"Katherine Kerr - Deverry 11 - The Fire Dragon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kerr Katherine)

room it refers to.’

‘Ah, indeed. I’m curious about it myself, actually. If you could let me
know what you find?’

‘I will. But you’d best hurry. Maryn’s been looking for you.’

Nevyn bowed, then hurried through the double doors of the central
broch. The great hall covered the entire ground floor, a huge round room
scattered with wooden tables, benches, and a small collection of chairs at
the table reserved for the prince himself. At either side stood enormous
stone hearths, one for the prince’s riders and the servants, the other, far
grander, for the noble-born. Despite the spring warmth outside, fires
smouldered in each to drive off the damp.

Nevyn wove his way through the tables and the dogs scattered on the
straw-strewn floor. About halfway between doors and hearths a stone
staircase spiralled up the wall. Hed climbed only a few steps when
someone hailed him from below. He turned to see Councillor Oggyn just
mounting the stairs himself. He was a stout man, Oggyn, and egg-bald,
though he sported a bristling black beard. He was carrying an armful of
rolled parchments.

‘Good day, Nevyn said. ‘Are those the ledgers?’

‘They are, my lord,’ Oggyn said. ‘I’ve recorded all the dues and taxes
owed our prince by the royal demesne I’m cursed glad he can count on the
Cerrmor taxes for a while longer.’

‘So am I. Getting the army fit to march would strip his local holdings
bare.’

‘Just so. We’ll have to wait for provisions from the south, and that s
that. I just hope our prince sees reason. I know he’s impatient to be on the
move ‘
‘Oh, I’m sure he will. I’m hoping that our enemies are as badly off as
we are.’

They climbed in silence to the first landing, where Oggyn paused to
catch his breath. He looked out over the great hall below while he mopped
his bald head with a rag.

‘Somewhat else I wanted to lay before you, my lord,’ Oggyn said. ‘I
saw our princess going about her investigations just now. Is that wise?’

‘Well, the midwives all swear that the walking will do her naught but
good.’
 ‘Splendid, but that’s not quite my meaning. That bard. Is he fit
company for her?’