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

тАШPhalia, that was rude!тАЩ snapped Caphas. тАШIt is the mark of an officer,
dear heart,тАЩ he added swiftly, realizing he had shocked the child. тАШThe
fighting men of Naashan adorn themselves in this way. An officer who has
. . . defeated . . . eight enemies in single combat is awarded the Spider.
Generals have panther tattoos upon their chests, or eagles if their victories
are great.тАЩ He knelt beside the child. тАШBut you should not make such
comments.тАЩ
тАШIтАЩm sorry, Father. But it is ugly.тАЩ
тАШChildren say what they think,тАЩ said Skilgannon softly. тАШIt is no bad
thing. Be calm, merchant. I mean you no harm. I shall spend the night in
your camp and be on my way in the morning. Your life is safe - as is the
honour of your family. And, by the way, the house you told your daughter
of was not mine. It was owned by a courtesan who was, shall we say, a
friend.тАЩ
тАШI did not mean to offend, sir.тАЩ
тАШMy ears are very keen, merchant. And I am not offended.тАЩ
тАШThank you. Thank you so much.тАЩ
They heard the sound of horses in the distance. Skilgannon rose and
waited.
Within moments a column of cavalry rode into the clearing. Caphas,
who had journeyed in Naashan throughout the years of civil war, knew
them for the QueenтАЩs Horse, black-clad warriors in heavy helms. Each
carried a lance, a sabre, and a small round shield decorated with a spotted
snake. At the head of the column was a civilian he recognized: Damalon,
the QueenтАЩs favourite. His hair was long and blond, his face lean. The fifty
riders sat their mounts silently, while Damalon leapt lightly to the ground.
тАШIt has been a long ride, general,тАЩ he said to Skilgannon.
тАШAnd why did you make it?тАЩ asked the warrior.
тАШThe Queen wants the Swords of Night and Day returned.тАЩ
тАШThey were a gift,тАЩ said Skilgannon. He shrugged. тАШHowever, be that as it
may.тАЩ
Lifting the curious ornament he held it for a moment, then tossed it to
Damalon. In that moment Caphas saw a spasm of pain flicker on
SkilgannonтАЩs face.
The handsome courtier glanced back to the soldiers. тАШNo need for you to
stay, captain,тАЩ he told a tall man sitting a chestnut gelding. тАШOur task here
is concluded.тАЩ
The rider edged his horse forward. тАШGood to see you again, general,тАЩ he
said to Skilgannon. тАШMay the gods be with you.тАЩ
тАШAnd with you, Askelus,тАЩ answered Skilgannon.
The cavalry swung their mounts and rode from the clearing. All that
remained were four riders, dark-garbed men carrying no swords. Long
knives hung at their belts. They dismounted and walked to stand alongside
Damalon.
тАШWhy did you leave?тАЩ Damalon asked Skilgannon. тАШThe Queen admired
you above all her generals.тАЩ
 тАШFor reasons of my own.тАЩ
тАШMost odd. You had it all. Riches, power, a palace a man might die for.
You could have found another wife, Skilgannon.тАЩ Damalon curled his hand
around one of the ivory handles, then pulled upon it. Nothing happened.