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

It was a strange story, almost as strange in the World as it would have been on
Earth, and Wallie took his time, explaining as well as he could how it felt to
be two people, how his professional knowledge differed from his personal
memories.
"I think I understand, my lord," Nnanji said at last, frowning down ferociously
at the rain-slicked, rough-cut planks. "You greatly puzzled me, for you did not
behave like other highranks. You spoke to me as a friend when I was only a
Second. You did not kill Meliu and Briu when you had the chance—most Sevenths
would have welcomed an excuse to cut more notches in thek harness. You treat Jja
like a lady and you were even friendly to Wild Ani. That was the way of honor in
your other world?"
"It was," Wallie said. "Friends are harder to make than enemies, but they are
more useful."
Nnanji brightened. "Is mat a sutra?"
Wallie laughed. "No, it is just a little saying of my own, but it is based on
some of our sutras. It works, though: look bow useful Wild Ani turned out to
be!"
26
THE COMING OF WISDOM
Nnanji agreed doubtfully—swordsmen should not have to seek help from slaves. "I
would swear the second oath to you, my lord, if you will have me as protege". I


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still wish to learn swordsmanship from you, and the ways of honor..." He paused
and added thoughtfully, "And I think I should like to learn some of this other
honor, also."
Wallie was relieved. He had half feared that his young friend would
understandably flee from him as a madman. "I shall be proud to be your mentor
again, Nnanji, for you are a wonderful pupil and one day you will be a great
swordsman."
Nnanji stopped, drew his sword, and dropped to his knees. There were other
things that Wallie wanted to tell him, but Nnanji was never plagued by
hesitations or deep reflection, and he now proceeded to swear the second oath:
"I, Nnanji, swordsman of the Fourth, do take you, Shonsu, swordsman of the
Seventh, as my master and mentor and do swear to be faithful, obedient, and
humble, to live upon your word, to team by your example, and to be mindful of
your honor, in the name of the Goddess."
Wallie spoke the formal acceptance. Nnanji rose and sheathed his sword with some
satisfaction. "You mentioned another oath also, mentor?" The demigod had warned
that swordsmen were addicted to fearsome oaths, and Nnanji was no exception.
"I did. But before we get to that, I must tell you about my mission. When 1
asked what the Goddess required of me, all I was given was a riddle."
"The god gave you a task and didn't tell you what it was? Why?"
"I wish I knew that! He said that it was a matter of free will; that I must do
what seemed right to me. If I only followed orders, then I would be less a
servant than a tool." Another explanation, of course, might be that the demigod
did not trust Wallie—either his courage or his honesty—and that was worrisome.