"Phyllis Eisenstein - Elementals 02 - The Crystal Palace" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eisenstein Phyllis)

Cray stood silent a long moment, and then he turned away from the mirror, saying softly, тАЬPerhaps I
have no heartтАЩs desire.тАЭ

Sepwin laid a hand on his shoulder. тАЬI donтАЩt believe that. The mirror is for you. IтАЩm not wrong about it.тАЭ
He pulled gently at CrayтАЩs arm. тАЬLook once more.тАЭ

Cray shook his head. тАЬTwice is enough.тАЭ

тАЬPlease.тАЭ

тАЬThereтАЩs no purpose in it, Feldar.тАЭ

тАЬPlease.тАЭ

He shrugged SepwinтАЩs hand away. тАЬThis mirror is a fragile thing. We donтАЩt want it damaged on your
jour-ney home. IтАЩll find something sturdy to pack it in.тАЭ And he strode from the room.

Sepwin looked at the mirror unhappily. тАЬIтАЩm not wrong. I know what I felt when I touched him.тАЭ He
gripped the staff with white-knuckled hands. тАЬWhy wonтАЩt it show him something?тАЭ

Delivev and Gildrum came to him then, and each put an arm around him. тАЬYou are so worried about
him,тАЭ Delivev said softly. тАЬYet he is young. There is time for anything he might wish to do. Must he have a
heartтАЩs desire so soon in life?тАЭ

тАЬEveryone has a heartтАЩs desire,тАЭ Sepwin murmured.

тАЬI think not,тАЭ said Gildrum. тАЬI think that some mortals simply live from day to day, doing whatever
comes to hand and never looking to any real goal.тАЭ
Sepwin looked into the demonтАЩs eyes. тАЬThose are just the ones who donтАЩt know what they want. The
very ones who will come to look in the mirror.тАЭ He turned to Delivev. тАЬYouтАЩll seeтАФsomeday the mirror
will speak to him.тАЭ

She stroked back his lank hair. тАЬI know you only mean him well, Feldar, but donтАЩt 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, itтАЩs almost time for supper.тАЭ She glanced at the Air demon. тАЬElrelet, will you stay?тАЭ

тАЬThank you,тАЭ it said. тАЬI appreciate an invitation from such a fine cook.тАЭ

* * *

Supper was somewhat strained, for neither Cray nor Sepwin would speak much, though Delivev and the
demons were able to chat amiably enough. Afterward, they all sat in the garden over wine until Sepwin
decided it was time to pack up the mirror.

тАЬIтАЩll carry you and it home, if you like,тАЭ offered Elrelet, тАЬas a small repayment to my lady for the excellent
supper.тАЭ

тАЬThank you,тАЭ said Sepwin. тАЬFlight would be safest for the mirror. But for myself, IтАЩd really prefer a
horse.тАЭ