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

Do I dare give them up? Can Moss survive if I render them lifeless and destroy them? Can Conrig?
His downfall was not the only thing she had to fear. Shortly after she assumed her throne, a flash of unwelcome insight had come to her. Was it possible that her own collection of moonstones, which she had found hidden in the fens, was not the gift of her dead mother after all? What if the dream of Queen Taspiroth had been a cruel deception of the Coldlight Army, and the gift of sigils intended to further some scheme of theirs?
Why the Lights might do such a thing was incomprehensible to her. But someone had led her to the moonstone cache, presumably for a good reason. She was no longer so naive as to believe in benevolent ghostsЧespecially the ghost of poor Taspiroth, who had suffered an atrocious death after misusing one of RothbannonТs Great Stones. No mother would risk exposing her daughter to a like fateЧa fate that now seemed all too probable if she continued using the sigilsЕ
Conjure-Queen Ullanoth. Do you hear? Vra-Sulkorig Casswell bespeaks you on behalf of High King Conrig.
Moon Mother mine! Could that be the answer to the why of it? But if she were actually destined to advise and safeguard Conrig, then who besides the Lights could have led her to the gift?
Do you hear me, Conjure-Queen?
УI hear you,Ф she replied. The matter would have to be thought through later. УWhy is it that you bespeak me, Sulkorig, rather than the kingТs brother Stergos?Ф
So the news hasnТt reached you, Majesty? Alas! ThereТs been a terrible fire at Cola Palace, and Lord Stergos was gravely injured.
УI am grieved to hear it. What is the outlook for his recovery?Ф
The alchymists have high hopes, but he may be much scarred by burns.
УPerhaps my Royal Physician can provide valuable consultation. There is a certain rare plant growing in our fens that MossТs healers have long used to prevent disfigurement by burning. I will have Master Akossanor bespeak you about it immediately. The medicine can be put aboard one of our fastest schooners and will reach Gala in a few days.Ф
Gracious queen, IТll tell King Conrig of this welcome offer. There is another matter, also concerning the Royal Alchymist, that the High King commands me to put to you. The two malefactors responsible for the attempted murder of Lord Stergos are called Scarth Saltbeck and Felmar Nightcott. They are renegade
Brothers of Zeth, who may be expected to use powerful magic to foil those who pursue them. Here are images of their facesЕ His Grace beseeches your help in tracking them down.
УMy help?Ф She felt a mortal chill stab her vitals.
УThe High King requests that you use your Subtle Loophole to find the pair, so that they may be brought swiftly to justice. He realizes all too well that using the Great Stone will wreak a lamentable toll of pain upon you in your already weakened state, but he begs that you will agree to the search for the sake of the great love he bears you.
There was silence on the wind.
Your Majesty? What answer shall I give King Conrig? He is here at my side, praying you will help him and his suffering brother.
УTellЧtell the king that I will try. As the compassionate Moon Mother knows, I can only try. But since the effort will endanger my life, I request of my liege lord a twofold promise.Ф
The High King asks what it might be.
УIf my land of Moss should ever be threatened by an enemy either natural or supernatural, he must promise to come to its aid with all the forces at his command. And if I am disabled or expire through performing this service for my liege, he must continue paying Moss its annual guerdon so long as the Sovereignty endures.Ф
Conrig Wincantor, Sovereign of Blenholme, swears on his Iron Crown that he will fulfill both promises without reservation.
УThank him for me, Vra-Sulkorig. If I find the fire-raisers, information about them will be spoken to you on the wind by one of my people. I myself will probably be indisposed. Farewell.Ф
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Ridcanndal, Grand Master of the Glaumerie Guild, hovered over her couch, his face grey with apprehension. The Royal Physician and the High Thaumaturge, Lady Zimroth, stood by him.
УFor the last time, Majesty, I implore you to reconsider this rash action,Ф Ridcanndal said. УYour physical condition is too delicate to endure further pain-debt. And finding those who set the fire in Gala Palace is hardly crucial to the recovery of Lord Stergos.Ф
Akossanor, the physician, added, УIТve consulted with the doctors who care for him and sent them the proper physick. His life is not in dangerЧbut yours may well be if you undertake this search.Ф
УConrig only wants revenge,Ф said Lady Zimroth. УEither that, or he hasnТt told you the full truth about the conflagration. IТve heard a rumor on the wind that the arsonists are also thieves, who stole some important magical items from Stergos. Whatever these things may be, they can hardly be worth jeopardizing your life.Ф
Thieves? Ullanoth felt her breath catch in her throat. There was indeed something the fire-raisers might have stolen that was beyond price. SheТd known about DarasiloТs Trove for four years, yet had never tried to find it with Loophole. Whenever the notion occurred to her, it always seemed imperative that she must set it aside until later. And so she had.
Why?
УPlease donТt do this, Majesty,Ф Zimroth said. УThink of the needs of your kingdom. Of your duty!Ф The aged High Thaumaturge had been one of BeynorТs closest friends. Lady Zimroth had never fully reconciled herself to his dethronement and exile, even though the Beaconfolk, and not Ullanoth herself, had ultimately brought it about. Nevertheless her probity and loyalty to the throne were beyond reproach.
УI do think of my duty to Moss,Ф Ullanoth said. УBut this one last time I must help Conrig.Ф
УLast time?Ф ZimrothТs eyes widened. УYouТd deny him sigil magic in future?Ф
УI had meant to discuss the matter, together with a certain course of action IТm considering, with the entire Guild today. As it happens, the discussion is now unnecessary, since IТve extracted certain promises from Conrig that ensure the survival of our beloved realm, even if this use of Loophole should disable meЕ Ridcanndal, give me the box. I must do this before I lose my courage.Ф
The Grand Master picked up a small casket of solid platinum from a table beside the Conjure-QueenТs couch. УBut Majesty, what are these promises?Ф
She shook her head. УAttend me closely. This effort will require all of my remaining stamina. If I do locate the fugitives, IТll not be able to speak. You will have to extract the result directly from my mind. Later, when you bespeak the Cathran alchymist Vra-Sulkorig with the search results, he will tell you about ConrigТs promises. Now open the box for me.Ф
The head of the Glaumerie Guild bowed his head and obeyed. The velvet-lined box contained her six remaining sigils: Beastbidder, Interpenetrator, Concealer, Weathermaker, Sender, and Subtle Loophole. The latter was a small open triangle with a handle attached, exquisitely carved from translucent moonstone and glowing with arcane energy. Looking through it, one obtained a vision of anything that was requested. But unlike the silent and often murky oversight vouchsafed by windsight, Loophole showed its objective clearly, with all sounds attending.
Lying in her private sanctum, with the most powerful sorcerers in her realm kneeling at her side, Ullanoth took the sigil and lifted it to her eye.
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By noon on the day after Solstice, the Salka had towed BeynorТs boat to the entrance to Didion Bay. He directed them to continue on a course well to the north of the main shipping lanes so that his singular method of propulsion would not be detected, and continually scanned the sea for stray fishing smacks and coasters. All went well and no one noticed them.
Round about the ninth hour he ordered the great creatures to pull into a deserted marshy inlet about twenty leagues northeast of Holt Mallburn. They came to a halt in a salt-pond, well hidden among the tall grasses and shrubs, and Beynor summoned the Supreme Warrior for a conference.
UgusawnnТs hideous face rose slowly above the gunwale and his great red eyes blinked in the low sunlight. УWell?Ф he inquired with an ill-natured sneer.
Beynor responded mildly. УWeТll stop here for the night. ItТs time for me to step the boatТs mast, rig her, and switch to sail. From here on, we must travel more slowly, and any towing by you Salka will have to be done very cautiously, with only a few knotsТ advantage over the local small craft, so I wonТt look conspicuous.Ф
УKnot? What kind of a knot?Ф The Supreme WarriorТs brow wrinkled in a fierce scowl.
УItТs a unit of velocity. A way humans have of saying how fast a boat moves over the waterЕ Oh, never mind. If your haulers just follow my bespoken instructions, IТll keep us moving along properly. You Salka will have to swim deep as we enter Mallburn Harbor. The sea there will be cloudy from river mud after the rain, but even so, we donТt want to risk some crowТs nest loafer catching a glimpse of you.Ф
УMmm.Ф The monster was thinking. УIt is necessary that I stay close enough to the surface to keep you in sight at all times. And IЧnot youЧwill give directions to the Salka haulers.Ф
Beynor tipped him an ironic salute. УItТs your decision, Eminent Ugu. But once we get into crowded waters, youТll have to look sharp to avoid dangerous mistakes. If I ram another vessel because your warriors ignore my orders, the Harbor Patrol will be on us like stink on a swamp-fitch. TheyТll arrest me and confiscate the boat to pay for the damage. Do you understand what IТm saying? Once we start up the river, it would be best if you let me sail completely unencumberedЧФ
Ugusawnn gave a furious growl. УI think you hope to trick me, human excrement! It will not work. Abandon any thought of escaping my vigilance.Ф
Beynor gave a shrug. УI want this scheme to succeed. So should you. IТve sailed through busy harbors and up crowded rivers before. I know the kind of problems that can arise.Ф
An awful smile spread across the countenance of the amphibian. His teeth gleamed like crystal marlinspikes. УI have a solution. We will disconnect all but one harness. I myself will wear itЧpulling you as it becomes necessary, and also keeping you secure.Ф
УSuit yourself.Ф While the Salka milled about in the marsh, reorganizing themselves and catching fish for a meal, he set about preparing the boat. It took the better part of two hours, and while he worked he sent his windsight in search of the royal barge.