eyes carefully examined
the find with a penetrating gaze.
He and Lina had been friends since first grade. They both
studied well and got along well, trusted each other with
their secrets, and even called themselves sisters. In the
last year, Mara prepared hard with her parents ' encouragement
By the time she was ready to enter the language institute, Lina
had a hard time growing up and slowed down her studies. All this
led to the fact that they began to see each other less often, and
they had fewer topics for talking. Still, ask any of them
if asked who her best friend was, they would not hesitate to name
each other.
– Have you figured out what to do with it yet?» Mara asked
.
52
– No, I just started to come
to myself and calmed down a little after all these adventures, —
Lina answered and added: – And what would you do?
Mara, who always reasoned sensibly, answered:
– I think we should take it to the church – " she said, and
put the sword back in the box. – Since it was lost, as you
say, by a real angel, it is logical to assume
that there he can easily find it and take it away, and
there are also his assistants – priests who can give it
to him… well, at least they probably
know better what is wrong with it to do.
«Great idea! Lina beamed with joy and hugged
her friend, who hugged her back.
Lina was especially pleased when she said «we». It
meant a lot, and Lina silently thanked her
for it. After wrapping the sword back in the sheet and stuffing the bundle
into their backpack, the girls headed for the center of town.
The church was completely silent and there wasn’t a soul in sight. Soft
,warm light streamed in from the windows. It smelled of wax and wood.
They walked along the benches to the altar and looked at the painted walls.
the figures of the saints raised their heads, looking at the high
carved arches of the cathedral. Wooden angels hovered there,
and painted skies decorated the ceilings —
Lina and Mara felt so small and inconspicuous in this huge room
…
A man in a black robe came out of a side door. He
was middle-aged, with a curly white beard that reached almost
to his chest, and a round belly that heaved with every
loud exhalation.
«I’m sorry, please! Lina asked him. —
We need your help!
– What, what is it? «What is it?» he asked anxiously.
– We really need to talk to the priest, this