"Sean Russell - The Initiate Brother 2 - Gatherer of Clouds" - читать интересную книгу автора (Russell Sean)

one such as Senior Sister Morima, how do I presume to walk such a path?“ Perhaps she will return to us yet. I pray
that this will be so.

The rumor that Lord Shonto’s Spiritual Advisor went into the desert in the company of Lord

Komawara seems, incredibly, to be true. Our friend in the Governor’s Palace tells us that Shonto is convinced a
large barbarian army will attack Seh in the spring. We can neither prove nor disprove the theory at this time, but if
Governor Shonto and his staff believe this, it is my opinion that our Order should act as though there were no doubt.

When I think of the suffering that a war would bring and how it would affect our own efforts, my heart grows heavy.
We always hope calamity will not overtake us in this lifetime, rather like children trying to avoid difficult lessons.
But they must be learned: if not now, later.

Jaku Katta arrived today. It will be difficult to place someone close to him, but be assured our efforts will be tireless.
We have a trusted friend close to the Lady Nishima, however, and will certainly know if she continues to correspond
with the Emperor’s guard commander.

At this time Lord Shonto’s daughter seeks her companionship with the Ladies Kitsura Omawara and Okara
Haroshu, although the Shonto Spiritual Advisor is also one of her regular visitors—occasionally staying in her
rooms later than could be considered strictly proper: I know no more at this time.

There have been no cases of plague reported in Seh for several months now, for which we may thank the Botahist
Brothers even if they have done little else worthy of praise. Chiba has not been so fortunate, I am told. The many
followers of Tomso in that province have suffered terribly.

The rumor that the Uduntbara blossomed (Botahara be praised, Sister!), is not given credence in Seh—it is a rumor
all have heard many times before—and, as you predicted, the Brotherhood have denied it. I find nothing in all the
Brotherhood’s treacherous history as disconcerting as this denial. If an Enlightened Master walks among us, why
do they deny it? I am cold with fear over this.

Work on the Priory goes well and at less expense than we dared hope: Botahara watches over us. I would inquire of
your well-being, Prioress, but I know the polite response. I, too, am well enough to serve His Purpose.

May Botahara chant your name, Sister Yasuko




I
Two
Distant hills rise up Through an ocean of Wind tattered cloud

Peaks become islands

In a chaos of pale crested seas
The erratic spatter of snow-melt on the undergrowth seemed to grow progressively louder. Lord Koma-wara tugged at
the reins and moved his mare another twenty paces into the mist, stopped, and listened for the hundredth time.

Deep in the mist that had hung for days in the Jai Lung Hills it was impossible to determine the origin of sounds. They
echoed and distorted and seemed to emanate from everywhere at once.