At Lina’s house, they went up to her room, and the girl

crawled under the bed.

She pulled out a dusty boot box and opened the lid. Mara sat down on the floor in front

of the box and took out a bundle.

«Careful, it’s very sharp!» Li-

na warned. «Let me help you!» she began to unroll

the sheet-wrapped object.

A silver sword flashed in front of them, its edges

reflecting everything around them. Mara took it by the hilt. Her intelligent

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

is very serious!

«He pointed with his palm at the first row of benches:

53

– Have a seat, what’s your emergency?»

Lina sat down

next to him, and Mara sat down in the second row next to them.

In her story, Lina decided to omit the first part

about demons, so as not to shock an adult

and not immediately create the impression of a madwoman. She

only talked about the angel and how she had found his sword, and

now she asked for advice on what to do. How do I return this

probably very important item to its owner? She even once-

she returned the bundle and showed the sword to the priest. He listened

in silence, nodding frequently, swaying his body back and forth,

and refused to pick it up. When Lina

finished speaking, he nodded again, stroking his beard, and answered:

– I’ll tell you what, my daughter, whatever happens» – he held up a