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

4 Blue Adept

"Fortunately I have Hulk and Neysa and thee to look after
me. Soon will I eliminate the major threat to my tenure as
Adept, and will stand no longer in need of such supervi-
sion."

What irony there was rolled off her without visible ef-
fect. The fairness and softness of her appearance con-
cealed the implacable skill with which she fought to pre-
serve the works of her late husband. There was nothing
soft about her dedication to his memory. "Be that as it
mayЧthe mare feels un-free to leave thee at this time.
Hulk may depart and I am not committed to thee as Neysa
is. Therefore she prefers to postpone breeding until thou'rt
secure."

"But this is senseless!" he protested. "She must not sacri-
fice her own welfare for mine! I can offer her only hard-
ship and danger."

"Aye," the Lady agreed.

"Then thou must talk to her. Make her go to the Stal-
lion."

"Who is as masculinely logical as thee," the Lady said.
"With every bit as much comprehension of her concern.
Nay, I shall not betray her thus."

Stile grimaced. "Didst thou treat thy husband likewise?"

Now she colored. "Aye."

Stile was immediately sorry. "Lady, I apologize. Well I
know thou didst love him alone."

"Not enough, it seems, to save his life. Perhaps had he
had a unicorn to guard himЧ"

There it was, that needle-sharp acuity. "I yield the point.
There is no guardian like Neysa. What must I do to oblige
her?"

"Thou must arrange postponement of the breeding, until
she feels free to leave thee."

Stile nodded. "That should be feasible. I thank thee,
Lady, for thine insight."