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

Chapter 22-24

Chapter 22. The legend of dragons

The next three weeks passed unnoticed. In the morning, I learned to read, in the afternoon I took a walk in the park, and later in the evening, Rosalind and I moved to the library and deepened into the study of maps and the construction of a route.

In general, the geography of the empire can be divided into four parts:

In the south there are mostly dragons, in the north werewolves, in the west magicians, in the east people. In the center, stands the castle of the emperor in the heart of the empire.

The territories of the distribution is not legally fixed, but due to the ability to create marriages. As it turned out, in marriage of the dragon and werewolf only can be born man (rarely magician). People live much less both species, watch as aging and dying your child is difficult. Additionally, both dragons and werewolves are pack and drawn to their own, which also generates conflicts. In alliance with any of the human kind is born dragon, werewolf or mage but never a human. A powerful wizard is not born very often, but it can be born in any couple (with a lot of luck with the ancestors). That is such a complex genetics. As a result, each species tries to choose from their own kind.

I have long tormented by the question, why is it possible union of man and dragon.

Rosalind replied: “So we came from the same ancestors”

I specified" Dragons and werewolves from Adam and Eve?», to which I learned the answer;

- I do not know who the Adam and Eve, but how can you not know the legend of the origin of species ?... But, you're a province may have slightly different legends. Okay, I'll tell you

So, lived on a planet human beings, among them grew mad scientist. He dreamed of eternal life, and even a way to come up with. He took four energies, put them in the vessel, mix them up and gave the first subject a drink. That’s how the first magician came to be. Different doses of energy were given to the next subject, so magicians now can live for 100-200 years.

But the scientist was insane, and he continued his experiments and was able to mix the blood of the wizard, the energy of the Elements and the blood of the wolf. Thus were born werewolves. Life expectancy has gone from 100 to 300. But the scientist didn’t stop there either.

Instead of the blood of the wolf he took the blood beast unseen, fragment falling stars and the world saw the dragon. They are able to fly, spewing fire and live up to 500 years.

And it’s quite possible that the mad scientist developed many more species, but he died of old age, never having the courage to inject himself with the serum of one of the previously invented species to himself.

The man was first for all the creations, it is ideal for any of the 4 types, but live too little.

Chapter 23. Zarina

In addition to classes cartography with Rosalind, this week I was able to have lunch with Elegelik and tell her about the evening of culinary delights Zarina.

Zarina evening was billed as a private event. But the heir promised to get an invitation for me.

The envelope with the invitation arrived with an additional investment - a masterpiece man-made in the form of a drawing of the Dragon in a tuxedo, which in one hand held a cake and in the second bag with gold. At the bottom in block letters signed "on the dress and women's stuff." In the same envelope was a decent sum of Gold.

Before the feast of the abdomen remained three days, and for such a short time, it was necessary to have time to spend money. Shopping we went with Rosalind.

I did not want to buy something challenging, but very modest purchase can offend Ridon. Not only was the dress chosen not modest, but it was once again a violation of decency. The only relief was that the event was closed, which meant that not many people would see me in it. Having noticed it in the window of the shop, I could not try it on, but was circling in front of the mirror, understood - «that's it!!». Its silk fabrics color was bright pink, Dress with open shoulders attracted the attention, but it was the open belly that made it challenging (up of dress was cut off, as a result of me wore a wide embroidered skirt on the floor and the topic with V-neck.) . I wish I had some jewelry, and I thought long earrings would be appropriate.

Back at the castle after shopping, tired but happy, passed in response to the heir drawing Princess, who is holding the same bag, and in the upper corner of the cloud. In a cloud, the princess smacks a dragon on the cheek.

In the dining hall (which was used for tasting), I entered with the perfect posture and the only thought: «and did not overdo with the open body parts».

Ridon sat in the center, but from the wide side of the table. I was seated on my right hand by the prince. To my right, Darin. To the left of the heir Rozalind, then Emiron (he returned from the estate). On the table at that time was a roasted pig, a duck (, a rabbit in cream sauce, salads of various kinds. The table was crammed with food, the taste was superb.

The guests split into two conversation groups. Rosalind something lively debate with Emiron, her plate is almost filled. Her cheeks glowed rosy, eyes bright. The heir, quickly realizing that on the left he couldn’t get into a to the flow of endless speeches from his interlocutors, switched exclusively to me, putting all the new pieces of delicious dishes on my plate. At one point, I thought I was going to die of gluttony, which I told the heir. But he only reduced the supplements.

Darina ate silently, immersed in her thoughts, I don’t think she even felt the taste of the dishes. But to ask what happened in front of everyone was uncomfortable.

I enjoyed the heir’s attentions, the taste of the dishes, and I didn’t notice Zarina’s looks until dessert arrived. In fact, the variety of kinds of sweet was not less than previous dishes, but a piece of cake that rested briefly on a plate turned out to be paradise delight. Delicate cream, moderately sweet, mingled with the sour taste of grapes and chocolate cream . I even closed my eyes with pleasure. And when opened, then I stumbled upon look of Zarina full hateful.

Heir, not noticing anything, offered another piece. But I said, I'm afraid my stomach was not prepared for such an abundance of food and I urgently need to retire to his chambers. Heir upset and even offered to accompany me, but I reminded him that it is not very convenient and shamefully fled. Zarina’s eyes burned through my back, and for the first time, I realized I wasn’t on vacation. Here the girls are trying to build their own happiness, to attract attention, and here I come, devour the very cakes, doing nothing at all, and the whole evening Prince is my. How can she not hate a rival? Should stay away from the heir and his potential wives before the end of the selection, or I may not live to see the end of the selection.

Chapter 24

With Zarina we met only at the table, every time she burned me with her eyes, but then I didn’t go beyond the quiet hatred, so I got a little bit used to it and stopped paying attention. Reading the text I mastered in the past month, but the writing worse. I wrote exclusively on native. Nadine finished the play, next week to start rehearsals, I was given a piece, painted on roles. Travel itinerary more or less defined.

Weedon pleased that the invention he finished on time and was ready to present prototypes. And tonight, I’m expected by the Heir in his office, where the magician will first demonstrate the possibilities of invention, and after the demonstration, I stay to discuss a possible journey.

***

I entered the office last (the girls by the mirror sometimes forget about the time, by the way the clock in this world is familiar mechanical). The men (Ridon, Vidon, and Emiron) froze in front of a table with two thin plates on it (the shape of them resembled the remote control of the TV rather than the phone). The metal plates are encrusted with two red stones and three empty cell as if someone pulled out stones from them.

- Catherine, we’re only waiting for you. Maybe you can tell us what we paid for? - Said the heir.

— Your Majesty, I’m going to show you everything - in Vidon’s eyes there was euphoria, fingers stroked plates like a little treasure. He gave one to me. Catherine, I'll be right out. You will see illumination of the lower stone, just touch it.

- Oh sure. - I answered, and Weedon opened the door.

- Wait, you said that it could be dangerous! - asked Ridon

- It was just a guess, we checked at home . It does work without a glitch.

- Your Majesty, let's try.

- All right, go Weedon

He walked out, and after a while, we really saw that stone began to flash light. I froze and did not dare to touch. As a result, Ridon started the mechanism itself and Weedon at this time managed to come back to us.

- I am glad to welcome you, Your Majesty. - voice of Vidon sounded from the plate

- This is a sound message, Your Majesty. See, the stone next - a drive, it can store up to 100 messages. Side panel is green stone- activation habitual communication functions. Push, call the interlocutor: "Catherine" and see lighted green on the second unit. But you're right, the invention is new, we do not know how it would to behave the drive when filling up to 100 messages, or if it’s malfunctioning. So, Katrin, I brought a protective dome when you’re not using - cover it, try not to communicate for a long time and not leave long messages until we know for sure. All right, I’ll take the other one.

- No, I’m testing it myself, leave it. And make four more copies, how long will it take?

- Your Majesty, perhaps we should finish testing the model, check its performance before producing additional models? ... Additional not more than two weeks, the principle is now clear, we just need to purchase the stones.

- 6 devices will detect errors faster. We'll remember the dome, don't worry. The money will be transferred tomorrow, Emiron will see to that.

- All right, Your Majesty.

- I know you’re anxious to talk to Katrin, but I’m afraid I’ll keep her for a while longer

- Of course, Your Majesty, - said Vidon and disappeared behind the door, he was clearly not up to me, he mentally counted the profits and prospects of the imperial order.

***

- Catherine, I remember I promised to let you go only if I'll get personal gift, began his speech with an heir.

- I remember, Your Majesty, but I cannot figure out what would make you happy. But perhaps in the journey i can see something for you....

- I wanted to say that I’m so impressed with the invention that I’m relieving you of that responsibility. Especially if there is some other ideas.

- To be honest there is, Your Majesty. I wanted to check with Weedon about another revision of the device.

- Well, you can count on 100 thousand in addition to the one listed tomorrow. But we would like to discuss the route.

- I have one more request, Your Majesty. Rosalind would like to travel with me.

- I already know that, and Nadine is asking me to add her to the expedition also. She’s been talking about it for the last week, but Emiron seems to be against it.

- Of course I mind. Not only because the three brides will leave the court in the middle of the selection for at least a month, but they need to be guarded for the rest of the journey. I understand that you are not ready to give up on any one of the three, which means they could be kidn*pped or killed during the journey

- But after marriage, the threat will increase. Have we to sit all the time in the castle?

- Catherine right, you just need to increase security. And you go with them. You’ll see to security and you’ll do a report . So which lands do you want to start with?

- We decided to move in a circle (relative to the castle): starting with the magicians, then the dragons, then the humans, and concluding the werewolves. Week for each province.

- Well, at the time of travel through the lands of the magician grab Weedon (warn him tomorrow). I’ll join you on werewolf land. Well, we only have two months to work out. In a month, I want to see the number of travelers the permission forms prepared for signing (as far as I understand you wish to visit educational institutions and hospitals),, the cost of accommodation in the hotel yards.

- To sum up, it is necessary to prepare a budget for the month, the composition and the route. The basic composition of the expedition - Catherine, Nadine, Rosalind, Emiron. Temporary Weedon, Enegelika, Heir. We would travel in carriages. It's not standard.

- What’s unusual about that?

- Dragons and werewolves are usually reincarnated, and in the second hypostasis they travel long distances or, like the magicians, use portals of the transition. Transport is usually used by people, they are not very good at crossing, and therefore use carriages, wagons and bicycles. But on this journey as I understand it is important for us is not speed of movement, but rather an opportunity to explore the area, and thus we need lay the transport costs.