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

Sunset blazed above Gold Ridge valley in north Emelan, throwing shadows over a
company of mounted riders. At the head of their train a bannerman carried the
personal flag of Duke Vedris IV, ruler of Emelan. The Duke himself rode behind the
flag, surrounded and followed by his staff, guards and friends.
Smoke drifted through the air in veils, stinging everyoneТs eyes. They had been riding
through it for two days, watching it stretch over pastures and fields. Now at last, as
the company entered the deep forests that filled the northern half of the valley, they
began to rise above the thick air.
At the very rear of their column rode three girls and a boy, mounted on sturdy ponies.
When one of the adults, a woman in a dark-green habit, stopped and dismounted from
her horse, they also drew their ponies to a halt and watched her. She climbed out of
the sunken road and walked several yards under the ancient trees. A tall young dog
with curly white fur, who trotted beside the four, detached himself from their group
and followed.
УLittle Bear!Ф called Daja Kisubo, a tall, broad-shouldered black girl. УLeave
Rosethorn alone. Come back here.Ф
The dog obeyed. When he reached the closest rider, DajaТs plump, redheaded friend
Tris, he sat, stirring the roadТs dust with his plumed tail.

УRosethorn?Ф asked Briar, the boy. УIs everything all right?Ф
УJust stay put,Ф ordered Rosethorn. She picked up a sturdy branch, and began to dig in
the heavy litter of tree-leaves and decaying wood underfoot. УIТll be there in a
moment.Ф
УThatТs not what I asked,Ф he muttered to the girls out of the corner of his mouth. УI
asked if everything was all right.Ф
Daja turned her mount. From this small rise she could look through a gap in the trees.
УDaja? Are you all right?Ф The voice belonged to the third girl in their party, Sandry.
Everything about her, from her pony to her clothes, spoke of wealth that the other
three did not have. When she turned her mount to see what had caught DajaТs eye,
Briar and Tris did the same.
In the distance, where ridges of open pasture faded into the base of the southern and
western mountains, long bands of sullen orange fire shone.
Daja shook her head, making her eleven short braids flap. УItТs like something from a
nightmare,Ф she replied. УIt looks like what the Traders call pijule fako!.Ф
Sandry shivered and drew the gods-circle on her chest for protection. She knew
Trader beliefs. УThe afterlife for those who donТt pay their debts,Ф she muttered.
Little Bear rose to his hind legs, planting his forepaws against TrisТs saddle. She
leaned over to scratch his ears, her brass-rimmed spectacles glinting in the late
afternoon sun. УThatТs the nice thing about believing in the Living Circle,Ф she
remarked. УNo bad afterlives. We just get reborn.Ф
Briar squinted, his grey-green eyes wary. УThose fires reach for miles. And thereТs
nothing to stop them from burning. This whole countryТs dry as tinder.Ф
Rosethorn thrust a clump of tree-litter into a pocket, then returned to her mount. Once
she was in the saddle, she beckoned to a local man who rode with the DukeТs party.
УHow long has it been since you people last had a forest fire?Ф
The man chuckled. УBless you, Dedicate Rosethorn, thereТs not been what IТd call a
real forest fire in this valley since - oh, since my dad was a pup. Our mage, him they
call Firetamer, he sees to that.Ф
УI was afraid youТd say that,Ф murmured Rosethorn, an Earth dedicate of the Living
Circle temples. УCome on, you four - weТre being left behind.Ф