"Mercedes Lackey - Brightly Burning" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lackey Mercedes)

bookwork before. . . .
But as he continued to stammer his thanks, he evidently sounded sincere enough to satisfy both
his mother and father. They dismissed him, and made no objection when he went back to his room.
He stood beside his bed in the open window, staring at the blank wall of the neighborтАЩs house,
close enough that if he leaned out, he could touch it. The wall seemed an apt reflection of his state of
mind.
 Only one thought was at all clear.
Now what am I getting into?
TWO
ONE of the manservants woke Lan at dawn the next morning, gave him barely enough time to
dress, and chased him downstairs. While the sullen fellow stood there with his arms crossed, tapping one
foot, Lan threw on the first things that came to hand-his tunic and trews from yesterday. His mother
waited for him at the foot of the stairs, and eyed him with patent disfavor.
тАЬGet back up there and put on something decent. You donтАЩt have to make people think weтАЩre
too niggardly to clothe our children properly,тАЭ she ordered sharply. тАЬAnd get your hair out of your face.
You look like a peasant.тАЭ
He straightened abruptly with resentment, but didnтАЩt feel up to a verbal joust that heтАЩd only get
the worst of, since most of what he would like to say was likely to bring on some sort of punishment.
Instead, he stalked back upstairs with his spine making a statement of irritation and did as he was
ordered. He rummaged through his wardrobe, changing into tunic, shirt, and trews of his fatherтАЩs best
white linen and indigo-blue wool, and slicking his hair back with a wet brush.
And if something happens that I get this stuff dirty or scuffed up, IтАЩll no doubt hear all about my
carelessness.
His mother gave him a brusque nod of approval when he descended again, and allowed him to
proceed to the breakfast table. The sun was just at the horizon as the servants placed his food in front of
him, for once in company with Sam as well as his father and mother. Samael didnтАЩt have much to say this
morning, and Nelda ate quickly, leaving the table before any of the male members of the family. Lan had
the distinct feeling that once she had made certain that he wasnтАЩt going to disgrace her in the way of his
appearance, she felt that her duties had been entirely discharged.
Towering over his brother, Sam nodded at Lan as he shoved his empty bowl and plate away,
reached for a last hot buttered roll, and stood up. Sam had his fatherтАЩs height, his motherтАЩs handsome
looks with auburn hair and hazel eyes, and a gentle patience that couldnтАЩt have come from either parent.
Lan often wished that Sam had more time for him; he had more confidence in SamтАЩs temper than that of
his elders. тАЬGood luck today, little brother,тАЭ he said as he headed for the door himself, giving a quick
shake of his head to get his own red-brown hair out of his eyes and a sympathetic grin at his sibling.
SamтАЩs clothing was a utilitarian dark gray, so as not to show dye stains, and it was a bit worn at the
hems; Lan couldnтАЩt help notice that he and Sam had been dressed almost identically before Nelda had
made Lan change.
But Mother never says anything about him looking like a peasant.
тАЬGet another helping while I finish,тАЭ Archer ordered, his long face wearing an expression of
solemn satisfaction with his meal. тАЬIтАЩll take you to the school myself today; after this, you find your own
way.тАЭ
So Lan took an unwanted roll and slowly picked it to pieces while his father worked his way
through porridge and eggs and bacon, hot rolls, and small ale. His emotions were so mixed at this point
that he couldnтАЩt sort them out. They blended into a general tension that had him ready to spring up like a
startled hare at the least provocation. In contrast, Archer was at his most stolid and phlegmatic this
morning, moving so slowly and deliberately that Lan wanted to scream.
Finally, at long last, Archer waved away the hovering servant offering yet another helping, and
pushed away from the table. Lan leaped up from his place causing Archer to make a sound that could
have been a smothered chuckle, perhaps at what he thought was LanтАЩs eagerness. тАЬCome along,тАЭ was all