Amaranta - Rival of Fairies' Queen

Between the elf and the mortal

The steps were formed from water at the edge of the lake. They led deeply under the water. Only on them was scared to stand. Suddenly they spread with water along coastal stones.

"They are durable, albeit water," Dagda explained. “In fact, from the aquatic masses, you can build at least a fortress and live in it if the sea king does not consider it the arrogance and will not destroy the spell. That's then water will again become ordinary water without a form.”

“Why have we to go under the water?” Amaranta suspected some trick. Suddenly she managed to bother him, and he wants to get rid of her to fly back to the beautiful fairies. “What will we look at the bottom of the pond?”

"Don't you want to visit Uriella?"

"Uriella," she repeated as if the name was unfamiliar. From where Dagda generally found out about her girlfriend, drowned during the maritime travel.

"Your companion," he reminded, "the one who kidn*pped the water spirit."

"The one, most likely, is no longer alive," Amaranth emphasized. “Who would not drag her from the ship into the water, but people are not able to breathe under water. Elves can , but I, for example, in the lake will suffocate. I don't even know how to swim, as, however, most of the aristocrats. We are taught dancing, music, embroidery, horseback riding, good manners, but not swimming.

“For this, there are steps. I have studied everything,”  said Dagda. “And in the lake you will not suffer, you are with me! And Uriella will be glad if you visit hei. I brought references and found out that she was lonely at the bottom.”

"I would also be glad to see her if she was alive ..." Amaranth looked at the aqueous steps. They seemed durable in appearance, but this is only an illusion.

“Let's somehow another time!” She asked. The fear of water stopped her. All who do not know how to swim, are afraid of deep reservoirs. And the lake was deep.

Dagda nodded.

“Uriella and a couple of centuries can now wait. The girls who were stolen by the water spirits, since they survived under water, become almost immortal.”

It sounds curious, but here is a lot of inconsistent. Amaranta seemed suspicious that the elf drags her under the water.

"Did Uriella, which is collected specifically in the sea, can be found at the bottom of the lake?”

“Of course not. The lake is only a convenient portal in that part of the underwater kingdom, where she is now. If you knew a little more about the kingdom of water, it would not be confused. All water channels are actually linked. Even ponds and fountains. From everyone you can get into the sea, if you know a set of non-hard magic techniques.”

He could not deceive her. To meet a girlfriend, whom everyone considered already dead is a wonderful gift. If Uriella has still remained alive.

“Once I dreamed of Uriella. In her body sprout pearls and instead of the collar grew from her neck sharp gills.

“Either these were nightmares, or the water spirits joked.”

“Why do they need it?”

"Well," Dagda shrugged, "how to explain: they are everywhere. And in each decline of water on the table, and in every cup, and in each source. You did not hear in your bedroom laugh, similar to the murmur of water.”

It seems hearing. Amaranta frowned. It turns out, people around all sides surround the spirits. And not only water. Dagda mentioned the air spirits and the fire spirits. It is dangerous to be a man. You can become a toy in the hands of the other forces. They will tempt everything that they want, and you will not even understand where these thoughts came from.

Dancing on the rainbow was much more fascinating than to stand near the lakes overgrown with water lilies. The steps in the water disappeared, barely Amaranta flatly refused to go down to the underwater world. Now the lake was the most common in appearance, quiet and calm, as if sleeping. It is curious what strength is dormant at its bottom.

Amaranta was ashamed that she was so frightened by the dragon that the journey through the rainbow bridges immediately seemed dangerous. However, the dragon hurt her much. From one kiss of Dagda in her cheek the wound immediately healed. On the one hand, it is very convenient to be in an elf company, the touch of whom has a life-giving force. On the other hand, there is a risk of falling on a lunch with his terrible acquaintances from the neighboring magic kingdoms. The dragon accurately wanted to try the mortal countess onto the tooth and would certainly do it if she walked along the rainbow alone, and not accompanied by an influential companion.

She wonder who was the rider on the dragon? A very graceful lady, by the way. With the dragons, she could definitely cope, but did not want to ban him to touch the mortal oncoming. Maybe she ordered it to stake her with an edge of the wing. Amaranta was still lucky that she was left only with a minor wound.

Dagda called her the queen. Suddenly the hostess of the dragon really turns out to be the same queen, about which she is heard. She failed to consider the lady. She saw her one moment, and then in the frame of the black dragon’s wings. But an intricate hairstyle from coal-black hair and the exact profile produced an unforgettable impression.

How influential is the queen of fairies? From the gossip Amaranta managed to determine that many were trembling in front of her. If it comes to open clashes, who will be more powerful: queen of fairies or the king of the elves. Amaranta had the impression that the rider on the dragon would crave wars and openly challenges. The cut on the cheek of Amaranta was like an abandoned glove.

It would be necessary to find out how far the Kingdom of Medea Shai is from Dagda's possessions, and is  it possible to be built between the two countries as a solid border that will be equal to barricades in case of a quarrel.

The kingdom of the sea king was discovered in dangerous intimacy from all in a row, because the water flows everywhere. If water can speak with you from any bowl and even from a bowl for washing, then from water spirits, indeed, there is no way to go. And they cannot be leaving from their territory, because no one can do without water. And thus, if the waters go to war at least to the whole world, they will certainly win. It is better not to conflict with them.

“And on whose side is the sea king?” As if by the way, Amaranta asked. Having enlisted support for such an ally, you can not be afraid of anything. But here is the most powerful enemy.

Dagda thought. The question even drove him into the corner.

“It seems to be anyone. Only on your own. He does not like people.”

“With the exception of those girls who can be kidn*pped by water spirits,” Amaranta said.

“These are rare exceptions. Mostly girls are drown under water. We need either special deposits, or a special love for them from  water spirits so that they survive at the bottom.”

“And from the elves and fairies, who would prefer the sea king?”

“With elves, he is more friendly. Fairies are too proud.”

It is already encouraging.

“And Ice elves are on whose side?” Amaranta remembered the acquaintances from the bridge. One memory of them pierced the brain like an acute ice plant.

“Neither at all. They hate everyone and try to destroy. Therefore, I expelled them.”

“That is, they no longer obey you unlike all other elves?”

“They are rebels. They could be forgiven for endless uprisings, but to keep them in their service turned out to be very consistent. Not even rebellion, they perform orders somehow in their own way: go with the intention to do everything as you told them, and at the time of the performence they are something shook in the head ... In general, they do the opposite. I told them somehow bring the news about the peace, and after they announced my decree before the delighted king,  they destroyed the whole kingdom. Well, the scandal was then!”

“Did you intervene?”

“It was too late. I trusted them and believed that it was more superfluous. Then I had to send them to imprisonment into the abyss, which they also formed, estimated from the face of the Earth the whole country with which I wanted to conclude the peace. There they are still sitting.”

No, someone released them. Amaranta wanted to report the case that happened to her on the bridge, but Dagda already regrets about the other:

“Solar elves considered them geeks from the very beginning. Because of their frightening appearance and feed. I, as a reasonable ruler, believed that they were not always the best ones who are pleasant to look, although in my country everyone is judged by appearance. What you are more beautiful, there are the more magic talents in you. But with ice creatures, it turned out otherwise. They sometimes showed that force in witchcraft, which no one had. The only thing that all of their power goes to freezing. They are able to cover  with the ice a whole area, forcibly detaining whole armies under the crust of ice, leading hostilities. So I stopped war from my borders. The warriors just frozen, turning to the ice statues. And then I noticed that my winter elves are creating a destructive black witchcraft around the ice figures. It was useless to punish them, they faded themselves for a while, and then behaved even worse.”

He seemed justified for the fact that they were sharpened.

“Do you regret them?”

“Yes!” The king of the elves amazed how easy she looked into his soul. "They are the only thing that I am inherited from the tribes of the goddess Danu, which once ruled these lands, and then went into oblivion. I wanted to save them.

Amaranta was awkward that she arranged to him such interrogation. Dagda was sad from what he had to remember all this.

They walked around the field, holding hands as simple mortals. It would be nice if they would never end in the road. It was worth thinking about it, as it swung with zigzags and unexpectedly led to that very Arc, from which the sounds of the battle were heard.

The arch was still chased the body of a stone snake and roses, but it was not quiet around this time. At dusk, silhouettes were visible - whole hordes! There were people and magic creatures here. And they all fight like obsessed. Amaranta saw a s*******r for the first time in her life, and the spectacle led her to horror. Dagda for some reason was not surprised and not even alert.

"This is a ghost battle," he explained. “The spirits are forced to fight so every night, repeating the same action to infinity.”

“Why?”

“This happens when some strong person believes that the outcome of the battle was dishonest.”

“These ghostly troops will everything destroy, if they break out from the wasteland.”

“Unlikely! They are not material.”

Amaranta did not dare move on. The ghost battle frightened her. She backed to the forest. In the world of elves were so much surprises! It was worth a confusion with one of them, and the usual world seemed to collapse.

“Bear me out!” She asked. The type of bloodshed, even if the ghostly, too, acted on the nerves.

From nowhere to take a griffin with a message to elf’s king. It is amazing that the bird found he in such a blind spot. It is unlikely that Dagda reported in advance to someone where he was going to fly. In the expression of his face it was seen that in the message something not tolerating deposits.

"I'll find the way home myself," she said. “Fly, if it is urgent.”

Although, as from here, she didn't even imagine how to reach the count’s castle.”

“It will take you.”

The griffin dropped before Amaranta. It turned out to be enough space on his back to get a job as in the saddle. A wonderful bird! Amaranta heard about griffins, but never saw them with her eyes. And now you can sort out with your fingers a soft plumage with golden border. It seems to be said that the griffin is a variety of eagle. The external similarity is really there, but here's the size closer to the dragon. Flying on it above the forest, Amaranta began to understand how comfortable was the lady that saddled the dragon. Have a covered creation that takes you on your upload, much more convenient than ride even on the fastest and purebred horse.

The guards noticed nothing if the Griffin would be enchanted from unwanted views. He brought her to a small balcony, whose doors led to the art gallery. The portraits of all the ancestors of Angus were collected here. Theobald told her that some of them became victims of the magic people, therefore Angus himself hurried to conclude an agreement with the magic kingdom. His ancestors did not succeed, and he somehow squeezed. It is certainly for him, it was worthwhile. And she can all destroy it all. Amaranta perplexed in the soul. Love is fine, but it is impossible to be an egoist. What if you break out a new war right under the walls of this castle. The magic people will be precipitated bastions using destructive magical tricks against which people are powerless.

“Dagda in any case will begin the war if you won't leave him, "someone from the flame whispered in the candlelight.  “And the ruins of the castle will become our cozy home. On the ruins dance much more rarely than to get along with people.”

Around, of course, no one was visible. Only the flame on the sconce took the shape of the dandy silhouettes. Their faces are more and more referred to in the fire.

Amaranta picked up the hem of dresses and ran from them. The gallery ran out quickly. In the lobby, she was met by gloomy, as usual, Theobald and a pretty smiling knight, whose name she remembered. Ambrose. He presented a bouquet of daisies. He looked at her so in love, as if she had recently flirted with him.

Probably, this gold copy managed to seduce him in her absence. She herself did not have time to give any advances to Ambrose. But Luellin is another matter. It is impossible to vouch for her behavior. You just need to play if you do not want to be exposed. Amaranta smiled. She really liked him. Among the knights of Angus, he was considered the best. If he proclaimed her his lady's heart before, she would not mind. But the elf confused all her plans. The desire to communicate with someone except Dagda beat off.

All the knights chose some ladies for which they won on tournaments. And it does not matter that these ladies are already married. All that is required by them is some kind of tiny sign of their attention, which can be worn like a banner - glove, ribbon, handkerchief or even curl hair. At Ambrose, somehow turned out to be her shawl, which he wrapped around his wrist. Did Luellin give it to him? Surely she did! Amaranta, of course, did not try to take a thing back. Let him wear it if he wants so much. She has a lot of shawls and silk scarves. With the loss of one her wardrobe will not appease. Unless Laellin decides to distribute all to different knights looking for her attention. Then either they will be confused among themselves, or the golden crawler will receive scolding.

In her room Amaranta saw the long-awaited guest.

“Ivor!”

She recognized him and without a mask. The mischievous boy was covered with golden freckles. The wreath of the golden leaves decorated soft curls.

"The king sent me to you with gifts," he explained, pointing to baskets with unusual fruits and berries.

“Here are fruits for good dreams. From them you dreamed of those who wish to see,” Ivor winked. “Here it will become fun of these. And from these will pass any ailment. These are to feel happy. Oh, but these, I bring in vain, you can lose your memory from them.

Ivor quickly took out two coal-black fruits from the basket.

“I need to check again! I was not suitable in the morning, I could disrupt the fruits that act like poison. They are usually used as weapons on the battlefield so that enemy warriors eat and began to lose force. From them on the skin there are glands, the bodies are mutated, and the knights are already crawling, leaving traces of contagious blood. You don't need to fight them.”

“Why are you scaring me?”

“I explain why the tree with such fruits was not destroyed. It is useful in wartime, but now is peace. And you should have the pleasure of magic fruits, not pain.”

He poured fruits on the table. They were beautiful as toys. Peel, like lace, leaves, divergent in the form of wings, in one fruit sprout a large red stone, similar to the eye.

“This for clairvoyance! And these for Euphoria,” all could not finish the enumerations of the Ivor. “But there are no poisonous here. Although one. Dragon Fruit!”

“Leave it!”

Ivor looked at her in surprise.

This is a dangerous thing!”

"I know, I was already told about it, but I myself picked it."

“And you are brave!” Ivor looked at her with delight. “I never thought that the lady from the castle of mortals would be so brave to pick dragon apples. By the way, here are still appetizing nuts from aforest nearby. They are not magical, but I also pick them for you. I was told to please you.”

“You coped with it! Thank you!”

What else to do for her, he did not know, so he watched at the window sadly. He wanted to fly.

"Iveina liked you," he suddenly said. “She says you are nice and modest.”

 Probably, Angus has some urgent advice, because Luellin sat at the table and did not hurry anywhere. She behaved, as usual is closed, but what else to expect from the metal sculpture. With Ivor, she and the word did not spread. Does she have a speech in general? Amaranta has not heard anything from her.

The golden lady cracked nuts with bare fingers. Under its metal touches the shell was cracked but nuts were cracked too. Not a single nut left.

|Nothing, Dagda will send you others.”

“Golden?” What else can not c***k in golden hands?

“What do you want?”

“Let the squirrel still come to split them, "she joked, but the guest nodded to it with all seriousness.

“How do you order!” said Ivor and disappeared, turning in the sparkling smoke post.