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

Slowly the ship moved through the fwfeor, majestically

THE KING '$ BUCCANEE R

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passing dozens of lesser craft. Nicholas watched every detail as the crew sprang to answer the pilot's commands. Two smaller coastal cutters were entering the harbor mouth as they approached. Seeing the ensign of the royal house of Krondor atop the mainmast, they dipped their own Kingdom flag in salute. Nicholas waved to them.

Harry said, "Not very dignified, Your Highness."

Nicholas threw an elbow into Harry's ribs, laughing. "Who cares?"

The ship turned into the wind near the harbor mouth, bringing it to a virtual halt. A small rowboat came alongside and the pilot and his assistant hurried down into it, turning command of the ship over to Amos.

Once the pilot's boat was clear, Amos turned to his first mate, a man named Rhodes, and shouted, "Trim topsails. Set mainsails and topgallants!"

Nicholas involuntarily gripped the rail, for the ship seemed to leap forward as the wind filled the sails. In the brisk morning breeze the ship sped through the water. The sun began to burn through the early morning haze and the sky turned a vivid blue. Above, sea gulls flew after the ship, waiting for the day's garbage to be tossed over the side.

Nicholas pointed down at the bow wake, and Harry looked over to see dolphins racing the ship. Both boys laughed at the sight.

Amos watched the landmarks of the harbor fall away behind, then he consulted the position of the sun above the harbor. Turning to the first mate, he said, "Due west, Mr. Rhodes. We make for Sorcerer's Isle."

FOR six DAYS they tacked against the prevailing westerly winds, until the lookout called, "Land ho!"

"Where away?" shouted Amos.

"Two points off the starboard bow, Captain! An island!"

Amos nodded. "Look for the headlands, Mr. Rhodes. There's a cove to the southwest that we can lie in. Pass word that we'U only be laying over for a day or so. No one is to leave the ship without permission."

Rhodes, a laconic man, said, "No one's going to wish to set foot on Sorcerer's Isle without a direct order, Captain."

Amos nodded. He knew who lived there now, but old su-

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perstitions died hard. For years the abode of Macros the Black, the island was reputed to be the home of demons and other dark spirits. Pug, a magician related to Arutha by adoption whom Amos had met on a number of occasions, had come to live on this island almost nine years before, and for his own reasons made few welcome there. Without thought, Amos said, "Pass the word to be alert."

Looking around, Amos realized that there was no need. Every man on the ship had his eyes fixed upon the spot of land that was growing larger with every passing minute. Amos felt a little stirring of anticipation, for while he knew Pug had requested no visitors, he doubted he would attack a ship flying die Krondotian royal ensign.

Nakor and Ghuda had come up on deck, and the little man rushed to the bow, where Nicholas and Harry were already stationed. Nicholas grinned at the strange little man. He had taken a liking to Nakor, who had proved an entertaining companion on an otherwise dull voyage.

"Now you'll see some things," said Nakor. Ghuda said, "Look, a castle."

Upon a promontory, the outlines of a castle could be seen as they drew closer. As they neared, they began to discern details. It was built of black stones, and set upon a rocky finger of land that was separated from the rest of the island by a narrow fissure through which the surf pounded. Across the gap a drawbridge extended, but even with it down, there was little about the place that looked hospitable. A single window, high up in a tower, flashed an ominous blue light.

The ship swung to the south of the rocks that lined the cliff base below the castle, and soon they approached a small inlet. The boys, Ghuda, and Nakor heard Amos call out, "Reef all sails! Drop anchor."

Within minutes the ship had stopped, and Amos came forward. "Well, who's going ashore besides these two?" he asked, indicating Nakor and Ghuda.