"Rawn, Melanie - Dragon Star 2 - Dragon Token" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragon Stories)

"Speaking of which, I wish it would. I'm freezing."

"Somehow, I don't think there's much chance of hurrying it," the other man said dryly.

They listened to a succession of drinking ballads audible even at this distance, the sound sliding around the bulk of the Pillar. Tricks of the wind sometimes carried the songs far away, and sometimes brought them close enough to mask the quiet nearby noises of horses, clinking bridles, and the rare whispers of soldiers.

Riyan spoke again, with more breath than voice. "I hope we posted the sentries out far enough. If the Merida get too close, they mightЧ"

"You said it yourselfЧthey'll see what they'll expect to. If it's one thing you can count on, it's Merida stupidity."

"If they're so stupid, how'd they get to be a guild of assassins?"

Tallain shrugged. "They worked alone. If they did well in packs, they'd have held the Desert. This is where Prince Zagroy smashed them, you know."

"Question is, do the Merida know it? And if they do, why do they let us lead them here?"

"A chance to make the battle come out right this time."

"They're in for a disappointment." Riyan flexed stiff fingers inside his riding gauntlets. "Why don't you try to get some sleep? I'll take the watch, and you can spell me later."

"Who could sleep with all that racket? Maybe once they shut up." Tallain chuckled softly. "I'd prefer not to yawn in the face of the enemy. So damaging to one's dignity."

Suddenly both men sat up straight as the changing wind brought them another sound: the hoofbeats of several horses at a walk. No one who had not spent a lifetime in the Desert would have taken the noise for anything more than the random shifting of pebbles in the nearby gulch.

"Three?" Riyan whispered.

"I think so."

Clouds draped most of the stars in thin gray-black silk, but there was enough light to discern three riders on dun-colored horses approaching from the south. Two were dark-headed, but the fair hair of the other drew even the feeble starshine and made of it a silver-gilt beacon.

"Gentle Goddess," Tallain breathed. "It's Pol."

Wincing as a wind-dislodged rock clattered from high up the Pillar, and not daring to descend the short slope and cause more noise, Riyan lifted one hand in greeting. Pol slid from his saddle and handed his reins to one of the other men, who rode quietly to where the other horses were picketed.

Whispers passed amid the soldiers, quick as a wayward breeze and just as soon gone. Pol carefully ascended to

where Riyan and Tallain stood, distant singing covering the sound of his footfalls.

"Your grace," Tallain murmured, bending his head.

Remembering with a jolt that he was looking at the High Prince, Riyan said and did the same. In the dimness, he had the impression that Pol barely held himself from a flinch.

"My lords," he replied, low-voiced. "To answer the obviousЧthis morning, from Feruche at a full gallop, with Lord Kazander of the Isulk'im and his kinsman. At nightfall I saw what you're planning. We avoided their patrols, but even if they saw us, they'll think us your outriders."

Tallain was frowning. "There are no moons tonight. How could you haveЧ"

"There are stars."

Riyan felt his stomach turn over. Tallain could never understand what it meant when a Sunrunner spun the light of the stars. But then, Tallain didn't know that Pol was also a sorcerer.