"Recluce - 09 - Colors Of Chaos" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

many ways-except for one thing. Sterol had known that Cerryl had used
chaos fire before the Guild had found Cerryl, and the High Wizard had let
that pass. Cerryl's father hadn't been so fortunate-which was why Cerryl
had ended up an orphan almost right after he was born.
   "Cerryl, ser," he announced as he rapped on the white oak door. He
didn't mind reporting to Kinowin, the other Guild overmage that he knew
of besides Jeslek, but that was because the big overmage had also
surmounted poverty-and far more disciplinary actions than Cerryl-in
becoming a mage.
   "Come in," Kinowin's voice rumbled.
   Cerryl eased into the room-so different from that of Myral or Jeslek.
Myral's quarters were filled with books and Jeslek's almost bare of all
but essentials. Kinowin's walls were filled with colored hangings of
different types and styles, but all of them featuring shades of purple,
accented with other colors. His books were limited to a single four-shelf
case on the wall beside the sole window. Even the table that held his
screeing glass was covered with a purple cloth-trimmed with green.
   "I take it that nothing untoward happened today." Kinowin's lips
curled into a friendly but sardonic smile, lifting slightly the purple
blotch on his left cheek.
   "No, ser. Not a thing. There weren't many wagons, and only the coach
from Lydiar. Just two passengers, a grain merchant from Worrak and one
from Ruzor."
   "Wasn't there an olive merchant from Kyphros the other day?"
   "Ah... two days ago, I think."
   "Not much trade coming to Fairhaven at all, is there?" Kinowin nodded
to the chair across from him. "We need to talk."
   Cerryl's stomach tightened.
   "No ... you haven't done anything wrong, and the great Jeslek has been
quiet so far as you are concerned. He's still out in Gallos raising more
mountains. To protect the Great White Highway, he says ..."
   Cerryl wondered. Jeslek claimed that such a use of chaos was to show
the force of the Guild to the prefect of Gallos, but Cerryl doubted such
was the sole reason.
   "... also," continued Kinowin, "Jeslek's been reporting cattle theft
in the northern part of Kyphros. His scrolls indicate that the locals are
complaining that the thieves are being allowed to steal Analerian cattle
and take them to Fenard for slaughter. He's sent a scroll to the new
prefect-your 'friend' Syrma-suggesting that Gallos could use more
evenhanded justice."
   "Syrma won't like that, not from the little I saw."
   "No, he won't, but Jeslek is convinced that Fairhaven must apply a
stronger hand. Both Sterol and I agree ... about the need for a greater
presence." Kinowin offered a short laugh. "That brings up what we need to
talk about.... Sterol and I were talking the other day, and we decided
that some of the junior mages need to know more about what is happening.
But... we're telling you each individually. I'd like you to keep this to
yourself. You may discuss it with me, with Myral, with Sterol-and with
Jeslek, of course. You may also talk with other junior mages, but only
about things which have in fact already happened." Kinowin cocked his big