Wandering Spark - Part 23
Varan’s duties significantly expanded over the time. Now he not only took care of the serpanters and snatched fresh poop, but also walked around the bazaar with the sign "Walks on serpenters, inexpensive", escorted the visitors to the entrance of the underground caves and, what is most exciting, sometimes accompanied them on a trip.
If a trip was very easy, without diving and dipping, then there were visitors were on two serpanters, and Varan led them slowly, waving with an oar in a light boat and giving commands to serpents:
"Zhurbin, go! Kruchina, hold... Stop, both!"
He soon learned by heart all the words that the visitors liked, and spoke with inspiration about the history of each grotto, about the treasures, which are completely hidden here, about ominous secrets, most of which will never be revealed. He told among other things that the serpanters serve miners, and that untamed snakes are almost as dangerous as the bottom dragon. Visitors listened and were amazed - and at the end of the trip, they often thanked Varan with a coin. He arranged his own little hiding place in the crevice, but this money was not enough for that on the necklace, only for one small gem.
If the visitor demanded something more complicated and more interesting, Varan sat him on the calm Zhurbina, and himself climbed on Kruchina’s back. Then he conducted confusing transitions, told about "the very center of the rock," if necessary, explained to the satellite where and how long it was to stay underwater. Ironically, the rich lovers of dark underwater burrows were not as lavish as timid lovers of quiet walks. But Varan still got something from time to time.
Nila was guiding guests more often. Firstly, the serpenters listened to her better, and secondly, Varan conceded her.
On that memorable day, the visitor was supposed to be accompanied by Nila. But the visitor turned out to be a young daughter of an overseas aristocrat, arrogant, and absurd. Appearing in the guest grotto, she first glanced Nila from head to toe with an appraising look.
"That's how you dressed up," said aristocrat girl to Nina, peering at the pants. "Have you staked all your fortune on your pants, girl? Then where are the pewter coins?"
The host spoke with the guest respectfully, distracting her attention from the Nila. She stood and froze, looking into space with her white rabies eyes.
"Do not pay attention," Varan breathed into her ear. "Shuu with her..."
"I will not lead her," Nila said in a whisper. "Varan, help me out..."
He felt to the snotty aristocrat a feeling no less powerful than to Nila, but he could not help coming to rescue her.
"I'm ready," he said to the master, and he instantly understood everything and nodded.
"On a small circle. Slow speed. Do you understand?"
The personal servant of an aristocrat girl - a round-cheeked man with fat eyes put her on Zhurbina's back so deftly that the girl did not even wet her dresses. Having seated herself, she first hit the serpenter with her heels; Zhubina turned her head and hissed.
"Your Grace," the host said softly, "The serpenters are evil and dangerous animals."In response to your words, Zhurbina can throw you into the water... Draw in depths... Bite .. I ask you, just sit in the saddle, your guide will do everything himself."
"If this creature," said the girl with inimitable arrogance in her voice, "dares to splash my dress, my father will buy it from you and kill. Do you understand?"
Varan became sad, foreseeing an unpleasant trip. Kruchina under him completely shared his fears - nervously wagged her tail on the water, twisted her horned head and licked with her forked tongue.
"Go," Varan said in the calmest voice, which he was capable of at that moment. And they moved forward.
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Part 9
Part 10
Part 11
Part 12
Part 13
Part 14
Part 15
Part 16
Part 17
Part 18
Part 19
Part 20
Part 21
Part 22
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