"L. E. Modesitt - Spellsong 1 - The Soprano Sorceress" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

THE
SOPRANO SORCERESS
L. E. Modesitt, ]r.


For and to my soprano sorceress,
who made this possible.

Any mistakes are mine,
the music hers.


I
LIEDTRAUM
* * * * * * *

1

West of the Sand Pass, Defalk
A dozen musicians sit on stools under the oblong white silk awning held in
place by four sturdy poles, each pole anchored by heavy cords to a pair of
stakes. The silk flutters slightly in the almost still air that carries the scent of
dust and horses.

The brownandred mountains that loom in the east above the pass entrance
waver in the summer heat, and sweat drips down the faces of the musicians.
All wear faded blue cotton tunics and trousers, with boots of a matching blue
leather. Occasionally, one blots a forehead or cheek, but not one of the
musicians speaks. Dark sweat stains mark the tunics of the heavier men. The
three horn players exchange glances, not quite those of worry, then look
toward the two men standing in the midday sun beyond the silk awning.

The bigger man, wearing leathers and a handandahalf blade in a scabbard
worn across his shoulders, puts a hand on the saddle of his warhorse. A good
fifty paces to the east wait a squad of mounted troopers wearing the purple of
Defalk. Their black sabres are sheathed in scabbards at their waists. Half carry
black horn bows and quivers, and half bear long spearlances with identical,
leafshaped steel blades.

Youre sure these walls will stand against even the Dark Monks? drawls the
bulky, broadfaced man. His hooded eyes give his face a sleepylooking cast.

What I raise will be standing when you and I are long gone, Lord Barjim,
affirms the resonant baritone voice of the slender and balding man in blue
silks.

Thatll be a long time, Brill, laughs the Lord of Defalk. You look the same as
when I was Jimbobs age.

Theyll stand that long or longer.