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

тАЬAlways,тАЭ the One Male promised her, тАЬbut since before I was born each One has told those who may
follow that there is a trust held by our pack for you. When your people return, we have sworn to bring
you back to them. It is an ancient trust, given, so our tales say, to your own mother.тАЭ

Firekeeper was silenced by astonishment. Then she blurted out indignantly:

тАЬI was never told of this!тАЭ

тАЬYou,тАЭ the One Male said gently, тАЬhave never been considered old enough to know. Only those who
may one day lead the pack are told of this trust, so that they may vow to keep it in their turn.тАЭ

The human admitted the justice of this, but hot tears of frustration and anticipated grief burned in her
eyes.

тАЬWhat if I want nothing of this trust, given to a mother I cannot remember?тАЭ

тАЬYou will always be a wolf, Firekeeper,тАЭ the One Male said. тАЬMeet the two-legs. Learn of them. If you
do not care for their ways, come back to the pack. A wise wolf,тАЭ he continued, quoting another proverb,
тАЬscouts the prey, knows when to hunt, when to stay away.тАЭ

тАЬIf I did less,тАЭ Firekeeper admitted, wiping the tears away with the back of one hand, тАЬI would be less
than a wolf. Let me begin by scouting the two-legs. When I have learned who leads, who follows, then I
will make myself known to them.тАЭ
тАЬWise,тАЭ the One Male said. тАЬThe thoughts of a wolf and the courage as well.тАЭ

тАЬTell me where to find them,тАЭ Firekeeper said, rising. тАЬCall my coming to our kin along the trail that they
may guide and protect me.тАЭ

тАЬI willтАжтАЭ

The One MaleтАЩs words were interrupted by a husky voice from the denтАЩs opening. An elegant head, pure
silver, unmarred with white or black, showed against the shadows.

тАЬGo after tonight, Little Two-legs,тАЭ said the One Female. тАЬTonight I will bring out your new brothers and
sisters so that you may know them and they you. Then, fully of the pack, you may be heartened for your
task.тАЭ

Overcome with joy, Firekeeper leapt straight into the air. тАЬFather, Mother, may I cry the pack together?тАЭ

тАЬDo, Little Two-legs,тАЭ said the One Female. тАЬLoud and long, so that even the scouts come home. Call
our family together.тАЭ


тАЬWe pass through the gap tomorrow,тАЭ announced Race Forester as they gathered round the fire after
dinner that night. тАЬThen, we will need to slow our progress. Earl KestrelтАжтАЭ he dipped his head in
respectful acknowledgment, тАЬhas collected reports from the trappers and peddlers who had contact with
Prince Barden. They all agree that he did not intend to go much further than the first good site beyond the
mountains. He wanted to be well away from settled lands, but I suspect not so far that trade could not be
established later.тАЭ