CHAPTER 8 Ilsa and the Immortals

Ilsa was doing business again. She worked at the healer Nemye, the one who raised her from childhood, when her mother and brothers went to Goose Land. Then a likhomanka fell to the land of the giants, cured many of the Magi Rist, and could not save his relatives, it was not destined.

Now the girl worked, rubbing herbs with a stone pestle. And then everyone knows that copper is not suitable for such a thing, and ordinary limestone, too, because it crumbles. For this, good stones are needed, well, like jade, for example. And, Uncle Akast worked for Nemya and for her two good bowls and two pestles to cook the potion.

The medicine woman herself was bothering over the clay pot in which she was going to steam the herbs. Prepared and sent to the oven.

– Remember, such a potion, you need to keep a cold in the oven for three days. Then, pour it, and allow it to enter, and store it in a cool place. But, no more than three days, the power will go away.

“So does willow bark help, grandma?”

“So Ilsa is. Yes, this collection is better, at least more difficult. After it, they recover faster.

– But, now in Oum Elena herself. She’ll cure anyone!

– It happens that there is none. And what will you do?

But then there was a knock on the door, and a good fellow stood on the threshold. Ilsa recognized him, one of Elena’s decks, a real knight. Beatyfull, tall, but, thin such, not stately. But, politeness knew, took off his hat, held it in his left hand.

– So what did the good fellow come with? Nemya asked him, snarling.

“So to the point. Paint is needed, fill the drawing on the skin. Well, what herbs that were not sick.

– It didn’t hurt, it didn’t hurt! – the healer grumbled, – come you, guest in peace, do not distract.

– Yes, the matter is important!

– The matter is simple, but you won’t cope. Not enough mind!

– So for the work here, – and put the knight on the table four golden rings, – we are with understanding!

– You’re looking for… – and Nemya squinted, as if she saw something for a new guest, – so Ilsa will fill your drawings. Her light hand, where as light! And you won’t feel pain!

– Yes, I’m busy… – muttered Ilsa, trying to avoid such a share

– Go to the sun, develop, – Nemya began to convince, – Otherwise, you sit all day in my closet. All with herbs and herbs. Talk to people a little!

She got into training for a healer a long time ago, five years ago. I really want to say, at first I didn’t want to, but the elders of the city were able to force even the magician Rista, her father, to give under the guise of medicine. They began to notice a wonderful thing behind her…

***

– Ilsa, take away your goat, it doesn’t let me pass! – shouted purchase Otar, postponing the broom, – you see, not even afraid of this!

– I’m coming! ‘the girl shouted.

She bravely rushed to the horned prankster, grasping the horn and led to the barn.

– You are looking for what you have decided! Here, let’s go to the barn – she said.

And the worker just shook his head, and again began to slowly sweep the yard. He had a lot of things to do, and the owner of Rist did not give any tricks. Well, Ilsa, in practice, drove the cattle out of the courtyard of the estate, where the shepherd Chopra was already expecting.

– But what? Will your goat come running home again? Look, otherwise I won’t take it with me.

And his dog, hefty and fluffy Bright, ran up to greet Ilse, stood on his hind legs, put his front on the girl’s shoulders, licked her nose and rubbed against her leg. Then, returned to the owner.

The goat looked with cunning eyes, and lowered her head with horns, pointing them at the shepherd.

– Stop it! Alive! Ilsa ordered, he takes you to the meadows, where the grass is good! What are you doing?

The goat looked up at the hostess, as if she understood everything, and peacefully waving her tail, went to the herd.

“What are you saying to her?” – the shepherd was surprised, – is she stupid?

“Why?” Everything thinks. You just need to speak wisely.

– True, my dog took you for his own, but does not come close to strangers… Everything is strange… Well, until the evening!

And in the evening Ilsa walked with her friends at the estate, they played dolls and collected flowers. Well, here, the boy, the son of Elder Okat, Plist and his brother Fokey, began to bully.

– Why are you walking past the gate of our manor? Here, play at home, – Plist said so, and proudly nodded.

Ilsa did not want to call her brothers for help. I didn’t hurt such fights. But, pinching the grass at the ditch of her goat, she ran up sharply and hit Plist’s ass, so much so that barely his ports fell to the ground. Fokey swung his stick, but the goat bent its head, pulled its horns. And the boys, screaming and wailing, ran off the street.

Ilsa stroked the goat on the head, she mecked, and received a rye cracker from the suma as a reward from the hostess.

– Yes, you are a witch, not otherwise, – murmured Lipa, the daughter of a copper and her girlfriend, – let’s go… Vita, Naya, let’s get out of here!

“Girls, where are you going?” Ilsa asked, and burst into tears, what did I do?

***

So, after that incident, Ilsa was assigned under the supervision of Nemya’s healers. You never know? And then, with such force, evil spirits can harm the girl. And so, the healer will learn it, but protect it from troubles, then the whole hail will benefit. So the elders decided. And Rist did not meet the magician. And it is true, now the sufferers turned to him more often, since he has such a daughter. And the people who came to the words listened, did not ignore. True, now, as mother died, the father began to visit the widower alone, Kanye. But, the girl understood, what about the priest without female affection? She pretended not to notice anything. So I thought, and I didn’t want to go.

Reluctantly, Ilsa rose, put herbs and paint in a basket made of straw with a lid. And also a leather cat with needles, for drawings on living skin.

– Well, let’s go! she said loudly to the knight who came to the cell.

He nodded happily. They went out onto the wooden covered flooring, near the honeycomb rooms on the second floor of the fortress, where the healer lived. People passed by, greeted Ilsa, recognizing the glory. As with the knight too. We went to the gathering, to the steps leading to the courtyard of the fortress house. A woman with buckets of water went upstairs, Tivda did not hesitate, helped to bring it, and returned to Ilse.

– It seems and not military business, water to carry? ‘the Slavnica chuckled.

– So and in Vityazi came out recently, with a week ago. Nishto, the Queen will not deprive the belt for this! ‘the youngster simply replied.

The girl looked at the young man with approval, but did not say anything. And why? I hardly knew this warrior of the Queen.

True, she often spoke with Elena before, or even vespers for berry brewing or sewing, but now she did not want to remember that. Now Elena Tsarina is of all lands, and Ilsa did not want to impose herself on her as a friend.

The witch doctor followed him to the Palace itself, which stood in the middle of the hail. But they entered not the main gate, but a small door. However, even that made richly with copper loops, and not from willow branches, as in simple houses.

– Here we have chambers, and a bath, – explained the knight, – here, and our deck!

At the table sat six, in military clothes, knights and poles. Three young men and three girls. In front of them stood a golden brother and golden buckets.

– Ah, Tivda! Who else did you bring? Still looked for a girl? ‘one of the knights said.

But, the pole sitting on the edge of the table did not appreciate the joke, and hit the table with a small but rigid cam so that it jumped up, two points. Ilsa was already stunned. The knights easily caught the dishes that flew up, so much so that not a drop fell on the floor. Tivda held the endu with both hands.

– Enough for you Sysoy! – said one of the Poles, – and you, Priya, calm down!

“I’m already calm, Apta. Thanks. Why did you come? – asked the Slavnitsa from the guest.

– So I am Ilsa, daughter of Rist. A student of the witch doctor Nemya, she came to help you.

“So we don’t need any more help! – said the named Sysoy, – no, no ailment will take us! And invincible, there is no one stronger than us!

– Yes, you speak easier… Remember, Elena was just a witch three days ago. And now… – said another knight.

– Exactly, Tan… Or maybe you will become the Queen, glory?

– And how the Gods will decide. Well, I came to you on business, and not on trifles! Show what is needed, and then I will hear it!

“Whatever you say… Well, shall we go? – and Sysoy turned to the knights.

Ilsa noticed that this knight, the most stately of all, loved to dominate. Yes, and the hole was, not that very…

– Rags are needed, but wet! ‘the medicine woman recalled.

“They brought everything. Yes, everything overgrows on us quickly, do not worry! Tivda remarked.

– Exactly, and the main thing is not to lose your head. Right, friend? – again shook Sysoy.

And Tivda for some reason blushed, but said nothing, touched his neck. But everyone started up, Priya, who was walking nearby, leaned forward. Tan hugged his friend Sysoy, and he calmed down. Ilsa kept quiet, but was slightly surprised how Elena picked up her retinue. Well, it was not her business to judge the Queen. The dunots of the palace opened the doors, and they ended up in the dressing room, where the benches stood, and cooked kvass in reeds and wooden buckets.

– Here are the drawings, – and Sysoy put on the table, – these, for us, you can make such knights. Then, and fill the Poles.

The young men began to take off their shirts, leaving their belts naked, in suede pants and soft boots. Ilse glanced at the images. There was an eagle with wide wings, a raven with a beak, hairy, with branched horns, and a wolf with a bristled mouth.

“And to everyone on the back and the griffin,” Tan added, “which one you decide for yourself.”

– So the griffin guards the Goose Land and the Pecking Kingdom?

“For all of us, I’ll get up just right,” said Tan.

Ilsa sat down on a bench by the window, and daylight helped her do difficult work. Hands flowed, but indeed, wounds on the skin of the knights seemed to absorb paint without blushing or inflaming. But, of course, the matter was not quick. And now I remembered everyone, according to his beast, on the first shoulder of everyone. Sysoy-eagle, Tan-raven, Khvylya- dry, and Tivda – Gray Wolf. I didn’t understand one thing, if such soldiers are noble, they have been in battles. And there were no scars on their bodies, just not one!

– You are a big craftswoman, Ilsa, – thanked Tan, – here’s a gift for you! For the work! Take it, do mercy!

And he put on the table a thin gold bracelet, with headbands in the form of snake mouths. The girl did not refuse, and why?

– Well, that’s it, knights! Leave the girls alone here! Without your look! Apta said sternly, hands on sides.

– Whatever you say, Slavnitsa! – Sysa nodded with a grin, – let’s go, right, and the meal awaits us. Lunch time!

– Let’s go, Khvylya, Tivda! We are not welcome here yet! Tan declared, wearing a shirt.

So the young men left the Slavs, Apta instantly closed the door to the shutter. Checked more, is it strong?

– Yes, from them any door with a joint will take out, at once! Priya smiled, taking off her apron, and then, she threw off her shoes.

– Nishto, decency, such a thing… – the Slavnitsa did not agree, and she herself began to hastily undress.

– And to us, here are such drawings, – and Vaya showed sheets of highlighted skin.

It was painted beautifully, umedo and cleanly, with birch coal. Ilsa looked and nodded, agreeing.

– And all together – the Sun and the Moon, snakes on the forearms, on the hips of the dry, so as to run faster. So somehow, – recalled Priya.

– Come on your shoulder, Vaya wants a snake, and me, so wild goose, – added Apta, – you won’t forget?

“I’ll do it as you wish.

The Slavs undressed, left without clothes, and Ilsa set to work. At first I was surprised, I thought that the warriors were almost like young men, but no, they are good and pleasant to themselves, only maybe they are more built than domestic Slavs, unaccustomed to campaigns. But wounds from needles healed on their bodies almost immediately. The healer was not surprised.

– Well, that’s it, I’ll go… Ilsa said, rising from the bench, her hands tired…

“That’s right. So the first thing, from fatigue – a bath. It’s flooded really well. And we will treat you.

– Yes, I…

“How to refuse is not the point! Priya said cheerfully, slapping her knee loudly – are you shy, or what? So we are driven, not on the bargain?

Here it was impossible to retreat, and Ilsa left her clothes on the bench, dismissed her braid.

– Here, let’s try honey for now!

And Apta poured put honey on the cowboys. And then, the beer went into business, Ilsa sensed how her head was very noisy, and she still sat down in the steam room.

– Why is she sleeping?” Priya was indignant.

– Sleeping… – and Vaya corrected, laying on the bench, sliding the girl’s hand.

– So come on, and we will fill her with drawings. Why? Consider, the witch doctor is kind, the whole Oum knows about that!

Honey and beer were still noisy in the head of the Slavs, and they got down to business. They went too far, so much so that they stole a Slavnitsa everywhere on their hands and feet, on their backs. And griffins, and snakes, and running deer. Only now, they forgot that Ilsa was not one of them, did not drink Ihor, living water. And fell into unconsciousness. Too all the drawings were applied to her skin at once.

– Bad thing… – whispered Apta, – we must run after Elena. And what will she do to us???

– Yes, we are all one, we will survive, – Vaya said quietly, – and Ilsa can die…

– That’s it, I dress, and ran. Let me out! And back, I will knock three times!

And Priya briskly dressed up in her clothes, and ran out of the bath. Apta put wet towels on the witch doctor’s forehead, tried to sniff sharp drugs, but no, the girl never opened her eyes. But now, three blows to the door, Vaya opened the door, and Elena stood on the threshold, with a face black with rage, but also sparkling blue eyes.

“What are you doing here?” ‘she said sharply.

– Yes… It turned out stupid… – Apta mumbled with her head down.

The queen saw a body covered with a veil. Without saying a word, she put her palms on the Slavnitsa’s forehead. So she sighed sharply, coughed, and opened her blue eyes. She looked at herself and almost burst into tears.

– What is it!

“So as a sign of your skills, girl,” Elena said affectionately, “how do people know who you are?” And here, every sign matters and everything is to your advantage.

– Well, if only so…

– Yes, I also heard how I helped my father, place supplies in the city, so that every grain would be saved!

– So I tried… The army was beaten…

– And I will keep you with me, I will teach you as it should, – the Queen encouraged Ilsa, – And you are smart, and your heart is clean, gentle! I will reveal a lot to you! But, as a sign of my mercy, she put a golden ring on the girl’s middle finger, and come in an hour!

The young witch doctor admired an expensive gift. I looked, tilting the ring and so on, admiring the shine of excellent polishing and the sign itself on the ring. The griffin beat its wings, spreading its beak on the gold of expensive jewelry. Ilsa calmed down, and the drawings on the skin after the Queen’s cure no longer hurt. And, the medicine woman dressed and headed for the exit. I did not see Ilsa, fortunately, or misfortune, as Elena reproachfully looked at her glades, and how they guiltily bowed their heads as a sign of their oversight. And the Queen looked after the departing Slavnitsa. Ilsa fell on her heart, she had been looking at her for a long time. Sensible, smart fast, not angry, friendly to people. And then she will need an assistant… And then Elena suddenly remembered how she came to these lands three years ago…