[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]"But, lady, I have seen some five hundred winters," Elminster said gently. "Am
I not too old for this?"
She stopped his lips with slim white fingers. "All those years will give us
something to talk about, you and I" she said, "instead of art." She was slim
and very light as she sat in his lap, and her skin as she leaned forward to
embrace him was smooth and soft. "I would tell you something," she whispered,
as Elminster's arms went gently around her. "My name, my truename, is "
"Hush, lady," Elminster said, eyes moist. "Keep it safe. We shall trade them,
soon. But not now."
The tears came. "Ah, old mage," The Simbul said, sobbing into his chest, "I
have been so lonely. . . ."
Lhaeo, who had come up the dark stairs with tea, the pot wrapped in a thick
scarf to keep it warm, stopped outside the door and heard them. He set the
tray down carefully on a table nearby and went softly downstairs again for a
sec-
ED GREENWOOD
ond cup. What is the weight of secrets? he wondered to himself. How many may a
man carry? How many more, a woman, or an elf?
It was dark outside, but in the little cottage near the woods candles
flickered and the hearthfire blazed merrily. A woman straightened up from the
cauldron as they came in. She was no longer young, and the clothes she wore
were simple and much patched. She gasped. "My lords! Welcome! But I have
nothing ready to feed you. My man's not to be back from the hunt until
morning."
"Nay, Lhaera," Rathan said kindly, embracing her. "We cannot stay, but must
hasten back to Shadowdale. We have an errand for thy daughter that is urgent,
and I would renew Tymora's bright blessing upon this house."
Lhaera looked at them in wonderment. "With Imraea? But she's scarce six "
Tbrm nodded. "Old enough that her feet are firmly on the ground." He was
interrupted then by the precipitous arrival of a small, dark-haired whirlwind
who fetched up against his legs, laughing. As he reached down to embrace her,
she danced back out of his reach and announced solemnly, "Well met, Tbrm and
Rathan, Knights of Myth Drannor. I am pleased to see you."
Both knights bowed, and Rathan answered solemnly, "We are pleased to see thee,
lady. We have come to discharge our duty to ye. Are ye in good health and of
high spirits?"
"Aye, of course. But look how beautiful my mother is since you healed her! She
grows taller, I think!"
Tbrm and Rathan regarded the astonished and smiling Lhaera carefully. "Aye, I
think you are right. She does grow taller," Tbrm said solemnly. "Be sure to
send word to us when she grows too tall for the roof, for you will need some
help rebuilding then."
Imraea nodded. "I will do that." She eyed Tbrrn. "You are making me wait, Sir
Knight. Is my patience not well held? Am I not solemn enough?" Then she fairly
danced. "Did you bring it?"
"It is not an 'it.' It is a 'he,' as you are a she," said Tbrm
*340*
SPELLFIRE
severely, drawing open his cloak and letting something soft and furry into her
arms. Its fur was silver and black, and it had great, dark, glistening eyes.
It let out a small and inquiring meow. Imraea held it in wonder as it
stretched its nose out to hers.
"Has it he a name?"
Rathan regarded her severely. "Aye, it has a truename, which it keeps hidden,
and a kitten name. But you must give it a proper name, the name you can call
it. Take care you choose wisely. The kitten will have to live with your
choice."
"Aye," Imraea agreed seriously. "Tell me, please, its kitten name that I may
call it so while I think on such an important choice." Lhaera smiled broadly.
"Its name," said Tbrm with dignity, "is Snuggleguts." Tbrm dropped nine pieces
of gold into her hand.
"What is this?" Imraea asked in wonder.
"Its life," Rathan said. "The kitten will need milk, and meat, and fish, as it
grows, and it wilt need much care, and to be kept warm. You, or your parents,
must buy those things. You must take the mice and rats it will kill, thank
your pet without any disgust or sharp words, and bury them. It is your duty.
Know you, Imraea, that the gods gather back to themselves cats and dogs and
horses even as they do you and me. There is no telling when Snuggleguts may
die. So treat it well and enjoy its company, but let your kitten roam free and
do as it will. Each time you see your pet may be the last."
"I will. I thank you both. You are kind, you two knights."
"We but do the right thing," Ibrm replied softly.
"Aye, that you do," Lhaera said to them. "And there's few enough, these days,
who take the trouble to do that."
Sanset at The Rising Moon
By night dark dreams bring me much pain but always comes, after, bright
morning again.
Mintiper Moonsilver, bard
Nine Stars Around A Silver Moon
Year of the Highmaritle
"The Wearers of the Purple are met," Naergoth Bladelord said. "For the glory
of the dead dragons!"
"For their dominion," came the ritual response from sullen throats. Naergoth
looked around the chamber.
Malark had not shown his face again. Naergoth was beginning to worry that
something ill and probably final had befallen him. By the looks others were
giving his empty seat, he was not the only one thinking along such lines. Long
faces aplenty looked back at him.
"Well enough," Dargoth said. "What say you, Zannastar? You stand for our mages
in the absence of Malark, and the doubt grows in my mind that we shall ever
see him alive here again."
"It is not my place to speak as one of you," said Zannastar, a balding,
bearded man of middle years. "I do not wear the purple."
His hard face turned to look down the table. "But I do think that the more one
listens, the more one learns. Something, whether it's spellf ire or not, is
striking down brother after brother, and many of your sacred ones, too
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]zanotowane.pldoc.pisz.plpdf.pisz.plkajaszek.htw.pl
