"Eisenstein,.Phyllis.-.Elementals.2.-.1988.-.Crystal.Palace" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eisenstein Phyllis)

Gildrum coalesced into human form and stood in CrayТs place. Immediately, he
smiled. УI see something indeed.Ф
УWhat?Ф asked Sepwin.
УThe lady Delivev, of course. Your mirror seems to work well enough for demons,
friend Feldar.Ф
УElreletЧwill you be next?Ф
The cloud compacted itself to the size of a human fist and floated to the staff
to hover beside the chalk mark. УMy eyes are not as human eyes,Ф it said, Уbut I
do see the image of my home in Air, which is surely my own heartТs desire. What
a clever thing this mirror is.Ф
Sepwin turned to Cray. УNow, will you ask your mother to come?Ф
Cray fetched her, she looked, andЧlike GildrumЧshe smiled. УCongratulations.
Your labors have been rewarded.Ф She glanced at the Fire demon, and her smile
deepened. УThough I didnТt need your mirror to tell me my heartТs desire.Ф She
held her hand out to him, and he came forward to kiss it.
УLook again, Cray,Ф said Sepwin. УIf it works for your mother, it will surely
work for you.Ф
He looked again, and again he saw nothing but the sparkle of a million silver
beads. УPerhaps my heartТs desire is too abstract to make a picture. After all,
how would the mirror show ... knowledge?Ф
Sepwin let the staff tilt against his shoulder. УI think there would be some
way, if knowledge were truly your heartТs desire. Perhaps youТd see this room,
and yourself at work.Ф
Cray stood silent a long moment, and then he turned away from the mirror, saying
softly, УPerhaps I have no heartТs desire.Ф
Sepwin laid a hand on his shoulder. УI donТt believe that. The mirror is for
you. IТm not wrong about it.Ф He pulled gently at CrayТs arm. УLook once more.Ф
Cray shook his head. УTwice is enough.Ф
УPlease.Ф
УThereТs no purpose in it, Feldar.Ф
УPlease.Ф
He shrugged SepwinТs hand away. УThis mirror is a fragile thing. We donТt want
it damaged on your jourнney home. IТll find something sturdy to pack it in.Ф And
he strode from the room.
Sepwin looked at the mirror unhappily. УIТm not wrong. I know what I felt when I
touched him.Ф He gripped the staff with white-knuckled hands. УWhy wonТt it show
him something?Ф
Delivev and Gildrum came to him then, and each put an arm around him. УYou are
so worried about him,Ф Delivev said softly. УYet he is young. There is time for
anything he might wish to do. Must he have a heartТs desire so soon in life?Ф
УEveryone has a heartТs desire,Ф Sepwin murmured.
УI think not,Ф said Gildrum. УI think that some mortals simply live from day to
day, doing whatever comes to hand and never looking to any real goal.Ф
Sepwin looked into the demonТs eyes. УThose are just the ones who donТt know
what they want. The very ones who will come to look in the mirror.Ф He turned to
Delivev. УYouТll seeЧsomeday the mirror will speak to him.Ф
She stroked back his lank hair. УI know you only mean him well, Feldar, but
donТt badger him about this. I think that ... it disturbs him that the mirror
has nothing for him. It may be best to put the matter aside for now. Come, itТs
almost time for supper.Ф She glanced at the Air demon. УElrelet, will you stay?Ф