"Lee, John - Unicorn Saga 04 - The Unicorn Peace UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lee John)

"Selah to that, young man," Sarad replied as he ad-
vanced down the room to the desk- "Greetings, gentle-
men," he said to the scribes as he passed them. "Well,
what do you think will happen today?" he asked.
"Think we'll be able to get this thing wrapped up? I

THE UNICORN PEACE + 9

certainly hope so. I've no wish to spend the summer
here. It's too damned hot."

"At least it's dry heat here. You should try summer
in the south, where I come from."

"I thank you, but no. I'll take my mountains any time
of year. Seriously though, what's your opinion of how
things stand?"

"Truth?" Malum asked.

Sarad grinned. "Of course not. Educated guess."

"Well then, the idea of the Outland as an interna-
tional territory without boundaries doesn't stand a
chance, no matter what kind of authority or combina-
tion of authorities govern it. The only thing that has
kept it alive this long is the Mage's reputation."

"I have to agree," Sarad admitted. "If it had come
to a vote any time in the first five years, it might have
stood a chance, but not now." The Thane paused and
looked at Malum speculatively.

"D'you have an opinion, one that you're prepared to
divulge, about the draft proposal?"

"The partition would seem to address most of the
problems," Malum said Judiciously. "The Songeans are
provided for, the Isphardis get an equitable share and,
with all due respect, Talisman would do very well out
of the settlement."

Sarad looked Malum squarely in the eyes for a long
beat. A slow smile that threw every last wrinkle into
relief crept up. "Stop being so damned diplomatic," he
said. "You're an intelligent young man, you've been in
on all the discussions and, unless I miss my guess, you
can think for yourself. You must have some personal
thoughts about the division. In fact I'll warrant you saw
the finished map before I did."