"Janet Morris - Kerrion Empire 03 - Earth Dreams" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morris Janet E)

lite arrays, so much more intensive than those the Or-
refors bond had orbited about Earth. If her husband and
the intelligencer who had served his family for nearly
twenty years wished, they could destroy the whole of
Earth without ever stepping upon itтАФthey did not need
to invoke her cruiser, as Tempest was hinting. Rather
than debate the matter, she walked at measured pace to-
ward the stand of trees, arms raised in salute and wel-
come, head high, a breeze stirring her curls.

Beyond the men and the trees, the sun was settling
over the Hudson, and the hilly plain sloping up into co-
balt mountains seemed grassed with fire. In two unmixed
groups, the enchanters and local horsemen trotted to-
ward her. She held her ground, waiting, conscious of
Chaeron's eyes on her, of a hawk circling off to her right,
of the cruiser Marada's thoughts brushing hers, assuring
her that Tempest was right: any who sought to do vio-
lence upon her person would not have time to accomplish

it.

Then the horses drew near, and a voice came out of
the gathering gloom, "Little mother, are you safe and

8

JANET MORRIS

sound?" It was a calm and whispery voice, laconic, and
its accent reminded her of unhappier days when she was
not "Shebat of the Enchanters' Fire" or "Shebat the
Twice Risen" or "Shebat Alexandra Kerrion" but only
Shebat, Bolen's drudge who had no say in anything, not
even her life.

"Dismount, petitioner, and see for yourself. AU of
you, get down, and tell me who has dared the sancitity of
these grounds. If you men are bent on evil, do it
elsewhere. This is a free zone, where enchanters do no
magic and soldiers make no war. You!" She pointed out
the man who had spoken. "I need no fire to see your
face, no cave to reveal you. Someday, you will look into
a stream and cower at what you see. Now, you wish to
hear that you are right, that you are fated. Well, make
no peace, man of Ithaca, and you will see that you are
not right, but truly fated. Follow your heart, instead, and
live to see your grandchild play."

The man stopped at his horses's head, stroking its