The Dragon's Vow or the Stubborn Bride - стр. 23

– 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.

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?