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

Clip and Stile exchanged glances. What did this mean?
"Would a female know?" Clip asked.

Stile nodded. "One would." He raised his voice only
slightly. "Lady."

In a moment the Lady Blue appeared. She was, as al-
ways, garbed in variants of blue: blue corduroy skirt, pale
blue blouse, dark blue slippers and star-blue tiara. And, as
always, her beauty struck Stile with special force. "Mas-
ter," she murmured.

Stile wished she wouldn't do that. In no way was he her
master, and she knew that well. But he was unable to take
effective issue with the conventions of this frameЧor with
the half-subtle reminders she gave him. She considered him
to be an imposter in the Blue Demesnes, a necessary evil.
She had cause.

"Lady," he said, maintaining the formality she required
of him. "Our friend Neysa is summoned to be bred by the
Herd Stallion, and have her foal at lastЧyet she seems not
pleased. Canst thou fathom this, and wilt thou enlighten us
males?"

The Lady Blue went to Neysa and embraced her. No
aloofness in this acquaintance! "Friend of mine oath, grant
me leave to explain to my lord," the Lady said to Neysa,
and the unicorn-girl nodded.

The Lady faced Stile. "It be a private matter," she said,
and walked sedately from the court.

She hadn't even asked; she had known intuitively! "I'll
be back," Stile said, and quickly followed.

When they were alone, they dropped the pretenses.
"What's the mystery?" Stile snapped. "She's my best friend
Чa better friend than thou. Why won't she tell me?"

"Thy magic is strong," the Lady replied. "Thy compre-
hension weak. Left to thine own devices, thou wilt surely
come to grief."

"Agreed," Stile said easily, though he was not pleased.