and columns. They weren’t here yesterday. And today she’s angry and they’re here.
«It’s the earthquake, not me.»
«Earthquakes are always caused by someone. Trust me, I know from experience. If it’s not you, there’s a powerful sorcerer living in the cellars of your castle. Or he could hide among your courtiers.»
«Don’t scare me like that!»
«A queen should not be frightened of anything,» Dandy shook his index claw instructively. «Especially it is a dragon that could serve you profitably.»
«What fairy tales!»
«I knew a queen who tamed a dragon. True, they had so many scandals that everything went up in flames. But when the dragon got drunk, he served her like a faithful dog.»
«What are you talking about?» Rosamunda exclaimed judgmentally, but Dandy didn’t seem to hear her.
«By the way, the dragon was gold, and the queen was greedy, but she knew perfectly well that it was not worth skinning it for the treasury, when in a live form it could get more profit for her than the precious scales alone were worth.»
«Surely you were her advisor,» Rosamunda quipped.
«Alas, I was not. Unlike you, she was cunning without me. She managed to wrest that dragon from an entire royal clan from an enemy power. She didn’t hesitate to poach him. What a clever little beast!»
«Where does that queen live?»
«It is in Fallot.»
«That’s not that far. We could send her a message and see if you can verify what you say.
«Don’t! She won’t answer you honestly anyway. Her Majesty, the red-haired Queen Seraphina has always been devilishly cunning.»
«Does the dragon still serve her?»
«Not anymore! Now is your chance to lure him into her service. It won’t be difficult with your outward abilities.»
«You speak of the dragon as if he were a young man.»
Dandy laughed softly. An unpleasant rumbling echo traveled through the hall, flying into every crevice. Rosamunda looked around cautiously. Had any of the counselors heard the laughter? Or else they would think that it was the devil himself laughing, and she, the queen, who had called him, and who should be declared a witch and sent to the stake.
«Listen! Only a witch can control a dragon, right?»
«I thought of it myself!» Dandy grinned slyly.
«Well, I’m not a witch! Then I shouldn’t even look at it. It’s too dangerous.»
She wanted to run away, but the insolent clawed counselor clutched at her hem. He’s so intrusive! He can’t be moved by force! He looks small, but he’s as strong as a giant.
«Stop it! You must go to the mountains and see if the dragon is real. If you don’t check it yourself, everyone will fool you with fairy tales.»
«But you said yourself he’s not fictional.»
«It is not in Fallot! But in the mountains of your kingdom, who knows? I haven’t climbed there and I haven’t checked. I leave that privilege to the ruler of the land, which is you.»
This could be some kind of trap! He’s been luring her into the mountains with too much persistence. On the other hand, what does she have to lose by sneaking up there? And if her hunch is correct, and her anger can make the earth shake and crack, sucking in an entire enemy army, then she has nothing to fear from the conspirators or even the dragon.
«It is all right, you got it!»
Dandy scraped the already cracked marble floor with the claws of his lower paws in joy.
«I’ll go steal a carriage!»
«It’s easier to just borrow one from the stables.»
«No, then everyone will know who’s riding it. And we need to maintain our incognito. I’d rather they think the carriage was stolen.»
«But then we’ll be chased by the guards.»
«With your skills, it wouldn’t be hard for them to fall into the first ravine that cracks in the road.»
«Why should I go to such lengths for a dragon?»
«It is for you first and foremost! You need a fire-breathing protector or you’ll die.»
It was a fire-breathing problem! But Rosamunda remained silent. It would be useless to argue with Dandy, and if she called the guards, he would dash into the first crevice and disappear there, and then appear in her bedroom at night like a bogeyman from a nightmare. It’s better to make a deal with him.
«It’s really interesting to find out if dragons exist.»
«I’m curious, too,» Dandy admitted. «I’ve never seen one up close. Besides, if our plan succeeds, you’ll make me chief minister.»
«I didn’t promise that!»
«If you ride the dragon, you’ll probably want to thank me.»
«I’m a little scared.»
«Don’t be. You’re the ruler of an entire country, not a pussycat. It is for the good of your people, you must always be prepared to sacrifice yourself to dragons and burn alive.»
«That’s not in the king’s oath!»
«But just in case, say it to the people and you will be loved and respected. And when the time comes to burn in the dragon’s flames, you can either be scared and run away, or conspire with the dragon.»
Dandy proved to be a shrewd politician. And what misfortune would come of consorting with him? But she really wanted to see a real dragon from afar. Besides, a trip to the mountains costs nothing. It’s only half a day’s journey. No one at the castle would notice her absence. After all, the queen is unsociable. And when she comes to the council, disasters happen. So it’s best for everyone to assume she never leaves her chambers.
A trip to the mountains
It is quite unusual to steal a carriage from yourself. Rosamunda felt like a stranger in her own carriage. Dandy chose the most luxurious carriage, drawn by six horses, and drove it along an unremarkable bumpy road. The wheels stuck in the mud. The gilded walls with coats of arms were scratched by boulders and iron-sharp branches. The path was very narrow. It was a wonder how СКАЧАТЬ