"Kate Forsyth - Eileanan 02 - Pool Of Two Moons" - читать интересную книгу автора (Forsyth Kate)

"Better to forage on the way than stop for supplies when we have the Red Guards on our trail," Meghan
replied grimly, beginning to push ahead.

"I shall go first." Iseult held her back with one hand, sliding forward noiselessly. "Bacaiche, stay close."

Soon the starry sky was completely obscured, the mist clinging cold about them. The path led
downward, branches looming up through the grayness like skeletal hands. The hunchback could not help
giving a shiver of apprehension, and Iseult glanced at him disdainfully.

Their feet sank into mud, the still waters of the loch just visible below the drifting mist. To the left, the inn
loomed out of the fog, lit by flaring torches. From within the low building, they heard a burst of laughter.

Iseult said to Meghan, "Are ye sure we should go in, auld mother?"

"It's damp and foul out here, the ferry will no' arrive for another few hours, and we haven't eaten a proper
meal in days," Meghan responded irritably. "Ye can stay out if ye want, but I'm going in!" Pushing open
the door, she warned, "Keep the cloak wrapped tightly about ye, Bacaiche."

"I'm no' a fool," he snarled, lurching after her.

The three companions made their way to the fire, stepping over sleeping bodies and bundles of
belongings. The fire was the only light except for a lamp on a table where four men were still awake,
drinking ale and playing dice for coppers. They looked up, calling, "How are ye yourselves?"

Meghan replied gravely, keeping her cloak wrapped close about her. The innkeeper showed them to a
table. "Is it hungry ye are?" he asked. "We have mutton stew if ye'd like it, or vegetable soup?"

"The soup would be most welcome," Meghan replied. He nodded and brought them thick soup in
wooden bowls with trenchers of dark bread. "It be a full house ye've got yourself tonight," she said.

He nodded and scratched his beard. "Aye, there's been a witch fed to the uile-bheist and so they've
been thinking the ferry run will be safe this morning, with the serpent's belly full."

"Indeed!" Meghan exclaimed. "That be lucky for us then."

The innkeeper laughed. "Och, I'll tether some goats at the water's edge. No use tempting the beastie."
With that he went back to his game of dice, and the three travelers ate their soup and warmed themselves
by the fire.

"Best get some sleep," Meghan said. "There'll be clean straw in the corners."

"Anything will be better than bloody stones, which is all I've slept on in weeks," Bacaiche grumbled. He
wrapped the black cloak tighter around him and lurched to his feet. The flickering lamplight played over
his hunched back, making him look more sinister than ever. The gamblers glanced at him suspiciously,
and he glared back so that they surreptitiously crossed themselves in the age-old gesture against evil.

Soon all was quiet. The only sounds were the crackle of the fire and the occasional snore or sigh of those
sleeping. Iseult rested her bow on her knees and stretched her back. Tired as she was after the last few
arduous weeks, she had no intention of sleeping. She would stay on guard until they were safely on the
other side of the loch. It was her duty and honor to guard the Firemaker Meghan, and despite the