"Dave Duncan - Tales of King's Blades 6 - Paragon Lost" - читать интересную книгу автора (Duncan Dave)

Lord Roland rose. тАЬSwithin has been kidnapped! Tricked into dedicating his existence to safeguarding a
thief! His entire life has been stolen from him. I want that boy found and compensated. Somehow. I
cannot imagine how. And in secret. I think you are the man to do it for me, Beaumont. I will provide
expenses.тАЭ The wash-leather bag he tossed down landed with a metallic thud that shook the heavy table.
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Beau jumped up. тАЬI will not take yourтАФтАЭ

тАЬYou will need a good sword.тАЭ Lord Roland was not only taller, he was louder. тАЬFortunately, I have one
I can lend you.тАЭ He reached down and produced a sword in a battered, well-used scabbardтАФit must
have been lying on the bench beside him all the time. He laid it on the table, as if raising the stakes in a
wager.

Beau stared, shocked into silence; the wind-burn flush on his face fading to pallor.


16Dave Duncan

Even Isabelle knew that hilt, with the silver cage around the leather-bound grip, but the pommel was
wrong. The catтАЩs-eye cabochon that had once gleamed there had been replaced with a simple white
stone, like a pebble off a beach. She leaned across the table to draw the blade just far enough to expose
the name inscribed on the ricasso:Just Desert.

Beau licked his lips, then said hoarsely, тАЬI will not take your gold, my lord!тАЭ

Isabelle was seized by a potent urge to kick him or shake him. Theyneededthat gold!Desperately!It
would buy them passage back to Isilond, or provide a start of a decent life here in Chivial. She had a
baby coming. Beau was being wilful again, crazy-proud again, ruining everything again, just as he had
when he defied the King. She forced down her anger, clenching her fists.Loyalty! Trust him!

Grand Master said, тАЬSir BeaumontтАФтАЭ

тАЬNo!тАЭ His voice was soft, his smile hard. тАЬI do not need your charity.тАЭ

тАЬYou need someoneтАЩs!тАЭ

тАЬNo!I refuse. I was expelled from the Blades in disgrace. They miss no chance to show their contempt
for what I did. I wonтАЩt wipe their noses for them. Take your gold, and your warrant, too.тАЭ He thrust
purse and paper back at the frowning Roland. тАЬGood chance to you, my lord. You can find your own
way out.тАЭ

Lord Roland bowed stiffly and stalked away, cloak swirling.

But the sword still lay on the table.

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