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

Locklear sighed in resignation. 'We don't stand a
chance of beating Them and Jason and the other
apprentices today, with us both not playing.' Locklear
and Jimmy were the two best athletes in the company of
squires. Nearly as quick as Jimmy, Locklear was second
only to him among the squires in swordsmanship.
Together they were the two best ball handlers in the
palace, and with both out of the match, it was a near
certain victory for the apprentices. 'How much did you
bet?'
"All of it,' answered Jimmy. Locklear winced. The

squires had been pooling their silver and gold for months
in anticipation of this match. "Well, how was I to know
deLacy would pull this business? Besides, with all those
losses we've had, I got five-to-two odds in favour of the
apprentices.' He had spent months developing a losing
trend in the squires' game, setting up this big wager. He
considered. 'We may not be out of it yet. I'll think of
something.'
Changing the subject, Locklear said, "You just cut it a
little fine today. What held you up this time?'
Jimmy grinned, his features losing their dark aspect. 'I
was talking to Marianna.' Then his features returned to
an expression of disgust. "She was going to meet me after
the game, but now we'll be with the Prince and Princess.'
Accompanying his growth since last summer, another
change in Jimmy had been his discovery of girls.
Suddenly their company and good opinion of him were
vital. Given his upbringing and knowledge, especially
compared to those of the other squires in court, Jimmy
was worldly beyond his years. The former thief had been
making his presence known among the younger serving
girls of the palace for several months. Marianna was
simply the most recent to catch his fancy and be swept
oFf her feet by the clever, witty and handsome young
squire. Jimmy's curly brown hair, ready grin, and
flashing dark eyes had caused him to become an object of
concern for more than one girl's parents among the
palace staff.
Locklear attempted to look uninterested, a pose that
was quickly eroding as he himself became more often the
focus of the palace girls' attention. He was getting taller
by the week, it seemed, almost as tall as Jimmy 'now. His
wavy, blond-streaked brown hair and cornflower-blue
eyes framed by almost feminine lashes, his handsome
smile, and his friendly, easy manner had all made him
popular with the younger girls of the palace. He hadn't
grown quite comfortable with the idea of girls yet, as at
home he had only brothers, but being around Jimmy had