"Brian Daley - Doomfarers of Coramonde" - читать интересную книгу автора (Daley Brian)

rifle and the deCourteneys, and so far he'd been right. Springbuck hoped that he would continue
so; if there were a major assault now, they'd all be slain unless the outlander's weapon could
kill many men all at once.
46
THE DOOMFARERS OF CORAMONDE
During the watch he felt the fatigue of the day overtake him. He considered the chain of events
that had begun with Hightower's death, and pondered his new allies and their strange self-
assurance.
At the end of the tour he and Andre awakened their relief, for the balance of the band had toppled
into sleep after the exhausting day. He made- a final check of Fire-heel's accommodations and
groped around by a dying fire until he came across an unfinished bit of sausage and biscuit.
Propped against a wall, he huddled in his cloak as it became chillier, and heard Andre snoring
loudly nearby. He removed his war mask and gobbled the cold meal quickly, licking his fingers
afterward and wishing that there were more.
Divesting himself of boots, demisleeves and sword belt, he went to sleep with his head pillowed on
his saddle pad, not considering first that, without his mask, he would be recognized by those who
saw him in the morning light.
Chapter Six
On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand dare seize the fire?
WILLIAM BLAKE, "The Tyger"
"BREAKFAST, O Ku-Mor-Mai? said a female voice. But why did it use his father's title?
He burst to his feet, cloak flung aside in alarm. He found himself facing Gabrielle, who offered
him a bowl of thick stew, no longer warm, and a succinct nod, even colder, for the day's
beginning. He knew instantly what had happened and told himself with some chagrin that it would
have happened anyway.
"You sleep like a dead man," the sorceress was saying, "long after others are up. But Edward said
to leave it so."
Rather then extend the bowl in common hospitality she set it on the ground and turned to leave.
"Wait," he called after her. When she turned back he found himself with nothing to say.
"Ahh, who is Edward?"
"Edward is Van Duyn. Do they have- to teach you everything fresh each day?"
She left as be mumbled, "I didn't know." He wolfed the stew, watching his new compatriots bustle
around the courtyard, carrying trash and rubble from the interior of the buildings and bearing
arms to the ramparts. His meal downed, he buckled on demisleeves and pulled on his boots. Taking
up mask and sword belt, he searched out Van Duyn and Andre, who were studying the countryside from
the ramparts.
Andre greeted him with a friendly clap on the shoulder. "In truth," he declared, "I knew you as
soon as ever I saw you yesterday, though you've changed. But
47
48
THE DOOMFARERS OF CORAMONDE
what brings the royal Heir to join us? I'm afraid we must ask."
The three sat on a make-do bench under the climbing sun while Springbuck told them the tale of his
escape from Earthfast. He found himself irritated by Van Duyn, who was skeptical throughout, but
discovered the wizard to be an amiable fellow and a cordial listener. Both showed keen interest in
the portion of his story dealing with Eliatim's remarks. They asked questions, going back over the
conversation almost word by word. By then the sun had grown warm and the Prince was glad to accept
a gourd of water at the conclusion of his narrative. The two listeners were comparing thoughts on
their new information when Gabrielle arrived.
"What preparations we can make have been made," she said. "I'd like to speak to you, Edward." The