"Raymond E. Feist - Wood Boy" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

rapidity of the exchanges, he was certain they were listing what they found
for their officer.
Others returned from the barn and kitchen carrying dozens of commonplace
items. The officer, with the aid of the black-robed man, began interrogating
Lord Paul about the nature of various common household items. As the master of
the estate explained the use of such common tools as a leather punch or iron
skillet, the Tsurani officer indicated one of two piles, one on a large canvas
tarp. When two of the same items were displayed, one instantly went into one
pile, while the other might join it or be separated.
Old William, the gardener and groundskeeper, said, 'Look at that,’ as two
Tsurani soldiers picked up the tarp, securing the larger of the two piles, and
carried it off.
'What is it?' whispered Dirk, barely loud enough for the old man to hear.
They're queer for metal,' softly said the old man with a knowing nod. 'Look
at their armour and weapons.'
Dirk did so, and then it struck him. Nowhere on any Tsurani could a glint of
sunlight on metal be seen. Their armour and weapons all appeared to be hide or
wood cleverly fashioned and lacquered, but there were no buckles, blades, or
fasteners of metal in evidence. From their cross-gartered sandals to the tops
of their large flared helmets, the Tsurani appeared devoid of any metal
artefacts.
'What's it mean?' whispered Dirk.
'I don't know, but I'm sure we'll find out,’ said the old man.
The Tsurani continued their investigation of Lord Paul's household until
almost sundown; then the household servants were ordered to gather their
personal belongings and move them into the barn or kitchen, as the Tsurani
would be occupying the servants' quarters. In a move that puzzled Dirk, the
Tsurani officer stayed in the same building with his men, leaving Paul and his
daughter alone in the big house.
 It was but the first of many things that would puzzle Dirk over the coming
year.

Alex lay curled up, his face a mask of pain while Hamish shouted, 'Don't get
up!'
The Tsurani soldier who had struck the young man in the stomach stood over
him, his hand a scant inch from the hilt of his sword. Alex groaned and again
Hamish shouted to the young man to remain still.
Dirk stood near the entrance to the barn while those servants nearby stood
anxiously watching, expecting the worst at any moment. The Tsurani had
revealed themselves as strict but fair masters in the two months since
arriving at White Hill, but there was occasionally some breach of etiquette or
honour that took the residents of White Hill by surprise, often with bloody
consequences. An old farmer by the name of Samuel had got drunk on fermented
corncob squeeze a month earlier and had struck out at a Tsurani who had
ordered him back into his home. Samuel had been beaten senseless and hanged as
his wife and children looked on in horror.
Alex continued to groan but did as he was bid by Hamish until the Tsurani
soldier seemed satisfied he wasn't going to move. The soldier said something
in his alien language, spat in contempt upon the workman, turned, and walked
away.