The rose of a desert. Volume 3. "Book of Flame" Chapter 2

 

In the morning a servant with a security guard came for Kai. He was politely invited to come with them. While they were leading him through the corridors and halls, he examined the furnishings of the palace in the daylight. Well, it was a fairy tale. It was a real oriental tale with an overabundance of luxury, wealth, and splendor in everything.

They came to a room like a bathhouse. There were several baths, plunge pools, jacuzzis, and steam rooms. This was the fiefdom of Maksud - just here they preened feathers to those who got in his way.

Maksud bowed to Kai, he had not seen him for a day and was already bored. Maksud was once again convinced that he was not mistaken and was right that his prisoner was unique.

He started small talk about nature-weather, leading Kai to one of the baths.

"This bath is for you; you will like it."

Kai understood that it was stupid to resist taking a bath, if it was necessary, he would be killed in any case, whether he wanted it or not. So what for to put on an act? He looked at Maksud.

"I will turn away," Maksud caught the embarrassment in his eyes.

Kai undressed and got into the bath. All this Maksud observed in the mirror opposite him. He did not discover anything new for himself, he just made sure once again that this young man was beautiful without clothes.

The bathroom was filled with a mixture of different tinctures and even oils. Kai got the pleasure of lying in it.

Maksud sat next to him and continued to entertain him with conversations about everything. Then Kai was brought a glass, he drank without hesitation and felt that it was a soft drug. The body became weightless, the world bloomed with rainbow colors. Lightness and emptiness formed in consciousness. He no longer resisted, and, most importantly, did not ask questions anymore, when he was moved from one bath to another, then wrapped in a robe, put in an armchair, where his arms and legs were tidied up, then put again in the bathroom, then there was a massage after which he fell asleep.

He woke up in a large bower in a fairy garden. All around he saw rose bushes that exuded a delicate scent, birds chirped in the tree branches. "This is probably what heaven looks like," Kai thought, recovering from the drug. He was lying in wide trousers, covered with a light blanket, on a soft mattress, surrounded by numerous pillows.

The servant and the guard came for him again. The servant helped to put on the robe and tie it with a belt, Kai was taken along the beautiful paths of the garden to another bower, a table was laid there, Maksud had already been sitting at it and offered to dine together.

Maksud again conducted a small talk about everything. Kai, as a scout, guessed the essence of everything that was happening. By the different dishes served at the table, Maksud tried to understand whether he knew etiquette and rules of conduct in society. For casually thrown phrases and questions - his level of education. Since Kai had no plan to make himself a redneck, he passed the Maksud exam with dignity. He saw it in his admiring eyes.

"Why are you eating so little?" Maksud was worried about this problem. Compared to the concubines, for whom Maksud was responsible, Kai ate just a little, and those beauties simply fressed and it was necessary to limit their food to keep their figures.

"I have problems with food, I do not feel its taste, it is nervous," Kai decided to warn about this right away. He was already tired of tables full of food

"Allow the doctor to examine you."

Kai nodded, again realizing that in his position it was better to agree.

"Maybe, after all, there is something from the food that you like?"

"Fish and vegetables."

"Ascetic food of a true warrior," Maksud smiled again, "among drinks, I understand, you like wine?"

"Yes, the red one."

Maksud smiled again, remembering the completely drunk jugs of wine. Then he waved his hand. A glass of wine was poured out to Kai. He drank. He looked at Maksud and named the brand of wine.

"Have I passed your exam?"

"Yes, you have. I can see that you are not stupid. Forgive me, but I must know how wide your knowledge is."

"In etiquette, education ..."

"Yes. You got me."

"You could just ask."

"If you don’t even say your name, how could I expect you to admit it?"

Kai knew that Maksud was right - he did not take offense at him for such testing.

"Will they always get me drunk before baths?"

"Wasn't that pleasant for you? Well, if you are calm about everything, they will not get you drunk. Do you agree?"

Kai smiled and nodded his head.

"Maybe you have some requests, wishes for me?"

Kai thought, looked at Maksud.

"Is there anything to read?"

Maksud raised an eyebrow in surprise.

"What do you want to read?" then he took thought. "Let's do this, let's go now to the library, and you will choose whatever you like."

Kai nodded.

After passing fabulous halls, stairs and corridors, they found themselves in a huge room filled to the ceiling with books. There were thousands of books in this library, and walking quickly past them and looking through the spines of titles, Kai saw that these were unique books. He forgot about everything, read aloud the names in Arabic, English, French, German, Spanish, Japanese ... Climbing the stairs, he chose three books and, going up to Maksud, saw that he was "frozen".

"Maksud, I've chosen, but I read quickly, and there is still so much more! Can I come here again tomorrow?"

Maksud was silent, took the books from Kai, looked at them completely distantly. One was in Japanese, there were some hieroglyphs, but, apparently, it was old, historical. The second one was in German, the third was in Latin.

Maqsud froze again, then inhaled air.

"Let's do this. You may settle down here," he pointed to a table with an armchair in the center of the library. "Read, security is at the exit, if you need them, call. In the evening they will take you for supper. And tomorrow... " Maksud had already come to his senses and smiled slyly, " first all the procedures for beauty, and then read as much as you want. Okay?"

"Agree. Thanks."

Kai went to the table and after a second went deep into the reading of the book.

Maksud forced himself to leave the library, realizing that he did not expect this at all. Well, he saw that a prisoner was with good manners, held himself well at the table, talked on any topic - that is, he was educated and brought up, but with all these advantages there was also knowledge of so many languages, and, most importantly, such a passion for books.

He would drive Arshad crazy, Maksud understood this already now. Arshad would not resist, and was it possible, and why?

Maksud knew that tomorrow he would have to drink Kai again so that the doctor examined him and took all the tests. He needed to know everything about him.

Everything!

***

The next day, after all the already planned procedures, Kai mentally called for himself soaking in the bathroom, since he was moved from one bath to another with different fillers, including oils and other odorous liquids. After all this, he trustingly drank the brought wine, remembering the words of Maksud that there would be no more drugs, and felt that he was sinking into sleep.

He woke up again in the bower in the garden. The sensations were strange, the whole body slightly tingled and itched. He checked himself with his hand and immediately jumped up, threw off the veil, and looked at himself, lying naked, covered only with a veil. Kai saw with horror that his already rare vegetation on his body was completely removed, and everywhere, even there, in the most intimate places. He passed his hand there and felt that he was not mistaken, everything was smooth and soft there. Then he touched his face. He hadn't grown anything on his face anyway, but now he realized that he wouldn't grow up anymore. And this was hardly a temporary hair removal. This was a laser or something more modern, he had heard about this, after which the hair does not grow at all, he accidentally learned about this from another girlfriend of Prokhor, who loudly shared these wonders of progress on the phone with her chatty friend.

Kai sat wrapped in a blanket and did not know whether to be upset about it. When your life is generally in an uncertain state and it is not clear whether you will remain alive or not, is it worth worrying about the absence of body hair? He did not idealize Arshad, even though he saved his life, Arshad was not obliged to save his life. This was not a movie about noble princes - this was life, politics, war. And Arshad would treat him exactly as it would be beneficial for him. Moreover, he still did not know who he was, and when he found out that he was a Russian, he could give Kai to Mahmud's gang in exchange for a profitable deal. Therefore, the sadness about the lost vegetation turned into general thoughts about the complete uncertainty in his life.

In such a sad state Maksud found Kai. Unlike him, Maksud was in a great mood, the doctors confirmed that Kai had never slept with men, that he was untouched, and the tests showed that he was completely healthy.

Looking at the sad Kai, Maksud guessed the reason for his sadness.

"Will you forgive me for this?" Maksud sat down next to him on the mattress.

"For what?" Kai looked at him. "For the hair?" he smiled, realizing that it sounded stupid.

"They are superfluous on such a beautiful body, a few more procedures - and they will never bother you. Would you mind doing this?"

"Have I got a choice? You’ll put me to sleep again."

"I'll give you a drink for sweet dreams," corrected Maksud. "Is that the only reason for your sadness?"

"Are you making a concubine out of me for Arshad?"

Maksud burst out laughing, through the tears that came out he sentenced:

"You are a boy; how can I make a concubine out of you? Then a boy-concubine."

"And what? Are there such boys?

Maksud stopped laughing, seeing that his mysterious prisoner was really genuinely surprised to hear about it.

"You did not know? Tell me, were you brought up in a monastery?"

Kai remained silent, feeling his lack of enlightenment in these matters.

Maksud took his hand in his.

"You have nothing to worry about. I'm just following Arshad's orders to take care of you in his absence. You see, Arshad appreciates beauty, he does not allow anyone around him to cast a pall over his eyes. He can afford such a whim. If he is not happy with your appearance, I will suffer."

"I don’t want you to get hurt because of me. Tell me, how can the hair on my legs cast a pall over his eyes?"

Maksud smiled. He missed this question and turn to another:

"If you don't want me to get hurt, can I ask you for one more little thing?"

"What else?" Kai was already lost in conjecture, what could cast a pall over Arshad's eyes.

"May I touch up your eyes?"

"Are you making a transvestite out of me?"

"Well, after all, you are not completely unenlightened in this matter," Maksud began to laugh again. "No, what are you talking about! Wait, listen, you've seen - here everyone's eyes are rimmed  with black eyeliner, this is the tradition of the East."

Yes, Maksud was right. Here even the guards had black eyeliner. Kai read about it in books, in the east, men always rimmed their eyes with soot.

"Okay," he grunted, realizing that they would still put him to sleep and make up his eyes anyway, so why resist? So far, this was not the worst suspicion that began to arise in his head.

Servants brought his clothes. Kai was no longer ashamed of Maksud, although he lowered his eyes, dressing, feeling that he was examining him. But Kai was unconscious so many times that he understood - probably, Maksud had examined him all long ago.

Kai also noticed that the clothes he put on became more luxurious and richer each time. And now they were harem pants embroidered with gold, a silk shirt also embroidered with gold, several thin robes on top, everything was tied around the waist with embroidered belts with hanging golden laces, low boots made of the softest leather were put on his feet.

They did not cut his hair, only tidied it up and constantly took care of it, applying all sorts of masks and oils, combing and rubbing with odorous liquids, so now it lay on his head in large curls of the color of a black wing, shimmering in the sun.

Then two servants came with boxes and a thin young man who took out all kinds of tubes of makeup from the boxes.

Kai stared in horror at the amount of makeup on the table.

"Maksud, you've only said to rim my eyes - and why is this all?"

"Sit down and trust. If something goes wrong, you simply will wash your face. Okay?"

Kai flopped into the armchair. The young man bent over him, lifted his chin, and, brushing the hair from his face, began his work. In the behavior, in the look and appearance of the young man, Kai felt a strangeness, and then the thought flashed through him that, probably, this young man was also a eunuch.

"He’s a eunuch, you don’t have to worry," Maksud saw that Kai was nervous about touching his face.

Kai felt sorry for this young man, although that one did not look unhappy, on the contrary - he did his job with enthusiasm, and it was clear that he liked it. Then he pulled away from Kai, managing to put something soft and smelling of strawberries on his lips.

Maksud let out a vague sigh and fell silent, looking at Kai. Then he came to his senses, went up to him, and brought a mirror to his face.

At first, Kai did not recognize the one who was looking at him from the gilded frame of glass and then realized that it was himself. His already huge eyes, framed by thick dark lashes, were now properly underlined and darkened with eyeliner and shadows, a tone darker than his skin. This created the effect of depth in the gaze and made the color of his eyes stand out. The light mascara lengthened the lashes even further, casting shadows over the shimmery sheen of the emeralds that now represented his eyes. The light tone evened out the skin, removing abrasions and bruises that had not yet been smoothed out. The eyebrows were perfectly lined, emphasizing their beautiful curve, the thin line of the lips gleamed in the transparent gel, the cheekbones stood out due to the transition of tones. All in all, the makeup was applied so skillfully that it seemed to lack. But it was, and it emphasized and strengthened Kai's natural beauty a hundredfold, allowing it to sparkle.

"Now you will always look like this," said Maksud in a strange voice, looking at him.

Kai understood that he needed to come to terms: while he did not know about his future fate, it was stupid to think about such trifles.

Then the week passed in the standard schedule: a huge number of beauty procedures, regular meals, and walking with Maksud in the garden with peacocks. Then there was lunch in his company, then sleep, and finally, as a bonus to everything, the opportunity to visit the library. Then again soaking in baths, massages, rubbing.

At his request, Maksud installed a game console in his room, first surprised by this, and then happily watching Kai play it before going to bed. His sleep was also monitored, not allowed to sit up for a game, first fed, then given medicinal drinks with the smell of herbs to drink, and he fell asleep like a baby, suspecting that these drinks clearly contain medicinal herbs for such a deep sleep.

There were two joys in his life now - reading in the library and playing the console. He decided to ask Maksud for it, realizing that such a life schedule was simply killing him. He was tired of these baths, massages, and everything that was done to him but did not resent it. He waited for Arshad to finally arrive and pronounce his verdict.

***

Gifar was the first to return, informed Maksud that Sheikh Arshad had sent him here to settle all matters here in connection with the past events, once again double-check all the people in the palace, and prepare for his return, being firmly convinced that a traitor had not lurked in the palace.

Gifar told all this to Maksud, then at the end of the conversation, he casually asked about the prisoner. Maksud smiled enigmatically. Gifar tensed. He knew Maksud too well, they were friends with him, under Arshad's rein they had nothing to share with each other. Gifar was engaged in all the security, Maksud did not pretend to this, and Maksud did all the leisure of Arshad, Gifar did not pretend to this, so they became friends and for many years remained in excellent relations, enjoying each other's company and understanding that there was one who would not betray.

"Maksud, what a smile? Is there anything I don't know? Has he run away?"

"No," Maksud purred. "He is here and ready to appear before the eyes of Arshad."

"Yes, Arshad wants to thank him and send him home, he does not need him here, he does not want to waste time on him, remembering his impudence and insolence."

"Okay," Maksud purred again, "he will thank him, but whether he sends him home - this is unlikely."

"What's wrong with him? " Gifar looked blankly at Maksud.

"With him everything is alright."

"Enough! Let him be brought here. Immediately!"

Gifar shouted angrily and gave the order to bring the prisoner to them on the terrace, where they were sitting on low sofas, waiting while the servants set the table for dinner.

Maksud did not oppose Gifar's wishes. He waited and looked at him, he now needed to see how Gifar would behave when he saw the captive.

Kai was brought in. He saw Maksud and immediately recognized Gifar sitting next to him, went up to them, and froze, seeing that Gifar's eyes would now crawl out of their sockets.

Gifar saw the approach of a short youth who stepped softly on the carpet. He was slender, wearing expensive clothes that emphasized his elegance, resin curls, and a face, looking at which Gifar was speechless.

"Who is it?" he said not in his own voice, getting up from the sofa. "Do we know each other?"

Kai amused it all. He laughed loudly and held out his hand to Gifar.

"We fought shoulder to shoulder, by the way, I did not thank you, you then closed me with a sword a couple of times. Thanks."

Gifar realized who was in front of him - it was that boy, a brazen, dirty, filthy ragamuffin at the plane, who then with sabers, beat off enemies from Arshad. And now he ...

Gifar stretched out his hand, as in a dream he felt a confident handshake, thin fingers, and a small hand.

Maksud saw that Gifar needed to be saved, otherwise, he would not come out of his stupor.

"My friends, the table is set, let's go and have lunch. Our prisoner still does not want to tell us his name, can you imagine, Gifar?" pushing Kai to the table, said Maksud to Gifar standing in a stupor. He finally woke up, went to the table, and drank a glass of wine in one gulp. Apparently, this returned him to his previous state.

A relaxed atmosphere reigned at dinner. Kai had already accustomed to the company of Maksud, and he generally considered Gifar a comrade-in-arms, a fellow soldier, so he chatted freely, answered questions, and told. Their conversations were neutral. Kai clearly followed the thread of the conversation and always, feeling leading questions, deftly walked away from them. Gifar understood this as well, although he began to talk throughout the dinner, continued to freeze regularly, looking at Kai. He saw his manners, his knowledge of etiquette, aristocratic movements, and the way he, despite his playful tone, avoided questions.

At the end of lunch, Maksud said that the prisoner would be taken to the library, where he regularly spent time reading. Kai got up, said goodbye, and went after the servants, in his heart grateful to Maksud that he did not send him to a child's sleep, but made changes to his life schedule.

Maksud again looked at the petrified Gifar and decided to deepen an impression by listing the books that the prisoner had read, and in what languages.

Gifar silently poured another glass of wine and drank it just as silently. Then he turned to Maksud.

"He will never let him go."

Maksud understood what Gifar was talking about.

"It's unknown. You see, this is not the version of a boy who will be seduced by the wealth of the palace and the values of luxury in life for the opportunity to be with Arshad. It's different here. I do not know how Arshad will be able to subdue him so that he will stay with him or at least stay for a while."

"He can get everything all by force."

"It will be stupid. I don't think Arshad will go for it. Then he will lose him forever."

"I also do not like such a plot, but at the sight of him, will Arshad resist? And how much will he cope with his desires?"

"Arshad is hot, but not stupid, and he is already over thirty, I think he will act wisely."

"I do not doubt the wisdom of our master."

Having exchanged such phrases, they no longer touched upon the slippery topic of the Sheikh's wisdom. Maksud turned the conversation in another direction.

"Are you satisfied with my work?"

"How did you descry him?"

"I saw him right away. Still there, by the plane. However, I did not expect that he is so handsome. And you, stupid, almost hit him with a whip."

"He was insolent and did not kneel before the Sheikh."

"Yes, he has a strong character."

"Maksud, I saw him fighting with swords. Let me take a couple of tricks from him, let me practice."

"Not! But not that! I know your training, then he will be covered with bruises and abrasions."

"Maksud, you've said yourself, this is not a boy, he is a warrior! It is interesting for me to talk to him, he has so many fighting techniques!"

"To chat? Well, you've swallowed your tongue at the sight of him today!"

"Well, I was not ready for that. Maksud, let me. Everything is in your presence. No injury. He will show a couple of lunges with swords and that's it. Maksud, please, my friend!"

Maksud was prim for a long time but realized that Gifar would not lag behind him with this fighting technique. And, taking from him a promise that he would take good care of the prisoner, and he would be present during their training, he agreed.

***

The next day Gifar went to the prisoner's chambers, knowing that he would find Maksud there too. He didn't want to postpone the possibility of a practice fight. Entering the chambers, he saw a wonderful picture - an angry prisoner threw scattered clothes at Maksud and everything that fell into his hand. Maksud laughed and caught these objects.

"Are you having fun?"

Kai froze, bowed to Gifar.

"Hello."

"Hello, by what did my friend make you so angry?"

Kai could not stand it and told everything as his heart had swelled with hurt and anger.

"Here, look!" he pointed to his hands, decorated with rings, then to the ears with clips with emeralds, then to the neck with threads of pearls.

"So what? It suits you very well."

"Are you turning me into a f*g? Kai blurted out and froze.

Gifar and Maksud laughed.

"Not. Why do you say that?" Gifar asked seriously.

"These outfits, constant baths, painted eyes, nails, and now jewelry! I'm already afraid to look at myself in the mirror!"

"You are a European, you have different traditions, I understand that, but here, in the Sheikh's palace, everything has been unchanged for centuries. Here men always rim their eyes, wear expensive beautiful outfits and jewelry. Am I f*g if I wear rings?"

Gifar raised his ringed hand.

"Sorry, I didn't want to offend anyone," Kai sat down helplessly on the bed. "I just don't know ... I don't understand what for all this is."

Gifar felt sorry for him, for the first time now he saw his real one. Not that impudent ragamuffin, not a brave warrior and not a beautiful young man, but a frightened boy who did not know his fate. Gifar caught himself thinking that he was not indifferent to the fate of this man and that he really wanted everything to come to his senses in his life. He had to endure a lot. It's good that at least he hadn't hit him with a whip then.

"You fought like that there then! Can you give me some lessons?" Kai uncomprehendingly raised his sad eyes to Gifar. "Maksud has now allowed to regularly conduct training swordsmanship, of course, if you do not mind."

Kai's eyes sparkled, he came to life, jumped up.

"Is it true?" he ran up to Maksud, hugged him. "Can I train with swords?" Then he rushed to Gifar, "Let's go quickly!"

Maqsud and Gifar saw that it was so important for this mysterious young man in this life. It was not beauty, luxury, or pampered conditions, but the opportunity to feel who he was, to become himself with a sword in hand. He was a warrior - that says it all.

***

Now hell came for Maksud, he watched with horror how Kai fought with swords every day, fell, got up, flew off, then rose again. Maksud had already stopped counting how many bruises he would find on his body. The main thing was that nothing would be chopped off. But when Kai cut himself several times, Maksud threw such a tantrum that the sharp swords were replaced with blunt ones.

Gifar was delighted, and so were his warriors. This prisoner really knew a lot and was capable. They understood each other perfectly. They listened to him, repeated the movements, showed their techniques. Their training took place in the morning, then Kai humbly followed Maksud and fell into his power - beauty, then lunch, then sleep, then the library - Kai won this right. Then there was an evening walk in a conversation with Maksud along the avenues of the garden. They were now regularly joined by Gifar, then - dinner. The three of them also began to have dinner, they were comfortable in each other's company. Then Kai was sent to his chambers, where he was allowed to play console a little, and then sleep. During this time, Maksud moved him to more luxurious apartments. In Kai's opinion, it was just a mini-palace: several rooms, a huge bed, a rich interior in the style of fabulous orient and modern technology: a plasma on the wall and computer game consoles. Everywhere there were carpets, cushions, sofas, silk, gold, and vases of fragrant flowers. It was just the dwelling of a princess. Kai was calm about such a situation, as he understood that there was no need to be indignant. It was necessary to understand at first what Arshad would decide. And then could understand what him to do.

And finally, Sheikh Arshad returned to the palace.

The rose of a desert. Volume 3. "Book of Flame" Chapter 1

 

From behind the dune appeared the skeleton of the plane, already half-buried with sand, a man was standing near it.

Arshad and Gifar exchanged glances. They were sure that during this time the desert had killed all the survivors in it.

"Don't kill this," Arshad ordered, then turned to Gifar, "I’m even interested to look at the one who could survive here."

Gifar and his men galloped forward. Arshad and Maksud restrained their horses, waiting for Gifar to check if everything was safe for their approach and to give a signal.

The man standing by the plane offered no resistance. They surrounded him, placing two guards next to him, the rest of Gifar's men quickly surveyed the plane, then reported that there was no one else there.

Arshad saw the signal and touched the horse. The Sheikh and his retinue galloped towards the plane.

***

When Kai realized that the approaching horsemen were not a mirage, not a figment of his inflamed consciousness, he got up, walked away from the plane, and waited for their approach. Although he had a weapon on the plane, Kai decided it was completely stupid and pointless to use it. In general, it was not clear why he should shoot these people at all. These would be useless sacrifices and nothing more. He would not be able to shoot everyone - there were about thirty of them. He would always have time to die from a bullet. From this, Kai decided to just stand and wait for the people on horseback to approach him.

The chief of them was named Gifar, Kai heard this from the people, who constantly turned to him. They spoke, of course, in Arabic, and, naturally, they were sure that he did not understand them since they saw a European in front of them.

Kai was searched, then two soldiers again stood next to him. Everyone was waiting for the approach of another group of horsemen. When the riders arrived, two rode out of the common row. They drove closer to Kai. Then one of the guards pushed Kai under a knee. Kai fell but immediately got up.

"On your knees, infidel," came the voice of Gifar, who said it in English.

After another kick, Kai got up again and boldly looked into the eyes of the rider in the most luxurious clothes standing in front of him.

Gifar's voice sounded again:

"On knees! Before you, there is Sheikh Arshad himself!"

Now Kai realized who was in front of him. He never saw Sheikh Arshad, but since he was a fairly well-known and influential person, he heard a lot about him.

Kai was pushed again, he got up again and looked into Arshad's eyes again.

The Sheikh silently watched this scene. Seeing that this strange, thin, short youth was rising to his feet with such persistence, he raised his hand. Everyone froze.

Arshad approached him a little. Yes, he was clearly young, although, under a layer of dirt on his face, shriveled lips, dull tow hair on his head and burnt-out clothes, it was difficult to understand his exact age and, in general, how he looked.

"Thin and filthy," thought Arshad and was about to turn the horse around, but, colliding with the eyes of this impudent ragamuffin, froze.

Again he approached and looked again into those eyes.

"Shine of emeralds ..." flashed through his mind.

"Did you land the plane here?" Arshad asked Kai in English.

"Do you see anyone else here?" answered Kai in Arabic.

Everyone froze as they looked at him.

Arshad spoke first but in Arabic.

"You have a European appearance; how do you know our language?"

"What's so strange about it? I've learnt it."

"Who are you?"

Kai knew that his uniform had no army marks on it. There was also nothing on the plane that could give them a clue about his identity. Was there any point in saying that he was Russian? Definitely not. Although Arshad did not take part in this war, he was not on the side of the Russians. Based on this, Kai made the decision not to reveal who he was.

"It did not matter."

Gifar snatched out the whip and already brought it in with the words:

"Impudent infidel, now I will teach you to respond respectfully to the great Arshad!"

Arshad raised his hand again. Gifar dropped the whip.

"And you are really cocky. Are you not afraid of me?"

"You don't seem to be frightful."

By the time of this conversation, Arshad lowered the kerchief covering part of his face, and now he smiled when he heard the answer.

Looking again into Kai's eyes, he turned to Gifar.

"Take him with us. We'll figure out who he is at home. Well, since our "guest" is too arrogant, let him go on foot."

Arshad kicked the sides of the horse and galloped towards the plane.

Gifar gave the order, and immediately two guards began to tie Kaya's hands in front with a rope. At that moment, the second companion, all this time silently standing next to Arshad, approached Kai. Everyone froze at his approach. Kai looked up at him. The rider also dropped his kerchief from the face. He looked closely at Kai, bending down slightly from the horse.

"My name is Maksud, and what is yours?"

"Is it important?"

"You are daring and brave. But this is stupid, you could have gone on horseback to the palace, but now for your insolence, you will go on foot."

Kai listened silently to Maksud. Maksud saw that this guy with emerald-colored eyes would not answer anymore. He straightened up in the saddle and, finding Arshad with his eyes, went to him, thinking that they had found an emerald of extraordinary beauty in this desert. Under a layer of dirt, Maksud could see the features of their captive. He felt sorry for Kai, but now Arshad could not be persuaded.

When they set off on their way back, Maksud constantly looked at the prisoner, following the horse, to the saddle of which a rope stretched, binding his hands. After a while, the prisoner began to fall more and more often, and then Maksud saw that he was no longer getting up, but dragging along the sand.

Maksud drove up to Arshad.

"Our mysterious prisoner, I think, is already repenting of his impudent words. Maybe you should spare him?"

"I don’t think such a person will repent of anything."

"Arshad, we don't know anything about him yet, but if he drags behind the horse, I'm afraid we won't even know," Maksud decided to speak bluntly.

Arshad turned around, saw how the body of the prisoner, who was clearly unconscious, stretched behind the horse across the sand.

"Do what you want," Arshad threw, turning again and looking ahead.

Maksud spurred his horse, waved to his servants, rode up with them to Kai. The servants unhooked the rope from the horse, turned Kai over, poured water into his half-open lips. Kai came to life; he was given another drink. Then they pointed to the horse, helped to sit on it. The servant took the horse's reins and rode a little ahead, leading Kai's horse, tied to his. Kai's hands were also tied, only a large kerchief was put on his head, which, like everyone else, covered part of his face.

Kai understood that a miracle had happened, that he was spared and given a horse. Although the sun was shaking from weakness and heat, and everything was floating in front of his eyes, he tried not to fall out of the saddle. So he rode, now falling into strange oblivion, then coming to his senses he straightened out in the saddle and tried to endure it all.

By evening, their small caravan stopped. They quickly began to set up small camp tents, make fires, and cook food.

Kai was roughly dragged from his horse and seated to one of the fires so that he was constantly under the close supervision of everyone. Kai saw that they kept their eyes on him.

He just sat, eyes half-closed, watching the picture of the life of the camp, and enjoyed the coming coolness after the incredible heat. His hands were not untied, they were numb and very painful, especially since the skin on his wrists was also ripped off with a rope while he dragged behind the horse.

The food was prepared, hungry warriors ate it with appetite, sitting by the fires, and chatted animatedly with each other.

Sensing someone's presence, Kai looked up and saw Maksud with two servants. The servants put a jug of water near Kai and put a bowl of food and a piece of bread.

"Eat - you need it," Kai caught notes of sympathy in Maksud's voice.

He raised the eyes to him, Maksud smiled, then silently went to his tent.

Kai did not show off and pretend to be a proud idiot who disdained food from the hands of the enemy. Moreover, they were not particularly enemies, and he, it seemed, was not a particularly moron. So he drank water, ate, and drank the rest of the water. Starving himself was stupid and unjustified. What to do next, until he decided, which meant that he needed strength to fight.

Gradually night descended on the desert. Instead of pleasant coolness, the cold began to chill. Kai started to shake. He clenched, huddled, pulling his knees up to his chin and wrapping his bound arms around them. But he was still shaking.

At some point, he again felt that someone was next to him. He raised his eyes - it was Maksud, who was looking at him very attentively, and then, unfolding a huge woolen piece of fabric, wrapped Kai with it and silently left.

Kai was confused, then felt the wool was warming him, he wrapped himself in it more tightly, lay down on his side, and fell asleep.

He woke up from the noise. It was still very early, but everyone was getting ready to hit the road before the main heat. The tents were quickly folded up; the camping belongings were loaded onto the horses. They put Kai on the same horse, and everyone started. After yesterday's meal and sleep, Kai felt practically well. Now he rode and looked at the riders. Arshad, Gifar, and Maksud were regularly in his field of vision. By the fact that Arshad never looked at him, Kai realized that he had already forgotten about his existence. Gifar occasionally cast glances at him, Kai knew that he was responsible for everything, and Kai was also his responsibility. But he constantly felt Maksud's gaze on himself, but it did not bother him, Maksud did not radiate threats, on the contrary, it seemed to Kai that he felt care and anxiety. Or did it just seem to him?..

The whole day they moved almost without stopping, only a couple of times there were small halts. Throughout the day, a servant of Maksud regularly drove up to Kai and handed him an animal skin bag with water. Kai was very grateful for this. Riding all day under the scorching sun without a sip of water would be very cruel, and the trip was even very comfortable.

Towards evening, Kai saw lights from afar - it meant that they were approaching the same mysterious palace in the desert, about which they talked. These were the possessions of Sheikh Arshad.

It was already dark, and Kai could not see all the splendor that was the Sheikh's palace. But from the lights spread over a vast territory, Kai saw that the Sheikh's possessions were huge, and from the outlines of domes, walls, roofs, and buildings it was clear that this was an incredible miracle from the fairy tale "A Thousand and One Nights."

A large gate opened and the riders were allowed in. They drove along a wide road lined with low palms, fragrant bushes of exotic flowers, and illuminated by multi-colored lanterns. It was incredibly beautiful and unrealistic to see all this in the middle of the desert. Then their caravan split into parts.

The main group, led by Arshad and Maksud, drove on, and he was taken to the side under the protection and gaze of Gifar. Having driven into the courtyard, he was pulled off his horse and taken inside. From what Kai saw, it was one of the additional buildings to the palace. Inside there were corridors that diverged in different directions, he was led down the stairs, Kai guessed that this was a prison. Through several open and closed iron doors, he was led into another corridor, in which there were small iron doors with windows in the center to the right and left. Having brought him to one of these doors, he was pushed inside. The guard cut the ropes on his arms and closed the door.

The small room was dimly lit by a very faint light bulb. Looking around, Kai saw a wooden decking and a hole in the floor, from the smell it was clear that it was a toilet. That's all, there was nothing else in this room, not even a window. Although Kai assumed they were underground, then it was understandable why the window wasn't here. Wearily he made his way to the wooden decking and lay down on it. Taking a horizontal position, he quickly fell asleep. Now he didn't care that it was hard to sleep on the boards, that there was no pillow, and that he hadn't washed all this time, although he didn't stink in the dry and hot climate - that much made him happy. But none of this mattered. After everything that had happened to him, a dream came to him in this cool room.

He woke up from the clatter of locks on the door. A guard came in and brought in a tray of food and water. A second guard stood prudently at the door. Without saying anything, they closed the door and left.

The meal procedure was now taking place regularly. The food was good for a prison. At least not the slops. The food was freshly prepared, no-frills, everything you needed: some porridge and even meat, bean stews, always a small piece of flatbread, even stewed vegetables were on the food menu and invariably a jug of water. Kai even tried to wash his face a little, saving on drinking. But that only smeared the dirt all over his face. Therefore, he left this occupation and tried not to think about how much he had not washed. Of course, it was stupid to think about this when his life was in question, but the desire to find himself under the streams of water did not leave him.

He ate whatever was brought because he should recuperate to get out of here. Besides he could refuse food any time.

During all this time, no one came to him. Sometimes it seemed to Kai that they had completely forgotten about him, then panic came over him. To spend years of his life here and to die like that without seeing God's light! But he held on, whispered prayers - it gave strength.

He forced himself to be patient. The hardest thing was not to see the sun. Only a light bulb with its dim light and the arrival of a security guard with food gave at least some idea of ​​the time.

By his calculations, a week had passed, maybe more. During this time, he recovered his strength and, in order not to go crazy, began to constantly engage in training, those that were available in a small room. He needed to put his muscles in order, restore flexibility and plasticity to the body, and calmness to his mind. Therefore, in addition to strength exercises, he meditated a lot, this returned the strength of the spirit and stabilized his inner peace.

***

One of the nights he woke up from the noise in the corridor, listened: first there was a stomp, then the roar of opening doors, he clearly discerned voices and, from separate thrown phrases of people running past his door, he realized that there was a coup in the palace, it was a conspiracy against Sheikh Arshad.

Then the doors in the corridor began to open, his door was also unlocked. Several people looked inside, they simultaneously shouted that he was free, that they would kill Arshad, and the great Ali would become their ruler.

Kai deliberately went deep into his dungeon so that he was hard to see. He changed his voice and answered with a hoarse voice in Arabic that he was glad of such an event - the coming to power of the great Ali.

The crowd moved on, revealing all the cameras. Kai guessed that there were political prisoners on this floor. It was good that in a panic no one began to figure out who he was.

He ran into the corridor, followed the sound of receding steps, realizing that there was a way out. On the way, he took the sword from the dead guard, then from another - a couple of daggers.

Soon he saw from a group of fighting people in one of the corridors that the rioters were dressed in black robes and trousers, in contrast to the Sheikh's guards, who were dressed in multi-colored, expensively embroidered robes and the same trousers tucked into low boots.

Kai safely skirted the group of fighting people, then slipped past some more, then more. This was not his war, he had a goal to escape from here. So, using the dark niches in the corridor passages at night, he went to the main palace.

A wounded man was lying in the corner - it was a man from the Sheikh's guard, Kai saw it by his clothes. He ran to the guard, shook it slightly, and asked where the helicopter pad was. The guard at first was silent, but after another kick, he decided not to play a hero out of himself. He showed the right direction. Kai understood that the platform was on one of the roofs of these buildings, but how to get there and not get lost in these corridors was much more difficult. Having found out the approximate landmarks in the course of his movement, he quickly went in the indicated direction. As he traveled, he saw, even at night, in the dim lighting of lamps and the moon penetrating the open roads, that the palace was huge and luxurious. Kai constantly forced himself to walk, and not freeze in front of the next, opening to his gaze, a luxurious room.

From the corpses lying on the floor, Kai saw that the rebels had already been here - they were probably looking for the Sheikh himself.

Then he heard the noise of a struggle, the clink of metal, screams and, running past the next hall, he saw that about twenty people had surrounded Arshad and were attacking him from all sides. That this was Arshad, Kai recognized him at once, as he got a good look at him then when the Sheikh had been on a horse - tall, his face framed by a thin line of beard and mustache, the glowing gaze of almond-shaped eyes. Now, Kai did not see the fear in them, only anger and determination, although his strength was leaving him - there were too many opponents.

Kai stopped, and then, grabbing the second sword from the dead warrior lying around at his feet, rushed into the midst of the fighting. The thought that he would regret his deed flashed and disappeared, now there was no time to think, it was necessary to save his life and the life of Arshad if he decided to stand up for him.

The attackers, out of surprise, missed several of his punches, thanks to which he was able to penetrate the thick of the battle. He slashed the belly of the rebel, who had raised the sword at him and unleashed a hail of blows to three more, pushing them away from Arshad, thereby giving him a moment of respite.

Arshad's eyes widened, at first, he did not recognize him. It was evident that the Sheikh had long forgotten about the guy's existence, then their gazes met, and Arshad remembered a scallywag near the plane by the glint of the green emeralds of the eyes.

When Kai once again threw two attackers away from Arshad, the Sheikh saw his intentions, and now they fought together, shoulder to shoulder, covering each other and deflecting blows. In terms of combat technique, and terms of freshness of strength, Kai prevailed. Arshad was already tired, although he held on without showing it. But Kai saw this and was constantly near at the right moment, repulsing blows aimed at the Sheikh.

Then help came to them, it was clear from the expensive clothes of the soldiers who ran in and from Gifar, who was running ahead of them.

Gifar instantly appreciated what was happening here, seeing Kai and Arshad fighting in the center, and around them - the attacking rebels.

Gifar began to fight his way towards them. During the battle, Kai saw that the rebels kept coming and coming, and instead of one killed or wounded by them two or three new ones were coming. With this arrangement, they would not last long. Therefore, the arrival of Gifar, who made his way to Arshad and Kai and stood next to them, was very useful. Now there were three of them, and they held the defense in a circle. Gifar, like Kai, constantly covered Arshad from blows. Gifar saw how Kai was fighting and saw his constant attempts to remove opponents from Arshad. Gifar and Kai's eyes met, Kai read the surprise in them, but then the men switched to the attackers.

Kai, seeing that Arshad was already barely holding on, began to press on several opponents, displacing them further and further. Guifar understood his plan. Then more Gifar's warriors came running, and after a short battle and a clear superiority in strength on the side of Arshad, the enemy surrendered. Those who were still alive dropped their swords.

Kai, chopping at the next attacker, saw that there was no one else, and turned around. Behind him stood Arshad, surrounded by his guards, next to him there was Maksud - when he arrived, Kai did not see. To the right, Gifar stood. Kai had two bloody swords in his hands. Everyone froze. Kai unclenched his fingers, swords slipping from his hands to the floor. He had no more weapons with him; he had used daggers long ago.

Arshad said something to Maksud, who, waving his hand to his servants, approached Kai.

"Come with me," he said in a friendly tone.

Kai followed, and now what could he do? Instead of his escape, he began to rescue, and here is the result - time was lost, he no longer could escape. After such an active fight and adrenaline rush, he felt that he was tired, he was shaken and he just wanted to lie down. Now it was no longer important for him what his future fate was. One thing pleased him that he was not being led back to the cell, judging by the other direction of their movement. After passing several corridors and stairs, they entered a room quite spacious, with carpets and interior of the modest luxury of the Orient.

"Rest, our mysterious friend, tomorrow I will come for you," Maksud bowed politely and left. The door closed behind him and the bolt clicked. Kai glanced at the windows, which had a beautiful wrought-iron grill. He walked around his new quarters, saw that another door led to a bath with clean towels hung on hooks. But now there was no strength to wash. He went to the bed and lay down on the bedspread. After all this time, it was a real bed, not a folded parachute on the floor of the plain or wooden planks in the form of decking in his cell - it was exactly a bed: soft, clean and fragrant. Feeling it with his whole body, he instantly fell asleep.

He woke up late, judging by the rays of the sun and the clock on the wall showing one o'clock, looked around. Yes, these were clearly not the chambers of Arshad, which he had seen yesterday, passing through the palace, where luxury and abundance amazed the eye, but, on the whole, it was a richly furnished room in oriental style. On the armchair, he saw clothes: light-colored wide trousers and the same light-colored robe made of expensive fabric. Kai remembered the soul he had seen yesterday. Now he could not think of anything else. He did not care about his unclear fate and, in general, everything that happened. He had one desire - to stand under a stream of warm water and wash everything off himself. He grabbed his clothes, realizing that afterward, he would not be able to put on his own, soaked in sweat, dirt, and blood of yesterday's enemies. Kai went into the bath. Feeling the water on his body, he realized what happiness was.

He must have been taking the shower for an hour. There were plenty of jars of gels and shampoos, which he poured over himself and then rubbed himself with a washcloth. It seemed that such a layer of dirt was impossible to wash off. Finally, with an effort of will, he closed the water and wrapped himself in a huge soft towel.

***

When Maksud went to his mysterious prisoner, as he began to call him for himself, he froze in the doorway. A slim and slender young man plastically and softly turned to him, he was already dressed in wide trousers and a robe and was now standing in the middle of the room. If not for the sparkle of his eyes, Maksud would not have believed that it was he - that ragamuffin by the plane! Although no, even then, under a layer of dirt and fatigue, he made out it, but now ...

While still wet, the hair on his head that had grown during this time curled into large curls and glistened with moisture on them. Kai made an involuntary movement, brushing the fallen curls from his eyes, and looked at Maksud who entered.

Maksud approached.

"Hello. Did you sleep well? Food will be brought to you now. What's your name?"

"It doesn't matter what my name is," Kai now wanted to hear what would happen to him now. After all, in general, he had escaped from the cell of his confinement and it was not a fact that now they would remember his military achievements.

Maksud missed the unfriendly tone of the prisoner. And it's understandable: when your fate is not known to you, you will not be particularly friendly.

"Great Sheikh Arshad conveys through me gratitude for his salvation and asks to be his guest. He's gone now. Unfortunately, yesterday's event made adjustments to his plans, and he had to hastily leave the palace. He really wants to personally express his gratitude to you for his salvation and for how bravely you fought. Therefore, he asked to wait for him and entrusted all the worries about you to me."

"To wait, as if I have other options" Kai looked at Maksud, realizing that he was not afraid of this person, there was something in him.

Meanwhile, Maksud began to go around Kai in a circle, examining him.

Then Maksud clapped his hands, and several servants entered the room. He gave the name of the one he asked to come. A minute later, a breathless man ran into their room.

"This is a tailor," Maksud pointed to a short, plump man who was trying to catch his breath. "You need clothes," Maksud smiled mysteriously, "let him take your measurements."

Kai shrugged vaguely.

"Can I take off your robe?"

Maksud approached him, Kai looked warily into his eyes. Maksud smiled again.

"You don't know yet - I'm a eunuch. Nothing threatens you from my side."

Kai's eyes widened, he, of course, understood who the eunuch was, but to see it live ...

This tall, broad-shouldered man with bright oriental features, wearing eyeliner and a complete lack of facial hair did not look like eunuchs in Kai's point of view. He was not feminine, on the contrary, although, knowing now about Maksud, perhaps a little softer movements, a slightly more gentle voice were present. He was about thirty-five, maybe a little over.

While Kai was at a loss to comprehend all this, Maksud gently removed hands from the robe and, having untied the guy's belt, took it off.

Only thin trousers remained on Kai, which were obviously too big for him and, despite the ties at the belt, slipped and hung on his narrow hips.

Maksud again stepped back from him and slowly walked around in a circle. Then he smiled, looking into his eyes.

"Mysterious prisoner, will you trust me? You need to recover from your time in the desert. The desert takes the beauty away, but not from everyone ..."

Kai didn't quite understand the meaning of his speech. Maksud continued:

"I understand your distrust, but it was your own fault, there, in the desert, you shouldn't have behaved so impudently with Arshad. He is quick-tempered but quickly moves away. If you remember, I tried to do everything to facilitate your fate there as a prisoner."

Yes, Kai remembered his concern in the form of water, food, and warm clothes at night.

"When we arrived here, I also wanted to help you, but, unfortunately, the threat of a coup, a conspiracy against Arshad - all this did not give the opportunity and time to switch his attention to you. The only thing I could do was send you good food and wait for the threat of a conspiracy to pass. Unfortunately, their plan succeeded. But Allah sent you to us - you've saved the life of the great Sheikh. Arshad will never forget this and will thank you. Now, while he is gone, trust me. Okay?"

Kai again did not quite understand what Maqsood was talking about but did not resist when the tailor took measurements from him.

Maksud gave him a robe and helped him put it on.

Servants brought in food on several trays and set the table. After looking at the abundance and variety of food, Kai decided it was for ten people.

"Now you need to eat and sleep. I think we'll postpone everything until tomorrow. Just rest."

Maksud once again looked at him and, having politely bowed, left. All his entourage came out.

Kai thought that it was not entirely clear to him what status he was arriving here now. His door was bolted and, judging by the voices behind it, he guessed that there was a guard there.

But, in general, life was getting better, at least, he was not in the cell, and the sun was peeping through the window. Going to the window, he saw a wonderful garden, as in a fairy tale: beautiful paths, small fountains, rose bushes, and peacocks on the green grass. After admiring this living zoo, he went to eat and then to sleep. The most valuable food brought was wine. He did not drink it for a long time, and his nerves were not iron, and now, having drunk amazingly tasting red wine, he fell asleep.

In the evening they woke him up, again set the table in the same insane abundance. He ate a little and drank the whole decanter of wine again, and then a healthy child's sleep came.

In the morning, the picture repeated itself, only one glass of wine was brought. Kai decided that Maksud wanted to see him not only asleep.

***

Coming out of Kai, Maksud took a deep breath. He hadn't expected this. It was incredible. How many boys he had found for Arshad's harem, but this - he was well versed in beauty and was a connoisseur of it, but here it was just a gift from heaven. It's amazing what can fall into the desert!

But this was no ordinary boy. Maksud saw how he fought, saw his willpower as he dragged behind the horse. Yes, this guy wasn't like these young men he had found for the harem, this was a warrior. He fought best of all, it was then Gifar said in front of everyone, admiring him. And Arshad also admired how he fought, but Arshad had not yet seen him ...

Maksud laughed. Here he would surprise the Sheikh! And what a surprise! Nobody expected this. Even now he was still under the impression of the prisoner he had seen: he was fragile, graceful with a thin waist, narrow hips, feline grace in every gesture, and the face, cheekbones, lips - everything was perfect, and no femininity - the ideal beauty of a young man. And the eyes were emeralds.

Yes, of course, the desert made itself felt, but it did not take away his beauty. Maksud built the whole scheme of his restoration, and then, by the arrival of the Sheikh, this emerald would sparkle in all its natural beauty. And only then Arshad himself would decide what he would do with him.

Maksud treated this young man very well from the very moment they met, probably for his audacity, for the fact that he, sitting in the desert for a month, did not break down. Then, seeing him fighting, he realized that he was not mistaken in him, in his spiritual qualities - such a person would always come to the rescue, never leave anybody in trouble. Unfortunately, in the modern world, these qualities cannot be found in people. This hooked Maksud. And when he finally saw what their prisoner looked like, he decided that he would do everything for him. He would show Arshad him in a way that Arshad did not expect to see him.

Arshad would not harm him, Maksud was sure of that. Despite the permissiveness, the Sheikh, although he was formidable, quick-tempered, and cruel, but he was fair. Therefore, it was better to let Arshad see what his prisoner really was, and only then make a decision about his fate.

Exclusive early release! The Sand of Time. Book of Flame. Volume 2

Exclusive early release! My new book, "The Sand of Time. Book of Flame. Volume 2", is coming March 10 to major retailers, but the ebook is available NOW at

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The rose of a desert. Volume 3. "Book of Flame" Prologue

 The annotation: The splendor of the east, the luxurious Sheikh's palace in the heart of the desert. A tale of a thousand and one nights, a tale of love ... Will Arshad be able to conquer Kai and achieve reciprocity from him ...

Continuation of the story of Kai's life and love.

It will be of interest to those who love the long development of love relationships.

IT IS POSSIBLE TO READ AS A SEPARATE WORK!

Prologue

In the cloudless, bright blue sky above the desert, a dark dot appeared, which was rapidly approaching. Within a few minutes, one could see a plume of thick smoke, which left a trail in the blue sky. The group of riders stopped and stared in fascination at how beautifully against the background of the sky white-black streaks of smoke and burning, left by the falling plane, were drawn.

It was now clear that it was a plane. It was possible to distinguish the fuselage of the falling aircraft, and the noise from the engines was heard. Flares and pops accompanied his flight.

The plane drew a trail in the sky and went beyond the edge of the dunes.

"Honorable Sheikh, are we going to look at the crashed plane? It is an hour's drive away from us and, judging by the absence of an explosion, there is something to see there," one of the riders said to a tall man in oriental clothes, whose face was covered by a shemagh, and only his eyes were visible.

"No, Gifar, I'm not interested in this, and business awaits! It's time for us to go back."

The young man moved the horse, turning in the opposite direction from the point of the plane's fall. The rest of the horsemen followed his example.

After a while, the Sheikh turned to Gifar galloping just behind him:

"Next month we wanted to hunt here, remind me of this plane, we’ll stop by and look at it."

Gifar nodded, holding his horse so as not to overtake Sheikh Arshad, and once again turned to the dune behind which the plane had fallen. The column of black smoke that always accompanies explosions was not visible, which meant that the plane was able to land. But, in a month, there would be no one of those who managed to do it.

The desert is merciless to those who invade its domain.

The sand of time. Volume 2. "The Book of Flame" Chapter 2

The car stopped on a large farm. As it turned out later, his distant relative was the director of a stud farm, which was located nearby. From that moment on, Kai practically lived in the stable. He "got sick" with horses. Once he went inside and inhaled the smell of manure, fresh hay, and warmth from horses, he "became infected" with them for life. He did everything in the stable: cleaned up manure, took out dirty sawdust, handed out hay, cleaned old disheveled horse equipment, looked after the horses.

A relative, seeing his desire to work, did not interfere with this. He was warned that this was a difficult teenager, but he saw a teenager in front of him who worked tirelessly from dawn to dusk. And when Kai asked for permission to ride on horseback, he was allowed for his labors, without even becoming to find out whether he could ride or not.

Kai did not know how, but he saw how others were riding, and carefully watched them, their actions on horseback. He had already learned how to saddle and unsaddle horses, giving them to the workers for the ride and taking them afterward.

Therefore, now, having saddled the horse that he liked the most, he led out into the yard and deftly jumped into the saddle. The horse he had chosen was not yet broken, it had only been accustomed to the saddle, no one had ever sat on it. Seeing Kai riding an unbroken horse, people ran to him from all sides, but it was too late to warn him. Now everyone was watching what was happening, or rather, waiting for the boy to fall off his horse.

The horse, feeling for the first time the weight of the rider on its back, first froze in surprise, and then began to apply all the means at its disposal to get rid of Kai. The horse spun in place, backed up, stood on its hind legs times, and even walked forward in such a way, apparently waiting for the rider to "unfasten" from it. But the rider remained in the saddle. Then the horse began to rush about the yard, suddenly throwing itself in one direction or the other, then he stopped and kicked with its hind legs - again the same result, the rider was on it.

Kai not only watched the riders but also listened carefully to conversations about what to do if a horse tries to throw off a man. He realized: he needed to force the horse to run forward, then it would not have the opportunity to throw him out of the saddle like that, and gradually, having spent part of the accumulated energy, it would become calmer.

Keeping all this in mind, Kai squeezed his legs and began to actively hit the rear of his sneakers on the side of the horse. And the horse heard him - rushed forward. In front of them, there was a pole blocking the exit from the stable into the field. The horse easily jumped over it. And they dashed off into the distance.

All who watched this were standing in amazement. The boy did not fall, although the struggle was serious. He stayed on the horse!

"He will fall down there," said the watchman, spitting angrily to the side.

The pale and frightened director of the plant, who came running to the noise, thought with horror that he would now tell his parents.

Kai "flew" over the steppe - there was speed, wind in the face, and the feeling of freedom. He was not afraid. He slipped the end of the rein under his knee so that he would not slip into the legs of the galloping horse, and spread his arms to the sides. Now it was the full feeling of flight! He remembered this for the rest of his life - a horse galloping under him and a space of air flying towards him with the aromas of herbs and flowers.

They returned at a walk. The horse was young and, injecting all the adrenaline, was tired. Kai sensed it and didn't make it move faster. Now they had a complete understanding - he was walking on it, practically giving up the reins, and watched the scenery passing by from the back of the horse. Oh, how wonderful it was. Indeed, the Arab proverb is right that heaven on earth can be found on the back of a horse.

Their appearance was noticed from afar; everyone again ran into the yard. The teenager calmly on horseback went inside the yard and dismounted.

"Well done!" finally, the chief brigadier in charge of driving the horses could not stand it and, enthusiastically rushing to him, shouted, "Mikhalych, can we take him as our assistants? We thought there would be a fuss with this horse for a month, a very characteristic horse. Look, the guy made an agreement with it in two hours."

Mikhalych - this was exactly the director of the plant, he made a stern face:

"What if the boy is killed or injured? I have to answer in front of his family!"

"Please, let me help with the horses!" almost shouted Kai, not even expecting to be offered this.

The radiant eyes of a teenager, glowing with green sparks, looked at Mikhalych. Well, he had never seen such eyes. Mikhalych muttered something else just for show, but then said to obey the senior brigadier and not show any personal initiative!

From that moment on, Kai's life became like a fairy tale. He was happy! He was infinitely happy here. There was nothing here to remind him of his life in Moscow. Here he lived and did what he liked. Here he was free.

Everything was saturated with freedom: this air, this endless distance, the steppes dissolving in the haze of the horizon, and the horses, they were free and gave him this freedom.

His physical fitness and the fact that from early childhood he trained so actively, helped him to master the art of riding. Although he had to fall, his body drew the knees up to the chest, and he quickly got to his feet, receiving only minor bruises and injuries.

Horses feel the rider, and they felt that this rider was not afraid. They felt his inner strength and obeyed him. Not immediately, because they were free, but, falling under his iron will, they obeyed. Only free creatures can make a choice and serve someone who has the same inner strength and the same desire for freedom as they do.

So his summer flew by. It was the happiest summer of his life. Kai had been there for two more summers in a row. But when the parents found out that their son was happy there, and most importantly, free, everything stopped. It was decided to send him for the summer to a teenage military camp for his education and training. So his summer of freedom and flight over the steppe turned into a "prison" and a barracks. But that was later ...

***

Now, entering their apartment from the dank street, he felt warmth. The smell of an old communal apartment hit the nose, such a unique smell of old walls and people who lived here. Leaving his wet jacket on a hanger in the hallway, he headed to their main room.

Prokhor, upon Kai's appearance, got up, as always went to meet him. They hugged.

"Sit down, we are discussing one thing here," Prokhor waved in the direction of the chair, and then returned to the conversation interrupted by his appearance.

Not only Prokhor had changed and matured, but Kai had also changed. Now he was a short, skinny teenager with a shock of curly resinous hair that always fell over his forehead. His handsome, noble features were eye-catching. But the most amazing thing about him was his eyes - large, expressive, the color of a precious emerald, framed by long eyelashes. No, there was no feminine beauty in his features, it was the beauty of a teenager, although the softness and smoothness of his movements gave his appearance certain femininity. But this was only a deception for those who did not know him. His flexible, plastic movements were mistaken for weakness, and this was his strength. Possessing combat techniques, he moved like a panther, softly and silently. But when a fight broke out, his opponents flew in different directions. It seemed that he had no equal in this. He never lost a fight to anyone. There were already legends about him. Any stick in his hand turned into a formidable weapon. And now, like a cat, slipping flexibly into his chair, Kai drew admiring glances with the elegance of his movements. He didn't do it on purpose, it was his nature. They looked at him with admiration and envy.

Having finished planning today's night raid, the purpose of which was to knock out money from the debtor, everyone went about their business. There was still a lot of time before leaving, several guys went to the kitchen to cook some food. Now their "affairs" were more serious, and they had money in the "common fund" for normal food and alcohol.

Kai did not like these Prokhor's cases, or rather, internally did not approve, but was always with him everywhere. After all, this was his friend.

Sitting on the sofa, he tried to relax, leaning back, and throw out of the head another lecture of his parents about his behavior.

"What? Did they again rinse the brains at home?" Prokhor could guess even without asking this question to his friend, seeing his face now. He sat down next to him.

"It's okay," Kai looked absently into the space in front of him.

Prokhor respected him for this. His friend never whined, never complained. And no matter if it was mental or physical, he always said: "Everything is fine."

Prokhor turned to him and asked, looking intently into his eyes:

"Have you ever smoked?"

"No."

Prokhor smoked for a long time, or rather, from the moment they met, he had already smoked. Kai did not smoke. He didn't even know why, although now he had his own money, earned by him on common business, and he could afford to buy cigarettes. But such a thought did not occur to him.

Prokhor took out a cigarette, lit it, and brought it to Kai's lips.

"Breathe air through it. Try it."

Just as then, in the basement, when Prokhor handed him a glass of vodka, he did not hesitate to do what his friend said. He sucked in air, or rather, smoke. He coughed immediately, his eyes stung.

While he was clearing his throat, Prokhor was holding him by the shoulders, smoking a cigarette himself and waiting for Kai to return to normal.

"Let's continue," Prokhor again raised the cigarette to his lips. Kai took a cigarette and inhaled, but not so hard. It turned out better. There was no cough. He blew smoke out of himself.

"Did you like it?" asked Prokhor, removing his hand from the shoulder.

"Do not know yet."

From that day on, he began to smoke and did not understand what, in fact, he should like and, in general, what was the meaning of this action - to draw in the smoke and then to exhale it.

Once, after a very strong scandal with his parents, he went into the garden. It was winter. Snowflakes were quietly falling from the starry sky. Kai tried to understand why snowflakes fell on his face from the clear starry sky. They melted on his cheeks, leaving traces as if from tears. But those weren't tears, he didn't cry anymore - he swore he wouldn't cry anymore. His eyes were dry, only snowflakes rolled down his cheeks, leaving wet paths. Kai looked into the sky and asked the space of darkness above him just one question:

"Why don't they love me?"

They again explained to him what they expected from their son, how he should live and that now he was living wrong - but they would achieve their goal, they would not allow their family to be dishonored. Everyone in their family is military - and their son must love it and live for this, in order to serve for the good of the Motherland!

When he said that for the good of the Motherland one could simply work or, for example, engage in science, he was shamed for another hour by his girlish manners, and not by the choice of a real man. But Kai, just starting to study chemistry, realized that this was the passion of his life. He did not love any science as much as chemistry. He did not even suspect that next to him there was a parallel world - the world of atoms, trace elements, and everything else that was just beginning to recognize. It captivated him headlong, and then he realized that he was interested in this life. He wanted to become a scientist. This was his dream.

Having told the people closest to him about his dream, he opened his soul to them and as a result got a thrashing. How painful it is when your family doesn't understand you.

"His family" - all this became just an empty word, the essence of this word had long since disappeared.

Kai put his hands in his pockets. A hand found a pack of cigarettes. It was cold, his fingers were freezing and numb, but the physical cold was not so strong compared to the cold inside. He wanted to see the warmth - a small flame at the end of a cigarette. Striking a lighter, he lit a cigarette. Warm smoke filled his lungs. The light of a cigarette flickered against the background of the cold white snow. Above him, a huge sky with myriads of small cold stars stretched. But now he felt warm. The warmth from this light warmed him in this dead space that did not accept him.

And so their lives went on. Kai came to Prokhor when he could, and was with them until they locked him up at home again. Prokhor actively made his way in this life, uniting around him more and more young people who were ready to be with him.

***

When they had not moved from the basement, an incident occurred, after which Kai began to be treated with even greater respect. In the fall their gang climbed into the house closed by summer residents until spring. They had nothing to eat, and they knew that in such houses there were always cereals, canned food, and pickled products like cans of cucumbers and tomatoes. To get into such a house meant to spend half of the winter without starving. And they made such an action. Having broken the locks, they got inside. While swarming inside the house, they heard the sound of a car approaching. The car stopped right at the only entrance to the house - only from there they could get out. The windows in the house were tightly shuttered - it was a trap. The lights came on and an elderly man and woman entered. From their characteristic appearance, Kai immediately guessed they were Japanese. Apparently, they rented this house for living outside the city, not only for the summer but also for the fall. With the lights on, the guys saw a fireplace and a fairly well-furnished interior of the room.

Prokhor prepared for a fight. Kai understood: Prokhor would out Herod. The guys also froze in combat readiness, waiting for his command. The elderly couple froze in surprise, not expecting to see them here. And then he greeted the newcomers in Japanese, bowing politely in the traditional Japanese bow.

He was answered by a man, also in Japanese. A conversation ensued between them.

All stood still.

Then Kai turned to Prokhor and said that they could take whatever food they needed and leave. They could just walk away because the owner of the house did not mind sharing food with them since they needed it.

The guys silently collected their bags and left.

Kai said goodbye, again bowed politely, and went out with Prokhor.

Walking along the dark, cold streets to the basement, they began vying to ask him what language he spoke, how he knew the language, and what the man answered to him. Kai calmly replied that it was Japanese, that he was studying this language, and the elderly man was native Japanese, and it was not customary to refuse food to those in need there.

"And what other language do you know?" with a mockery asked the guy going nearby.

"Many different ones."

Prokhor stopped and, turning Kai by the shoulders, said sternly:

"Why did you hide it from me?! I must know everything about my people, especially about you! And you hid it!" Prokhor shook him by the shoulders, and since he was taller, now Kai stood on tiptoe, so tightly Prokhor held him.

"Besides Japanese, I know English and French. Now I am studying German and I have also begun to study Arabic ..." embarrassed, he said quietly. "Let me go, please, it hurts."

Only now Prokhor realized that he was holding his friend in a stranglehold for his shoulders almost above the ground. He unclenched his hands.

Kai stepped back from him.

"And what did you think I had been doing when they locked me up at home? And also I can sing," he angrily snapped to Prokhor for such an interrogation.

They walked in silence towards the basement. Prokhor caught up with Kai, who was walking, frowning, and was silent, and hugged him by the shoulders.

"Offended? Come on! No offense. So why didn't you tell me that before?"

"I didn't want to stand out - and without it, everyone thinks me different."

"You always will be different, not like them. And they will always all envy you. Get used to it."

"And you?" he stopped and looked into Prokhor's eyes.

"You didn't tell me that - were you afraid of offending me?" Kai averted his eyes. "Silly, I'm proud of you!"

They went to catch up with their comrades who had gone ahead.

"Well, now, share your secret, how did you manage to learn so many languages?" asked Prokhor as he walked.

"You know, a Japanese man lives with us, a friend of my father. I began to speak Japanese earlier than Russian," Kai smiled, remembering his childhood. "Mom did not take care of my upbringing, they hired a French governess for me. She has ancestors from the White Guards who have fled from Russia during the revolution. She not only teaches French but also manners and etiquette. Do you know how strict she is? You take the wrong fork at the table - she beats on the fingers with a pointer," he saw the surprise on Prokhor's face. "And what about English - so my father constantly has guests, all foreigners, I'm already used to the fact that in our house they speak English more than Russian ..."

"And German, Arabic?"

"My father has insisted on German; he says it will come in handy in my profession. And I like Arabic myself, and my parents are all for it, considering that knowledge of the Muslim language will also be useful to me."

Prokhor did not ask his friend about anything anymore, he was proud of him and was glad that his friend was so extraordinary and talented.

In the evening, after a sumptuous dinner, Prokhor solemnly announced to everyone that Kai would now sing. Kai glared at him.

"Why are you staring at me?! You've said yourself that you also sing. I am already acquainted with you so much and have never heard you singing, and also the boys," Prokhor said all this calmly, seeing how his friend "boils". "Lads, where is the guitar?"

The guys perked up when they heard this.

They brought a guitar, shoved into Kai's hands. All the guys sat in a semicircle around him, waiting for the concert. It was stupid to behave with false modesty. He, quickly going over the songs in his mind, stopped at this one and began to sing:

My fleet is of two ships, it is true.

How can I sail to your pier

Along fast rivers of wanderings?

We are lost in space. *

While he was singing, Prokhor cast glances at him, thinking that he did not know that his friend had such a voice.

"How cool he is! It's good that we are friends. I'm proud of you!".

The chords died down, the guys began to rustle, they began to demand more to sing. But Kai flatly refused, saying another time.

Now they got off his back, but then he sang for them at each of their gatherings, so his singing and voice fascinated and attracted. The boys each time waited for his concert, listened to his singing, and delighted in their souls. After all, despite all the unsightly truth of their life that they led, their souls were young and pure, they had not yet become completely cold-hearted.

***

Prokhor, as an older brother, on the one hand, guarded and protected Kai from the cruelties of this world, on the other hand, brought him into this world, realizing that his friend would face it anyway. So let him know better from his friend and under his control. So gradually Prokhor taught Kai to drink various alcoholic beverages. He helped him to taste and understand their action and determine his measure for himself. Once he allowed Kai to get drunk almost to the point of losing his pulse, and the next day he walked gloatingly and mocked him, seeing him, half-dead, with a terrible headache, lying on the bed.

Kai drew conclusions from such experiments and discoveries. He learned the consequences of excessive libation, which he did not like, and he did not like to lose control of himself. Therefore, if he drank, then little and controlled what to drink and how much.

He started smoking after that incident in the winter when a warm light warmed his soul on a cold winter night. But he also rarely smoked, only when he wanted to feel again this warmth of the burning light at the end of the cigarette.

Now, having matured, he spent more time in their apartment. Somehow, after another successful case, the guys invited "girls" to celebrate their success. Kai was present at such parties, but he was still considered small, therefore, what the boys did with the girls, going to the next rooms, he only guessed from the scattered information that he learned for himself on this question that was beginning to worry him. He could emphasize all the information only from the books in the library where he spent time. From the artworks read by him, he understood only what happens unsaid by the authors of these works between a man and a woman, when the doors are closed behind them and they are left alone. Having tried to find the answer in the scientific and medical literature, he learned about the physiology of this process and the difference between the opposite sex. This was the end of his knowledge.

The party was in full swing. Prokhor returned happy from the room where he was leaving with a girl much older than him. With a sly smile on his face, he sat down next to Kai on the sofa. This was the third time that Kai had seen this smile on Prokhor's face. The first, when he gave him a glass of vodka for the first time to drink, the second, when he brought a cigarette to his lips for the first puff in his life, and now his friend had the same smile on his lips. Moreover, everyone around was also whispering conspiratorially and exchanging glances.

Feeling a conspiracy against himself, he jerked to get up from the sofa, but Prokhor's strong hand on his shoulder held him in place.

Prokhor laughed.

"Relax! Why have you tensed?"

"And what do you all have such faces?" Kai tried to get up again, but could not.

"Well, here with the boys we have consulted and decided. You seem to be cooler than all of us in a fight, but you are not a man yet. You haven't slept with a girl, have you?" asked Prokhor and laughed. "Well, I do know, you haven't slept!"

Everyone laughed.

Kai frowned and tried to get off the sofa again.

"Come on, we do not want to offend. Everyone has had their first time. Today you will have this for the first time."

Kai looked at Prokhor distrustfully.

"Guys! Pour a glass of cognac for the courage to a soldier!" ignoring Kai looking at him, shouted Prokhor.

They brought cognac.

"Drink!" commanded Prokhor.

Kai drank.

"Now let's go."

Prokhor got up and, not letting go of his friend's shoulders, led him to the door, from which he had recently left.

"Otherwise, Marusya has already been tired to wait for you," with these words Prokhor pushed him into the room and closed the door behind him.

There were curtains in the room, and a floor lamp in the corner was burning. A half-naked girl was sitting on a crumpled bed and smiled as she saw him stiffened as if nailed to the floor.

The girl, still smiling, pulled the shirt off her shoulders, and Kai saw her big full breasts. Then she got up, the shirt slipped down, and, without lingering on her hips, fell at her feet. What he saw in the picture in the medical anatomy handbook now stood before him live. But unlike the book, it looked many times better.

The girl approached. Her face was smeared with makeup, strips of mascara remained on her cheeks, lipstick-stained part of her chin.

She took Kai's hand and pulled him to the bed.

"Well, hero, I'll do everything myself now," said Marusya, pushing him onto the bed and stretching her hands to the belt of his jeans, "I like you for a long time. You are so handsome! Sweetie!"

Kai felt her hands under his jeans, threw back his head, and the ceiling began to disappear in his mind. The incredible sensation covered him completely and then twisted his body in a sweet spasm.

Catching his breath and recovering a little, he opened his eyes and sat up on the bed. He saw that Marusya was wiping her hands with napkins, and then, bending over him, wiped the moisture that he felt inside his pants.

"For the first time, it always happens so quickly. But don't worry. I'll teach you everything," just as insidiously as Prokhor, smiled Marusya. "Eee! Do not rush to leave, otherwise, these fools will laugh. You will be out in half an hour so that they all would be envied."

Kai then did not quite understand what she meant, but believed her and stayed. While he was waiting for half an hour to pass, his young body recovered, Marusya noticed this and decided not to postpone the teaching for a long time, but to continue right now.

He left Marusya in more than an hour. He was greeted with whoos and pops of opening champagne bottles.

Clinking glasses with him, a glass of champagne, Prokhor asked:

"Are you glad?"

Kai averted his eyes in embarrassment, perhaps now he had not even fully realized what had happened to him, and therefore was not ready to discuss it.

Prokhor smiled, seeing the detached, still hovering in the clouds, the face of his friend and his pupils dilated from the pleasure received.

Then he met Marusya several times, then there were other girls. Although for some reason he did not like such girls, it was impossible to separate from the team, and now he had to be a member of their private parties and entertainment.

***

Time passed. Spring came in the world, so it seemed to Kai, he felt such a feeling of renewal and rebirth of nature in himself that it seemed that the whole world felt it and, like him, blossomed after a cold and dead winter.

He did not like winter, or rather, he did not tolerate the cold very well. Although no one knew about this, except for Prokhor, who saw how hard it was for Kai to spend many hours in an ambush in the street. But his friend never complained and always walked with Prokhor, even when he knew that they would spend several hours on the frozen winter street. Then he came, sat down closer to the radiator, and tried to draw from it the warmth that this cold haze, permeated with stabbing snowflakes, took from him. Then Prokhor brought him hot tea, and Kai, taking a cup from his friend's hands, warmed his soul with the warmth of this cup and the warmth of Prokhor's friendship.

But now winter was slowly dissolving in the rays of the warm sun. The snow was disappearing from the streets of the city, leaving only mud and gurgling streams. The first leaves appeared on the trees, but the main thing was warmth. The warmth came from nature itself, from the air around. Kai loved spring! He loved this warmth, which warmed his soul and gave him hope for a happy life. And this his adolescent spring in his soul gave an aching feeling of something new, beautiful. Kai had never felt such a feeling in his soul.

There was a girl going in front of him on the sidewalk and suddenly a bag fell out of her hands, one handle came off, and all its contents began to fall and scatter on the asphalt.

Kai deftly intercepted several oranges rolling to him and carried them to the girl, who was trying to prevent all the products from falling out of the bag. He grabbed the bag from the bottom, helping her with it. They both straightened up and looked at each other. Her eyes were blue, like the spring sky above their heads.

"What about him? How did he feel? What strange pleasant anxiety in the chest!" he had never experienced such excitement before.

The girl was saying something to him, and he only felt her hand under his, with which he held the package, and looked into her eyes.

Finally, she pulled her hand away and began to pick up the other products on the pavement.

"Let me help you carry the package," he said.

"Okay," she replied, realizing that she couldn't handle it alone. She had to carry some of the products separately herself, as they constantly fell out of the torn bag.

They walked side by side. Kai asked her about everything that seemed so important to him now, she answered, reluctantly at first, but then began to speak calmly and freely, as if she had known him for a long time.

On the way, they cast furtive glances at each other. She had light blond hair, tied in a braid that twisted like a beautiful golden snake down her back. The delicate facial features of a teenage girl who was already crossing the line between a teenager and a girl. She had a slim graceful figure and light flowing movements. It turned out that she was studying at a ballet school, although she didn't like it, the parents wanted her to study - it was so familiar to him.

Her name was Anna, as she later seriously told him at parting.

Anna also cast glances at the short young man walking next to her. For some reason, he reminded her of a fairy-tale prince. She had not met such guys yet. This face, curly resin hair down to his shoulders, and his eyes attracted her. If it were not for those green eyes looking at her so mesmerized, she would never have taken help from the unknown. Dressed in dark jeans, rough boots with thick soles, a dark sweater with a hood, and a black leather jacket on top, he looked unreal, and his name completed the image of a prince from a fairy tale. Can you call an ordinary guy Kai? No! This could only be called the prince, who happened to be on the streets of Moscow and was now helping her carry these products.

Walking her to the door of the apartment, Kai left the groceries on the rug, as she had asked her parents not to see him, and, saying goodbye, left.

But the very next day he waited for her return from the ballet school with a small bunch of flowers in his hand.

So their meetings began. Thus his first youthful love began. That was true love that happens only once in a lifetime. It is love when the souls of two young creatures come into contact with each other and acquire an incredible feeling of flying over this world.

 

* Song: Ocean. Alexander Geints and Sergey Danilov.