First-called Ilsa. The First Dead Princess. Immortals
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– So what did the good fellow come with? Nemya asked him, snarling.
“So to the point. Paint is needed, fill the drawing on the skin. Well, what herbs that were not sick.
– It didn’t hurt, it didn’t hurt! – the healer grumbled, – come you, guest in peace, do not distract.
– Yes, the matter is important!
– The matter is simple, but you won’t cope. Not enough mind!
– So for the work here, – and put the knight on the table four golden rings, – we are with understanding!
– You’re looking for… – and Nemya squinted, as if she saw something for a new guest, – so Ilsa will fill your drawings. Her light hand, where as light! And you won’t feel pain!
– Yes, I’m busy… – muttered Ilsa, trying to avoid such a share
– Go to the sun, develop, – Nemya began to convince, – Otherwise, you sit all day in my closet. All with herbs and herbs. Talk to people a little!
She got into training for a healer a long time ago, five years ago. I really want to say, at first I didn’t want to, but the elders of the city were able to force even the magician Rista, her father, to give under the guise of medicine. They began to notice a wonderful thing behind her…
***
– Ilsa, take away your goat, it doesn’t let me pass! – shouted purchase Otar, postponing the broom, – you see, not even afraid of this!
– I’m coming! ‘the girl shouted.
She bravely rushed to the horned prankster, grasping the horn and led to the barn.
– You are looking for what you have decided! Here, let’s go to the barn – she said.
And the worker just shook his head, and again began to slowly sweep the yard. He had a lot of things to do, and the owner of Rist did not give any tricks. Well, Ilsa, in practice, drove the cattle out of the courtyard of the estate, where the shepherd Chopra was already expecting.
– But what? Will your goat come running home again? Look, otherwise I won’t take it with me.
And his dog, hefty and fluffy Bright, ran up to greet Ilse, stood on his hind legs, put his front on the girl’s shoulders, licked her nose and rubbed against her leg. Then, returned to the owner.
The goat looked with cunning eyes, and lowered her head with horns, pointing them at the shepherd.
– Stop it! Alive! Ilsa ordered, he takes you to the meadows, where the grass is good! What are you doing?
The goat looked up at the hostess, as if she understood everything, and peacefully waving her tail, went to the herd.
“What are you saying to her?” – the shepherd was surprised, – is she stupid?
“Why?” Everything thinks. You just need to speak wisely.
– True, my dog took you for his own, but does not come close to strangers… Everything is strange… Well, until the evening!
And in the evening Ilsa walked with her friends at the estate, they played dolls and collected flowers. Well, here, the boy, the son of Elder Okat, Plist and his brother Fokey, began to bully.
– Why are you walking past the gate of our manor? Here, play at home, – Plist said so, and proudly nodded.
Ilsa did not want to call her brothers for help. I didn’t hurt such fights. But, pinching the grass at the ditch of her goat, she ran up sharply and hit Plist’s ass, so much so that barely his ports fell to the ground. Fokey swung his stick, but the goat bent its head, pulled its horns. And the boys, screaming and wailing, ran off the street.
Ilsa stroked the goat on the head, she mecked, and received a rye cracker from the suma as a reward from the hostess.
– Yes, you are a witch, not otherwise, – murmured Lipa, the daughter of a copper and her girlfriend, – let’s go… Vita, Naya, let’s get out of here!
“Girls, where are you going?” Ilsa asked, and burst into tears, what did I do?
***
So, after that incident, Ilsa was assigned under the supervision of Nemya’s healers. You never know? And then, with such force, evil spirits can harm the girl. And so, the healer will learn it, but protect it from troubles, then the whole hail will benefit. So the elders decided. And Rist did not meet the magician. And it is true, now the sufferers turned to him more often, since he has such a daughter. And the people who came to the words listened, did not ignore. True, now, as mother died, the father began to visit the widower alone, Kanye. But, the girl understood, what about the priest without female affection? She pretended not to notice anything. So I thought, and I didn’t want to go.
Reluctantly, Ilsa rose, put herbs and paint in a basket made of straw with a lid. And also a leather cat with needles, for drawings on living skin.
– Well, let’s go! she said loudly to the knight who came to the cell.
He nodded happily. They went out onto the wooden covered flooring, near the honeycomb rooms on the second floor of the fortress, where the healer lived. People passed by, greeted Ilsa, recognizing the glory. As with the knight too. We went to the gathering, to the steps leading to the courtyard of the fortress house. A woman with buckets of water went upstairs, Tivda did not hesitate, helped to bring it, and returned to Ilse.
– It seems and not military business, water to carry? ‘the Slavnica chuckled.
– So and in Vityazi came out recently, with a week ago. Nishto, the Queen will not deprive the belt for this! ‘the youngster simply replied.
The girl looked at the young man with approval, but did not say anything. And why? I hardly knew this warrior of the Queen.
True, she often spoke with Elena before, or even vespers for berry brewing or sewing, but now she did not want to remember that. Now Elena Tsarina is of all lands, and Ilsa did not want to impose herself on her as a friend.
The witch doctor followed him to the Palace itself, which stood in the middle of the hail. But they entered not the main gate, but a small door. However, even that made richly with copper loops, and not from willow branches, as in simple houses.
– Here we have chambers, and a bath, – explained the knight, – here, and our deck!
At the table sat six, in military clothes, knights and poles. Three young men and three girls. In front of them stood a golden brother and golden buckets.
– Ah, Tivda! Who else did you bring? Still looked for a girl? ‘one of the knights said.
But, the pole sitting on the edge of the table did not appreciate the joke, and hit the table with a small but rigid cam so that it jumped up, two points. Ilsa was already stunned. The knights easily caught the dishes that flew up, so much so that not a drop fell on the floor. Tivda held the endu with both hands.
– Enough for you Sysoy! – said one of the Poles, – and you, Priya, calm down!
“I’m already calm, Apta. Thanks. Why did you come? – asked the Slavnitsa from the guest.
– So I am Ilsa, daughter of Rist. A student of the witch doctor Nemya, she came to help you.
“So we don’t need any more help! – said the named Sysoy, – no, no ailment will take us! And invincible, there is no one stronger than us!
– Yes, you speak easier… Remember, Elena was just a witch three days ago. And now… – said another knight.
– Exactly, Tan… Or maybe you will become the Queen, glory?
– And how the Gods will decide. Well, I came to you on business, and not on trifles! Show what is needed, and then I will hear it!
“Whatever you say… Well, shall we go? – and Sysoy turned to the knights.
Ilsa noticed that this knight, the most stately of all, loved to dominate. Yes, and the hole was, not that very…
– Rags are needed, but wet! ‘the medicine woman recalled.
“They brought everything. Yes, everything overgrows on us quickly, do not worry! Tivda remarked.
– Exactly, and the main thing is not to lose your head. Right, friend? – again shook Sysoy.
And Tivda for some reason blushed, but said nothing, touched his neck. But everyone started up, Priya, who was walking nearby, leaned forward. Tan hugged his friend Sysoy, and he calmed down. Ilsa kept quiet, but was slightly surprised how Elena picked up her retinue. Well, it was not her business to judge the Queen. The dunots of the palace opened the doors, and they ended up in the dressing room, where the benches stood, and cooked kvass in reeds and wooden buckets.
– Here are the drawings, – and Sysoy put on the table, – these, for us, you can make such knights. Then, and fill the Poles.
The young men began to take off their shirts, leaving their belts naked, in suede pants and soft boots. Ilse glanced at the images. There was an eagle with wide wings, a raven with a beak, hairy, with branched horns, and a wolf with a bristled mouth.
“And to everyone on the back and the griffin,” Tan added, “which one you decide for yourself.”
– So the griffin guards the Goose Land and the Pecking Kingdom?
“For all of us, I’ll get up just right,” said Tan.
Ilsa sat down on a bench by the window, and daylight helped her do difficult work. Hands flowed, but indeed, wounds on the skin of the knights seemed to absorb paint without blushing or inflaming. But, of course, the matter was not quick. And now I remembered everyone, according to his beast, on the first shoulder of everyone. Sysoy-eagle, Tan-raven, Khvylya- dry, and Tivda – Gray Wolf. I didn’t understand one thing, if such soldiers are noble, they have been in battles. And there were no scars on their bodies, just not one!
– You are a big craftswoman, Ilsa, – thanked Tan, – here’s a gift for you! For the work! Take it, do mercy!
And he put on the table a thin gold bracelet, with headbands in the form of snake mouths. The girl did not refuse, and why?
– Well, that’s it, knights! Leave the girls alone here! Without your look! Apta said sternly, hands on sides.
– Whatever you say, Slavnitsa! – Sysa nodded with a grin, – let’s go, right, and the meal awaits us. Lunch time!
– Let’s go, Khvylya, Tivda! We are not welcome here yet! Tan declared, wearing a shirt.
So the young men left the Slavs, Apta instantly closed the door to the shutter. Checked more, is it strong?
– Yes, from them any door with a joint will take out, at once! Priya smiled, taking off her apron, and then, she threw off her shoes.
– Nishto, decency, such a thing… – the Slavnitsa did not agree, and she herself began to hastily undress.
– And to us, here are such drawings, – and Vaya showed sheets of highlighted skin.
It was painted beautifully, umedo and cleanly, with birch coal. Ilsa looked and nodded, agreeing.
– And all together – the Sun and the Moon, snakes on the forearms, on the hips of the dry, so as to run faster. So somehow, – recalled Priya.
– Come on your shoulder, Vaya wants a snake, and me, so wild goose, – added Apta, – you won’t forget?
“I’ll do it as you wish.
The Slavs undressed, left without clothes, and Ilsa set to work. At first I was surprised, I thought that the warriors were almost like young men, but no, they are good and pleasant to themselves, only maybe they are more built than domestic Slavs, unaccustomed to campaigns. But wounds from needles healed on their bodies almost immediately. The healer was not surprised.
– Well, that’s it, I’ll go… Ilsa said, rising from the bench, her hands tired…
“That’s right. So the first thing, from fatigue – a bath. It’s flooded really well. And we will treat you.
– Yes, I…
“How to refuse is not the point! Priya said cheerfully, slapping her knee loudly – are you shy, or what? So we are driven, not on the bargain?
Here it was impossible to retreat, and Ilsa left her clothes on the bench, dismissed her braid.
– Here, let’s try honey for now!
And Apta poured put honey on the cowboys. And then, the beer went into business, Ilsa sensed how her head was very noisy, and she still sat down in the steam room.
– Why is she sleeping?” Priya was indignant.
– Sleeping… – and Vaya corrected, laying on the bench, sliding the girl’s hand.
– So come on, and we will fill her with drawings. Why? Consider, the witch doctor is kind, the whole Oum knows about that!
Honey and beer were still noisy in the head of the Slavs, and they got down to business. They went too far, so much so that they stole a Slavnitsa everywhere on their hands and feet, on their backs. And griffins, and snakes, and running deer. Only now, they forgot that Ilsa was not one of them, did not drink Ihor, living water. And fell into unconsciousness. Too all the drawings were applied to her skin at once.
– Bad thing… – whispered Apta, – we must run after Elena. And what will she do to us???
– Yes, we are all one, we will survive, – Vaya said quietly, – and Ilsa can die…
– That’s it, I dress, and ran. Let me out! And back, I will knock three times!
And Priya briskly dressed up in her clothes, and ran out of the bath. Apta put wet towels on the witch doctor’s forehead, tried to sniff sharp drugs, but no, the girl never opened her eyes. But now, three blows to the door, Vaya opened the door, and Elena stood on the threshold, with a face black with rage, but also sparkling blue eyes.
“What are you doing here?” ‘she said sharply.
– Yes… It turned out stupid… – Apta mumbled with her head down.
The queen saw a body covered with a veil. Without saying a word, she put her palms on the Slavnitsa’s forehead. So she sighed sharply, coughed, and opened her blue eyes. She looked at herself and almost burst into tears.
– What is it!
“So as a sign of your skills, girl,” Elena said affectionately, “how do people know who you are?” And here, every sign matters and everything is to your advantage.
– Well, if only so…
– Yes, I also heard how I helped my father, place supplies in the city, so that every grain would be saved!
– So I tried… The army was beaten…
– And I will keep you with me, I will teach you as it should, – the Queen encouraged Ilsa, – And you are smart, and your heart is clean, gentle! I will reveal a lot to you! But, as a sign of my mercy, she put a golden ring on the girl’s middle finger, and come in an hour!
The young witch doctor admired an expensive gift. I looked, tilting the ring and so on, admiring the shine of excellent polishing and the sign itself on the ring. The griffin beat its wings, spreading its beak on the gold of expensive jewelry. Ilsa calmed down, and the drawings on the skin after the Queen’s cure no longer hurt. And, the medicine woman dressed and headed for the exit. I did not see Ilsa, fortunately, or misfortune, as Elena reproachfully looked at her glades, and how they guiltily bowed their heads as a sign of their oversight. And the Queen looked after the departing Slavnitsa. Ilsa fell on her heart, she had been looking at her for a long time. Sensible, smart fast, not angry, friendly to people. And then she will need an assistant… And then Elena suddenly remembered how she came to these lands three years ago…
CHAPTER 9 Elena in search of her brother
She ended up in these places, on the banks of the Ob, it is not clear how. To be honest, I myself did not remember it. As if all memories were erased from my head. Here, as if a grater from a tub in a bathhouse fell, and all the memory was taken away, and there is none. And it does not work. She then sat down on the shore of the lake, looked up, and looked at the water, free from duckweed. The water bloomed, the heat became so. And the girl put her palm under her cheek, and so she looked at the water, free from small lake grass. As if this water could tell her something: No, the Queen of Heaven herself should have helped her…
She washed my face, and then she went. And time, so it went by autumn, cool. She made herself a good hut, as if she knew everything about this skill. But, I already wanted to eat, I went to fish. I looked at a good pole, suitable for such a thing, turned the point with a knife, and did not get up. So the places were beautiful, you can’t take your eyes off, Elena liked it so much. Dense currant bushes on that shore were simply covered, hidden by a steep rise, and then tall pines grew, it seemed, reaching the peaks to the sky. You could hear the birds chattering in the trees, as if conveying what important news.
So she looked, and looked, and almost missed the prey. The fish flashed in clean water with shiny scales. But, the girl is nimble, hit at once, did not miss. The prison hooked a large trout, but the miner did not miss, carefully and skillfully lifted it out of the water, and put it on the grass. But then, I noticed that it was carrying someone with a fast current. And she seemed to have a ring in her heart, began to remember something, but there was no time to think. Rushed into cold water. At first, as much as the skin burned, but then the Slavnitsa quickly buried across. She grabbed a scrap of wool, dragged it to the stones, thought it was a child in a fur coat, fell into the river. And he will roar as he roars! Elena was stunned and let go of her find. So, a heather, a bear cub rushed into the bushes. And Elena sighed, but began to dry wet clothes over a barely burning fire. Squeezed, tried, almost dry, so that everything would dry out faster, and not freeze in the evening, and especially at night. She even let her hair down, wet through and through. But, but the animal did not die, she reassured herself. And here, at the same time, she took up cooking – she covered the fish with clay, and buried it in ash under the fire. And, I noticed that there was no reproach nearby, the girl was pleased with it. I walked to the hut, and there, next to it, as it roars… Well, Elena was scared, of course, but she didn’t run. Without clothes where will you run? And then a fur lump poked at her leg, and rushed back into the bushes. True, from this, so to speak, shelter seemed a hefty and concentrated muzzle of the mother of this bear cub. Clubfoot came closer, noisily pulled in the air, and threw three hefty fish, which she kept in her mouth. Then, she poked her nose into the girl’s leg, as if she had met, nodded, straight in a human way, and left.
So Elena immediately felt better in her heart. As it says, in one proverb, angry slightly:" Do not do good, you will not receive in response… No, not evil of course, but, it was now, let’s say, a little chilly. To distract herself, she began to eviscerate the fish, but took up cooking. And then, again, in her memory, like a small door opened… And she said quietly, what she had been wearing for so long:
“Where are you, my dear brother!
***
“What are you thinking, Queen?” It’s evening, and it’s time for bed, “Bilkar asked with all the courtesy,
Elena grabbed the armrests, sharply turned non the long pole that stood at the throne. She sighed deeper, tried to calm down, then she answered, picking up every word:
“Sometimes it rolls. Don’t worry, kid. Business, this is common for everyone, and for me, frequent. Dispose of what honey would bring me. Tired of something…
“And the Magi Rist sent you a hay girl. Her name is Tadya. Already removes your chambers.
“Thank the Magi. I am touched by such care.
But, in vain worried. Nevertheless, the reasonable guy Bilkar turned out to be. Both frisky and sensible. He did everything according to his mind, and not like that, anyhow. So, he brought a bench comfortable for the legs, and a decent cup, and he got soft pillows for the throne. And Tadja? Hay girl Ristova? Well, the Queen thought and curled her lips a little in a smile.
“I’ll do it! Bilkar said loudly, interfering with the thoughts of the overlord.
And the unots with axes were all standing nearby, taking care of the peace of the Mistress. It is clear that the service was carried out for honor, not for anything else. In military affairs, the young men were not yet strong. And, Elena remembered the names of the youths, almost as soon as Duptun called her. Which, the highest – Elan, with a red shikha, a lock of hair on the back of the head – Novik, with a snub nose – Yucca – and the last – Zubok. Age and no more than sixteen years was. And she, so her brother did not find, for these three years. And, read, I traveled all over Siberia, towns, villages, and Sargat, and Varta, Gandvik, and Oum too.!
I suddenly remembered, looking at my necklace of human heads. The Dead smiled with an eternal smile, and on the benches, on the left and right, sat her Immortals, advisers and warriors. And the elders sat in front of her, looked and were silent.
– So, the Queen, we sentenced, according to your decision… – began Duptun, – At the expense of the prey taken, you need to buy supplies in Varta and Gandvik. Fish salted and dried. There is nowhere to take grain, do not lose it.
– I understand. Winter and fish people will live. So they came up with okay. In a week I’ll go camping, you are for the yen, Duptun, you will stay. And who instructs children and youths? I would like to see.
– Mentor Savir copes with assistants. Adults, nevertheless, in business, so their mentor teaches them mind and reason.
– Look at it.
Immediately everyone was overflowing from the shops, both the Immortals and the elders. And unots with axes at the throne stood in a row. They expected to see off the Queen, honor by honor.
– I’ll get one. You talk about business here. Where and how to put the trips, so that again strangers do not miss our border stones. And if people start to get sick, tell me right there. I will heal so that the epidemic does not happen. And prepare a bag for children’s hotels, for the children. Better, sweet nuts.
“I’ll bring it now! Bilkar immediately volunteered to perform.
And how to go to children without gifts? You need to please everyone, without this it is impossible. Elena remembered this, and she herself did not know why and where. But, I decided that it was right to do so. The elders only kept quiet, only one reminded of himself.
– Let’s discuss. Let’s solve this without fail, about protecting Oum. We’ll do everything right! said Duptun slowly.
***
This is the place where the mentor taught the children, the Queen almost immediately found these cells by oar laughter and noise. Girls sat on benches near the wall, with smartly made rag dolls, in an armchair opposite them, a healer rested. Elena immediately understood this, by embroidery on a woman’s shirt, and a special tied scarf on her head, with horns. The Queen herself did not wear such a headdress, and was surprised why so. Until Nemya explained:" This, beauty, to be like the Queen of Heaven. She’s also with horns!” Elena just now almost smiled, but for some reason touched her forehead, but no, fortunately, she did not feel the horns.
“Queen Helena! Queen Elena! – seeing her, the girls ran up to her.
They surrounded her, and took her to themselves, put her on a bench. And she began to endow the hotels with nuts boiled in honey. She remembered with gratitude the need for zeal. I noticed that one girl, like everyone else, with a shot head, and several curls on the back of her head and temples, her left hand was tied.
“Come to me,” Elena called her, “sit down with me,” and sit on her lap, “what’s your name?”
– Olla, – and she smiled with her toothless mouth from fallen milk teeth, – how cold you are! I’ll bring a blanket! ‘the girl whispered.
– Yes, I always do, – reassured a new friend, – let me fly your hand…
The queen put her palm on the damaged hand. Olla first tried to pull away, it is clear that from the cold, but then calmed down. And then she smiled rather, hugged and kissed Elena on the cheek.
– That’s it, it doesn’t hurt now… Thank you!
– And from the boys I saw someone with hair like mine?
The girl gladly stroked the Queen’s ash curls, wrinkled her forehead, and nodded her head.
– There is one. So this is Samir. He often offends girls.
– I’ll talk to him. Bring him here.
“I’ll try it,” Olla reluctantly promised, and jumped off her knees.
I remembered the main thing Elena, for three years as I remembered. That I must find my brother who is lost. I searched everywhere, but could not find it.
And so, Olla brought a little rake by the hand. He walked now humbly, did not rage, and with might and main made his blue eyes on the Queen.
– Sit next to me! Elena asked him.
Now she must find out whether he is or not he? Isn’t that boy her brother? She moved a little, took his hand. He, in the same second, almost gave a dragonfly, noticing how Elena’s eyes turned black at once. Even his mouth opened in surprise.
– don’t be afraid… ‘she quietly ordered.
No, not him, as she immediately realized with annoyance. I remembered how I felt when I touched my missing brother’s hand. As if cold needles pierced her skin, and then her head burned with terrible fire. Well, and then, like all pains, empty thoughts, grief, everything seemed to be washed away with key water.