"MacLeod, Ian R - Sealight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Macleod Ian R)

Finally, he risked opening his eyes. Nothing happened; but now he could feel the
soft pressure of a blindfold against his lids. Still drowsy, but alarmed, he
tried to shift his arms and legs, but he found that he was bound, seated in some
kind of high-backed chair.

Softly female laughter made him start.

"So you are awake now, my gallant knight. What is your name?"

Ran opened his mouth. Nothing came out. His tongue was as sore as his ribs from
the grip of the nsia trees. He swallowed, tried again. "Ran Kirving, your --
your ladyship."

"My ladyship." Again, that laughter. It came from behind him. Something about it
gave Ran goosebumps. It was warm, friendly, cold, harsh . . . fire and ice. "You
do me this honor without even seeing me, without knowing who I am."

Ran felt a rush of disappointment. "But aren't you Lady Jolenta?"

"So, after all this time, I am still known of in the city?"

"My father told me . . . I--I'm just a fisherman. I pass the seawalls of Torea
every morning."

"A fisherman. Sometimes I watch your sails from these windows. Do men still
write poetry about me?"

"I suppose so."

"Have you written any?"

"No." Ran felt his cheeks flush. "I can't read or write."

"Well, thank God for that, Ran Kirving, for I cannot stand poetry, especially
the kind that men write about me." The voice drifted from his back to his left
side, then to the front. "Now, will you tell me why you are here?"

Once again, Ran was struck speechless. He had given the details of the matter
perilously little thought, but he had imagined that reaching Jolenta would
involve many dangers which would be bravely and ingeniously overcome. Beyond
that, he had little idea of what would happen, except that it would be likely to
involve a strong element of the erotic or -- failing that the romantic. But
hearing her voice . . . all wonder and beauty was there like the swirl of an icy
current on a cloudless day. And age too; five centuries of solitude.

She laughed. "You probably expected me to welcome you with open arms." Her voice
was close now. Her breath was odorless yet its scent was dark and sweet,
overpowering.

Ran shivered and nodded; there seemed little else to do but admit the truth.