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

Isabelle kicked his messy boot under the table. They needed the
money! Men! Why would a man do anything rather than accept help
when it was offered?

“Sit down,” Grand Master said. “This is very confidential.”

“Then it would be safer not to tell anyone.” Beau shaped a slight
bow. “I must rush and prepare bran mash for my charges, and my
wife likewise, for hers. It has been fun reminiscing about old—”

“I have lost a Blade. He has been stolen.”

After a moment Beau said, “That is a totally ridiculous statement!”
and sat down again.

• 2 •

“Do try the wine, Lady Beaumont,” Grand Master said. “It is not
what its label says it is, but quite drinkable.”

“I must attend to my duties, my lord. And if the matter is as
confidential as you—”

“Please stay! I am very happy to meet you at last, and just wish the
times were happier. Mine is a very curious problem. It has me
baffled, and that snaky grin on your husband was always a sign that
he was out of his mental depth. Perhaps you will be able to shed
some light on the path for both of us.”

10 Dave Duncan

Lord Roland had won a point and was enjoying it. He knew how to
charm. She returned his smile, acknowledging that few people
could fence words with Beau and win.

Beau, quite unabashed, moved Isabelle’s glass a little closer to her
and took a sip from his own. “Forgery?”

“Of course.”

“But why?”

“That is the question. As you probably know, Lady Beaumont,
Ironhall boys always leave in the same order in which they were
admitted. There are good reasons for this, but it can cause
difficulty, especially now, when we train fewer boys than we used
to. I send regular reports to the Commander of the Royal Guard,
advising him how many we have ready for binding. Sir Vicious, in
turn, advises His Majesty. Two or three times a year, the King