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

use. Sepwin was not Delivev, who needed the purity of spidersilk in her webs.
Ultiнmately, there was nothing of spider sorcery to this mirror; there was just
shape and sparkle and the play of light in the viewerТs eye.
УFeldar,Ф Cray said, Уwhat if we replace the water on the web with some silvery
metal? Finely dispersed metal droplets polished to the brightness of sunlit
waнter. It seems to me that would do as well.Ф
УMetal?Ф
УI can promise you it would never tarnish, and it would be so much more
permanent.Ф He looked up at the high ceiling as he pondered the project. УYes, I
think we might be able to make you a fine mirror of metal.Ф
SepwinТs voice was doubtful. УI donТt know if it will work as metal.Ф
Cray propped himself up on an elbow. УIf it doesnТt, weТll try again with
spidersilk and water. But I think it will work. Now, youТll have to come to me,
Feldar; I canТt work metal properly in your cave. IТll ask Gildrum to fetch
you.Ф He sat up. УIТll have everything ready by the time you arrive.Ф
УWhatЧtoday?Ф
УWhy not? The sooner started, the sooner finished.Ф
УBut you must have your own work to doЧФ
УNothing that canТt wait.Ф
Sepwin hesitated just a moment. УYouТre sure you couldnТt do it here?Ф
УYou already know the answer to that, Feldar.Ф
Sepwin sighed. УAll right, IТll be waiting for Gildrum.Ф
* * *
By the time Gildrum returned, a light lunch had been laid in the garden, and
Cray was waiting beside it. The demon settled near him as a ball of flame, and
from that incandescence Sepwin emerged, clutching his wooden contrivance; only
then did Gildrum coнalesce into his human shape.
Sepwin staggered as he took a step toward Cray. УI think I shall never become
accustomed to flying,Ф he said, reaching out with his free hand to clasp CrayТs
arm, half in greeting and half to steady himself. УGive me a horse anytime.Ф
Cray pulled a chair out for him. УYou know itТs too long a trip on horseback,
Feldar. Even with a magical horse.Ф
Gently, Sepwin set the wooden form on the table. Then he closed his eyes. УI
know you enjoy flying, Cray, but my stomach does not. I think I would like to
lie down for a little while.Ф
УIТll carry you upstairs,Ф said Gildrum.
УNo thank you, good Gildrum, no thank you. Cray, if youТll just give me your
arm, I think I can stumble inside ... Ф
УNo need,Ф said Cray. УI can string you a hammock in a moment.Ф
УNo, no hammock, please. Perhaps IТll just stretch out under that tree ... Ф He
gestured toward the gold-nourished one. Cray helped him, and by the time they
reached its shade, several cushions had tumbled from a tower window and hurried
to make a bed there. Sepwin sank down upon them with a sigh. УOh, steady earth,Ф
he murmured. УYou know I was not meant to fly.Ф
Cray knelt beside his friend. УYouТll be all right.Ф
Sepwin moaned. УNext time I will take a horse, and never mind the extra time.
IТm not in such a rush.Ф He closed his eyes. УIs your sorcery so dull these days
that any change draws you like an ant to honey?Ф
Cray rocked back on his heels. УWell, IТll admit that freeing demons is not the
fascinating occupation it once was. And though I do have other projects to keep