"Lawrence Watt-Evans - Ethshar 6 - The Spell of the Black Dagger" - читать интересную книгу автора (Watt-Evans Lawrence)

The table was heavy and dark, gleaming almost black in the candlelight, its
edges carved with intertwined serpents and the corners with songbirds, wings
spread; above it hung an ornate brass and crystal chandelier. The six
surrounding chairs were of the same dark wood, carved with serpents and
eagles, seats and backs upholstered in wine velvet.

Cherry wood cabinets stood against every wall, and the image of Tabaea's
candle was reflected back at her by a hundred panes of leaded glass set in the
cabinet doors. Behind the glass panels glittered cut-crystal goblets and fine
bone china.

Something moved in the corner of her vision, and for a moment Tabaea froze.
Then she realized that the movement came from inside one of the cabinets.
Warily, she crept closer, and peered through the glass of the cabinet door.

The cabinet held an elaborate silver tea service, and the teapot was moving,
walking about on three long, birdlike legs. Tiny metal toes tapped gently on
the shelf as it strolled. Then, as Tabaea watched, it sank down, folding its
legs beneath it, and settled into motionlessness.

Tabaea smiled and tugged at the empty sack under her belt, but did not yet
remove it from concealment. A magic animated teapot was a very pretty prize
indeed; such things cost a fortune. Unfortunately, since they were so rare and
expensive, and each was a unique piece, they were almost impossible to fence.

The crystal would be worth plenty—but this was merely the beginning. There was
plenty more of the house yet to explore.

Three other doors opened into the dining salon, one on each side. For no
particular reason, Tabaea chose the door on the left, heading more or less
toward the front of the house—as much as this curiously angled corner house
had a front, at any rate.

This brought her into a parlor or drawing room, just as dark and deserted as
the dining salon; the fireplace was empty even of ash, the windows at the far
end shuttered and heavily curtained. Chairs and settees stood here and there;
a potted palm was waving in the breeze.

Except, Tabaea realized, there was no breeze. She froze again, watching.

The palm continued to wave, swaying steadily back and forth; Tabaea noticed
that it seemed to be fanning a particular armchair.

Well, of course—it was fanning the armchair! More magic, clearly—a little
something to help stay cool on a hot summer day, that was all. Another wizard-
or sorcerer-created domestic amenity, like the teapot.

Whoever owned this house was clearly very, very rich, to own two such animated
household objects, both devoted to ordinary tasks. Tabaea lifted her candle
and looked around again.