"The Summoning" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morgen Shelby)

This manЧthis ElfЧhad certainly never been part of her dreams before. It was to the Elf-Man that Marylin turned for answers, hissing her questions out with as much righteous anger and injured dignity as her pounding head would allow. УWho and what are you and where the hell am I and how did I get here?Ф

One eyebrow raised in a delicate point. УI am Shammall, MТLady, your most humble and obedient servant.Ф

Marylin suppressed a most unladylike snort, thinking sheТd never met anyone less humble or obedient.

УAs for what, I am a Mage, and it was I who summoned you.Ф

Summoned she understood, but Mage? As inЧas in what? Magician? Maybe he could make things appear, sleight of hand, like the cloth?

УWe are in the Northlands, camped just below thePassofSt. Gregory , which separates the Northlands from the ancient cities of Talandar and ╔lahandara, and you are here because I summoned you.Ф

All right. She wasnТt going to panic. No. Not now. Maybe later. Some of this at least made sense. Northlands. It was cold.Canada , maybe. ButЕ УI thought I knew most of the Saints. I donТt remember Saint Gregory.Ф

The Mage raised an eyebrow. УHis story is well known, MТLady. Saint Gregory slew a Dragon, thus separating the races of Man from the elders.Ф

Dragon? Slew aЕ УGeorge. Saint George slew the Dragon.Ф

The Mage exchanged a worried glance with the one who knelt beside her. УShe speaks strangely, MТLord. Perhaps the Summoning has affected her in some way we did not foresee.Ф

УI do not speak strangely! I know my history! ItТs an ancient legend. SaintGeorge and the Dragon. George. Not Gregory. George!Ф

Her knight kissed her palm again. УAs ye wish, my love. We shall correct the name of the pass if it please ye.Ф

Was he laughing at her? Marylin turned her gaze back to the Warrior. For he was a Warrior, of that there was no doubt. Even without the huge axe strapped across his back, and the dense layer of heavy black chain maille that covered his tunic, sheТd have recognized him for what he was.

He looked so much like the man from her dreams. Something in her wanted to reach out to him, touch him, draw him into her arms and comfort him.

Right. As if he needed comforting. He was the one whoТd kidnapped her, after all. Or ordered the other one, the Elf, to fetch her here.

A hint of a smile touched his lips as their gazes locked again. УI am Roanen, MТLady, of House Lindall, and I am thy Lord and thy husband.Ф

Lord? As in Lord and Master? SheТd have laughed at the audacity of it, especially since she sensed that one harsh word from her at just that moment would shatter the man, but the other word distracted her.

Husband?

Marylin looked around the pavilion again, taking in as much as she could, before she let her head fall back to the pillows in utter exhaustion. WerenТt dreams supposed to come with sleep? How could she possibly feel this tired? Or hungry? УI suppose a cheeseburgerТs out of the questionЕand a milkshake?Ф

The two men exchanged glances, and a worried frown creased RoanenТs handsome face. At this distance she could see the lines of strain around his eyes, and the set of his shoulders looked less regal and more just plain tired. УCheese burger?Ф

You didnТt eat in dreams. Not real food. You werenТt ever hungry in dreams. At least she never had been before. УBeef?Ф

The men looked even more worried.

УMeat. From a cow. Cooked. Made into a sandwich, with cheese, between two pieces of bread?Ф

УCow?Ф Both men looked perplexed.

УCow.Ф Crap. What other names for cows were there? УCattle? Bull? Steer?Holstein ?Ф