"Huff, Tanya - Wizard 1 - Child Of The Grove 1.1 Txt" - читать интересную книгу автора (Huff Tanya)

"Send him in. "
"Did you lose someone?" Rael asked as the First left the room.
"Did I lose someone?" Doan's brow furrowed as he turned to stare at the prince. "Did I lose someone?" And then he chuckled, a friendly sound so at odds with his appearance that it was Rael's turn to stare. He was still chuckling when the lad in question entered the room.
The young man, in the full uniform of the Palace Guard, was the prince's age or possibly a year or two older. He carried his helmet on his hip but, as his pale hair was damp, he'd probably just removed it. He had a strong face with high cheekbones, a thin-lipped mouth, and deep-set, light blue eyes. The glint on his upper lip may or may not have been the beginning of a mustache. He stood self-consciously at parade rest, his eyes regulation front and center, his gaze locked on a spot some three feet above Doan's head. Every achingly correct inch of him fairly trembled to know why he'd been called into such exalted presence-the exalted presence obviously being the captain of the Elite and not the prince and heir.
Rael wondered what the guardsman had done to bring him to the notice of the Elite Captain. There were no openings in the company. And besides, he was too young.
"Rutgar, Hovan's son, from Cei. " Doan had stopped chuckling.
"Yes, sir. " It wasn't a question but it seemed to need a response.

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"Joined your Duke's Guard at fifteen and moved to the Palace Guard last year. " "Yes, sir. "
"You're moving again. " He pointed with his chin across the table. "The commander needs an armsman. You're it. "
"Sir?" This from both young men. It was enough to drag the young guard's eyes off the wall. They studied one another for a heartbeat and then Rutgar went back to looking at nothing and the prince turned to Doan.
"But I've already got a servant. "
"I didn't say he was to be your servant. He's your armsman. The men fight in pairs, live in pairs, the officers can't. He'll take care of your armor and your horse-trust me, you won't have time-and guard your back if it needs guarding. " Red-brown eyes raked over the newly appointed armsman. "He's young but, " he added pointedly, "so are you. You can learn together. Anyway, he'd have made the company himself before this war's over. "
A small explosion of air escaped from the pressed line of Rutgar's mouth.
"Did you say something, Armsman?"
"No, Captain. "
"Good. Get outfitted. Meet us on the reviewing square in half an hour. "
"Yes, sir. " Only the gleam in his eye showed the young man's emotion as he wheeled and exited the room.
Rael shook his head and his brow furrowed.
"Problems, Commander?"
"It just happened so fast... " Rael squared his shoulders. "What if I wanted someone else as my armsman?"
Earth-colored eyebrows rose. "Do you?"
"Well, no, it's's just... "
"A good commander should have faith in his officers. " The tone was not quite sarcastic. "Now, if you're ready, Commander, we'll review the troops. "

CHILD OF THE GROVE 31
* * *
The men of Belkar, farmers and herdsmen for the most part, began to gather outside the city. Soon they were joined by the fishermen of Cei and the shepherds of Aliston. Most of these men were skilled with a quarterstaff or spear and some were fine archers, but very few of them could use a sword. In less than two weeks, they had to be an army. It would have been impossible had they not wanted to be an army so badly. Raen was a good king, more importantly he was a popular king, but they wouldn't be fighting for him. They'd be fighting for their land.
"Riven and Lorn know the mountains and they take care of border raids every winter, " Raen said, jabbing at the map with a dagger. "They'll do. We can count on Hale to supply cavalry out of those crazy horsemen of his. " He sucked his teeth and looked grim. "They say Melac can field tens of thousands of trained soldiers. "
"Impossible, " scoffed Cei. "Mere rumor. "
But none of the men in the room looked very happy.
The palace bulged with the three dukes and then retinues, officers and couriers, clerks and servants, until it resembled an anthill more than a royal residence.
Rael was up at dawn and in bed long past dark but still there weren't enough hours in the day.
He had training.
"You just removed the ears from your horse, Commander. Try it again and swing wider. "
He had fittings for new armor in the plain, cold steel of the Elite.
"Stop squirming, Highness. "
"You're tickling. "
"I assure you, Highness, it's unintentional. "
He had Royal Obligations.
"But I don't want to have dinner with the dukes, Ivan. Why can't I eat with my men?"
"You eat with the dukes, milord, " Ivan finished fastening the red velvet jacket and stepped back to view his handiwork, "because your father commands your

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presence. " He picked the gold belt off the bed and slung it artfully around the prince's hips. "And because, milord, " he continued, firmly removing Rael's hands when he tried to hitch the belt higher, "it is good policy for you to get to know the dukes. "
"I know the dukes. " Rael held out a foot so Ivan could force it into a tight red leather boot. "Aliston will pay attention only to his food and perhaps grunt once or twice if father addresses him directly. Cei will worry out loud and continuously. And Belkar... " A violent shove almost tore the second boot from Ivan's hands. "I haven't anything to say to Belkar. " Belkar's daughter had been left at home.
"Then the dukes must get to know you, milord. " "They know me, Ivan. " His voice was suddenly bleak and his eyes flared. "And only Belkar looks at me. "
The older man met the brilliance of the prince's gaze without fear. "Someday they will see you, milord. And when they do, they will stop looking away. "
Rael let the green burn brighter. "And what will they see, " he asked softly.