"P. C. Hodgell - Kencyrath Anthology 2 - Book 04 - Blood and Ivory - A Tapestry" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hodgell P. C)

hitching up into the shadow of his cowl, then snapping solemn-straight again.


Sere blinked, then rubbed tired eyes and turned his back on them both.


"The Randon College at Tentir has been sealed to prevent spread of the news," he said to the Highborn
in a low voice. "The Commandant was to have come with us to explain what happened, but he preferred
the White Knife. So have many here."
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Behind him, another burst of flame bloomed above a courtyard hidden within Gothregor's crouching
darkness. A gust of wind breathed the stench of pyres into the forecourt, and stray ashes drifted down,
silent calamity riding the air.


"I have seen war, and death, and madness, but this . . . The Highlord's grief is . . . terrible. And
contagious." A tremor, frightening in itself, shook his strong voice. "I think it could almost unmake our
world. We randon are trained, after a fashion, to protect ourselves; but our children aren't. Lord,do
something. After all,you are the Knorth Heir now."


The young Highborn flinched. "Trinity. I'd forgotten that. What a m-mess, and how like my dear brother
to have caused it, even in death." He swallowed, and his thin face sharpened. "All right. Wait here. You
too, lady."


Skirts rustled impatiently. "But . . . "


He rounded on her with a suppressed violence that sent her gliding backward several steps into the
windy forecourt. Her attendant skipped out of the way.


"I said,wait!"


It was almost a berserker flare. The big randon tensed.


The hooded attendant put his hand on the young woman's shoulder and leaned forward to whisper in her
ear. Her lips twitched into a brief smile.


"I had forgotten," she said in a low, pleasant voice, the purr of a cat to a mouse. "You were expelled
from Tentir last fall, were you not, dear Ganth, for your . . . er . . . temper, as well as for that other thing
which we Randir will never forget."