"L. E. Modesitt - Recluce 11 - The Death of Chaos" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

hopeless with most weapons."
Krystal snorted. "He can only hold off or disable two or three at a time with that staff of
his. That's how he translates 'hopeless.' "
"Are you on my side or this Gerlis's?" I asked.
Kasee smiled.
"How soon?" I glanced from one woman to the other. "Yesterday? I can't do that. How about
tomorrow?"
"Tomorrow..." mused the autarch. "There are reasons that tomorrow might be a little...
precipitous."
"The day after?" I just wanted to get on with it, a tendency that had a way of getting me in
trouble, and Kasee had indicated the need for haste.
"That would be better, for everyone." The autarch gave Krystal a broad smile, and my consort
actually flushed. So did I. Then the autarch stood and nodded at Krystal, and she nodded back. I
gave the autarch a half-bow.
As we left the study, I asked, "Do you know where Tamra is?"
"She was in the small guest quarters off the Second's barracks. Do you think she knows where
Justen is?"
"She might."
Krystal shook her head. "Justen isn't about to be found."
"Probably not. He seems to vanish whenever I'm headed into trouble."
"Do you really think so?" Krystal rubbed her forehead again.
"Sometimes... still, he didn't get that ancient by walking into trouble." I reached out and
squeezed her shoulder, offering her both reassurance and a bit of order.
"Thank you."


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Although the autarch's residence wasn't a fortress, it was designed for defense, with thick
walls, small windows, and shadows everywhere, even at midday. We walked down the long corridor
toward the gate to the guard building.
The two soldiers on duty nodded as we passed, and before long we reached Krystal's quarters,
and the always-present Herreld, who opened the door for us. He didn't smile, but he no longer
frowned when I showed up.
Once the door was shut, I did manage another hug, and a kiss.
Krystal disengaged herself. "I don't know how you enjoy that with a blade half between us."
I just leered.
"You're terrible." Her eyes twinkled, and she turned and dropped the bar in place. Then she
unfastened the sword belt, and kicked off her boots with two rapid thuds.
I grinned, but I didn't finish the grin because Krystal had both arms around me. Somehow, I did
manage to get my boots off.
Later, as we lay entwined in the green quilt, I stroked her forehead. "You won't be coming home
tonight, will you?"
"No. We have to meet with Mureas and Liessa. How did you know?"
"I have my ways, lusty wench." I hugged her tightly, enjoying the feel of her satin skin
against mine, and the perfume of her short hair against my cheek. All we could do was use the
times we had together, and with Krystal's promotion and the troubles ahead, I knew those times
were about to become a lot less frequent.
Outside, the bell chimed four times, and the quick sounds of booted feet below the balcony told