"Raymond E. Feist - Serpentwar 2 - Rise of a Merchant Prince" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

"I think I will, as soon as I tell Mr. Robert de Loungville, the
little swine, that I'm taking up his offer of becoming his corporal."
Erik blinked. "Corporal? He offered me the position."
Before the two men could begin arguing, Roo said, "From what
he said, he's going to need more than one."
The two large men exchanged glances, then both laughed. Jadow'
s face settled into a grin, teeth dramatically white against his
ebony skin, an expression so happy that it always made Roo smile
in response. Like the other desperate men, Jadow had been a killer
and lifelong criminal, but in the brotherhood of Calis's company
he had found men for whom he was willing to die and who would
die for him.
Roo hated to admit it, as one who flattered himself for being
completely selfish, but he loved the survivors of that company


I4


RISE OF A MERCHANT PRINCE


almost as much as he loved Erik. Rough men all, dangerous by
any standards, they had passed through a bloody trial together, and
each knew he could depend on the others.
Roo thought about those lost on the journey: Biggo, the large,
laughing thug with a strange streak of piety running through him;
jerome Handy, a giant of a man with a violent temper who could
tell a tale like an actor and make shadow play on the wall that
came alive; Billy Goodwin, an otherwise gentle youth with a violent
temper, who had been cut down in a pointless accident before
ever understanding anything of life; and Luis de Savona, the Rodezian
cutthroat whose wit was as sharp as his dagger, who knew
both court intrigue and dark-alley brawls; a man of temper and
strange loyalties. Roo tied his bundle and turned to see both Erik
and Jadow watching him.
"What is it?"
"You were lost there a moment," said Erik.
"I was thinking about Biggo and the others.
Erik nodded. "I understand."
"Maybe some of them will show up when Trenchard's Revenge
gets here," ventured Jadow.
Roo said, "That would be fine." Slinging his pack over his
shoulder, he added, "But Billy and Biggo won't."
Erik nodded. He and Roo had watched Biggo die in Maharta,
and Erik had seen Billy fall from his horse, cracking his head on
a rock.
The three men were silent as they climbed back on deck and
hurried down the gangway to find Robert de Loungville chatting
with Nakor and Sho Pi.