"Laurell K. Hamilton - Ravenloft - Death of a Darklord" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hamilton Laurell K)

was a great believer in the restorative powers of tea.

The man was also sipping tea. A plate of cookies balanced on his knees. It was the treatment any guest
would receive, except that most guests would have been seen in the parlor.

Jonathan stood in the middle of the floor, arms crossed, frowning, staring at the stranger. He stood like a
guard. Apparently, the kitchen was good enough for this particular guest.

Tereza sat at the table with Konrad and Blaine. They were the audience. Whether they were here to see
a real live mage or to witness what Jonathan would do in the presence of one was unclear. It was
certainly going to be entertaining either way.

тАЭI am Gersalius, a wizard. I am told you have some magic of your own, Elaine.тАЭ

She glanced at JonathanтАЩs scowling face. тАЭI donтАЩt think of it as magic.тАЭ

The mage settled back in the chair, one hand steadying the plate of cookies.

тАЭThen what do you call it?тАЭ

She shrugged. тАЭJust visions.тАЭ

тАЭTell me about these . . . visions,тАЭ Gersalius said. Elaine sipped the hot tea, not sure what to say. тАЭDo
you want me to describe them?тАЭ

тАЭIf you like.тАЭ

She narrowed her eyes, trying not to frown. Jonathan was doing enough of that for everyone. But the
mage was being . . . frustrating. тАЭWhat do you want of me?тАЭ

тАЭTo help you.тАЭ

тАЭHow?тАЭ

тАЭFor someone who has magical abilities, you are very suspicious.тАЭ

Elaine looked down. тАЭI donтАЩt know what you want me to say.тАЭ тАЭEnough of these word games,тАЭ
Jonathan said. тАЭCan you help her or not?тАЭ He stood over them like a tall, disapproving cloud.

тАЭMr. Ambrose, if Elaine had fallen ill and you had called in a doctor, would you be telling him how to do
his job?тАЭ

тАЭSo far, you have done nothing.тАЭ

Gersalius sighed. тАЭThe girl has magic powers. She sparkles to the eye that can see it.тАЭ
тАЭShe has visions; that is all.тАЭ

Gersalius stood, tea and cookies in hand. тАЭIf you insist on arguing with me at every point, I cannot help
her.тАЭ