The Dragon's Vow or the Stubborn Bride

Auzi?? Edgars

He handed her a camp sleeping place that looked like a stretcher when assembled.

– Thank you! “Zikki bowed with dignity and asked Ada: “Can I sit next to you?”

Between my bunks and Lisael’s bunks there was free space where Simka usually slept. Having made room, we widened it enough for another bunk to stand, and Zikki moved from the floor onto them. But before the stagecoach moved, the face of a simuran poked its head inside, who had gone for a walk about his simuran business even earlier.

– Zikki, don’t be scared, this is Simka. “He’s with me,” I warned the firewoman, just in case.

– How cute! “She burst into a smile, and Simka came up to introduce himself.

The fact that he would have to sleep in the aisle today did not bother him at all, but we did not sleep at all this evening. The journey through the monotonous steppe was quite tiring, but by night the landscape changed. The foothills began, and tomorrow morning we were supposed to arrive at the academy, so we were on pins and needles, brightening up the excitement with chatter.

– Zikki, why are you dressed so strangely? – Vilde asked.

– I feel so comfortable. “Besides, leather is more fire-resistant than fabric,” the southern woman answered, not at all offended by the tactlessness.

– What are these marks on your jacket? – kept up with sister Volde.

– And this is so that you don’t get burned. For example, at night, if I have a bad dream. – Ognevichka smiled wryly.

“Apparently, you have the same problems with fire that Yumi has with water.” You also seem like a southern version of Ada to me. There is something of Mirre in you too. I wouldn’t be surprised if I find traits of one of us in you,” Khvoyana unexpectedly declared.

The southern woman shrugged her shoulders and replied:

– You know better. I don't know you at all.

Khvoyana smiled.

– Nothing, let's get acquainted. We still have to study together,” I said.

– Zikki, you’re from the Burning Desert, am I right? How did you get into the academy? – asked Adalbjorg.

“I suspect the same as you.” You are from the Coast of Sharp Blades, am I right? – Zikki retorted.

Ada laughed contentedly.

– And I like you!

“You’re all nothing at first glance either,” the new girl didn’t bother to say anything.

The girls giggled, and the awakened Simka opened one eye.

– Can you tell me how you got into the academy? – Zikki asked Ada.

– Well, what can I tell you? I was sent to one of the boarding houses in Onyx Rocks, in the hope of making a worthy future wife and a noble eshsheri. But the material could not be cut. I turned out to be too much for the boarding house of noble eshsheri, so they simply got rid of the problem pupil at the first opportunity. Do you know what my mentors called me among themselves? Headache! – Ada shared and, in turn, asked: – What is your destiny?

– Ha! I have a slightly different story, although similar. “I ran away from an imposed marriage,” Zikka responded with frankness for frankness.

– You have a fiance!

– Is he handsome? – The Dustrasse twins were seriously excited.

– I have no idea what he looks like. I’ve never seen him and I don’t want to see him! That's actually why I'm here.

Vilde began to furiously twirl a curl of hair around her finger.

– Well, in vain! I should look at him first before running away,” she blurted out.

“I’m afraid that after we met, I would have become his wife that same day.”

– Are your rules so strict? – Lisel was surprised, raising her beautiful eyebrows.

– Something like that. There are too many ancient traditions and conventions in the south. Don’t bother,” Zikki waved it off.

– But how did you end up among the best students? You are not from the boarding house and, in general, not local. This is against the rules! – Volde noted.

– Absolutely not according to the rules! In general, I am a fan of breaking rules and traditions. Especially those that I don’t like,” the fire girl agreed with her and winked dashingly.

– So you also acted through connections, like Mirre? – Vilde frowned darkly.

– I’m not through connections! – I exploded.

– Sorry, cousin. I forget all the time.

This chatterbox made a guilty face. And she really forgot, and didn’t blurt it out to spite me, but I still got angry.

– But I’m definitely through connections. I swear by the sands! An influential acquaintance helped me,” Zikki said without a twinge of conscience, which completely shocked Wolde.

– Is it just me, or is there some kind of romantic story behind this? – Khvoyana narrowed her eyes.

“I don’t think so…” Zikki began and stopped short, but then finished firmly: “No, I don’t think so.” I'm going to study. I want to become a magician of the first circle, and so that no one dares to dictate to me who to marry and who not to marry. Then no. No romance. Only cold calculation.

The twins looked at each other meaningfully.

“And we’re going to look for suitors.” Granny said that studying is a secondary matter, and you need to think about the future first,” Vilde unexpectedly said.

“She even suggested what rules to use to look for suitors,” Volde added.

– No, yes. What a granny, such a future… – I couldn’t restrain myself from teasing.

Here even the silent Yumi could not stand it and smiled.

– Like this! Some are running away from marriage, while others are looking for it. How different our lives are! – Lisel sighed.

– Zikki, who helped you get in? – Vilde asked curiously.

– Let me keep this a secret. Maybe someday I'll tell you later. If we become friends…