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

Nicholas said, 'I'm not sure what you're asking, Amos— er, Captain."

Amos seemed to squint with one eye at the boy as he said, "Well, then it seems your father was even less forthcoming with you than with me. All he said was I was to heave to at Sor-

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cerer's Isle for a bit, so you could visit your cousin Pug. I thought you'd know all about this."

Nicholas shrugged. "I've not seen him since I was very young; I hardly know the man."

Nakor said, "You come." He pointed at Harry. "You too." To Amos he said, "You I don't know about. I think you come also, but I'm not sure. Ghuda comes with me."

Amos stroked his beard. "Arutha said to do as you asked, Nakor, so I'll tag along."

"Good," said the little man with a grin. "Let's go. Pug is waiting."

Harry said, "He knows we're here?"

Ghuda shook his head. "No, he's fast asleep and hasn't noticed this great ship approaching for the last half day."

Harry had the decency to blush as Nicholas laughed. Amos turned to his crew, many of whom hung in the rigging, watching the flashing lights of the distant castle, and shouted, "Lower a boat!"

THE BOAT GROUND into the sand and two sailors jumped out and pulled it ashore. Nicholas and Harry climbed out and waded through the ankle-deep water as Nakor, Ghuda, and Amos followed.

Nakor immediately headed for a path that led up to a ridge overlooking the cove. Amos called, "Where are you going?"

Nakor kept walking as he turned and said, "That way," pointing up to the top of the path.

Ghuda looked at the others, shrugged, and began to follow. The boys hesitated an instant, then also started walking up the path.

Amos shook his head and turned to the sailors. "Return to the ship. Tell Mr. Rhodes to keep a sharp eye out; we'll signal from here when we want the boat to pick us up."

The two sailors saluted and pushed the boat back, while the two who were still sitting in it unshipped a pair of oars and started pulling against the breakers. The two at the bow leaped into the boat and soon there were four sailors pulling hard to get back to the relative safety of their ship.

Amos trudged after the other four to find them waiting at the top of the path. Another path diverted from the one that led to the castle, and Nakor started walking down that one.

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Amos said, "The castle's over that way, Keshian." "Isalani," answered Nakor. "Keshians are tall, dark people who run around without most of their clothing. And Pug is

this way."

Ghuda said, "Best not to argue with him, Admiral," as he followed. The others fell into step and followed Nakor down into a smal! de61e, then upward to another ridge. From the top of the second ridge they could see down into a small vale. It was overgrown with brush and thick with ancient trees. The path seemed to vanish at the edge of the woods at the base of the hill.

Ghuda said, "Where are you taking us?"