"Barb & J. C. Hendee - Noble Dead 03 - Sister of the Dead" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hendee JC & Barb)

Before Magiere could answer, Leesil hopped down from his place beside her.

"I have to agree, " he said. "And Chap's already found a decent clearing to camp for the night. "

"We could have booked passage on a schooner, " Magiere said, and tied off the reins. "That would have
taken us straight across the gulf to the Vudran Bay and the mouth of the Vudrask River. Then we needn't
bother with this wagonтАФor camping at night. "

"I told you, " Leesil responded, "I have no intention of ever voluntarily climbing back onto some floating
casket. Watching my food come up over and over again is not my idea of entertainment. "

An old argument, but its familiarity brought Chap no comfort. And yet, he had made his point to his kin.
He would not fall from his way, and he would not dominate or enslave Magiere's will. Persuasion was
another matter, and there was time left to change her path.

As Wynn unpacked and Magiere tended the horses, Leesil walked toward Chap with his waterskin in
hand. He patted Chap on the head as he passed, then stopped with a wrinkle of his nose.
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"What have you been rolling in?" Leesil muttered, and wiped the dirt off his hand from touching Chap's
head. "You... a Fay? My splinter-ridden backside! Less than a day out, and already you need a bath. "

Chap lay down in that very spot and watched over his companions until late into the night.

Chapter 2

O ver a half moon later, Magiere reined in her shaggy pony with a sigh as she waited for a sullen Leesil
to catch up.

"Half-mad bag of bones, " he muttered once again to his mount.

From Bela, they'd traveled inland down the Belaskian peninsula and south of the Inward Bay, then
eastward along the Gulf of Belaski's lower coast. When they reached the head of the Vudrask River,
Magiere had decided to sell the wagon and horses to buy passage upriver on a barge. Wynn was
indifferent with fatigue, but Leesil quickly agreed. As much as he despised sea travel, rivers didn't roll
endlessly, making his food rise in his throat. The barge's smooth glide was also preferable to jostling
along upon a wagon bench. Even against the mild current, at most times the barge was as quick as
traveling by road. The riverside paths were clear and close, and teams of mules were set ashore to pull
the barge as they headed southeast upon the Vudrask toward Magiere's past.

The quiet voyage brought Magiere tranquillity as she huddled beneath a blanket with Leesil. Wynn and
Chap stayed close together, as well. Their trek inland seemed a blur of lost memory rather than recent
events, and Magiere pulled close to Leesil that first day on the barge.

"We haven't had much time to ourselves, " she said to him. "One night. That's all. "

Leesil smiled at her. "There'll be time enough in this life. I'm in no hurry on that journey. "