"Sara Douglass - Redemption 3 - Crusader" - читать интересную книгу автора (Douglass Sara)

Zared laughed at something Theod had just said, but there was a hard edge to his merriment. Here he sat
with Theod and Herme in this marbled palace in Sanctuary, drinking the finest of wines and nibbling on
the most delectable of fruits, and yet above their heads Tencendor lay wasted with horror.
And Leagh, as also Gwendylyr, were going to have to go out there and do personal battle with
the Demons in order to retrieve it.
Zared did not like it at all, and neither did Theod. Herme hardly said a word, feeling both guilty and
relieved that his wife didn't have to face a Demon.
The three men sat with Leagh and Gwendylyr in a square chamber that opened out onto a balcony.
Scents of wildflowers and grasses wafted in.
It should have been peaceful, but Zared was left itching with the need to do something. He and
Theod had kept themselves as busy as they could, making sure the Acharites were settled, reconstituting
what councils they could, trying to keep people busy, but it was a sham business.
All Zared wanted to do was get on a horse and lead an army somewhere ... or, at the very least, be
given the chance to build a permanent home for his people somewhere. He hated being trapped
in this boring prettiness.
Gwendylyr leaned forward and threw her set of gaming sticks onto the ghemt board, then clapped
her hands in delight. She was winning, and loving it.
Herme chuckled and reached for some more wine, while Theod rolled his eyes in mock despair at
Zared, and conceded his squares on the board to his wife. "And with that, my love, you have won the
entire board!"
Gwendylyr grinned, and gathered up everyone's gaming sticks. "Another game?"
"No!" the others chorused, holding up their hands in protest.
"I do not trust your witches skills," Herme said, with a grin to take away any implied criticism in his
words.
"Well, perhaps we can play again this evening," Leagh said. "I think we need time to plan our
strategies against you, Gwendylyr."
"As you wish." Gwendylyr was still smiling as she packed the sticks and board away. "It will but
delay the humiliation."
"Gods!" Zared said. "Did she always get her way like this in your home, Theod?"
"Aye. It got so bad I used to actually enjoy going over the county accounts in the evening rather than
spend time with Gwendylyr."
But Theod's tone was light, and his eyes dancing, and none of the others doubted his love for his
wife.
Leagh sighed, and rose. "I must lie down for a while — I must admit this futile tussle against
Gwendylyr has exhausted me. Will you excuse me?"
Zared stood as well. "Let me come with you, Leagh."
She smiled, and put a hand on his chest. "No. Let me rest a while in peace, and then perhaps you
and I can go for a walk in the orchards. I can amaze you with my ability to climb the highest fruit trees in
search of the juiciest fruits."
Zared opened his mouth to protest, then realised she was making fun of him. He smiled, very gently
and with utter love, and kissed her hand. "Rest well, my sweet."
Herme rose as well, his face drawn and tired, and offered to escort Leagh to her chamber.
She smiled, and took his arm.
After they'd left the room, Zared turned to the other two and finally let the worry shine unhindered
from his eyes. "How will she manage in the wasteland against a Demon," he said, his voice desperate.
"How?"

Leagh slept, and dreamed.
She wandered through the Field of Flowers, so content and relaxed she was half dreaming even