"Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon - Valdemar - Darians Tale 03 - Owlknight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lackey Mercedes)

fat as geese ready for market!

Starfall did not look as if he had ever lived on anything more substantial than
air, but Darian knew that beneath his fancifully embroidered and cut robes, that
body wasn?t thin - it was lean, lean and hard, and superbly conditioned. It took
great physical conditioning to handle node-magic; a mage that was flabby in body
was likely to be flabby of mind as well. Starfall?s silver hair wasn?t the
result of age, it was the result of handling and using node-magic, and the
slightly tamer magic of Tayledras Heartstones, all of his life. Starfall would
find it no great task to run up the stairs to the highest ekele in the Vale, and
run back down again within moments.

?We?ll have a feast, of course,? Ayshen stated, shoving aside recipe books and
menus. ?You can?t have a celebration without a feast. But should we have high
tables and all that? I?m not certain there?s anywhere central that we could set
up that many tables.?

?Have the usual sort of Tayledras feast, with food set out all over the Vale,
Ayshen,? Darian recommended soothingly. ?One thing, though; have a set of our
clothing done up in white - Herald?s Whites for inside the Vale. Leave them out
in the guest lodge for him.?

?Good notion,? Starfall seconded, nodding, with the customary soft clattering of
his hair beads. ?Welcoming ceremony first, then we take him to the lodge to get
settled. He won?t feel as out of place if he has time to change into clothing of
our style.?

?He?ll like our sort of feast, I think; he?ll expect something different, and I
think he?d be disappointed if he didn?t get it,? Darian told the hertasi. ?Besides,
I?m sure Breon will have his own welcoming feast after ours, and he?ll get all
the etiquette and high tables he wants there.?

Ayshen?s body language showed relief in the relaxation of his tail and stubby-taloned
fingers. ?So be it, then. If different is what he?s expecting, we can supply
that. What do you say to setting up a particular place just for this Herald
fellow - a short platform with food-tables nearby, of course - and move
entertainment in and out. We could put him in the Council House, for instance.
We?ll have the new roof trim done by then, and it is a good central location.?

?That would be a good idea,? Darian replied, as Starfall nodded. ?I remember how
easily I got lost the first time I was in k?Vala. When he gets tired, the guest
lodge is right on the same path, within shouting distance. Is the deck on the
guest lodge finished yet??

?It will be by the time the Herald arrives; they?re putting the finishing
touches on it now,? Ayshen replied without even consulting his schedules. ?This
afternoon they?re sanding the hand-rails and setting the steps. Tonight the
greenery will be placed.?

?We?re the hosts; it would be courteous if we all came to him, rather than