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.Sherrine turned her head away from the hateful truth.There wasnothing she could do.She was powerless."I knew all along this idiocy of yours would fail.The likes of youwould need sorcery to catch a Dragonlord," her mother said with a finalsneer."You're a disappointment to me, girl;you always have been.Bah, I've no more time to waste on you."On the last cutting words her mother gracefully gathered up herskirts and departed.Sherrine stood trembling, unable to move, feeling as if her soul had been tornapart.Page 143ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlThen her spirit rebelled.She had not needed sorcery to catch Linden! Not thefirst time!But she would if she were to snare him again.And she thought sheknew where to find such magic; she might be powerless, but she knew of onewho was not.She would give Linden one last chance.And then &And then he'd see he could not treat her so and escape unscathed.Thirty-seven« ^ »The morning light poured through the window.Cursing under his breath, Althumebent over the ancient manuscript.The script was crabbed and blotted,the language archaic where it wasn't in an unknown tongue altogether.Atlast he threw down his quill pen in frustration.Time.He needed more time, damn it.From the little he'd translated it couldbe done.But he needed the entire ceremony and spells, not just this piddlingbit he had so far.Most frustrating of all was that he knew how to gain the time heneeded, but for it he needed a certain accomplice.He wondered how long itwould be before she sought either her mother or Peridaen's aid for revenge.They, of course, would send her on to him.He did not relish the thoughtof her knowing him for a mage, but that could not be helped.He just hoped it would not be long or that Peridaen would be forced to orderher aid.He was still lost in thought when the house steward opened thestudy door."My LordSteward, Lady Sherrine of Colrane asks to see you."Before he could reply, Sherrine entered the room, head held high, eyesglittering with fury.For a moment Althume, too surprised to stand or speak, merely stared at her.By all the gods, what had Anstella said to the girl last night? Andwhy straight here? He knew that Anstella would not have divulged hissecret.Not without his permission.It took a frown from the house steward to bring him back to his assumed role.He rose and came around the desk, hands extended."My lady you honorme.Herrel, send for tea," he ordered as he guided Sherrine to a chair,"and then see that we are not disturbed."As Herrel closed the door Althume finished for his benefit, "Howmay I be of service to you, my lady?"The latch dropped.Althume listened a moment to be certain that thehouse steward was not eavesdropping at the keyhole, then dropped his maskof obsequious servant."So, you've failed."Sherrine hissed in anger."Only because Linden took the side of alowborn slut.I even offered to pay her a wergild."Althume waved a hand."Spare me the details; I already know them."A dark flush crept up the girl's cheeks."However, may I say that I sympathize with you? Who would havethought that aDragonlord would have become so angry at such a little thing.It's not as ifthe girl was noble."But if, as the other Dragonlords seemed to think, having you in closeproximity to Linden Rathan was too dangerous, this was a clever ruse on hispart to have you keep your distance, my little fledgling."Still, the fact remains you did not get very much useful information for allthe time you spent with Linden Rathan.""Should I have handed him a list and said 'The Fraternity of Blood would likePage 144ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlthe answers to these questions, my lord'?" Sherrine retorted."The man is notstupid.I asked him as much as I dared.If I had more time I could get evendeeper into his confidence." She tossed her head."Get me that time, Althume."The mage leaned back in his chair and steepled his fingers beforehis face.Audacious chit he had to grant her that.He had no doubt she hadsuggested the dalliance for her own pleasure; she had not the strength ofpurpose to discomfit herself for the Fraternity.And here she was demanding hehelp her reconcile with Linden Rathan as if he had nothing better to do.But what did she think a mere steward could do? Or did she know more thanshe'd let on so far?He said with a touch of irony, "Time is something we are all in need of, LadySherrine.And how could I, the humble steward of Prince Peridaen's estates,get you more time with LindenRathan?""Let us end this farcesteward.You are no more a servant than I.You are a mage and a powerful one, Iwould wager."Althume allowed a tiny smile to cross his lips."Very good, my dear.How didyou guess?"The corners of Sherrine's mouth quirked up but it was not a smile."I amnot stupid, my lord mage.Not at all.I know how to see, not merely look."Amused now, Althume asked, "And what do you want of me?"She came directly to the point of her visit.Althume approved; he had no timeto waste on maidenly vaporings and false modesty."Prince Peridaen once jested about a love philter for Linden Rathan.Iwant one.Once he accepts me again, I can continue gatheringinformation.Indeed, if the philter causes him to become entirelybesotted with me, I could be more daring in what I asked him.""Alas," said the mage ruefully."As much as I hate to admit it, it cannot bedone.Oh, don't think I didn't research it; Peridaen stung my pride with hisassumption that it wasn't possible.Unfortunately he was right.You will have to find your own wayback into Linden Rathan's bed."Her nostrils flared, but Sherrine betrayed no other sign of anger."I His servants turned me away not a candlemark ago," she admitted.Good, Althume thought [ Pobierz caÅ‚ość w formacie PDF ]