"Dave Duncan - A Handful Of Men 2 - Upland Outlaws" - читать интересную книгу автора (Duncan Dave)

Furthermore, his companions must be close to twice as old again, and they had both had a trying day also. Count Ionfeu was hiding his worry and
weariness under a gracious concern for his royal guest's comfort, although his twisted back was tormenting him sorely in the jiggling carriage.


Even in darkness, Rap knew of the old aristocrat's pain. To ease that affliction, or even cure it, would be a fitting gratitude for hospitality so eagerly
extended to an unexpected visitor. Still, he dared not use power that would reveal his presence to the inexplicable evil overhanging the world.


Countess Eigaze's efforts to appear cheerful would have fooled anyone but a sorcerer. She was a credit to the long-ago training she had received
from Inos' Aunt Kade. To describe Eigaze as plump would be more charitable than realistic, but her bulk contained a large heart; she was motherly
and vivacious, loving and widely loved. Having packed the remains of a snack back in the hamper, she had produced a large box of chocolate
candies and was munching them with genuine enjoyment.


Conversation had dwindled as the carriage lumbered past one of the nerve-hammering temples. There was much to discuss, and yet little of it
seemed worthy of discussion when the fate of the Impire was so shadowed. Rap had listened politely to news of his hosts' vast family, including not
only .children and grandchildren but also cousins to the farthest degree, as was the imps' wont. He had responded with tidings of Krasnegar,
reporting that Inos was in excellent health, or had been six weeks before. He had answered innumerable questions about Kadie, Gath, Evi, and Holi.


Tomorrow was the twins' fourteenth birthday, and he would not be there.


"Not long now," he said, as the immediate clamor of bells began to fade mercifully into the background. "The one with the golden spires was the
Temple of Prosperity, was it not?"



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 Upland Outlaws


He knew it was, and the count confirmed it. Rap rose and directed the driver around a comer. He wished he could use a little calming magic on the
poor man, who was almost out of his mind with the strain of driving through the dark and snownot to mention the entirely normal terror of having a
sorcerer on board. Under the circumstances, he was doing a magnificent job of controlling the horses, but then he was a faun, like Rap himself.
Fauns and livestock went together like rolls and butter.


The journey was taking too long. The imperor did not know Rap was coming. If he left Sagorn's house before Rap arrived, then all kinds of disaster
became possible. Patience!


"Tell me once more, my lord," Rap said, "what you saw in the Rotunda, if you can bear to. Perhaps another telling may spring some detail that has
been missed so far. " He had heard the story secondhand once and firsthand once. It still made no sense.


Despite his weariness, the old count nodded graciously. "Gladly. Just as if you were hearing it for the first time?"