I'm alone...

Aineke dropped next. Hugged her trembling shoulders.

- Do not bend the stick, you fool. Think you made this mess yourself. And then, look, you're not alone. We are already, - Aine was silent for a moment, - four of us, in general. Three and a half.

Mavka looked concerned at Iskora.

“Will you cast a spell on the crowd?” Can you do it?

- Of course not. The plan is. Bozhena will strew silver in the veche, the city will be restored, and everything will be gradually forgotten.

Socks blonde turned into a howl.

“Iskor,” she said evilly. - She has no money. She did not have time to claim them with the eyed-eyed. Yes, you have to be a complete fool, so that ... dispose of ... opportunities. But to do what?

“I am waiting,” said the sorcerer in the same tone, “when the tantrums end.” You will sit at the table. And you will understand everything.

Reassure Bozhena managed. The efforts of the mawka, attached to this by the assessment of Iskor, have long passed over ten bags full of gold.

The girl, squishing her nose, was sitting, staring thoughtlessly at the reflections of the flashes dancing in the tub. Aineke waited, her elbows on the tabletop.

“So,” she said, “you agreed with this ... Toad.”

“I didn’t come to an agreement,” Iskor shook his head. Signed a contract. Much earlier than agreed with you. It was not a blood contract - I do not bargain with spirits. And I do not advise you to continue. But the contract words I could afford. I was required to save the spirit, and I saved him. By the way, his name is not Toad, but Breaga ...

“This is it,” sniffled the tongue, “important knowledge.”

She said - and immediately stopped short. Got it. I thought it over. Drew conclusions.

“As long as you know his name, he cannot hurt you ... directly,” the sorcerer explained. - I billed high. Besides, when you appeared at my borrowing, it was already too late to change something. We agreed with Breaga about the fight. Which I, of course, lose. Bozena had to choose between my life and power.

Iskor was silent about the fact that it was a choice between power and power. Keep the spirit. Or the sorcerer.

It seems that Aineke understood the situation without further ado.

“Then why did you talk about being a sorcerer ... impossible?”

- To show Bozhena that there is more human in it than she thinks.

Aineke shook her head. Black hair scattered over the shoulders.

- It was no use cruelty to anyone, Iskor.

- A cruel necessity, Aineke. Only creatures manage to live, devoured by horror and hatred. I'm talking about Nawah. Can you call it life? It seems to me no. Bozena - a brave girl, capable of deeds. It means her life is worth the time spent.

Mavka mock her eyes.

- ABOUT! So you and saved her life, it turns out.

- A little more, and her life would be cut short so ... that the current situation would seem to be an enviable fate. Breaga is greedy and stupid. Not cruel. But if you drive a rat into a corner ... and thoroughly unleash it, you understand ...

- It turns out beautifully. And you risked your life for her, and saved your soul. The mirror of nobility.

Magus winced.

- I risked only when I got involved in a duel. And, as you can see, - he pointed to his chest, - the spirit did not miss the opportunity to harm me. But there was no reason for Breagha to kill me. Even if Bozhena had not “saved” me. Had this happened, she would have been doomed. And we would go home. With nothing.

The storm is tired. The wail behind the windows is weak. You could hear the whipping of a shower being whipped around the yard.

- Well, what did you leave me with, fucker? - Bozhena sniffed. She looked hopefully at the sorcerer. - Or, after all ... can I?

Spark shook his head.

“You had the only opportunity to become part of the wili.” But you missed her. Sorry.

“Kill me,” she asked in a whisper. - Shame I will not survive. You ... can not imagine.

Magus ventured to move forward. He looked into tearful eyes.

“Some part of life,” he said, “I spent a cheladeen.” In crazy mawki. Believe me, I can imagine anything.

Aineke flinched.

- Then things got better.

“Ah, yes, yes,” Bozena grinned, removing the wet strand from her face.- Boyars among the dead, work on the spirit, forest fucking. I envy your love of life, boy. You know where to get silver. Do not pull.

Spark held his index finger along the calm surface of the water. Quiet, barely audible, said:

- Time to pay for services.

The tub shook shallowly. Small bubbles appeared on the surface. From the dark depths a blond, frog-eyed head slowly rose.

Aineke screamed in fright. Bozena silently, with a sweep, banged her fist on a child's face.

“And hello to you, sisyastaya,” said Breaga. He seemed not to notice a strong blow.

Iskor was just glad that Polenze never found a goal.

“I didn't find gold,” continued the spirit. - So mess with silver. Imagine there was a treasure in my forest. Strong such, well sworn. Someone broke it, but did not pick it up. Dark, in sight, history.

Trinity darkly silent.

“Oh,” Breaga giggled. - You’ll see your faces! See you, Iskor! Sisyatai - from now on wash more carefully. Ay-no-ke - my respect.

Having said this, the head opened its mouth, as before a dive. And, raising the spray, disappeared into the wooden depths of the tub.

All three, without saying a word, bent over the water.

However, there was no water there anymore - the huge trough, up to the very top, was filled with cheerful shiny silver ingots.

******

Everything happened as suggested by Iskor.

The crowd, cheered by offerings, disappeared behind the leaning gate. Magus and Mawka sat on a wet tree of steps. They pensively watched the swallows hovering in the cloudless sky. The sun was setting, promising to warm Jav, tomorrow.

In the meantime, suffer mortals, cold and damp.

Aine, shivering a little, pressed herself against Iskor.

“Tell me,” she asked, “is the dress for me?”

Magus pulled away. Closely inspected the Marka. Involuntarily lingered on the hem - Ainecke's height exceeded Bozhen’s head by three.

- Highly.

- I will order this myself. Or better.

In the courtyard, glittering blue eyes, Nav. Some dry little old woman (as Iskor understood - a key-house) quickly adapted the “hero” to a useful household. She was not embarrassed by the armor or the quite noticeable smell of carrion.

“Order yourself three,” answered the sorcerer. “For the money I pay you.” For the freedom of Annishka.

Mavka grinned.

- Mirror. Nobody needs your gesture. And no one will appreciate it. Even me. And Annishka.

- My share is enough to buy this city. I have the right to gestures.

- You are right, perhaps.

She laid her head on his shoulder. Adjacent eyelids.

- If people knew what wealth is stored here. They and the three do not drag off. What do you do?

“I haven't thought it up yet,” said Spark, looking as the sun hangs over the black strip of the forest. - I hide away. Kaftan buy.

Aine laughed loudly. Naked in the shoulder of the sorcerer.

- Caftan! And what about the manor? After your lackey, what is it like? And let's ... build a fortress? Hire a strong squad ... ship outfit ...

She looked into his eyes.

Magus smiled.

“You will build a fortress,” he said softly. - And you will ship the ship. Multiply wealth. Surround yourself with luxury. It will take many years, and the night will come when you will remove silk from the body. Rub skin with ocher. And go naked in the forest. This will be a mistake. But - that is your nature. The merchant has his own nature. Me too. Own.

- So you intend to slip away. And when?

The crate door creaked. From the dark gutter, Bozhena’s curse came. The girl brought up the servant. I got used to the new role. Iskor sure - blue-eyed will achieve not only the boyars. She will take the city in tenacious fingers, and will not let go even on her deathbed.

- After a week. Maybe two. I don't know how much our mermaid will endure here.

Paused.

“Oh, that's right,” said Mawka thoughtfully. “My path will end in the forest.” What are you going to do ... in the end?

Spark closed his eyes. He remembered a mountain of ingots, flickering in the flame of a candle. Smiled.

- Exit the forest. But first ... I will wander by it.You can give up something when you know exactly what you are giving up.