"Anthony, Piers - Adept - 02 - Blue Adept" - читать интересную книгу автора (Anthony Piers)

instrument. He had discovered that one unicorn seldom
objected to praise or defense of another. It would be be-
neath the Herd Stallion's dignity to stud an inferior mare.
"Her presence at my side pleases me now," Stile continued.
"Who in thy herd can travel the flying league faster than
she?"

The Stallion raised his human eyebrow in an elegant
gold arch. "Who besides me, thou meanest?"

Now Stile had to back off diplomatically. "Of course. I
meant among maresЧ"

"I concede that for her sizeЧ"

"Is aught amiss with her size?" This was another power-
ploy, for Neysa was no smaller among unicorns than Stile
was among men.

"It is a serviceable size. I am certain she will bear a fine
foal."

They were sparring, getting nowhere. The Stallion still
intended to breed Neysa.

"I think thou didst not entirely withstand the oath of
friendship," Stile remarked. "The mare is more attractive
to thee than she was before."

The Stallion shrugged. It had been Stile's potent spell
that caused the other unicorns and the werewolves to swear
friendship with Neysa, and the Stallion did not like to
admit to being similarly affected. Yet he was proof against
such gibes. "Perhaps. But here thy power may yield to
mine, even as mine paled before thine in thy Demesnes."

Stile had set the unicorn back, during that prior en-
counter. Now the Stallion was having his satisfaction. One
offended a creature of power at one's own risk, even if one
had the power of an Adept. "I need Neysa, this season.
How may I obtain postponement of the breeding?"

"This is a matter of honor and pride. Thou must contest
with me in mine own manner, weapon to weapon. An thou
dost best me in fair combat, thou winnest thy plea. An
thou dost failЧ"

Stile had a notion how savage such an encounter could
be. "If?" he prompted.