"George R. R. Martin - Ice and Fire 0 - The Hedge Knight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Martin George R R)

and I never knew a joust to change the price of eggs.тАЭ She eyed Dunk curiously; his sword and shield
told her one thing, his rope belt and roughspun tunic quite another. тАЬYouтАЩre bound for the tourney
yourself?тАЭ

He took a sip of the ale before he answered. A nut brown color it was, and thick on the tongue, the way
he liked it. тАЬAye,тАЭ he said. тАЬI mean to be a champion.тАЭ

тАЬDo you, now?тАЭ the innkeep answered, polite enough.

Across the room, the lordling raised his head from the wine puddle. His face had a sallow, unhealthy
cast to it beneath a ratтАЩs nest of sandy brown hair, and blond stubble crusted his chin. He rubbed his
mouth, blinked at Dunk, and said, тАЬI dreamed of you.тАЭ His hand trembled as he pointed a finger. тАЬYou
stay away from me, do you hear? You stay well away.тАЭ

Dunk stared at him uncertainly. тАЬMy lord?тАЭ

The innkeep leaned close. тАЬNever you mind that one, ser. All he does is drink and talk about his dreams.
IтАЩll see about that food.тАЭ She bustled off.

тАЬFood?тАЭ The lordling made the word an obscenity. He staggered to his feet, one hand on the table to
keep himself from falling. тАЬIтАЩm going to be sick,тАЭ he announced. The front of his tunic was crusty red
with old wine stains. тАЬI wanted a whore, but thereтАЩs none to be found here. All gone to Ashford
Meadow. Gods be good, I need some wine.тАЭ He lurched unsteadily from the common room, and Dunk
heard him climbing steps, singing under his breath.

A sad creature, thought Dunk. But why did he think he knew me? He pondered that a moment over his
ale.

The lamb was as good as any he had ever eaten, and the duck was even better, cooked with cherries and
lemons and not near as greasy as most. The innkeep brought buttered pease as well, and oaten bread still
hot from her oven. This is what it means to be a knight, he told himself as he sucked the last bit of meat
off the bone. Good food, and ale whenever I want it, and no one to clout me in the head. He had a
second tankard of ale with the meal, a third to wash it down, and a fourth because there was no one to
tell him he couldnтАЩt, and when he was done he paid the woman with a silver stag and still got back a
fistful of coppers.

It was full dark by the time Dunk emerged. His stomach was full and his purse was a little lighter, but he

file:///J|/sci-fi/Nieuwe%20map/George%20Martin%20-%...20and%20%20Fire%200%20-%20The%20Hedge%20Knight.html (4 of 66)16-2-2006 15:27:56
 george rr martin - thehedgeknight

felt good as he walked to the stables. Ahead, he heard a horse whicker. тАЬEasy, lad,тАЭ a boyтАЩs voice said.
Dunk quickened his step, frowning.

He found the stableboy mounted on Thunder and wearing the old manтАЩs armor. The hauberk was longer
than he was, and heтАЩd had to tilt the helm back on his bald head or else it would have covered his eyes.
He looked utterly intent, and utterly absurd. Dunk stopped in the stable door and laughed.

The boy looked up, flushed, vaulted to the ground. тАЬMy lord, I did not meanтАФ