"Jennifer Fallon - Second Sons 03 - Lord of the Shadows" - читать интересную книгу автора (Fallon Jennifer)

paper, he began to compose a note to Madalan Tirov, BelagrenтАЩs former right hand and closest
confidante, informing her the High Priestess was dead and she was required urgently at the palace.



With the letter to Madalan on its way to the Hall of Shadows, Dirk went looking for the Lion of
Senet. He found Antonov on the terrace outside his study, standing near the marble balustrade, staring
up at the second sun.
тАЬYour highness?тАЭ
The Lion of Senet did not answer immediately. Dirk wondered if Antonov had heard him.
тАЬSire?тАЭ
Slowly, he turned to look at Dirk. His expression was thoughtful rather than grieving. Perhaps
Marqel had managed to convince him her visions were true before he learned about the High Priestess.
Or he was still in shock. Whatever Antonov was feeling, Dirk knew he would have to tread very, very
carefully.
тАЬYouтАЩve heard the news then?тАЭ Antonov said tonelessly.
тАЬIтАЩve just come from the High PriestessтАЩs room, your highness. Yuri is with her. He seems to think
she died of a stroke.тАЭ
тАЬA sign from the Goddess.тАЭ
тАЬSire?тАЭ
тАЬYouтАЩll do well out of this,тАЭ he replied, not answering DirkтАЩs question. тАЬYouтАЩre the High Priest of the
Shadowdancers now, arenтАЩt you?тАЭ
Dirk shook his head. тАЬNo, your highness, nor do I wish to be. The Lord of the Suns must appoint
the High Priest or Priestess. IтАЩve sent to the Hall of Shadows for Lady Madalan. She can take care of
things until a successor is found.тАЭ
тАЬYour humility does you credit, Dirk.тАЭ
Dirk considered his decision practical, rather than humble, however, if Antonov wanted to think that
of him, it would do no harm. But AntonovтАЩs calm demeanor worried him. The Lion of Senet had been
very close to Belagren. HeтАЩd been her lover for more than twenty-five years.
He was taking her sudden death very well.
тАЬItтАЩs good youтАЩve sent for Madalan,тАЭ Antonov added. тАЬSheтАЩll know how to deal with all the finicky
little details that must be attended to at a time like this. Besides, I have another task for you.тАЭ
тАЬIтАЩm at your disposal, sire.тАЭ Dirk sounded much less concerned about the prospect than he felt. But
he was getting good at this. Neris had once told him that he needed to be a better liar. And he was.
Dirk was not sure if he should be proud of the fact, though. There was something unwholesome about
being a good liar. Something inherently wrong with it.
тАЬI want you to go down to my temple,тАЭ Antonov said. тАЬThere you will find a Shadowdancer waiting.
She claims to have had a vision. She claims the Goddess told her she would send me a sign to show me
the vision was true. I want you to find out if sheтАЩs lying.тАЭ
тАЬMe, your highness? WouldnтАЩt you be better asking someone more qualified?тАЭ
тАЬYou have felt the presence of the Goddess, Dirk. You can read her writings in the ruins at Omaxin.
Belagren thought you good enough to appoint you her right hand. There is no one more qualified.тАЭ
тАЬBut, sire...тАЭ
тАЬDo not argue with me, boy. Do as I say.тАЭ
тАЬHow do you expect me to know if her vision is real?тАЭ
Antonov studied Dirk for a moment before he answered. тАЬShe claims the Goddess revealed the way
through the Spakan River delta.тАЭ
Dirk hoped he looked suitably stunned by the revelation. тАЬThatтАЩs... astonishing.тАЭ
 тАЬIt is,тАЭ Antonov agreed, apparently convinced that DirkтАЩs shock was genuine. тАЬAnd given the
sudden and unexpected demise of the High Priestess, itтАЩs either the most significant event since the