"Tanya Huff - Kigh 1 - Sing the Four Quarters" - читать интересную книгу автора (Huff Tanya)

headed for the stairs.

"Down for breakfast, then?" the innkeeper called as she descended into the common room.

Annice smiled tightly and let her pack slide down onto the floor by the bar. "No. Thank you." As
she breathed in the odors of the grill still hanging in the air, she could feel the nausea returning.
"Just my journey food, please."

The innkeeper laughed, picked a heel of bread off the counter, and handed it to her. "Here, gnaw
on this while I fetch your bundle. It'll help."

Although dubious, Annice obediently nibbled at the edge of the crust. It couldn't hurt and if there
was any chance it might helpтАж

The wool merchant watched her over the rim of his tankard. When he finally lowered it, empty,
to the bar, he nodded at her pack. "Heading to Elbasan, then?"

"Yes."

"You finishing a Walk?"

He'd been in the common room the night before while she'd been singing, so he knew she was on
her way home. Annice considered pointing that out but decided it might be safer to continue
repeating words of one syllable. "Yes."

"I'm going that way myself. I was late leaving Vidor on account of that fire at the Weavers' Guild.
I suppose you heard about that?"

Annice forced down a gummy mouthful of well-chewed bread. "I'm carrying a follow-up," she
told him with little enthusiasm, hoping he wouldn't want a recall. Every moment she stayed
inside, inhaling the bouquet of greasy smoke and stale ale, increased the odds of another dash to
the privy. Given the inn's nearness to the source, most of the story still sat on the surface of her
memory, but she strongly suspectedтАФfrom the tightening in her throat and the churning behind
her beltтАФthat even recalling it without trance would take much too long.


file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruis...anya%20Huff%20-%20Sing%20the%20Four%20Quarters.html (3 of 396)23-2-2006 17:34:07
Huff, Tanya - Sing the Four Quarters


"Terrible thing." He dusted crumbs out of his beard. "Anyway, I found a pilot willing to risk
freeze-up and take me into Riverton. You want a lift? It's a short walk into Elbasan from there
and you'll be home in plenty of time for Final Quarter Festival."

Five days, weighed against eight, maybe ten walking. Maybe more if whatever I've got doesn't let
go. As well as the nausea, she'd found herself tiring easily this last little while which meant more
frequent stops and less distance traveled and not arriving home in time for the Festival which was
when she was expected. Although she shuddered to think what the motion of the river would do
to her stomach, it really wasn't a difficult choice.