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

тАЬYes, I would.тАЭ She was surprised at herself for speaking so easily. тАЬIf you wouldnтАЩt mind taking the
time to show me how.тАЭ

тАЬNot in the least, not in the least.тАЭ

After that, she had a legitimate excuse to spend several hours a day in his company, though every now
and then, she would notice Keeta or Jill giving them a less-than-approving look.

After one of their practice sessions, he told her that his real name was Eba├▒y, but he made her promise
to keep it a secret from everyone elseтАФwhich gave her a moment of cold doubt Even though she was
thoroughly besotted with him, Marka was shrewd enough to realize that he was keeping some rather
strange truths to himself. Whenever he spoke of the barbarian kingdom in the north, his stories grew
guarded. He never mentioned his family or a home city; he never told anyone why or how heтАЩd become a
street performer.

тАЬDo you think heтАЩs maybe the outcast son of one of their nobles?тАЭ Marka remarked to Keeta one night.
тАЬMaybe heтАЩs even a prince in disgrace.тАЭ

Keeta snorted.

тАЬThe disgrace IтАЩd believe quick enough.тАЭ

тАЬOh, donтАЩt be mean! But you know, sometimes I wonder if heтАЩs married.тАЭ

тАЬMarka my dear, you do have a good head on your shoulders, donтАЩt you? But no, I asked Jill, and she
said he wasnтАЩt.тАЭ

тАЬOh, IтАЩm so glad! We can trust what Jill says, canтАЩt we?тАЭ

тАЬThereтАЩs something about Jill, my dear, that makes me think we could trust her with our lives.тАЭ Keeta
frowned, nipping her lower lip in thought. тАЬI feel like a fool for saying it, but there you are.тАЭ

Marka barely paid attention to this last remark, but she found the news about Eba├▒y sweeter than the
finest wine or purest honey. For days she savored it, bringing out the thought that no other woman had a
claim on him. Yet, he remained distant, brotherly at the most, until she reached the bitter conclusion that
he merely felt sorry for her.

The day before they reached Inderat Noa, the troupe came upon a public caravanserai beside the road.
Although they could have made a few more miles before dark, and the city lay only about five miles
ahead, they decided to camp early rather than risk being shut out of the gates by arriving late. Once the
horses were tended and the tents raised, Marka went looking for Eba├▒y. Off to one side of the
campground stood some scruffy holm oaks round a spring and a series of stone fountains, provided for
travelers by the archons of Inderat Noa. As she walked up, Marka saw him sitting with Jill, and
something about the tense set of their shoulders made her hesitate. When Eba├▒y saw her, he gave such a
guilty start and smiled in such a nervous way that she realized theyтАЩd been talking about her. All at once
she felt about eight years old; she was blushingтАФshe was sure of it. Without a word she turned and ran
for the camp, dodged into her tent, and threw herself down onto her blankets for a good cry.