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

attention to the royal family.
Nicholas, formerly Prince of Krondor until his nephew had come
from the capital of the Kingdom of the Isles to assume the office,
looked nothing like his brother. Erland's hair was mostly grey, but
there was enough red remaining to reveal its original hue. Nicholas,
likewise going grey, was a man of dark hair and intense features.
Patrick, the new Prince of Krondor, was somewhere between,


ii?


his two uncles in appearance,


darker of skin than both, but his hair


was, a middle brown in color. He seemed to have something of
Erland's powerful build and Nicholas's intensity.
"No," said Roo, "you're right; not much by way of ceremony."


Erik nodded. "Then again, by now they all know there's not
much glory in any of this. The Prince and his uncle are probably
both anxious to hear what news Calis and Nicholas have."
Roo sighed agreement. "None of it good. It's all bloody business
and it's going to get worse."
A friendly slap to the back caused both Roo and Erik to turn.
Robert de Loungville stood behind the two young men, grinning
in a way that up until recently made both men expect the worst,
but this time they knew he was merely showing the more affable
side of his nature. He kept his receding hair cropped close to his
skull, and he needed a shave. "Where to, lads?"
Roo jingled a purse of gold tucked into his tunic. "I think a
good glass of ale, the tender touch of a bad woman, and then I'll
worry about tomorrow, tomorrow."
Erik shrugged. "I've been thinking, and I want to take up your
offer, Sergeant."
"Good," said de Loungville, sergeant of Calis's company. He
had offered Erik a place in the army, but in a special command
being formed by Calis, Prince Nicholas's mysterious and not-quite-human
ally. "Come by Lord James's office at midday tomorrow.
I'll leave word at the palace gate you're to be admitted."
Roo studied the men on the dock. "Our Prince is an impressive-looking
man."
Erik said, "I know what you mean. He and his father both look
the sort who have been in some serious places."
De Loungville said, "Never let their rank fool you, lads. Erland
and our King, and their sons after them, spent their time along the