"Janny Wurts - The Cycle of Fire1 - Stormwarden" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wurts Janny)

"Have you never heard a child scream?" said Tathagres. "You shall, I promise."
 Behind her, Emien struggled violently; the sailors cuffed him until he subsided. Tathagres resumed as
though no dis-turbance had occurred. "Aren't you interested enough to ask why?"

Yet Anskiere showed less regard for the royal intentions concerning the Kielmark, who ruled an empire
of outlaws, than for the girl beneath his hands.

Irritated by his silence, Tathagres straightened and folded her arms. "The King promises you legal
pardon for Tierl En-neth."

Without moving, Anskiere said, "Providing I free the frost-wargs," and at Tathagres' startled intake of
breath added, "the Constable couldn't resist telling me that the King desires their release so he can break
the Free Isles' alliance. What did he offer for your help? Wealth, or the Kielmark's power?"

Tathagres stiffened. A flush suffused her cheeks, yet only triumph colored her reply. "Nothing so slight,
Cloud-shifter. I asked for the Keys to Elrinfaer Tower itself."

At that, Anskiere looked up, still as the calm before a terrible storm. His fingers tightened over Taen's
ears. "Be warned, Tathagres. The King will never command my actions, even should children be made to
suffer."

Which was more than Emien could stomach. He lunged against the sailors' hold, thin face twisted with
horror. "Kor-dane's Fires consume you, sorcerer!"

Tathagres met the boy's outburst with disinterested eyes. "Be still."

Emien quieted as though slapped. He glared sullenly as Tathagres tilted her head. Her hair glittered like
frost against her gem-collared throat where the pulse beat visibly, giving an impression of vulnerability.
Unaware his emotions had become her weapon, Emien was moved by a powerful urge to protect her.
He swallowed, and his hands relaxed against the sailors' grip. Tathagres smiled.

"Boy," she said huskily. "Should your Stormwarden refuse the King's command, will you help me break
him?"

It was Anskiere's fault Taen had endangered herself. An-skiere's fault the sloop was lost. As the son of
generations of fishermen, the offense was beyond pardon. He spat on his palm, then raised his fist to his
forehead. "By my oath." His voice grew passionate with hatred as he met Tathagres' glance. "Mis-fortune
and the Sea's curse claim me should I swear falsely."

"So be it." Tathagres signaled the deckhands who held the boy. "He has sworn service to me. Free him."

The men's hands fell away. Emien shivered and rubbed reddened arms, eyes fixed on his mistress. "I
think," he said, then hesitated. "I think you are the most beautiful lady I have ever known."

And Taen suddenly comprehended her brother's change of alliance. "You shame your father!" she
shouted. Anskiere's touch soothed her.

Emien lifted his chin with scorn. "He'll kill you, sister."

But Taen turned her face away, into the Stormwarden's shoulder, and refused to move. The boatswain