Unconquered Sun

by Philipp Bogachev

  - Whether you know that you face certain death and bear death to that whom you follow, and, perhaps, and to all of us?

  - What do you mean? - the Fairy who was painfully pricked by Cora's doubt, and also her amazing awareness in so confidential enterprise frowned.

  - Do not pretend to be the little fool. Of course, I mean your mad intention to go straight in paws of the solar sorcerer.

  - I …

  - There is enough! - sharply Cora tore off. - It is not necessary to sing the praises of me to all-powerful love and volume similar nonsense here. Most important, in my opinion, in this case this, first, full misunderstanding from your party to what history you got …

  - And secondly?

  - And secondly, misunderstanding of WHY all this occurred.

  - And why?

  - Your husband committed the heaviest of possible a crime - he broke Great Balance. Because of his offense now under the threat there is not only his and your life, but also many others, perhaps, existence of this world. Unless you do not know, oh, the wisest of Fey, - with a gloomy smile Cora told, having bared brightly white how at a black panther, teeth, - what violation of an oath can break Scales of the Order and lead to accident? So, the small snowball thrown from mountain top can cause an avalanche …

  - What do you mean? - with a sinking heart the Fairy asked.

  - When I had your husband on a visit, he pledged the word - to give me the first that will see near you when finds you on Fey's Island. You know it, he told you. He swore on this most Black Sacred Stone - and I accepted his oath, in exchange for the help. Without me he would not reach for anything the Island of fairies and especially would not run away with you from there. I kept the word - he did not keep the promise. Balance of the world reeled. And circumstances developed so that it contacted the dwarf possessing one of the last, the mirrors of the Invincible Sun which are not destroyed yet. Having looked in this mirror, it brought the ancient evil which was almost neutralized and forgotten to life, and now this evil is going to strike new blow to Tselestiya. Danger threatens all country. And danger with which, quite perhaps, not to cope to either Triune Knowledge, or even all Community of fairies. Fairies during an era of the Order and Prosperity fairly poutratit the fighting qualities … - and in Cora's voice at all not hidden jeer was heard.

  The fairy closed the turned pale face hands.

  "Creator!" - she thought, - "My creator, it is the truth! I knew that non-performance of the oath sworn at the Black Stone can lead to such consequences, but even did not try to correct deeds! What I am a silly woman! And still - the Keeper Predela of the 3rd rank … Made a mistake as the first-year student".

  Really, when the Fairy regained consciousness from a dream in a bud of the Flower of Oblivion and quite recovered from postponed experiences, she asked Prinze a question how it got on the confidential Island of fairies and managed to escape with her on hands from there.

  At first Prinze began to invent on custom, but the Fairy right there put it into place - never the lying fairies cannot be deceived. Then he admitted and told both about an oath, and about everything. Then the Fairy suited it a decent dressing down. And really, as he dared to stake destiny of their little newborn daughter! It did not sustain and even few times whacked it from disappointment a towel on a neck, but what now you will make?

  And Prinze is right when he said that he did not know for certain that he will meet by the first when sees the Fairy - from where he could know that the Fairy will give birth to the second child there? He thought that it is about some magic knickknack or about something like that. You never know will climb up to the woman in the head? And when to it was to think of all this if other way to get on Fey's island as the magic broom was not?

  And as usual, "all this was the most "crushing" argument I made for you, darling, is very honest …".

  Well as was not to forgive it Prinze?

  However what in that case to do with an oath? Of course, it was possible to address directly Triune Knowledge … But it was fraught. To erase the prince for such oath and furthermore for the fact that he did on the Island of fairies, in general could lull years so on couple of thousands, and then also memory, forever to separate from a family … And therefore the Fairy then preferred to keep silent. Thought that will manage, and now as all turned back! What will be now when learn about everything there, "above"? The fairy preferred not to think of it.

  - … But an exit is, - Cora continued, indifferently, - if you execute Prinze's oath, then Balance can be restored by itself...

  - Yes as you dare, the black crow to demand that we put you at the mercy our baby! - so quietly Puppy sitting in the place began to roar suddenly and, having ridiculously shown, together with the Kitten rushed on Cora.

  Cora did not even look at them. Both Zverenk bit the dust, entangled from all directions by dark green climbers.

  - First, not on eating up, and on training, - Cora unperturbably told. - Secondly, this girl is intended to me by Stars which accurately watch Balance among the Main Races of Tselestiya, and therefore the girl all the same will come to me. Thirdly, as you want, think how to restore Balance in a different way. And at the same time and to leave from criminal liability which Prinze deserved. He was still not arrested only because its crime against the Order and Tselestiya's Prosperity it is not made public yet … - as if having read thoughts of the Fairy, Cora mischievously grinned.

  Inside at the Fairy everything grew cold.

  Not only that because of Prinze's swindle with an oath at the Black Stone all Tselestiya's safety now under the threat. Even if the Community of Fairies will also manage to release Prinze from captivity of the mysterious solar sorcerer, it can arrest and bring right there to him terrible charge - a crime against the Sacred Principles of the Order and Tselestiya's Prosperity. And under this article no eases are provided. And if it managed to hush up scandal with a hooligan raid of Prinze on Fey's Island, eventually, then the violation of an oath which threatened balance of the whole world is too!

  Having left any pride, the Fairy beggarly lifted the nebesno the blue eyes full got down, at Cora and interrogatively looked at it. Cora was in the seventh heaven: well unless now somebody can object that these fairies not crybabies and slyuntyayka? Where to them to night hunters!

  - However, so and to be, - it was softened, - for the sake of my sincere sympathy for Kind Prinze and my sister Laura who for it constantly asks, I will throw to you some information... - With these words Cora threw a pinch of some white powder on a black stone on which right there ran a sheaf of black-lilac sparks. On smoothly polished surface some vague images appeared.

  ... Bark long did not come out a condition of a magic trance in which it was, peering into black-lilac depths of the Black Stone. When she at last, recovered, her face looked extremely tired and emaciated. Under eyes there were black shadows, and the nose bridge was penetrated by thin wrinkles. Still she watched some time unseeing eyes as if through our friends. Then, as if having regained consciousness, led round them a tired and blank look as though for the first time saw them and did not understand what they forgot here. However through couple of moments memory returned to it.

  - Yes - and-and, it will be difficult for you to help out Prinze in circumvention of the Law of Balance especially as he all the same will demand from you satisfaction, but in a different way... Well, if it is your choice - dare. Mermaids will help to be transported to you through the Sea - I will let them know on the channels. But then the help to you will not be from anywhere. Because the Oversea country is desert, there nobody lives, except wild animals, and in general - places strange there. The desert extends on many tens of miles which is inhabited by ghosts, deadly ghosts … What their nature - I do not know, but somehow they are connected with consciousness of the traveler. And therefore I would advise you, passing through this godforsaken place, not to rustle, about anything to speak and not to think even. Perhaps, it to you will help to overcome it. Then there will be Rocky Mountains
- it is even worse. There monsters which variety not to count which are dangerous EVEN to fairies live …

  - Monsters? - mistrustfully the Fairy stretched. - Unless those still remained? About dangers of the Desert in the Oversea country I agree. About it we passed something in School. But here monsters? We very long time ago exterminated according to all Tselestiya, unless not so? After it it was declared approach of an era of the Order and Prosperity!

  - The black Stone never lies, the darling, unlike textbooks to which treat you at your praised "School", - sharply tore off the Fairy Cora. - And the fact that you know nothing about it - not subtly. The oversea country - a quarantine zone. There have the admission only of the fairy from "STING", and that is on official journey. Other are not allowed - too dangerously. So think once again, my dear what threatens you if you break also this command of Triune Knowledge …

  - I will break any law for the sake of rescue of my loved Prinze! - by the shivering voice the Fairy spoke, and itself felt how heart was pierced by some cold blade, and it foully clenched.

  - And nevertheless why there monsters, Cora escaped? - seeking to avoid as soon as possible development of this extremely unpleasant subject, the Fairy asked.

  - There is nothing more simply. Really, once fairies united and exterminated almost all monsters in Tselestiya, but they did not reach the Rocky Mountains. By then there was a Great split. Became fairies not to monsters any more. And after Thirty years' war already and there was obviously not enough puny strength … Since then there also there live monsters. For this reason I advise you on the mountains to move only in the afternoon, and at night are afraid to light around themselves magic fire - the majority of monsters it. But most important - NEVER LEZTE V LOCAL CAVES ALSO DO NOT SPEND THE NIGHT NEAR STONE WALLS, you hear? Only on open space, having surrounded itself with a flame wall - even, and ESPECIALLY, from above!!! Never you know WHO can go down from them, understand?

  Of course, the Fairy understood nothing - and it is vain, the Black Stone opened not only the remote present, but also the possible future. And Cora only shook the head, sighed and continued further:

  - But penetration into a Gold Tower will be the most heartrending experience for you. The tower costs on the mountain, highest in Tselestiya, which besides absolutely smooth, and therefore it is possible to walk on it only upstairs. But this ladder - magic, gold - as soon as you will step into it, it can reduce stepped to ashes. And therefore only the fairy will be able to rise by the mountain, - Cora told, having darted a speaking glance at both Animals lying on a grass, - as only it has wings.

  At these words Kitten and Puppy bent the plush heads and sadly sighed, and the Fairy frowned even more.

  - But there is more to come, - Cora continued. - Even if the Fairy will also depart, she will be noticed at once from the Tower never by the sleeping slaves to the Invincible Sun - gold golems. They fly on the gold dragons vomiting the present draconian a flame from which even granite melts. And the Invincible Sun constantly looks the possession by means of the damned magical mirrors - she too NEVER SLEEPS! And therefore chances to make the way unnoticed at you, the darling, no...

  - Means, I will go noticed! - defiantly squoze the word Fairy, trying to hide a treacherous shiver inside. - Yes, I from the very beginning and was going to arrive. I will call this mad former fairy on fight and I will win it!

  - Mad! - having clutched at the head, with undisguised horror Cora cried out. - Fight with the Invincible Sun is in private impossible! Though she also lost the body, but in exchange gained power unprecedented until then. Just as magnifying glass, having caught a ray of sunlight, reflects it with a repeated force, and the Invincible Sun, having incorporated part of energy of the sun, received ability with an unprecedented force to reflect it. It can turn into a handful of ashes of any who will become on its way, only one look! Even all army of fairies will not risk to battle against it in open fight. Yes, in last war of the fairy broke a mirror which this mad wanted to enslave the world, but it costed such losses that they were not able to continue war and left the solar ghost alone for long centuries. Besides, the empress of the Gold Tower - the ghost and as it is possible to overcome that who has neither flesh, nor blood who does not know pain and weakness who is not subject to the death!

  - And I will also not begin to compete with it magic, - by the shivering voice the Fairy spoke. - I... I have other plan. I will come without weapon and without weapon I will battle against it, but as - I cannot tell you, so far...

  - I did not happen to see more mad invention on the, frankly speaking, very long century yet, - Cora gloomy told and for a long time became silent.

  - Unless you did not understand, mad, - at last, she spoke, - what you do not have UNIFORM CHANCE to win? To win in any case - to return live back. Your campaign in paws of a solar monster is a suicide! It is simpler to thrust the head into a loop at once or to rush to ocean chasms, than to make such dangerous travel which final will be same … Unless you did not understand that your only chance to leave live this history and to rescue Prinze is to restore the broken Balance? As soon as it will be restored, the world order itself will develop so that Prinze will leave this history safe, and all - without any adventures and dangers!

  - No, Cora, you not to finish me. I will better die, but I will not allow to cripple my daughter life only because my husband once made the precipitate promise, - the Fairy rapped out.

  - Well, - Cora could not hide the disappointment, - as you want. I had to warn you - and I executed the debt. The only thing, than I can help you is to give you this... - With these words she stretched them a small wooden flute.

  - What is it? - chorus the Kitten and the Puppy - big fans of any such features on which it is possible to play something cheerful asked.

  - Do not take in head to play with it! - having prevented their intentions, Cora strictly noticed. - It is not a toy! A flute - magic. It can make the most various impact on different beings. It can lull one, - to amuse others, - to let the third in a dance, and - to frighten the fourth. Be careful, its actions are unpredictable! All its properties are not known even by me … Take, perhaps, it to you will be useful. Also you remember, - having made "terrible eyes", Cora gloomy added, - NEVER you LOOK to the INVINCIBLE SUN IN the FACE - BURN DOWN or you will forget yourself. And still, - Cora's voice suddenly as if began to be removed somewhere, becoming in more quietly and more quietly, - since It lost a body, IT NEVER SAW the ORIGINAL REFLECTION...

  At this moment something clicked in ears at friends and when they recovered, with surprise found out that are already behind borders of the Reserved Thicket and go on the trampled-down footpath of wons from the wood. In the east pink dawn was engaged, and air smack of salt distinctly differed - they approached the coast of the great sea Tetis.

  Chapter 8. Sea queen Laura.

  1.

  The mood at friends considerably improved.

  Really, well trampled down footpath wound in the middle of the wood which literally became in the eyes lighter and is more rare. There were far behind gloomy fir-trees and cedars, birds with might and main chirped. On branches of trees then, squirrels and chipmunks ran there, on glades even hares were shown. The wood as if recovered, from the enemy having turned into the friend.

  Animals right there began to whistle cheerful melodies - gloomy prophecies of the forest witch began to seem to them a dreadful dream from which they, at last, happily wakened. Even the Fairy somehow at once cheered up and, having forgotten about precaution, sometimes sang along with Animals the thin beautiful voice.

  However when through gleams between trees began to look through coastal hills and the remote noise of a surf became heard, sharp words of team reached hearing of travelers:

  - A name of Triune Knowledge, stop!

  The name of Triune Knowledge - sacred for any who is given birth in the country of fairies - caused the unique reaction in travelers - they got up as driven.

  From where from above on a clearing ten fairies si
tting astride magic winged animals went down: white-winged griffins, golden mantikor and pink pegasa. Equestrians had tunics and short raincoats of two flowers - white and golden, only one of them had clothes special, kremovo white color. At all fairies gold medallions with the image of an angry bee with aggressively naked sting hung on a breast. The same bee was embroidered also on bandages which all of them carried on the right hand, and on a breast of tunics. All of them were as on selection of high growth, ideal warriors are ideally put, brought up, say.

  Heart of the Fairy is disturbing clenched. To carry golden and snow-white tunics and furthermore had the right to move on winged animals only fairies of the 2nd and 1st ranks. The emblem of an angry bee did not leave any doubts in to what caste of Community these fairies belonged.

  It meant one for the Fairy - now everything was gone! To fight with powerful "STING" for the simple fairy - right suicide. Their skill and force much more surpasses possibilities of ordinary fairies, and armed resistance to adherents of the Award - the very grave crime equivalent to change to Community and the Sacred Principles.

  - The keeper of the Limit No. 3 and its is twisted, a name of Triune Knowledge stop, - the fairy repeated "kremovo white" - probably, it was main.

  The fairy obediently landed and saluted her, and Animals bit the dust, as well as it was necessary to arrive under the Charter.

  - What do I am oblige to honor, so high for me, by, elder sisters? - indifferently the Fairy asked, as if she moved away not on kind five hundred miles from the place of the continuous service, and walks near the hut.

  - The keeper of the Limit No. 3, show, please, the admission granting to you the right to leave the territory entrusted you by Community, - passionlessly answered Cream-white.

  The fairy understood that she got into very difficulties. She counted that she will manage to cross to Mora still before "above" learn about her adventurous campaign, but now she saw that she miscalculated. The patrol obviously already knew all and intentionally prepared for it an ambush.