The Dragon's Vow or the Stubborn Bride
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And Simka, noticing such attention to himself from afar, did not miss the opportunity to show off, and having formed a circle above us, he landed spectacularly, raising clouds of dust.
– Simka!
I hugged my friend’s neck, and at the same time checked the pocket on the collar, where I found a long-awaited letter from my sister.
– Oh, how cute! – Volde melted. – Mirre, can I… Can I pet him?
The cousin folded her hands in a pleading gesture.
“We weren’t allowed to keep animals,” her “wild” sister said unusually quietly.
– Iron for good health! If he allows it, of course. I have a Simka with character.
Winking at the winged wolf, I stepped aside. Simka was not at all against affection. In general, he loved attention, treats, and having his belly scratched. While the girls were squeezing and stroking him, Ada came and stood next to me, condescendingly watching the others.
– And you are full of surprises, Kyari.
– This is bad? – I asked.
– It's fun! – the northern woman responded with a smile.
– Ada, do you have a pet at home?
– Was. Large northern wolf. But he died.
– Oh. sorry…
“He died of old age,” Ada explained. – Happy and toothless. He also loved having his belly scratched.
Uncle Alan, who had gone away to replenish water and provisions, was already hurrying to the stagecoach. Noticing Simka, he turned towards us.
– Mirre, about your simuran… I’m not sure that you will be allowed to keep it at the academy. Of course, you can ask your father, but the rector… – He shook his head.
– Ashsher Nett, don’t worry about Simka. It is adapted to wild life and knows how to get food. Or do you think that at the boarding house he lived right in my room?
– Simuran accompanied you to the boarding house?!
The magician's eyes widened twice, and I laughed.
– From the very first day. And somehow he survived, and he ate so many sides!
These same sides were now being scratched with four hands, and Simka was lying in a completely indecent position with his tongue lolling out in pleasure. Hearing our conversation, the girls began to persuade Essher Nett to allow him to take the simuran with him. The twins especially tried. And when the quiet and silent Yumi looked at him with her huge eyes and whispered “please,” the magician’s heart melted.
– OK then. You know better. But be careful, there will always be some detractor.
– Thank you, uncle… Ashsher Nett! – I was happy. “We’ll take note and warn Simka not to stick his head out too much.” He is no stranger to hiding.
And so the simuran, watered, fed, and even loved, slept peacefully on the floor next to my bunk, and I finally got to the letter from Talaria. My sister was sincerely happy for me. She knew how much I didn’t like it at the boarding school, and she took my transfer to the academy positively.
“…But remember, Mirre, it won’t be easy. Try, learn. Prove that you are a really cool naturalist. I believe in you, dear!”, the sister wrote.
Every line I read was filled with love, and I couldn’t help but smile as I read them over and over again.
Tali is my father’s illegitimate daughter, born before mom and dad met. Once upon a time, my mother didn’t want us to communicate with her because she was jealous and afraid that she would have a bad influence on me. How wrong she was!
At the end of the letter there was a warning:
“Mirrae, I’ve been thinking for a long time about how to tell you this… I’ll say it straight: be careful with guys. Scions of glorious families from all over Balaria study at the Academy of Wind and Storms. Including dragon ones. But not everyone is like my Ren. The dragons you know are all grown up and settled. Even Yorni and Yarti, although you can’t tell from them. But you shouldn’t expect the same from your peers. As well as from older guys. They may seem charming and interesting. You may even decide that you have fallen in love, and there is nothing wrong with that, but remain reasonable until the end. I think you know what I mean. And don’t let anyone get on your neck or offend you! Always fight back!
With love, your sister Talaria."
At the end of the fifth day, we picked up another passenger. Deftly jumping into the salon, she looked around at all of us.
– Hello! I'm Zikki! – the new girl greeted so easily and, easily throwing her skinny knapsack onto an empty shelf, sat down directly on the floor, crossing her legs.
Out of surprise, everyone fell silent, looking at her, and the girl shamelessly looked at us with her strange green eyes, as if slightly dusted with ash.
I instantly identified the new girl as a fire-kissed southerner from the Burning Desert. But she was dressed unusually for a native of those regions. Although the leather jacket and trousers were the right size, they looked frankly masculine attire. The girl braided her bright red hair with a wide black lock into two careless braids. This hair color was a sign of a strong fiery gift.
– You’re from the north, aren’t you? – Zikki turned to my friend.
– Right. Call me Ada. And this is my kyari Mirre,” my friend introduced me.
The new girl nodded sedately, as if she understood what this meant. Or maybe she really understood?
– My name is Lisel.
– Khvoyana. And this silent Yumi Lo. And there are those two chatterboxes, Vilde and Wolde – one is wild, the other is correct. For some reason this is important to them,” the girl added, lowering her voice.
The Southern woman nodded to everyone who was introduced.
When the acquaintance took place, Alan Nett looked into the stagecoach.
– Girls, this is Zikkaera Splash. Already met? Great! Zikaera, hold your bunks, there's another night ahead.