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

That's the theory, at least, Shahan added. We haven't tested it yet.
Terrel felt a great weight lift from his shoulders at the thought that he would not be alone. But then something else occurred to him.
'What happens if the animal you're in gets injured, or is trapped in the mines?' he asked. Or is killed? he added to himself. 'Would you be able to get away . . . back to your own body?'
I don't know, Alyssa replied. Possibly not.
'But what would happen to you then?'
No one answered.
'It could happen to me too, couldn't it?' Terrel went on. 'If the force kills me, it might destroy my spirit too. I wouldn't even get the chance to go to your world, to be a ghost.'
Their silence told him all he needed to know. The prospect of complete annihilation was terrifying. He had only just learnt that death need not be final, and now that reassurance was being taken from him.
It won't come to that, Alyssa said eventually.
'Is that prophecy, or are you just hoping?'
It's not evil, she repeated. We just have to make sure we don't repeat any of the mistakes the miners made.
'And how do we do that?'
We don't know yet. But you 're the only one who might be able to understand. She glanced at Shahan and Muzeni, hoping for support, and they came to her aid.
It all comes back to the Code, Terrel, the seer explained.
That's right, Muzeni confirmed. You've read my journals. They should have made things clearer.
'I only read one, and not all of that.'
And it was impossible to understand half of what he did read, Elam remarked.
Only one? the heretic queried, sounding disappointed. Where are the rest?
Terrel told him. To his surprise, Muzeni burst out laughing.
In a tomb, eh? Apt enough, I suppose. Not my own grave, I assume?
Terrel felt awkward, remembering the sad pile of bones. Don't worry, the old man said, still smiling. I know where my bones lie. It's as good a resting place as any. I must say I miss my pipe though.
Terrel reached inside the pocket of his tattered tunic. The clay pipe had travelled with him ever since he'd left the haven, more or less forgotten until now.
'I'm sorry. I took it.' He offered it to the old man, who stretched out a hand, then laughed at Terrel's nervous astonishment when his spectral fingers passed clean through the boy's own and the pipe.
Keep it for me, Muzeni said. Leave it with my skeleton when you 're next at the observatory. 'I will,' Terrel promised.
Can we get back to the matter in hand? Shahan enquired. The prophecy-
'Tell me another time,' Terrel cut in. 'I'll go to Betancuria.'
Good. The seer looked relieved. I know it's a lot to ask of you, but-
'But I don't want Alyssa to come with me,' the boy added, interrupting him again. 'There's no reason to risk both our lives.'
I'm coming, Alyssa stated determinedly. Whether you like it or not. Whatever's there is protecting me.
By putting you in a coma? Elam asked sceptically. It's just like sleeping, she replied. Besides, how would I be able to travel if my spirit hadn't been set free that way? How-would I be able to act as your guide?
The ghosts had no answer to that - and Terrel knew better than to try to argue with Alyssa when she was in such a mood. And in his heart, he was glad. Having her at his side - in whatever form - would give him strength and courage.
You've a long journey ahead of you, Shahan said.
'I know,' Terrel replied. He knew that Betancuria lay in one of the mountainous central provinces of Vadanis and - judging from what he remembered of the maps in Havenmoon's library - it was probably around three hundred miles south of where he was now. 'That's why I need to rest now. I'll start at first light.'
If you want a decent night's sleep, let us find you a better place than this, Elam offered. The piglet's farm isn't so far away, and one of the few advantages of being a ghost is that we can scare anyone off if we put our minds to it. You might even get a proper bed.
'I'll be fine here.' Terrel had no wish to see an innocent pig farmer terrified out of his wits for his benefit.
Suit yourself, his friend responded, sounding disappointed.
As before, the ghosts vanished simultaneously and without warning. The night seemed darker without them. Back around the corner, Terrel thought.
'Do you have to go too?' he asked.
Hedges look different from the inside, Alyssa remarked, as if this were a perfectly sensible answer to his question, and then the piglet got up and trotted away into the darkness. Although this parting was not quite as wrenching as the last, it was bad enough. Terrel lay down and hoped that sleep would come soon, so that the aching would stop.

Chapter Twenty-Three

Three days later, Terrel met the man who would change the way he looked at the world - and the way the world looked at him.
After the meeting with Alyssa's piglet and the ghosts, Terrel had blithely assumed that they would visit him again soon, to guide his path, explain the nature of his mission, and help him on his way. Every time he saw an animal he waited hopefully, but when none of them spoke to him or even paid him any more attention than normal, he eventually set aside such wishful thinking. Alyssa would announce her presence when she arrived.
After a while, he realized that - for whatever reasons -he had been left to his own devices. Perhaps his friends thought he had no need of further aid or advice, or perhaps something was preventing them from making the journey between worlds. In either case, all Terrel could do was make his own way as best he could, and hope to see them again before too long. He had no real plan in mind, and just hoped to travel in the general direction of Betancuria and obtain further instructions when he was closer to the mining district.
Terrel was not sure exactly how much progress he had made so far. He had been heading in what he still thought of as a southerly course - even though this was now where the sun set - but he knew his walking pace was slow by normal standards. And because the islands were rotating, he could not even be certain of his bearings. He also had the constant problem of having to find somewhere relatively safe to sleep each night, and of scavenging enough food to keep himself alive and capable of motion. His life was once more that of an outcast, and there were times when he came close to despair. Only the fact that he had given his word - and Alyssa's reassurance that he would see her again - kept him going.
He was crossing an area of open heathland when the trail he was using came to a fork. His choice, unless he meant to force his way over rough ground, was between veering either to the southwest or the southeast. Both options would mean progress towards his destination, but not by the direct route he had been hoping for - and now that he believed he had left Saefir Province behind, his knowledge of the roads and byways of Vadanis was almost non-existent. All he had left was instinct and, on this occasion, even that had deserted him.
While deliberating, Terrel became aware of a cart rumbling up the track behind him. He turned, and saw that it was being drawn by an ancient-looking donkey and driven by a small man who was hunched over the reins. Used to being spurned and even being forced to hide from fellow travellers at times, Terrel hesitated about standing his ground, but there seemed no immediate threat and he was in need of advice. The cart came on steadily, then halted at the fork, a few paces from where Terrel stood.
Man and boy looked at each other. Terrel saw a wizened and stooped figure of indeterminate age, with lustrous black hair tied back in a ponytail. The skin on the man's sharp-featured face and surprisingly delicate hands was naturally swarthy, but its colour was obviously deepened by an outdoor life, and his clothes were old and worn but of good quality. He seemed quite at ease and Terrel saw none of the usual revulsion in his dark eyes, only a little surprise followed by a swift moment of calculation.
'Where are you going, stranger?' The voice was deep and resonant, contrasting oddly with the man's appearance. 'South,' Terrel replied. 'To Betancuria.' 'Not a pilgrim, then?'