"Jordan, Robert - Wheel of Time 09 - Winter's Heart" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jordan Robert)

Wavemistress of Clan Catelar, Zaida was an ambassador from the
Mistress of the Ships. To Rand, not Andor, but her warrant
gave the authority to speak and bind for Nesta herself.
Changing one gold-chased barrel for another, she went on
tiptoe to look through the eyepiece again. УYou promised the
AthaТan Miere twenty teachers, Elayne. So far you have
delivered one.Ф
Their entrance had been so sudden, so dramatic, that Elayne
was surprised to see Merilille turn from closing the doors.
Shorter still than Zaida, the Gray sister was elegant in dark
blue wool trimmed with silvery fur and sewn with small
moonstones across the bodice, yet barely more than two weeks
teaching the Windfinders had brought changes. Most were
powerful women with a thirst for knowledge, more than ready to
squeeze Merilille like a grape in the winepress, demanding the
last drop of juice. Once, Elayne had thought her self-
possessed beyond the ability to surprise, but now Merilille
was constantly wide-eyed, her lips always a little parted, as
though she had just been startled half out of her wits and
expected to be startled again any moment. Folding her hands
at her waist, she waited by the doorway, and appeared relieved
to be out of the center of attention.
Harrumphing loudly, Dyelin got to her feet and scowled at
Zaida and Renaile both. УHave a care how you speak,Ф she
growled. УYou are in Andor, now, not on one of our ships, and
Elayne Trakand will be Queen of Andor! Your bargain will be
met in good time. For now, we have more important matters to
contend with.Ф
УUnder the Light, there are none more important,Ф Renaile
rumbled in turn, rounding on her. УYou say the bargain will
be met? So you stand surety. Know there will be room to
dangle you by your ankles in the rigging as well ifЧУ
Zaida snapped her fingers. That was all, but a tremor
passed through Renaile. Snatching the golden scent-box
dangling from one of her necklaces, she pressed it to her nose
and breathed deeply. Windfinder to the Mistress of the Ships
she might be, a woman of great authority and power among the
AthaТan Miere, but to Zaida, she wasЕa Windfinder. Which
grated her pride excessively. Elayne was sure there must be a
way to use that to keep them out of her hair, but she had not
found it, yet. Oh, yes; for good or ill, Daes DaeТmar was in
her bones, now.
She glided around a silently furious Renaile as if around a
column, a part of the room, though not toward Zaida. If
anyone had a right be be casual here, she did. She could not
afford to give Zaida a hair of advantage, or the Wavemistress
would shave her scalp for wigmakers. At the fireplace, she
spread her hands in front of the flames again.
УNesta din Reas trusted we would fulfill the bargain, or she
never would have agreed to it,Ф she said calmly. УYou have