pantaloons. One of them was carrying a forged lantern in which a bright light was burning. The symbol of our goddess Sherida. The rest stood on both side of the throne. A man appeared at the door; his features were familiar to me. His brown hair, honey-mustard eyes and chin like mine. But between the eyebrows and at the mouth there were deep wrinkles. There was no joy on his face, only unquestioning obedience. A stern, hard look in my direction, and my heart almost broke my ribcage in panic.
– Father… – I whispered.
My palms were sweating and my mouth was dry. I was terribly nervous. I haven’t seen him for eleven years. I kept thinking what I would say when I meet him. Otherwise, I will remain silent, giving away everything that has accumulated over the years, just with one glance.
Phirin Lodesco was holding the curtain, behind which his Majesty Pontiar appeared. A man in a burgundy mantle with a high gilded collar. Three golden rings were also shining on the sleeves, symbolizing the Monarch of Pyramid. I thought he would be broad in the shoulders, tall, formidable, making you tremble at a glance. Like my father. But no. Pontiar is actually a man of average height and my father’s age. Straight fleshy bulbous nosed, long light beard. Sharp, scanning gaze and a high, streaked forehead.
I just froze, watching the king, father, retinue and the guardians who joined this procession. When Pontiar sat on the throne, he cleared his throat and motioned to my father to bring up Dinah and me. Peter bowed and stepped aside. My father strode towards us, stopped beside and addressed me in a soft bass.
– Nicholas, I’m glad to see you. You’ve grown up… – my father’s voice wavered slightly. He shifted his gaze to my shoulder and raised a dark, broad eyebrow. – It’s him?
I nodded. Inis also shook his tuft, proudly raising his beak.
Father ordered to follow him. Pontiar was looking at my phoenix, me and Dinah with interest.
– Nicholas Lodesco, Phirin’s son, did you create this bird?
– Yes, your Majesty, – I answered essentially and bowed.
– Did you, lady Dinara, breath the magic of life?
Dinah nodded, crouching in a light curtsy. She was nervous, but she was carefully concealing it.
– Can you repeat it? – the king addresses to both of us.
– Yes, but I don’t promise that it will work – said Dinah.
– Are you unsure of your magic? – the king’s gaze became more demanding and heavier.
Dinah crumpled the fabric of the dress with her slender fingers and bit her lip.
– Your Majesty, I am only a housemaid. My knowledge of magic is small, and such a revival happened for the first time, perhaps by accident.
By the end of the sentence, her voice was slightly hoarse, and perspiration appeared on her forehead.
– However… – I interceded.
Demons, I forgot – I am not asked, be quiet. However, the king nodded and I continued:
– We will try.
– Can I take a look at the phoenix? – the king held out his hand.
Inis looked at me, I nodded, and he immediately flew towards the king. A red ribbon was glittering behind him. He landed on the brocade sleeve where the golden rings were. Inis bowed his head, peering into the face of the king, who was looking at the bird in surprise.
– Why does he have eyes of a different color?
– I put the glass that fitted – I sighed.
Dinah caught my smile and winked.
– This is the first time I’ve encountered such magic. This bird is incredible. Is it really mechanical? – the king asked incredulously.
Yes. He doesn’t eat. But he sleeps… I think this is how he restores his strength… – I didn’t finish.
– Is it true that he awakens a magical gift that hasn’t been revealed yet?
How did he…? Mom. She had probably informed my father about this.
– It happened only once, and I can’t say for sure – I shrugged uncertainly.
Inis was already uncomfortable with Pontiar. He jumped. The king grabbed him imperiously by the paw. Inis made a crackling sound with his beak. I felt a sharp pain on my ankle, as if it was shackled with manacles. The guardians moved towards the king, but he winced, let go the bird and gave the order to the magicians to return to their place. What happened?
– And the phoenix bites, and, apparently… – the king winced again, squeezing out a smile, – he belongs to one owner.
Well… Phirin! – The king waved to my father, who immediately went to the door behind the curtain.
– I beg your pardon, your Majesty – I glanced at Inis. He muttered something and scratched my shoulder with his beak.
Pontiar raised his hand with a clearly visible burn.
– No, you shouldn’t! It’s my own fault. If you are injured by someone else’s weapon, can you blame its owner?
I exhaled gratefully the tension. And that’s true. I was glad the king hadn’t got angry. But apparently his arm hurt. I wonder what happened when he grabbed him?
The king’s retinue now was looking at me warily, ready at any moment to protect Pontiar. Dinah touched my pinky finger and pursed her lips. She understood that if it were not for the wisdom of the king, something irreparable could have happened. But who could have known? The curtain moved, grabbing our attention. The father returned with something in his hands.
– Mechanical pigeon? – I asked, lifting the wing spoke.
– It was made recently and has not yet been revived – said the father, placing the pigeon on Dinah’s hand.
She raised her eyes filled with excitement and awe.
– Don’t worry! – I encouraged my friend.
Dinah squatted down, laid the pigeon in front of her on the marble floor, and cast a spell. And nothing. Well, everything was usual as it was with other simple mechanisms. The pigeon fluttered, flapped its metal plate wings, flew around several columns and landed at the same place. No energy spheres, nothing special. So, it was not all about Dinah.
– Apparently, it’s not all about the lady… – Pontiar pronounced and looked at me intently.
– But the guy has no gift, right? – he clarified, referring to my father.
– No, your Majesty, however…
The king didn’t let him finish. He raised his hand and turned to Dinah:
– Lady, deactivate the bird. Can you?
She
