"Confluence - 02 - Ancients Of Days" - читать интересную книгу автора (Mcauley Paul J)

from a leather harness that went over his shoulders and
fastened across his chest.
He said, "We had them at drill most of the day. You
should see how they keep in step!"
Pandaras looked up at his master, affecting concern.
"How is your head, master? Is the wound making you
feverish? You seem to think-an army of polishers and floor
sweepers, armed only with sticks, can frighten away the
crack troops of the Department of Indigenous Affairs by
putting on a marching display."
Yama smiled. "Why are you here, Pandaras? Do you
really have something to tell me, or have you come expressly
to annoy Tamora? I hope not. She is doing the
best she can."
Pandaras looked to either side, then drew himself up
until his sleek head was level with Yama's chest. He said,
"I have learned something. You may have exiled me to
the bowels of this broken-backed, bankrupt and debauched

department, but I have still been working hard for you."
"You chose your place, as I remember."
Pandaras said, "And now you may thank me for my
foresight. I have news which affects our whole scheme
here, and I beg to be allowed to lay my prize at your feet.
I don't think you'll be displeased."
"You have been spying, Pandaras. What did you find?"
"It was in the mausoleum they call the Hall of the
Tranquil Mind," Pandaras said. "While you two have
been playing soldiers with the hewers of wood and drawers
of water, I've been risking my life in intrigue. A deadly
game with the worst of penalties for losing, but I have
had the good fortune to learn something that affects our
whole scheme."
The Hall of the Tranquil Mind was a black, windowless
edifice carved out of the basalt wall of the big cavern
which housed the Department of Vaticination. Yama had
thought that it was locked up and derelict, like so much
of the Department.
He said, "I suppose you went there to meet your sweetheart
. Are you still chasing that scullion? You are dressed
for the part."
Pandaras had washed and mended his ragged clothes
and polished his boots. He had found or stolen a red silk

scarf which was knotted around his long, flexible neck
with such casual elegance that Yama suspected he had
spent half the morning getting it just so. His two fireflies
spun above his head like living jewels.
He winked and said, "Chased, caught, wooed, won. I
didn't come to boast of my conquests, master. It's an old