"Mercedes Lackey - Last Herald Mage 2 - Magic's Promise" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lackey Mercedes)

bless - talk about soiled goods!
At any rate, I suspect there's far more to it than that; what, I don't know,
but the Mavelans seldom unite for anything and they're uniting on this one. I
much doubt it's over concern for Vedric's reputation or tender feelings for
Tashir. My guess is there's another attempt at acquiring Lineas in the offing -
but since they're both clients-by-alliance to Valdemar, the Mavelans can't just
begin flinging mage-fire over there. Randale would definitely take exception to
that.
So here we are, camped on the Border, and watching for one false note.
What really worries me is that it's Vedric who's fronting this; they're all snakes,
but he's a viper. The only reason he's not Lord Mavelan is because his
brother's been very lucky - or smart enough to buy some really good spies
and bodyguards. Vedric is definitely the most ambitious of the lot; my guess is
he's been promised Lineas if he can get it quietly. Through Tashir, perhaps.
Vanyel found his eyebrows rising with every sentence. Lissa had come a
long way from the naive swordswoman who had accepted that commission in
the Guard. She was a lot more politically astute than Van would have
dreamed-which gave him the second surprise of the day. First Father, then
Liss - no bad thing, either. No one living in the days of King Randale could
aiford to be politically naive.
I hope to steal away long enough to spend at least a little time with you,
love, but don't count on it. There's nothing going on overtly, but the whole
thing feels very touchy to me; like the moments before the storm hits. If I feel
the situation has calmed down enough, I'll come. Be well. Love, Liss.
That was by far and away the easiest letter to answer he'd had in a long
time. He scrawled a quick reply of affection, including the fact that he missed
her badly, sealed the note, and laid it with the other.
There were two or three other letters, all nothing more than invitations to
various entertainments; hunting parties, mostly, at noble estates, parties
meant to last a week or more. Despite the fact that he never attended these
things - wouldn't have even if he'd had the time - the invitations never stopped
coming. He wrote brief, polite notes, and sat back again, staring at the packs
in the corner. He knew he had to sort things out of his traveling kit for his trip
home - and he just couldn't muster the energy. It was so much easier just to
sit and let all the kinks in his muscles respond to the soft тАУ motionless - chair.
A rap at the door interrupted his lethargy; it was the page sent by Tantras,
with the promised uniforms. And one more thing; a note - and Vanyel
recognized Randale's handwriting on the outside.
Oh, gods - no, no! For a moment he tensed, fearing another call to duty on
the eve of his promised chance to rest. Then he saw that it wasn't sealed, not
even by Randale's personal seal.
He relaxed. No seal meant it wasn't official. He took it from the wide - eyed
page and motioned to the youngster to stay for a reply.
Vanyel; come by after Court and say good-bye - don't come before then; if
I'm not being official, I don't have to find something for you to do. Or rather, I
don't have to assign you to one of the hundred messes that needs dealing
with. I'm sorry you aren't staying, but I understand, and if you weren't planning
on leaving, I'd probably tie you to Yfandes and drive you off before I work you
to death. But do come by; Jisa wants to see her тАЬUncle VanтАЭ before he
vanishes again. Randale.