"Duncan, Dave - Paragon Lost v1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Duncan Dave)

That’s what the harassment is about. Why don’t you do as you’re
told—go away and start over somewhere else?”

“I enjoy listening to the gossip here.”

“Why didn’t you enter the King’s Cup this year?”

“You came for lessons? A man of your years will find fencing
strenuous.”

They were fencing with words—feinting, parrying, riposting, and
never quite saying what they meant. His lordship tapped the
handbill spread on the table.

“This says that you won the King’s Cup two years ago against
competitors from four kingdoms. Last year, of course, you were
elsewhere. Why did you not compete this spring?”

“I might have lost. Who wants lessons from the third or fourth best
swordsman in the world?”

“Then you need not have mentioned it.”

Isobel sniffed at her wine glass and set it down hastily. She should
go back to work. Nosy Mistress Snider would know that Beau was
here and selling fencing lessons did not need both of them. But
she wanted to know what spite the Blades were plotting against
Beau this time.

Lord Roland tasted his wine. Without comment, he set the glass
down and folded his arms as if he had reached a decision. “You
are not the first Blade to end up working as a stable hand, but you
will never convince me that you enjoy it. I came here to offer you a
job.”

“I happen to be married.”

9 Paragon Lost

“I did not mean an Ironhall post. This would be a favor to me
personally, not His Majesty.”

“An assassination, is it?”

Roland glared. “No. I have a serious problem and I believe you
may be able to solve it for me.”

Beau rose, ignoring the wine he had not touched. His mocking
smile did not waver. “I do appreciate your concern, my lord, but my
work is piling up even while we speak.”