"Raymond E. Feist - Kingdom of the Isles 1 - Prince of the Blood" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

should have parried in six. The fellow got inside his
guard."

Arutha's voice was cold. "Brawling again.-1 should
have expected it, as Baron James obviously did." To
James he said, "Anyone killed?"

James said, "No, but it was a bit close with the son of
one of the city's more influential shippers."

Arutha's anger surfaced as he slowly rose from his
chair. A man able to hold emotions in check, the sight of
such a display was rare, and for those who knew him
well, unwelcome. He came to stand before the twins
and for a moment appeared on the verge of striking
them. He stared into the eyes of each. He bit off each
word as he sought to regain control. "What can you two
possibly have been thinking of?"

Eriand said, "It was self-defense, Father. The man
was trying to skewer me."

Borric chimed in, "The man was cheating. He had an
extra Blue Lady up his sleeve."

Arutha almost spit as he said, "I don't care if he had an
extra deck up his sleeve. You aren't common soldiers,
damn it! You are my sons!"

Arutha walked around them, as if inspecting horses or
reviewing his guard. Both boys endured the close pe-
rusal, knowing their father's mood brooked no inso-
lence.

At last he threw up his hands in a gesture of resigna-
tion and said, "These aren't my sons." He walked past
the twins to stand next to the two Barons. "They've got
to be^Lyam's," he said, invoking the King's name.
Arutha's brother had been known for his temper and
brawling as a youth. "Somehow Anita married me, but
bore the King's ruffian brats." James could only nod in
agreement. "It must be some divine plan I don't under-
stand."

Returning his attention to his boys, he said, "If your
grandfather still lived, he'd have you over a barrel, a

Homecoming 17

leather strap in his hand, no matter your size or age.