"Katherine Kerr - Deverry 07 - A Time Of War" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kerr Katherine)

frightened.’

‘Oh, he had a bit of a run-in with that Gel da’Thae bard,’ Lael said, smiling. ‘He’s never seen one of
their tribe before.’

‘Enough to scare anyone, that.’

‘What’s he doing here, anyway?’ Lael went on.

‘Cursed if I know,’ Verrarc shrugged, visibly worried. ‘That’s why the guards did fetch me and the rest
of the council before they did let that lot in. We’re going to pay him a visit, just to ask, like, down at the
campground.’

‘Think it be trouble?’

‘I wish I knew, Lael, I wish I knew. As he walked by, he did tell me that he’d come to claim a tribute
we owe his kind. We’ve got a web of treaties and obligations with these people, much as I wish we
didn’t, and so who knows what he means by it? I’d best be finding out.’

Verrarc turned away with a pleasant nod, but Jahdo felt his fear deepen to a clot like goat’s hair in his
mouth. With a dream-like clarity he knew that showing his fear of the councilman was dangerous, that if
Verrarc thought he remembered - remembered what? The terror in the meadow. The hiss of a snake.

‘Well, lad,’ Lael said. ‘You do look as white as I’ve ever seen you. What be so wrong?’

Jahdo was about to tell, then realized that the councilman lingered within earshot.

‘The bard’s eyes, Da, that’s all. I keep imagining how that knife would feel when they did it.’

‘A nasty thing, sure enough,’ Lael shuddered a bit himself. ‘But they’re a strange lot all round, and cruel
enough as well. Come along now, let’s get home. We need to stop to claim a fee, too.’

‘I did it already, Da. Mam told me to. I got a lot of roast goat from the Widow Suka.’

‘Splendid. Let’s go fetch it home, then.’

The news had preceded them to Citadel. As they were tying up the coracle, a handful of militiamen
surrounded them. With the swing of one broad hand and a toss of his blonde head, Demet pushed his
way to the front. The family had known him all their lives, just as most everyone knew everyone else in
Cerr Cawnen.

‘Be it true, Lael?’ Demet burst out. ‘Is one of the Horsekin in the city?’

‘He is, and we did see him. A bard, and blind as a mole. Councilman Verrarc says he’s come to claim
some ancient due or service.’

All the men swore, laying automatic hands on sword hilt or knife. Demet looked away to the distant
shore and shaded his eyes with one hand, as if he were hoping to sec the stranger.