"Daley,.Brian.-.Coramonde.1.-.Doomfarers.Of.Coramonde" - читать интересную книгу автора (Daley Brian)

exaggeration; he looked forward to going forth a free agent. But he
was fond of her, had been happy with her. She had even consoled
him against his pending combat with the vague reassurance that
something would happen to prevent it.

Well, now something would.

Duskwind shut her eyes tightly in exasperation, then stared
imploringly skyward. Perplexed, he nevertheless decided that he
had spent enough time with her. He

16

THE DOOMFARERS OF CORAMONDE

went to another chest, dug under some robes of state and drew
forth the things he had assembled for flight. He unlaced his
buskins and threw them to one side, took off his tunic and removed
his copper bracelets and bandeau. These he kicked into a corner,
done with them for all time. Turning then to his preparations, he
was arrested by a glimpse of himself in the cheval glass which
stood against the wall. He moved closer and regarded himself, an
open-faced young man hi his nineteenth year.

Smiling experimentally at the mirror Springbuck was rewarded with
a totally unremarkable smile. He was positive that he would attract
no attention or recognition as the Prince. He felt stirrings of
confidence that his escape would be successful.

He abruptly remembered the door and whirled on it in
apprehension. It was closed but unlatched. Thankful that
Duskwind's one outcry had elicited no inquiries, he darted to the
door and shot the bolt to, congratulating himself on his luck and, at
the same time, feeling a growing knot in his stomach, fear reaction
from the events in the throne room and an ache to be away.

He" knew brief regret that Faurbuhl was not to be found. He had
considered taking the old philosopher with him, though he had
revealed nothing of his plans to his teacher. Indeed, the idea had
come full-blown a week before, hi the strange period between
waking and sleeping when the mind was most flexible and
receptive. A whisper of a suggestion was enough, and he knew
that he must escape, and in that same moment was glavanized to
search out the magician Andre de-Courteney and the madman Van
Duyn.

Forcing himself to matters at hand, and putting Faurbuhl out of his
thoughts, he looked to his equipment. He had decided upon and
surreptitiously collected the costume of a bravo of Alebowrene,
subdominion of Coramonde. Though he knew there would be