"Charles Ingrid - The Sand Wars 05 - Return Fire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ingrid Charles)

began.



Vandover Baadluster stirred at his emperor's side. "She gives a very real
performance," he commented, low-voiced.

Pepys sat up straighter within his voluminous red and gold imperial
robes. The rain had taken the ever-present static from his red hair and it lay
about him, restless, hovering, about to burst into its aureal state, but for the
moment quelled. Not so the electricity of his cat-green eyes, and his stare
flicked briefly from the presentation to his Minister of War's face, then back
again. "Do I detect sympathy?"

"No."

"What then?"

Baadluster stood, his gaze fixed upon the military rite before them. His
thick lips molded into a noncommittal expression as he ignored his
emperor's jibe. "I am not sure," he answered finally, reluctantly.

"Good. You give her the flag. I have business elsewhere." Pepys gave a
diffident wave of one hand. If he noticed the sudden tensing of the
minister's body, or the clenching of his hands, he gave no indication, instead
smothering a yawn as St. Colin of the Blue Wheel began a eulogy. True to
his word, as the funeral ended, he left his throne quickly, ostensibly to avoid
a new curtain of rainfall slanting across the skies toward them, and
Vandover found himself with the triangular folded company flag across his
hands. He glanced at Amber.

She stood taller than he remembered, a distinctly regal aura about her
slender figure, her face obscured by the dark veil. The fall of her tawny hair
had escaped the veil and hung about her shoulders. She turned toward him
expectantly.

He felt a jolt when their fingers touched as he transferred the flag to her
palms. His chin jerked up, his gaze meeting the opaque veil
searchingly—hadn't she felt it?

She closed graceful hands about the flag and said, "There are Thraks
present, minister. They disgrace the armor. May I remind you it was the
Thraks which killed Commander Storm?"

His nostrils flared, "This is not the time or place…"

"No. Of course not. I forget that it was you who welcomed our enemies
into our ranks." With a convulsive movement, the young woman hugged
the flag to her chest. "He died so that we would all remember who our
enemies are."