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

the room. He always entered a room as if it were his very own private chamber, as if everywhere he
went he carried his own kingdom in a circle around his body, so that he was always at home, always at
ease. His shirt was white silk, covered by a scarlet vest with gold embroidery. His pants were also
scarlet, stuffed into gleaming black boots. A basket-hiked sword rode his hip. A matching scarlet hat
dangled from one hand, complete with a sweeping black feather. Rings glittered from his long fingers.
тАЬWell, Calum, what do you think of your young friend now?тАЭ His voice was a rich tenor that held
something of the music he made his living from. Calum lay on his back now, pillows cradling him so that
he could only stare at the man. тАЬHave you come to whisper more lies in my ears?тАЭ тАЬNot lies, my friend,
promises.тАЭ

тАЬWhat do you want of me, Harkon?тАЭ

тАЬYour help.тАЭ Harkon Lukas laid his hat on the foot of the bed and leaned against the bedpost.

тАЬI cannot betray my friends.тАЭ

Harkon smiled, even white teeth flashing in his dark face. тАЬI have given you my word that none of the
others will be harmed. I want only Konrad Burn.тАЭ тАЬWhy him?тАЭ

Harkon shrugged, a somehow graceful gesture in the tall man. тАЬHe is handsome, young, strong. He can
travel beyond the boundaries of Kartakass. You canтАЩt tell me as a bard you have not longed to escape
this prison, to travel the lands your friend Jonathan and his gypsy woman have told you of. The songs I
could sing. The tales to be told. Think of it, Calum.тАЭ

тАЬBut to possess his body? What becomes of Konrad when you are inside him?тАЭ тАЬHe will get my body.тАЭ
Harkon glided round the bed. Calum could only move his eyes to follow the bard.

тАЬDonтАЩt you think my body a fair trade for his?тАЭ Calum did. It was a strong, healthy body. тАЬIf you truly
command some . . . sorcery that will switch your body with KonradтАЩs, but not harm him, why not ask
him? Why not gain his cooperation?тАЭ

тАЬDo you really think he would agree? Our angry, honor-bound Konrad?тАЭ

тАЬWould anyone agree?тАЭ

Harkon sat on the edge of the bed. The slight movement caused Calum to gasp. тАЬOh, my friend,тАЭ
Harkon said, тАЬdid my sitting down hurt you?тАЭ He leaned forward, face concerned.

Calum did not want the man to touch him. He knew the concerned looks would fade instantly, chased
by whatever new emotion entered HarkonтАЩs mind. He was as changeable as a spring wind, and as
reliable.

HarkonтАЩs hand fell back into his lap. He smiled down at Calum. тАЬI have found a body for you. A man in
his twenties. Tall, strong, in perfect health, handsome. He is a little shorter than you were in your prime,
more slender, perhaps a shade more handsome, though.тАЭ

To be young again, with his whole life ahead of him, but with the knowledge of a lifetime. To leave his
pain-ridden body behind. To live. It was a tempting offer, and Harkon knew that. Why make it
otherwise? Calum licked his lips. тАЬAnd what happens to this young man if I take his body?тАЭ