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

"Cole?" the silhouette gasped. "No, of course not. It's Giogioni, isn't it? You
gave me a fright, boy. Looked for a moment just like your old man in that
getup."
Giogi squinted in the gloomy light. The sun had nearly set, but he could make
out the tall, broad form of a man on the far bank. The man's erect stance and
bearing reflected a military background. His dark hair was short and just
beginning to gray at the temples. He had a warm, perfect smile, which set Giogi
at ease. "Sudacar? Samtavan Sudacar, is that you? What are you doing out here?"
"Getting in a little casting. Sorry about the line. My technique's gotten a
little rusty over the winter." Sudacar tugged at the string hanging from his
fishing rod until it slipped off the footbridge and into the water with a small
splash. As he jerked the line through the water, tiny minnows chased after the
lure.
Giogi crossed the bridge and picked his way along the south bank until he stood
beside Samtavan Sudacar, the man appointed by none other than King Azoun himself
to defend Immersea, dispense the king's justice, keep the peace, and, of course,
collect taxes. "Taking a break from your pressing administrative duties, eh?"
Giogi asked.
Sudacar snorted. "Keeping out of Culspiir's way is more like it. Behind every
local lord, my boy, is a trained herald making him look good. As long as I keep
delegating authority to Culspiir, I'll be a great success at this job." Sudacar
continued casting, watching his lure all the while.
"Why isn't Culspiir the local lord, then?" Giogi asked meekly.
"If he had my job, who would we get to do his job?"
"Good point," Giogi admitted.
"Besides, Culspiir never slew a giant."
"Is that a prerequisite for your job?"
"Got to make a name for yourself at court. Slew a frost giant that was
terrorizing merchants in Gnoll Pass. That's how I got into politicsЧa service
like that has to be recognized officially."
Giogi nodded in agreement, though he knew not all the other members of his
family felt the same way.
Samtavan Sudacar had not been born to nobility, nor was he a native of Immersea.
Nonetheless, King Azoun had named Sudacar Lord of Immersea when that position
fell vacant by the death of Giogi's father's cousin, Lord Wohl Wyvernspur.
Wohl's son, Frefford, had still been a boy, so the family had accepted Sudacar
graciously enough. They'd even invited the middle-aged bachelor to make his home
with them in Redstone Castle.
When Frefford reached majority, though, His Majesty hadn't assigned the young
Wyvernspur to the post. That's when Aunt Dorath had begun to consider Sudacar
not just an upstart, but an interloper and a usurper as well. Giogi knew,
though, that Frefford had been secretly relieved. Aunt Dorath and Cousin Steele
had taken the most offense. Pride and loyalty to the king prohibited the
family's asking Sudacar to leave Redstone. When Giogi had left Immersea last
spring, an uneasy truce had existed between the Wyvernspurs of Redstone Castle
and the Lord of Immersea.
Giogi, since he chose to live in town instead of at the castle, had never really
gotten to know Sudacar very well. They didn't travel in the same circles. Now,
though, Giogi realized, he had to learn something more about Sudacar. "If you're
from Suzail originally," he asked, "how did you know my father?"