"Downer, Ann - Spellkey 01-03 - The Spellkey Trilogy 1.0" - читать интересную книгу автора (Downer Ann)

and divined its questionable origins, it would have meant
trouble indeedЧalmost as much trouble as the purloined
pencil and paper, pinched from the desk of the abbot's
secretary.

He had finished the bat's head and was starting on the
wings when a monk appeared in the entrance to the loft,
the veil of a beekeeper's hat turned back to reveal a florid
face made more so by regular doses of medicinal brandy.

"Now, where did you learn a song like that?" said
Asaph, hoisting his considerable self up into the room.

"From the knifegrinder," said the Badger, covering the
bat's cage with a cloth. "How do you know what land of
song it is, anyway? I was whistling."

"I can certainly tell a bawdy-house ballad from a hymn!
Just be careful you're not overheard by someone with less
than my abundant charity."

"You didn't come to tell me that."

"No. The abbot wants to see you."

The Badger made a face. "So, he's still trying to get me
into a cowl and tunic, is he?"

"Yes, and he'll need nine strong men and a shoehorn
to do it! Come, come. You'd best resign yourself to it, my
lad. The abbot is as stubborn as you are. He's ninety-
seven, but he isn't about to die until he's seen you shave
your head and take the oath of the Pentacle."

In the margin of his drawing the Badger rapidly drew
an unflattering, and cannily true, portrait of the abbot.
Then he slapped the notebook shut. "Then he'll live to be
one hundred and ninety-seven! Why does he want me,
anyway? Why not the butcher boy or a beggar off the
street?"

Asaph's glance slid discreetly over the other's wild hair,
stable-mucked boots, and sorry clothes. "Perhaps he can't
resist a challenge."

"I see." The boy's laugh was easy, but his eyes had
clouded. "If he can save the tanner's daughter's bastard,
he can make the very devil tell his beads like a regular
pilgrim."