"Boreal Moon - 02 - Ironcrown Moon" - читать интересную книгу автора (May Julian)

Feribor, suspected of colluding with the scheming Lords of the Southern Shore, and completely exonerated of any wrongdoing after a too-hasty investigation in which the Royal Intelligencer played no partЕ
Feribor, Lord Treasurer, whose tax-gathering irregularities came under scrutiny when other members of the Privy Council pressed the issue, only to be forgiven his УmistakesФ by a Sovereign who refused to believe his old Heart Companion would cheat the CrownЕ
Feribor, nephew to the deposed Royal Alchymist and convicted traitor Kilian Blackhorse, who might have been told by his uncle of the hidden Trove of DarasiloЧand SnudgeТs role in revealing its existence to ConrigЕ
Feribor, who might have long suspected that the shadowy young royal henchman Deveron Austrey was a wild talent dangerous to his own ambitions, whose late armiger Mero Elwick had murdered three of SnudgeТs companions and narrowly missed killing himЧprobably following his masterТs ordersЕ
Did the devious duke still want Snudge dead? Had Feribor assigned young Wil Baysdale to complete the job botched by Mero? The latter had failed because he coveted the sigil named Concealer, SnudgeТs secret possession. Mero had been a greedy fool, and his vain attempt to seize the moonstone had brought about his own death.
If Wil was newly cast in the role of assassin, there was almost nothing to be done about itЧat least for the present.
If I tell King Conrig my suspicions, Snudge thought, he wonТt believe me. Even worse, he might mention my mistrust to FeriborЧwhich could provoke the duke into taking immediate action against me. And what if Wil hasnТt been ordered to kill me at all? What if heТs under orders to report my activities to Feribor?
Spying on the kingТs spy!
I must discuss this matter with Lord Stergos as soon as possible, Snudge decided. The Royal Alchymist had always been a sympathetic mentor to him. If anyone could overcome ConrigТs misjudgment of the Lord Treasurer, it was his beloved older brotherЕ
The cherry orchard was bounded by a wooden fence, which Snudge climbed, now painfully aware of an overfull bladder. Beyond was a strip of stony ground that ended at a bluff overlooking the River Blen and the broad valley leading to the sea and the sprawling city that had been renamed Gala Blenholme by the Sovereign. After relieving himself against a boulder, Snudge stood shading his still-bleary eyes against the blazing sun. A rampart of towering white clouds loomed on the southwestern horizon, no doubt the advance guard of a thunderstorm that was certain to disrupt the Solstice festivities in the capital. It was a moment before Snudge realized that a narrow pillar of jet-black smoke was also rising from the skyline.
Rising from the exact location of Gala Palace.
Lord Stergos! his mind screamed on the wind. WhatТs happened?
There was no reply.
==========
Before knighthood was conferred on him, Snudge had been accustomed to conceal his secret activities by posing as one of the anonymous young armigers or footmen attached to the retinue of some trusted noble, who would be under royal orders to visit the place or person under investigation. The cooperating peer was of course aware that Snudge was the kingТs spy; but he had no notion that the young agent possessed arcane abilities exceeding those of most Brothers of Zeth. In this situation, it had been relatively easy for Snudge to slip away from his fellow-retainers, perform his clandestine duties, and bespeak his findings directly to Lord Stergos, who would pass the information on to the High King.
Once Snudge was dubbed Sir Deveron, however, a new arrangement became necessary. A Knight Banneret had far more authority and status than a mere squire or even an ordinary knight, and was potentially more useful to his royal master. But he was also more conspicuous. Snudge rated two armigers of his own, and soon would employ servants who would expect to attend him closely. In time, he would command other knights and men-at-arms. His privacy was diminished, and he was bound to find it more difficult to exercise his wild talents secretly.
Conrig did not intend for his intelligencerТs arcane gifts to become com-mon knowledge, but neither did he wish to be constrained in his ability to stay in close contact with him. The solution was to assign a personal windvoice to Sir Deveron Austrey, who would act as official liaison between him and the throne.
This was by no means an unusual privilege: many senior royal officers had ordained Brothers of Zeth in their retinues, and so did other important personages. Sir DeveronТs apprentice windvoice Vra-Mattis Temebrook was a more modest symbol of privilege, but he was bright, highly talented, and at eighteen years of age eager to escape the gimlet eye of the Palace Novicemaster. In time, if Mat proved loyal, Snudge thought he might consider sharing his great secret with him. But for now he intended to use the young Brother cautiously, and urge Lord Stergos to do the sameЧ
Unless some evil thing had happened to the Royal Alchymist. Why hadnТt he responded to SnudgeТs call? It was up to the apprentice windvoice to find out.
==========
Back at the cottage, Snudge found Gavlok and the others preparing to depart.
Vra-Mattis held out a cup to him. УYou still look unwell, sir. Drink down this hangover cure. ItТll do you a world of good.Ф
Snudge quaffed the dose with a shudder. УMore ails me than a thick head.Ф He called the others to gather around him. УDuring my stroll I came upon a vantage point overlooking the Blen Valley and the distant capital. I regret to tell you that a great fire seems to be raging in the vicinity of the palace.Ф
The armigers cried out horrified queries, but Snudge shook his head. УBe silent!Е Vra-Mattis, withdraw from us and attempt to bespeak Lord Stergos for information. If you canТt attract his attention, call upon his assistant, Vra-Sulkorig, or any other of the ranking Brethren who may be able to reply.Ф
The novice wasted no time in speech. He moved behind the trunk of the big chestnut tree, seated himself on a root, and covered his head with the hood of his robe in order to concentrate.
Snudge issued more orders. УValdos, see if the goodwife has such a thing as a tall clothes-pole. WeТre going to ride at speed from here on, with you bearing the royal banner, and we have no lance to tie it toЕ Wiltorig, unpack our mail shirts and helmets and lash them to the saddles where they may be easily donned if needed. Hanan, do the same for Sir Gavlok and yourself.Ф
The armigers rushed to obey.
Gavlok said, УWe should be able to reach Gala in an hour. These horses I bought at Swallowmere may not be handsome, but theyТre tough as flint. Is there aught that I can do?Ф
Snudge replied in a low voice. УI may ask a great boon of you later. For now, only stand by me as a friend.Ф
УWith all my heart, Deveron. But IТm no great shakes in a fight, you knowЧФ
УOh, sirs!Ф cried Vra-Mattis, rising up from his tree root and calling out to the two knights. УA terrible calamity has occurred at the palace. ThereТs been an attempt to kill Lord Stergos! His apartment and the library have been almost completely demolished by several tarnblaze explosions and a great fire.Ф
УHellТs bells and buckets of blood!Ф said Snudge. УIs he dead?Ф
УNay, sorely burned but expected to survive. I bespoke Vra-Sulkorig, who says that your speedy return is now more needful than ever. The Royal Alchymist demands to speak to you and will take no remedy for his pain lest it send him to sleep and prevent him from giving you a special command. But he will tell no one what this command might beЧnot even the High King.Ф
УI see.Ф Whether it was MatТs disgusting potion at work, or his own brainТs energy rising to the occasion, Snudge now felt clear-headed and revitalized. УThen the KingТs Grace is unhurt?Ф
УHe and the rest of the royal family are safe. The fire is confined to the wing of the palace where the Zeth Brethren reside. Sadly, numbers of them have been killed or injured. YouТre aware, of course, that the devilish substance tarnblaze cannot be put down by magical spells. The conflagration is being fought with water pumped from the river and the palace moat. It still burns strongly, and the roof timbers are collapsing.Ф
УTell Vra-Sulkorig IТll try to attend him and Lord Stergos inside of an hour. Bid him have the City Guard clear the West River Road approach so we wonТt be delayed. By now, there must be panicky crowds as well as gawkers on the streets surrounding the palace.Ф
Mattis nodded and covered his head again.
УAll is in readiness, Deveron,Ф Gavlok announced, Уwhenever you wish to ride.Ф
A few minutes later they were all in the saddle, galloping back onto the highroad with the squire Valdos leading the way, holding the crown banner of the Sovereignty and shouting, УMake way! Make way for the kingТs men!Ф

five
My lord, IТm here. I grieve to see you so wounded.У Snudge bent low over the bandaged face of the patient lying motionless on a bed in a room adjacent to the kingТs suite. Only the hazel eyes were uncovered. They were partially open, with their lids blistered and lashes seared away, and darted aimlessly from side to side as if vainly seeking someone. Snudge felt his heart contract. Was the poor man blind?
УMy Lord Stergos, are you awake?Ф
Is it you, Deveron? The response came in unsteady windspeech.
УThe skin around his mouth has been terribly burned,Ф High King Conrig whispered. He sat on a stool beside his suffering brother, his own countenance a mask of anguish. УHe may not be able to answer.Ф
Snudge said covertly, УHe bespoke me. But I dare not let these other people hovering round about him know that we can converse mind to mind. Send them away. Lord Stergos is in great pain. He may slip into unconsciousness at any moment.Ф
Conrig climbed to his feet and addressed the crowd of red-robed physicians and alchymists. УAll of you, leave us. Sir Deveron and I will confer privately for a few minutes and pray over my brother.Ф
The Brothers reluctantly filed out of the sickroom and closed the door. A subdued roll of thunder announced the approaching storm.
Snudge said, УLord Stergos, do you have a message for me? ItТs safe to use windspeech. The others have gone away.Ф
AhЕ MustnТt compromise your secret, Deveron. Especially not now.