JК
The Floodgate :: Каннингем Элейн
Страница: 18 из 212You've many gifts, but lying isn't among them! If you're set upon learning this art, I'd suggest you'd practice before a mirror until you can school the guilt from your face!"
The wizard's tone was light and teasing, but Matteo could think of no response. What did one say when a trusted master spoke of competent falsehood as if it were a good and worthy goal?
As the silence stretched, Vishna studied the young man's face with growing concern. "This unfinished business must be grave indeed."
"No more than that before any jordain," Matteo said shortly. "I seek truth."
"Ah." The old man's wry smile acknowledged the reproof. "The search for truth can take unexpected paths. Yours has put distance between you and the jordaini order."
The man's insight startled Matteo. "Why do you say that?"
"I have known you since you left the nursery to begin your studies. Never have I known you to give evasive answers. That speaks of faltering trust."
Matteo could not disagree. "If I offend, Master Vishna, I beg pardon."
"No need." The wizard patted his shoulder. "The wise man does not trust easily or speak freely."
"True, but suspicion wears at the soul, and so does silence. I miss the days when we could speak our minds plainly, without subtlety or hidden layers."
"A child's privilege, Matteo. You are no longer a child." Vishna's smile took any possible sting from the words. "But let us indulge each other. What wears away at my former student?"
This time, Matteo chose his words more carefully. "We jordaini are considered the guardians of Halruaan lore, yet there is much we haven't learned."
"Ah. I suppose you have something specific in mind."
"Several things. Why did we not learn the history of Halruaa's elves?"
"There are no elves to speak of," Vishna pointed out.
"Precisely. Yet there were once many elves in the Swamp of Akhlaur and in the Kilmaruu Swamp. It seems odd that two such places-neither of which are ancient swamplands-should develop on the graves of elf settlements."
Vishna gave him an indulgent smile and repeated the jordaini proverb about the Kilmaruu Swamp existing to keep the number of Halruaan fools down to manageable levels.
"Andris is no fool," Matteo stated, "and for that, Halruaa should bless Mystra. Haven't you noticed that Kilmaruu's undead rest easier?"
"Now that you mention it," the wizard said thoughtfully, "the farms and the coastlands bordering the swamp have been quiet of late.
The wizard's tone was light and teasing, but Matteo could think of no response. What did one say when a trusted master spoke of competent falsehood as if it were a good and worthy goal?
As the silence stretched, Vishna studied the young man's face with growing concern. "This unfinished business must be grave indeed."
"No more than that before any jordain," Matteo said shortly. "I seek truth."
"Ah." The old man's wry smile acknowledged the reproof. "The search for truth can take unexpected paths. Yours has put distance between you and the jordaini order."
The man's insight startled Matteo. "Why do you say that?"
"I have known you since you left the nursery to begin your studies. Never have I known you to give evasive answers. That speaks of faltering trust."
Matteo could not disagree. "If I offend, Master Vishna, I beg pardon."
"No need." The wizard patted his shoulder. "The wise man does not trust easily or speak freely."
"True, but suspicion wears at the soul, and so does silence. I miss the days when we could speak our minds plainly, without subtlety or hidden layers."
"A child's privilege, Matteo. You are no longer a child." Vishna's smile took any possible sting from the words. "But let us indulge each other. What wears away at my former student?"
This time, Matteo chose his words more carefully. "We jordaini are considered the guardians of Halruaan lore, yet there is much we haven't learned."
"Ah. I suppose you have something specific in mind."
"Several things. Why did we not learn the history of Halruaa's elves?"
"There are no elves to speak of," Vishna pointed out.
"Precisely. Yet there were once many elves in the Swamp of Akhlaur and in the Kilmaruu Swamp. It seems odd that two such places-neither of which are ancient swamplands-should develop on the graves of elf settlements."
Vishna gave him an indulgent smile and repeated the jordaini proverb about the Kilmaruu Swamp existing to keep the number of Halruaan fools down to manageable levels.
"Andris is no fool," Matteo stated, "and for that, Halruaa should bless Mystra. Haven't you noticed that Kilmaruu's undead rest easier?"
"Now that you mention it," the wizard said thoughtfully, "the farms and the coastlands bordering the swamp have been quiet of late.