"Lawrence Watt-Evans - Ethshar 5 - Taking Flight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Watt-Evans Lawrence)

anyone.
From the corner of her eye she saw her granddaughter clearly signing to ease
up a little; Zindré reviewed what she had just said and decided the girl was
right, she had been getting carried away. As for where, she said, I see a long
road stretching before me, but just which road it might be I cannot say.
Kelders disappointment showed on his face. The granddaughter broke in.
Excuse me, she said, but that makes fifteen bits, and you only paid a single
round; Ill need another before you ask my grandmother any more questions.
Kelder turned, startled, and stared at her, open-mouthed.
She held out a hand.
Abashed, Kelder dug in the purse at his belt and pulled out another copper
round. Thats all I have, he said.
That leaves one bit, the girl said. Do you want change, or one more question?
My grandmother will answer one more at discount.
Another question, Kelder said immediately.
Think well before you speak, then, Kelder of Shulara, Zindré intoned.
Kelder thought.
Tell me about the girl Ill marry, he said at last.
Zindré nodded. She will be bright and beautiful, with a laugh like birdsong,
she said, with a magic all her own. You will bring her to your home in pride
and delight, and spend your life with her in joy. That one was easy; it was a
standard question, and she had used that standard reply a hundred times, at
least.
Children? Kelder asked.
Money? the granddaughter demanded.
Woebegone, Kelder admitted, I dont have any more.
It matters not, Zindré said quickly. The vision dims; the spell is fading
away. I could tell you little more in any case. She picked up a green cloth
and dropped it neatly over the crystal bowl.
Oh, Kelder said. Reluctantly, he stood.
The granddaughter gestured toward the door of the hut, and Kelder, with a
polite little bow, departed. The girl escorted him out, and closed the door
behind him.
When the door was shut the girl said, I guess he believed it.
Of course he did! said Zindré, bustling about, adjusting the hangings on the
walls and straightening candles that had slumped as the wax melted unevenly.
Are there any more?
No, the girl said. You know, Grandma, I still dont understand how we can get
away with thiscantanybody tell real magic from lies?
Those that can, Zindré said complacently, dont come to us in the first place.
Outside, in the gathering dusk, Kelder found two of his sisters chattering
with the smiths daughter, near the forge. Where haveyou been? Salla demanded,
as her little brother ran up.
Talking to the seer, he said.
All three girls turned to stare at him. Oh, Kelder, you didnt, Edara said.
Didnt what? Kelder asked defensively.
You didnt spend all your money on that charlatan!
No, I didnt! Kelder replied angrily.
How muchdid you spend? Salla asked.
Not that much, he said.