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

done still more to age her past her years.
"Give me a day or two," Lark suggested. "I'll ask some of the dancers I know to
recommend a teacherЧsome one who won't be unnerved if Pasco's control over his
power slips." Lark still kept the performer friends she'd made in her youth,
before she took her vows. "In the meantime, begin his lessons in meditation as
soon as possible. And be prepared to talk to his parents."
Sandry nodded gloomily. She didn't feel at all confident about teaching.
Lark came over and gave her a hug. "The wheel turns," she told Sandry. "The
student becomes the teacher. And you'll do me creditЧjust you wait and see."
Sandry chuckled and returned the hug. "If I can do half as well as you, I'll
count myself lucky."
CHAPTER 5
Once baton practice started, it was a good idea to think about only baton
practice, not about full nets or Lady Sandrilene. Pasco's mother Zahra was
feeling brisk she made them all step lively that morning. The cousins' feet
slapped the courtyard tiles as if they were step dancers all doing the same
measures.
When a maid told Zahra someone had come to see her, Zahra ordered them to pair
up and practice the latest drill. The moment she was gone. Pasco and a couple of
the others sat down to rest..
A baton thumped Pasco's crown. "You heard, your mama, tippy-feet," his cousin
Vani said, jeering. "Come: prance around, with me a bit."
Pasco replied with a rude suggestion.
Vani growled, and rapped Pasco's head again. Pasco saw stars.
"Stop it, Vani," Reha protested. "You'd be cleaning chamberpots for weeks if
Aunt Zahra saw that."
"She won't catch me, though, and you won't tell if you're wise." Glaring at
Pasco, Vani added, "Guess who got stuck hauling wood this morning while somebody
took his sweet time coming back from market? Wha'd you do, Pasco? Stop and
goggle at them Capchen dancers practicing in the yard at Wainwright's inn?" Vani
banged Pasco's knees, then his shins, with his baton.
Pasco surged to his feet and lunged at Vani, baton out. His cousin backed away,
swung his weapon and knocked Pasco's from his grip. He surveyed Pasco with
narrowed eyes. "I got to teach you not to stick me with all the hot sweaty
work."
Pasco trembled. Vani was going to hurt him again. Even if one of the girls
fetched help, sooner or later Vani would get his revenge. For some reason Pasco
brought out the worst of Vani's mean streak. Now he shrank back, raising his
hands to guard his face as his bigger cousin drew close.
A bit of flute music threaded through his mind. The Capchens had danced to itЕ
Humming the tune, Pasco took three quick steps to the right, his arms in the
air, palm-to-palm overhead.
Vani halted and rolled his eyes. "Now what?" he de manded.
Pasco took another three quick steps to the left. He lowered his arms halfway,
holding them like wings out from his sides. He arched his chest, head high. Long
step next, then leap at Vani, one leg bent, the other trailing straight behind
him.
Vani, Haiday, and the youth behind them flew up and back as if thrown. Pasco
landed on the ground and waited for them to do the same.
They didn't All three stayed in the air, four feet above the tiles. They hung,