"Charles Ingrid - The Sand Wars 06 - Challenge Met" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ingrid Charles)

for allowing me to see you."

The young man did not return the smile. "This is sanctuary, Minister," he
responded in clipped tones. "I hope you don't mind being confined to the
public lobby. We have privacy screens, however. If St. Colin were here, he'd
see you in his apartments, but…"

"Indeed." Vandover gathered his robes and seated himself behind a
screen. Denaro hesitated, then joined him. The young man did not sit in a
chair, he conquered it, and Vandover watched him appraisingly. This was a
man Storm had trained for battle armor at Colin's behest, temporarily
shielding him from Pepys' wrath. Now Denaro was out from behind Colin's
protection and as the strongest contender to follow in the older man's
footsteps, his own visibility was his protection. But it would not do to forget
that Denaro wore armor… or that Storm had been his commander. He
dampened his lips before offering, "I've come to see if there's anything I can
do for you in Colin's absence."

Denaro's hand tightened on the arm of the chair, white knuckle lines
stark against his tanned skin. But his face remained calm as he answered,
"Removing our protective guard would be considerate. The compound
stinks of Thraks."

"The Knights are here for your safety."

"Those aren't Knights."

"The emperor will be informed." Nothing would be done and the two of
them knew it. Colin had had similar objections. If Pepys would not budge
for Colin, he most certainly would not for Denaro.

"Thank you for your concern, Minister. Now, if you'll excuse me, there is
much I need to do."
 Vandover stood, relishing towering over the man still seated. "I
understand, of course. Perhaps when Jonathan is more fully recovered, he
can return to his duties as Colin's aide, even though Colin has not returned."

Denaro lost all color in his face. His jawline slacked. "What do you
mean?"

Vandover feigned confusion. "Why… surely you were told… Jonathan
was picked up several weeks ago and brought in by one of our Talons. He's
comatose and Pepys has made him as comfortable as possible in the palace
hospital wing. I'm sorry, Denaro. I thought you had been made aware of
this."

The Walker got to his feet. The color which had drained from his face
now returned in a blaze across his cheeks. Jonathan had been with Colin.
They were both well aware of that and now Denaro was also aware that
Pepys had been concealing vital information from him. "I'd like to request