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

Meecham, this boy is Pug, from the keep at
Castle Crydee." Meecham gave a brief nod, then returned to tending the
roasting loin.
Pug nodded back, though a bit late for Meecham to notice. "I never
thought to thank you for saving me from the boar."
Meecham replied, "There's no need for thanks, boy. Had I not startled
the beast, it's unlikely it would have charged you." He left the
hearth and crossed over to another part of the room, took some brown
dough from a cloth-covered bucket, and started kneading. "Well, sir," said
Pug to Kulgan, "it was his arrow that killed the pig. It was indeed
fortunate that he was following the animal." Kulgan laughed. "The poor
creature, who is our most welcome guest for dinner, happened to be as much
a victim of circumstance as yourself." Pug looked perplexed. "I don't
follow, sir." Kulgan stood and took down an object from the topmost shelf
on his bookcase and placed it on the table before the boy. It was wrapped
in a cover of dark blue velvet, so Pug knew at once it must be a prize of
great value for such an expensive material to be used for covering. Kulgan
removed the velvet, revealing an orb of crystal that gleamed in the
firelight. Pug gave an ah of pleasure at the beauty of it, for it was
without apparent flaw and splendid in its simplicity of form.

Kulgan pointed to the sphere of glass. "This device was fashioned as a gift
by Althafain of Carse, a most puissant artihcer of magic, who thought me
worthy of such a present, as I have done him a favor or two
in the past-but that is of little matter. Having just this day returned ''
from the company of Master Althafain, I was testing his token. Look deep
into the orb, Pug." Pug fixed his eyes on the ball and tried to follow the
flicker of firelight "that seemed to play deep within its structure. The
reflections of the room, multiplied a hundredfold, merged and danced as his
eyes tried to ;' fasten upon each aspect within the orb. They flowed and
blended, then grew cloudy and obscure. A soft white glow at the center of
the ball :replaced the red of firelight, and Pug felt his gaze become
trapped by its pleasing warmth. Like the warmth of the kitchen at the keep,
he thought absently. Suddenly the milky white within the ball vanished, and
Pug could see an image of the kitchen before his eyes. Fat Alfan the cook
was making pastries, licking the sweet crumbs from his fingers. This
brought the wrath of Megar, the head cook, down upon his head, for Megar
considered it a disgusting habit.
Pug laughed at the scene, one he had witnessed
before many times, and it vanished. Suddenly he felt tired. KUlgan
wrapped the orb in the cloth and put it away. "You did well, boy," he said
thoughtfully. He stood watching the boy for a moment, as if considering
something, then sat down. "I would not have suspected you of being able to


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fashion such a clear image in one try, but you seem to be more than you
first appear to be."