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

protest further.
My life could possibly, just possibly, be in danger, Giogi thought. He
shuddered, not just from the cold. A wizard such as Drone said "just possibly"
only in cases where anyone else in the Realms would say, "most definitely."
A hearty spring wind, fresh off the Wyvernwater, danced around the side of the
castle and tore through Giogi's cloak. He shuddered again and wished that he'd
stayed in Westgate, where all he'd had to worry about were dragons, earthquakes,
and power struggles. They really were insignificant compared to these family
crises.
3
Olive and Jade
The halfling hid in the shadowsЧeven though there was no one presently on the
streets for her to hide from. Hiding in shadows was an art, and the halfling's
mother had always warned her, "Never neglect your art, Olive-girl," so Olive hid
in the shadows. Besides, sooner or later someone would come along the street.
That's what makes the natives of Cormyr a great people, Olive thought fondly.
While citizens of other nations would cower indoors on a cold spring night like
this, Cormytes will brave anything to visit the taverns of their choice. At this
hour, there were usually just enough pedestrians to offer her a selection, but
not so many that she need worry about any witnesses to her light-fingered
larceny.
While she watched the street, Olive twiddled a platinum coin across the tips of
her slender, dexterous fingers. A gust of wind from off the lake swirled around
the corner and into the alley, blowing a strand of her long, russet hair into
her green eyes. Olive pocketed the coin and pushed the strand up into her wool
cap. She was bundled against the cold in a pair of breeches, a knee-length
tunic, a bulky quilted vest, and the hat.
Besides keeping her warm, all the extra clothing hid her slim waist and
curvaceous figure, so that she looked almost as plump as a typical town-living
halfling. She was shorter than most adult halflings, thoughЧwell under three
feet. She might have been mistaken for a human toddler, except for her
fur-covered bare feet with their tough, leathery soles.
She would never even consider stuffing her feet into a pair of shoes and
disguising her race, though. For one thing, there was always someone who made it
his or her business to discover what a human child was doing wandering the
streets alone, especially in Cormyr; or worse, there were people, even in
Cormyr, who were ready to accost such children. For another thing, Olive found
shoes just too uncomfortable, not to mention exceedingly awkward for running in,
and she never knew when she might need to run. Most important of all, Olive felt
that conducting business by passing as a human child was demeaning. Only a very
untalented or very desperate halfling would resort to such a measure.
Down the street, a tavern door opened and sounds of laughter spilled out into
the lane. Olive tensed for action. A fat youth in an apron came puffing along,
carrying a jug of ale. A servant, Olive guessed, sent to fetch ale for a guest.
Probably charged the ale to his master's tab, so he won't have any money on him.
She stood motionless.
A minute later, two older men in heavy, dusty jackets shuffled by, arguing over
whether or not it was too soon to plant peas. Farmers, Olive conjectured, no
doubt carrying nothing but copper coinsЧand only enough copper at that to buy
three rounds of ale. She remained motionless.