"Anne Logston - Shadow 02 - Shadow Hunt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Logston Anne)

Baloran wouldn't have had any opportunity to see it there unless he went
there deliberately; he isn't a worshipperтАФ no, don't ask me how I found
that out. I hope there's some similar reason why now's the time. I hope I'm
just being paranoid, because it looks to me like a ploy to set the Council of
Churches against the Guild while it's still recovering from Ganrom's
tenure as Guildmaster."

"But anybody might do that, including Vikram," Donya argued.

"You weren't listening, Doe," Shadow said patiently. "I already
eliminated everyone who could have taken the gem. No matter who might
want it taken, they still had to get it, or find someone who could. And that
left only Baloran and Vikram, remember, and Vikram's the least likely
suspect. The Temple of Urex didn't need this little happening any more
than the Guild does. Yes, it makes me look like the thief, but it also makes
Vikram look like an incomparable bumbler. If Bobrick were still around
I'd suspect him, but Vikram just isn't that devious. That leaves Baloran as
the only person with a reason to take it, and, given his expertise on
magical defenses, the ability to take it, and, as a bonus, the reasonable
likelihood of getting away with it, too. He's hard to find, he's powerful, and
I doubt if it matters much to him what disfavor he earns from anyone or
any group in Allanmere."

"Do you have any idea where Baloran is?" Donya asked.

"That's the bite I mentioned," Shadow said. "You know there's a few
mages who traffic regularly with the GuildтАФ"

"Yes, you've even corrupted my own mother on occasion," Donya said
wryly.

"Anyway, I managed to gild the right palms," Shadow continued, "and
learned that Baloran is still in the area, and that he's paid a few quiet
visits to some of the local mages and suppliers over the years, and even
more recentlyтАФ recently meaning since I came to town. The Circle of Magi
is quite curious about thatтАФalmost as much as I am, Baloran being
something of a legend among magesтАФand there's been some speculation
about where he's located. I've spent the three weeks since the Eye vanished
ferreting out those speculations, and I've got a pretty good idea of the
general area where he is, mostly by eliminating where he's not. It took
every bit of the information chain I've put together since I gained the seat.
I'm rather proud of it."

"Then we should ride out in force and demand the Eye back," Donya
stated. "I can get a good turnout of the City Guard for backing."

"No, no, that's exactly what I don't want to do," Shadow said hastily.
"First of all, it puts youтАФand through you, the High Lord and LadyтАФin the
position of backing the Guild openly against the Council of Churches. I
don't think your parents would agree to that, and worse, running to the