"Ann Durand - Flight of the Gryphon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Durand Ann)

"Thanks," Mike said, plunking his mug back on the table. "I picked the fruit at its ripest…after botrytis
had set in."
"Bo...trytis?"

"Yeah. It's a benevolent form of a grey fungus. If you pick the fruit at the right time, and then expose it to
drier conditions, it can produce a very concentrated, sweet wine."

Katera smiled appreciatively. "My father would love this minol…this wine. I'd love to bring him some."

Mike grimaced. This could never happen. Her father would not taste it. Giving it to him would betray
Mike's presence here within the mountain. Katera was the first person, ever, to know about his
hideaway. This knowledge must not go any further. It could ruin everything.

She must leave Parallon without any good-byes , he thought, feeling desperate for both of them. If
she stayed, Don Askins, or Askinadon as he was known in this land, would find her again. After
reinserting another VisiOrb, there was no telling what he would do to her. Mike would apprise her of the
dangers first thing in the morning. Right now, he'd let her relax, enjoy herself. They had a long ride ahead
of them through the Shirka Mountains, a week's worth at least, and she would need her strength. No
need to upset her just yet. And besides, he could not remember spending a more pleasurable evening.
Not even back in his world, where the women had been plentiful and willing. None, however, had rung
his bells…certainly not like this one. No, there was no rush. He picked up his mug again.

"Another toast," he said, lifting it high. "To the beautiful moon of your planet."

Katera looked puzzled. "What is a planet?"

Mike set his mug down. Even Astronomy 101 was too advanced for the age she lived in.

"It's the ground under your feet," he told her.

"Why is it my planet? Why not yours?" Sharp questions from this one. "You're not from here. And neither
is Askinadon. You both come from the same place, don't you?" She was studying him carefully now.
"Where is that place, Mikolen? Where are you from?"

"You'd never believe me," he said, pulling back.

"Please give me a chance," she said, straining toward him.

Mike sighed. She looked determined. If he had learned anything in his life, it was never to thwart a
determined woman. And besides, if she were going to leave Parallon, she'd need to know what the
stakes were. She deserved to know. He drew in a deep breath and looked into her eyes.

"Okay," he said, "listen carefully. I'm going to tell you a story about a different time and place far
removed from this one. And it's going to take a while, so get comfortable."

Clutching her mug to her chest, Katera leaned back into her chair to listen.

"I'm all ears," she said.