"Katherine Kerr - Deverry 06 - A Time Of Omens" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kerr Katherine)

тАЬIf I say something, the cow will say the opposite, just to be mooing.тАЭ

тАЬMarka!тАЭ But Keeta hesitated, her mouth twisting in a bitter recognition of the truth. тАЬMaybe IтАЩll talk to
him, then. I was stranded once, with another troupe, years ago now, but I remember it awfully well. Too
well. I donтАЩtтАФтАЭ She hesitated again. тАЬWait a minute. IsnтАЩt that the barbarian?тАЭ

His face shaded by a floppy leather hat, the juggler was riding up to the camp on a beautifulтАФand
expensive-lookingтАФgray gelding. He dismounted just outside the circle of tents, stood looking round for
a moment, then led his horse over to the fire pit while everyone else in camp strolled over to meet him.
Marka felt her heart start pounding when he made them all a lazy bow, just because he was so lithe and
graceful.

тАЬGood morning, all,тАЭ he announced with a grin. тАЬMy nameтАЩs Salamander, and I was wondering if I could
have a word with the head of your troupe. I might have a business proposition to lay before him.тАЭ

тАЬUm, well, heтАЩs still in his tent,тАЭ Keeta said. тАЬShould be up anytime now.тАЭ

Salamander glanced at the sky as if to check the position of the sun. Vinto and Keeta exchanged
significant looks and went on surreptitiously judging the cost of his beautiful clothes and horse gear.

тАЬWell, IтАЩm his daughter,тАЭ Marka said. тАЬMaybe you could tell me what you want.тАЭ

тАЬPerhaps you can help me, indeed. I was wondering where you were all heading to next, since it would
seem that this town no longer provides afresh and profitable field for your talents to cultivate.тАЭ

Again Keeta and Vinto glanced at each other, this time with a hint of agony.

тАЬEr, we havenтАЩt exactly decided. Going back toMainIsland, maybe, but IтАЩm not sure.тАЭ

тАЬI see. Well, my companion and I are less than sure of our next destination, too, you see, and I thought
that . . . тАЭ He let his words trail away.

Hamil was crawling out of his tent, and when he stood up, he lurched and swayed so badly that Marka
at first thought he was ill. She bolted and ran to steady him, shocked at the inert force of his weight upon
her shoulder as he leaned sideways. Dimly she was aware of the camp breaking out into a buzz of talk.

тАЬPapa, whatтАЩs wrong?тАЭ

For an answer he merely smiled, a slow, secretive smile, and his eyes turned her way slowly, too, all
heavy lids and droop. Around him hung a smoky scent, like incense. Marka grunted as the
ice-knowledge chilled her to the spine. For a moment she felt the earth turn beneath her.

тАЬItтАЩs the white smoke again. Well, isnтАЩt it? Oh, Papa, you promised!тАЭ With a howl she thrust him away.

тАЬHey.тАЭ He staggered and sat down heavily. тАЬLittle beast.тАЭ

тАЬNot again! Why . . . it was her, wasnтАЩt it? SheтАЩs been getting it for you! Curse her guts!тАЭ