"Bertin,.Joanne.-.The.Last.Dragonlord.(1998).ShareConnector.com" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bertin Joanne)

Linden gritted his teeth. Resolving not to lose his temper, he ignored Tarlna and went to the window of the small meeting room.
Outside, Varn and the other servants were moving the departing Dragonlords' packs to the distant cliff. He stared at their small figures retreating along the track. And counted to ten once more, trying not to wish they'd drop Tarlna's packs into the green valley below.
Then he said, "For the last time, Tarlna, I am not wearing the ceremonial regalia now. Once we reach Cassori, yesЧbut not today.''
Her voice tight with exasperation, she said, "One would think you're ashamedЧ"
Linden rounded on her. "I'm not ashamed of them. Far from it. But blast it all, they are uncomfortable!" He folded his arms across his chest and glared at her.
Tarlna returned the glare. She stood with her arms akimbo, blue eyes flashing, blond curls tossed back. Her lips parted as a gleam filled her eyes.
Linden knew Tarlna had thought of an especially scathing retortЧ even for her. He gambled everything on a final toss of the dice. With his most innocent look, he said, "What if it's raining there? That'll ruin the silk."
The blue eyes narrowed.
Linden wondered if he should start running now. If Tarlna guessed he was jesting, and at her expense . ..
Kief's voice came from the doorway. "He's right, love. Let's get there first. We'll be formal later." He sauntered into the room, grinning. "Won't we, Linden?"
Linden grumbled but agreed. While small, slender Kief looked younger than he, Linden, did, in reality Kief was much older. And as eldest, Kief would head the delegation to Cassori.
Tarlna turned her glare on her soultwin. Kief smiled and shrugged. She advanced on him.
Linden worked his way to the door. Just as Tarlna, her voice ominously soft, said, "Why do you encourage himЧ" he slipped out of the room. He hurried to put as much distance as possible between himself and the inevitable explosion. Once outside, he heaved a sigh of relief.
Then he remembered he still hadn't told Shan he was leaving. He looked back at the Keep with longing. He'd rather face Tarlna than his stallion.
The stone stables were cool and dim, sweet with the smell of freshly cut hay. Linden paused a moment to breathe deeply. He closed his eyes; that scent brought back so many memories of Bram and Rani. He smiled a little, then opened his eyes and continued on. He stopped by Shan's stall. It was empty.
"Shan!" he called.
A big black head appeared in the doorway to the paddock outside. The stallion whinnied a greeting as he entered. His ears were cocked forward and there was a bright, inquiring look in his dark eyes. He dropped his head over the stall door to be scratched.
Linden obliged. Oh, gods, he thought. He thinks we're going for a ride. He cleared his throat.
"Ah, Shan? There's a problem in Cassori. . ."
Shan tilted his head. The ears flicked back and forth. He rumbled deep in his chest and nodded.
"There's a question there about the regency, and I'm one of the judges."
Shan whickered. He clearly relished the idea of a long journey.
Linden inched backwards. "I have to fly to CasnaЧand that meansЧ"
He threw himself back as the big head snaked out. The stallion's teeth snapped together, just missing his shoulder.
"I'm sorry, but it's the Lady's orders. You know I'd rather ride youЧ"
Shan turned and raised his tail, flicking it insultingly.
"Don't you daЧ!" Linden looked down at the fresh pile of manure as Shan stamped out the paddock door.
"What did you expect?" a voice said. "If you Dragonlords must insist on riding Llysanyins ..."
Linden turned and found Chailen, the head groom, watching him. The kir's expression was sour.
"You know he'll be impossible until you come back," Chailen said. "The stable boys consider it a punishment to clean his stall whenever you leave him behind." The kir sighed. "Ah, hell; dodging Shan'll keep'em lively.
"I came to tell you Varn was looking for you. Everything's ready."

As Linden strode down the well-worn path, he saw a familiar figure waiting for him at the head of the stone stairs leading to the landing cliff.
"Come to see us off?"
"Come to see how much Shan left of you," Lleld said, looking him over. "You've gotten good at dodging him, haven't you?"
Linden winced, remembering times he hadn't been so quick. Then he said, "I've news for^ow this time. Remember Otter? I'll be bringing him back with me."
Lleld clapped her hands in delight. "Oh, good! He always has the best tales about evil mages."
"And this isn't one of them," Linden said.
"How boring," Lleld retorted. "It makes a much better story my way."
Before Linden could say anything, a voice from the landing cliff hailed him. "I must go," he said and continued down the broad stone stairs.
She called after him, "Tell you what, little oneЧI'll wager my dagger with the crystal hilt against your cloak brooch that it isЧ"
"No!" he yelled back. "With my luck you'd be right!"
Lleld crowed with laughter.
Linden shook his head as he continued on. Lleld and her ideas! He reached the landing place in time to see Kief move to the very edge of the cliff.
The updraft from the valley blew the fine brown hair back from the smaller Dragonlord's face. Kief bent, adjusting the carrying straps holding his baggage, then said something Linden couldn't hear to the kir servant beside him. The servant ran back.
Kief raised his six-fingered hands and closed his eyes. A rapt expression came over his lean face. The air shimmered around him. A red mist formed; the outline of his body quivered, melted. The mist spread, darkened, became a ghostly dragon.
A heartbeat later a brown dragon crouched on the cliff's edge. One six-clawed forefoot stretched out, closed talons around the stout leather straps of the packs. Kief dragged the bundle closer, arranged it between his forelegs, and launched himself from the cliff. Spreading his wings to catch the wind, he spiraled upwards.
Servants ran up with Tarlna's belongings. When they were gone, she limped to take Kief's place. She paused to watch her soultwin high above.
Linden looked up as well. The brown dragon hung in the sky now, his wings motionless, gliding in lazy circles as he waited for the others.