Read Online Valerie and Her Week of Wonders by Vitezslav Nezval - Free Book Online

more the cocks were crowing.
    “The stars are fading,” Valerie realized, as she found herself beyond that spectacle which for so many reasons had detained her.
    “All I can do is roam the gardens,” she sighed. The gardens were cold. Here and there an apple fell, or a star. Leaves dripped dew from their nocturnal folds onto her bare shoulders.
    “How magnificent it is!”
    And again it was so quiet she could hear the running of the stream.
    “It would be wonderful to bathe in the moonlight,” she thought.
    The stream ran through the gardens. Valerie tripped towards it as to a fairy tale. All that she had seen seemed beyond belief.
    “If there were only a way to break the power of the spells that hold me in their thrall.”
    The closer she came to the stream, the safer she felt.
    But at the stream a new terror lay in wait. At first she thought it was a siren weeping. Then she heard Orlík’s voice, cursing the horrors of living.
    “I’d almost completely forgotten about him. And yet he was my protector, even when we were far apart.”
    She saw the poor wretch tied and bound in the riverbed. Water was running over his face. He was desperately raising his head to get an occasional gulp of air, but his weakened state kept forcing his face back under the water.
    “I’ve arrived in the nick of time,” Valerie thought. “If I don’t save him, he won’t survive this terrible ordeal for long.”
    The girl saw that she was naked, though her concern for her putative brother was stronger than her modesty.
    She approached the stream, dipped her bare feet in its clear, cold water and bent over the boy.
    “I’ve come to liberate you,” she said tenderly, trying to free him from his bonds.
    “I’ve been so worried about you,” the boy sighed.
    “Dearest Orlík, the ropes are so knotted up I don’t know if I have the strength to untie them.”
    “Pick up two sharp stones and use them as knives.”
    “You’re right, it’s easier now.”
    “How grateful I am to Fate for sending a nymph to save me,” said Orlík.
    “Close your eyes, dear,” said Valerie.
    She struggled a little longer before managing to cut through the ropes.
    “Sincere thanks,” the boy said.
    “I should be the one thanking you. Were it not for your phial, I don’t know whether we would have ever met again.”
    “I was afraid you would forget it.”
    Blushing, Valerie said:
    “I wish I had its magic at hand right now. I would like to become invisible so I could talk with you.”
    “I’m not really looking.”
    “Do you have a handkerchief?”
    “Yes, but it’s soaked.”
    “If you wouldn’t mind suffering a bit longer for me, I would certainly appreciate it.”
    “I don’t avoid suffering.”
    “Lend me your handkerchief then.”
    “Here it is.”
    “And now stand in front of me.”
    “Your wish is my command.”
    “I hope it’s not too cold,” said Valerie, binding Orlík’s eyes.
    “Are you more at ease now?”
    “Yes.”
    “I’m like a blind man.”
    “Well then, give me your hand. I’ll lead you.”
    Valerie was happy. Her heart was pounding loudly. She cast a worried look at the fading sky.
    “Where are you taking me?”
    “Our house has a little used guest room. No one goes in there when we don’t have guests. You’ve experienced enough hardship out here in the open.”
    She wanted to tell Orlík that she thought him her brother, but no opportunity presented itself and she lacked the courage. She asked him:
    “Am I permitted to know what went on in the tower between you and your ... uncle? ”
    Orlík gave a shudder.
    “Don’t even remind me of the monster.”
    “I heard the alarm sound and was beside myself with worry over you.”
    “We fought furiously. When he saw I’d gotten the better of him, he wanted to toss me from the tower. As I fell, I managed to grab the clapper of the bell and that alone saved me. But I still failed to escape the water torture.”
    “I cannot accept the idea that he