Story 25. Respite.
She appeared some days later, at the same place where he had seen her last time. Actually, at first he didn't understand it really was she. Watching the bright color mixture beyond the gate, Gryvon decided at first there had been a mistake. What if somebody from Paul's world, his friends, for example, were there? But no, the blurry waves parted and the foggy silhouette became a familiar one. There were no doubts.
However, watching Ashka more closely, Gryvon became speechless for a moment. She was wearing a dress. But what a dress! Some strange bright attire, not the ground-length, with buttons at the front and no sleeves at all. The dress was absolutely stupid and seemed weird, but somehow she looked very good in it. Asking about how was everything and if she had any results, Gryvon threw careful glances at Spellbinder's exposed arms. Right now he understood all the beauty of the definition "graceful" that he had used to award her for so many times. And he also understood he was fascinated by this sight.
Her return was a short respite, a preparing for a bigger and more significant game than she had planned. Gryvon had had many questions and didn't know where to begin from. And if these questions should be asked now. It seemed her powersuit had been lost. And everything had gone not as good as he thought. Thinking that she would open the details later as usual, the young man went to Clayhill in order to find some ordinary clothes. Ashka would definitely arrest everybody's attention in this stupid and very impractical dress.
"I will wait for you here, hurry up", - she said, putting off the shoes with delight and throwing them to the ground. Only now Gryvon did understand the shoes were just like the dress – stupid and apparently very uncomfortable.
Everything went perfect and unnoticed. Even Riana, happy as a bird, running trough the village with the camera in her hands, didn't notice he took a shirt and pants from a washing line and also a pair of short boots…
"And what now? Have you thought about it?" – he asked, watching the trees. Everything was calm.
"Of course, - he heard from the spinney where she was changing, - at first you'll have to pretend one more time".
A bright dress fell next to Gryvon. He forgot he'd been going to clarify the details. But Ashka already continued.
"Now you should get dirty all over, - she said, appearing from behind the bushes and putting on the right boot on the run, - then you go to the castle and tell I have attacked you and hit with a powerbolt".
"What?" – of all the impossible ideas that moment it was the most impossible one. The Spellbinder dropped the second boot.
"Well, do it louder, Bron's family haven't heard you yet", - she hissed, lifting the boot and pulling up her left trouser leg. He saw a slender leg with pale almost shining skin, narrow foot, long tender toes, smooth and so magnificent instep… The young man had noticed all these delightful nuances just in a second, and then gave a start.
"Gryvon, did you understand me?"
"Huh? Sorry, what?" – he shook his had, looking at her.
Ashka was almost growling.
"You'd better listen to me, not stare! – She exclaimed. - You must convince Correon to leave the castle. It's up to you how you are going to do it. Present me as a crazy monster, a public enemy, a newcomer – anything, but the old rogue should not stand on my way. Here's the dirt, by the way…"
Going to the bank of Aiden, which had been hidden among the trees, she pointed out at the wide clay lines near the water. Gryvon had no choice but to go forward, make a "proper" appearance…