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

Krystal slipped into the seat next to me, wearing just the green leather trousers and a plain
shirt. She'd left off the short jacket with all the gold braid. "I'm sorry. Kasee kept me. We have
a problem-another one." Krystal looked toward Rissa. "Some of Justen's ale would be good."
"Justen's ale, yet?" asked Tamra under her breath.
I ignored her.
Rissa brought Krystal a mug and poured ale from the pitcher.
Krystal took a long, and very deep, swallow before continuing. "The new Duke of Hydlen has
occupied the brimstone springs in the Lower Easthorns."
"Brimstone?" asked Rissa.
"That's for powder. You mix it with nitre and charcoal," Tamra explained.
"Explosive powder isn't that useful," I ventured. "Any chaos wizard-"
"That may be the problem." Krystal sighed and turned to Justen. "You've heard of Gerlis,


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haven't you?"
Justen pulled at his chin. "Yes. He's a body-changer. He's also probably the most powerful
white wizard in Candar now."
"He's the court wizard to the new Duke-that bastard named Berfir," explained Krystal.
Dukes changed often in Candar, almost as often as the powerful white wizards changed bodies.
"Where did he come from?" asked Tamra.
"Berfir's the head of the Yeannota clan. His family has owned the rangelands between Telsen and
Asula for ages. We don't know much more, except he raised an army, made some agreements with the
merchants on taxes, and... poof... one day Duke Sterna died and named Berfir his heir. Very neat."
"You think Gerlis had something to do with it?" Tamra poured herself more redberry.
"Who can tell? If he didn't, he's certainly taken advantage of the situation."
Rissa got up and stirred whatever was in the big stewpot and the noodles that had been
simmering in the other pot. The odor of onions and lamb drifted across the table, and I licked my
lips.
"What does this all have to do with the brimstone springs?"
Krystal shrugged. "We don't know yet, but Kasee thinks that it bears watching, and that means
sending a detachment to do the watching."
"When do you leave?" I asked.
"I don't. Ferrel says that it's her turn to take a trip. She's been stuck in Kyphrien running
the Finest for years, and it's up to me to see how it feels. She's tired of everyone second-
guessing her. Besides"-Krystal grinned and looked at me-"she says I've been neglecting you, and
neglecting order-masters isn't a good idea."
I liked Ferrel even more, assuming she'd said that, or Krystal for thinking of me. Then, I'd
always liked Ferrel-ever since she'd returned my knife at that first dinner I'd had with the
autarch. I'd left my knife with the captives I'd freed in order to charge the first white wizard
with a staff. That had been a very dumb thing to do, even if it had worked. Anyway, when I'd first
come to Kyphros, Ferrel had confirmed my rescue efforts by returning the knife. "What does Kasee-I
mean the autarch-think?"
"Her Mightiness the autarch agrees that the experience of standing in for Ferrel will do me
good."
"Experience rarely does anyone good," grumped Justen. "It just does them in."
"How about some real food?" Tamra looked toward the stove.
"It's almost ready," said Rissa.