Everyone stared at Hiyata in surprise. Liiran himself could hardly restrain himself from staring at him as if he were a manifestation of the elements in its purest form. Someone who, but Khiyat definitely should not have answered. He is never aware of anything.
- Pulling power? Kalar asked stupidly. He is also an adept of water, he must understand that pulling power from water is the same as trying to set fire to this water. With water, you can only agree, or not agree.
“Yeah, I was surprised too,” Khiyat nodded, smiling broadly and distantly. — Do you know the river near the village U Yama? I bought yellow clay from one aunt. She does it well, I can’t do it like that, I don’t get along with the earth at all. So, that river begins on the Gray Giant. And the aunt takes it and complains that the water has become wrong, as if not alive. I went and checked, it turned out, really not alive.
- What? - of course, the question is not the smartest, especially for the group commander, but it escaped. It is also very interesting why Hiyat needs yellow clay? After all, they use it to create amulets, but he doesn’t seem to be able to do anything like that. How can water not be alive?
- How would you explain? Khiyat scratched the back of his head thoughtfully. Kalar, it seems, fell into prostration or tried to shout to the river with lifeless water. It will become of him. - Here are the seeds, for example. Beans. In appearance they are absolutely identical. And someone from the earth looks at them and says that this one will sprout, but this one will not, because it is dead. Likewise with water. It seems like water is like water, only completely empty, incapable of becoming something more.
“So we are sent to save the river?” Dorana asked a little dumbfounded.
“No,” Liiran hurried to console her. “We are sent to find out what is happening on the mountain.
“Ahhh,” Dorana rejoiced at something, and the newly-made group commander finally realized that nothing good would come of this campaign.
For the first time, the fact that he was still a fool, Khiyat realized on the day when he was fourteen years old. Dila then came home early, quickly and deftly baked a plum pie, presented a gift, and then, for one reason known only to her, began to talk about her brother's dead friend. Now Hiyat could not remember what exactly she had said. But then three things hooked him.
It turned out that the tramp Taladat, who every time runs away from the city as if a pestilence had begun in it, was once the second in the Council of Teachers. On his shoulders hung three elementary schools and half of the firemen. He considered himself extremely intelligent and invincible. Until one day everything collapsed. Blame for what was only his self-confidence.
Self-confident Taladat did not pay attention to the offended boy in time. The boy decided to take revenge, contacted one of the damned and summoned a creature from the world beyond to the island. Of course, the boy regretted this, but it was too late. How this creature was banished back to its world is another story. But in the process, the then head of the Council of the Greats, Kait Eine, died. The last of the guardians of the city and the best friend of Taladat. That's it. Since then, there has been no guardian in the city, and it is not known when he will appear.
Taladat then almost went crazy, blamed only himself for everything and, in the end, simply ran away so as not to see an empty house in an abandoned park. And then, a year later, unexpectedly for everyone, he returned and brought a sleeping child to the city. Small, about a year and a half from birth.
This child had the same wonderfully bright green eyes as Kait's. Perhaps Taladat was trying to repay a debt in this way. Maybe he just clung to the boy because of the color of his eyes. He probably doesn't even know himself. But the child found a home. At least some. And the unfortunate teachers of the northern elementary school are a headache for years to come.
Somehow this story culminated in the question of what Hiyat intends to do next with his life? And he, unexpectedly for himself, understood the background of this question. I realized that in fact, Dila did not have to mess with him at all. And Taladath shouldn't show up more often. And eyes that are the same color as those of a dead friend do not mean at all that the owner of these eyes is an equivalent replacement. There is nothing even to compare. Who was the guardian Eine and who is Khiyat? Hiat nobody. And will be nobody. He doesn't even know who he would like to be. It's hard to understand this about yourself.
Who the unknown parents of the green-eyed boy were, remained unclear. But, probably, they managed to endow their offspring with character. Someone else in his place would have folded his hands and pretended that this was how it was intended. So it's all right, nothing to worry about. Someone else would have fallen into despondency or started looking for someone to blame. And so the boy, unobtrusively put in his place, got angry. First of all, for yourself. And he began to act.
Khiyat then thought for a long time. I assessed myself, assessed all my knowledge and skills. I was convinced that the cat had cried both of them, and decided to correct the situation. In any way.
Deciding was easier than doing. Probably, someone in his place would have asked for help from the same Dila. She is really kind and loves to teach.
Or would repent to the teachers, suddenly they would take pity.
But Khiyat could not. I just couldn't. Even though I didn't understand why. In the end, he himself brought his life to this point, and now he can get out himself.
So he did the only thing that came to mind - began to study. How could. First, he looked through all his textbooks, realized that half for him was a dark forest. And in the other half, it is not even clear what needs to be understood there. Then I thought to climb into the attic and look for answers in textbooks from previous years. About three months later, he caught himself knowing what the teacher was talking about. And by the time of the first aptitude exams in his life, he managed to surprise the entire teaching staff with the correct answers to eighty percent of the questions. Considering that, on average, they answered well, if by forty percent, there was something to be surprised at.
Then it went easier. After a crazy workload, sleepless nights in the company of an invigorating potion structure teacher cheekily stolen from the office and a sense of the unreality of the world, due to the clumsily executed memory enhancement overlay, studying with everyone, gradually and slowly, became very boring. All the time it seemed that they were marking time, pouring from empty to empty. And this despite the fact that somewhere further, just a step away, there is something truly wonderful and worthy of attention. You just need to get there. As fast as possible.
Khiyat rummaged among Dila's books, sorted out the rubble in the attic, and did another stupid thing in his life. Independently conducted the rite of summoning the elements. Without insurers, holding and checking. No doctors ready to help. Even without strangers who can call these doctors. How he risked, Khiyat realized only when he saw how many people had gathered to follow the officially held call. And how many novice adepts of the elements did not survive the first meeting with the embodiment of the gift. They lost consciousness, started screaming in pain, almost started a fire and a flood. And water habitually responded to the call of Khiyat. She responded somewhat surprised.
Don't we already know each other? I do know you.
It's strange that no one has noticed this.
Probably, everyone was not up to him. As always.
However, it's for the best.
The less attention you draw to yourself, the less people are around trying to make you live right, do what you should, and behave as expected.
Who needs all these restrictions?
What is he doing? — it is not clear who Dorana asked.
“He talks to water,” said Kalar, and with a sad sigh he added: “I can’t do that.”
Oh, so he's cooler than you? the girl was surprised.
"No," the boy shook his head. “It's just that the ability is different.
Oddly enough, Kalar did not swear and prove his own greatness. And this could not but rejoice.
Liiran shook his head and also looked at Khiyat, who was sitting near the stream. Beautiful. It turns out that when Khiyat does not yell and is not indignant, does not try to scare everyone away with an otherworldly look, when his face becomes so calm, he turns into a very nice guy. No wonder Dorana gave him so much attention. Moreover, in such a calm state, Khiyat reminded someone very much. Whom - to remember is unrealistic. The resemblance is more likely to be guessed than recognized.
“In my opinion, he will fly away now,” they said venomously from behind.
Liiran exhaled sharply. Dean for these three days managed to get absolutely everyone. He didn't seem to realize that he wasn't in charge here. And he did not get tired of demonstrating his disrespect to the watermen present in the team. Kalar was already trying to beat him, Dorana barely kept him. Hiyat just smiled. He smiled so badly. He must have come up with some crazy idea. But you can't prove anything until it's too late. And is it worth proving?
"It won't fly away," Kalarus declared authoritatively. - He's just talking.
- About what?
The question sounded as if Dean doubted the ability of the water to speak and the sanity of the watermen at the same time. Well, yes, fire is usually an uncommunicative element. It's almost impossible to talk to him.
- Shut up, huh? Such a picture is beautiful, at least take it and draw it,” Dorana asked sincerely.
Another one of her hobbies. Drawing. Quiet such a hobby and calm. This is probably why, looking at Dorana, you never remember exactly this hobby. She draws great though. True, only in the mood.
The wind shook the grass. Hiyata pulled his hair, ruffled the dark strands, found those that could turn reddish in the sun, and happily showed them off. The brook climbed over the pebbles at the very feet of the guy, hurried to tell something and ran on. He's got a lot to do.
Peace and tranquility against the backdrop of eternal haste.
- Shall we eat today? Tiyan cried out sadly from the fire.
“We will,” Khiyat replied, making the company that was watching him interact with water shied away in unison.
He got up with a surprisingly smooth, unified movement. Dorana sighed enviously. A person who can move like this can make an excellent swordsman. And you have to be born with the ability to move like that. The girl herself, no matter how hard she tried, never learned. On the other hand, if you do not study, then you have every chance of never knowing that you have this ability. Therefore, it is strange that the waterman can. Something Hiyata was not noticeable among the swordsmen. What else needs to be done to develop this ability?
What did the water say? Dorana asked."It's going to rain soon, and two people are coming north of here," Khiyat replied. Appeasement was slipping from his face like melted make-up, gradually being replaced by the usual readiness to fight with everyone and everything and a slight touch of stubbornness.— What kind of people? Liiran asked. After all, he is in charge here, which means he is responsible for this whole crazy company.“I have no idea,” Khiyat said indifferently and shrugged his shoulders, demonstrating that those people were of little interest to him. “I just thought it was better to know about their presence than not to know. And also, a little to the left of the mountain, along which people roam, a terrible thing is hidden. Just don't ask which one. Water cannot answer such questions."The benefits of your water," Dean snorted and proudly turned his nose up as he walked towards the fire.- Definitely more than from you, - Khiyat did not remain in debt.“Shut up, both of
And when there will be plenty of time again and there will be no need to rush anywhere, Khiyat will tell him about his headache. He will like it. He couldn't even predict that. It's too incredible.However, the friend agreed to agree, but I don’t want to remember how many nerves he spoiled. Apparently, it was easier for him to come to terms with his own death than to realize that there was a chance to survive. So Khiyat had to convince and argue. Coordinate and double-check for the thousandth time ... And be afraid. And have conversations with yourself to calm down, feeling completely crazy. And occasionally talk to this stubborn donkey, trying to prove something either to him or to yourself.Why are you arguing with me? You know that I'm right. Tradition, right? Such a stupid tradition. Forget about her for a while. Then you will remember. The main thing is that this "later" was. Yes, yes, I am petty, stupid and dependent. And also useless. I remember. And you are a self-satisfied fo
ReturnAnd the morning started with a surprise.Khiyat is gone.“Will someone explain to me where this idiot has gone?” growled Liiran, glaring at the stone at his feet with hatred.“Yeah, you still shout and stomp your feet,” an inner voice happily prompted. "Impress your subordinates."“He said that he needed to go to one place, not far from here,” Tiyan answered sleepily. “He said he would be back soon.“That bastard,” Liiran said with feeling. Who knew that Hiyat would want to walk alone in these not very safe mountains? - How long has he been gone?“It was still dark,” Tiyan said indifferently and yawned widely.“At least two hours ago,” Liiran groaned. We spent the night in a safe place, they say. In a dry cave, to her. Where did this idiot go?A cheerful prospect - to lose a subordinate in the mountains. Just sleep through his departure. And who is to blame? Definitely not Tiyan. Liiran didn't say that no one was allowed to leave the cave until morning. So it's his own fault.A
“Uuuuu, yo-o-o,” said Khiyat in such a tone that Ladai involuntarily felt his face, looking for horrific wounds and other troubles.- What? he asked, making sure that the sensations did not lie, and there was nothing there but scratches.- Eye. Left.- What's wrong with the eye?“It’s yellow,” Khiyat said and leaned over to his friend to get a better look. - Not even that. He is very yellow. The right one is your own, brown, and this one is yellow. Even more yellow than Marika's cat. It is so yellow that it looks like it glows.- Does it glow? - That's just what Ladai lacked. On the other hand, he didn't expect to survive the night at all. So the eye is nonsense. Even if he disappeared altogether, it would be a small loss compared to life.“Yeah,” Khiyat confirmed somehow too cheerfully. “You are now a walking special sign. As if there were not enough abnormally white hair and tattoos on the entire back. Only the scar is more noticeable is not enough.“I’ll think of something,” Ladai
- It concerns you first of all! barked the head of the Great Council.Aesir Tmania pursed his lips in displeasure.“Everything about this puppy has nothing to do with me anymore. The renunciation was carried out according to the rules and officially recognized by the council ...- Sit, I said! the kindest and noblest Darine Atana practically growled. “Liiran, sit down too, don’t be so bright,” she snapped at the young leader of the unsuccessful group, who was shifting uncertainly near the door. Sit wherever you want, even on the floor. Everyone should listen to Koyan very carefully, because in the near future you will have to repeat these words several hundred times, so that all those involved and simply overly curious understand and realize. Clear? Esir, if you move again and try to open your mouth, I am not responsible for myself. Goyang, we are listening to your report.The white-haired head of the rangers sighed heavily and nodded to some of his thoughts.“As you already know, yes
Toward the end of the second seven days, the passion for killing the elemental collector and Ladai's death subsided a bit. Schools have returned to their normal schedule. Groups made up of non-adults were found to have activities that were more in line with the experiences of the people in those groups. And Liiran no longer felt like he was being bullied. Watering fields, rejuvenating gardens, and burning rubbish was still more correct than wandering from school to school all day for history lessons.Liiran's subordinates were also, for the most part, pleased. They were surprisingly quiet and calm. Suspiciously thoughtful, of course, but the aspiring leader of the group decided not to succumb to paranoia.Although it would not hurt to find out what they think so amicably. And then you never know what they think of. Suddenly up to something bad, and he is responsible for this?It was this argument that became decisive when Liiran saw Khiyat purposefully walking somewhere at night looki
The snake did not deceive, feeling the experiences of the city turned out to be not the most pleasant thing in the world. Especially at first. Towards the evening of the second day, Khiyat got used to it a little and stopped twitching in response to any sensation. And my head didn't hurt anymore. But the ease with which it was possible to persuade the city to hide the presence of Ladai within its walls was even frightening, until by some very tortuous paths it dawned on Khiyat that no one would be able to hide from him like that. After that, he felt like an idiot and decided from now on to carefully consider everything that comes to mind.Ladai, unfortunately, did not refuse the idea of scaring the information provider to the collectors. Moreover, he began to hurry his friend, reminding him that a letter would arrive soon, and it would not be easy to get a former teacher in the fortress at the council. Khiyat, who at that moment was not up to the suffering of Ladai, because the city
Liiran displeasedly looked first at the pompously solemn Din, shifted his gaze to Marika, who was focused on her inner world, and then to the suspiciously cheerful Tiyan. There was no one else to look at. And this despite the fact that he personally found everyone the day before and asked not to be late. And don't forget to give out passes. And the words of the great and wise that the city needs magicians with a chain on their belts, he repeated, although he did not want to. True, in the performance of Liiran, these words did not sound very convincing, but he is not the head of the council, he can be forgiven. Subordinates should have understood this. It seems to be.- Where does he wear them? asked the leader of the group into space.“Dorana was arguing with her brother,” Marika said distantly. Loud, half the street heard. Calm down and come, there is still time.“Yeah,” Liiran said, vividly imagining the appearance of a feisty girl in the midst of the theoretical part of the exam.I