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

Nakor almost skipped as he walked, tapping his walking stick on the path. "This way. It's not far."

The boys hurried along, almost running, and soon were beside the Isalani. "Nakor," said Nicholas, "how do you know Pug is here?"

Nakor shrugged. "It's a trick."

As they reached the edge of the forest, they encountered daunting-looking undergrowth and trees set so close together that passage seemed impossible. "Where now?" asked Harry.

Nakor grinned. "Look." He pointed at the path with his staff. "Look here. Don't look up."

He started walking slowly, turning around so he was moving backward, dragging the point of his staff upon die ground. The boys followed after, keeping their eyes fixed upon the tip of the staff as it stirred dust in the pathway. They moved slowly, and after a moment Nicholas realized that they should now be stuck in heavy undergrowth but in feet the pathway was still clear. "Don't look up," said Nakor.

Gloom surrounded them, but they could clearly see the path where the staff touched it. Then suddenly there was light, and Nakor said, "You can look now."

Instead of a heavy forest, they stood before a large rambling estate, with a few well-tended fruit trees around the edges. On the other side of the estate, sheep grazed, and a half-dozen horses ambled across a large meadow. Nicholas looked back and saw Amos and Ghuda glancing about as if lost. Nakor said, "They were too slow. I'll go get diem."

From behind, a voice said, "There's no need."

Nicholas turned and saw a man in a black robe, slightly

THE KING 's BUCCANEI K

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shorter than himself, looking at the three with a quizzical expression. The Prince's eyes widened, for the man could not possibly have been there a moment before. The man moved his hand, and suddenly Amos and Ghuda were staring with eyes wide. "I've removed the illusion," said the man.

Nakor said, "I told you: it was a trick."

The man looked over the two boys and Nakor, then studied Amos and Ghuda as they approached. After a moment his bearded face relaxed and years seem to fail away as he said, "Captain Trask! I had no idea."

Amos strode up to him and stuck out his hand. "Pug, it's good to see you once more." As they shook, Amos remarked,

"You look no different than you did after the Battle of Setha-•it"

non!

There was some humor in Pug's voice as he said, "I've been told that. Who are your companions?"

Amos motioned for Nicholas to step forward. "I have the pleasure of presenting your cousin Prince Nicholas."

Pug smiled warmly at the boy and said, "Nicky, I haven't seen you since you were little more than a baby."

Amos continued, "This is Harry of Ludland, his Squire, and these two are Ghuda Bule and—-"

Before he could finish, Nakor said, "I am Nakor, the Blue Rider."

Unexpectedly, Pug laughed aloud. "You! I have heard of you." With genuine amusement he said, "You are all welcome to Villa Beata."

He motioned for them to follow as he led them toward the strangely designed home. A large central building, white, with a red-tile roof, was surrounded by a low white stone wall, which sheltered a garden of fruit trees and flowers. In the center of the garden, a fountain fashioned of marble in the form of three dolphins sent up a cheerful spray. Off in the distance, they could see outbuildings.