"Angus Wells - The God Wars 3 - Wild Magic" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wells Angus)

"I am," Cennaire agreed, lying, "but I'll tell your
friend my tale first."

Calandryll made a sound pitched somewhere be-
tween agreement and irritation, and she smiled at
him, thinking fleetingly of how easy it was to mold
a man's emotions. Or some men's, she corrected
herselfтАФBracht appeared impervious- Because, she
decided, he loved the Vanu woman, that notion giv-
ing rise to another: what was it like to command
such love? She pushed those brief musings away
and told the truth, entire and unadorned.

WILD MAGIC 5

"My horse died nearby," she said huskily, "and I
came here. I thought I was saved when a rider ap-
proached, but something ... I cannot say what, for
I did not properly understand it... prompted me to
caution. I sensed evil in him ... a malign aura ...
and hid myself. As well I did, for I was right."

She paused, frowning as she relived the experi-
ence. She had all their attention now.

"He lit a fire and brought meat from his saddle-
bags. I watched him eat. Burash, it was ghastly! He
roasted pieces of a man and ate them!"

Calandryll said, "Rhythamun!" The single word
was invested with massive loathing. Katya's full
lips pressed tight together, thinned with revulsion.
Bracht spat his contempt and said/ "Go on."

Cennaire wiped her mouth as if to rid herself of
some unpleasant taste, the movement instinctive,
her own revulsion real. "I was afraid," she contin-
ued, still telling only the truth. "Afraid that he
should sense my presence and afraid to flee, lest he
see me. I remained hidden in the grass, watching. I
could think of nothing else to do."

"How did he look?" demanded Bracht curtly.
"Describe him."

"Sand-haired," she returned, "with a broken
nose. His eyes were brown."

The three exchanged confirming glances. Bracht
motioned for her to continue.