"Chalker, Jack L - Soul 1 - Spirits Of Flux And Anchor" - читать интересную книгу автора (Chalker Jack L)

SOUL RIDER: SPIRITS OF FLUX AND ANCHOR 11

was trying hard to have her first while working in
the commune laundry, and the third was an ap-
prentice bull cook who seemed content. Some won-
derful ambition that was.

Ambition was very much on Cassie's mind right
now, for she was The Age, graduated from general
school, and on her way to either higher education
or an assigned trade depending on how she did on
the massive battery of tests she'd take after Census.

She'd always had an affinity with animals, par-
ticularly horses, who were prettier, stronger, and
far more loyal and dependable than most people
she'd met, and this had not gone unnoticed by
those who were always referred to as "the powers
that be." She was aiming for one of the two slots
open for veterinarian's training. Then she'd show
them! Then she'd show then all! Status, a true
profession, rank that commanded respect, top pay,
and a skill that was vitally needed.

Her father was working iron when she entered
the smithy, and she stood and watched until the
red-hot metal had been skillfully shaped and formed
and dunked into the water. He spotted her then,
standing there, and frowned. "Well, Cass? Parcel
man have anything for us today?"

She looked suddenly disgusted with herself and
shook her head. "I'm sorry, Pa. I -- I guess I forgot
to check."

"What! Didn't you go out to the highway like I
told you to?"

"Yeah, I went, only ..."

"Only what?"

"Well, soon as I got there a stringer rode by and
I just sort of forgot anything else. I'm sorry, Pa."

Her father sighed- He was a huge, superbly mus-
cled man with thick black hair and a full beard,
looking every bit the smith he was, and he had a
hell of a mean streak in him and the short temper