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

/5Pug nodded. "I was left with the Priests of Dala, in the mountain
by a woman who claimed she found me in the road. They
brought me to the keep, for they had no way to care for me."
"Yes," injected Kulgan, "I remember when those who worship the

Shield of the Weak first brought you to the castle. You were no more
than a baby fresh from the teat. It is only through the Duke's kindness
that you are a freeman today. He felt it a lesser evil to free a bondsman's
son than to bond a freeman's. Without proof, it was his right to have you
declared bondsman." Meecham said in a noncommittal tone, "A good man, the
Duke." Pug had heard the story of his origin a hundred times before from
Magya in the kitchen of the castle. He felt completely wrung out and could
barely keep his eyes open. Kulgan noticed and signaled Meecham. The tall
franklin took some blankets from a shelf and prepared a sleeping pallet. By
the time he finished, Pug had fallen asleep with his head on the table. The
large man's hands lifted him gently from the stool and placed him on the
blankets, then covered him. Fantus opened his eyes and regarded the
sleeping boy. With a wolfish yawn, he scrambled over next to Pug and
snuggled in close. Pug shifted his weight in his sleep and draped one arm
over the drake's neck. The firedrake gave an approving rumble, deep in his
throat, and closed his eyes again.


2
APPRENtiCE

ThE FOREST WAS QUiet.

The slight afternoon breeze stirred the tall oaks and cut the day's
heat, while rustling the leaves only slightly. Birds who would raise a
raucous chorus at sunrise and sundown were mostly quiet at this time
of morning. The faint tang of sea salt mixed with the sweet smell of
flowers and pungency of decaying leaves. Pug and Tomas walked slowly along
the path, with the aimless weaving steps of boys who have no particular
place to go and ample time to get there. Pug shied a small rock at an
imagined target, then turned to look at his companion. "You don't think
your mother was mad, do you?" he asked. Tomas smiled. "No, she understands
how things are. She's seen other boys the day of Choosing. And truthfully,
we were more of hindrance than a help in the kitchen today." Pug nodded. He
had spilled a precious pot of honey as he carried it to Alfan, the
pastrycook. Then he had dumped an entire tray of fresh bread loaves as he


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took them from the oven. "I made something of a fool of myself today,
Tomas." Tomas laughed. He was a tall boy, with sandy hair and bright blue
eyes. With his quick smile, he was well liked in the keep, in spite of a
boyish tendency to find trouble. He was Pug's closest friend, more brother