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

Jack shook his head even before the other's words finished ringing in the
corridor. He half-raised his open, weaponless right hand, the four-fingered
hand scarred by cold sleep. "There isn't time, and it's better you don't
know."

"Is it the Thraks?"

Jack didn't answer, unwilling to lie, even partially. His defection was in
part due to the Thrakian alliance, but there was so much more.

"Nothing is that uncomplicated," he told the former aide. He searched his
memory of Rawlins and found a way out. "One of these days, when you
have time, and you think you can handle the consequences of knowing the
truth… you might discuss it with St. Colin."

Rawlins' face blanched. Jack was unsure of what he'd touched off there,
knowing only that his aide had had ties with the Walker reverend during
their campaign on Bythia. Rawlins would believe what Saint Colin deigned
to reveal, and Jack knew he could trust Colin to be discreet. Jack took
another stride backward, hand still upheld.

"There isn't time," he said, "to tell you more."

Abruptly, Rawlins nodded. His posture changed to one of defeat, his chin
dropped. Then he looked up.

"Take me with you."

"You can't go where I'm going. You're still a Knight." Jack's voice
sharpened, a whip crack across the space between them. "Sometimes the
hardest enemy to fight is the one that walks shoulder to shoulder with you.
We all do what we have to do, lieutenant."

"Captain," corrected Rawlins softly, but he gathered himself. "Yes, sir.
Thank you, sir." He turned heel and left.

"No," Jack added softly to the emptiness. "Thank you." He found the
door and escaped.




Chapter 3
«^»
He got in all right?" Colin paced before Denaro, not looking at the captain of
his private army, but well aware of the heavily armed and armored man
taking up the majority of room in his apartment.

"No one followed him, your holiness," Denaro said. "I could not observe