"Bradley,.Marion.Zimmer.&.Waters,.Elisabeth.-.Darkover.Series.-.Firetrap.(v2.0)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bradley Marion Zimmer)

Firetrap
Marion Zimmer Bradley & Elisabeth Waters





Marion Zimmer Bradley Literary Works Trust
mzbworks.home.att.net

Copyright й1990 by Marion Zimmer Bradley and Elisabeth Waters

First published in Domains of Darkover, 1990



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"...And while the season is slack, and there is so little to do,Ф commented Leonie, Уit will be good practice for all of you to look everywhere you can think of for abandoned matrixes. Some of them have been forgotten from the Ages of Chaos. I have also heard rumor that Kermiac of Aldaran is trying to train matrix workers in his own way. That sort of thing should not be allowed, but the Council says that, if I intervene, I will be recognizing that Domain; and so for the time being I can do nothing. In time to comeЧwell, enough of speechmaking,Ф she concluded. УIt should be enough to know that in this you serve our people."

She went away, and the little group of younger workers in training gathered to look after her, each one secretly hoping that he or she would be the one to reclaim one of the lost matrixes from the Ages of Chaos; perhaps one of the old, forbidden matrix weapons from that Age.

"There is rumored to be an ancient one in our family since the early days,Ф said Ronal Delleray. УI did not realize how important it could be. I do not think it is a dangerous one; I could lay my hands upon it at any moment."

"Then you should do so. Leonie will be pleased,Ф said young Hilary, the Under-Keeper. Hilary Castamir was about fifteen; slender to the point of emaciation, her dark-copper curls lusterless, her spare-boned face bearing the insignia of long-standing poor health. She would have been pretty if she had not been so sickly-looking; even so she had grace and fine features, the mark of the Comyn strong in them. УAnd if Leonie is pleased enoughЧ"

She broke off, but Ronal knew what she did not say, though like all Keepers Hilary had learned early to barricade her thoughts even from her fellow workers in the Tower.If Leonie is pleased enough with me she will not speak again of sending me away . They all knew that Hilary was a telepath of surpassing skill, but that her health was not robust enough for the demanding work of the Tower, especially that of a Keeper.

The new young apprentice, Callista Lanart-Alton, looked even more frail, but she managed somehow to avoid the devastating attacks of pain and even convulsions which again and again confined Hilary to bed, or kept her out of the relay screens for ten days or so of every moon. And as Callista grew older, nearer to the time when she could take on in full all of a Keeper's responsibilities, the day grew nearer when Hilary, for her very life, must be released and sent away.

Ronal was fond of Hilary, with a little more than the bond which bound Tower worker to Tower worker. Though he was not at all the kind of man who would ever have pressed his attentions upon this sick girl, who was also a Keeper, the discipline of concealing this fondness from her, even in thought, would be, he sometimes thought, the destruction of him. But he told himself grimly that it was good disciplineЧfor if Leonie had caught so much as a hint of it he would at once have been sent awayЧLeonie loved Hilary, and no worker would have been allowed to trouble her peace for a moment. So he quietly hung on.

"Are you willing to search for your family's matrix?Ф Hilary pressed on. УWhatever we may discover, or not, Leonie is right; it would be good practice."

Ronal demurred. УI do not think my father will want to give it up.Ф But he already knew that he would do whatever Hilary wanted.

"I am sure Leonie will be able to persuade him,Ф Hilary said. УWhen shall we start?"

"Tonight, then?Ф they agreed, and separated, arranging when to meet again.

* * * *

Later that night, Hilary and Ronal met in the deserted tower roomЧthey had decided they need not disturb the others, although they were accompanied by Callista, who had agreed to monitor for them. She was about thirteen, no more, a tall slender child without as yet the slightest sign of oncoming womanhood.

"Shall I search for it?Ф asked Ronal. УI know exactly where it has been kept all these years."

"If you wish,Ф Hilary agreed, Уand Callista shall monitor for you then."