"David Gemmel - The Damned 01 - White Wolf" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

walked to the fire. It was then that the merchant saw the strange
ornament he carried slung across his back. It was around five feet in
length, slightly curved, the centre polished black. At each end were set
beautifully sculpted ivory sections. Ornate and exquisite, it would - had he
not heard the manтАЩs name - have seemed to Caphas to serve no purpose.
Swinging the ornament from his back, the stranger placed it on the
ground beside him as he sat down by the fire.
Caphas turned towards the dark woods. His heart was heavy.
Skilgannon knew the girls were there, and if he intended rape or murder
they would not escape him. тАШCome in, Lucresis. Bring Phalia. It is all right,тАЩ
he called, praying it was true.
A slender, dark-haired young woman moved out of the trees, holding
the hand of a girl of around seven. The child broke clear of her sisterтАЩs grip
and ran to her father. Caphas put a protective arm around her, and drew
her towards the fire. тАШMy daughters, Phalia and Lucresis,тАЩ he said.
Skilgannon glanced up and smiled.
тАШAlways wise to be wary,тАЩ he said. тАШThe girls are very beautiful. They
must take after their mother.тАЩ
Caphas forced a smile. тАШAh yes, she was the beauty. No doubt of it.тАЩ He
was dismayed to see Lucresis staring boldly at the handsome young man.
She tilted her head and ran her fingers through her long hair. She knew
she was beautiful. So many young men had told her so.
тАШLucresis! Come and help me fetch the pots and pans from the wagon,тАЩ
he ordered, his voice showing his stress. Confused by his fear, the young
woman followed him. As he reached the wagon he hissed at her, тАШStop
making eyes at him.тАЩ
тАШHe is very handsome, Father.тАЩ
тАШThat is Skilgannon the Damned. You want nothing to do with him. We
will be lucky to escape this with our lives,тАЩ he added, keeping his voice to a
whisper. He handed her several pots.
Lucresis glanced back at the man by the fire. He was chatting to little
Phalia, who was giggling at his words. тАШHe wonтАЩt hurt us, Father.тАЩ
тАШDo not judge a man by his looks. If only ugly men committed crimes it
would take no effort at all to find offenders. I have heard tales of his
excesses. Not just on the battlefield. It is said he once had a large house,
and all the servants were trained whores. He is not the sort of man I would
want near my daughter - had I a choice in the matter. Which I donтАЩt,тАЩ he
concluded miserably.
тАШI wish I had a choice,тАЩ said Lucresis.
Returning to the fire, Caphas prepared a broth. The smell of it hung in
the air, rich and tempting. Occasionally he would stir the contents of the
large pan, then take a sip before adding a little pepper and spice. Finally
he sprinkled rock salt into the pot. тАШI believe it to be ready,тАЩ he said.
After the meal Skilgannon put his plate to one side. тАШYou are a truly
talented cook, Master Caphas.тАЩ
тАШThank you, sir. It is a hobby of mine.тАЩ
тАШWhy do you have a spider on your arm?тАЩ asked little Phalia, pointing to
the black tattoo on SkilgannonтАЩs left forearm.
тАШDo you not like it?тАЩ
тАШIt is very ugly.тАЩ