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A MEDICINAL PRESENT

There is an opening in a forest. Many years ago a small hut stood there. A wizard named Afaharis lived in that hut. He was kind. He treated people and forest animals, praying to the God and driving dark forces away from the forest.

One evening a guest appeared by the hut. It was a warrior - sturdily-build one, with a black beard and attentive hazel eyes. A wind was fingering tucks of his grey cloak. A golden medal was shining on his chest. The warrior looked sullen and initially stared at Afaharis for a while. Then he said, "Afaharis, an awful disaster came to our house. Our princess has fallen sick as if someone has been taking her life. She's parching. Help us!"

Afaharis stood wondering. "The under mount folk from the Cave kingdom lived by gold and gem mining and rarely communicated to people. At last time they used their true man for that - Saliat, that was the warrior. Saliat has never disturbed people because of nonsense. The princess' sickness was really serious, if he came here".
“What is the princess' name?”
“Her name couldn't be pronounced for people but I brought her lock. Maybe it’ll tell more.”
And Saliat had gone leaving golden threads on a wizard's palm.

Surely it's not easy to cure a princess if you have never seen her. But the under mount king was very secretive. Afaharis set a bonfire, prayed and the flame started to speak to him. It didn’t look like people speak but every word was a fire pattern that flared up, danced and then waned. Afaharis knew that language and saw the sickness of the princess, the sad heart of Saliat and the stony soul of the under mount king. The answer was ready.

By the sunset Saliat appeared in front of the wizard. He had a very worried look.
“Afaharis, help us! Princess’ health is becoming worse!”
Afaharis nodded, took carefully a golden lock of the princess and touched to already sleepy petals of a forest rose. The petals started and slowly opened.
“Your princess needed the sun.” The wizard said. “She’s not able to live in the cave castle anymore. As the sun rays touch her face, her force will come back.”

“But... our folk used to live in caves, we spend all our life there. And it's up to the royal family all the more. How it’s possible to come them out? It could be dangerous.”

“But the princess saw the sun and it touched her heart. Now only the sun rays can survive her,” calmly answered the wizard.
Saliat stood thoughtfully. How can he tell that to the king?

“Well, what do your king like best?” asked Afaharis.
“Gold, of course,” easily answered Saliat.
“Then send my present to your king,” and Afaharis stretched two golden rings with beautiful glyphs. Each of them sparkled with a nice gem. “The big one with a ruby for the king, the small one with an emerald for the princess. The first is ordinary, the second is special, medicinal.”
Saliat thanked the wizard, took the present and had gone.

Next morning the stern warrior came to the forest hut again.
“Afaharis! We confided in you! But you decided to trick us, to trick the king! What have you done?! Where is the princess?! As she got your evil ring, she turned to a golden statue! Return her immediately!”

The wizard stared at Saliat's eyes and saw how his soul cried.
“Tell me, Saliat, if the king was really sad?”
“It's no matter!” shouted Saliat. “He loves only his gold!”
“Then he got what he loves and you'll find what you does, Saliat,” said the wizard and quietly headed to his hut.

Saliat just was going to stop him but suddenly he heard a voice - so well-known that he turned and met the princess' tender look. And love opened in their hearts like petals of a forest rose.

Peoples say that Saliat with his beloved settled nearby the light forest where the kind wizard Afaharis lived.

Other fairy tales:

A Riddle of the Orchard

A Silver Pipe

The Tiger Lily

Children of the Ocean

Fairy Time

An Emerald Star's Secret

Birth of the Flower

Sea Treasure