"Raymond E. Feist - Riftwar 1 - Magician2" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

the magician's table. A scaled head rose up above the tabletop and studied
the boy.

Kulgan laughed at the boy's discomfort. "Come, boy. Fantus will not hurt
you." He dropped his hand to the head of the creature, who sat next to him
on his bench, and rubbed above its eye ridges. It closed its eyes and gave
forth a soft crooning sound, not unlike the purring of a cat. Pug shut his
mouth, which had popped open with surprise, then

asked, "Is he truly a dragon, sir?"
The magician laughed, a rich, good-natured sound. "Betimes he
thinks he is, boy. Fantus is a firedrake, cousin to the dragon,
though of smaller stature." The creature opened one eye and fastened it on
the magician. "But of equal heart," Kulgan quickly added, and the drake
closed his eye again. Kulgan spoke softly, in conspiratorial tones. "He is
very clever, so mind what you say to him. He is a creature of finely
fashioned sensibilities." Pug nodded that he would. "Can he breathe fire?"
he asked, eyes wide with wonder. To any boy of thirteen, even a cousin to a
dragon was worthy of awe. "When the mood suits hih, he can belch out a
flame or two, though he seems rarely in the mood. I think it is due to the
rich diet I supply him with, boy. He has not had to hunt for years, so he
is something out of practice in the ways of drakes. In truth, I spoil him
shamelessly."
Pug found the notion somehow reassuring. If the magician cared
Enough to spoil this creature, no matter how outlandish, then he seemed
somehow more human, less mysterious. Pug studied Fantus, admiring how the
fire brought golden highlights to his emerald scales. About the size of a


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small hound, the drake possessed a long, sinuous .
neck atop which rested an alligatorlike head. His wings were folded
across his back, and two clawed feet extended before him, aimlessly
pawing the air, while Kulgan scratched behind bony eye ridges. His long
tail swung back and forth, inches above the floor.
The door opened and the big bowman entered, holding a dressed and
spitted loin of pork before him. Without a word he crossed to the
fireplace and set the meat to cook. Fantus raised his head, using his long
neck to good advantage to peek over the table. With a flick of his forked
tongue, the drake jumped down and, in stately fashion, ambled over to the
hearth. He selected a warm spot before the fire and curled up to doze away
the wait before dinner. The franklin unfastened his cloak and hung it on a
peg by the door. "Storm will pass afore dawn, I'm thinking." He returned to
the fire and prepared a basting of wine and herbs for the pig. Pug was
startled to see a large scar that ran down the left side of the man's face,
showing red and angry in the firelight. Kulgan waved his pipe in the
franklin's direction. "Knowing my tight- lipped man here, you'll not have
made his proper acquaintance.