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

the north open to the advances of the new, younger Kingdom. "It was Duke
Borric's grandfather, youngest son of the King, who brought the army
westward, extending the Western Realm. Since then all of what was once the
old imperial province of Bosania, except for the Free Cities of Natal, has
been called the Duchy of Crydee."
Pug thought for a moment, then said, "I think I would like to travel to
this Great Kesh someday." Meecham snorted, something close to a laugh. "And
what would you be traveling as, a freebooter?" Pug felt his face flush.
Freebooters were landless men, mercenaries who fought for pay, and who were
regarded as being only one cut above outlaws. Kulgan said, "Perhaps you
might someday, Pug. The way is long and full of peril, but it is not
unheard of for a brave and hearty soul to survive the journey. Stranger
things have been known to happen." The talk at the table turned to more
common topics, for the magician had been at the southern keep at Carse for
over a month and wanted the gossip of Crydee. When the bread was done
Baking, Meecham served it hot, carved the pork loin
and brought out plates of cheese and greens. Pug had never eaten so well in
his life. Even when he had
worked in the kitchen, his position as keep boy earned him only meager
fare. Twice during dinner, Pug found the magician regarding him intently.
When the meal was over, Meecham cleared the table, then began
washing the dishes with clean sand and fresh water, while Kulgan and
Pug sat talking. A single scrap of meat remained on the table, which
Kulgan tossed over to Fantus, who lay before the fire. The drake opened
one eye to regard the morsel. He pondered the choice between his


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comfortable resting place and the juicy scrap for a moment, then moved the
necessary six inches to gulp down the prize and closed his eye again.
Kulgan lit his pipe,'and once he was satisfied with its production of
smoke, he said, "What are your plans when you reach manhood, boy?" Pug was
fighting off sleep, but Kulgan's question brought him alert again. The time
of Choosing, when the boys of the town and keep were taken into
apprenticeship, was close, and Pug became excited as he said, "This
Midsummer's Day I hope to take the Duke's service under
Swordmaster Fannon."
Kulgan regarded his slight guest. "I would have thought you still a
year or two away from apprenticeship, Pug."
Meecham gave out a sound somewhere between a laugh and a
grunt.
"Bit small to be lugging around sword and shield, aren't you, boy?"
Pug flushed. He was the smallest boy of his age in the castle. "Megar
the cook said I may be late coming to my growth," he said with a faint
note of defiance. "No one knows who my parents were, so they have no notion
of what to expect."
"Orphan, is it?" asked Meecham, raising one eyebrow,
his most expressive gesture yet.