"Dave Duncan - Shadow" - читать интересную книгу автора (Duncan Dave)

"Sir, I am summoned to the Investiture," Sald said, trying not to moan
the
words.
Pontly's globular face flushed slightly. "If I recall correctly, Ensign,
you
are not of noble birth?"
"Sir, my father is a baronet."
Sald could sense their disbelief. A commoner never received a royal
summons.
He groped in his pocket and produced the royal writ. He tried desperately not
to
fidget as Pontly read it through from start to finish.
Pontly turned very red. "You are going to be late, Ensign!"
"Sir, that was why I was running."
Pork Eyes went redder still. Running within the palace grounds was a
trivial
indiscretion compared to insulting the king. "You will disgrace the entire
Guard! Explain!"
 Sald gulped. "The courier sought me at my posting--at Jaur, my lord. I
was
on furlough at my parents' house, Hiando Keep. I did not receive the writ
until
yesterday."
At that news, colonel and commander exchanged thoughtful glances. There
was
little love misplaced between the royal couriers and the Guard. Sald could
see
the temptation fermenting in their minds. If Ensign Harl was late for the
start
of the Investiture, then he would not be admitted at all. There would be a
court-martial. The fault could be laid to the courier.
That would not save Ensign Harl, of course--nothing would--but it might
muddy the royal couriers a trifle.
"Hiando Keep is on Rakarr, is it not?" the commander said. "Eight hours'
flight from Rakarr to Ramo, more or less?"
"What time exactly yesterday did the courier arrive?" Pontly demanded, a
predatory expression on his rotund face.
"Just before two bells, my lord," Sald said. Get on with it! For a moment
he
considered an appeal to Pork Eyes's better nature: Let Sald go about his
business now and report back to him later. But he knew it would not work. The
sun would move first.
Pontly frowned. "And when did you leave Rakarr Peak?"
Sald could lie, of course, but if there was going to be a trial, then
there
would be witnesses called. "A little after three bells, my lord."
Pork Eyes's eyes widened; the charge sheet was filling up. Sald had flown
from Rakarr to Ramo faster than even the couriers did, perhaps faster than it
had ever been done, but time like that could be made only by detouring out
over