"Jane Lindskold - Firekeeper Saga 4 - Wolf Captured" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lindskold Jane)

"The wolf still sleeps? Very good. I will look to him last. First, the king's counselor."

He walked to where Derian lay sprawled on the deck, knelt, and lifted the young man's head. As before,
Harjeedian spoke his conclusions aloud, though Firekeeper was uncertain just who was intended to be
his audience. Rarby never responded to anything said, nor did Harjeedian seem to expect a response.

"Breathing. That's good. A bit shallow. Vomit on mouth and face, but not sufficient to choke him. The
purge worked as planned then, but there must have been too much alcohol already in his blood."

Derian moaned, stirred, and tried to sit up. Harjeedian did not restrain him, and Derian succeeded in
propping himself onto one elbow. The chain securing his ankle clanked as he moved.

"Who theтАж What?" Derian managed rather incoherently. "Firekeeper?"

He blinked and his hazel eyes focused on Harjeedian. He paused as he registered the unfamiliar face,
Rarby standing a few paces beyond, and Shelby coming from above with waterskins slung over his
shoulders and a bucket in one hand.

"Who are you?" Derian asked, sounding more angry than afraid.

"Harjeedian will do," the man said, leaning forward to grasp Derian's free wrist. "I am your escort."

"Escort?" Derian wrested his wrist free and pulled himself into a sitting position. "Kidnapper is more like
it! Escort where? To whom? Did you ever think about issuing more usual invitations?"

"The ones who sent me do not think that way. They desire something, and what they desire will be
acquired for them. You will learn more of this in time."

Harjeedian smiled and Firekeeper was uneasily aware that this man was dangerous.

She was also unhappily aware that Harjeedian had spoken of whoever it was he served as "they." In the
back of her mind she had thought that their enemy was somehow connected to Queen Valora of the
Isles, but Valora would never be mistaken for more than one. Her husband was most definitely not a
power who could be spoken of in one breath with her as one might Princess Sapphire and her consort,
Prince Shad.

Harjeedian extended his hand for Derian's wrist.

"Cooperate with me and I will do what I can to eliminate any physical discomfort you are feeling. The
dosage of the drug my agent administered to you could only be estimated. I could not account accurately
for the alcohol in your system and though I took measures to ascertain that you would not be harmed, I
could notтАж "

"Who are you!" Derian roared, surging to his feet. "I want answers."

"You want something for your headache," Harjeedian said, rising with effortless grace. "You want a bath
and clean clothing. I can obtain these things for you, but only if you cooperate."

Derian stared down at Harjeedian, but for all the difference in their heightsтАФDerian was a very tall