"Anthony Piers - Incarnations 3 - With a Tangled Skien" - читать интересную книгу автора (Anthony Piers)

He winked at her, and she realized he had caught the |
irony. She blushed, suddenly and hard; he was smart
enough to know what she thought of him. "I did it again,"
she said through her burning face. "I owe you one."

"No, you already paid me when you told me the sub-
junctive, ma'am. Oops!"

She started to laugh, halfway hysterically. He joined
her. They both knew it wasn't funny, but it cleared the
air somewhat. They finished their breakfast in silence.

The day warmed rapidly. Niobe dressed and finished
with the dishes and straightened up the cabin, for she
believed in order. Cedric carried more split wood inside
so that there would be no problem the following morning.
Then it became awkward again, for they had nothing else
to do. This was not normally a problem for the newly
married, Niobe knew, so no provision had been made.

"I can set up my loom," she said. But it didn't seem
appropriate, this first day.

"I can go scout a trail to run on," he said.

Piers Anthony

That was right; he had mentioned being interested in
track. If he returned to school, he would have the op-
portunity, so training would be in order. But he, too, was
doubtful, knowing that this was not what honeymooners
were supposed to be doing.

"Let me help you," she said. "We can take a walk
through the forest, exploring it. I'm eager to verify the
local magic."

He smiled. To take a walk together: that was a suitable
occupation. "And leave the axe behind," he said.

"So as not to frighten the trees," she agreed.

They walked, and it was beautiful. The foliage had not
yet been jaded by the heat of summer, and the bright sun-
light kept the mosquitoes at bay. They discovered a path
that led down into the swamp, where the bases of the trees
became swollen and the green moss climbed high. Now
Niobe's expertise in wild magic came into play. She
showed him how the huge water oaks of the swamp ex-
tended protective spells for the little fish who lived among