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

When he picked it up and blew, the sound seemed very small and thin to bring safety through the rising
storm, but after a few minutes he heard someone shouting.

тАШHola, hola! Where are you?тАЩ

тАШHere on the shore!тАЩ Domnall called back. тАШFollow the light of the fire.тАЩ

Out of the tendrilled snow shone a bobbing gleam, which proved to be a lantern held aloft in someoneтАЩs
hand. The magical fire behind cast just enough light for Domnall to see a long narrow boat, with its
wooden prow carved like the head of a dragon, coming toward him. One man held the lantern while six
others rowed, chanting to keep time. As the boat drew near, the oars swung up and began backing
water, holding her steady as her side hove to.

тАШItтАЩs a cold night to ask you to wade out to us,тАЩ the lantern bearer called, тАШbut weтАЩre afraid to run her
ashore with the rocks and all in the dark.тАЩ

тАШBetter I freeze seeking safety than freeze standing here like a dolt. IтАЩm on my way.тАЩ
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He hitched his plaid up around his waist and bundled the cloak around it, then stepped into the lake. The
cold water stole his breath and drove claws into his legs, but it stood shallow enough for him to reach the
dragon boat, where hands of flesh and blood reached down to pull him aboard.

тАШSwing around, lads! LetтАЩs get him to a fireside.тАЩ

Shivering and huddling in the dry part of his plaid, Domnall crouched in the stern of the boat as they
headed out from shore. In the yellow pool of lantern light he could see the man who held it, a fellow on
the short side but stocky. He wore a hooded cloak, pinned with a silver brooch in the shape of a dragon.
In the uncertain light Domnall could just make out his lined face and grizzled beard.

тАШWhere are we going, if I may ask?тАЩ Domnall said.

тАШThe isle of Haen Marn.тАЩ

тАШAh.тАЩ Domnall had never heard of the place in his life, and heтАЩd spent all twenty years of it in this corner
of Alban. тАШMy thanks.тАЩ

No one spoke to him again until they reached the dark island, looming suddenly out of falling snow, a
muffled but precipitous shape against the night. A wooden jetty appeared as well, snow-shrouded in the
lantern light, and with a chant and yell from the oarsmen, the boat turned to. One man rose, grabbed a
hawser, and tossed it over one of the bollards on the jetty to pull them in. With some help Domnall
managed to scramble out, but his feet and legs had gone numb and clumsy. The man with the lantern
hurried him along a gravelled path and up a slope, where he could see a broad, squarish manse. Around
the cracks of door and shutter gleamed firelight.

тАШWeтАЩll get you warm soon enough,тАЩ the lantern-bearer said, then banged upon the door. тАШOpen up!
WeтАЩve got a guest, and all by EvandarтАЩs doing.тАЩ