"David Gemmell - The Complete Chronicles of the Jerusalem Man" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

pistols at his side.
'Don't kill my boy,' she said.
'Happily, Lady, I was speaking the truth: I mean you no harm. Will you trade a little bacon?' He
picked up the bow and swiftly notched it, slipping the bolt into the gulley. 'Would you feel happier
carrying this around?'
'You are truly not with the Committee?'
'I am a stranger.'
'We are about to take food. If you wish, you may join us.'
Shannow knelt before the boy. 'May I enter?' he asked.
'Could I stop you?' returned the boy bitterly.
'With just one word.'
тАШTruly?'
'My faults are many, but I do not lie.'
'You can come in then,' said the boy and Shannow walked ahead with the child trailing behind. He
mounted the porch steps and entered the cool room beyond, which was spacious and well-
constructed. A white stone hearth held a wood-stove and an iron oven; at the centre of the room was a
handsomely carved table and a wooden dresser bearing earthenware plates and pottery mugs.


11
 THE COMPLETE CHRONICLES OF THE JERUSALEM MAN
'My father carved the table,' said the boy. 'He is a skilled carpenter - the best in Rivervale - and his
work is much sought after. He made the comfort chair, too, and cured the hides.' Shannow made a
show of admiring the leather chair by the wood-stove, but his eyes followed the movements of the
petite blonde woman as she prepared the table.
Thank you for allowing me into your home,' said Shannow gravely. She smiled for the first time and
wiped her hand on her canvas apron.
'I am Donna Taybard,' she told him, offering her hand. He took it and kissed her fingers lightly.
'And I am Jon Shannow - a wanderer, Lady, in a strange land.'
'Be welcome then, Jon Shannow. We have some potatoes and mint to go with the bacon, and the meal
will be ready within the hour.'
Shannow moved to the door, where pegs had been hammered home. He unbuckled his scabbard belt
and hung his sidearms beside his coat. Turning back, he saw the fear once more in her eyes.
'Be not alarmed, Fray Taybard; a wandering man must protect himself. It does not change my
promise; that may not be so with all men, but my spoken word is iron.'
There are few guns in Rivervale, Mr Shannow. This was . . . is . . .a peaceful land. If you would like
to wash before eating, there is a pump behind the house.'
'Do you have an axe, Lady?'
'Yes. In the wood-shed.'
тАШThen I shall work for my supper. Excuse me.'
He walked out into the fading light of dusk and unsaddled the gelding, leading him into the paddock
and releasing him among the other three horses. Then he carried his saddle and bags to the porch
before fetching the axe. He spent almost an hour preparing firewood before stripping to the waist and
washing himself at the pump. The moon was up when Donna Taybard called him in. She and the boy
sat at one end of the table, having set his place apart and facing the hearth. He moved his plate to the
other side and seated himself facing the door.
'May I speak a word of thanks, Fray Taybard?' asked Shannow as she filled the plates. She nodded.
'Lord of Hosts, our thanks to thee for this food. Bless this dwelling and those who pass their lives
here. Amen.'
'You follow the old ways, Mr Shannow?' asked Donna, passing a bowl of salt to the guest.