"Terry Goodkind. Faith of the Fallen (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

tightly controlled voice, stressing his words as if each had cost him a
fortune. "We just need some time . . ."

The men's voices were heated and insistent as they all began
talking at once. "It's not because we want to-you should know that,
Richard, you know us .... What if it brings trouble here? . . . We've
heard about the fighting. You said yourself she's from the Midlands. We
can't allow . . . we won't . . ."

Kahlan listened, expecting the sound of his sword being drawn.
Richard had nearly infinite patience, but little tolerance. Cara, his
bodyguard, their friend, was no doubt out there, too; Cara had neither
patience nor tolerance.

Instead of drawing his sword, Richard said, "I'm not asking anyone
to give Me anything I want only to be left alone in a peaceful place where
I can care for her. I wanted to be close to Hartland in case she needed
something." He paused. "Please . . . just until she has a chance to get
better."

15


Kahlan wanted to scream at him: No! Don't you dare beg them,
Richard! They have no right to make you beg. They've no right! They could
never understand the sacrifices you've made.

But she could do little more than whisper his name in sorrow.

"Don't test us .... We'll burn you out if we have to! You can't
fight us all-we have right on our side."

The men ranted and swore dark oaths. She expected, now, at last,
to hear the sound of his sword being drawn. Instead, in a calm voice,
Richard answered the men in words Kahlan couldn't quite make out. A
dreadful quiet settled in.

"It's not because we like doing this, Richard," someone finally
said in a sheepish voice. "We've no choice. We've got to consider our own
families and everyone else."

Another man spoke out with righteous indignation. "Besides, you
seem to have gotten all high-and-mighty of a sudden, with your fancy
clothes and sword, not like you used to be, back when you were a woods
guide."

"That's right," said another. "Just because you went off and saw
some of the world, that don't mean you can come back here thinking you're
better than us."