"Katherine Kerr - Deverry 10 - The Black Raven" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kerr Katherine)

night with some of the townsfolk, and they be sore afraid still, due to young
Demet's death. I did wonder if you might have some new understanding of the
matter?'
'Not yet, truly.' Verrarc licked nervous lips. 'I did talk most carefully
with Sergeant Gart and the men who were on watch that night. Many a time have
I returned to the ruins where he were slain, as well, but never have I found a
trace that might lead us to his killer. To hear the men talk, Demet had not an
enemy in the world, much less in the town. Truly, I do wonder if the townsfolk
have the truth of it, when they whisper of evil spirits.'
Admi shuddered, drawing his cloak tighter around his enormous belly. Still,
Verrarc was aware of how shrewdly Admi studied him behind this little gesture
of fear. Verrarc glanced away, but he made sure he didn't look at Raena.
Tomorrow,' Admi said finally, 'I think me we should call a meeting of the
council. Tomorrow, say?'
'Uh well, I'll not be ready by then. The day after?'
Very well. When the sun's at its highest. There's a need on the full five of
us to go over this matter and see what may be done to lay it to rest.'
'Well and good, then. Shall I go round to the others and tell them about the
meeting?'
'Oh, I be out for a stroll alone, and it be no trouble for me to stop by their
houses.' Admi patted his belly. 'My wife, she does say I grow too stout, and
so she does turn me out into the cold like a horse into pasture to trot some
of the flesh away.'
Admi laughed, but Verrarc found merriment beyond him. Raena stood watching the
pair of them with eyes that revealed nothing. Admi nodded her way with another
smile.
'My farewell to you both,' Admi said. 'I'll be off, then.'
For a moment they stood watching him waddle across the plaza, stepping
carefully on the slick cobblestones. He turned down the narrow path that led
to the western flank of Citadel, where the temple of the local gods and the
cottage belonging to Werda, the town's Spirit Talker, stood close together.
'My curse upon him!' Raena snarled. 'Will no one in this stinking town even
speak my name?'
'Here, he did give you a greeting of a sort. Some weeks past he'd not have
done that much. Patience, my love.'
Raena tossed her head in such anger that the hood of her cloak fell back. With
a muffled oath she pulled it back up again.
'Patience!' she snarled. 'I be sick of that as well.'
'Well, no doubt, and I can't hold it to your blame. I did speak with some of
the townswomen and did ask them to intercede for us with the Spirit Talker. If
only she'd bless our marriage -'
Raena jerked her head around and spat on the cobbles. Two of the passing
servants stopped to consider her, and Verrarc could see the twist of contempt
on their faces.
'Shall we go homer!' Verrarc grabbed Raena's arm through the muffling cloak.
I'd rather not!' She pulled away and strode off fast across the plaza, though
in but a few steps she nearly slipped. With another curse she slowed down to
let Verrarc catch up with her. When he touched her arm she turned and suddenly
smiled at him.
'My apologies, my love,' she said. 'It does gripe my heart, is all, to see