"David Gemmell - Druss 01 - Druss the Legend" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

towards the water-sack hanging from a branch nearby; the felling of the tree
signalled the break for the midday meal, and the village youngsters gathered
in groups in the sunshine, laughing and joking. But no one approached Druss.
His recent fight with the former soldier Alarm had unsettled them, and they
viewed him even more warily than before. He sat alone, eating bread and cheese
and taking long, cool swallows of water.
Pilan and Yorath were now sitting with Berys and
Tailia, the daughters of the miller. The girls were smiling prettily, tilting
their heads and enjoying the attention. Yorath leaned in close to Tailia,
kissing her ear. Tailia feigned outrage.
Their games ceased when a black-bearded man entered
the clearing. He was tall, with massive shoulders and eyes the colour of
winter clouds. Druss saw his father approach, and stood.
'Clothe yourself and walk with me,' said Bress,
striding away into the woods. Druss donned his shirt and followed his father.
Out of earshot of the others, the tall man sat down beside a fast-moving
stream and Druss joined him.
'You must learn to control that temper, my son,' said
Bress. 'You almost killed the man.'
'I just hit him . . . once.'
'The once broke his jaw and dislodged three teeth.'
'Have the Elders decided on a penalty?'
'Aye. I must support Alarin and his family through the
winter. Now I can ill afford that, boy.'
'He spoke slightingly of Rowena and I'll not tolerate
that. Ever.'
Bress took a deep breath, but before speaking he
lifted a pebble and hurled it into the stream. Then he sighed. 'We are not
known here, Druss - save as good workers and fellow villagers. We came a long
way to be rid of the stigma my father bequeathed our family. But remember the
lessons of his life. He could not control his temper - and he became an
outcast and a renegade, a bloodthirsty butcher. Now they say blood runs true.
In our case I hope they are wrong.'
Tm not a killer,' argued Druss. 'Had I wanted him
dead, I could have broken his neck with a single blow.'
'I know. You are strong - you take after me in that
regard. And proud; that I think came from your mother, may her soul know
peace. The gods alone know how often I have been forced to swallow my pride.'
Bress tugged at his beard and turned to face his son. 'We are a small
settlement now, and we cannot have violence among ourselves - we would not
survive as a community. Can you understand that?'
 'What did they ask you to tell me?'
Bress sighed. 'You must make your peace with Alarin.
And know this - if you attack any other man of the village you will be cast
out.'
Druss's face darkened. 'I work harder than any man. I
trouble no one. I do not get drunk like Pilan and Yorath, nor try to make
whores of the village maids like their father. I do not steal. I do not lie.
Yet they will cast me out?'
'You frighten them, Druss. You frighten me too.'