"Stephen Lawhead - Pendragon Cycle 05 - Grail" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lawhead Stephen)

Come with me, and I will lead you to Hwyl - he holds the throne while
Lord Urien is gone.'
The man turned on his heel and rushed off. I took a step or two, and
noticed that the young woman was not following. Indeed, she paid not the
least heed to the conversation that had just taken place, but was still gazing
at the fortress as if entranced by the sight.
Stepping once more beside her, I touched her arm and said, 'We are going
up now. Perhaps you could lead us.'
She gave a shudder, as with cold, and came to herself once more. She
looked at me, nodded, and proceeded to follow the gateman. I fell into step
behind her, and the two warriors came after. We passed through the gates
and into the foreyard of the caer. It was a large fortification, well provided
with numerous storehouses and dwellings. People occupied with their
daily chores paused in their work to observe us; a few called greetings.
Most, if not all, regarded the young woman beside me with looks of
unguarded curiosity.
The gateman ran before us into the hall, reappearing a moment later with
another man, tall and slender and, despite the grey in his thinning hair,
alert and ready-handed.
'Greetings in the name of the Pendragon,' I said. I told him who it was that
addressed him and presented the two warriors with me. 'We have come to
speak to the chieftain here, and secure his aid.'
'I am Hwyl.' The man stepped before me. 'Urien's chieftain I am, and I
give you good greeting, Lord Gwalchavad.' He held out his arms to me by
way of welcome. It is an old Celtic custom that when two friends or
kinsmen meet, they grip one another by the arms and look into each
other's eyes to exchange their greeting. We do this in the north and in the
islands, too, although I did not expect to receive such a welcome here. But
then, I thought, they did not yet know of Urien's banishment; our reception
might sour when they heard what I had to tell them.
Turning his eyes to the young woman, he gave her an appraising look and
said, 'I would greet your friend, but you have not told me her name.'
'I had hoped you could tell me,' I replied. 'As we found her within shout of
the stronghold, I assumed she was one of your people.'
'My people?' wondered the chieftain, much surprised. 'But you are
mistaken. I am certain we have never seen her before.'
 FOUR


Hwyl appeared unsettled by the simple suggestion that the young woman
might belong to his tribe. 'Know you, I would remember her,' he stated
firmly, 'if I had ever seen her before -and I have not.' He shook his head
emphatically. 'She is not of our folk.'
'Well,' I said, 'perhaps some of your people know her. No doubt she comes
from a holding nearby.'
'Perhaps,' allowed Hwyl reluctantly. Addressing the girl, he asked, 'Do you
have kinsfolk hereabouts?'
Although she turned her eyes towards him as he spoke, she gave no other
sign that she had heard the question. He asked again and received again
the same uncomprehending stare.