"Robin Hobb - Assassin 1 - Assassin' s Apprentice" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hobb Robin)

that bordered the path.
Brant snorted knowingly. "Well, they got to call you something. What's old
game-leg Burrich call you?"
The boy's obvious disdain for Burrich so surprised me that I blurted out,
"Fitz. He calls me Fitz."
"Fitz?" He snickered. "Yeah, he would. Direct spoken is the old gimper."
"A boar savaged his leg," I explained. This boy spoke as if Burrich's limp
were something foolish he did for show. For some reason, I felt stung by his
mockery.
"I know that!" He snorted disdainfully. "Ripped him right down to the bone.
Big old tusker, was going to take Chiv down, until Burrich got in the way. Got
Burrich instead, and half a dozen of the hounds, is what I hear." We went
through an opening in an ivy-covered wall, and the exercise courts suddenly
spread out before us. "Chiv had gone in thinking he just had to finish the pig,
when up it jumped and came after him. Snapped the Prince's lance turning on him,
too, is what I hear."
I'd been following at the boy's heels, hanging on his words, when he suddenly
rounded on me. I was so startled I all but fell, scrambling backward. The older
boy laughed at me. "Guess it must have been Burrich's year for taking on
Chivalry's fortunes, hey? That's what I hear the men saying. That Burrich took
Chivalry's death and changed it into a lame leg for himself, and that he took on


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Chiv's bastard, and made a pet of him. What I'd like to know is, how come you're
to have arms training all of a sudden? Yes, and a horse, too, from what I hear?"
There was something more than jealousy in his tone. I have since come to know
that many men always see another's good fortune as a slight to themselves. I
felt his rising hostility as if I'd entered a dog's territory unannounced. But a
dog I could have touched minds with and reassured of my intentions. With Brant
there was only the hostility, like a storm rising. I wondered if he was going to
hit me, and if he expected me to fight back or retreat. I had nearly decided to
run when a portly figure dressed all in gray appeared behind Brant and took a
firm grip on the back of his neck.
"I hear the King said he was to have training, yes, and a horse to learn
horsemanship on. And that is enough for me, and it should be more than enough
for you, Brant. And from what I hear, you were told to fetch him here, and then
to report to Master Tullume, who has errands for you. Isn't that what you
heard?"
"Yes, ma'am." Brant's pugnaciousness was suddenly transformed into bobbing
agreement.
"And while you're `hearing' all this vital gossip, I might point out to you
that no wise man tells all he knows. And that he who carries tales has little
else in his head. Do you understand me, Brant?"
"I think so, ma'am."
"You think so? Then I shall be plainer. Stop being a nosy little gossip and
attend to your chores. Be diligent and willing, and perhaps folk will start
gossiping that you are my 'pet.' I could see that you are kept too busy for