"Juliet E. McKenna - Einarinn 4 - The Warrior's Bond" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKenna Juliet E)

walls.
'It's this way.' I waved Avila through the gate welcoming all comers into the
stone circle. The broad gravel sweep inside was busy with new arrivals, two
coaches unloading a vociferous family presumably taking ship to north or
south.
'Perhaps they were right to stay,' murmured Temar, eyes wide as he looked back
out of the gate at the thriving town. 'It is all so different, nothing as I
remember it.'
'Let's get you warm,' I urged, seeing a pallor I didn't like in his face.
He followed me without protest to the comfortable guest house behind the main
shrine to Ostrin. Maidservants were busy about the hospitality that is ever
the god's chief concern,
offering soft towels, ewers of warm water and hot tisanes to stiff and chilled
arrivals, porters discreetly depositing battered luggage in bedchambers.
'There are rooms reserved here for you and the Demoiselle Tor Arrial.' I led
Temar up the broad stairway, wooden panelling gleaming with years of dedicated
polish. 'The sailors and mercenaries can shift for themselves in the inns but
Messire thought you would welcome some privacy.' The exaggerated tales of the
mariners and freebooters could supply sufficient grist to satisfy the rumour
mill, so there was no need to expose Temar to intrusive curiosity.
That thought sparked another as I opened the door to the room I'd chosen for
Temar. 'The mage Velindre has invited herself to dine with me and Casuel this
evening. Why don't you and Avila eat in the upper parlour?'
Temar halted on the threshold to give me a narrow look before shrugging. 'As
you see fit.'
'There's clean linen, shaving soap, razor.' I nodded at the washstand. 'I'm
next door if you need anything else.' I hesitated, wondering whether to offer
companionship or allow the lad some solitude to gather his thoughts. A
footfall behind me heralded a maidservant with a steaming jug of water so I
stepped aside to let her pass.
'You must want to change.' Temar nodded at my sodden leather boots. His tight
smile didn't quite meet his eyes so I took the hint and withdrew, pulling his
door closed.
A quick trip to the kitchens housed across the courtyard meant I could leave
my cloak in the drying room and once I was satisfied that my orders for the
evening's meals were clearly understood I hurried back to the guest house. I
found Casuel and Allin squaring up to each other in the main hall. Her high
colour was cruelly unflattering but her folded arms were braced with resolve.
Casuel, clutching a folded bundle of white, looked more baffled than annoyed.
My arrival gave Allin the chance to escape. 'I'll see you both at dinner.'
With her curtsey a touch too hurried, she walked away just fast enough to
betray her eagerness to flee.
'I only asked her to do some mending,' said Casuel crossly.
'I'm sure one of the maids would be glad of the extra work,' I suggested.
'It'll only cost you a few pennies and I don't suppose a wizard's linen is any
different to anyone else's.'
The realisation that he was standing there holding his small clothes for any
passer-by to see sent Casuel scurrying up the stairs. Following at a more
leisurely pace, I shed my soaked clothes gratefully, getting my blood flowing
again with warm water and vigorous towelling before having a contemplative