"David Gemmell - Echoes of the Great Song" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

living in their squalid tents. Questor Ro shuddered inwardly. There was almost no doubt in his mind that Talaban
had Vagar blood. Added to which he was young, barely two centuries old. He had not lived long enough to
understand fully the need for maintaining fear among the sub-races.
But then his mother had also been well known for her fey behaviour, refusing to have a child until her
eightieth year, when she - despite her crystal-inspired youth - was close to becoming barren. It had been the
cause of many rumours, and had brought considerable humiliation upon her 300-year-old husband. Most Avatar
females lost the ability to carry children past the age of seventy, and few males past the age of two hundred could
sire them. No, the consensus was that she had fallen pregnant during her travels. Few Avatar women made long
journeys of any kind, and then only from necessity. She, on the other hand, had apparently travelled for pleasure,
visiting the outer cities of the empire. Questor Ro could readily imagine what pleasures she had found among the
vulgar races who peopled the cities. Soon after she returned she announced her pregnancy.
Her son's current behaviour only served to fuel Ro's suspicions. Talaban was too close to the Vagars who
served him. He was even popular, which was a situation no Avatar should achieve. Vagars respected discipline,
they reacted best to fear. Popularity, as far as Questor Ro was concerned, merely showed weakness in areas of
leadership. It surprised Ro that the General could not understand these obvious flaws in Talaban's nature. Added
to this there was the fact that Talaban had never married. And since he was fast approaching the age when his
seed would no longer be strong it was an added insult to the Avatar race. Every citizen should sire Avatar
children. What future for the Avatars without them?
'Him's ready now,' said Touchstone. Questor Ro had heard nothing, but the savage opened the door. He stood
back as Questor Ro entered - which was at least something!
Ro stepped inside. Talaban was sitting at his desk, but he rose as the Questor entered. He moved round the
desk to greet his guest. Like most of the warrior caste Talaban's movements were graceful, always in balance.
The soldier towered over the short stocky mage. The two men opened hands in the Avatar greeting. Questor Ro
bowed, halting the movement a few inches short of the required angle. Not enough to be insulting, but sufficient
to show Talaban he was displeased. If the warrior noticed the discourtesy he did not show it, but returned the
bow smoothly, offering the perfect angle.
'How is your work progressing?' asked Talaban. Questor Ro cast a glance at Touchstone, who had sat down
on the floor by the door.
'It is not seemly to discuss such matters before inferiors,' said Questor Ro. His slender hand tugged at the
twin forks of his blue beard, signalling his rising irritation.
Talaban said nothing, but Touchstone rose and silently left the room. 'Be seated, Questor,' said Talaban,
returning to his chair.
Ro glanced at a guttering lantern, then transferred his gaze to the cold crystal globes set into the wall. 'I once
journeyed to the western lands in one of these vessels,' he said, sadly. 'They were impressive then. No storm
could touch them.'
'Times change, Questor. Now how is your work progressing?'
'I expect better results by tomorrow,' said Ro. 'Our probes need adjustments - minor adjustments,' he added
swiftly, seeing the concern on Talaban's face. 'We are not entirely aligned.'
'Nomads will be in this area tomorrow,' said Talaban. 'We do not have much time.' . 'Surely that is why we
brought soldiers,' said Ro.
'Indeed it is, Questor. We have no Avatar soldiers. If the nomads come in strength we will be outnumbered
ten to one. My Vagars are armed with conventional weapons only. They will not withstand a heavy assault.'
'Of course they won't,' snapped Ro. 'I said at the start that we needed Avatars. On an expedition as important
as this it is hard to credit that it could have been refused. Surely the empire would not have been weakened by
allowing us true men and zhi-bows?'
'This was not intended to be a war party, Questor. The General was specific about that. Any complaints you
have should be taken up with him upon our return. However, since we are speaking frankly, you should be aware
there are fewer than fifty zhi-bows still in operation.'
'Fifty? That is a disgrace,' stormed Ro. 'Why only last year the General assured the Assembly there were over
three hundred such weapons.'