[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

Tyve nodded. He closed his eyes and a faint smile crossed his face.  I know.
 You re past the worst of it, Mirar told him.
file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Canavan,%20Trudi%20-%20...02%20-%20The%20Last%20of%20the%20Wilds%20(v1).htm (388 of 637)28-12-2006 12:46:31
THE LAST OF THE WILDS
 I m so tired. When will I be able to fly?
 In a few days you can start building up the strength in your arms again.
Light footsteps brought Mirar s attention to the room s entrance. The boys
mother entered, carrying a bowl of water. He sighed and crossed his arms.
 What will it take to make you stay in bed?
 How long is it since Reet ate? she countered.
He felt a pang of guilt; he did not know. She searched his face and nodded.
 I thought so. The White lady brought food and fresh water. I hear she is not as
good a healer as you, but she can fly. That s& useful.
Mirar took the bowl from her.  How do you know what the villagers are
saying? he asked, worried that people had been visiting each other secretly.
 Reet has been carrying gossip as well as messages for you.
He chuckled and turned back to Tyve. The boy took the bowl and drank all the
water thirstily. It appeared to give him some strength.
 How is it you knew Auraya before now? Tyve asked.
 That is something I wish to keep private, Mirar replied.
Tyve s eyebrows rose, then drew together into a frown.  You don t like her.
Mirar found himself shaking his head.  That s not true.
Taking the empty bowl, Mirar handed it to Tyve s mother. She left to gather
more.
 You hate her, then?
 No.
Nosy, isn t he? Leiard observed.
 What do you think of her?
file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Canavan,%20Trudi%20-%20...02%20-%20The%20Last%20of%20the%20Wilds%20(v1).htm (389 of 637)28-12-2006 12:46:31
THE LAST OF THE WILDS
Mirar shrugged.  She is a capable woman. Powerful. Intelligent.
Compassionate.
Tyve rolled his eyes.  That s not what I meant. If you don t hate her, what do
you feel?
 Neither friendship nor animosity. I suppose I feel respect.
 So you do like her?
 If  respect means  like, then I guess I do.
Tyve made a small, dissatisfied noise and looked away. His eyes narrowed.
 If I was your student would I get to travel the world?
Mirar laughed.  Who says you re going to be my student?
 Nobody yet. But if I was, would I meet more important people like Auraya?
 I hope not.
The boy frowned.  Why wouldn t you want me to?
 Important people are always either beset by troubles or are the source of strife
themselves. Keep away from them.
You sound like me, Leiard injected.
Tyve s eyes brightened.  Is that what happened to you? Did Auraya bring you
strife of some kind?
Mirar took a step toward the door.  That is none of your concern. I hope you
recover your respect for elders and visitors when you recover your strength,
Tyve. Otherwise I fear you ll turn into a shameless gossip. He turned away and
walked to the door, and heard Tyve s bed creak as he sat up.
 But 
Looking over his shoulder, Mirar placed a finger to his lips and looked at the
file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Canavan,%20Trudi%20-%20...02%20-%20The%20Last%20of%20the%20Wilds%20(v1).htm (390 of 637)28-12-2006 12:46:31
THE LAST OF THE WILDS
sleeping form of Reet meaningfully. Tyve bit his lip, then subsided into his bed
with a sigh.
Mirar met the boys mother in the next room.
 You re right, he said.  Tyve is better. I fear you ll have trouble keeping him in
bed. Try to stop him from flying until his strength is fully returned.
She nodded.  And Reet?
 Watch him closely.
 I will. She moved past him with the refilled bowl.
Stepping outside the bower, Mirar moved to the sling. He paused to consider
who was well enough to replace Reet as messenger. From behind came the thud
of feet on wood. He turned to see Auraya standing a few steps away.
 Lei-Wilar, she said.  Speaker Veece is failing again. He needs your help.
Mirar found himself simultaneously dismayed and pleased. He was concerned by
her news, and at the same time not sure why he should be happy that she d
sought him out. Perhaps only because she had acknowledged that his skills were
greater than hers.
No, Leiard said. That s not it. You re vain, but not that vain. It s because she s
no longer avoiding you. You like her.
 I d better get myself over there, he muttered. Moving to the sling, he shrugged
into it. In his mind he plotted a path to the Speaker s platform. It was at least
three rope journeys away. He realized Auraya was still watching him.
 I ll meet you there, he told her.
She nodded, then moved to the edge of the platform and leapt off. Though she
did not have to, she glided in an imitation of the Siyee s graceful flight, reaching
the Speaker s bower in moments. She did it so easily, so naturally, that he could
file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Canavan,%20Trudi%20-%20...02%20-%20The%20Last%20of%20the%20Wilds%20(v1).htm (391 of 637)28-12-2006 12:46:31
THE LAST OF THE WILDS
not help feeling an echo of his old, abandoned admiration for her.
Not yours, Leiard corrected. Mine.
I admired her, too, he retorted. Just not to point of becoming a besotted fool.
Dropping off the platform, he began to pull himself toward the next. It was an
uphill climb, and soon he was breathing heavily with the effort. His hands hurt
where they had been rubbed raw on the harsh rope.
Still, it s better than climbing up and down ropes all day and night, Leiard
pointed out.
Reaching the next platform, Mirar slipped out of the sling and moved to another
rope. Shrugging into the second sling, he slid down to a smaller platform. From
there it was a harder journey to the Speaker s home. Auraya was watching him,
which only made him conscious of how awkward and graceless he must look.
He settled into the third sling and started hauling himself along.
Suddenly the sling began to move of its own accord. Looking up, he saw Auraya
standing on the platform ahead, one hand outstretched.
Moving you with magic. Now why didn t you think of that? Leiard asked.
I was concerned the ropes would be damaged if I travelled too fast, Mirar
retorted. You know that.
Fast or slow, the wear would be the same, Leiard said. I know you know that.
Mirar scowled. You win. I didn t think of it. I m an idiot. Satisfied?
As he neared the platform he saw that Auraya was smiling. He felt his stomach
flip over.
She is wonderful, Leiard murmured.
Don t start this again, Mirar warned.
Then his feet were on the platform and Auraya was helping him out of the sling.
file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Canavan,%20Trudi%20-%20...02%20-%20The%20Last%20of%20the%20Wilds%20(v1).htm (392 of 637)28-12-2006 12:46:31
THE LAST OF THE WILDS
Her smile was gone, replaced by a frown of anxiety.
 His body just can t fight it, she told him.  This may be one of those times of
last resort you spoke of.
He nodded.  I agree.
 I&  She paused, then shook her head.
He turned to look at her.  What?
She shook her head again, then sighed.  I have to ask. When I think of how
many lives might be saved, I can t let& other things& get in the way. She
straightened her shoulders.  Would you teach me how to kill a disease within a
body?
He stared at her. She held his gaze. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]