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

тАЬWho couldnтАЩt? None of us are deaf,тАЭ replied Race sarcastically. тАЬThe monsters must have been
readying themselves for a slaughter. IтАЩll bet Prince Barden lost his flocks within the first winter. These
woods are full of the thieving brutes.тАЭ

тАЬMy brother was given to the Wolf Society when he was born,тАЭ commented Ox, тАЬbut even he prefers to
appreciate wolves from a distance. Such cunning and ferocity is admirable in symbols perhaps, but I
donтАЩt want to find them on my doorstep.тАЭ

Over oat porridge and strong mint tea, they traded tales of wolf predation. Race began with the story of
the Mad Wolf of Garwood. Doc countered with the story of a wolf pack that wiped out a village one
winter when Hawk Haven was but a portion of the larger colony of Gildcrest. Everyone had at least one
such story to relate and the telling fired the blood for the dayтАЩs work.

Eventually, however, Earl Kestrel began briefing them on the activities planned for the day.

тАЬWe will search in two teams. I will take Ox. Race, you will take Jared. As we have seen no sign of
Prince Barden and his people to the east, I will go further north; you shall go to the west. Based on your
report yestereтАЩen, there is a river to the south. Let us wait to ford that until we must.тАЭ

Race nodded and the earl continued:

тАЬDerian and Valet will mind the camp. This is a good time to attend to the minor repairs we have been
postponing. Furthermore, the horses can use a rest.тАЭ

тАЬHow far from this base camp do you want us to go, my lord?тАЭ asked Race.

тАЬYou must return here by evening. We will each carry hunting horns. Three short blasts will signal a return
to camp. Two a request for aid. Remember, if at all possible, save first contact for me. Are there any
questions?тАЭ

Five heads shook a negative.

тАЬGet ready, then. Valet has made up packets of cold food for the midday meal. If you have anything to
be repaired, give it to Derian.тАЭ

A few moments later, in their shared tent, Derian accepted from Ox some leggings that needed mending.

тАЬEarl Kestrel isnтАЩt wasting any time, is he?тАЭ he commented. тАЬYesterday we slogged across a pass still
spotted with snow. Today he orders a full dayтАЩs search, even though a holiday would be a fair reward.тАЭ

тАЬYou forget,тАЭ Ox replied, checking the edge on the axe he carried with him as both weapon and tool,
тАЬthat our time here is limited. Even if Race succeeds in augmenting our supplies by hunting and fishing, we
need fodder for the horses. ItтАЩs too early in the year for them to do much grazing.тАЭ

тАЬI havenтАЩt forgotten,тАЭ Derian protested. тАЬRemember, my folks own stables in three towns!тАЭ

тАЬI know,тАЭ Ox said mildly. тАЬI simply didnтАЩt know that you did.тАЭ

When the others had departed, leaving behind enough chores to occupy Derian and Valet for a week,
Derian sighed, regretting now that his blistered feet kept him out of the adventure. Then, sitting