"Raymond E. Feist - Riftwar 3 - A Darkness at Sethanon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

last contact, and said, 'Thank you. I will return to where
I can travel quickly home.' Without further words he
closed his eyes and vanished. Those in the circle were
silent a moment, then each turned to undertake whatever
task awaited him or her. In the branches the leaves
remained restless and the echo of the darkwind was slow
in fading.

The darkwind blew until it reached a ridge trail above a
distant vale, where a band of men crouched in hiding.
For a brief moment they faced the south, as if seeking
the source of this oddly disquieting wind, then they
returned to observing the plains below. The two closest
to the edge had ridden long and hard in response to a
report by an out-riding patrol. Below, an army gathered
under banners of ill-aspect. The leader, a greying
man with a black patch over his right eye hunkered down
below the ridge. "it's as bad as we feared,' he said in
hushed tones.
The other man, not as tall but stouter, scratched at a
grey-shot black beard as he squatted beside his com-
panion. "No, it's worse,' he whispered. 'By the number
of campRres, there's one hell of a storm brewing down
there . '
The man with the eye-patch sat silently for a long
moment, then said, 'Well, we've somehow gained a year.
I expected them to hit us last summer. It is well we
prepared, for now they'll surely come.' He moved in a
crouch as he returned to where a tall, blond man held his
horse. 'Are you coming?'
The second man said, 'No, I think I'll watch for a
while. By seeing how many arrive and at what rate, I
may hazard a good guess at how many he's bringing.'
The first man mounted. The blond man said, "What
matter? WheN he comes, he'll bring all he has.'
'I just don't like surprises, I suppose.'
(How long?' asked the leader.
'Two, three days at most, then it will get too crowded
hereabouts . '
"They're certain to have patrols out. Two days at the

most.' With a grim smile, he said, "You're not much as
company goes, but after two years I've grown used to
having you around. Be careful.'
The second man flashed a broad grin. 'That cuts two
ways. You've stung them enough for the last two years
they'd love to throw a net over you. It wouldn't do to
have them show up at the city gates with your head on a
battle pike.'
The blond man said, "That will not happen.' His open