"Sheri S. Tepper - Awakeners 2 - Southshore" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tepper Sherri)

file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/S...er%20-%20Awakeners%202%20-%20Southshore.htm (22 of 214) [10/31/2004 11:18:19 PM]
 SOUTHSHORE-Awakeners 2


"Rabishe-thorn," she responded absently, even as she peered at him with
searching eyes. What was he up to? "Rabishe-thorn, then Falsenter. If we send
word now, they should be able to intercept her in one or the other."
"Send word she is not to be harmed," Tharius went on in an emotionless voice,
praying the quivering of his hands clasped in his lap could not be seen. "As
Propagator of the Faith, I need to know everything she knows, and I won't get it if
she's too frightened or abused orтАФforbid itтАФdosed with Tears. It will take
months for her to reach us overland. During that time, the crusade will be
effectively stopped since she will not be there to lead it." And this was the bait he
hoped would bring them. Though he was thankful for the distraction she had
provided, he wanted Pamra safe. With the day of the strike approaching, with his
own inevitable mortality close at hand, he wanted to know she was well. I want to
leave something behind me, he told himself, as though talking to Kessie. Kessie, I
want to leave a posterityтАФsilly though that may seem. I want it.
None of this was the business of the gathering. He pulled himself into focus and
said again, "The crusade will dissipate while she is on her way here."
Gendra would have liked to find something wrong with his reasoning, but she
couldn't. Gendra wanted Pamra Don killed, both because it was her nature to
dispose of wild factors in that way and because some instinct told her it would be
a very good idea. Pamra Don and Tharius Don. And the lady Kesseret. An odd
group, that. An untrustworthy group. When she, Gendra, became Protector of
Man, her first order to the Jondarites would be to do away with certain of the
Chancery staff. And certain Tower Superiors. And others. She smiled, a rare,
awful smile, showing her teeth.
Shavian, his eyes darting between them as though watching a game of net-ball,
nodded in approval. The general glared but did not object. Why would he? He
would sooner believe in plots than in no plots.
Ezasper Jorn and Koma Nepor simply watched, listened, said little. Having plans
of their own, they didn't care about these things. And as for Lees Obol, his voice
came to them plaintively from the curtained niche behind them. "Somebody get
me my pot."
The Jondarites outside the niche moved to the Protector's service. Gendra stood

file:///G|/Program%20Files/eMule/Incoming/S...er%20-%20Awakeners%202%20-%20Southshore.htm (23 of 214) [10/31/2004 11:18:19 PM]
 SOUTHSHORE-Awakeners 2


up and ordered tea in a loud voice, at least partly to disguise the sounds emanating
from the curtained room. There was general babble for a few moments, for which
Tharius Don was very grateful. A Jondarite brought the Protector's teapot into the
hall and set it upon a distant table, over a lamp, ready when the Protector asked
for it. Behind it, the curtain glowed red as blood in the light of the warmer.
Tharius found his eyes fixed on it, as though it were an omen.
He joined the babble, adding to it. When they came to order once again, his
suggestion would be remembered, but his own connection with it would be
somewhat overlaid by later conversation. A subtlety, he felt, but nonetheless