Book One: «Selection: Choice or Destiny» Cycle : Land Of The Dragon.

Chapter 15-17

Chapter 15. Stirlitz’s Failure

In anticipation of accompanying I was walking down the hall, examining the pattern of the marble floor (he was black and sleek, in the center laid out drawing of the sun, the color of gold), white columns, stretching high up in the cave vaults. I tried to memorize the very details that Elegelika asked for. But the study was interrupted by the pleasant male voice of a handsome brunette:

- Hello, Catherine. You look wonderful

I looked down at my dress, a little dusty, absolutely not perceptible, without a corset. Looked up at the stranger, I met the gaze of his blue eyes, noted the high growth and tightened figure. I gave short answer — «Thank you» — and returned to looking down the hall.

The Interlocutor silently studied me, obviously not expecting such neglect from me, probably local womanizer (appearance pretty, voice fascinating, I am, for example, at the edge of the eye studying it), used to the ladies catching his attentions signs. I am so tired today forces to flirt with the local playboy left.

— Good morning, Your Majesty. Did you return earlier than planned? — a voice said Rosalind, who sat in a deep curtsy.

I felt faint, it is necessary so to fail the task for agents 007 so not to know the subject of persecution so to speak in the face. But I had nothing to do once again unfold in the direction of the heir. It seemed too late to bow, so I simply froze in silence, waiting for an answer.

- Yes, Rosalind, as you can see. Would you like to walk with me in the garden?

- With pleasure, Your Majesty — and she took the brunet under his arm sending me a perfectly sincere smile.

- Have a nice evening Catherine

- Thank you, Your Majesty - I said quietly. From rainbow mood was gone.

- Have a nice evening Catherine

- Thank you, Your Majesty - quietly said by me. There was no trace of the rainbow.

Chapter 16

I should have worn the lowest cleavage I have at dinner to distract the heir from analyzing my behavior. Bright red color, well opened collarbone and a little chest.

In the dining room this time, I was one of the first, so instead of taking a seat at the table, I went to the event board. There are events marked on it: a play to be held in three months (open to all), a culinary evening from a certain Zarina (invited) in three weeks, and a private dance from Faride next week. — I could get you an invitation to a cooking party- the heir was too close behind my back- or do you think about how to overshadow faride's dance? - at this point the heir raised his hand and gently ran the outside of finger from my neck to the shoulder.

-I'm bad dancer- i retreated from the prince and turned to face him. - I think I'll knit your socks so you won't freeze in the damp castle

- Catherine, dragons do not freeze.

- Good to you, and why fireplaces if you do not freeze? I'm here every night trying to stay close to him, it is terrible to think, as here in the winter.

- For beauty. Fire in it is a very beautiful and fascinating sight, isn’t it?

The room became a little noisy, the sound pushes chairs interrupted our conversation about beauty, and I hastened to take his place at the table, away from the heir.

On the right hand of the heir sits Nadine, most likely the arranged bride, next to her Rosaline, placed Bleckle on the left, followed by Farida, Zarina on my right, Darin on my left. This girl, as far as I knew loved horses, never missed a single horse riding or hunting, swordsman, willingly accepts the challenge and from men. Darina was the embodiment of the warrior: high height, pronounced arm muscles, low loud voice. Her movements were more rapid and abrupt than smooth.

In front of the heir sits Assol. The girl had bright red hair, falling down her back with large, sunny, green eyes, fascinating with her beauty. My dress paled next to her outfit. What she was wearing was a work of art. The creator of this creation is incredibly talented. Dress embroidered with small stones so that it shimmered in the light, (it seemed to dress sprinkled of diamonds). The dress was also decorated with green stones (as our emeralds) and red (as our rubies) , blossoming on a black silk dress with delicate flowers. Assol of ancient and powerful family. So she like Nadine can be a contender for an arranged marriage. Other names I unfortunately, did not remember, so just examine on a variety of dresses and parties at the table. And then focused on my stew with potatoes. That's surprising, such contrast to our worlds, but language and cuisine we were similar? I saw as Nadine and Rosalind easy to feel in communion with the successor of (he has a long full name .. Ridon Amaral Deron kind of Drakodar).

It was impossible to leave before the heir, but I did not have time to warn Amiron about what I need tomorrow to the city in the morning, and the heir was in no hurry to leave the table.

- Katrin, your plate was empty for a long time, with the girls you not communicate all the time fidgeting in a chair, you want to leave ? - heir voice seemed friendly and quiet, but the issue and appeal to my address so unexpected that girls fell silent and all eyes are directed in my direction.

- To be honest, I really wanted to leave early, if it would not insult you, Your Majesty. The fact that I made an appointment in the city with friends, but I didn't have time to warn Lord Emiron that I was going away . I would like to have time to find him, before he live home.

- How long will you be gone?

- I have to be in town by 11:00, the meeting will not take more than a couple hours.

- Well, Catherine, can go. I let Emirom go to the family estate, but the coach will give you tomorrow. Good night.

- Good night.

Chapter 17

Sitting in the park near the castle, breathe fresh air, enjoy the birds singing, I was thinking about conversation with magician, took place in a cafe.

So, a simple communication artifact costs 30,000 gold. Weedon said the multipurpose artifact while nobody was producing, but he will try. (I had also tell about the flash drive, plugs for them to exchange information, adding features). For two experimental artifact Weedon invoice for the sum of 100 000 Golden. They will work as standard communication artifacts, but Widon will create 5 cells (connectors) for the artifacts - updating. They will be ready in a month, by the same deadline he will have made two crystals under the connectors with the function of sending and storing voice messages. There’ll be 40,000 more to be paid for these rocks.

The crystal of the record «dictaphone» Vidon will make for me for free, fearing that we will be suspected of spying and will not pay at all.

I also asked whether there is such a thing as a patent, co-founder ... I know I’m going back to my world and I can't use the money, but you never know what can happen. Their Patent calls the "Certificate of discoverer". It has three types: 1) non-transferable to third parties (artifacts can produce only a magician creator), 2) with the right to rent (mage, manufactured artifact pays rent to the creator) and 3) the free circulation after a certain period of time.

To register object magic can only magicians. But sales of the store, the purchase of stones, workshops on creation of blanks to fill magic, that such companies can be jointly administered, and I can get a percentage. My thoughts already painted small shop local analogue cellular store.

From fantasies distracted voice of Ridon.

- Good afternoon, Catherine!

- Good afternoon! - blinking in the sunlight, looked up to the heir, he towered over me, and it seemed even higher than I remembered. Assol held on to his elbow, her dress was white, straight and closed, her hair had a neat white hat, and a lace white umbrella over her head.

And by pursed lips of red beauties, I realized that once again violated the established etiquette. Remembering that in front of me future emperor, not simply brunet with blue eyes I jumped off the bench and curtsied (as I remember from the movie, I hope not too sloppy), repeated:

- Good day Your Majesty.

Lips of Assol gonna relaxed, eyes softened. But eyes of the heir slightly darkened and narrowed.

— Catherine, Lord Emiren told me yesterday that you wanted to discuss some expenses for your event. Unfortunately, he will not be in the palace for at least two weeks, due to the worsening health of the lord’s mother, so I suggest we discuss it directly with me. I can give you an hour in my office at 16:00 today.

- Thank you, Your Majesty.

The Heir nodded and continued walking with Assol.

Here’s a beautiful couple, I admired them. The Assol in this delicate white blossom, the red-haired curls around the hat like a little corner of the sun, and the heir in his black, with a straight back. Slow steps, Assol is only slightly below Ridon. They looked harmonious. I imagined myself in her place, as my head is somewhere just below his shoulders, and as my hand gets tired, trying to get to his elbow. The heir felt my long gaze, looked back and slightly raised my eyebrows in the silent question, I only shook my head and turned around slowly walked to the castle.