I was adopted by a Magician

"When, madam, do you plan to leave?" The commander of the cuirassier squad asked Helena. They arrived to escort the magicians to the capital: "I need to know if we need to set up a camp".

"No need, sir" Helena smiled at him: "We are already ready to move, we just have to wait for the carriages. However, you have two carriages with you, so we can set off tomorrow morning. We could do it today, but we won't be able to get to the city before nightfall. What is the condition of the road?"

"It cannot be called magnificent, but the carriages will be able to pass" Replied the Chevalier: "We have harnessed four horses to each of them. Have you brought much property, my lady?"

"I have three chests of gold, books and personal belongings. My servant will ride, and the women with their belongings will go in carriages. Also keep in mind that I will have to stay for two days in Dert. I need to hire someone to restore and secure the castle, as well as make some purchases. My daughter also doesn't have a maid. You yourself must understand that a young lady cannot do without support staff on the way. Have you ever stayed in Dert? Can you recommend a place where it is best to stay in Dert?"

"Dear Madam, there is only one hotel courtyard in the center of this city, located next to the magistrate. However, this city is the lot of a boring area! However, last year I stayed at this institution and I can confirm that the rooms here are completely decent, and the kitchen pleases with delicious dishes. Regarding security, we guarantee you complete safety. If we're not going to linger, then maybe you'll let my people spend the night at the castle instead of setting up tents?"

"You shouldn't ask: This is my responsibility. We have already prepared a room for you and two rooms for your soldiers. There is nothing in them except beds, but it is still more convenient to spend the night than in tents. We have already had lunch, and now the maid is preparing lunch for both you and your people. While you get the horses to the stable, we have made a small supply of oats, which now needs to be used. And let me introduce you to my daughter, Baroness Curan. You can get to know the servants yourself".

"If you hadn't wrapped yourself in a cloak, he would have dodged the blow!" Joked Helena, when the brave cuirassier went to the squad: "Here's another lesson. Female beauty primarily stupefies those who don't have enough brains. Have you noticed that past visitors didn't react to your appearance? They are very smart and experienced nobles who, above all, appreciate the royal instruction, and everything else is superfluous. And the baron who led the huntsmen is not much different from this knight. Therefore, before using your charm, you need to make sure that it is addressed to the right person. In some cases, it's not even worth trying too hard. Okay, that's it. Have you checked your stuff? Great. Take only what you need for the journey, the rest can be picked up later. Can you put it in the bags yourself, or should I send Haya?"

"I can handle my own affairs, and Khaya has her own problems with these cuirassiers. She needs to pack her things".

"Well, how do you feel now, already as an adult?"

"I don't feel the difference" Linda shrugged: "I stayed with you the way I was. To feel independent, you need to live on your own, without constant supervision, but I'm not in a hurry to do this: I feel good with you!"

Elena hugged Linda and hugged her tightly: "I don't want to let you go from under my wing so much! But if fate provides an opportunity to arrange your life, you need to take advantage of this chance. I'm sorry, dear, I really didn't want to upset you, but I won't be able to survive the summer, but traveling on my own, with only two old servants, and then founding my life is very difficult. You can achieve a lot with strength and wealth, but only if you surround yourself with loyal and honest people. No man, despite his strength, can resist fate. Power can be deceived or broken by other forces, and wealth can be taken away. I see in serving the King an opportunity for you to find your way with us. This will not prevent you from visiting your homeworld in the future. You still have relatives besides your mother, don't you?"

"Yes, I also have her sister. She would have taken me in, but they live very modestly and poorly".

"And so you can help them with time".

"In modern society, our situation is quite complicated. You can't just go off with my jewelry, because you'll instantly run into law enforcement problems".

"After all, in all the countries inhabiting our planet, everyone who has large financial resources is persecuted?"

"No, in many countries money is the main component in the value system".

"And what is the difficulty? Why not go to that country and exchange your gold for the local currency? Or are the means of payment different?"

"They are really diverse" Sighed Linda: "For using foreign currency, you can be punished at least as much as for violating the rules of handling precious metals. And besides, there is a question about the equivalence of these means of payment. Is all money the same at all?"

"We also have different types of money, but their weight does not differ, so you can use coins from other kingdoms. This rule was established at the very beginning and is still being observed to this day, because it makes our lives easier. But I am increasingly amazed by the politics of your country - how can you restrict people's freedom in everything?"

"Can we not burden ourselves with this question?" Linda asked: "There are many positive things in our country. I just can't put it into words. But I'll find a solution later".

"Let's go to the castle so you don't freeze. I need to get the bearskin off my bed. We'll take her with us and cover her legs. We'll be driving all day, and you don't have much winter stuff".

Early in the morning, the cuirassiers went down to the basement and moved the chests of gold into the carriages. Then the bags with the gentlemen's belongings were quickly packed. The servants, who had few things, brought them themselves. We had a quick breakfast of simple Khai porridge with meat, after which the women got into the carriage, and Hasd mounted one of the horses, taking the second horse by the reins.

"Are you ready to go, madam?" The commander asked Helena.

"Come on, sir" She sighed heavily: "Let's hurry up, otherwise we won't make it before dark.

"We can come back here" Linda took Helena's limbs in her cold and wrinkled palms and touched her lips: "It's all necessary to say goodbye".

"I've lived here all my life" The old woman shrugged her shoulders shiveringly: "What good can you remember about her now? Grief after the loss of a family, fear and struggle for survival. If it weren't for you, I would say that my life has been in vain. It was only your appearance that gave her any significance. And to return... i'm sorry, honey, but I probably won't make it. I just want to help you find your place. Hold out your hands to me. Being young is wonderful when you have a whole life in front of you that seems endless. However, years pass, and time accelerates with each step.

Completing the path fills you with fear and sadness, especially when you realize that you will leave nothing behind. Don't repeat my mistakes. The main thing in life "is family and close people, without them everything else becomes meaningless. I didn't have a child of my own, but now you are. I asked you to take revenge, but forget about it. The old lord has passed away, and I would like to punish the priests with pleasure. However, if I destroyed their temple and died under its rubble, it would be one thing, quite another to risk my life. If you can harm them without putting yourself in danger, I'll be glad, and if not, let their own god judge this gang. If anything is fair in this world, then his judgment will be merciless".

We arrived in Dert two hours after the sun had set. The city gates had already closed, but when the guards found out who was coming, they quickly opened them in front of us. We drove quickly to the inn along the straight road from the gate, without turning anywhere and without any interference. The wagon shook violently on the wide city road lined with large cobblestones, but it was still more pleasant to drive than on a dirty dirt path.

There were almost no guests at this time of the year, so the owner of the establishment was very happy to see us. His joy only increased when he learned that Madame la Marquise was personally paying for the stay of her cuirassiers for two nights at his estate. Guest rooms were immediately allocated, and they were offered a late dinner. Helena insisted that she and her daughter be accommodated in a beautiful room, and her request was immediately fulfilled.

"I did not deceive the Chevalier" She said to Linda: "It is really very pleasant here. The dinner was great. I think we shouldn't rush it. We can visit the magistrate's office first thing tomorrow, and then we'll decide what to do".

They did not go to the magistrate's office, but went by carriage, despite the fact that it was on the same square as the inn.

"If Madame la Marquise allows it, I strongly recommend that you use a carriage" Said the innkeeper: "The square is dirty and all sorts of evil spirits roam. Trust me, you will be much more comfortable in the carriage".

"Yes, of course" Helena agreed: "I have a number of questions for you, dear Bodes. My daughter needs to update her wardrobe, especially in winter clothes. Is there a master in the city who can quickly and efficiently cope with this task? If so, can you find such a master for us? Fine. Now let's move on to the next question. I have a castle that I will still visit, although we are going to move to the capital. Would you recommend a person who can be trusted with a lot of money and who will support and protect our property? If you have any recommendations, I will be very grateful. And the last question is, we need a maid for my daughter. We are looking for a girl from a decent family, about fifteen years old, with the ability to do household chores. We will not skimp on payment if she tries hard, however, otherwise we will send her back to her family. Can you help me find such a girl? You are simply an irreplaceable person!"

They were met at the magistrate's office by the honorary head of the magistrate himself, greeting the guests with noble dignity, but without blind adoration.

"Is there anything I can do for you, Princess of the Marquise?" He asked, generously seating the women on comfortable ottomans: "I have already ordered the delivery of the reward for the capture of the bandit leader to you".

"How kind of you, sir..." Helena said gratefully.

"Gamdyk Yarmash, my lady" The head added.

"Thank you" Helena expressed her gratitude, continuing: "Let's say, my Lord Yarmash, do you have any people in mind - military veterans whom I could take as captains of the guards of my castle? I'm leaving soon, leaving my property unguarded. They will not have to take part in battles, they will only need to protect the castle from robbers and wanderers. One team of ten people will be enough. I am not a greedy woman and I am ready to pay all expenses".

"I have an acquaintance, but I'm not sure how to approach him".

"We're going back to the inn and we're not going to leave today, so let him go there".

After their return, they were greeted by the owner.

"Dear madam marquise, I have ordered craftsmen for you. One of them sews dresses better than others in this city, and the second specializes in making fur clothes, which even in the capital would not be despised. I have already sent a messenger for the person I would like to recommend to you as the castle manager, and he will come soon".

"Thank you, dear Bodes" Helena thanked the delighted: "At the moment, my daughter and I will go up to our rooms, and after a while invite the masters. Just let them come in one at a time. And invite your man after them, I have an important conversation with him".

"Watch me carefully and learn how to have conversations with different people" Helena said, taking off her warm clothes in the room: "This is not magic, of course, but it is also a useful art".

The representative visitor turned out to be a master tailor.

"Please take a seat" Helena pointed to the master's chair with her hand: "You were highly recommended to me as the best in the city. My daughter urgently needs a fur coat. Although summer is already coming, it is still cool, and it is far from our place of residence. I want a high-quality fur coat made of expensive fur fabric, and it should be sewn within two days. Are you ready to take it on?"

"I'm sorry, madam marquise, but it's impossible to do this kind of work in two days. However, I can offer you a ready-made fur coat, which was ordered by another famous lady from the capital. She is exactly the same size as your daughter. If it fits and you like it, I'll sell it to you and have time to sew a new one for that lady. The deadline only ends in ten days, and I have various fur options for a new fur coat".

"And what kind of fur will the new fur coat be made of?"

"It will be a Sangar sable, my lady. There's nothing better in our area".

"It fits. How much are you asking for the work and when will we be able to see the goods?"

"Thirty gold pieces, my lady. I'll bring the fur coat very quickly, you won't have time to burn the candle".

The second master came with his assistant, who needed to take measurements.

"Can you make a decent travel dress for this girl in two days?" Helena asked him, already guessing that he might answer: "It would be nice to make a suit for riding a horse, but it depends on your capabilities".

"I will definitely be able to make a dress" The master replied, stroking his thick beard: "And I will try to make a suit, but I can't promise for sure - there is very little time for sewing".

"Try your best, dear" Helena said: "If the job is good, I won't bargain".

The woman quickly took the necessary measurements, dictated something incomprehensible to her master, and the two of them worshiped and quickly left. The last person to knock on the door was the candidate for the manager's position. He turned out to be an elderly, obese man with an intelligent face and beautifully styled black hair, as far as gray allowed.

"Victor Garmisch" He introduced himself, bowing low in front of the ladies.

"Are you possibly related to the head of the magistrate?"

"A blood brother, my lady".

"Satisfy my curiosity-what prompted you to respond to my offer?"

"I found myself in a difficult position. I had my own business related to trade. I haven't had any luck in the last year. My two freight caravans were attacked by robbers and robbed, and a warehouse with fur products in the capital was confiscated due to debts. I didn't actually have any debts, but I couldn't prove it. When I was trying to figure it out, I was attacked, and I had to run away urgently. Now I am dependent on my brother, which is already bothering me and him".

"Listen to me, dear Victor!" Helena said: "I am the most powerful magician and I see that you are telling the truth, but you are not revealing the whole truth. But that's your business. I suggest you join my team. First, your task will be to restore our castle. It is a third destroyed. We occupied only a small part of its territory, our hands did not get to the rest. You will need to assemble a team of masons who will demolish the rubble and rebuild the wall from these blocks in order to fence off the surviving part of the castle from the collapsed one.

At the moment, there is free access here. It is advisable to completely remove the ruins to achieve an ideal condition. It is necessary to glaze all rooms and galleries, as well as create an approximate order in them. It will be necessary to order furniture from carpenters and purchase carpets. My brother promised to find the captain of the squad in the castle. I originally planned to talk to him on my own, but now I think you'll handle it perfectly. His task will be to recruit a dozen veterans who are tired of fighting. They can also take their families with them. The castle also requires cooks and cleaners. We need to help them get jobs.

In addition to our rooms, I will need three or four guest rooms, and you can use the rest as you wish. Is the task clear? For now, we will provide you with ten gold coins per decade. If you succeed, the reward will be increased. For your devoted service, we will be able to take care of your nobility. I don't have much time left to live, and my adopted daughter will become your mistress. Despite her young age, she is already a master of her craft and has greatly interested the king. Do you feel your prospects in this regard? In addition, if desired, we can review your financial situation. If you agree, please calculate the approximate amount you will need for all expenses during the year.

Tomorrow I will give you this amount and issue a power of attorney in your name so that you can act in my representation. However, I have to introduce a bit of ambiguity into this question. I can show up at your castle at any time to make sure what you're doing there. The same applies to my daughter. Do not let her young age mislead you - she will generously reward you for your loyalty and conscientiousness, but will severely punish you for treason and irresponsibility. Do not think that you will be able to escape from us with the money you received. Fortunately, I have no suspicions about you, but I'm still saying this just in case. Will you consider my offer?"

"Do I seem like an idiot?" Victor replied: "I will gratefully accept your offer. Would it be okay if I came with the calculations tomorrow afternoon?"

"Yes, it fits. We will stay here for two days, and if there are any problems, we can help you. Then you'll figure it out for yourself. I will send you our metropolitan address record".

As soon as Victor left, the master furrier knocked on the door.

"How lovely!" Linda was enthusiastically stroking the fur of an almost weightless fur coat, which had a fur hood and reached to her knees: "And it's sewn on me!"

"It will serve you for about three years" Said the satisfied master, to whom Helena paid two gold coins: "Then, of course, you will grow out of it".

"There will be no more guests today" Helena stated with obvious relief: "So you can relax. I think I'm getting tired very quickly. Have you figured out how to communicate with people? The main thing is to show respect for a person if his actions have not proved that he does not deserve it. In addition, the degree of respect and the form of treatment should depend on his social status. And always find out what interest he has in you and decide on your own. If he is interested, attract him with prospects and offer something at the moment. Immediately warn me that you will not allow yourself to be deceived. Carrot and stick are the best things people have at the moment. This Victor may be useful to you in the future, so without letting him out of your sight, put him forward and encourage him if necessary".

"He is the first person in this world who is called by a name I know" Linda smiled: "I think he will cope with the task, but why spend money in this way?"

"Listen carefully! Gold is just a metal. It alone will not be able to satisfy hunger, give water or give shelter. Nevertheless, for some reason it is appreciated in many worlds. We have so much gold at our disposal that if we don't spend it, then we have enough for a lifetime. And the castle, in which I want to invest only a small part of it, will be useful to you as a temporary shelter if something goes wrong with the king, as well as as a rest and base for your enterprise in other worlds. Moreover, its value far exceeds the amount I paid. These people are not even capable of building, while castles, erected and passed down from generation to generation, are much easier to understand".

"Let's have lunch and rest a little, and then I'll start reading" Linda suggested: "And what are we going to do tomorrow? Before arriving, I planned to take a walk and explore the city, but now I see that there is nothing interesting here: the smell, the dirt, and only the city center resembles something metropolitan, and the rest looks more like a village. Maybe the capital is the same?"

"There are no houses like yours in the capital, but it's still not a village" The interlocutor replied: "There are many palaces and mansions here, only stone houses. The construction of wooden houses is prohibited due to fires. All waste is drained underground, so there are no smells. There are extremely fine paving stones on the roads of the city, so that there is almost no shaking during trips in carriages. There are many parks and greenery here, especially beautiful in summer. In general, there is something to see here".

A knock on the door interrupted their conversation.

"May I, my lady?" The commander of the cuirassiers entered the room: "By your order, my people only allowed visitors to enter, which were pointed out by the owner of the establishment. However, he is currently absent, and a girl is persistently looking for you, who really wants to talk to you. I remembered what you said about the maid, so I didn't let her go".

"Let her come in" Helena allowed: "I don't think one girl can pose a danger to two such magicians".

Shortly after the commander left, a young girl entered the room. She was charming and for some reason reminded Linda of a sparrow from a cartoon. Her height was below average, she was slender, with a snub nose and freckles all over her face - she looked at the magicians with such despair and hope that Linda involuntarily looked away.

"And what does this young creature want from us?" With a barely perceptible mockery in her voice, Helena asked: "Did you want to become my daughter's maid?"

"If my lady agrees to take me" The girl said: "I am ready to serve faithfully!"

"What can you do? Come on, tell us about yourself".

"My name is Dina Garlay, I come from the ancient merchant family of Garlay. Last year, my father, the last man in our family, was killed by an attack by a band of robbers on his caravan. As a result, we lost goods, and I was left unable to repay my debts. But no one wants to deal with a woman, even if she is capable of all the same things as a man. I don't have any other job in this city except to sell my body".

"What about the mother?" Helena asked with sympathy in her voice.

"She's very sick" The girl replied: "After my father was killed, she doesn't get out of bed anymore. My younger sister is taking care of her. We have some money for now, but if we don't make money..."

"Aren't you afraid to leave them and come with us to the capital?"

Dina just shrugged, about to answer, but a spasm squeezed her throat. It seemed to Linda that in another moment she would cry, but she managed to control herself at the last moment.

"That's how it turns out, you're thinking about how to entertain yourself" Helena said, turning to Linda: "Let's meet the three of us for lunch, and then we'll go to the Garlay house. Before Dina joins us, we need to help her mother recover. Dina, you can leave this wallet to your family. It contains one hundred silver coins - payment for assistance in the last three months. You won't need the money now, but it will be useful to them. But it's up to you to decide what to do with them. Do you have everything ready for the trip? Great. No, you won't need a horse-you'll get in the carriage with us".

The Garlay house turned out to be spacious and sturdy, with a wide courtyard on which there were several buildings, including a huge barn.

"This is a warehouse for goods" Dina explained, noticing the question in Linda's eyes: "It's empty now. Come in, we don't keep dogs".

At the back of the room, they came across a young girl. Glancing at the unfamiliar guests, she bowed respectfully and, stepping aside, let them into the rooms. Apparently, she was Dina's sister, only much younger, about three years. But their mother, except for her insignificant height, did not resemble her daughters at all. She was lying silently in one of the two bedrooms, covered under a blanket with a large skin on top of it.

"It's chilly in the house now, my lady" Dina said: "We have to save firewood. I ask you to sit on these chairs".

"Leave us for a while" Helena ordered her: "And take your sister with you... what do you see here?" She asked Linda when the sisters had left the room.

"There's nothing special that would make it impossible to get out of bed" Linda admitted: "Of course, she's weakened, and her health is not good, but I don't notice anything so serious".

"Her husband was everything to her, but when he died, her whole world collapsed" Explained the mentor: "She was always weak by nature, and when she faced grief and difficulties, she locked herself into her illness. By nature, she is completely healthy, but weakness is only the result of lying down for a long time and lack of nutrition. When a person loses interest in life, it can cause a lot of trouble and eventually lead to death".

"And what will we do in this case?"

"You shouldn't call on her mind or conscience - she doesn't care about anything. Therefore, I will apply mental influence. In this case, it is justified. If she doesn't want to live for herself, let her live for her daughters. Maybe over time she'll come to her senses a little and find something worth living for... get up!" Helena ordered the woman: "You're not sick anymore. Your new goal is to raise your youngest daughter. I'll take the eldest with me and take care of her myself. And don't think about complaining about the disease anymore. You must become for your daughter the way you were before your husband's death. Do it!".

The woman seemed to wake up, looked at them and made an attempt to sit up.

"Don't rush it" Linda warned, taking her hand: "You have spent a lot of time in bed and are weak at the moment, so you need to start doing everything slowly".

"Who are you, my lady?" Dina's mother asked faintly: "And where are my daughters now?"

"We will be waiting for you tomorrow evening" Helena said to Dinah as she got into the carriage: "You will spend the night with us at the inn, and in the morning we will set off on the road. Tell your sister not to let her mother grab everything at once, let her gain strength first. And you don't have to thank me, you will thank me with faithful service to my daughter".

Linda spent the next day in bed until noon, reading books. Then, in accordance with the promise, Victor came, who was accompanied by a short, sturdy man of about fifty years old, with a rough face and a large thick mustache.

"My Lady, I present to you your future captain" Victor said, pointing to his companion: "He has reached the rank of infantry sergeant in His Majesty's army and is well versed in military service".

"Why were you fired, Captain?" Helena asked the mustachioed man, demonstrating by her appeal that he had been accepted into her service.

"Due to age, my lady" He replied: "It became difficult to manipulate the spear, and it was exhausting to spend months without a family".

"What about the budget?"

"I have roughly calculated" Victor replied: "It turned out to be about one and a half thousand gold".

"Take these two wallets" Helena said, pointing at the table: "There are two thousand in them. If it's not enough, I'll give you more later. However, keep in mind that expenses will be checked. This is for you, Mr. Victor, the expected paper with your name on it. Dear Captain, I ask you to accompany our leader to his house. Given the amount of money available, it will be very useful. I'll arrange for you to be transported in one of our carriages. Captain, there is no need to purchase crossbows for our team: there are plenty of them in the castle. The weapon is locked in my servant's room so that the villagers won't loot it, so take the keys from him. His room is the first one from the stairs. We are counting on you very much, gentlemen, try not to let us down".

Some time later, they were visited by an experienced craftsman, to whom they ordered clothes. The dress turned out to be just amazing. A warm gray woolen fabric, a tight-fitting top and a slightly shortened, not too voluminous hem are exactly what you need for a trip. And the fasteners were made in front, as they requested. The master also managed to sew a suit, also made of wool, but in black. He looked great on Linda, and she immediately realized what kind of clothes she would wear when she found herself in her own world. Just as they were paying off the master, Dina came over.

"Go to the second room behind the stairs" Helena said to the girl: "My maid lives there now. Until your services are needed, you will be with her, she will take care of you. And ask her for a normal bag instead of her bundle, she should have it... Well, Baroness?" She jokingly addressed Linda when the maid came out: "It seems that you and I have done everything we wanted. Tomorrow we are going to the capital to realize our ambitions. Are you ready to conquer hearts and abound in wealth?"

"I dream of being with you and not parting for at least five years" Linda replied: "I don't need the heart of someone else, I don't even know what I want from life, and your life is completely unfamiliar. And I'm not at all sure of my abilities" Linda said.

Helena put her arm around her shoulders: "Quiet and humble people are always influenced by others. If you want to mean something in this life and be independent, you will leave my protection yourself. Although it's a little early for you, but I can't change that. I'll help you at the beginning as long as I can, and then you'll be on your own".