LITMIR.BIZ

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but of an ugly shape. The trunk of the tree was split into two unequal pieces. There was no crown left, only the largest branches. In the deepening of the oak, the wood was still smoldering. I knew I would get dirty, but I had to do it. On naughty legs, I walked over to the oak tree and hugged my friend. Leaning my cheek against a black stump, I said:

      – I will give you a new life! Now you will always be nearby. Outcasts should keep together. You and I are so familiar… – it seems the tree thanked me. I didn’t see or hear, I just felt it. – You will become a bird. A phoenix risen from the ashes. We will leave home together.

      I looked around. Something crunched under my foot: a solid branch, partially burnt, but quite strong. I picked it up and shook it in my hand.

      – It will be a great body for a bird! Do you like it? – I asked the oak

      And the oak answered: «Thank you. I will try to keep the most valuable for you…»

      I’m sure it has heard every word. Breathing stopped for a moment. Heart beat so loudly that tears welled up. But I wasn’t going to cry. No. I won’t shed more tears. Wiping my wet eyes with my sleeve, I carefully put the branch into my bag.

      A horse whinnying was heard behind the fence. It was Paco.

      – Sherida, I put all my trust in you! – I looked up into the sky and, having said goodbye to the place of memories for the last time, ran down to the stone fence.

      – Paco! – I croaked, my voice was still weak, although the warm milk and fern did their job perfectly. – You arrived!

      He also was glad to see me. Smiling with a toothless mouth, the hoarder was leading the short horse by the bridle.

      – Lodesco. I see it’s a whole homestead. You are lucky, Sherida is kind to your family. The villages nearby were less fortunate. Unfortunately, there are also casualties. Elven healers will save the rest. Since when do you start to wait for me? It has always been the other way around, – he stopped at the gate, throwing the bridle over the horse’s back. – And what do you need so urgently?

      He folded busily his arms.

      – I am glad you’re in good health. It’s a pity that Ruby does not understand how much destruction and pain it brings. Well! I’ll show them how to behave to magicians who have honor and dignity!

      – What’s happened with your voice, freckled green? Is it breaking, or what? – the merchant grinned mildly.

      I winced, but didn’t explain anything.

      – Paco. I need steel wire and a red pigment, possibly yellow as well. Do you have it? – I hoped strongly in the assistance of the Goddess.

      – I have a wire, but the dyes … – Paco thought, and I tensed. – I can deliver pigments in a week.

      – In a week later, it will be too late. I will no longer be here, – I answered sadly.

      – Sorry, I can’t help you then, – He really regretted it. He took out the wire and handed it to me. – Here you have. This is a gift; haven’t you had a birthday recently?

      – Um—hum. Thank you so much! I need it for a very important affair, – I accepted gratefully the gift.

      – Where are you going? Far away?

      – To the capital, to study – I sighed.

      The old man scratched his nose.

      – I heard that magicians from ten years of age are called up for military training, and the Royal Academy is not an exception. Our enemies are awake. Many of our people died. The new army will be raised. Only… – Paco hesitated. – You’re not a magician. What will they teach you there?

      – I will be a diplomat.

      Paco raised his eyebrow.

      – It’s a pity you haven’t reveal your talent. You are a good mechanic. Well, of course, negotiating with people – it’s a necessary business. I’m also partly a diplomat, you need to be able to find a common language with buyers.

      The merchant tilted his chin in a funny way, simulating to be a very important person. But when I saw his toothless mouth, I burst out laughing.

      – Paco, I’m sorry! And thanks for the encouragement. You know, although I will study at the academy, I will not abandon my skills of mechanic. After all, Alice gave me a set of tools, I will take them with me and in my free time I will tinker. Everything is magical now. Nobody fixes what is broken. And here I am. What if I come in handy at the academy?

      – You will come in handy. You have golden hands.

      – And I have a present for you too! – I took the watch off my wrist and put it on Paco’s hand. – Do you know how to use it?

      – It’s a watch! – the old man twisted it. – But a dress-watch. Does it work without magic?

      – Yes. But you need to wind up the spring every day so that it doesn’t stop.

      – Oh, thanks! This is a marvelous gift! – the old man blinked and closed his eyes, trying to hide the sentimentality. But I knew how he felt. He was deeply moved. – You… In the capital, in the main market, look for a small shop that says «Nedos’s Chest». You will find it in the streets. My cousin holds this shop. He also sells all sorts of junk. I will write him a letter so that he won’t offend you. Nedos – is a foxlike, he knows how to fool people. But what can he do? In the capital, the people are greedy, everyone wants goods for free. But he will not deceive you and will find everything what you need. I promise! Well, that’s all, be healthy! Study well! And don’t forget the old man Paco.

      – I won’t forget! See you! – I hugged the merchant goodbye.

      I went home upset. Not all phoenix ingredients were clinking in the bag.

      I saw Dinah from afar. She was plucking a goose. I suppose she’ll cook it for dinner. Oh! Coming closer, I asked:

      – Dinah, save me the largest feathers. I need them.

      – How many?

      – Ha… Many – I answered thoughtfully and walked to the door.

      On the right, in the vegetable garden, grandfather Marash was weeding the beets. Apparently, no one knew about my upcoming departure. They behave as usual. Or maybe they don’t care. I was in their life, and soon I will leave. Big deal. What is special about me? Dina called me:

      – And what about your mood? Who messed it up in the morning?

      I came to my senses:

      – Oh. I need a paint, but the merchant Paco didn’t have it.

      – A paint? And for what? What colors? Dinah lifted her head and brushed back a streak of hair that had strayed from her braid.

      – Red and yellow. For feathers … – I specified. – Do you know where to get it?

      – Yes, I know! The red one grows in the garden bed, Marash is just weeding it. And the yellow one is in the kitchen.

      I blinked in confusion.

      – Blunt. To fix everything you are so smart, but you can’t figure out with dyes. Beets on a grate and you will get a red one. And to get the yellow one, you need to mix turmeric with water! The girls and I usually paint the ribbons this way, – pleased Dinah continued to pluck the bird.

      – Th-thank you! – I muttered in confusion, and a stupid smile stretched across my face.

      Now everything I need is here. Happy, I hurried to the room. I poured the contents of the bag onto the table and set to work. The presented tools were incredibly useful. From an oak branch, I carved the skeleton

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