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

from Niffa, where they could all gossip over their sauced pork and bread about possible husbands, while
Lael mostly listened, voicing only the occasional concerned opinion about one suitor or another. Kiel and
Jahdo pretended indifference, but at the same time, they said not one word to each other, either, lest they
miss something. As the second oldest person in Cerr Cawnen, Gwira knew a good bit about most
everyone,

‘Well now, with your pretty face,’ the old woman said at last, ‘you might nock an arrow for high-flying
game, young Niffa. Councilman Verrarc’s been known to stop by here for a word or two on occasion.’

‘He does come to see Mam, and I’d not be marrying him if he were the last man left alive under the
moon.’

Although Niffa spoke quietly, cold steel rang in her voice.

‘I doubt me if he’d marry a ratter, love.’ Dera broke in. ‘So don’t you worry.’

‘Beauty’s bettered a lass’s fortune before this.’ Gwira paused to hack a bit of gristle with her table
dagger. ‘Why do you hold him in disdain, lass?’

‘He’s like reaching into a pond and touching a big old slimy newt. I hate him.’

Dera and Lael both raised an eyebrow at this outburst. Niffa buried her nose in her cup of watered ale.

‘Well, there was that scandal.’ Gwira said. ‘Him and that Raena woman, the chief speaker’s wife from
over in Penli.’

‘That near cost us the alliance, it did,’ Lad said. ‘A lot of us might not vote for the young cub again, I tell
you, after that botch.’
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‘Worse for her, it were,’ Gwira broke in. ‘Her husband did put her aside, didn’t he? Who knows what
happened to the poor woman after that?’

‘If the young cub did want her as much as all that,’ Lael growled, ‘he might have married her decently
when he had the chance.’

‘I hear Raena did go back to her people in the north in shame.’ Dera turned thoughtful. ‘But I don’t
know. It takes two to twist a rope, I always say, and there was somewhat about that woman I never did
like. I doubt me if she were but an innocent little chick to Verro’s fox, like.’

‘Um, well, mayhap.’ Gwira pursed her lips. ‘Our Niffa might not be able to do better when it come to
coin and calling, but there’s no doubt about it, she can do much better when it come to character. I’ll be
putting some thought into this, over the next few days, like.’

‘Think of Demet,’ Niffa mumbled. ‘The weaver’s second son.’

Everyone laughed, relaxing. Gwira nodded slowly.