"Zelazny, Roger - Amber 09 - Knight Of Shadows" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger)

seal addressing the genuine article in such a fashion.
"It was because he realized Rinaldo was rich, of course," she continued.
"Victor was, as usual, broke himself at the time. Rinaldo showed no interest,
though, and simply stopped taking painting lessons from him shortly after
that--as he felt he'd learned all he could from him. When he told me about it
later, however, I realized that the man could be made into a perfect cat's-paw.
I was certain such a person would do anything for a taste of real power."
I nodded.
"Then you and Rinaldo began the visitation business? You took turns
clouding his mind and teaching him a few real things?"
"Real enough," she said, "though I handled most of his training. Rinaldo
was usually too busy studying for exams. His point average was generally a
little higher than yours, wasn't it?"
"He usually had pretty good grades;" I conceded. "When you talk of
empowering Melman and turning him into a tool, I can't help thinking about the
reason: You were priming him to kill me, in a particularly colorful fashion."
She smiled.
"Yes," she said, "though probably not as you think. He knew of you, and he
had been trained to play a part in your sacrifice. But he acted on his own the
day he tried it, the day you killed him. He had been warned against such a solo
action, and he paid the price. He was anxious to possess all of the powers he
thought would come of it, rather than share them with another. As I said--an
asshole."
I wanted to appear nonchalant, to keep her going. Continuing my meal seemed
the best measure to indicate such poise. Then I glanced down, however, I
discovered that my soup bowl had vanished. I picked up a roll, broke it, was
about to butter it when I saw that my hand was shaking. A moment later I
realized that this was because I wanted to strangle her.
So I took a deep breath and let it go, had another drink of wine. An
appetizer plate appeared before me, and a faint aroma of garlic and various
tantalizing herbs told me to be calm. I nodded thanks to Mandor, and Jasra did
the same. A moment later I buttered the roll.
Several mouthfuls after that, I said, "I confess that I do not understand.
You say that Melman was to play a part in my ritual slaying--but only a part?"
She continued eating for a half minute or so, then found another smile.
"It was too appropriate an opportunity to pass up," she told me then, "when
you broke up with Julia and she grew interested in the occult. I saw that I
would have to get her together with Victor, to have him train her, to teach her
a few simple effects, to capitalize on her unhappiness at your parting, to turn
it into a full-blown hatred so intense that she would be willing to cut your
throat when the time came for the sacrifice."
I choked on something which otherwise tasted wonderful.
A frosty crystal goblet of water appeared beside my right hand. I raised it
and washed everything down. I took another sip.
"Ah, that reaction is worth something, anyhow," Jasra remarked. "You must
admit that having someone you once loved as executioner adds spice to
vengeance."
Out of the corner of my eye I saw that Mandor was nodding. And I, also, had
to agree that she was right.
"I must acknowledge it as a well-conceived bit of revenge," I said. "Was