"Pierce, Tamora - The Circle Opens 01 - Magic Steps" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pierce Tamora)

"Coulda come in over the roof," said the bald, chunky man who was the third
investigator.
"He'd've spelled the roof, too," the sergeant told them tersely. "He never left
no loopholes, not him."
Sandry looked at the ceiling, though she was really inspecting the magical
fabric above it. There were store rooms on the floors upstairs, all with their
own protec tions. The roof was a solid mass of untouched magic. She shook her
head. "You're right. The roof is absolutely covered with spells, and none show
signs of tampering."
Captain Qais crossed his arms. "Begging your pardon, your ladyship, but you are
versed in weaving and needlework. We have mages who know just this kind of
thing, magic used by criminals and magic used to keep criminals out. They will
be able to explain. And I still think those guards will talk plenty once they're
sweated."
Sandry stared at the man, honestly shocked. What did he think magic was, if not
a kind of thread? He spoke as though she'd spent the last four years minding a
spinning wheel or a tapestry frame, not cudgeling her brain with lessons in
arts, sciences, and the theories of how and why mages could get magic to work.
"Captain," the duke said coolly, "if your mages are coming, we must not remain
underfoot." He got up. "You will keep me apprised of all developments?"
The captain was studying Jamar's head. He glanced at the duke, startled at the
interruption, and hurriedly bowed. "Of course, your grace."
Sandry hesitated. She would like to see Provosts MagesЧwhom Pasco had called
"harrier-mages." They would be academic mages, taught at places like the uni
versity in Lightsbridge, their ways different from those of craft-mages like
Sandry and her friends. While she had been taught academic methods and had
learned about different specialties in academic magic, she had never seen a
Provost's Mage at work.
The duke offered Sandry his arm. She had a choice, she realizedЧshe could stay,
or she could get her uncle back to Duke's Citadel. Her uncle came first, so she
took the offered arm, Perhaps she could get him to introduce her to some
Provosts Mages before she went home to Winding Circle.
Sandry and the duke made their way out of the build ing in silence. Two of the
guards stationed before the door escorted them to their horses and their own
soldiers. Sandry kept a wary eye on the press of human beings that folded away
from them, but there were no weapons in the fingers that brushed the duke's
tunic or arm and there was only respect in the whispers of " Gods bless your
grace."
Their approach was so quiet that they surprised one of the Duke's Guard telling
some Provost's Guards, "Чtook an hour to cut them out of her cocoons. They
growed into the very walls and floorЧ,"
Someone cleared her throat and the guards snapped to attention. Their mounts
were brought forward as the Provost's Guards melted back through the side door
to Rokat House.
"Some got nothing better to do than gossip," Kwaben said to no one in
particular.
Sandry peered at her uncle and saw the corner of his mouth quiver with
amusement. She: almost smiled herself. Perhaps; it was bad of me, she thought as
she mounted her horse. Still, at least I taught them who they're dealing with.
No one will keep me away from Uncle again.