"Daley,.Brian.-.Coramonde.1.-.Doomfarers.Of.Coramonde" - читать интересную книгу автора (Daley Brian)

"What reward did they offer you?" he wondered aloud. "What
wages to slay my friend and then flee? Was it to be blamed on
me? Is that why Captain Brodur left me here so handily? Be still! I'll
not kill you, though I ought to; I give you your life and leave you to
your own devices. But I vow, the next moment that I see you will be
your last."

And because he wouldn't have her see a Prince of Coramonde
weep he sheathed his sword with a clash and took up the brightly
lacquered war mask he'd obtained, with its colorful crest of
plumes. He set it on his head, covering ail of his face save mouth
and brimming eyes. Tying the wallet to his sword belt, he fetched
his long cloak and swirled it around him. Concealed from throat to
heels, plumes bobbing behind, he drew back the bolt and let
himself into the corridor. There were no guards in that part of
Earthfast, nor were any needed since Fania's own picked men
manned the gates with orders not to permit him egress, and they
were under the impression that he was in custody and under guard.

But of this he cared little; he simply wanted to leave Earthfast
forever.

Chapter Three

They all hold swords, being expert in war; every man hath his
sword upon his thigh because of fear

in the night.

THE SONG OF SONGS, Which Is Solomon's

HE'D readied a story against being stopped by the port-glaves, of
being confused and lost in looking to rejoin his "master," the eavoy
from Alebowrene, the sort of thing that happened often in Earthfast
with so many visitors and their retinues quartered there. Crossing
the open exercise areas he came to the stables, filled with the
ceaseless sounds and thick smells of horses of all sorts: brave
coursers and glum-faced palfreys, massive destriers, well-formed
jumpers and the enormous draft annuals that pulled the war drays
of the entourage from Matloo.

Springbuck had planned to take his own horse, Fire-heel, but found
the big gray gone from his stall and was afraid to inquire after it with
a groom for fear of recognition. Instead, he selected a light
reconnaissance cavalryman's saddle and began to ready a swift-
looking ronc-in bearing the markings of the High Ranges on its
flanks and Earthfast's croppings on its ear. The horse proved balky
though, shying from him and whinnying softly. His warmask, light as
it was, yet made things more troublesome, and so he removed it
and set it aside. He finished quickly and turned to reopen the stall