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

Stepping forward so he walked at Pug's side, Nicholas said, "What is Villa Beata?"

"This place. In the language of those who built it, it means 'blessed home,' or so I was told. And so I have found."

Amos turned to Nakor and asked him, "How did you know not to go to the castle?"

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The little man grinned and shrugged. "It's what I would do/Pug said over his shoulder, "If you had gone to the castle, you would have found it deserted, save for some lively traps in the tallest tower. I find it preserves my privacy to keep alive the legend of the Black Sorcerer. Wards I've set there would have alerted me to your trespass, so I would have come to see who called, but you've been saved a half day of wasted time." Looking at Nakor, he said, "We should talk before you leave."

Nakor nodded vigorously. "I like your house. It makes sense."

Pug nodded in turn.

Reaching the gate through the low wall, he held open the gate for the others, letting them ail pass through before he followed after. "Be warned, not all my servants are human, and some may startle you. But none here will do you harm."

As if illustrating this point, a tall creature appeared at the main entrance of the house. Ghuda's sword was half out of his scabbard before he remembered himself and put it away. The creature appeared to be a goblin, though taller than any Ghuda had ever seen. Goblins were usually smaller than men, but not by much. This creature's blue-green-tinged skin was smooth, and his eyes were huge and round, with black irises on yellow. He also possessed a finer cast of features than any goblin Ghuda had fought, though he did have the heavy brow ridge and comically large nose common to goblin kind. But his clothing was of fine weave and cut and he carried himself with an air that could only be called dignified. He smiled, showing long teeth that came close to being fangs. He executed a courtly bow and said, "Master Pug, refreshments are ready."

Pug said, "This is Gathis, who acts as seneschal of my house. He will provide for your comforts." Looking skyward, he said, "I think our guests will dine and spend the night. Make rooms ready." Turning to the five visitors, he said, "We have ample room, and I think a relaxed evening would be appropriate." He added to Nicholas, "Highness, you do resemble your father at your age."

Nicholas said, "You knew my father when he was my age?"

The youthful-looking Pug nodded. "Well. I shall tell you of

it sometime." To the entire party he said, "Come. Refresh

yourselves. I must see to some matters of urgency, but I will

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join you after you have rested." So saying, he vanished through the door to the house, leaving them in the care of Gathis.

The odd-looking creature spoke with a sibilance due in the main to a large assortment of teeth, but his words were courdy. "If you have any needs, gentlemen, please inform me and I shall endeavor to meet them at once. Please, come this way."

He led them into a spacious entry hall, facing a large set of doors opening upon a very large central garden. To the right and left, corridors stretched away. He led them to the left, down to the first corner, then to the right. A portico extended from a door on their left, connecting another large building to the main one. Leading them to the next building, Gathis said, "These are the guest quarters, gendemen."

Ghuda again almost had his sword out as a troll came ambling out through the doorway, carrying a large bundle of linens. The creature wore a simple tunic and trousers, but it was without a doubt a troll: humanlike in form, short, with tremendously broad shoulders and arms hanging nearly to the ground. The face was apelike, with large fangs protruding over the lower lip, and deep black eyes set back under a massive brow ridge. Without any fuss, the creature moved to the side and bowed slightly to the guests, letting them pass.

Gathis said, "That is Solunk, who is the porter here. If you need fresh towels or hot water, pull the bell cord and he will answer. He cannot speak your Kingdom tongue, but he understands it enough to answer your requests. If you should have any needs he cannot understand, he will fetch me." He showed them all to rooms in the building, and left each to himself.

Nicholas found himself in a well-appointed if not overly ornate room. A simple bed with a thick comforter dominated one corner, beneath a large window looking out at the smaller buildings behind the great house. He glanced through and saw a man and another creature, similar to Gathis but not as large, carrying firewood into what appeared to be a cookhouse.

Nicholas turned to examine the other contents of the room, a simple writing desk with a chair, a large wardrobe, and a chest. Opening the chest, he saw fresh linens, while the wardrobe revealed a small array of clothing of varying cut, color, and weave, and several sizes, as if any number of guests might have left one or two items behind.

There was a knock at the door and Nicholas opened it to

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