"Katherine Kerr - Deverry 10 - The Black Raven" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kerr Katherine)

'So,' Verrarc whispered. 'So! I wonder, then, if it truly were a spirit who
did kill our Demet.'
'It may be,' Gwira said. 'And if so, then it does threaten the town still.'
'Harl?' Verrarc turned to find him trembling in the doorway. 'Go fetch
Mistress Werda. It were best she knew of this and now.'
'Evil spirits,' Kiel said. 'Councilman Verrarc did say that he be as sure as
sure that evil spirits murdered your man. They did try to possess his lady
last night, says he.'
Niffa snorted and rolled her eyes heavenward.
'Gwira does say it be true,' Kiel went on, 'and Harl and Korla, too. You see,
the councilman came to my squad on the wall this dawn, and he did tell us all
about it.'
'That be hogwash!' Niffa snarled. 'I did see her, I tell you, laughing and
prancing over Demet's body.'
'Ah, but did you see her slay him? Mayhap she did call up these spirits, but
they did the murdering, not her. Or even, what if they did possess her that
night, so she kenned not what she did?'
Niffa felt like slapping him. The whole family had gathered round the table in
their main room, Dera in the chair at the head, Lael on one bench, Niffa and
Kiel on the other. Dera sat twisting and untwisting a bit of rag with both
hands. Lael leaned forward, elbows on the table. The fire in the hearth
crackled and flared, sending a wash of light over Lael's worn face. Niffa
realized that she and Kiel both were waiting for their father to speak.
'Did the Council of Five believe Verrarc?' Lael said at last.
'They did. Gwira did speak before them, but truly, what did make up their
minds, it were the silver light that Gart and the watch saw that night. I
mean, who but a spirit could have made that light glow on Citadel? The
sergeant, he did see it clear as clear, and he be not a fanciful man.'
'That be true a thousand times.' Lael glanced her way. 'Niffa, you do look as
angry as a balked weasel!'
Well, if they do think it were a murdering spirit, never will they try Raena
under our laws. Huh, if I did speak of visions and such, who would believe
me?'
'No one,' Lael said. 'And so you'd best not say one word.'
'Da! How can you -'
'Hush!' Lael held up a broad hand for silence. Think you I be happy with this
whole thing? Demet's mother and I, we did speak together but the other morn,
and both of our hearts ache to see Demet's death lawfully avenged. Yet would
it gladden our hearts to lose you too? I've no heart to see you turned out of
the town because the citizens, they do think you the worst sort of witch.'
Niffa opened her mouth and shut it again. When Dera made a little sound, the
family turned toward her.
Your father be right.' Dera wiped her eyes on the rag.
'Of course I be so,' Lael snapped. 'Niffa, think! You be sure as sure the
woman's a murderer, when the whole town, it does think the opposite. Why?'
Niffa opened her mouth to answer only to have her words desert her. But a
moment before she had known deep in her soul that Raena had murdered Demet and
a host of other persons as well. She poisoned them. The words rang in her
mind, but faced with Lael's rational question, her mind refused to say more,
'I know not,' Niffa stammered. 'I just do.'