"David Gemmell - Winter Warriors" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gemmel David)

'I do not know. He is old enough to know better than to wreak such . . . such devastation.' The
innkeeper filled two goblets, passing one to Kebra.

'This has not been a good day for him,' said Kebra, softly. 'Not a good day for any of us.' He
sipped the wine, then laid the goblet down.
Ilbren sighed. 'I heard of the king's decision. We all have. For what it is worth I shall miss
you.' He smiled. 'I will even miss Bison.' He stared at the white-haired archer. 'Still, war is
for young men, eh? It is way past the time when you should have settled down with a wife and
raised sons.'

Kebra ignored the comment. 'Which way did Bison

go.-1

'I did not see.'

Kebra moved away, stepping past the injured men in

2.6

the doorway. 'It was just a bad joke,' said the soldier with the bandaged head. 'Then he went
berserk.'

'Let me guess,' said Kebra. 'Something about his age, was it?'

The young soldier looked suddenly sheepish. 'It was just a joke,' he repeated.

'Well, I'm sure Bison didn't take it too seriously.'

'How can you say that?' stormed the second soldier. 'Look what he did to my face.' Blood was still
seeping from his swollen cheekbone, and his right eye was closed tight, purple swelling distending
the eyelid.

'I can say it because you are still alive, boy,' said Kebra, coldly. 'Did anyone see where he
went?'

Both men shook their heads and Kebra stepped out into the fading winter sunlight. Across the
square market traders were packing up their wares, and children were playing by the frozen
fountain, scooping snow and fashioning balls which they hurled at one another. A tall black man in
a long dark cloak moved through the crowd. The children stopped to watch him. Then one child moved
silently behind him, a snowball in his raised hand.

'Not a wise move, child,' said the black man, without looking back. 'For if you throw it I shall
be obliged to -' suddenly he swung around '- cut off your head!' Terrified the boy dropped the
snowball and sprinted back to his friends. The black man chuckled and strode on to where Kebra
waited.

'I take it he was not at the barracks,' said Kebra. Nogusta shook his head.

'They have not seen him.'