"Lynn Flewelling - Tamir 02 - Hidden Warrior" - читать интересную книгу автора (Flewelling Lynn)

suddenly appeared at the mate's elbow. He was smiling, always smiling,
though it never seemed to reach his eyes. Half-delirious, the mate staggered
back, fearful of being devoured by those soulless eyes.
 "You did well," the dark man said, reaching to tuck a heavy purse into the
mate's pocket. "We'll see ourselves ashore."
"There's some of us still alive, sir!" croaked the mate, looking anxiously
toward the signal fires, the warm lights of the town glimmering so close across
the water. "We've got to get ashore for a healer!"
"A healer, you say?" The dark gentleman raised an eyebrow in concern.
"Why, my companion here is a healer of sorts. You had only to ask."
Looking past him, the mate saw the other man, the weedy one with the face
like a rat's, at work chalking something on the deck. As he straightened from
his task the mate recognized the warning symbol for plague.
"Come, Vargul Ashnazai, isn't there something you can do for this poor
fellow?" the dark man called.
The mate shuddered as the other man glided toward him.
Not once during the voyage had he heard this man speak. When he did
now the words were unintelligible and seemed to collect in the mate's throat
like stones. Gagging, he slumped to the deck. The one called Ashnazai laid a
cold hand against his cheek and the world collapsed in a blaze of black light.
Mardus stepped clear of the bile spreading out from the dead sailor's
mouth. "What about the others?"
The necromancer smiled, his fingers still tingling pleasantly from the
mate's death. "Dying as we speak, my lord."
"Very good. Are the men ready?"
"Yes, my lord."
Mardus took a last satisfied look around the deck of the ravaged vessel,
then climbed down to the waiting boat.
Cloaked in Ashnazai's magic, they passed the quay and custom house
without challenge. Climbing a steep, icy street, they found rooms ready for
them at the Half Moon tavern.
Mardus and Ashnazai were just settling down over a hot supper in Mardus'
chamber when someone scratched softly at the door.
Captain Tildus entered with a grizzled man named Urvay, Mardus' chief
spy in Rhiminee for the past three years. The man was invaluable, both for his
skill and his discretion. Tonight he was dressed as a gentleman merchant and
looked distinguished in velvet and silver.
Urvay saluted him gravely. "I'm glad to see you safe, my lord. It's nasty
sailing this time of year."
Mardus dismissed Tildus, then waved the spy to a nearby chair. "What
have you to report, my friend?"
"Bad news and good, my lord. Lady Kassarie is dead."
"That Leran woman?" asked Ashnazai.
"Yes. The Queen's spies attacked her keep about a week ago. She died in
the battle. Vicegerent Barien committed suicide over the matter and there are
rumors that the Princess Royal was implicated somehow, though the Queen's
taken no action against her. The rest of the faction has gone to ground or
fled."
"A pity. They might have proved useful. But what about our business?"
 "That's the good news, my lord. I have new people in place with several