"Feist, Raymond E - The Riftwar Legacy 01 - Krondor- The Betrayal" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

be heard. 'Looks like a renegade had a falling-out with some Brothers of
the

Dark Path, "said Sergeant Bales.

Locklear pulled his own sword. 'Renegade or not, we can't let the dark
elves carve him up. It might make them think they could come south and
harass common citizens at whim. " 'Ready!"shouted the sergeant and the
veteran patrol pulled swords.

The lone figure saw the soldiers, hesitated a moment, then ran forward.
Locklear could see he was a tall man, covered by a dark grey cloak which
effectively hid his features. Behind him on foot came a dozen dark
elves. 'Let us go amongst them, "said the sergeant calmly.

Locklear commanded the patrol in theory, but he had enough combat
experience to stay out of the way when a veteran sergeant was giving
orders.

The horsemen charged up the pass, moving by the lone figure, to fall
upon the moredhel. The Brotherhood of the Dark Path were many things;
cowardly and inept in warcraft were not among those things. The fighting
was fierce, but the Kingdom soldiers had two advantages: horses, and the
fact the weather had rendered the dark elves' bows useless. The moredhel
didn't even attempt to draw their wet strings, knowing they could hardly
send a bowshaft toward the enemy, let alone pierce armour.

A single dark elf, larger than the rest, leaped atop a rock, his gaze
fixed upon the fleeing figure. Locklear moved his horse to block the
creature, who turned his attention toward the young noble.

They locked gazes for a moment, and Locklear could feel the creature's
hatred. Silently he seemed to mark Locklear, as if remembering him for a
future confrontation. Then he shouted an order and the moredhel began
their withdrawal up the pass.

Sergeant Bales knew better than to pursue into a pass when he had less
than a dozen yards'visibility. Besides, the weather was worsening.

Locklear turned to find the lone figure leaning against a boulder a
short distance behind the trail. Locklear moved his horse dose to the
man and called down, J am Squire Locklear of the Prince's court.

You better have a good story for us, renegade. "

There was no response from the man, his features stiff hidden by the
deep cowl of his heavy cloak. The sounds of fighting trailed off as the
moredhel broke off and fled up the pass, crawling into the rocks above
the path so the riders could not follow.