"Granvort, The Discount Wizard" - читать интересную книгу автора (Mendel R E)

УExcellent,Ф exclaimed Granvort obliviously, УI intend to create one to honour the celebration of the birthday of the Queen of Thysland.Ф

The Florist looked at him mouth ajar before crying out, УAre you out of your mind? Am I to understand that you intend to unleash a ferocious dragon into the middle of this poor womanТs birthday party? Is it not enough that she is married to the King of Thysland?Ф

Granvort was unfazed by the FloristТs histrionics (he was actually quite used to other peopleТs histrionics in response to his work). УI am not a complete idiot, I did buy a leash.Ф

УGet out!Ф shrieked the Florist.

УNow one moment,Ф asserted the Gatekeeper, his cheeks filled with nuts, Уyou will not treat my guest with such indignity. The Wizard Granvort will prove his powers by replicating my apparition in the middle of this room. I have every confidence that his powers match my own.Ф

Granvort, buoyed by this uncommon show of confidence rolled up his sleeves, lifted his arms and ... blew out the far wall of the FloristТs cottage, setting on fire many of the shelves with their rare and valuable stock.

The Florist was apoplectic. He stood petrified with shock and furor as his home began to burn out of control. The Gatekeeper was buried under a collapsed shelving unit and knocked unconscious.

Granvort backed out of the severely damaged front door. УWell, I guess I should go now. Thanks for the tea.Ф

The Florist, regaining his composure, ran after Granvort only to watch helplessly as a flying cow with a pointy hat and long white beard flew off in the distance.

The Florist would have been even more incensed to have discovered that Granvort also whisked off with a small box marked in an ancient tongue: Home Dragon KitЧFun For the Whole FamilyЧIn Case of Eye Contact Rinse Thoroughly.

* * * *

Granvort poured the contents into his cauldron, stirred gently, let it sit off the flame for a half hour, then zapped it repeatedly with a lightning bolt from his finger.

Exhausted by his efforts, Granvort gingerly approached the smoking cauldron. He peered inside, but could see nothing through the smoke.

УI give up,Ф cried Granvort collapsing beside the cauldron. УIТm a failure as a wizard. I canТt do anything right...Ф

But his self-pitying was interrupted by a violent scratching from within the cauldron. Granvort eagerly reached inside and found, to his surprise and amazement, a dragon ... a very small dragon. It was the size of a small lap dog and blew a soothing steam through its nostrils.

УWell, this is pretty close to what I was shooting for,Ф conceded Granvort, scratching his head but then realizing what day it was. УOh no. I have no time left to lose.Ф

Scooping up the tiny dragon in his arms, Granvort raced upstairs.

* * * *

The King was not having a good day. The Queen was not the least impressed by the party he had thrown for her. He had neglected to invite any of her friends and she hated his gift of a blender. He was desperate for something to salvage the party and furious that his new wizard was nowhere to be found.

At that moment Granvort rushed into the ball room ... and then tripped over the step.

УWhere have you been?Ф shouted the King. УAnd why do you smell like a cow?Ф

УWonderful news, Your Majesty,Ф Granvort announced. УIn honour of the birthday of our lovely and gracious queen I have created a dragon.Ф

УAre you out of your mind?Ф shrieked the King as he shielded himself with the Queen.

УWhy does everyone always say that?Ф thought Granvort to himself. But before he could say anything in his defence the Queen noticed the little dragon napping in GranvortТs cradled arms.

УWell, what do we have here?Ф cooed the Queen, approaching Granvort and petting the little dragon on its head. УWhy this is the most darling thing I have ever seen.Ф