"David Gemmell - Rigante 4 - Stormrider" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

You are the strongest man in the highlands.'
Jaim had paused in their walk. 'Ah, Kaelin, you have much to learn. There is no greater despair
than to feel helpless. Had we merely pulled him out he would have carried that helplessness like a
sack upon his shoulders. Any problem in his life would have seen him crying for help. We grow by
doing, boy. We make ourselves men by our own actions. Yes, I helped him. But he climbed out. He
took his own life in his own hands and he made a decision. It is a life lesson he learned today.
He will be stronger for it.'
Sitting now by the fire in Finbarr's ravaged cabin Kaelin began to sing an old song that Jaim had
taught him many years ago.
'Lost by the roadside, happy in my hideaway, Far from the troubles of when I was a runaway. No-one
can catch me, and not a man can match me. I'm the cunning outlaw, all my troubles cast away.'
He finished the song, and then called out. 'I have some plum preserve here for you, my little
friend. And the fire is warm.' Then he began to sing again.
Just when he was starting to believe he would have to fetch the boy he saw the little six-year-old
step into the doorway. His blue nightshirt was stained with urine, and he was wearing his white
hat, with the ear flaps hanging down. Kaelin reached out and lifted a jar of preserve. 'I think we
should eat a little something, my friend,' he said, his voice soft and soothing. Feargol turned
towards the ruined wall, and stood staring at the broken timbers.
'The bear is going to come back,' he said.
'If it does I'll kill it,' said Kaelin. ‘I’ll let no bear come close to my friend Feargol.'
'Did the bear eat Basson?'
'No.'
'But it ate my daddy,' said the child, beginning to tremble. Tears spilled to his face.
'You and I are going to Ironlatch Farm tomorrow,' said Kaelin. 'It will be an adventure. You'll
come and live with me and Chara and little Jaim. We'll be glad to have you. You know why? Look at
me, Feargol. You know why?'
The little boy turned his gaze away from the torn wall. 'Why?'
'Because I like you. I think you are a fine boy. You are brave and you are bright. You are just
like Bane. Come and sit by the fire. We'll eat, and we'll rest, and tomorrow we'll go home.'
Feargol walked across to where Kaelin waited. Then he sat on his lap. Kaelin put his arms round
him and stroked his shoulder. 'Are you frightened of the bear?' the little boy asked.
'I was, Feargol. But not now. Trust me, boy. I'll not let it harm a hair of your head.'
'It has a horrible face, all scaly.'
After a while Feargol ate a little of the ham and cheese, following them with some sweet plum
preserve. Then Kaelin took him back into the bedroom and found some clothes for him. The boy was
very pale, his eyes wide and fearful. Kaelin dressed him in a warm shirt and leggings, chatting to
him all the while. Then they returned to the main room, and Kaelin found a container of lantern
oil. Filling an old jug with it, he placed it on the floor.
Feargol stayed close to him, watching him. Kaelin walked to the bedroom and cut a strip from a
blanket. This he wrapped round a section of wood from a broken chair leg, and doused it with
lantern oil. 'What are you doing?' asked Feargol.
'It's a surprise,' said Kaelin. 'Now I think you should rest. We have a long walk tomorrow, and
you'll need to be strong.' Gathering blankets he laid them on the floor by the fire. 'You just lie


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down. I'll keep watch.'
Feargol did as he was told, but he didn't sleep. He lay very still, watching Kaelin.