"L. E. Modesitt - Timedivers -Timegods - 03 - Timegods' World" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

ears were numb, and my breath made me look like a malfunctioning steamer myself. The
ground crackled underfoot, and whatever the storm brought it wouldn't be rain, but snow
or ice. Overhead, the clouds were thickening into an ugly grey.

Wheeep! Wheeep!

Waving from the window of the Davniadses' slate grey steamer was Allyson. I stumbled
over the half-frozen turf and into the rear seat. Allyson and her mother were in the front.

"You look frozen, Sammis. What on earth are you doing out in this?"

"Mother's in Inequital, and Father is at work. At least he was. It was sunny when I left the
Academy."

"I do hope your mother is all right, Sammis. All the communications links with the capital
are out, just like the power." Germania Davniads was a big woman with a tiny voice.
Allyson had her father's booming voice and both parents' build, but she wasn't overweight
like her mother. She had a nice figure and a nice smile. She was a good head taller than
me, not to mention a year or so older.

As the steamer hummed up the road, I readjusted my cloak. There was no heat, though,
and while I could feel the circulation returning to my fingers and toes, the absence of wind
alone was not enough to immediately thaw me out.

"I do hope Jerz managed to leave Jillriko early. He took the runabout." Germania kept her
eyes on the winding road as her small voice continued. "It's such a long trip back,
especially if the rain gets heavy, and that can easily happen at this time of year . . ."

Allyson half-turned and ran her eyes over my cloak. "It's too cold to rain, Mother. Don't you
think so, Sammis?"

"Ice or snow, I suppose."

"I do hope that it isn't ice. The runabout is so light, and the hill to our place is so steep . . .
Sammis, would you like me to run you all the way up to your doorway?"

"What . . . ?"

"Mother wanted to know if you wanted to come over and have hot cider, or if you had to
get home immediately," added Allyson quickly.

"Cider sounds good . . ."

"Then we'll just take you to our place. All right, Mother?"
"If you think that is all right, dear. But won't your father and mother worry? Especially in
this weather . . . and if it gets icy . . ."

By then, the steamer was nearing the turnoff for our drive. I looked up. A pair of soldiers
stood by the drive, each carrying some sort of weapon.