"Zelazny, Roger - Amber 09 - Knight Of Shadows" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger) this seeing was to note that the Sign also hovered before Mandor, who, to my
knowledge, has never been much into trust either. Something cloudy and vaguely Pattern-like also occupied a similar position vis-р-vis Jasra, completing the circle of wariness. And the light danced on before us. We emerged from behind a stack of barrels into what appeared to be a very well-stocked wine cellar. Mandor paused after six paces and carefully removed a dusty bottle from the rack to our left. He drew a corner of his cloak across its label. "Oh, my!" he observed. "What is it?" Jasra inquired. "If this is still good, I can build an unforgettable meal around it." "Really? Better bring several to be sure then," she said. "These go back before my time--perhaps before Sharu's time even." "Merlin, you bring these two," he said, passing me a pair. "Carefully, now." He studied the rest of the rack before selecting two more, which he carried himself. "I can see why this place is often under siege," he remarked to Jasra. "I'd have been inclined to have a go at it myself had I known about this part." She reached out and squeezed his shoulder. "There are easier ways to get what you want," she said, smiling. "I'll remember that," he replied. "I hope you'll hold me to it." I cleared my throat. She gave me a small frown, then turned away. We followed her out a low and passed through it into an immense, deserted kitchen. "Never a servant around when you need one," she remarked, casting her gaze about the room. "We won't be needing one," Mandor said. "Find me a congenial dining area and I'll manage." "Very well," she replied. "This way then." She led us through the kitchen; then we passed through a series of rooms till we came to a stairway, which we mounted. "Ice fields?" she asked. "Lava fields? Mountains? Or a storm-tossed sea?" "If you are referring to a choice of views," Mandor responded, "give me the mountains." He glanced at me, and I nodded. She conducted us to a long, narrow room, where we unfastened a series of shutters to behold a dappled range of round-topped peaks, The room was cool and a bit dusty with shelves running the length of the near wall. These held books, writing implements, crystals, magnifying glasses, small pots of paint, a few simple magical instruments, a microscope, and a telescope. There was a trestle table at the room's middle, a bench on either side of it. "How long will it take to prepare this?" Jasra asked. "A minute or two," Mandor said. "In that case," she said, "I would like to repair myself somewhat first. Perhaps you would also." "Good idea," I said. "Indeed," Mandor acknowledged. |
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