"Russell, Sean - Swan War 1 - One Kingdom" - читать интересную книгу автора (Russell Sean)

"I thought I heard the vowels of the Valemen here." He smiled again.” I'm Alaan, and you are Tam, I think, and Baore and Fynnol." He laughed at their reaction.” I apologize, but I sat and listened to you speak long enough to be sure you weren't brigands or fugitives. Most men you meet in the hills are kindly, honest men, such as yourselves, but not all, and I have become more cautious as I grow older."

Tam gestured to a place by the fire.” It is a rough table we set, but we've more than enough on it to feed four."

"I've a horse tethered out in the dark," Alaan said.” Let me find him and I'll be back."

Fynnol cast a look over at the man's sword leaning against the stone.” Is that the weapon of a hunter, Cousin," he said quietly, "or is that the sword of a man-at-arms?"

Tam looked over at the long blade, with its unadorned hilt and pommel." 'Tis as you say, but there are three of us and one of him, and if he wanted to rob us he would have only to empty our boat as we slept, as he must know if he's been listening."

They sat back down to their meal, and in a moment Alaan reappeared, leading a heavily burdened horse. This he tended to and tethered outside the hall, speaking softly to the beast. When he came to the fire he bore a drinking skin and several bags.

"I have a wine here that has not killed me yet and some other things that I might offer to your fair table, for any table with kindly men about it seems fair to me. I can't tell you how often I've eaten my supper with only my horse for company these past months. He is intelligent for his kind, but still he talks only of food and mares and how much his hooves pain him at the end of each long day, and I have heard enough of that."

"You may be disappointed here," Fynnol said.” We were just speaking of mares ourselves."

The man smiled and poured them each some wine, which was far better than his claims, and shared some goat cheese mixed with herbs none of them knew, and by the time they had tasted his food and drink he was a welcome guest indeed. Polite questions were asked as they ate, though the food and wine took up much of their attention.

"Where is it you travel to, Alaan?" Fynnol asked as they sprawled about the fire after their meal.” Or do you come to visit us in the Vale of Lakes to see the beauty of the waters?"

The man laughed pleasantly, like a man genuinely glad to find company.” I am not stopping in the Vale this time, though I have done so in the past. Does Delgert Gallon still dwell by the Neck?"

"He does indeed," Baore said, surprised, "though he's old and mostly deaf these days, and growing frail."

"Gallon is Baore's aunt's cousin's brother, or some such thing," Fynnol added.

"I'm sorry to hear he is not hale." Alaan shook his head, the smile disappearing.” But I go south this time."




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"As do we," Fynnol said, "though we can't join you on your journey, for we go by boat." Tam saw Alaan's eyebrows lift a little.” You don't fear the river, then?" he said evenly.” If you're speaking of the fast water and gorges," Fynnol said, "we fear them as much as any man should. If you're talking about the old wives' tales ... We're more afraid of the old wives, to be honest." Alaan nodded but made an odd little grimace.” Then I shall not regale you with old wives' tales." There was a moment of silence, and then Baore said softly, "You don't believe these stories, do you?" Alaan kept his attention on his cup for a moment, his face impassive in the flickering firelight.” It is a strange old river, I'll tell you that," he said at last.” And I've been down it once. That is how I know old Gallon-he sold me a boat some years ago and I followed the river, though not quite to the sea as I'd hoped." He smeared a bit of bread in the juices in his bowl.” How far will you venture?" "To Inniseth." Alaan nodded, thinking.” You'll likely encounter few difficulties between here and there, that is, if you pass through the Lion's Maw without harm." He glanced at Fynnol.” Will you pay the Lion for passage, or is that an old wives' tale as well?" Before Fynnol could speak Baore interrupted.” I'll pay," he said." 'Tis only a coin, and many a man who's kept his silver has come to harm in the Maw." "It is only a coin!" Fynnol scoffed. Then said to Alaan, "1 wouldn't throw any of my hard-earned money into the river, though Tam and Baore may do as they please." "And you, Alaan," Baore said, "did you pay the Lion for passage?" "I did, and I would do so again, were I to travel that way. And when you see the water racing through the Maw and hear the Lion's roar ... why, even Fynnol might change his 16



mind." He smiled as though he jested.” But I'm sure you'll survive it. You've likely spent your lives in boats. Beware the River Wynnd, though, for it will take you places unexpected and show you things you might rather not see."

The three Valemen glanced at one another, Baore uncertain, but Fynnol not quite suppressing a smirk.

"Is it true the people of Inniseth sacrifice their dead to the river and will not venture near it after dark?" Baore asked.

Alaan smiled.” Well, it is hardly a sacrifice. They pour the ashes of their dead into the river and will not be buried in the ground. They believe that is the worst curse you can place on a family-to bury one of them in the ground. It is their punishment for murderers. But it is true the ritual of sending the ashes down the river is partly done to appease the river or its spirits, in some strange way. Outsiders are not welcome at their funeral rites, so I can't say what is done, but they seem to believe they've made a pact with the river: it will leave them in peace during their lives if they are surrendered to it in death."

Fynnol laughed, but Tarn and Baore did not join in and he fell quickly silent.

"And do they not venture near the river after dark?" Baore asked.