"John Moore - Heroics for Beginners" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moore John)

knob of his walking stick.Logan 's Black Guards leaned forward. But Kevin answered cheerfully enough.
"Can't argue with you there. I don't know much about wine—don't really care for it myself."

"You prefer beer?" said Bigelow.

"Beer's all right, Sam. I really prefer cider, when I can get it."

"Cider?Really?"Ashbury pushed forward. "Prince Kevin, you must try some of our ciders." He grabbed
Kevin by the arm and led him across the room. "You're a cider man, eh? I myself have extensive
orchards on my estate. I supply many of the breweries in Deserae. In all modesty, I must say that my
ciders are—well, I'll let you decide for yourself."

"You have orchards?Really?" Part of the crowd, seeing the Prince leave, followed them.

"Oh yes.Apples, cherries, plums, pears—now here." Ashbury let him out a side door, into an
antechamber where a number of barrels were stacked. Stewards were filling glasses and setting them on
trays. The Baron ran his free hand over the barrels. "Ah, here we go. This is one of mine. We keep the
best for ourselves and ship the rest.And the King, of course. We supply the King with our best and sell
the rest. Now, wait until you taste it. Waiter!A clean glass for the Prince, if you please."

"Oh, not a glass," said Kevin. "I always think cider tastes best when drunk from an honest wooden
mug."

There was a murmur of assent from the gathered men. "Quite right," said a tall man, moving up from the
back. He had close-cropped gray hair and waved a wooden stein above his head.

"Lord Tripple," said Kevin.

"A mug of cider, that's what the Prince needs. Grindsey, where's that mug I brought—ah, here we go.
Here you are, Timberline. Put your lips to this."

He shoved a wrapped object into Kevin's hands. Kevin unwound the cloth cover and examined it
carefully. It was a wooden tankard, carved from oak in deep relief, then inlaid with cherry, walnut,
rosewood, and curly maple. The elaborate hunting scene pictured on the side held at least two dozen
figures, so delicately fashioned that a distinct expression clearly showed on each tiny face. "This is
beautiful.Really a work of art."

"Tut," said Tripple. "A modest enough little gift, I assure you. It's always a pleasure to meet a man who
appreciates fine wood. I can't tolerate metal tankards—they set my teeth on edge. Now my
wood-carvers—they did the doors of our chapel, you must stop by and see it—did this all out of local
woods. I keep a wide selection of hardwoods growing on my land. Cut one down, plant two more, that's
the key to careful forest management."

"Let me put some cider in that for you," said the Baron, passing it to a waiter.

"Excuse me, my lords," said a steward. They all looked at him. "I beg pardon for interrupting, my lords,
but His Majesty the King was most insistent that our guests be presented."
 "Of course," said Lord Tripple. He motioned for Kevin to follow the steward,then took up a pace
behind him. Baron Ashbury waited until Kevin's tankard was full,then fell in step with Lord Tripple. Back
in the Grand Ballroom, Kevin saw Raymond waiting before a pair of large French doors that fronted a