"Hall Of Mirrors" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger)

"Oh?"
"You're going to need a good mount, Lord Corwin."
"Yes, I'm sure."
"I'd like to apply for the job, for an indefinite period."
"I'd be honored," I said. "You're very special."
"Yes, I am."
We were atop Kolvir that afternoon and onto the grounds of Amber Palace
within hours after that. I found Shask a good stall, groomed him, fed him,
and left him to turn to stone at his leisure. I found a nameplate, scratched
Shasko's name and my own upon it, and tacked it to his door.
"See you later," I said.
"Whatever, Lord. Whatever."
I departed the stables and headed for the palace. It was a damp, cloudy
day, with a chill breeze from the direction of the sea. So far, no one had
spotted me.
I entered by way of the kitchen, where there was new help on duty. None
of them recognized me, though they obviously realized that I belonged. At
least, they returned my greeting with due respect and did not object to some
fruit I pocketed. They did ask whether I cared to have something sent to one
of the rooms, and I answered "yes" and told them to send a bottle of wine
and a chicken along with it. The afternoon head chef--a redhaired lady named
Clare--began studying me more closely, and more than once her gaze drifted
toward the silver rose on my cloak. I did not want to announce my identity
just then, and I thought they'd be a little afraid to guess ahead at it, at
least for a few hours. I did want the time to rest a bit and just enjoy the
pleasure of being back. So, "Thanks," I said, and I went on my way to my
quarters.
I started up the back stairs the servants use for being unobtrusive and
the rest of us for being sneaky.
Partway up, I realized that the way was blocked by sawhorses. Tools lay
scattered about the stairs though there were no workmen in sight--and I
couldn't tell whether a section of old stair had simply given way or whether
some other force had been brought to bear upon it.
I returned, cut around to the front, and took the big stairway up. As I
made my way, I saw signs of exterior repair work, including entire walls and
sections of flooring. Any number of apartments were open to viewing. I
hurried to make sure that mine was not among their number.
Fortunately, it was not. I was about to let myself in when a big
redhaired fellow turned a corner and headed toward me. I shrugged. Some
visiting dignitary, no doubt...
"Corwin!" he called out. "What are you doing here?"
As he drew nearer, I saw that he was studying me most intently. I gave
him the same treatment.
"I don't believe I've had the pleasure," I said.
"Aw, come on, Corwin," he said. "You surprised me. Thought you were off
by your Pattern and the '57 Chevy."
I shook my head.
"Not sure what you're talking about," I said.
He narrowed his eyes.
"You're not a Pattern ghost?" he said.