"Raymond E. Feist - Riftwar Saga 1a - Magician Apprentice" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

тАЬPug, Master Kulgan.тАЭ



тАЬNow I remember you.тАЭ The magician absently waved his hand. тАЬDo not call me 'Master,' Pug --
though I am rightly called a master of my arts,тАЭ he said with a merry crinkling around his eyes. тАЬI am
higherborn than you, it is true, but not by much. Come, there is a blanket hanging by the fire, and you are
drenched. Hang your clothes to dry, then sit there.тАЭ He pointed to a bench opposite him.



Pug did as he was bid, keeping an eye on the magician the entire time. He was a member of the
Duke's court, but still a magician, an object of suspicion, generally held in low esteem by the common
folk. If a farmer had a cow calve a monster, or blight strike the crops, villagers were apt to ascribe it to
the work of some magician lurking in nearby shadows. In times not too far past they would have stoned
Kulgan from Crydee as like as not. His position with the Duke earned him the tolerance of the townsfolk
now, but old fears died slowly.
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After his garments were hung, Pug sat down. He started when he saw a pair of red eyes regarding
him from just beyond the magician's table. A scaled head rose up above the tabletop and studied the
boy.



Kulgan laughed at the boy's discomfort. тАЬCome, boy. Fantus will not eat you.тАЭ He dropped his hand
to the head of the creature, who sat next to him on his bench, and rubbed above its eye ridges. It closed
its eyes and gave forth a soft crooning sound, not unlike the purring of a cat.



Pug shut his mouth, which had popped open with surprise, then asked, тАЬIs he truly a dragon, sit?тАЭ



The magician laughed, a rich, good-natured sound. тАЬBetimes he thinks he is, boy. Fantus is a
firedrake, cousin to the dragon, though of smaller stature.тАЭ The creature opened one eye and fastened it
on the magician. тАЬBut of equal heart,тАЭ Kulgan quickly added, and the drake closed his eye again. Kulgan
spoke softly, in conspiratorial tones. тАЬHe is very clever, so mind what you say to him. He is a creature of
finely fashioned sensibilities.тАЭ



Pug nodded that he would. тАЬCan he breathe fire?тАЭ he asked, eyes wide with wonder. To any boy of
thirteen, even a cousin to a dragon was worthy of awe.