"Andre Norton - Brother To Shadows" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

Jofre tensed. Was mind reading also one of the arts this lizard man knew? If so, he
wanted none of that art to be exercised upon him. He loosed his grip on Zurzal's shoulder.

"No, I did not read your mind, Night wanderer, I merely called upon logic. You, of
course, wonder why I am here." He uttered a low sound which might have been laughter.
"It is no place for a man of peace, that I agree. But sometimes one must overcome a
number of obstacles to assure one success."
There was a silence between them. If the Zacathan waited for some reply, Jofre did not
know what he should give him. Was the other hinting that he needed help in his search?
If so, he had appealed to the wrong one.

"Master of Learning," Jofre gave him the honorific he would have given to one of the few
scribes who jealously guarded the history of the Shadows. "I am new come to this place; I
know no one herein. You must seek another guide."

"Are you oathed?" That demand came swiftly and with such force of authority that Jofre
found himself replying at once with the truth:

"I am not oathedтАФthe Brothers are no longer mine."

He was aware of the sharpness of those eyes which stared at him as if the Zacaehan could
indeed pry open his skull and sift out some answer.

"There is no outlawing of the Brothern that is recorded," the Zacathan said. "But also
none will deny an oath. ButтАФ you are not of Asborgan and never have I heard of the
Brothers taking into their midst a man of another race."

"I do not know my race, Master of Learning. I was found in the wreckage of a space
lifeboat and I was so young that I had no memory of what chanced before the Master of
the Lair brought me forth and back to be one of his followers. His issha failed, and the
Shagga priest, who long wished none of me, denied me thereafter. But it remains I am
issha-trained." And with that he ended confidently. It was no boast but a statement of
fact.

"Do you wish an oath binding?"

Was that not what had drawn him here? Though in truth he had not dared to hope for any
lord to offer him a House tie.

"Would not any in my position wish such? But I am not backed by any Lair now and the
weight of the Brothers will not vouch for me."

The Zacathan nodded. "However, there may be an answer to two problems in this. Will
you come and listen?"

It was a strange stroke of fateтАФthere was almost something to be suspicious of in such a
quick offer but at least he could hear the off-worlder out. Perhaps after his late experience
Zurzal saw the need for a bodyguard. Well, Jofre was trained to that as well as the other
uses of the Shadow ones.