"Mickey Zucker Reichert - Herald's Rescue" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reichert Mickey Zucker)

could make that judgment: the Herald could not know the size of the man who had come for him. :I can't
make it, Orrin. I'm sorry.:
:Do what you must.: Simple words, brave words, from one who had just condemned himself to
death.
Santar knew he had to try. He could not banish his fear, but he could choose to ignore it. He
sucked in a deep breath, then let it out fully, tightening his muscles and huddling into the smallest area he
could manage. Then, he forced himself into the opening.
The rock crushed in on him, tearing furrows of skin from his chest and arms. He closed his eyes,
trying to trick his senses into believing this deliberate act was the source of the darkness. He felt pinched,
squeezed in all directions. Crushed empty, his lungs spasmed, seeking air. Panic trickled through him,
sending his wits scattering. He forced himself onward, gathering his thoughts and binding them together
into one solid goalтАФthe rescue of a stranger for whom he had already risked so much.
Then, suddenly, the pressure disappeared. Santar popped into a cavern that seemed enormous
after the constriction that had nearly held him fast. :I'm coming,: he sent. :You were right. I made it
through.: His tunic had torn and now hung in two rags from his shoulders. Though irritating, he did not
remove them. He might need the fabric to cushion some other movement or to use as bandages. For a
moment he wondered how he would get back, especially towing another man. He brushed the thought
side. First, he had to find that injured Herald.
 When Orrin made no reply, Santar forced conversation. He had once seen a Healer do the same
thing, keep his patient talking to assure he did not lose consciousness. Obliged to respond, the wounded
man had had little choice but to attend the questions, no matter how silly or obvious the answers, which
kept his mind working, awake, and focused. :Your Companion brought me here.:
The Herald did not seem impressed.
:I'd guessed that. Next right, please.:
Undeterred, Santar continued. :A remarkably handsome creature, in addition to being loyal
and intelligent.:
:Best there is.: Orrin's voice itself seemed to smile, distracted from the pain. :I'm very lucky.:
:What's his name?: Santar took the indicated right and suddenly found himself bathed in
moonlight. Though still night, the contrast with the depthless cave interior seemed blinding. He blinked
several times, gradually taking in the spray of stars across the blue-gray sky, the skeletal hulks of trees
waving in the wind, and the snarl of weeds and bushes that defined the Tangled Forest.
The Companion lifted his head and looked worriedly in Santar's direction.
"Oh, no!" Filled with a tense mixture of alarm and despair, Santar dropped to a crouch. :I messed
up. I lost you.: Santar whirled, rushing back into the cave. :I've gone in a circle. I'm sorry. You'll have
to start over.:
:The Companion's name...is Orrin.:
Santar froze. :Orrin. But that's yourтАФ: Shoulders drawn up to his ears, he turned slowly to
confront the stallion. :You?:
The horse nodded. :Yes.:
Santar could only stare incredulously. "Why?"
:I needed to know you were up to the job, someone who can push himself to his limits, who
will do so for the good of a sick or injured stranger.:
:Why?: Even as he asked the question, Santar understood the answer. :Your HeraldтАФ:
:My Herald,: Orrin repeated, then added, :is you. I Choose you.:
"Me?" The reply was startled from Santar. :Me.: he repeated internally. :Herald Santar?: He
shook his head to awaken himself from what had to be a dream, then looked into the blue eyes of the
very real, dazzingly gorgeous white stallion in front of him. He had aspired to owning a horse half this fine,
and now he had a Companion as a lifelong friend, so much more than a possession or a mount.
"Thank you," Santar breathed. "Thank you for Choosing me."
Orrin lunged like a striking snake, caught Santar's britches, and hurled him into the air. Santar