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

of an ivy bush. 'Sorry we're so behind hand. We'd have been here day before
yesterday if a horse hadn't gone lame.'
'It's Glannar, isn't it, from the Layne Valley holdings?' His rich, rolling
voice helped me place him, sergeant-at-arms to those most isolated holdings of
the House of D'Olbriot.
The man's face creased into a ready grin. 'You've the advantage of me. I
recall you came up when we had that trouble in the shearing sheds but I can't
put a name to you.'
'Ryshad.' I returned his smile. 'Ryshad Tathel.'
'Done well by the House, I hear,' Glannar observed with a glance at the shiny
copper circling my upper arm. He spoke with the self-assurance of a man who'd
earned chosen status long enough since to let his own arm ring grow dull with
the years.
'No more than staying true to my oath.' I kept my tone easy. Glannar was only
making conversation, not fishing for secrets or better yet salacious detail,
like some I'd met since half-truths about my adventures in the Archipelago had
escaped Messire's orders for discretion. 'You've got your lads well drilled?'
I'd spent my share of time training raw
recruits with wits blunter than a plough handle.
Glannar nodded. 'They're lead miners' sons, all bar one, so won't stand any
nonsense. We'll keep this lot safe as a mouse in a malt heap.'
'Good.' I turned my head as the great doors swung open to let a row of wet and
laden dockers enter. I curbed an impulse to shed my cloak and make myself
useful; getting my hands dirty wouldn't have been appropriate to my shiny new
rank or to Glannar's consequence as sergeant-at-arms hereabouts. So I watched
as he sent the sworn men about their business with brisk gestures. They in
turn were visibly diligent in organising the recognised men, lads newly come
to the service of the House, on the lowest rung of the ladder and keen to
prove themselves worthy of invitation to swear the oath binding them to
D'Olbriot interests.
I watched the well-muscled youths set to with a will. I'd sworn that same
ancient oath with fervent loyalty and believed in it with all my heart until
the events of the last year and a half had shaken my faith to its roots. I had
come within a whisker of handing back my oath fee and abandoning my allegiance
to the Name, believing the House had abandoned me. Then reward had been
offered, the rank of chosen man as recompense for my anguish, and I had taken
it, more than a little uncertain but not sure enough of my other choices to
abandon what I'd known for so long. But I had taken other obligations on
myself as well, where once my oath had left no room for other loyalties.
Glannar's genial commands rang to the rafters behind me as I went out. The
rain was slackening but the sky stayed grey and sullen. About as sullen as
Casuel, who was standing in the meagre shelter of the dockside hoist being
addressed by a tall figure wrapped in a bright blue cloak. I let a burdened
sled scrape past over the cobbles before making my way over.
'Ryshad Tathel, this is Velindre Ychane, mage of Hadrumal.' Casuel looked as
if he were sucking a lemon. 'Her affinity is with the air, as you've no doubt
guessed. It was her on the other ship.'
'My lady.' I bowed low. 'We are deep in your debt.' I doubted Casuel had shown
any gratitude but the House of D'Olbriot owed this woman a full measure of
thanks, and for good or ill I was its representative here.