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

his chest, a smile flickering upon his beard-fringed lips.
УHow long have you been there?Ф Chayin deнmanded.
УLong enough,Ф Hael answered.
УThis crell tried to kill me in my sleep.Ф Chayin gave my head a savage shake.
УI saw.Ф The Day-Keeper moved to stand before us.
УYou saw? And you did nothing? Brother, would you see me die?Ф
УI saw what the boards told me I would see. I saw the sword raised against you
crumble, as did the bone sword when it struck the wood. As the pieces fell, so
did it happen.Ф His voice was water upon the fire of ChayinТs fury. УWhat did
you expect?Ф he continued. УThat she would calmly submit to you? A
Well-Keepress, designated prime mover, dosed with enough uris to keep jiask at
the kill for a week? Did you expect her to sing you to sleep?Ф
The cahndor grunted. He dragged me through the litter to the middle stanchion
and forced me to my knees before it. The uritheria upon his arm glared balefully
at me as he bound my wrists beнfore me to the pole. When his arm brushed my
face, I sank my teeth into his bicep, into the uritheriaТs fanged head. Chayin
cursed and struck me away. My temple crashed against the stra metal stanchion.
The lash upon my back was far away, as if it was another whose flesh was parted.
I bit deep into my arm, that I would not give him more satisfaction by crying
out And somewhere within. me a thing gave way, and the pain mixed with passion
and became something else. And that too was gone, and I was but a woman beaten
by her master, and the pain was only pain, and I was content to lie passive and
receive it. There was little blood.
Chayin came and squatted before me, the thick braided-leather strap in his
hands.
УAre you satisfied, crell?Ф He jerked my head up. УWhat your mind expected, your
body deнmanded, I have given you.Ф
I shook my head, wordless, but my flesh knew what my heart denied. My eyes
misted and cleared. I felt a hand on my shoulder, and knew it to be Hael.
Chayin looked past me, at, his brother the dhareнner.
УShe is yours, Hael. I give her to you. In that way, perhaps things will set
themselves aright. We will throw again and see.Ф
He turned his gaze back to me. His voice was low, his grip upon my head gentle.
He laid down the braided lash. I could see my flesh upon it He traced the side
of my face with his fingers.
УIt would have been amusing,Ф he said to me, Уbut I have not the time for you.
You tempt me, with your flesh and spirit, your wellwomanТs skills. I cannot
afford you.Ф His voice was a whisper. УI am not Sereth of Arlet! Into your
circle. I must not step, lest I lost all I have gained.Ф
His eyes searched mine, his tone a strange mixнture of sadness, longing, and
determination. Around his mouth were lines of strain.
My back counted my pulse for me. УYou fear yourself, cahndor, for you, certainly
cannot fear a crell.Ф I thought he would strike me when he heard my words. I did
not care. He did not strike, but smiled.
УYou understand too well. I will let you pass. Let Hael try you. With his
Day-Keeper skills, he is more your match.Ф He leaned forward and pulled my face
against his, kissed me. It was not the kiss of a cahndor to a crell. And I
returned it. When he took his lips from mine reluctantly, I did not meet his
gaze. Confusion had my mind like the slitsa the furry yit; and it attempted to
swallow me whole.