"Julia Gray - Guardian 04 - The Red Glacier" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gray Julia)

his twin
brother. Their enmity still caused occasional conflict between them, even
though they were many hundreds of miles apart. Jax was the Emperor's son, the
acknowledged heir to the Floating Islands. Terrel had been discarded at birth.
'Old wounds indeed,' Kjolur said. 'That was bad fortune.'
Terrel shrugged; his misfortunes had played a part in making him who he was.
'Too late for our healing pools to be of use,' the islander added, still
watching Terrel closely.
'Healing pools?'
'You've not heard of them? Each quarter has them, but their efficacy is
limited. And most are restricted, kept for military use. A soldier's injuries
can be repaired if they're treated quickly enough, so that he can return to
the war. But after a certain time ...' He spread his hands in a gesture of
futility.
Terrel belatedly caught the implication of his words.
'You think that's why I'm going to Myvatan? In the hope of healing these?' He
tapped his right hand on his leg.
'The thought had crossed my mind,' Kjolur admitted. 'I've seen it before, with
those who've had no luck elsewhere. There are legends told about the pools -
there's one in this book, in fact — of miraculous cures, and when all other
hope is gone that's the sort of thing people cling to. It's generally women
who make the voyage, though.'
'Why women?' Terrel asked curiously.
'Because a supposedly barren wife once gave birth to twins little more than
nine median months after bathing. A tale like that soon turns to myth if
enough people want to believe it. But only the truly desperate come now. They
know they have very little chance of even getting close to the waters. The
army guards them jealously.'
'Well, that's not why I'm here,' Terrel said. 'I didn't even know about the
pools, and I'm not sure I'd want to be cured even if it were possible. I'd
like to see them in action, though.'
'Your line of work,' Kjolur said, nodding. 'You might be lucky. I may even be
able to help.'
'That would be wonderful. Thank you.'
'I'm not promising anything, mind. A merchant only has influence with the
generals when he's got something they want.'
'And do you?'
'Ah, now that would be telling,' Kjolur replied with a smile. 'You have to
allow me a few trade secrets.'
'I'm sorry. Curiosity is one of my vices.'
'What are the others?' the islander asked, still looking amused.
'Now you have to allow me some secrets,' Terrel said, grinning back.
'Tell me, as you've never been to Myvatan before, how do you know about
Savik's Whale?'
Coming so soon after their good-natured exchange, the question sounded abrupt,
and it caught Terrel off-guard. He began to suspect that this was exactly what
Kjolur had intended.
'I didn't know it was called that,' he said, stalling for time so that he
could collect his thoughts.
'Savik is the god of stone and earth,' the islander explained. 'Who else could