Dragon’s Empire – 3. Countess and Dragon. Natalie Yacobson

was possible to hear the cry of a parrot in a cage, swinging under the cabin ceiling, to catch the vibration of furniture, weakly screwed to the floor, the clinking of spoons and cups, and one single phrase spoken by a clean female voice:

      «You don’t think that we float too slowly, captain?»

      An awkward pause has come, during which the captain thought about how to explain the lady that everything depends on what direction the wind blows. He wanted to say that all the sails are raised and there can be no more speed, but then he remembered that he had already spoke about it a couple of times before breakfast.

      «I apologize, milady, but I can only manage the ship and the team, and not the weather. I don’t order the wind,» he finally said.

      «And if you could manage the weather?»

      «What did you say?» He asked with bewilderment.

      «You see for me all this is new and interesting. I don’t know anything about the ships, but I want to know,» Francesca immediately understand that it was necessary to be more careful. «For example, what will happen if the wind is stronger? Does this bring some favor to our movements? Does it somehow accelerate our swimming?»

      «In the event that the wind is not so strong to break the sails.»

      «Excellent,» the lady muttered with a gloomy humor, «it means that it is equally bad for me a calm and a hurricane. Well, I pray that in the open sea it will not find a storm, «she added louder.

      «Yes, the storm is always better to meet into the port,» confirmed the captain, taken for the next portion of the food. «We have to swim many days before entering some kind of harbor or bay. It will be fine, if this time things will turn out all right, because from one continent it is not near to another. And the oncoming vessels will be a bit.»

      «And of course it will be good if these oncoming vessels are not pirates,» said the lady.

      «Well, on board there are enough guns and muskets, but it would be better not to risk,» the captain answered. Already from the conversations I could conclude that he is just a nobleman, protected of someone from the courtiers, but not a sea wolf. Yes, the usual captain could not get the ship, equipped and decorated with such screaming luxury.

      «The path of the Lord is unknown,» the lady said sadly. «Someone is afraid of robbers, but an attractive, young gold-haired aristocrat may be more cruel than all pirates together.

      «Do you mean any events at the court?» the captain lowered the voice to one – two octaves.

      Quiet rustling of curls and a ringing of diamond earrings – it means the lady has shook her head negatively.

      «I meant that there is a danger much worse than an attack of pirates,» she patiently explained. «Someone sells a soul for other people’s treasures, someone for only a friendly look. In any case, at the court of the king, everything can happen,» the lady said.

      «There are many strange things at the court now. It is better not to talk about it. Dark silhouettes, unusual rustles and music in the locked rooms are not dangerous. The most important news is that the king has already chosen a heir who has not seen anyone, except one viscount and several courtiers. They swear that this heir is the most real sorcerer, but nevertheless young, handsome and gold-haired.

      The captain tried to hint that even in the open sea should not insult the ruling monarch, speaking of gold-haired criminals, because such a statement can be regarded as an insult. With the last words, the lady shuddered, the spoon fell out of her hand.

      «Indeed, it is interesting news,» she said and as if for herself added. «But still, a strong passing wind would not prevent us.

      I was in the shade when Francesca came out of the captain’s cabin, rustling chiffon skirts and covering the shoulders with black, silk scarf. She hid something in a tightly compressed fist, but that was not able to consider. Light breeze played with the curls of blond hair. Going to the board, the countess pulled a white handkerchief out of the scarf. Already on a tiny monogram, embroidered in its corner it was clear that the handkerchief belonged not to her. These were Vincent’s initials. So the dark time of their union has not yet ended. Francesca began to untie the first small knot with her fingers. It was difficult. It seems I remembered the elementary initial magic, which she tried to call for help. The first knot is the wind, the second is a hurricane, the third is a strong storm, and after this, in inept hands, witchcraft can cause an elevation anger.

      It was necessary to stop her until she did the trouble. The first signs of thunderstorm already appeared in the sky. I tried to direct the wind stream so that it would pull out the handkerchief from the hands of Francesca. It slipped out of her fingers and smoothly fell into water.

      How quickly the color of the sea water managed to change from the gentle-blue to dull – blue. Foam waves rhythmically beat about the board of the ship. Salted wet droplets beaded flew on clothes, cheeks, forehead and slightly cooled the unnatural hot heat of my skin. It’s time to grab the victim and fly away. In the sky, the first broken zipper flashed. Sailors engaged in riding surviving sails, do not even notice anyone’s disappearance. During the storm, many die, the vessel itself can spread in wreckage. Everyone will think that the countess fell abroad, and the wind drove the shouts. The highest waves occasionally took a wooden barrier and washed deck.

      Francesca looked into muddy water, as if not noticing the whirlwind of flying splashes, only in the very last moment she felt that someone’s shiny claws stretch to her waist, and shuddered with all the body. I felt this trembling, because I had already had time to grab her and tear off the ride and unreliable deck under my feet.

      Squeezing tightly my victim, I rushed away. I felt fear and despair of the countess. Francesca did not even try to escape, she was simply numb, as if was just a lamb on the sacrifice, as if she did not suspect, that the flirting with a stranger was dangerous. I wanted to lose her in a muddy green water, so that she did not tell any secrets to anyone, but then I decided that it would be more humanely to commit a sacrifice on land, in one of the secluded corners located at the borders of my and county possessions. Francesca hung in dragon claws, her dress was wet, lush frills absorbed water and doubled the weight of the fragile woman. Her multilateral inquisitive mind rushed to a dangerous path. She had to dye.

      The presence of my predecessor was felt in the cave, signs of long-standing life were noticeable – a chest with opals, emeralds and malachite fragments in a niche, a small brazier, a pillar for the victim and shackles. In the depths of the cave glittered precious ore. I laid an insensible Francesca on the floor and chained one of her wrist towards a high post. The inhabitant of the cave, whoever he was, when he wakes up, will take care of the modest offer of his owner. Without feeling the slightest conscience, because Francesca was intensified into this dark matter herself, I returned to the estate with solid intentions to put Vincent beyond the door. I’m already tired of his dirty tricks. Any patience has a limit.

      The house was warm and cozy. Soft carpets covering the floor, drove steps. Embroidered blankets and pads decorated furniture, recently woven tapestries were blocked on the walls. There are many crystal on the tables. The most amazing was that my «best friend», which I was going to drive away, didn’t steal anything. For him, such a long manifestation of honesty was a real wonder.

      Vincent slept, curling out straight on the rug at the burning fireplace, and his appearance was absolutely innocent, as if it was not he, who helped Francesca in her whims. I did not decide to approach and wake him up. He resembled a homeless child, who was suddenly put to warm up by the fire, and it caused pity. Let him then take the attic if he likes it so much.

      «But one more prank and you will find out on the street, my friend,» I added out loud.

      Vincent sleepy asked:

      «What?»

      «Nothing, sleep further,» I have already gathered to leave, but he called me.

      «Edwin!»

      «Yes,»