"Dave Duncan - The Seventh Sword - 2 - The Coming Of Wisdom" - читать интересную книгу автора (Duncan Dave)

DAVE DUNCAN
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him and also a woman's garment. A black headband covered his brow. Quili blinked
in astonishment at this apparition—babies, slaves, and beggars? What other
surprises would Lord Shonsu produce?
"This is Honakura, who prefers to conceal his rank and craft," the swordsman
said. "I don't know why, but we humor him."


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The little ancient wheeled around angrily, waggling an arthritic finger to scold
the giant swordsman towering over him. "You must not speak my name, either! A
Nameless One is exactly that—no craft, no rank, no name! Address me as 'old man'
if you wish."
Lord Shonsu regarded him with mild amusement. "As you wish... old man.
Apprentice, meet one old man."
Honakura, if that was really his name, turned back toward Quili. He chuckled and
smiled, revealing a mouth devoid of teeth. "Thus I also serve Her," he said.
"You are welcome... old man."
Lord Shonsu boomed a laugh. "And this.,." He dropped on one knee and reached
down into the boat. Then he sprang upright, hoisting a youth bodily into the
air, a First. He floated there, his shoulders gripped in Shonsu's great hands,
and he beamed down at Quili as if there was nothing undignified about such an
unorthodox arrival, or as if Sevenths clowned with Firsts all the time.
The big man's voice came from somewhere behind the boy's grubby white kilt.
"This is our mascot. Apprentice Quili, may I have the unparalleled honor of
presenting the dreaded Novice Katanji, swordsman of the first rank?"
Then he let go. Novice Katanji landed unevenly, stumbled, recovered, and
grinned. He tumbled for his sword hilt, which was canted over behind his left
shoulder.
"Leave that!" Shonsu said quickly. "You'll decapitate someone—probably
yourself."
Katanji shrugged, still grinning, and made the salute to a superior in civilian
fashion. Bewildered, Quili responded. It was very rare to make formal
presentation of a First; slaves and beggars were always ignored. Lord Shonsu not
only had a peculiar sense of humor, he must also dislike formalities and ritual.
The young Katanji was a dark-eyed imp. His single face-
20
THE COMING OF WISDOM
mark was raw and new, his curly black hair cropped short like a child's. There
was a hairclip precariously balanced in it, but no ponytail resulting. He was
grubby, but not as filthy as Nnanji, and innocent of bloodstains. Remembering
Nnanji's story, Quili could guess that Novice Katanji had swom to the code of
the swordsmen only the previous day. Nnanji must be his mentor, for surely no
Seventh would take a First as prole" g6. Yet perhaps this unconventional Shonsu
was capable of even that.
"You are welcome also, novice," Quili said.
His big eyes' regarded her solemnly. "Your gracious hospitality is already