"Andre Norton - Witch World - Warlock of the Witch World" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

For the first time in my life I met in her—not the incredulity which Kyllan had earlier
shown—but a turning from me, a closing of doors. Behind was some emotion I could not
read. Was is that her long years of Witch training had set into her the belief they all
shared, that no man was to usurp their dealing with the Invisible? If so, it was so unlike
the Kaththea I knew that I could not accept it. Yet withdraw she had and I was too hurt
to pursue her, or even question. I would not put it to the proof. Sometimes we cling to
uncertainty, dreading fact.
I spoke then to Dahaun, rather than to my sister. “Be sure that I shall not try it
again. I do not even know why I did it then.”

She took a step forward and laid her hands on my shoulders. Then, as I was the
taller, she looked up to meet my eyes. But she used words, not the mind touch, to answer
me, because, I am sure, she wanted all those others to hear her.

“What lies within a man, strength, will, or gift, rises to the surface when need calls.
That you were answered is a shock, for it was our belief that the Great Ones had sped
from us long ago. But now you have taught us that they are not to be disregarded, and
that is well worth our knowing. It is in my mind that you have done us a singular service
this day.”
Her words appeared to ease the tension. Now Kyllan raised the question of how our
mission to the Krogan fared. He frowned when he heard it was a failure. Then the war
leader asked in turn concerning the Thas and Dahaun replied:

“They did not even come to answer the torch signal. So we can continue to guess
whether their absence means neutrality, or whether they have allied themselves
elsewhere.”
“But there is other news,” Kyllan offered. “The sentinels from the peaks have
signaled that another party from over-mountain comes into the foothills.”

“Then they must be met with a guard to bring them here,” Ethutur said, “It is my
belief that the country is roused and the lesser ones of the shadow will do all they can to
prevent our mustering of any force.”
As I went to bathe in one of the renewing pools of the Green People, to put on the
lighter clothing they wore, I still looked for Dinzil or any of his following. Kyllan came to sit
upon a bench, watching me draw on breeches, latch the golden clasps of the jerkin across
my breast.
Finally I brought my thought into the open. “I do not see Dinzil.”

“He rode out before dawn. There is much to be done in raising the Heights. What of
these Krogan?”

It seemed to me that Kyllan skirted the subject of Dinzil, was too quick to change the
subject. But I followed his lead and told him all I had observed of the water people.
“Would they matter to us greatly?”

“Ethutur says they have ways of penetrating wherever there is water, they, or the
creatures who give them allegiance. I saw no weapons except their spears. Yet those
looked deadly. Who can say that they do not have other arms which were not shown?
Ethutur believes they are still neutral. He accepted their decision without argument.”