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

place of hiding. I shrank from the blindнing light, but not even my spirit cast
a shadow in that cruel glow. I writhed and rolled to be free of it, and heard my
own voice, screaming.
And I opened my eyes, to see Hael peering down, the mid-pole of the apprei
rotating with his head as its center. The distance between us became less and
less, and the rotation of the world slowed and ceased.
Hael only knelt above me, his face but scant inches from mine. I could see
grains of sand enнtrapped in his wiry black beard, cracks where the desert wind
had scoured his full lips dark and deep.
УI had thought you entrusted with the chaldra of the soil,Ф he said softly,
wiping my forehead with a cool cloth. So close I could see the pink tongue dart
in his mouth, he peered into my eyes.
УI was with my father,Ф I said, unthinking. My mouth would not form a clear
word. The lampнlight flickered over the apprei walls, which sighed and groaned
in the dim.
ЧУYou were, in truth, elsewhere. We will be within the appreida by sunТs rise.
Three days you have been unconscious, with precious little breath movнing in
you. And yet I found this, here by your side, when none have been within but I.
I have not left this apprei between the time I last examined you, when there was
no such thing here, and just now, when you with your screaming roused me to look
again.Ф Hael held in his hand a blue-white pulsing, jagged-edged. It nestled
innocent in his palm, glowing. I oould not see theХ black filaments within it
from this distance, but I knew they were there, floating, waiting. I shuddered.
I would have run, had I had the strength to move.
УYou do not know it! Do not hold it so, against your naked flesh. Wrap it in
something, tas-, parr-, apth-hide. Put it away! Wrap it and put it in the
deepest pocket of the roomiest saddlepack among the Nemarsi, and make sure that
it lies not near the flesh of man or beast!Ф My words came out of me a hissing
croak.
Hael dropped the crystal. It bounced, upon the Parset rugging and rolled toward
me. I stopped it, unmoving.
УGet the skin!Ф I demanded, not taking my eyes from the blue-white helsar.
Already it brightened, close to me. That it was mine, I had no doubt, nor did
it. That I had somehow brought it with me, against my will, was impossible. It
was here beнcause somewhere inside me I wanted it.
The dharenexЧof the Nemarsi, rushing to do my bidding, dropped a thick apth wrap
over the glowнing helsar and made it fast. He then picked the thing gingerly up
by the thongs and packed it carefully in his own saddlepack with great
attenнtion to its position. Only when it had been finally seated among the
bladders and Eiraziers, pincers and pillows, rolls and wraps of his store, and
the lace lashed tightly shut, did he turn to me.
Sitting cross-legged by my head, he offered me water, lifting my head that I
might drink.
УWhy? What is it?Ф he finally asked me. We were both suddenly aware that it was
not as a dharener he had done my will, nor as a crell had I ordered him.
УCall it a toy, if you will,Ф I answered him. УA toy of a race such as is your
Tar-Kesa, and nothing to be held, in the human grasp. Give it to him, upon his
altar, if you will. I arn,sure the receipt of it would bring him pleasure.Ф And
I was sure. I met HaelТs eyes steadily, demanding his recognition.
УYou do not believe in Tar-Kesa?Ф he said to me, in question form.