"Raymond E. Feist - Serpentwar 2 - Rise of a Merchant Prince" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

open and friendly expression that others found likable; Roo had
no illusions about his own appearance. He was homely by any
standards, with a pinched face, eyes that were narrowed and darting
around as if constantly looking for threats, and a nearly permanent
expression that could only be called furtive. But on those
rare occasions when he smiled, or laughed, a warmth was revealed
that made him far from unattractive. It was that roguish humor and
willingness to brave trouble that had attracted Erik to Roo when
they were children.
Erik pointed and Roo nodded at those ships moving away from


RISE OF A MERCHANT PRINCE


their own as the Freeport Ranger was given right of way to the royal
docks below the palace. One of the older sailors laughed and Roo
turned to ask, "What?"
"Prince Nicky's going to irritate the Harbormaster again." Erik,
his hair almost bleached white by the sun, looked at the sailor,
who had blue eyes that stood out in stark contrast to his sunburned
face. "What do you mean?"


The sailor pointed. "There's the Harbormaster's launch." Roo
looked to where the man pointed. "He's not slowing to pick up a
pilot! "
The sailor laughed. "The Admiral is his teacher's student. Old
Admiral Trask used to do the same thing, but he'd at least allow
the pilot up on deck so he could personally irritate him by refusing
to take a tow into the dock. Admiral Nicky's the King's brother,
so he doesn't even bother with that formality."
Roo and Erik glanced upward and saw that old sailors were
standing by waiting to reef in the last sails on the Admiral's
command. Roo then looked to the poop deck and saw Nicholas,
formerly Prince of Krondor and presently Admiral of the King's
Fleet in the West, give the signal. Instantly the old hands pulled
up the heavy canvas and tied off. Within seconds Roo and the
others on the deck could feel the ship's speed begin to fall off
as they neared the royal docks located below the royal palace of
the Prince.
The Range,.-'s motion continued to drop off, but to Roo it felt as
if they were still moving into the docks too fast. The old sailor
spoke as if reading his mind. "We're pushing a lot of water into
the quay, and that'll push back as we come alongside the docks,
slowing us down to almost a full stop, though she'll make the cleats
groan a bit." He made ready to throw a line to those waiting on
the dock ahead. "Lend a hand!"
Roo and Erik each grabbed another line and waited for the command.
When Nicholas shouted, "Cast away!" Roo threw to a man