"Jane Lindskold - Firekeeper Saga 1 - Through Wolf's Eyes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lindskold Jane)

Only after the expedition was planned, supplied (largely from King TedricтАЩs own pocketтАФhe didnтАЩt
believe it good policy to stint too greatly on his childrenтАЩs allowances), and on its way did the king learn
that Prince Barden, his wife, and his little daughter had not stayed at their keep in the foothills of the Iron
Mountains, but had gone beyond the gap to the other side.

The steward of West Keep delivered the news himself, bringing with him a letter from the prince.
BardenтАЩs plan had been well laid. Almost every lesser guard, groom, gardener, cook, or maidservant at
the keep had been of his party. The steward, left with only his core group, had not dared pursue them
and leave his trust untended.

By the time King Tedric learned of Prince BardenтАЩs departure, attempting to drag him back would have
been futile. Instead, the king disowned his younger son, blotting his name from the books and refusing to
let it be spoken by any in court or country. However, Derian knew, as did all the members of Earl
KestrelтАЩs expedition, that even in his fury the king had left himself a loophole.

Lady Blysse, BardenтАЩs daughter, had not been blotted from the records. She, if the need arose, could be
named to the succession. Prince Barden could even be named her regent if her grandfather so wished. In
those long-ago days, it had not seemed likely that King Tedric would ever so wish.

But things change, and those changes were why Derian Carter found himself one of six select men seated
around a fire, preparing to go through a mountain pass where, to their best knowledge, no human had
gone for twelve long years.

He shuddered deliciously at the thought of the adventure before them and turned his attention again to the
informal conference around the fire.

Earl Kestrel was finishing his diatribe against those who might have defied King TedricтАЩs wrath and made
profitable and secret trade with Prince BardenтАЩs group.

тАЬIt would be to their best interests,тАЭ he said, тАЬto never speak of their doings. Why risk royal censure?тАЭ
тАЬWhy,тАЭ added his cousin Jared, тАЬrisk having to share a closed market?тАЭ

тАЬIndeed,тАЭ the earl agreed approvingly. тАЬForester, as we move deeper into unknown territory, BardenтАЩs
people may not take such care to hide traces of their comings and goings. Keep a sharp eye out for
them.тАЭ

тАЬEver, my lord,тАЭ answered Race promptly and humbly. Then, тАЬMy lord, when we find them,тАЭ (he didnтАЩt
say what he had said frequently to Derian and Ox, that he thought Barden and his party all dead or fled
to some foreign country), тАЬhow shall we approach them?тАЭ

тАЬWe shall scout them,тАЭ Earl Kestrel said, тАЬfrom hiding if possible. When we have ascertained their
numbers and whether Prince Barden is among them I will choose the manner of my approach. If we find
an abandoned settlement, then we shall remain long enough to discover whether Prince Barden and his
people are dead or if they have merely moved elsewhere.

тАЬAny information,тАЭ he continued sanctimoniously, тАЬwill be of help and comfort to the king in his
bereavement.тАЭ

And youтАЩll find a way to turn it to your advantage, Derian thought sardonically.