CHAPTER 11 Craftsmen of Oum

Sutei and Thunder worked hard at the anvil, got along with a cunning skeleton made of rods made of copper alloy. Those cunning additives, to Ural copper, were the main secret of Acasta. Increased strength, flexibility and elasticity. And then, the unots stretched the heated rods through the drawing boards, and made the required number of blanks. Then, the required number of joints, inserts and belts worked. And they did everything well, the hinges and loops worked properly. Akast personally checked everything, did not want to disgrace himself.

– Read, all reserves spent on it. It will be necessary to send to Sargat, for copper additives. And, all the hinges were removed, – said Sutei displeased.

– Nobody offered us such work yet! – Thunder said in response, – we ourselves are still proud of what we have done!

Acast again checked if everything was working fine. I fit into every device, I bent every handle myself. He did not give peace to himself or to others for three days. Craftsmen were exhausted, but no one wanted to lag behind such a thing. And Akast was glad of this, he knew that every person who works with his own hands and head is ambitious. I would like to shine in front of others, to show my skill! And now Acast walked around the huge room with gogol. What, managed to get everyone!

But, he did not give his own cover, he tried to feel how this product sits on his back, whether the straps on his chest are palm, whether it is easy to fit them to everyone. Finally, he nodded his head, accepting the work of the assistants. So unhurriedly, sideways backed against the wall, and covered with mattresses. Then, even behind the edges, the canvas twitched, twisted, so that nothing would stick out.

– We have done a great job, unprecedented… Now, and snacking is not a sin…

Pupils brought poisons and drinks – fish pies and berry kvass. The craftsmen ate sedately, without greed. Decorously eating Adota’s grandmother’s skillful cooking. Everyone in Oum knew that no one got along better than her pies. And then, although the sixth dozen is plucked, and there was a wonderfully sensible woman, fit for every household. They did not speak until they emptied the wooden elegant painted tray, clearing it of treats.

– Now, and it’s time to practice suede. We attach it to the frame, and then we glue it with swan feathers. Here, the beauty of kai will come out! – Akast broadcast with pleasure

– Why the feathers?” Is there little sense in them? Soutei did not understand.

– Elena decided so. I saw our work, I added more gold.

– Then of course. The queen knows better, of course, – he did not dispute Thunder.

And the craftsmen began to lay out thin suede on the floor, figuring out how to cut better. The matter was argued, worked hands tirelessly, until late in the evening. He examined Acast himself, stroked the mechanisms, and suede, as if they could rejoice in affection. He smiled happily, and asked as if from the living:

– Don’t let me down tomorrow!

CHAPTER 12 Geese-Swans

The time before dawn lasts a long time, it seems that it will not soon rise into the heavenly high sun. But here, in the gridnitsa, as if no one had noticed the darkness, neither greasy candles nor lamps were lit, filled with fragrant oil. Although, seven sat here, and slowly ate drink from their wooden buckets. And they ate sweet rye, honey, gingerbread. Then a low door opened, slamming the canvas against the jamb, so much so that the copper loops creaked plaintively. Sitting without turning their heads, they sat as if nothing had happened.

– Well, that’s it, my eagles, blue-winged falcons! Stop walking! Elena said harshly, entering the tomb of the knights.

And behind the mistress stood, with her head down, a hay girl. And behind her, and Ilsa. The Queen dressed the servant in rich clothes made of thin linen, presented a shower jacket made of wolf fur. Now Tadya looked much better than before.

The immortals jumped from the shops, and not just the leader of their gang entered, but the Queen herself, the Mistress of all Siberia! How can she not be honored?

– So we can’t fall asleep, – Sysoy complained, – and so, everything is more fun! And we don’t drink beer, only kvass. Bilkar still brought a curler of berry.

– Okay… Elena almost had mercy, but for two whole months sleep will not come to you. And then, for two weeks you will fall asleep. So if a dream approaches you on a long trip, look for a refuge in a tree so that your enemies do not get you.

– Exactly, I will sleep like an owl in a hollow! Apta joked.

– Well, an owl, not an owl, but a beak has grown a lot! Sysoy said nothing.

Indeed, although Apta was nice, with a pleasant face, blue eyes, punchy lips, and the girl’s nose was with a considerable hump. Only Apta was not offended by the caustic words, but laughed, and whispered something in Vaya’s ear, to her friend. Here, both began to make fun of Sysoy. They just burst into laughter, and so, cunningly, they looked at the knight. Until he blushed his face.

– Well, enough! – Elena interrupted such fun, – Saddle the elk, and go to the Black Hill at Oum. I, with Ilsa, will get there a little later. Expect us there!

Three girls came out, and the knights looked at each other in confusion, and the Poles were not calm.

– Listen, Tan, why did the Queen call us eagles and falcons? And also blue-winged? Khvylya said embarrassedly. “Or what are you up to?”

– Who knows… Maybe so praised? Tan added, finishing the kvass from the ladle, Tivda, what do you think?

– Why think. We’ll find out. Our job is all one – to serve the Queen. It is better not to clog your head with unnecessary thoughts.

– Your beloved became a direct magician-mentor, – fake Priya Vaya.

“Tivda says. We won’t die all alone, and we have nothing to be afraid of, “the Polish woman answered, adjusting the bracelet on her hand.

– Elena Beautiful conceived something. I suppose the daughter of a magi. Ilsa, she said everyone about us. Look at us! – explained Sysoy, – suspects something… She is a difficult girl, the daughter of the magician Rista, and that clever guy known throughout Obi…

– I looked at you, Vityaz, – Apta forged it, – I don’t know what she liked you? Or did what? Maybe he offered, but she refused? – and the glory laughed.

“Stop looking for bad things everywhere. It is necessary to get ready! – added Tivda. – Yes, now we and Magi and elders are not a decree! What the Queen says, then okay!

Sysoy grabbed his hat and threw it on the table in frustration, almost dropping the enda with drink on the floor of the gridnitsa.

***

Dry people grazed in the hollow, ate young branches in the trees, and the Immortals themselves sat down on a hill, putting their feet under them. And then, the usual pose for any rider, with simply “lapped” legs to the saddle. So each of them could sit at least all day.

– How long have we been here, and there is no Queen? Vaya worried, maybe what important happened? And here we are, everything is laid out on the grass!

– It’s clear. She is now with Ilsa, kind to her heart. And he can’t get here quickly.

– Here, carts! And big, about four wheels! – said the sharp-eyed Priya, – they are bringing something here!

Carts were both on two wheels and on four made for a large load. They were always dragged by oxen. Therefore, the wheels of such carts did not rotate quickly at all. Although the huge animals were tireless and strong, they always walked very slowly.

It took a long time to wait for the carts to climb the hill. The wheels of the carts creaked, falling into potholes. The Unots drove the oxen so that they would go at least a little faster. And Elena and Ilza were driving behind this train.

“Here we come, Acast! Elena shouted happily.

The craftsman is important and nodded his head with meaning. And Sutei and Thunder came closer, and looked, not lowering their gaze on the Immortals. They approached, watching with interest, what will happen? And the Queen did not hide her delight. Apparently, she put a lot of effort and her soul into this matter. She ran up to Akast, he threw back the horn, and immediately began to help fasten a wonderful mechanism behind her. Ilsa stood nearby, and kept quiet. But, it was clear how the girl’s face changed, how surprised she was. And there was something to be surprised at!

Elena Beautiful acquired wings. Huge, beautiful, like swans.

– You, Queen, try, first not to take off the ground. Is the mechanism conveniently configured for you? Acast said, preoccupied.

– Now we’ll check everything! Don’t doubt it, Grandpa! Everything will work out, no doubt, craftsman!

Tadja rushed to help. Elena made her hands into the fasteners, grabbed the handles, completely opened the wings. Then, raising her head, high, jumped from her seat onto the fathom, and immediately flapped her wings. She began to rise, making circles over the hill.

– Here, Slavnitsa… What the force does, – muttered Akast standing next to Ilse.

“Can I do that?” she said enchantedly.

– No, from where! They are thirty times stronger than mortal people. We will not be able to rise like that, – the craftsman explained a little sadly.

***

And Elena now just bathed in the sky. Almost like a bird. At first, it was difficult to learn how to keep balance, her legs seemed to outweigh her. But then, everything went as it should. She had enough strength, she did not feel tension or fatigue. A wave of wings – and she rose higher. And those below seemed small, smaller than ants crawling on the ground. Bending her arms a little, she learned to turn, left, and right, so much so that the wind cooled her face.

Not far away was Oum. Elena spun in the air, rising sharply, dropping almost to the ground. She heard the cry of craftsmen, her decks. They thought that she would break, but no, again smeared her wings, rose high and flew to Oum. The height was now, a hundred fathoms, no less.

It was good to watch the whole city from here. Here, a tall rampart-wall, the abode of people and their protection, and in the center – its tower. So small when you look from above! Elena saw how people poured into the square, shouting, pointing fingers at her. She still laid a circle, flew around the city, then looked at the pier, where fishermen and merchants were busy with important things – preparing boats for the long journey. And who, already fished, putting nets for water production. Yes, with such wings, she can see everything as Elena decided, and no one will hide from her eyes. And, after all, you can fly to Warta in just a day, as the Queen thought, and to Gandvik in just a couple of days! Where is it convenient! But, it was time to return. Elena again turned sharply, almost falling down, but sharply waved her wings, and straightened out. And there, and a close path to Black Hill!

***

“Where is she?” Ilsa whispered again.

– Don’t worry, glory! Here, look, and tsaritsyn wings! You will immediately recognize them! You see how they shine in the sky! ‘asked Akast’s praise.

– Straight gold!

– So gold bottom and covered. I gilded the feathers. And how beautifully it turned out!

– Who is above you, Acast?” Yes, and there is no one, throughout the Ob, in the Urals, or even throughout Siberia! – Ilsa uttered without a fraction of a joke, – an unprecedented thing happened!