"Gray, Julia - Guardian 01 - The Dark Moon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gray Julia)

'Yes, because his fellow soldiers closed ranks and stuck to their story. But didn't you find the idea of Shahan trying to escape like that a little far-fetched?'
'Who knows what lengths a man in his state of mind would be driven to,' Mirival replied.
'Do you know what misguided path he was following?'
'I have some idea, but I don't see the point of sullying his reputation now. He is gone. Best to forget the follies of his last days.'
Lathan nodded. He seemed to be on the point of prolonging the conversation, but then thought better of it, and Mirival went on his way.
That afternoon a small group of like-minded men met in a spacious courtyard near the Seers' Chamber. They did so deliberately, reasoning that the best place to hide a conspiracy was out in the open. Men in their positions would naturally have much to discuss, especially concerning their latest research, and no one would think twice about seeing such a debate take place. And in that particular spot, which they had chosen with casual-seeming care, they would be able to spot any interloper long before he was within earshot.
The subject of their conversation was rather more delicate than the movements of moons or islands, and it went on for a long time. In the end a consensus was reached, but not before every conceivable repercussion of their actions had been meticulously dissected.
'So, we're agreed then?' said the man who, though he would have denied the title, had become their leader by default. 'An anonymous letter to Mirival. If he shouts treason from the rooftops, then we'll find another way. If he stays silent, we take our plans a stage further. Will you all accept my wording for the letter?'
'Provided you keep to the exact points we agreed,' one of the others replied. Like the rest, he was glad to be relieved of this particular responsibility. The delivery of such a letter would require stealth and cunning.
'Of course.'
There were nods of agreement all round.
'Then our message will be delivered this evening,' the leader stated, and with that the conspirators went their separate ways.
The night brought with it an oppressive heat and a heaviness to the air that promised storms. By the next morning the skies were at war, with purple-black clouds rumbling over Makhaya and violent short-lived squalls of drenching rain across the rooftops. Lightning spread across the heavens, sometimes in a single blinding arc of brilliance, sometimes in apparently endless branching networks that stretched from one horizon to the other. There was even one horrifying moment when the lightning took the shape of a glowing ball, which rolled down the centre of a street on the outskirts of the city before disappearing in a sudden explosive thunderclap. Many fires were started, while at the same time flash floods ruined several properties.
Because it was situated on high ground, the imperial palace seemed to its inhabitants to be uncomfortably close to the turmoil above.
'I have such a headache!' Adina cried, holding her hands over her ears as another clap of thunder followed hard on the heels of a nearby lightning strike. 'When is this storm going to end?'
Jax watched his mother with barely concealed amusement. He loved Adina dearly, but she had always been fond of dramatic gestures, and her acting talents - while considerable - could hardly be considered subtle. He was actually rather enjoying the violence of the weather. It made an exciting spectacle, and did at least provide an interesting diversion from his daily routines. In fact, he realized now that the elements had been doing their best to keep him amused for some time. The weather that summer had been the most changeable he'd ever known, with several storms, unseasonable cold spells and even - so it was reported - tornadoes in the southern provinces. Jax wished one of these whirlwinds would visit Makhaya; he would have liked to see the effect it would have had on the buildings here.
There had also been a number of unexplained earth tremors recently, and while none of these had been serious, Jax had enjoyed watching the consternation of the seers when one of them struck. It was almost a surprise when they predicted a tremor accurately nowadays.
'You could always go down to the wine cellars,' he suggested. 'It would be quieter down there.'
'Don't be ridiculous!' the Empress snapped, glaring at her son.
In a lull between the peals of thunder, someone knocked at the chamber door.
'What now?' Adina groaned, then called out to whoever it was to come in, assuming it would be one of her servants. When Fauria let himself in she cursed inwardly, realizing she had forgotten their appointment. For his part, the seer was obviously taken aback to see Jax sprawled in one of the chairs, but he recovered his poise quickly enough.
'I'm sorry, Your Majesty. I did not wish to intrude.'
'He should have been at his lessons by now,' the Empress replied, knowing full well that Fauria had been aware of this when choosing the time for their meeting.
'I'm not going till he sends for me,' Jax declared. 'I'm not a glutton for punishment.' He had noted Fauria's unease and was now speculating on its cause. Had his mother acquired a secret admirer? He wouldn't blame her if she had. Dheran wasn't up to much these days - but then Fauria could not really be said to be much of an improvement. It was more likely to be a matter of court politics, which was much more interesting. What are you hiding from me, Mother? he wondered, looking at the Empress and impudently raising his eyebrows.
'Should I return later?' the seer asked.
'Perhaps . . .' Adina began. 'No, stay a while and talk. It'll take my mind off this infernal weather. Sit down and tell me the latest gossip.'
'The rumour-mongers have surpassed themselves recently,' Fauria said after a moment's thought. 'There's some story about a monster deep within the mines of Betancuria.'
'A monster?' Jax sat up, his interest ignited.
'Yes. No one's seen it properly, of course, but it's been described as an unnatural, malevolent darkness.'
'Darkness in a mine. How unusual,' Adina commented facetiously.
'Does it kill people?' Jax asked eagerly.
'Apparently it does. Gossip credits it variously with swallowing men whole, turning them to stone, melting them like wax candles, or vaporizing them into smoke.'
'How bizarre,' the Empress remarked in disgust.
'It's all nonsense, of course,' Fauria conceded.
'But there must be something down there,' Jax said.
'Even rumours have to start somewhere,' the seer conceded.
'So what are they going to do about it?'
'Given that it's almost certainly some natural geological force,' Fauria told him, 'they've tried to block it off.'
'And has that worked?' Adina asked.
'Apparently not,' the seer replied. 'But then all of this is only hearsay. The only thing we can be sure of is that the mining engineers now have the perfect excuse for being well behind on their production schedules. I suspect-'
He was interrupted by another knock at the door.
'That's probably your summons, Jax,' Adina said, much to her son's obvious displeasure. 'Enter.'
Remi came in, took in who was present at a glance and bowed his head to the Empress.
'I'm sorry to interrupt, Ma'am.'
'What is it, Remi?'
'I have grave news,' the chamberlain replied. 'Seer Mirival has been found dead in his home.'

Chapter Seventeen

Terrel had been wandering aimlessly since he'd been driven from the cornfield. The strength of the antagonism provoked by the sight of his eyes had left him feeling utterly desolate. He had only been welcomed by Efrin because the old man was blind. Terrel wondered whether he might fare better if he were to bind his own eyes with cloth and pretend to be blind himself, like a beggar he had seen earlier in his travels, but he did not want to be accepted because of a lie - and the practical difficulties would be almost insurmountable. There must be someone, somewhere, who would give him a chance. But he had no idea how to find them.