"Zelazny, Roger - ComingToACord" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zelazny Roger)

him."
_Thanks for trying,_ I told her.
"When did you get separated from Merlin?" she asked.
_It was the day the Powers met in the back hall,_ I said.
"What sort of spell did Merlin get caught up in?"
_One that was hanging fairly free in Brand's quarters. You see,
Merlin's and Brand's rooms being next door to each other, he'd entered
out of curiosity when the wall fell during the confrontation._
"Frakir, I don't think that was an accident," she said. "One Power
or the other probably arranged for things to be so."
_Seems likely when one thinks about it, Princess._
"What do you want to do now? I'll be glad to help," she said.
_I'd like to find a way to get back to Merlin,_ I said. _He's had a
general aura of danger about him for some time--to which I am
particularly sensitive._
"I understand," she said, "and I'll find a way. It may take a few
days, but I'll figure something."
_All right. I'll wait,_ I said. _I've no real choice in the
matter._
"You're welcome to stay with me till that happens."
_I'll do that,_ I said. _Thanks._
I found a comfortable-looking table and wrapped myself about one of
its legs. I went into stasis then, if one needs a word for it. It is
not sleep, as there is no loss of consciousness. But there is no
thinking in the conventional sense either. I just sort of spread out my
awareness and _am_, until I am needed.
How long I lay coiled in this position, I have no way of telling. I
was alone in the sitting room, though I was aware of Flora's breathing
next door.
Suddenly, she shrieked. This time, I just loosened myself and
dropped to the floor.
As I began hurrying toward the room I heard another voice. "Sorry,"
it said. "I am pursued. I had no choice but to drop in without
invitation."
"Who are you?" she asked.
"Well, I'm a sorcerer," he said. "I was hiding in your mirror, as I
have every _night_ for a long while. I have this crush on you and I
like to watch you as you go about your business."
"Peeping Tom--a voyeur!" she said.
"No," he said. "I think you're a really nice-looking lady, and I
like watching you. That's all."
"There are many legitimate ways by which you could have gained an
introduction," she said.
"True, but that way might have led to horrible complications in my
life."
"Oh, you're married."
"Worse than that," he said.
"What, then?"
"No time now. I can feel its approach," he said.
"What's approach?"