"Feist, Raymond E - The Riftwar Legacy 02 - Krondor- The Assassins" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

"Too well, " he added, considering his imminent return to that cold and
lonely town on the northern frontier.

James signaled to the guardsman in charge of the trainees, who stood to
attention as he shouted, "Members of the court!" The cadets were already
at attention, but they seemed to stiffen a bit more as the two squires
approached.

James nodded greeting to Swordmaster McWirth. "How are the cadets this
afternoon, swordmaster? "

"A worthless lot, squire, but one or two of them may survive to actually
be allowed to serve as an officer in my army!" James smiled wryly at the
pointed remark, given that he and the swordmaster had little affection
for one another. As a member of Arutha s court, the young man was not
technically part of the army, and trained with weapons with the Prince;
in fact, James was Arutha s favorite dueling partner as he was one of
the few in the city as fast as Arutha with a blade. As a squire, he also
carried some rank, which meant that often he was put in charge of
soldiers who had trained under the swordmaster, and it galled the old
soldier.

Still, thought James, McWirth was thorough in his job and the officers
he turned out, especially those who were chosen for the elite Royal
Household Guards, were fine soldiers, to

36 a man. In his travels, James had seen the worst of the army as well
as the best, and he had no doubt these were the among the best in the
Western Realm.

"I need to speak to the Prince s cousin when you re done with him,
swordmaster. " The dour old soldier fixed James with a baleful gaze for
an instant, and one more time James was thankful he never had to endure
the swordmaster s supervision. McWirth turned and shouted, "Dismissed!
Cadet William, over here!" William came to stand before the swordmaster,
while the other cadets headed back toward their quarters, and said,
"Sir"

"Member of the court desires your company, it seems. " He smiled at
James and Locklear and said, "Good day to you, squires. " The other
cadets hurried off to their duties and McWirth said, "And when you re
done, I expect you to catch up with the rest of the cadets, else you ll
be tending your equipment during mess, is that clear? "

"Sir!" replied William with a salute. The old swordmaster stalked off
and William approached Locklear and James.

James asked, "What s the news? "

"Lots, " said William. He was a short man, though taller than his