"David Gemmel - The Damned 01 - White Wolf" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

walked to the fire. It was then that the merchant saw the strange
ornament he carried slung across his back. It was around five feet in
length, slightly curved, the centre polished black. At each end were set
beautifully sculpted ivory sections. Ornate and exquisite, it would - had he
not heard the man’s name - have seemed to Caphas to serve no purpose.
Swinging the ornament from his back, the stranger placed it on the
ground beside him as he sat down by the fire.
Caphas turned towards the dark woods. His heart was heavy.
Skilgannon knew the girls were there, and if he intended rape or murder
they would not escape him. ‘Come in, Lucresis. Bring Phalia. It is all right,’
he called, praying it was true.
A slender, dark-haired young woman moved out of the trees, holding
the hand of a girl of around seven. The child broke clear of her sister’s grip
and ran to her father. Caphas put a protective arm around her, and drew
her towards the fire. ‘My daughters, Phalia and Lucresis,’ he said.
Skilgannon glanced up and smiled.
‘Always wise to be wary,’ he said. ‘The girls are very beautiful. They
must take after their mother.’
Caphas forced a smile. ‘Ah yes, she was the beauty. No doubt of it.’ He
was dismayed to see Lucresis staring boldly at the handsome young man.
She tilted her head and ran her fingers through her long hair. She knew
she was beautiful. So many young men had told her so.
‘Lucresis! Come and help me fetch the pots and pans from the wagon,’
he ordered, his voice showing his stress. Confused by his fear, the young
woman followed him. As he reached the wagon he hissed at her, ‘Stop
making eyes at him.’
‘He is very handsome, Father.’
‘That is Skilgannon the Damned. You want nothing to do with him. We
will be lucky to escape this with our lives,’ he added, keeping his voice to a
whisper. He handed her several pots.
Lucresis glanced back at the man by the fire. He was chatting to little
Phalia, who was giggling at his words. ‘He won’t hurt us, Father.’
‘Do not judge a man by his looks. If only ugly men committed crimes it
would take no effort at all to find offenders. I have heard tales of his
excesses. Not just on the battlefield. It is said he once had a large house,
and all the servants were trained whores. He is not the sort of man I would
want near my daughter - had I a choice in the matter. Which I don’t,’ he
concluded miserably.
‘I wish I had a choice,’ said Lucresis.
Returning to the fire, Caphas prepared a broth. The smell of it hung in
the air, rich and tempting. Occasionally he would stir the contents of the
large pan, then take a sip before adding a little pepper and spice. Finally
he sprinkled rock salt into the pot. ‘I believe it to be ready,’ he said.
After the meal Skilgannon put his plate to one side. ‘You are a truly
talented cook, Master Caphas.’
‘Thank you, sir. It is a hobby of mine.’
‘Why do you have a spider on your arm?’ asked little Phalia, pointing to
the black tattoo on Skilgannon’s left forearm.
‘Do you not like it?’
‘It is very ugly.’