"04.Prince of the Blood" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

Homecoming 19

years." He hiked his thumb behind him, indicating a far
corner. "Personally, that is."

Two soldiers, stripped to breeches only, stood in the
corner. Each had massive arms crossed over impres-
sively muscled chests. Baron James waved for them to
approach. As they did, the boys glanced at one another.

The two men moved with the fluid motion of a thor-
oughbred war horse, supple, but with power waiting.
Each looked as if he was carved from stone, and Borric
whispered, "They're not human!" Eriand grinned, for
both men had large jaws, suggesting the protruding
mandible of mountain trolls.

"These gentlemen are from your Uncle Lyam's garri-
son," said Locklear. "We had a demonstration of the
Royal Fist-Boxing Champions last week and asked them
to stay with us a few extra days." The two men began to
move away from each other, circling the boys in oppo-
site direction.

Jimmy said, "The blond-haired fellow is Sergeant
Obregon, from the Rodez garrison—"

Locklear injected, "He's champion of all men under
two hundred pounds—ah, Eriand should be your stu-
dent, Obregon; his side is injured. Be gentle with him."

"—and the other," continued Jimmy, "is Sergeant
Palmer, from Bas-Tyra."

Borric's eyes narrowed as he studied the approaching
soldier. "Let me guess: he's the champion of all men
over two hundred pounds."

"Yes," said Baron James, with an evil smile.

Instantly, Borric's field of vision was filled by an on-
coming fist. He quickly tried to move away from it, but
abruptly discovered another had found the side of his
head. Then he was considering who painted the frescos
on the ceiling of the room his father had converted to a
gymnasium. He really should ask someone.

Shaking his head as he slowly sat up, he could hear
James saying, "Your Father wanted us to impress upon