"Briggs, Patricia - Sianim 2 - Steal the Dragon.text" - читать интересную книгу автора (Briggs Patricia)

found the girl he intended to marry.

When he returned home for the wedding, his family welcomed him and his
brother introduced Laeth to his new brideЧMarri. Karsten had decided to marry a
local girl.

Laeth had smiled politely at his love's unhappy face, understanding that a
Darranian girl of good family could not refuse a marriage arranged by her parents.
He'd even congratulated his brother. The next morning Laeth told his parents that
he'd received notice of trouble at his little farm that required his immediate presence.
He would have to leave before the wedding.

His family never knew why he returned to his outrageous behavior, his journey to
Sianim only the most flagrant act of disgrace. Since his brother's wedding, the only
time he'd returned to Darran was to attend his father's funeral.

One of the horses butted Laeth impatiently and he scratched its nose. "Are you
going to come, Rialla?" he asked softly.

"Yes," she replied. "The Spymaster allowed me little choice."


"I wasn't sure that I should give Ren your name, but knowing him I thought that
he probably knew that you spoke Darranian anyway."

She nodded and curved her lips without humor. "I know several people who can
speak Darranian better than I can, and I imagine that he does too. What he needed
was someone who could be a Darranian slave. I'm sure that the devious weasel
knew everything about me long before he talked to you."

"You're probably right," replied Laeth, visibly relaxing at Rialla's easy tone. "He
does have that reputation." He looked around at the quiet stable and then said, "I'll
treat you to lunch."

Rialla shot him a skeptical look, "At the Lost Pig?"

"They don't pay mercenaries like they used to. Besides, it's not that bad," said
Laeth. "Yesterday they only had two people get sick."

Rialla obediently groaned at the old joke and held her hands up in mock
surrender. "All right, all right. But this time I'm not going to rescue you from the
waitress."

Laeth widened his eyes. "Haven't you heard? Letty's decided to try for the tall
blonds."

"Who's she after now?" inquired Riulia, getting up off her bench and following
Laeth out the door.

"Afgar, you know, the lieutenant in the Fifty-seventh."