"Karl Edward Wagner - Cold Light" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wagner Karl Edward)

on his way to becoming a powerful wizard. In his own mind,
Cereb had decided to seek tutelage from one of the old Carsultyal
masters after he had gained experience and wealth of a few more
of Gaethaa's missions.
Carefully he filled a copper bowl with water from a canteen,
poured a few droplets of oily fluid from three vials, then dusted
the opalescent surface with tiny pinches of powdered substance
from other containers taken from his kit. He squatted over the
bowl, his bony knees poking tightly against his robe, and began to
chant into the bowl, but its surface remained clouded. Abruptly a
tiny mote of red fire seemed to dance upon the center of the
bowl. The surface shimmered faintly for a moment, then
vaporized with a rush of thick fumes. The red flame lingered
sullenly for a second, then winked out.
Dusting his hands on his cloak, Cereb straightened and began
to collect his accoutrements. "As I said, nothing," he explained.
"Any forces of magic connected with the villa before us would
have been reflected on the surface of my bowl. As you observed,
the only response was a flicker of crimson. This I interpret as
representing Kane himself, who if all tales are true has sufficient
sorcerous influences about him to elicit a reflection."
He chuckled affably. "I'd say we've caught Kane completely
by surprise. They claim he's a good enough wizard in his own
right, but so far as I know Kane's never made a sorcerer's pact
with any god or demon. That means he has no powers to turn to
for immediate assistance. Without some form of patron deity to
call upon, a sorcerer—no matter how adept he may be—requires
a lot of time, effort and materials to cast any sort of effective
spell. Black magic isn't some cheap charlatan's trick you can
perform with a finger snap and a puff of smoke, after all. Well,
Kane hasn't had any time, and I doubt if he has any sorcerous
materials at hand either. He's all yours, Milord Gaethaa."
"Well done, Cereb," Gaethaa returned with a thin smile. "We'll
put your words to a test then. All right men, we'll play it like
Kane doesn't know we're searching for him yet. The road to the
outer wall leads straight past the entrance to the villa. We'll ride
along it like we were headed on out of Sebbei minding our own
business. Then once we get abreast of the villa, we'll rush the
place. With luck he won't suspect anything until that moment.
The garden gate will pose no problem, and once through, Mollyl,
Jan, Bell take the front with me; Sed and Missa take the back
with Alidore; Anmuspi and Cereb hold back to see if he gets past
us. Cereb, I'm counting on you to be alert for any sorcerous
defenses. Gavein, you can go now. So act nonchalant then, and
let's get him!"
Released, Gavein gloomily watched them ride away toward the
villa. He ran damp fingers across his throat, as if to convince
himself it was yet intact, then shuffled back through the streets of
Sebbei muttering under his breath.
Gaethaa led his men at a slow pace along the road, offering