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

"Me?" Her face was still wan, and purple shadows dappled the hollows
beneath her golden-brown eyes. "I thought he was dying."

Vandover paused. Then, "And that upset you, milady? But surely, in
your time in under-Malthen, you've seen many a death."

She shot him a glare, but Jack stepped between them. Jack was tall, even
among a battalion of big men who wore the battle armor. Vandover had to
look up to meet his eyes.

Very quietly, Storm said, "You are Minister of War, Baadluster, but I
think I need to remind you to be very, very careful who you battle with.
The emperor has need of our services and your… discretion."

Vandover's thick lips pursed without sound, but he withdrew to the
doorway and stopped there. If he had paled, it could not be seen, for his
complexion was always pasty. "The emperor sent me down with word that
this latest development has pleased him, and he will see you tomorrow
morning before your… procedure. In the meantime, both of us warn you
that your freedom and safety is limited to this wing." He nodded abruptly.
"Good evening, Commander Storm and Milady Amber."

Amber shuddered, as if throwing off Vandover's scent. She looked
through the observation wall at Jonathan's still form, now resting quietly.
"He was keyed to you," she said.

"I know. What if he hadn't been found or…" Jack let his voice trail off. "I
don't think Colin left him voluntarily. He wouldn't leave Jonathan to chance
like that." He looked at her then, smiling. "We're going to disappoint
Vandover."

"Oh?"

"I presume you can get me out of here."

She leaned into him. "Of course. Where to?"

"The only thing that Jonathan said that made any sense to me was Colin's
meditation chamber. Jonathan mentioned it three times. Somewhere, in his
scrambled memory, it's important." He dropped his arm about her
shoulders.

"Then we'll get there."



The Walker saint's apartments resonated with his personality. The rooms
were both austere and rich… rich with the simple things of the worlds Colin
had touched. Jack stepped into them and wiped his hands down, his palms