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.After a few steps,however, Alec s legs gave out under him.One of the guards carried him up thestairs.Alec suffered the indignity, staring back over his shoulder at the strangewhite thing that had beenfashioned from his own essences.You shall father a child of no woman& No, Alec whispered brokenly.O please, Illior, Dalna, don t let this bethe meaning! He knewwhy that thing s face had looked familiar.The same visage had looked up athim from the washbasinwhen he was small.The thing looked like him!They reached a landing and stopped at a door there.More stairs led up toan open door.Through ithe could see the dried carcasses and bags hanging from the workshop ceiling.Khenir took out a key and opened the door.Beyond lay a room very muchlike the one Alec hadbeen kept in all these weeks, one that must be directly under some part of theworkshop upstairs.Thiscell had a proper bed against the far wall and a small bathing tub full ofsteaming water.Khenir had the guard carry Alec straight to the tub and lower him into it. You don t smell very good,my friend. He handed Alec a rough cloth. Wash yourself.I ll go fetch yoursupper.He and the guard went out and Alec heard the key grate in the lock.The tub wasn t large enough to stretch out in.Huddled there with hisknees under his chin, he dippedthe washcloth and scrubbed weakly at his face and chest, then squeezed it overhis greasy, tangled hair,longing for a sliver of soap.A little lantern on a hook by the door cast awarm glow over the room.Alecwas glad of that; he couldn t have stood being locked away in the dark.It was no use.He didn t have the strength to do any more.Leaning backagainst the side of the tub, hetucked his chin to get a look at the wound on his chest.It was tiny, and seemed to be healing well.The skin around it wasn t evenbruised.He wondered if thegolden tap had gone all the way to his heart, and if Yhakobin s strangepurifications had aided thehealing.He turned and scrutinized the door.This one had a keyhole! Alec s lipsstretched in a thin, slightlyTopPage 136ABC Amber Palm Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abcpalm.htmlPage No 89crooked grin as he looked around again at the host of new possibilities thesparse little room offered to atrained eye.His gaolers were getting careless.Khenir returned with a tray, towels, and a large book under one arm.Heset them on the bed andlocked the door from the inside, then knelt by the tub. Is that more meat? Alec asked hopefully. Yes.Do you need some help? Khenir asked, noting the abandonedwashcloth.Alec colored and glanced away. Yes.What did he do to me? I can hardlymove! He bled you.We gave you what nourishment we could but he kept youasleep, to make it easier onyou.Alec grimaced. How thoughtful.So, do you know what that creature is, orwhat it s for? I thought hesaid he was going to make some kind of medicine, not a monster! I m a slave, just like you.Ilban does not confide in me. He scrubbedgently at Alec s back. But hedid agree to let me care for you here. You asked him? Yes.And look! Khenir rose and went to the tray, lifting a bowl for Alecto see. Boiled chicken andturnips! And he s sent you a new book to pass the time. He must be very pleased with me. Alec s mouth was already wateringagain, in spite of the broth stillwarming his belly.Khenir finished with Alec s bath and helped him into a clean robe.WhenAlec was settled in bed withhis back to the headboard, Khenir lifted the tray onto his lap.Alec let out a small moan.Besides the chicken dish, there was warm bread,a wedge of blue-mottledcheese, and a mug of cider, too.But he didn t dare eat any of it. What ifit s drugged again? I m sure it s not, Khenir assured him. I watched the cook myself as heprepared it.As Ilban said,he doesn t need you at the moment. But when he does? Alec cocked an eyebrow at the other man [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]