Cinderella and Alangazar - страница 11

"Why are you always so calm?"

Without even opening his eyes, he replied:

"I just know everything’s going to plan… as long as the map is under me."

The Story of the Bear Cook – Whose Pots Even Obey

No army can last without food. And Cinderella’s troop was well-fed and happy – because the kitchen was ruled by Masha, a mighty bear in a flowered apron and a hat decorated with spoons instead of feathers.

Masha didn’t just make porridge – she ran culinary discipline. No one dared sneak a bun without permission. Anyone who tried got The Glare – and it was filled with stuffing.

Every morning, she greeted the troops with:

"No breakfast – no marching!

And absolutely no coffee on an empty stomach, kittens!"

Her signature dish? Jelly-filled donuts. So soft and delicious, even Fox agreed to do morning stretches afterward. Though he usually tried to bargain:

"Maybe you could just throw me a donut, and I’ll catch it mid-air? That’s almost exercise!"

She’d squint:

"Maybe you could go marching, and then I’ll reward you with a donut?"

And so they lived.

But one day – disaster struck. All the jam berries were gone! Someone had eaten the entire stock.

She roared like a trumpet:

"No jam?! HOW?! It’ll be… just bread! Just plain bread!"

Right away, Quickpaw rustled into the bushes, Alangazar grabbed a basket, and even the Cat went sniffing berry trails. Two hours later, the whole unit returned with buckets full of raspberries, strawberries, and something blue – thankfully edible.

Masha melted:

"Now that’s what I call an army family. Even if someone ate the berries…

together, we find more and save the bread."

From that day on, she made "Friendship Donuts," and Cinderella often came to the mess hall not for orders – but for seconds… or thirds.

The Story of the Fairy – She Fixes Everything But Evil

This fairy wore no wings. She had a toolbelt with hammers, keys, bandages – and even a miniature teapot. Her wand? A screwdriver with a ribbon. Her magic? Pure care.

When the tower clock jammed, she zoomed up the stairs, spoon in hand, whispering:

"Shh… it’s okay, little one. Mama’s here."

When Alangazar’s boot split open, she picked up a needle the size of a shovel and stitched the sole so well, it drummed like a parade drum when he walked.

One day, even Fox was down. Tail dragging. No purring.