"Juliet E. McKenna - Einarinn 4 - The Warrior's Bond" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKenna Juliet E)

told of her arrival here, just in case she had some private ambition that
might threaten all I was working for. I had no reason to suspect her, but then
again no reason to trust her. I didn't particularly trust Planir either,
having suffered the charming ruthlessness of Hadrumal's Archmage on my own
account, but I knew he would always defend his own interests and for the
moment those marched in step with mine and those of the House of D'Olbriot.
The candle flame burned yellow then darkened to a bloody orange, the colour
tainting the reflection. Shimmering across the mirror, magic began to slowly
revolve like water stirred with a rod. Where a hollow might have appeared in
swirling liquid, a hole in the very fabric of the air spread across the metal
surface, elements yielding to the arcane influence of the mage-born. Casuel
was frowning, jaw set in utter concentration, the barest movement of light
reflecting from a gold ring on one taut finger. Even after all the times I'd
seen Casuel do
this, I felt my spine tense at such an inexplicable manipulation of the
natural order.
An image appeared in the mirror, magic reflecting the Archmage sat at a table
in his study. I recognised it from my own unwilling visit to Hadrumal, a room
of elegant furnishings and deadly purpose. Some instinct lifted his dark head
and he looked directly across the countless leagues down through Casuel's
spell, fine black brows lifted in surprise. 'Yes?'
'The colonists have arrived,' said Casuel, speaking rather rapidly. 'They had
trouble making landfall because Urlan injured himself in a fall.'
'Badly?' Planir leaned forward, face intent. 'Have you seen him?'
'Not yet, it's his legs you see, he's been taken to the infirmary.' Casuel
sounded like a slack apprentice trying to excuse himself to my father.
Small in the mirror, the Archmage's image nodded abruptly before gesturing in
unmistakable dismissal. 'Go and see him for yourself and then bespeak me again
at once.' My father had no time for underlings coming to him with tales of a
task half done either.
Casuel cleared his throat. 'Velindre arrived in Bremilayne on the same tide.
It seems she's eager to speak to D'Alsennin.'
'Is she?' Planir's tone was noncommittal, but even at this distance I could
see his lean face was unsmiling.
Casuel was nonplussed. 'So what should I do? What should I say to her?'
Giving her some credit for saving the stricken ship would be a good start, I
thought silently.
'You make the introductions she seeks.' Planir sounded faintly surprised that
Casuel needed to ask. 'And you make note of her questions, whom she asks them
of and the replies she receives. Then you tell me.'
Casuel preened himself visibly at the idea of being thus taken into the
Archmage's confidence. It looked more like a fool's naivety being used against
him to me as Planir's mouth curved like the merciless smile of a shark.
'Is she seeking some advancement?' persisted Casuel. 'She always says mastery
of her element is more important than rank within the halls or recognition by
the Council.' His bemusement was plain; that someone might disdain the status
that he so ineffectually craved.
I heard Planir drum his fingers on the table in an uncharacteristic betrayal
of tension. 'I've heard her name mentioned as a possible candidate for
Cloud-Mistress,' he said lightly. 'I'd be interested if she were to say