"Bard's Tale 04 - The Chaos Gate - Josepha Sherman UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Bard's Tale)

"AhЧ'we'?"
"You didn't think I'd miss a chance to see human courting behavior, did you?"
"There may not be any courting," Kevin reminded him between clenched teeth. "And isn't it going to be risky for you?"
"As a Dark Elf, you mean?' Naitachal shrugged. "I've hidden my true identity from humans easily enough before this with long sleeves and a hooded cloak. No insult meant, Kevin, but your folk really do see only what they expect to see. So. When we leave, we can't let Lydia know what we're doing."
"Why not?"
"Do you really want to meet your lady fair surrounded by a battalion of armed guards?"
Kevin held up a hand in wry surrender. Lydia was an efficient commander-in-chief, all right, far more efficient than Kevin could ever have predicted four years back when he'd appointed her. She had most definitely taken her job to heart!
Ah well, Naitachal was probably right. What danger could there possibly be for two full Bards trained in Bardic Magic? Besides ... he really did want to see this Gwenlyn .. . find out what he was facing.. ..
"All right," Kevin said sharply before he could change his mind. "We need some good excuse. Ha, I have it." Snatching a pen from an inkstand, he hunted for a scrap of parchment and began to write. "I'm leaving a note claiming you and I are ... mmm . . . going off into the surrounding forest to ... to ..."
"To practice music and Bardic Magic," Naitachal continued, and Kevin nodded eagerly.
"Exactly. To practice our Art without any distractions." He stopped short. "Oh, what a wonderful thought that is."
Naitachal smiled softly. "No reason we can't include some music in our journey."
"No reason at all." Kevin bent over the parchment, scribbling hurriedly. "There. I'll just sign it, thus, mark it with my seal, thus. A servant can deliver it to D'Krikas." Kevin grinned. "Shall we be off?"
Naitachal bowed extravagantly. "We shall, indeed. Come, my friend, romance awaits you."
"Uh... sure," Kevin said in sudden wild doubt, and followed.
Chapter II The Battle Is Joined
The young page stood frozen in horror, listening to the sounds of violence in disbelief, then turned to run for help. But before he'd gotten more than a few steps, hands clamped down on his arms, dragging him to a halt.
"Whoa, now," amused voices asked, "where do you think you're going in such a rush?"
"ThereЧthe soundsЧbattleЧmy Lord Trahern is being attacked, and Lady Gwenlyn isЧ" The page broke off to stare at the squires who'd caught him, trying desperately to place them; pages didn't associate much with squires, who were, after all, several years senior. A stocky towhead, a skinny, brown-haired boy, a dark-haired, slender fellow: Ah, he had it! "Matt, Garin, WellanЧwhat are you laughing at?"
"That's no enemy, you idiot!" said towheaded Matt. "That's His Lordship, yes, and Her Ladyship, too, having at each other."
The page blinked. "AЧa family quarrel? Is that all it is?"
"You new in this castle? You must be new if you
haven't heard them fighting before this. Those are two of the most hot-blooded stubborn folk you could care to meet, and when they disagreeЧwheel"
"B-but they're noble!"
The squires laughed. "Does that mean they aren't allowed to get mad at each other?' brown-haired Garin asked.
"Well, no, but..."
A crash made them all start. "Now what?" Wellan wondered, quickly brushing wild black hair out of his eyes. "Have they started throwing things at each other?"
Matt shook his head. "Not a chance. Throwing things isn't their style. They are noble, as the kid here says." The squire hesitated, listening. "Can't quite make out what they're saying. What do you think they're fighting over this time?"
"Her betrothal," Wellan said with certainty. "What else could it be?"
"Her betrothal," Matt echoed with wonder. "Who would dare marry a fierce one like that?"
Garin shrugged. "Someone 'smitten by her charm,' as the minstrels put it. Hey, don't give me those looks. Our Lady Gwenlyn may not be one of those pretty little perfect creatures the minstrels rave aboutЧ"
"You mean, those perfectly brainless creatures," Wellan corrected drily. "One thing our Lady Gwenlyn isn't is brainless."
"She sure isn't. And maybe she isn't a raging beauty, or whatever they call it, but Lady Gwenlyn isn't exactly hard to look at, either."
"Besides," Matt added, "she's got a good heart underneath all that fire. A pretty clever wit, too."
"Right," Garin agreed. "Our Gwenlyn can manage to charm anyone she sets her mind to, and you all know it."
"Huh. Anyone save her father," Matt muttered.
Angry voices still roared and rumbled in the background. Garin shrugged "Five to one her ladyship wins this one," he said.
"This is ridiculous! Ridiculous, I say!" Count Trahern, tall and elegant and blazing with rage, was as impressive as a great, handsome bird of prey.
GwenЧLady Gwenlyn Mared Rhona GwineryaЧ wasn't impressed. "Ridiculous, is it? This is my future we're discussing, my life!"
"Don't be so melodramatic!"
"What do you expect of me? You've bargained away my entire future!"
Her father gave a great sigh, visibly struggling to calm himself. "You knew the day of your betrothal would come eventually."
"Of course I did, curse it!"
"Gwenlyn!"
"After all," she forged on, "I'm nothing much, am I? Nothing but a girl. Why should I expect to have any say in what happens to me? It's not as though I was actually worth something. Except as a pawn in political games, of course. I'm just aЧaЧcursed bargaining chip!"
"Don't be aЧ"
"Don't try to deny it! We both knowЧ"
"Stop this stupid self-pity right now!"
"It's notЧ"
"I said, stop it! Gwenlyn, I could have married again, I could have fathered another childЧ"