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The Floodgate :: Каннингем Элейн
Страница: 91 из 212The mist intensified, taking the form of a portly, black-bearded man entwined with Procopio's servant.
The wizard cleared his throat. His «guest» sat up abruptly, eyes wide as he took in his new surroundings. The woman disentangled herself, adjusted her veils, and glided out into the garden.
"Greetings, Ameer Tukephremo," Procopio said. "This is indeed an occasion. I seldom have occasion to entertain a wizard of Mulhorand."
The wizard gathered himself and brushed aside the curtain, adjusting the belt of his robe as he stood. "What is this place?"
Procopio nodded his approval. "Not where, but what. This is a dimensional portal, my good man, a plane unknown to all but the greatest masters of the Art."
"Ah." The bearded wizard smiled thinly. "By the accent and the modesty of your speech, I know you as a Halruaan. May I also know your name?"
"It is better you do not. Would you care for a refreshment?"
"Most gracious of you."
Procopio gestured, and porcelain cups appeared, suspended in the air. Fragrant steam rose in delicate wisps.
The Mulhorandi took a sip. "Green tea with honey and ginger, and something more…"
"Haerlu brandy. A fine Halruaan spirit."
"Exceptional."
They sipped and exchanged pleasantries for several moments before Ameer got down to business. "You did not invite me into your home. In my land, this would be considered an insult."
"In my land, it would be considered a crime," the Halruaan countered. "My fellow wizard-lords frown upon the idea of consorting with a Mulhorandi wizard."
Ameer let loose a burst of belly-shaking laughter. "Frown on it? They would cut you down like a rabid dog! You take large risks to deal with me. You must expect a large reward."
Not from you, Procopio noted silently, carefully masking his distaste at the Mulhorandi's smug expression. The man was clearly delighted that a Halruaan wizard would come to him for anything. Procopio's countrymen scorned the magic of their eastern neighbors as hardly worthy of notice.
That attitude was precisely what Procopio was counting on.
"You Mulhorandi have spells of cloaking to keep others from prying into your affairs. Some of these spells require materials not available in Halruaa."
The man blinked and set his cup down with a sharp click. "If you know so much, these cloaking spells are not as good as yours."
"We know of them. There is a difference."
Understanding began to dawn in Ameer's eyes, and a sly smile curved his lips.
The wizard cleared his throat. His «guest» sat up abruptly, eyes wide as he took in his new surroundings. The woman disentangled herself, adjusted her veils, and glided out into the garden.
"Greetings, Ameer Tukephremo," Procopio said. "This is indeed an occasion. I seldom have occasion to entertain a wizard of Mulhorand."
The wizard gathered himself and brushed aside the curtain, adjusting the belt of his robe as he stood. "What is this place?"
Procopio nodded his approval. "Not where, but what. This is a dimensional portal, my good man, a plane unknown to all but the greatest masters of the Art."
"Ah." The bearded wizard smiled thinly. "By the accent and the modesty of your speech, I know you as a Halruaan. May I also know your name?"
"It is better you do not. Would you care for a refreshment?"
"Most gracious of you."
Procopio gestured, and porcelain cups appeared, suspended in the air. Fragrant steam rose in delicate wisps.
The Mulhorandi took a sip. "Green tea with honey and ginger, and something more…"
"Haerlu brandy. A fine Halruaan spirit."
"Exceptional."
They sipped and exchanged pleasantries for several moments before Ameer got down to business. "You did not invite me into your home. In my land, this would be considered an insult."
"In my land, it would be considered a crime," the Halruaan countered. "My fellow wizard-lords frown upon the idea of consorting with a Mulhorandi wizard."
Ameer let loose a burst of belly-shaking laughter. "Frown on it? They would cut you down like a rabid dog! You take large risks to deal with me. You must expect a large reward."
Not from you, Procopio noted silently, carefully masking his distaste at the Mulhorandi's smug expression. The man was clearly delighted that a Halruaan wizard would come to him for anything. Procopio's countrymen scorned the magic of their eastern neighbors as hardly worthy of notice.
That attitude was precisely what Procopio was counting on.
"You Mulhorandi have spells of cloaking to keep others from prying into your affairs. Some of these spells require materials not available in Halruaa."
The man blinked and set his cup down with a sharp click. "If you know so much, these cloaking spells are not as good as yours."
"We know of them. There is a difference."
Understanding began to dawn in Ameer's eyes, and a sly smile curved his lips.