Incredible Adventures Along the Seven Wonders (Part two)

Madina Del Terra Solicino

Incredible

adventures along

THE SEVEN WONDERS

Chapter eight

Pegasus the Winged Horse

The voyage along the Mediterranean Sea came to an end earlier than our travellers expected to. Everyone was delighted to see the shore.

For a long time they wandered through the clamorous hustle, wondering what city was this noisy port. Then, remembering of their magic map that could answer any questions, the girls opened it. It shone so brightly as if the sun itself was hidden in the map. The girls had to cover their eyes with hands. What’s more, they caught an awful headache. The girls stopped, clutching their heads. The headache was gone after some time. But something changed, something was different. Indistinct chatters of the Greeks became meaningful words – the words were heard and understood by the three girls.

Girls, it seems like... had scarcely Amira begun, when she realized her using words and phrases in a completely unusual way.

Yes, we started to speak and understand in Greek, confirmed Sanam her friends’ supposing. They looked at the map again. The inscription in it was in Ancient Greek, the language, which was completely understandable for them:

"A wonderful journey along the four pearl-cities of Greece – Ephesus, Rhodes, Olympus and Halicarnassus is awaiting you. This time, your errand is the most special one. You have to visit all the four cities to find out what errand it is. But with simple cabriolets you’ll never succeed. It is required you to find the winged horses – Pegasus.

At first sight, they are not different from ordinary horses, because they have their wings hidden. But when you mount on it and whisper in its ear: Fly, Pegasus, it’ll draw its wings and fly up. And when its hooves touch the land, it’ll hide its wings and have the disguise of a simple horse again".

Without thinking twice, the travellers started searching. Proud champions of races, top beauties of the city and many other snow-white steeds were examined in vain. Some racers stood against, neighed, pranced. Nonetheless, any of them did not draw their wings.

It grew dark. The exhausted girls were about to enter the coaching inn when they noticed a fellow, leading a pair of grey horses. In fact, it was difficult to call them horses, judging by shabby appearance of the animals: it wasn’t clear if they were grey indeed or it was street dust; poor horses reduced to such extent that their bones could be counted; the eyes were sunk into eye-sockets. They were walking very slowly, with stooped heads, barely dragging their thin feet. The boy did not either look better; with his shabby clothes on he was meagre, too. But his blazing eyes and shining smile revealed his endless love for life.

I heard that you were looking for horses, said the boy leading his horses towards the girls.

Yes, but not like those, replied Amira sharply.

Then what horses do you want? Not golden ones with silver shoes, I hope, the fellow, once more glancing at his horses, went on with praising them, You don’t judge them by their poor outfit. If your look after them properly – feed, water and clean, they’ll grow to real swift-footed racers: their hooves will blaze like a lightning and they’ll fly like a...

Stop, listen to me! interrupted Amira, who got very angry,I guess you didn’t understand us. We need white horses, snow-white horses, just as Pegasus!

And who said that these aren’t Pegasus? Aren’t they the true Pegasus? the lad kept on repeating.

Oh yes, of course, I’ve recognized at first sight these true Pegasus. And no doubt that you’re Hercules yourself, aren’t you? needled Amira.

Well then, the fellow muttered gloomily, Could have said wouldn’t buy my horses. No need to humiliate, the lad turned away and drove his horses off.

Hey, hold on! Hasine cried after, Take this money, you’ll buy some food for your horses.

Save your charity for yourself replied the lad, who didn’t even glance back at her.

Hey, you didn’t get it. Rather than tormenting them in hungriness, sell them to us, we’ll look after them properly, said Sanam.

The fellow stopped immediately.

You should’ve said so! he led his horses back. Here you are! Will you buy both?

Yes, how much do they cost? asked Sanam.

Two thousand coins per, I think, would be enough.

What?! Are you mad?! protested the girls in unison, For such dead horses no one pays even twenty coins and you... What else, we don’t have so much.

No offence meant, ladies, but I don’t have the right to sell real Pegasus cheaper than I priced.

Gosh, again this bluff!! blurted Hasine, Yes, I can see, you have an awesome imagination. But these are not Pegasus! What else, we’re in a hurry and indeed, we need real Pegasus! We should find them as quickly as possible and get to Ephesus!

Hum, real Pegasus, eh... the lad got serious, But I advise you not to tell this to horse-traders, otherwise they may think you’re crazy, he said coolly.

No need to be taught, we know this, replied Amira. We didn’t mean to tell it to anyone.

But you’ll never find your Pegasus, then, the lad gave a searching look.

So, what do you advise to do then? asked Sanam.

Well, you know, I heard your whispering Fly, Pegasus ...

Have you been tracing us? Amira’s brows were knitted angrily.

Not at all. Just by accident. I just want to understand... It was like as if you had the answer to the question, that has been embarrassing me for ages... You know, I didn’t believe that these were Pegasus till the incident, but then... In fact... the lad stammered.

So?

Well, tell me first, do ever incredible, miraculous things happen with you?

Kinda, replied Hasine.

So it’s with me! That’s why I thought you could understand me. I just want to check it. But I’m not sure of it... Well then, there are the horses, look after them well till morning. Feed them and don’t leave hungry. I’ll come round, saying so, the lad handed the bridle to the girls and disappeared.

Hah! Did you ever? said the girls, taken aback.

What did he think about? said Amira. Haggled, haggled and now, not taking a penny, was gone? What does it mean? Did he leave his horses for a while or once and for all?

The girls went to sleep after they made the servants of the inn bring fresh hay and grass for the horses.

The other day the boy came and rebuked the girls, saying: You didn’t look after the horses. Is that good to leave them hungry all night long?

When the girls went down to the stable, they saw that the hay, lying before the horses was untouched. The stomachs of the animals seemed more sunken. That was strange. Why being so hungry, they did not even taste a bit?

It turned out that the horses ate only seaweed.

So you knew that, why didn’t you tell us earlier? now the girls picked on Perseus, the lad was called so. They went to the seaside, where the horses were usually pastured.

In some sense, it’s not so surprising that your horses prefer water-plants said Sanam. Seaweeds such as sea lettuce, nemalion are very rich with nutritious moieties. The cattle are often fed with such seaweed. In Japan, for instance, food is made from laminaria – a tasty soup for Japanese men.

There’s a little fat in seaweeds and plenty of vitamins, noted Hasine.

They build up organism. Maybe, fed with seaweeds, these horses will grow strong, too.

Unbelievable! exclaimed Perseus, who was staring up at his horses in astonishment.

What’s up? asked Amira.

For the first time my horses are running. Before, hardly they walked dragging their feet on...

Oh yes, first walking, then running, perhaps, soon there will be turn for flying, too...

Perseus realized a pinch of irony in Amira’s tone.

If you don’t believe in Pegasus’ existence, then why are you searching for it? asked he.

We do believe in its existence, replied the girls.

Then believe me, too. I can help you. But, first, I must check something.

Check what?

She said when my Pegasus start flying, she would find me and explain everything.

Who’s she?

I don’t know, sighed Perseus, But only she can explain everything, only she has the answer for the question, that teasing me.

Eh, if you knew, your speaking is the whole mystery itself! said Sanam.

For ninety-nine percents the girls were sure that these horses could not have wings. And yet, the last percent convinced them to check, only to prove their rightness.

Hasine mounted the horse, intending to whisper Fly, Pegasus. But the poor creature was hardly standing on feet, so it fell.

Wow, Amira grinned meaningfully.

Girls, look, because of the effect from your side Pegasus are growing strong within hours! Perseus tried to convince. It could, indeed, be clearly seen that the horses had become much stronger than yesterday and were getting swifter. And their colour too, was changing from grey to white.

We see, but why do you think that’s us who is doing this? We are not wizards, nor we can influence on the horses, said Hasine.

I think I can explain it, said Sanam unexpectedly, "Since these horses are Pegasus, they weren’t intended to live among ordinary men. Maybe, that’s