"05.The King's Buccaneer" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

Nakor shrugged. "It was easy" was all he said. Then he stared out over the water, as if seeing something distant. "You're sending your son on a voyage."

Arutha turned sideways, eyes fixed upon the Isalani. "What are you: seer, prophet, or wizard?"

Nakor shrugged. "I'm a gambler." He produced a deck of cards seemingly out of nowhere and said, "That's how I get money most times." He twisted his wrist and the deck vanished. "But sometimes I see things." He fell silent for a moment, then said, "Years ago, when I met Borric, I felt drawn to him, so that when he befriended me, I stayed with him."

He paused and, without asking leave, jumped atop the stones of the low wall, folding his legs under him. Looking down at the Prince, he said, "Many things can't be explained, Prince. Why I know things and can do things—what I call my tricks. But I trust my girts.

"I am here to keep your son alive."

Arutha shook his head, a small motion of denial. "Alive?"

"He moves toward danger."

THЈ KiNG '$ BUCCANEE R

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"What danger?"

Nakor shrugged. "I don't know."

Arutha said, "What if I keep him here?"

"You cannot." Nakor shook his head. "No, that's wrong. You must not."

"Why?"

Nakor sighed and his smile faded. "A long time ago I met your friend James. He said things about you and your life and what he had done to gain your favor. He tells of a man who's seen things."

Arutha's sigh echoed Nakor's. "I've seen dead men rise and kill, and I've seen alien magic; I have known men born on other worlds. I've spoken to dragons and seen impossible visions become flesh."

Nakor said, "Then trust me. You've made a choice. Abide by it. But let me and Ghuda go with your son."

"Why Ghuda?"

"To keep me alive," said Nakor, and the grin returned.

"Borric said you were a wizard."

Nakor shrugged. "It serves my purpose at times to let others think such. Your friend Pug knew there was no magic."

"You know Pug?"

"No. But he was famous before I met Borric. He has done many wondrous things. And for a time I lived at Stardock."

Arutha's eyes narrowed. "I've not seen him for a dozen years, and word came to us that he had removed to Sorcerer's Isle, wishing no contact with his old friends. I've honored that request."

Nakor leaped from the wall. "Time to ignore it. We will need to see him. Tell your captain we will have to stop there on our way west."