"Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon - Mage Wars 03 - The Silver Gryphon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lackey Mercedes)

lot of peace and privacy. That particular twitch of hers bothered him, though, and he wanted to have it
straightened out before too very long. Any amount of mind-magic was useful, the more so in someone
who might well be supposed to boast nothing of the sort. Father always says that if you've got an
ability, it's stupid not to train and use it, even if it isn't something that you'd use very often.
Blade compared the two lists, and added several items to theirs before she handed the one Aubri
had given her back to him. Tad was pleased to note that she had not needed to copy the whole thing
down. So they hadn't done so badly on their own.
I wonder if there was a bone setting kit on Aubri's list, though. It certainly fits his criteria of
"nonmagical" and "spoiled by damp." But, oh, the weight! If only someone could come up with
better splints and casting material! It seems so stupid to be hauling wood and powdered rock!
 Aubri crossed his forelegs in front of him, and regarded both of them with a benign, almost paternal
expression on his face. "Well. Two more of my fledges go out to prove their wings. I think you'll like the
post; neither of you are the kind to pine after a city when you can thrash around in the forest and see
things no one else ever has before." He sighed. "Adventures are for the young, who haven't got bone
aches. Now meтАФI'm happy to be here in White Gryphon where I can sunbathe every day. But there
should be enough new discoveries there to make even two youngsters like you happy."
He did not mention that he knew their personal prime reason for being so happy with this
assignment; getting away from their beloved families. He had never acted as if he recognized them as
Skandranon's and Amberdrake's offspringтАФ
Well, he wouldn't; not while we were in training. But he's never even mentioned our parents
casually. Maybe he is a little absentminded in that direction; maybe he doesn't recognize us now
that we're grown.
"We're looking forward to it, sir," he said honestly. "And it'll be nice to be away from home for the
first time."
Aubri nodded, then grinned. "Oh, you aren't the only ones who've been interested in long
assignments outside the city, believe it or not. I told Judeth that she should never assign anyone to Five
who didn't have a good reason for being there as well as a good reason for getting away from home. I've
never seen anyone who fit those qualifications better than you two. And to tell you the truth, I had a third
reason to want you out thereтАФyou're a two-and-four team. That's a good combination for an outpost."
That was a gryphon paired with a human. That particular team was not all that usual among the
Silvers; people tended to team up with members of their own species. Usually the two-and-fours were
default teams, made up of those who couldn't find a compatible partner among their own kind. Quite
often they broke up after training, when a senior Silver could take a junior out of training as a partner.
Those who were in default two-and-fours generally did just that.
"I like a two-and-four for these remote postings," Aubri continued, then got that twinkle back in his
eye. "The teams are more flexible, more versatile. Even if some people think there's something wrong
with a gryphon who doesn't team up with one of his own."
Tad stared back at his superior with his head held high and challenge in his gaze. He'd heard that
one before, and it didn't ruffle his feathers. "Oh? Does that include you, too, sir?"
Aubri laughed. "Of course it does! Everyone knows I'm a twisted personality! All of us war veterans
are warped, it comes with combat! What's your excuse?"
Tad grinned back as the perfect answer came to him. "Family tradition, sir," he responded
immediately, prompting Aubri into another bray of laughter.
"Well said! And I can't wait to tell the Black Boy what you just told me; if that doesn't make his
nares redden, nothing will." He shook his head, and the feathers rustled. "Now, you two run along. Give
that list to the supply officer; he'll see to getting your basket packed up. All you need to worry about is
your own kit."
They both stood and snapped to attention. Aubri chuckled, and rose slowly to his feet to let them
outтАФold, maybe, but not dead yet.
As Tad had expected, his father already knew about the posting, and was outwardly (and loudly)