"Silistra - 02 - The Golden Sword" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morris Janet E)

cruelest. Pawn had I lived, pawn wouldЧI die. Defiance rose in me. I would not
be so easily dealt with!
УCahndor,Ф I called softly to his retreating back, though the word came hard and
bitter to my tongue. I would beg for my life, bide my time. This was no Mrysten
I faced, but a desert primitive. I had not spent so long in Well Astria for
nothing. I would play the conquered, but eventually, it was I who would conquer.
As he had bound me with rope, so would I bind him, with desire. I would spread
the knowledge I had gained upon MiТysten and free us from the ShaperТs MiТysten
manipulaнtion. To do so, СI must live. To live, I would do what was needed.
УCahndor,Ф I called again.
Chayin rendi Inekte, cahndor of the Nemarsi, turned and came to stand before me.
I put my cheek to his booted foot and kissed it. Kneeling, my hair in the dirt,
my lips against the rough leather, I waited.
УSpeak, little crell, speak the words.Ф His voice held amusement, triumph.
УI choose to live, I beg to live. Do with me as you will.Ф
УSay, then, that you choose to live as crell to me, and speak my name.Ф
I did so, though the dust blurred the words and my voice was weak and shaky. For
a moment I thought he would not accept me, but would leave me; even though I had
prostrated myself before him.
УI think,Ф he said, after a silence in which my heart thundered, deafening, Уyou
shall be Miheja. It is a good Parset name. Live up to it.Ф And he lifted me to
my feet. I was much shamed; my sense of purpose, my plan did not ease me. The
smile that tugged at the corner of his lips, danced in his eyes, burned my skin.
My legs were unнsteady under me; I weaved upon my feet.
УA crell does not gaze into the eyes of her cahndor, unless so commanded,Ф he
informed me. I dropped my eyes.
УNor into the eyes of any man or woman of the Nemarsi,Ф he cautioned. His voice
seemed far away, the words unclear. The ground beneath me reached up, calling. A
haze of red consumed it; then the red was dark, and I felt his arms about me,
and the dizziness faded. The drug was wearing off, the stimulant effect
receding. I was again conscious of my throbbing feet, my thirst, my hunger, my
weakness. He picked me up in his arms and carнried me. His skin was hot, and
slick against mine.
Among the others he set me down. I counted ten of them, squatting on the rocky
ground. Bladders of drink and wraps of meat littered the sand. Beнside the
bearded Hael he placed me, and sat himself. HaelТs eyes were for his cahndor. My
eyes were for the wrap of leather upon which rested a half-eaten joint of meat.
The smell of it had me salivating. My stomach voiced its need. Chayin rendi
Inekte picked up the meat and gnawed at it.
УWhat name have you given her?Ф Hael asked. УMiheja,Ф Chayin answered around a
mouthful. I lay between them, hands bound under me. My cahndor had not seen fit
to free me. Hael looked at me; his eyes searched mine. I looked away, rememн.
bering.
Hael uncorked a bladder and lifted my head that I might drink. In the bladder
was not water, but some warming brew with which I was not familiar. He then cut
some meat and fed me pieces, slowly, with his fingers. After three bites, my
shrunken stomach could hold no more. I turned my head away. His hand on my
forehead turned it back to him, so that I could not avoid his bearded face. He
smiled down at me, and his smile was gentle.
УPerhaps you will win, in the end, little Miheja,Ф he said in a voice so low the