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The Magehound :: Каннингем Элейн
Страница: 150 из 216"I do hate to leave things unfinished."
The jordain leaped from her chair and whirled, twin daggers gleaming in her manicured hands. Her fury changed to fear as she regarded the small, strange figure seated in her favorite chair. Long ringlets of jade green cascaded over a gown of green and gold and framed a face that held the color and the coldness of polished copper.
Cassia drew herself up with all the dignity she could muster. After all, she was the king's high counselor, and this creature, despite her position, was merely an elf.
"How dare you enter my chamber uninvited, and by magical means?"
The magehound's smile made the room feel suddenly chill. "I go wherever my duty takes me."
"What is that to me? You have no business here."
"Don't I?" Kiva rose in a single swift, fluid motion. "The ranks of the jordaini must be kept free of magic's taint No one, no matter how high her rank or how powerful her patron, is immune to that rule. If I decide to call inquest against you, no one will question my right."
Cassia hadn't considered this possibility. It was a potent threat. She swallowed with great difficulty. "What do you want?"
The elf extended a peremptory hand. "To begin with, you can give me those papers."
After a moment's hesitation, Cassia handed them over. Kiva studied them and then fixed a challenging stare upon the jordain.
"As you have gone to such trouble to learn, I have sought this girl for quite some time. She is wanted for inquest. This is my duty, and I will brook no interference. This quarry is mine, jordain. Back away, and perhaps I will not need to seek another."
Cassia didn't need to ask who the second quarry might be. "I accept your terms," she said quickly.
"You are hasty," the elf said with a cool smile. "I wasn't quite finished. Have you spoken to anyone about what you have learned?"
The magehound reached into the folds of her yellow sleeve and produced a silver wand, the instrument that could find magic wherever it hid and condemn any jordain who knew Mystra's touch.
Cassia's gaze did not waver, and she spoke words that were partial truth and careful falsehood. "I did not speak to anyone, nor will I," she vowed, omitting mention of the letters she had penned. She felt safe in doing so, for by tradition, jordaini did not write and send messages.
Kiva accepted this with a nod. "Good. If I hear you have broken silence, we will meet again. And I assure you," she said softly, "on that day you will be far less happy with the bargain we make."
* * * * *
Matteo's new quarters were
The jordain leaped from her chair and whirled, twin daggers gleaming in her manicured hands. Her fury changed to fear as she regarded the small, strange figure seated in her favorite chair. Long ringlets of jade green cascaded over a gown of green and gold and framed a face that held the color and the coldness of polished copper.
Cassia drew herself up with all the dignity she could muster. After all, she was the king's high counselor, and this creature, despite her position, was merely an elf.
"How dare you enter my chamber uninvited, and by magical means?"
The magehound's smile made the room feel suddenly chill. "I go wherever my duty takes me."
"What is that to me? You have no business here."
"Don't I?" Kiva rose in a single swift, fluid motion. "The ranks of the jordaini must be kept free of magic's taint No one, no matter how high her rank or how powerful her patron, is immune to that rule. If I decide to call inquest against you, no one will question my right."
Cassia hadn't considered this possibility. It was a potent threat. She swallowed with great difficulty. "What do you want?"
The elf extended a peremptory hand. "To begin with, you can give me those papers."
After a moment's hesitation, Cassia handed them over. Kiva studied them and then fixed a challenging stare upon the jordain.
"As you have gone to such trouble to learn, I have sought this girl for quite some time. She is wanted for inquest. This is my duty, and I will brook no interference. This quarry is mine, jordain. Back away, and perhaps I will not need to seek another."
Cassia didn't need to ask who the second quarry might be. "I accept your terms," she said quickly.
"You are hasty," the elf said with a cool smile. "I wasn't quite finished. Have you spoken to anyone about what you have learned?"
The magehound reached into the folds of her yellow sleeve and produced a silver wand, the instrument that could find magic wherever it hid and condemn any jordain who knew Mystra's touch.
Cassia's gaze did not waver, and she spoke words that were partial truth and careful falsehood. "I did not speak to anyone, nor will I," she vowed, omitting mention of the letters she had penned. She felt safe in doing so, for by tradition, jordaini did not write and send messages.
Kiva accepted this with a nod. "Good. If I hear you have broken silence, we will meet again. And I assure you," she said softly, "on that day you will be far less happy with the bargain we make."
* * * * *
Matteo's new quarters were