"Margaret Weis, Tracy Hickman. Time of the Twins ("DragonLance Legends" #1) (angl)" - читать интересную книгу автора

ter things.
There were several parties of elves who had traveled all the
way from Silvanesti to attend the funeral of Solostaran -
Speaker of the Suns and ruler of the elven lands of Qualinesti.
They were not only urging Otik to tell his story, but were tell-
ing some of their own, about the Heroes' visit to their land and
how they freed it from the evil dragon, Cyan Bloodbane.
Tika saw Otik glance her direction wistfully at this - Tika
had, after all, been one of the members of the group in
Silvanesti. But she silenced him with a furious shake of her red
curls. That was one part of their journey she refused ever to
relate or even discuss. In fact, she prayed nightly that she
would forget the hideous nightmares of that tortured land.
Tika closed her eyes a moment, wishing the elves would
drop the conversation. She had her own nightmares now. She
needed no past ones to haunt her. "Just let them come and go
quickly," she said softly to herself and to whatever god might be
listening.
It was just past sunset. More and more customers entered,
demanding food and drink. Tika had apologized to Dezra, the
two friends had shed a few tears together, and now were kept
busy running from kitchen to bar to table. Tika started every
time the door opened, and she scowled irritably when she
heard Otik's voice rise above the clatter of mugs and tongues.
"... beautiful autumn night, as I recall, and I was, of course,
busier than a draconian drill sergeant." That always got a
laugh. Tika gritted her teeth. Otik had an appreciative audi-
ence and was in full swing. There would be no stopping him
now. "The Inn was up in the vallenwood trees then, like the rest
of our lovely city before the dragons destroyed it. Ah, how
beautiful it was in the old days." He sighed - he always sighed
at this point - and wiped away a tear. There was a sympathetic
murmur from the crowd. "Where was I?" He blew his nose,
another part of the act. "Ah, yes. There I was, behind the bar,
when the door opened...."
The door opened. It might have been done on cue, so perfect
was the timing. Tika brushed back a strand of red hair from her
perspiring forehead and glanced over nervously. Sudden
silence filled the room. Tika stiffened, her nails digging into her
hands.
A tall man, so tall he had to duck to enter the door, stood in
the doorway. His hair was dark, his face grim and stern.
Although cloaked in furs, it was obvious from his walk and
stance that his body was strong and muscular. He cast a swift
glance around the crowded Inn, sizing up those who were
present, wary and watchful of danger.
But it was an instinctive action only, for when his penetrat-
ing, somber gaze rested on Tika, his stern face relaxed into a
smile and he held his arms open wide.
Tika hesitated, but the sight of her friend suddenly filled her