"Katherine Kerr - Deverry 02 - Darkspell" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kerr Katherine)

into a purple and blue tent. On a whim, she followed. The tent was elaborately decorated with woven
hangings, embroidered wall bags, and Bardek carpets for floor cloths.

Sitting on a pile of leather cushions was an elven woman, her pale blond hair bound into two long
braids that hung behind her ears, which were as long and delicately pointed as seashells. Her visitor
pressed his palms together and bowed to her, then doffed the cloak and sat down on the carpet nearby.
His hair was as pale as moonlight, and his dark blue eyes were, like all elven eyes, slit vertically with a
pupil like a catтАЩs. Yet Jill thought that he was as handsome as her Rhodry in his alien way and also oddly
familiar.

тАШVery well, Devaberiel,тАЩ the woman said, and although she spoke in Elvish, Jill could understand her.
тАШIтАЩve been studying my stones, and I have an answer for you.тАЩ

тАШMy thanks, Valandario.тАЩ He leaned closer.

At that point Jill realized that a cloth, embroidered in geometric patterns, lay between them. At various
points on the web of triangles and squares lay spherical gems: rubies, yellow beryls, sapphires, emeralds,
and amethysts. In the middle of the cloth lay a simple silver ring. Valandario began moving the gems along
the various lines, finally bringing one of each color into the center to form a pentagon around the ring.

тАШYour sonтАЩs Destiny is encircled by this ring,тАЩ she said. тАШBut I know not what that Destiny may be,
except to say that it lies somewhat in the north and somewhat in the air. Doubtless all will be revealed in
due time.тАЩ

тАШAs the gods desire. You have my solemn thanks for this. IтАЩll see to it that Rhodry gets the ring, then. I
might ride to Dun Gwerbyn myself to have a look at this lad of mine.тАЩ

тАШIt would be unwise to tell him the truth.тАЩ

тАШOf course. I donтАЩt want to meddle with the political successions of all Eldidd. I just want to see him.
After all, itтАЩs quite a surprise to learn youтАЩve got a full-grown son you never even knew existed. Though
Lovyan could hardly have sent me word, of course, with her still married to her powerful warleader.тАЩ

тАШI see your point.тАЩ Valandario suddenly looked up, right at Jill. тАШHere! Who are you, to come spying
upon me in the spirit?тАЩ

When Jill tried to answer, she found that she couldnтАЩt speak. In exasperation, Valandario threw up
one hand and sketched a sigil in the air. All at once Jill found herself awake, sitting up in bed with Rhodry
snoring beside her. Since the room was cold, she lay down and hurriedly snuggled under the blankets.
That was a true dream, she thought, oh by the Goddess of the Moon, my loverтАЩs half an elf!

For a long while she lay awake, thinking over the dream. Of course Devaberiel would look familiar
since he was RhodryтАЩs father. She was honestly shocked to find out that Lady Lovyan, whom she much
admired, had put horns on her husbandтАЩs head but then, Devaberiel was an exceptionally handsome man.
She had the brief thought of telling Rhodry about the dream, but ValandarioтАЩs warning stopped her.
Besides, finding out that he was no true Maelwaedd, but a bastard, would only drive Rhodry deeper into
his hiraedd. She could barely put up with his fits of it as it was.

And then there was the silver ring. Here was another proof of what Nevyn had told her, that RhodryтАЩs
Wyrd was deep and hidden. She decided that if she ever saw the old man again, she would tell him of the