At the end of the letter there was a warning:
“Mirrae, I’ve been thinking for a long time about how to tell you this… I’ll say it straight: be careful with guys. Scions of glorious families from all over Balaria study at the Academy of Wind and Storms. Including dragon ones. But not everyone is like my Ren. The dragons you know are all grown up and settled. Even Yorni and Yarti, although you can’t tell from them. But you shouldn’t expect the same from your peers. As well as from older guys. They may seem charming and interesting. You may even decide that you have fallen in love, and there is nothing wrong with that, but remain reasonable until the end. I think you know what I mean. And don’t let anyone get on your neck or offend you! Always fight back!
With love, your sister Talaria."
At the end of the fifth day, we picked up another passenger. Deftly jumping into the salon, she looked around at all of us.
– Hello! I'm Zikki! – the new girl greeted so easily and, easily throwing her skinny knapsack onto an empty shelf, sat down directly on the floor, crossing her legs.
Out of surprise, everyone fell silent, looking at her, and the girl shamelessly looked at us with her strange green eyes, as if slightly dusted with ash.
I instantly identified the new girl as a fire-kissed southerner from the Burning Desert. But she was dressed unusually for a native of those regions. Although the leather jacket and trousers were the right size, they looked frankly masculine attire. The girl braided her bright red hair with a wide black lock into two careless braids. This hair color was a sign of a strong fiery gift.
– You’re from the north, aren’t you? – Zikki turned to my friend.
– Right. Call me Ada. And this is my kyari Mirre,” my friend introduced me.
The new girl nodded sedately, as if she understood what this meant. Or maybe she really understood?
– My name is Lisel.
– Khvoyana. And this silent Yumi Lo. And there are those two chatterboxes, Vilde and Wolde – one is wild, the other is correct. For some reason this is important to them,” the girl added, lowering her voice.
The Southern woman nodded to everyone who was introduced.
When the acquaintance took place, Alan Nett looked into the stagecoach.
– Girls, this is Zikkaera Splash. Already met? Great! Zikaera, hold your bunks, there's another night ahead.
He handed her a camp sleeping place that looked like a stretcher when assembled.
– Thank you! “Zikki bowed with dignity and asked Ada: “Can I sit next to you?”
Between my bunks and Lisael’s bunks there was free space where Simka usually slept. Having made room, we widened it enough for another bunk to stand, and Zikki moved from the floor onto them. But before the stagecoach moved, the face of a simuran poked its head inside, who had gone for a walk about his simuran business even earlier.
– Zikki, don’t be scared, this is Simka. “He’s with me,” I warned the firewoman, just in case.
– How cute! “She burst into a smile, and Simka came up to introduce himself.
The fact that he would have to sleep in the aisle today did not bother him at all, but we did not sleep at all this evening. The journey through the monotonous steppe was quite tiring, but by night the landscape changed. The foothills began, and tomorrow morning we were supposed to arrive at the academy, so we were on pins and needles, brightening up the excitement with chatter.
