"Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman - Rose of the Prophet 02 - The Paladin of the Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weis Margaret)

cave when he was nearly suffocated by a flurry of feathers. Silver hair
obscured his vision and a warm, soft body hurled itself into his arms.
"Oh, Pukah!" Asrial cried, clutching at him frantically. "My poor Mathewl I
have to find him! You must help me escape!"
Chapter 4
"This would seem to indicate that their Calif, this Khardan, is not dead,"
Quar mused.
Kaug found the God taking a stroll in His pleasure garden, Quar's mind
occupied with the march of the Amir's army south. This jihad was a weighty
matter, so much to do; making certain the weather was perfect, preventing rain
so that the baggage trains did not founder in the mud; forcing Disease's
deadly, hand away from His troops; keeping the magic of Sul flowing into the
horses, and a hundred other worries. Quar had frowned at Kaug's interruption
but, since the 'efreet insisted it was important, magnanimously agreed to
listen.
"That is what I think as well, O Holy One," said the 'efreet, bowing to
indicate he was sensible of the honor of sharing like beliefs with his God.
"The djinn, Pukah, has the brains of a mongrel, but even a dog knows when its
master is dead and the news came as a complete surprise to Khardan's lackey."
"And this you tell me about the wives. It is certainly mysterious," Quar said
ofihandedly, sinking his white, perfectly shaped teeth into the golden skin of
a kumquat. "What do you make of it?" A speck of juice dripped onto the costly
silk robes. Irritably, the God dabbed at it with a linen napkin.
"Pukah brought up the matter, Magnificent One. When I asked him why he was
interested, he lied, telling me that Khardan cared deeply for his wives. We
know from the
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26 WEIS AND HICKMAN
woman, Meryem, that the Calif hated his head wife and that his second wife was
a madman."
"Mrammm." Quar appeared entirely absorbed with removing the stain from his
clothing.
"It was when I mentioned that the wives had disappeared that I heard the
strange soundтАФas of someone stricken with grief. Holy One. I am convinced that
there is someone else present in my dwelling." Kaug scowled, his brow furrowed
in thought. "Someone with wings . . ."
Quar had been just about to take another bite of the fruit. His hand stopped
midway to his mouth. "Wings?" he repeated softly.
"Yes, Holy One." Kaug described Pukah's peculiar behavior and Sond's reaction.
"Promenthas!" murmured Quar softly. "Angels in company with djinn of Akhran!
So the Gods are fighting me on the immortal plane as well!"
"What is it you say. Holy One?" Kaug drew nearer.
"I said this strange winged intruder has probably taken advantage of your
leaving and fled," Quar said coldly.
"Impossible, My Lord. I sealed my dwelling before I departed. I thought 1
should lose no time in bringing you this information," the 'efreet added
deprecatingly.
"I do not see why you are so concerned with this Khardanl" said Quar, plucking
another kumquat. "All my people have become obsessed with himl The Imam wants
his soul. The Amir wants his head. Meryem wants his body. This Calif is human,