"Dave Duncan - The Seventh Sword - 1 - The Reluctant Sword" - читать интересную книгу автора (Duncan Dave)

"Perhaps a year or two of service in our temple guard?" Honakura suggested, watching closely. "The reeve is the valorous Lord Hardduju of the
Seventh."


The swordsman's was a hard face, and now he gave the priest a hard look. "How many Sevenths do you need in a temple guard?" he asked warily.
"And by what oath would I be sworn?"


Honakura. edged a little closer to his meaning. "I am not familiar with all your swordsman oaths, my lord. Now that you mention it, I never
remember more than one Seventh in the guard at a time, and I have worked here more than sixty years."


They studied each other in silence for a moment. The swordsman frowned. While his kind had few scruples at eradicating each other, they did not
often appreciate advice on the subject from civilians. Honakura decided to reveal a little more.


"It is rare for highrank swordsmen to visit the temple," he said. "None at all for at least two years. Curiously, though, I have heard of several who
arrived at Hann and stated that to be their intention-at least one Seventh and a couple of Sixths."


The swordsman's huge fists clenched. "Implying?"


"I imply nothing!" Honakura said hastily. "Pure hearsay. They were reported to be planning to take the ferry, and then that long trail through the
trees. Probably they changed their minds. One did make as near as a pilgrims' hostelry, but was unfortunate enough to partake there of some tainted
meat. You are all the more welcome for your rarity, my lord."


Muscles did not necessarily imply stupidity-the young man understood. A dark flush of fury crept over his cheekbones.


He glanced around, looking at the grandiose facade of the temple and at the great court below, flanked by the shingle beach and the still pool,
beyond that to the River frothing and foaming as it emerged from the canyon, and along the canyon to the mist-shrouded splendor of the Judgment.
Then he turned his head to survey the wooded park of the temple grounds with the big houses of the senior officials. One of those would certainly
go with the office of reeve. "To be a swordsman in Her temple guard would be a great honor," he said.


"It seems to be even better rewarded these days than it used to be," Honakura remarked helpfully.


The hard face became menacing. "A man could borrow a sword, I expect?"


"That could be arranged."



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 The Reluctant Swordsman