"02 - The Wyvern's Spur - Jeff Grubb & Kate Novak [4.0]" - читать интересную книгу автора (Finder's Stone)

Giogi shuddered, anticipating meeting the guardian again. Gaylyn lay her hand
nervously on her belly. Frefford returned to his wife's side to comfort her.
Julia watched Steele, who fidgeted with impatience. Uncle Drone studied the
stain on his robe.
Everyone remained speechless for several moments until Drone said, "I'll see you
to the door, Giogi," and held an arm out for help in rising.
Still in shock, Giogi stood automatically and helped Drone to his feet. He held
the parlor door open as the old man shuffled through, and he followed his uncle
out.
After the door had closed behind them, the old man patted Giogi's arm and said
softly, "Dory's right, you know. It's time you were over that fright you had as
a child."
"Aunt Dorath wasn't locked down there," Giogi objected as they descended a
staircase to the main entrance hall.
"Well, actually she was once, but that's neither here nor there. Listen, my boy,
I have something very important to tell you, something I couldn't tell you in
front of the others."
Suddenly reminded of Sudacar's revelation, Giogi shook off his anxiety over the
coming expedition. "And I have a question for you that I couldn't ask in front
of the others. Why didn't you ever tell me rnv father was an adventurer?"
"Found that out, did you? Who let it slip?"
"It makes no difference," Giogi retorted. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Your Aunt Dorath made me swear not to."
"How could you agree to something like that?" Giogi demanded. "I thought vou
liked my father."
"I loved your father," Drone whispered angrily. "I had my reasons. Now hush up
and listen."
When they'd reached the bottom of the staircase, the new footman popped out of
an alcove and asked, "Shall I fetch Master Giogioni's things, sir?"
"Yes, yes," Uncle Drone snapped, annoyed at the interruption. He watched the
footman's back until the servant disappeared from sight. Drone swiveled his neck
in all four cardinal points, making sure he and Giogi were alone in the hall
before he spoke again. "Now, where was I? Oh, yes. The spur and the thief aren't
in the catacombs."
"What! Then why did you tell us allЧ?"
"Shh! Keep your voice down. I had good reasons, but Dory would never understand.
You must go down into the catacombs anyway to keep up the charade, and tell me
everything that happens there."
From the hallway upstairs they could hear Aunt Dorath bellow, "Drone!"
"Look, I'll explain it to you tomorrow night when you return. In the meantimeЧ"
The footman returned with Giogi's cloak. Drone took the cloak and waved the
servant away. As the old wizard wrapped Giogi up in the garment, he whispered,
"In the meantime, watch your step. Your life could possibly, just possibly, be
in danger." He opened the front door, and cold air rushed into the hallway.
"Because of the spur, you mean?" Giogi asked.
"Not because of the spurЧwell, maybe because of it, but not the way you might
thinkЧ"
"Drone!" Aunt Dorath called out a second time.
Uncle Drone pushed Giogi out the door, saying, "I'll explain tomorrow.
RememberЧwatch your step." The wizard closed the door on Giogi before he could