"Katherine Kerr - Deverry 09 - The Red Wyvern" - читать интересную книгу автора (Kerr Katherine)

which ran southwest to northeast. If he reached the edge of that dark gash in the land, he could follow it
and head for Old MalcolmтАЩs steading, which he just might, if Jesu favoured him, live to reach. Worth a
try, and if he were doomed, he might as well die on his feet. He wrapped his plaid tight around him,
pulled his cloak closed around it, and walked north.

The first thing he noticed about the tree was that it grew straight and remarkably tall. As the sunset faded
 Generated by ABC Amber LIT Converter, http://www.processtext.com/abclit.html




into darkness, he noticed the second thing, that it was burning. Here was a bit of luck! If he could nourish
a fire against the snow, it would keep him through the night. As he drew close, he noticed the third thing,
that although half of the tree blazed with fire, the other half grew green with new leaf. For a moment he
could neither speak nor breathe while all the blood in his veins seemed to freeze like water spilled into
snow. Was he already dead then?

тАШJesu and the saints preserve,' he whispered. тАШMay God guide my soul.тАЩ

тАШItтАЩs a waste of your breath to call upon the man from Galilee,тАЩ the voice said. тАШHe doesnтАЩt do us any
favours, and so we do none for him.тАЩ

Domnall spun around to find a young man standing nearby. In the light of the blazing tree he could see
that the fellow was blond and pale, with lips as red as sour cherries and eyes the colour of the sea in
summer. HeтАЩd wrapped himself in a huge cloak of solid blue wool with a hood.

тАШAnd are you one of the Seelie Host, then?тАЩ Domnall said.

тАШThe men of your country would call me so. ThereтАЩs a great grammarie been woven at this spot, and itтАЩs
not one of my doing, which vexes me. What are you doing here?тАЩ

тАШI got lost. I wish you no harm, nor would I rob you and yours.тАЩ

тАШWell-spoken, and for that you may live. Which you wonтАЩt do if you stay out in this weather much
longer. I need a messenger for a plan IтАЩm weaving, and itтАЩs a long one with many strands. Tell me, do
you want to live, or do you want to die in the snow?тАЩ

тАШTo live, of course, if God be willing.тАЩ

тАШSplendid! Then tell me your name and the one thing you wish most in all the world.тАЩ

Domnall considered. The Seelie Host were a tricky bunch, and some priests said them no better than
devils. Certainly you were never supposed to tell them your name. Something touched his face,
something cold and wet. In the light from the blazing tree he could see snow falling in a scatter of first
flakes.

тАШMy name is Domnall Breich. I most desire an honourable death in battle, serving my liege lord.тАЩ

The spirit rolled his eyes.