"L. E. Modesitt - Recluce 07 - The magic Engineer" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

does not suit her dark brown hair and pale freckled face. Beside her sits a gangly youth with
shoulder-length black hair wearing a one-piece shapeless brown garment.
"Greetings."
Dorrin's study of the other students is interrupted by Lortren's entrance. The white-haired and
well-muscled woman stands beside the vacant window table. The black eyes slash across the ten
seated youngsters. "I am Lortren. For better or worse, I will be working with you over the next
half-year to help you find out who and what you really are."
A brief smile flashes across her face. "You only think you know who you are. If you really


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knew, you wouldn't be here. You all have talent, of one sort or another, although we don't have
any out-and-out chaos wielders here."
The dark eyes sweep the group again, and Dorrin shifts his weight in the hard and unyielding
wooden chair.
"I won't bother introducing you to each other. You can work that out among yourselves at
dinner, or whenever. You are the red group. Your schedule for the eight-day is posted on the board
that says, clearly enough, 'Red Group.' The board is in the south foyer. That's at the end of the
corridor behind me.
"No one will remind you where you are to be, or when. Getting there is your responsibility.
Finding out where rooms and buildings are is also your responsibility. There is a small map in the
foyer next to each board."
"What if-" begins a broad young man with white-blond hair.
"If you make an honest effort and have trouble in the beginning, Loric, no one will say
anything. If you continue to show a lack of interest, you'll be asked to leave. Most people who
leave here without finishing the course end up somewhere in Nordla or Candar, depending on the
available shipping."
"... that's exile ..." The whispered words are clear in the stillness.
"That's correct," affirms Lortren. "For those of you who have not figured it out, the Academy
is all that stands between you and exile. In even clearer terms, the Academy prepares you for a
controlled exile from which you can return-if you survive and if you choose."
Dorrin senses the indrawn breaths and slow exhalations.
"What kinds of things will we be doing?" Brede's overloud voice crashes through the silence.
"Your studies will concentrate on three things-the study of order and chaos; the basic history
and cultures of Candor, Nordla, Afrit, and Recluce; and physical training. What is expected of you
will be covered in greater detail in your first meeting tomorrow morning." Lortren smiles grimly.
"Most of you will discover how little you really know." She pauses. "Are there any other
questions?"
Dorrin frowns. Lortren will not answer more than she wants to, and she has said all she plans
to say.
"Dinner is waiting. This one time, I'll show you the way. The meal times are also on your
schedule board." The black-clad magistra is leaving by the time Dorrin stands.
"Kadara ... ?" he begins, but she too has moved out of earshot of his soft inquiry. He hastens
after the others, ending up behind the girl in the red-orange shirt, so close that his left boot
catches her sandal.
"I'm sorry."
She turns with her hand on the door, revealing deep blue eyes that twinkle for a moment.
"That's all right. I'm Jyll. Who are you?"