"Pierce, Tamora - Circle Of Magic 03 - Daja's Book E-Txt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pierce Tamora)

shadowy forge.
УNot all of us are as perfect as you,Ф said Frostpine, putting his hands on the iron that
held Daja and Tris captive. УSometimes magic gets away from a mage, is the point I
was trying to make.Ф He glared at Rosethorn, then concentrated on his task.
Daja smiled. Frostpine would make things right. He always did. She could feel the
power that welled from him as his magic fed into the iron vine.
УThere.Ф Polyam had come back to the smithy. This time she brought company. Two
other Traders: an older woman who wore a gold-trimmed maroon gauze veil on her
hair, and a mimander, a Trader mage, robed head to toe in lemon-coloured cloth,
wearing a face-veil of the same eye-smarting shade. УIt is as I told you,Ф Polyam said
to them.
Daja felt her teacherТs power draw back as Frostpine glared at the newcomers. УI
donТt mind if you watch, but you must be silent. We donТt need distractions.Ф
The older woman nodded as regally as any queen; the mimander bowed. All three
Traders, including Polyam, leaned on their staffs as they watched.
After a moment, Daja felt FrostpineТs power return to the vine. He was putting forth
more effort now. УYou know, I expect liveliness from gold,Ф he murmured to her.
УItТs such an agreeable metal, and it takes suggestions a bit too well. But iron? Iron
shouldnТt be getting into this kind of mischief - aha!Ф
No one had to ask why he had exclaimed: the metal vines were shrinking, pulling
away from the girlsТ captive arms.

Tris yanked free. The vines loosened their grip on Daja more reluctantly, but
eventually they let her go. She slid out of their hold with a sigh of relief. The moment
she was loose, she and Frostpine drew their magic from the iron.
УNow what do you do with it?Ф Rosethorn wanted to know. УIt seems a shame to melt
it down.Ф
The iron tendrils coiled, shrinking away. УI think you scared it,Ф Tris remarked.
Daja picked up the metal plant. УI donТt know if we could make anything normal with
it even if we did melt it down.Ф She ran her fingers over the corded trunk. УIt doesnТt
exactly feel like iron now.Ф
Rosethorn put a hand on one of the branches. A thin iron twig sprouted between two
of her fingers. У/ think itТs going to keep growing. ThatТs how it feels to me.Ф
УYou are certain that it will grow?Ф asked the mimander, his voice slightly muffled by
his yellow veil. He walked further into the smithy, bowed to Rosethorn and Frostpine,
and rested a yellow-gloved hand on the iron vine. УYes - I can feel the power. This is
like nothing I have known.Ф
УMay we help you, honoured mimander?Ф Frostpine enquired.
The older woman spoke quietly to Polyam, who announced, УTenth Caravan Idaram
will pay, in the money of Emelan, a gold maja for this thing.Ф
Daja frowned at the Traders. A gold maja was half a yearТs income for a poor family.
That was startling enough. What was more startling yet was that she knew Trader
custom: that sum had to be the lowest bid the newcomers could think she might
accept.
УIt must be cleansed of contact with a trangshi,Ф the mimander remarked to Polyam
and the other Trader.

УIt was a trangshi that made it,Ф snapped Rosethorn. Tris beamed at her.
УEven a rat has fur and meat,Ф Polyam replied, her eyes bright. УA gold maja and a
gold astrel. We would offer more, but there is the cost of the herbs and oils for the