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

moving back and forth, and she'd smile, too, at whatever it was. Or in the
lake, she'd be seeing things. And the clouds sometimes too. And then there be
her dreams. Mam stopped her from telling them after a while, because when they
did come true, our neighbours and townsfolk would be ever so scared by it.'
'No doubt! Well, my thanks, Jahdo.'
'But my lady, what be your question?'
'You just answered it, lad. Now run along, go back to your game. The other
lads are waiting for you.'
Only later did Dallandra remember that Jahdo was desperate for news of his
family. How selfish of me! she thought. I'd best see what I can find out from
Niffa - well, if I ever see her again! A girl little older than a child, with
a raw gift for dweomer, wandering unknowingly around the astral plane - she
might never stumble upon Dallandra's vigil again. And yet, as she thought
about it, Dallandra realized with an odd certainty that she would see Niffa
again in the lands of sleep. The thought was so clear that she knew it must be
a message from the Great Ones, Why they'd sent the message was a question of
the sort they never answered directly, but Dallandra could venture a guess. No
doubt Raena was continuing to work her evil magicks. And no doubt, Dallandra
thought, it's fallen to me to stop her.
'And just where, pray tell, have you been?' Verrarc felt his voice catch and
growl.
In the pool of lantern light Raena half-crouched against the wall. Her cloak
dripped wet snow onto the floor.
'As if I knew not!' Verrarc went on. 'Up in the ruins, hain't, with that
cursed Havoc creature?'
'And what's it to you?'
'What be it to me? Ye gods, have you gone daft? If the town should find out -
you up there, consorting with evil spirits - ye gods! I could be ruined! And
you- think, woman! They love you not as it is. If they thought you to bring
evil among them -'
With a toss of her head Raena tried to push past him. Verrarc caught her wrist
in one hand and pulled her round to face him. He held the lantern high and let
the light shine down upon her. In the flickering glow her lips seemed bruised,
her entire face swollen.
'And just what might be so cursed important, Rae, that you would risk so much
to have it? I'll have the truth, and I'll have it now.'
'Let me go!' She tried to pull her hand free, but he held on. 'Oh very well!
Truly, it were time. Let me go, and I'll tell you.'
When he released her she walked a few steps away, then took off the damp
cloak. Except for the dancing gleam of his lantern, the great room lay dark
around them, silent in the dead of night.
'Come into our chamber,' Verrarc said. 'I'd not have the servants waking to
hear this.'
Raena threw the cloak onto the floor and stomped off into the bedchamber,
where a small fire burned in the hearth. She flopped down on the edge of the
bed like a sulky child and began to pull off her wet boots. He set the lantern
down on the mantle and took a chair opposite her. Once the boots were off she
calmed. She set them carefully to dry near the hearthstone, then perched on
the bed again.
'Truly, I did promise that you should know,' Raena said. 'I were but angry