"Mercedes Lackey - Vows and Honor 2 - Oathbreaker" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lackey Mercedes)

Kethry had blushed; Tarma had met that direct regard with an unwavering gaze of her own. “I’m
Kal’enedral,” Tarma said shortly. “If you know Shin’a’in, that should tell you something.”
“Swordsworn, hmm?” The quick gray eyes took
in Tarma’s brown clothing. “Not on bloodfeud—“
“That was ended some time ago,” Tarma told her, levelly. “We ended it, we two working to-
gether. That was how we met.”
“Shin’a’in Kal’enedral and outClansman. Unlikely pairing—even given a common cause. So
why are you still together?”
For answer they both turned up their right palms so that she could see the silver crescent-scars
that decorated them. One eyebrow lifted, ever so slightly.
“Sa. She’enedran. That explains a bit. Seems I’ve heard of a pair like you.”
“If it was in songs,” Tarma winced, “let’s just say the stories are true in the main, but false in the
details. And the author constantly left out the fact that we’ve always done our proper planning
before we ever took on the main event. Luck plays wondrous small part in what we do, if we’ve
got any say in the matter. And besides all that—we’re a lot more interested in making a living
than being somebody’s savior.”
Idra had nodded; her expression had settled into something very like satisfaction. “One last
question for each of you—what’s your specialty, Shin’a’in—and what’s your rank and school,
mage?”
“Horseback skirmishing, as you probably figured, knowing me for Shin’a’in.” Tarma had replied
first. “I’m a damned good archer—probably as good as any you’ve got. I can fight afoot, but I’d
rather not. We’ve both got battlesteeds, and Tm sure you know what that means. My secondary
skill is tracking.”
“I’m White Winds, Journeyman; I’d say I lack a year or two of being Masterclass.” Kethry had
given her answer hard on the heels of Tarma’s. “One other thing I think Ikan and Justin may have
forgotten—Tarma is mindmate to a kyree, and I’ve got a bespelled blade I’m soul-bonded to. It
gives me weapons expertise, so I’m pretty good at keeping myself in one piece on a battlefield;
that’s damned useful in a fight, you won’t have to spare anybody to look after me. And besides
that, it will Heal most wounds for a woman—and that’s any woman, not just me.”
Idra had not missed the implication. “But not a man, eh? Peculiar, but—well, I’m no mage, can’t
fathom your ways. About half my force is female, so that would come in pretty useful*
regardless. But White Winds—that’s no Healing school.”
“No, it’s not,” Kethry agreed, “I haven’t the greater Healing magics, just a few of the lesser. But
I’ve got the battle-magics, and the defensive magics. I’m not one to stand in the back of a fight,
shriek, and look appalled—“
For the first time Idra smiled. “No, I would guess not, for all that you look better suited to a
bower than a battlefield. About the kyree—we’re talking Pelagir Hills changeling, here? Standard
wolf-shape?”
“Hai—overall he’s built like a predator cat, but he’s got the coat and head of a wolf. Shoulder
comes to about my waist, he runs like a Plains grasscat; no stamina for a long march, but he’s
used to riding pillion with me.” Tarma’s description made Idra nod, eyes narrowed in definite
satisfaction. “He’s got a certain ability at smelling out magic, and a certain immunity to it; given
he’s from the Pelagirs he might have other tricks, but he hasn’t used them around me yet.
Mindspeaks, too, mostly to me, but he could probably make himself heard to anyone with a touch
of the Gift. Useful scout, even more useful as an infiltrator. But be aware that he eats a lot, and if
he can’t hunt, he’ll be wanting fresh meat daily. That’ll have to be part of any contract we sign.”
“Well, from what my boys say, what I knew by reputation, and what you’ve told me, I don’t
think I need any more information. Only one thing I don’t reckon—“ Idra had said, broad brow
creased with honest puzzlement. “If you don’t mind my asking what’s none of my business even
if I do sign you, why’s the kyree mindmate to the fighter and not the mage’s familiar?”