"Briggs, Patricia - Sianim 2 - Steal the Dragon.text" - читать интересную книгу автора (Briggs Patricia)

Laeth's voice, like the early morning light streaming through the windows, took her
by surprise. She must have been sitting there for longer than she realized.

Laeth managed to sit up, but he closed his eyes again as he rubbed his face to
bring himself awake. He was not at his best in the morning.

Rialla felt her lips quirk in an involuntary smile at the familiar sight. Answering his
question rid her of the smile soon enough. "I did sleep in the quarters, at least part
of the night."

He cast her a sharp look that belied his sluggishness and asked, "What
happened?"

"There was a new slave in the compound last night: an Easterner. This morning
she killed herself with an eating knife. I thought that it would be better if I weren't
there when her body is discoveredЧno sense in attracting attention." Rialla fingered
the now-familiar needlepoint pattern on the back of the sofa.

She could feel Laeth's steady gaze, as he waited patiently for her to continue. She
kept her gaze on her hands and added briefly, "Especially as her owner is the man
who owned me before I ran."

Laeth drew in a breath of surprise. "The slave trainer? You're certain?"

Rialla nodded, without looking up. "I didn't see him, but I heard his voice. It's
not something I am likely to mistake, but I checked her tattoo. She too bore his
mark."

"Well, then," said Laeth with satisfaction, "I suppose I need to think of several
obnoxious ways of refusing to return his slave."

Rialla looked at him then, and shot him a grin. "I wasn't worried that you were
going to turn me over to him."


"No?" he said, his tone serious. "Then what are you worrying about?"

Rialla shrugged. "I'm not." At his snort she smiled faintly. "I suppose I am. I
wasn't prepared to meet him againЕ and the girl's death was particularly unpleasant.
An eating knife is not the way that I would choose." Rialla looked down again and
swallowed. At least the Easterner had found the courage to make the choice.

Rialla remembered staring at a sharp little dagger that someone had left carelessly
sitting on an eating bench. It wouldn't have made much of a weapon, but she
remembered considering using it to take her own lifeЧshe'd been too much of a
coward. The only other time she'd come close to suicide was just after she'd
escaped, when she discovered she feared freedom more than slavery.

"Rialla." Laeth's tone was gentle, and she knew that it wasn't the first time that
he'd called her name. "What was your owner's name?"