"David Gemmel - Sipstrassi Tales 03 - Bloodstone" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

Pilgrim's Valley, moving slowly within the crowd. Most of the people were returning to their homes but a
select few, Nestor among them, had been invited to a reception at the Traveller's Rest, and the formal
welcome for the new Oath Taker. Nestor felt especially privileged to be asked to attend, even though his
role was only that of a waiter. History was being made here, and the young man could hardly believe that
one of the Nine Apostles was actually going to live - if only for a month or two - among the people of
Pilgrim's Valley. It was a great honour.
Josiah Broome, who now owned the Traveller's Rest, was waiting at the back of the inn as Nestor
arrived. Broome was in his late sixties now, a slender, bird-boned man, balding and near-sighted.
Despite his tendency towards pompous speech Broome was a man with a heart, and Nestor liked him.
'Is that you, young Garrity?' asked Broome, leaning in close.
'Yes, sir.'
'Good boy. There is a clean white shirt in the upper back room. And a new black necktie. Put them on
and help Wallace prepare the tables.'
Nestor said that he would, and moved on through the rear of the inn, climbing the stairs to the staff
quarters. Wallace Nash was pulling on his white shirt as Nestor entered the back room. 'Hi, Nes. What a
day eh?' said the red-headed youngster. Two years younger than Nestor, he was an inch taller, standing
almost six foot three, and as thin as a stick.
'You look like a strong wind could blow you down, Wallace.'
The red-head grinned. 'I'd outrun it afore it could.'
Nestor chuckled. Wallace Nash was the fastest runner he had ever seen. Last year on Resurrection Day,
when he was just fifteen, Wallace had raced three times against Edric Scayse's prize stallion, Rimfire,
winning both short sprints and losing only on a longer race. It had been a fine day. Nestor remembered it
well, for it was his first time drunk - an experience he had pledged to himself he would never repeat.
'You want to carry the drinks or the eats?' Wallace asked.
'Doesn't matter,' said Nestor, pulling off his faded red shirt and lifting a clean white one from the dresser
drawer.
'You take the drinks then,' said Wallace. 'My hands ain't too steady today. Lord, who would have
believed that an Apostle would come to our town?'
Nestor pulled on his shirt and tucked it into his black trousers. For a minute or so he fumbled with the
necktie, then he moved to the mirror to see if the knot was in place. 'You think he'll perform any
miracles?' asked Wallace.
'Like what?'
'Well, I guess he could try to raise the Preacher from the dead.' The red-head laughed.
That ain't funny, Wallace. The Preacher was a good man.'
'That's not so, Nes. He spoke out against the Deacon during one of his sermons. Can you believe that?
Right there in a church. It's a wonder God didn't strike him dead there and then.'
'As I recall hearing it, he just said he thought it weren't necessary to have Oath Takers. That's all.'
'Are you saying the Apostle Saul ain't necessary?' asked Wallace.
Nestor was about to make a light-hearted remark, but then he saw the shining glint in Wallace's eyes.
'Of course I'm not. Wallace. He's a great man,' he said carefully. 'Now come on, we'd better get to
work.'
*
The evening was long, and Nestor found his back aching as he stood against the wall holding the brass
tray in his hands. Few were drinking now, and the Apostle Saul was sitting by the fire with Captain Leon
Evans and Daniel Cade. The old prophet had been late arriving; most of the welcoming party had long
since gone to their homes before the old man made his entrance. The Apostle had welcomed him
warmly, but it seemed to Nestor that Daniel Cade was ill at ease.
'It is a privilege to meet you at last,' said Saul. 'Obviously I have read of your exploits against the
Hellborn in the First War. Vile times, calling for men of iron - much as now. I am sorry to see that you
have such difficulty with your movements. You should come to Unity; our Hospital is performing miracles