Мор - ученик смерти

           Forgetpeasandmattresses–sheernaturalselectionhadestablishedovertheyearsthattheroyalfamiliesthatsurvivedlongestwerethosewhosememberscoulddistinguishanassassininthedarkbythenoisehewascleverenoughnottomake,because,incourtcircles,therewasalwayssomeonereadytocuttheheirwithaknife.

           Shelayinbed,wonderingwhattodonext.Therewasadaggerunderherpillow.Shestartedtoslideonehandupthesheets,whilepeeringaroundtheroomwithhalf-closedeyesinsearchofunfamiliarshadows.Shewaswellawarethatifsheindicatedinanywaythatshewasnotasleepshewouldneverwakeupagain.

           Somelightcameintotheroomfromthebigwindowatthefarend,butthesuitsofarmour,tapestriesandassortedparaphernaliathatlitteredtheroomcouldhaveprovidedcoverforanarmy.

           Theknifehaddroppeddownbehindthebedhead.Sheprobablywouldn’thaveuseditproperlyanyway.

           Screamingfortheguards,shedecided,wasnotagoodidea.Iftherewasanyoneintheroomthentheguardsmusthavebeenoverpowered,oratleaststunnedbyalargesumofmoney.

           Therewasawarmingpanontheflagstonesbythefire.Woulditmakeaweapon?

           Therewasafaintmetallicsound.

           Perhapsscreamingwouldn’tbesuchabadideaafterall....

           Thewindowimploded.ForaninstantKelisaw,framedagainstahellofblueandpurpleflames,ahoodedfigurecrouchedonthebackofthelargesthorseshehadeverseen.