"Wrede,.Patricia.C.-.Chronicles.Of.The.Enchanted.Forest.v1.1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragon Stories)

The frog munched briefly, then swallowed and said, "I suppose there's
no help for it. You'll have to run away."

"Run away?" Cimorene said. "I don't like that idea. Too many things
could go wrong."

"You don't like the idea of marrying Prince Therandil, either," the
frog pointed out.

"Maybe I can think of some other way out of getting married."

The frog snorted. "Such as?" Cimorene didn't answer, and after a
moment the frog said, "I thought so. Do you want my advice or not?"

"Yes, please," said Cimorene. After all, she didn't have to follow
it.

"Go to the main road outside the city and follow it away from the
mountains," said the frog. "After a while, you will come to a small
pavilion made of gold, surrounded by trees made of silver with emerald
leaves. Go straight past it without stopping, and don't answer if
anyone calls out to you from the pavilion. Keep on until you reach a
hovel. Walk straight up to the door and knock three times, then snap
your fingers and go inside. You'll find some people there who can help
you out of your difficulties if you're polite about asking and they're
in the right mood. And that's all."

The frog turned abruptly and dove into the pool. "Thank you very
much," Cimorene called after it, thinking that the frog's advice
sounded very odd indeed. She rose and went back into the castle.

She spent the rest of the day being fitted and fussed over by her
ladies-in-waiting until she was ready to scream. By the end of the
formal banquet, at which she had to sit next to Prince Therandil and
listen to endless stories of his prowess in battle, Cimorene was more
than ready to take the frog's advice.

Late that night, when most of the castle was asleep, Cimorene bundled
up five clean handkerchiefs and her best crown. Then she dug out the
notes she had taken during her magic lessons and carefully cast a spell
of invisibility.

It seemed to work, but she was still very watchful as she sneaked out
of the castle. After all, it had been a long time since she had
practiced.

By morning, Cimorene was well outside the city and visible again,
walking down the main road that led away from the mountains. It was
hot and dusty, and she began to wish she had brought a bottle of water
instead of the handkerchiefs.