The tournament is over! Masks removed.

Deep night long ago fell on the small town of Lazerville, but its inhabitants could not sleep. The square near the old church is full of people. Despite this, dead silence reigned around. No one dared to make the slightest sound. There was confusion on the faces of the townspeople. It seemed even the air around was soaked with anxiety. All eyes are riveted on a tear-stained girl with her hands tied behind her back and a man in a gold embroidered coat that stood on a wooden platform in the center.

The man took out a sheet of paper. A voice pierced the silence.

- Order of the Queen!

The messenger waited for a pause. He looked around the crowd.

- On account of the annual tribute to Her Majesty in El Castle - by the most beautiful girl from every town and village belonging to the Kingdom, to serve Her Majesty the Queen and her son, Prince Verev.

There was a scream in the crowd. The elderly woman fell unconscious.

...

The day was incredibly hot even for this time of year. The hot air seemed to burn the lungs from the inside. And the scorching sun, as if mocking a lonely traveler, did not even think to hide behind a little cloud. But the thin boy in a straw hat and with a bundle behind his shoulders confidently walked with bare feet along the dusty road.

A long way was coming up to the Arico valley, but even then, in Lazervil, seeing the horsemen who were taking off into the distance, Erge took an oath to himself, in spite of everything, to get to the castle of El.

Again and again in the memory of the boy came the moments of a fateful night. The heart sank at the very thought of what that animal could do to her, a werewolf, a half-human half-wave, the son of the Queen of Roves. About his cruelty and insane passion for young beauties, the legends were made, forcing his family to lock the doors more tightly and to hide away the unfortunate people on the day of the payment of the annual “live” tribute to the Queen.

- Oh, is she still alive? Sweet, sweet Irie!

Suddenly, from above, heard the chanting of wings and strange sounds, vaguely resembling a song.

- Lala Lala Lala, Lala Lala ...

The guy lifted his head, when suddenly a pink speck flashed before his eyes. Someone squeaked. A blow to the forehead knocked the traveler down.

Erge woke up on the ground.

Jumped up. Looked around. No one.

From below came a disturbed voice.

- That's because the fellow is uncouth, look where you're going, asshole, I didn't squeeze the little wings!

On the ground, with curved hairy legs, sat a creature similar to a man, only smaller, not more than seven inches tall. Plump handles gently smoothed pink pleated skirt. Offendedly pursed lips were framed by a rare short bristle. The exposed chest and abdomen were completely covered with black curly hairs. Nearby on the ground lay a little pink wand with a radiant asterisk at the end.

Erge was taken aback. In his lifetime, he had a lot to see, but he had never met anything like that. With difficulty the guy overcame confusion.

- Yes you are a man!

Erge blurted out the first thing that came to mind.

- And you nasty rude dork! - offended squeaking creature.

Erge was embarrassed.

- Sorry, I did not notice you.

- He did not notice! All of you are! - the creature was shaken off, straightened her skirt, and rose into the air.

- Wait! I did not mean that. My name is Erge.

The creature looked at the boy incredulously.

- Olya Basko. Little fairy

- Whooooo ...? - stretched out his hand Erge and immediately burst out laughing.

Olya shook his head reproachfully. But Erge no longer paid attention to him. Explosions of laughter, one after another shook the body of the boy.

- I do not understand what this? Yes, I am a little fairy. And in general, I have no time here with you. I am in a hurry to fayparad in Ariko, and time is running out.

Erge did not immediately reach the meaning of words. After suppressing another laugh, the guy finally asked again.

- Where are you flying to?

- Well, the village! I say the same - on fayparad.Such a tradition, once a year, fairies from all over the world meet in one place, beautifully dress up, smile and go to the parade, where they defend their rights to be recognized as society ...

“No, wait, you said you were flying to Arico?”

The fairy clasped his tongue, rolled his eyes, but still nodded affirmatively.

- Listen, I'm just going there. That is, not on the parade, of course, but in the castle of El. The cursed Queen with her son werewolf holding my beloved there. I have to save her before it's too late, understand? And I know the places badly. Maybe you will agree to make me a company? Yes, and fun to go together, eh?

Olya stared at Erge for a moment. On the one hand, he didn’t want to hear the ridicule of this rude all the way. But at the same time, something attracted him to the boy. So what, what a fool? But what no protection. And in these places she will not interfere with the little fairy. And then, he is right - together more fun.

And the fairy, waving his hand, flew in front of the guy, flashing his wings in the sun.

All the way, new friends were silent. Olya was still offended at Erg. And Erge, feeling his guilt, did not dare to speak first.

By evening, the heat subsided. The unbearable heat was replaced by a pleasant coolness. On the horizon a scarlet spot spread sunset.

The leaves rustled under their feet. Travelers entered the forest.

With every moment, the darkness grew thicker around. Olya waved his wand and a pleasant pink light was born from an asterisk. It seemed the guys got into the country of giants. Giant trees were striking in their size, leaving their peaks high in the starry sky.

Every rustle, every sound made travelers look around cautiously. Each step was given with difficulty.

Breathed cold.

- I froze, - whispered Olya.

There was a muffled growl from somewhere. The guys stopped listening.

Olya approached Erge’s shoulder.

- Did you hear that too? The fairy asked in a whisper.

The guy nodded slightly.

- Maybe it seemed?

The guys looked at each other. The growl sounded right behind them. The travelers turned slowly. Erge swallowed.

Out of the darkness, two yellow eyes looked at them, each the size of a large apple.

With a trembling hand, Olya brought the wand closer.

Before them was the beast. A huge shaggy mane framed a huge face. Powerful torso ended with claws. Short hair stood on end. The beast grinned, exposing its sharp fangs.

The first came to life Erge.

- Run! - echoed.

The guy rushed that there are forces. Fairy, not lagging behind, waved his wings. The breath of the beast was felt behind his back. It seemed the race would never end.

At some point, the predator still caught up with them. A huge paw froze in the air. Olya pressed into Egre's shoulder.

- We are finished! - the fairy squeaked and shut his eyes.

- Chihanus-Marehuanus!

A bright flash of green light lit up all around for a moment.

Rolling his eyes, the beast twitched his mustache, inhaled shortly. More and more. And he sneezed loudly, irrigating travelers with green mucus.

The predator fell to the ground, clutching his nose with his paws. And like a little playful kitten, he started rolling on the grass, sneezing without ceasing.

Only now companions drew attention to another figure, holding a little distance. It was a tall old man in a green coat. White beard reached the ground. Deep wrinkles streaked a serious face along and across. The head of the elder was crowned with a hat, and in the hands was a staff, with burning fire at the top.

A strange stranger thumped his staff against the ground.

- Well, go from here, dog lousy!

The beast jumped, squealing in hysteria, and, with its tail between its legs, fled into the thicket of the forest.

The guys still did not believe in what was happening. A second ago, their lives hung in the balance.

- Thank you, - stammered, stretched both.

It looks like a terrible old man suddenly smiled.

- What are you, do not worth thanks! Well at least passed by, otherwise you could be someone's dinner. By the way, what are the young men doing here at night and ... er ...?

The elder glanced at the travelers. Shivering from the cold, dirty, intimidated, they were a pitiful sight ....