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

anything that suggests her own thoughts turn that way. Though you're not to
raise the subject yourself, Casuel, understand?'
'But Otrick is Cloud-Master,' frowned Casuel.
'Indeed,' Planir replied flatly. 'And will remain so, whatever Troanna might
say.'
But that old wizard was locked in enchanted unconsciousness, laid low by
aetheric malice along with so many others in the fight for Kellarin the summer
before, souring the triumph I'd shared with Temar, the mercenaries backing him
and the mages who'd paid them. Finding some means of restoring those
unfortunates ranked high among the obligations prompting me to continued
service to Messire D'Olbriot. Fortunately, as a leading Prince of the Empire,
the Sieur was foremost among those backing the search for lore to counter
Elietimm enchantments. That's why I had spent the first half of the year
shepherding Casuel round distant dusty libraries while my beloved Livak had
taken herself clear across the Old Empire on a quest for knowledge held by the
ancient races of wood and mountain.
Planir's next words diverted me from wondering how she might be faring.
'Ryshad, good day to you.'
I couldn't prevent a faint start of surprise; I'd been thinking the spell
wouldn't reach to my distant seat. 'Archmage.' I gave the amber-tinted
reflection a nod but moved no closer.
'I heard from Usara a few days ago,' Planir continued in friendly fashion.
'Livak's keeping well. They're heading north to see what Mountain sagas might
teach us all.'
'Did they find anything of note in the Great Forest?' asked
Casuel anxiously. He'd been voluble in his contempt for Livak's theory that
archaic traditions could hold unknown wisdom, so any success on her part would
make him look a mighty fool. Armed with a book of old songs she insisted held
hints of lost enchantments, Livak had set off determined to prove him wrong.
'Nothing conclusive has come to light.' The Archmage raised his hand again and
the glow in the mirror flared bright. 'If there's nothing else, I've much to
attend to here, as you know.'
'Give Usara my regards the next time you bespeak him.' The shimmering void
closed in on itself, leaving no more than an after-image burned on the back of
my eye. I blinked, not sure if Planir had heard me or not. Still, at least I
knew Livak was in good health and I hugged that knowledge close. She was with
Usara, and I reminded myself that it wasn't magic I mistrusted, just certain
mages. Usara was competent and honest and that weighed heavy in the scales
against Planir's deviousness and Casuel's mean spirit.
'I'd better see how Urlan is.' Casuel was looking abstracted. 'Then I'd better
review my notes, to get questions for D'Alsennin clear in my mind.' And to
remind himself of those few fragments of possible knowledge he'd pieced
together from scraps of unheeded parchment and books faded with age. He'd want
something of his own to mention casually to Planir, to counter anything Livak
might find in the Forest or the Mountains. She'd certainly crow loud and long
over him if she returned successful, so I could hardly blame Casuel for that.
I stifled my recurrent longing for her exuberant company by reminding myself
I'd agreed to her trip, so I should hardly be complaining about her absence.
And her quest was only one half of the two-handed plan we hoped would secure
us a future together, and Casuel wouldn't be the only one feeling the lash of