"Dreamsnake" - читать интересную книгу автора (McIntyre Vonda N)

While Merideth and Snake cleaned her, Jesse looked away and would not speak.

Alex returned warily. УThe mareТs all right.Ф But his mind was not on the mare. He looked at Jesse, who still lay with her head turned toward the wall, one arm flung across her eyes.

УJesse knows how to pick a good horse,Ф Merideth said, attempting cheerfulness. The tension was brittle as glass. Both partners stared at Jesse, but she did not move.

УLet her sleep,Ф Snake said, not knowing whether Jesse was asleep or not. УSheТll be hungry when she wakes up. I hope you have something she can eat.Ф

Their frozen attention broke in relieved if slightly frantic activity. Merideth rummaged in sacks and pouches and brought out dried meat, dried fruit, a leather flask. УThis is wineЧcan she have that?Ф

УShe hasnТt got a serious concussion,Ф Snake said. УThe wine should be all right.Ф It might even help, she thought, unless alcohol makes her morose. УBut that jerkyЧФ

УIТll make broth,Ф Alex said. He pulled a metal pot from a jumble of equipment, drew his knife from his belt, and began to cut a chunk of jerky into bits. Merideth poured wine over shriveled sections of fruit. The sharp sweet fragrance rose and Snake realized she was both thirsty and ravenous. The desert people seemed to skip meals without noticing, but Snake had reached the oasis two days agoЧor was it three?Чand she had not eaten much while sleeping off the venom reaction. It was not good manners to ask for food or water in this region, because it was worse manners not to offer. Manners hardly seemed important right now. She was shaky with hunger.

УGods, IТm hungry,Ф Merideth said in astonishment, as if reading SnakeТs feelings. УArenТt you?Ф

УWell, yes,Ф Alex said reluctantly.

УAnd as hostsЧФ Apologetically, Merideth handed Snake the flask and found more bowls, more fruit. Snake drank cool-hot spicy wine, the first gulp too deep. She coughed; it was powerful stuff. She drank again and handed the flask back. Merideth drank; Alex took the leather bottle and poured a generous portion into the cooking pot. Only then did he sip the wine himself, quickly, before taking the broth outside to the tiny paraffin stove. The desert heat was so oppressive that they could not even feel the heat of the flame. It flickered like a transparent mirage against the black sand, and Snake felt fresh perspiration sliding down her temples and between her breasts. She wiped her sleeve across her forehead.

They breakfasted on jerky and fruit, and the wine, which struck quickly and hard. Alex began to yawn almost immediately, but every time he nodded, he staggered to his feet and went outside to stir JesseТs broth.

УAlex, go to sleep,Ф Merideth finally said.

УNo, IТm not tired.Ф He stirred, tasted, took the pot off the fire, set it inside to cool.

УAlexЧФ Merideth took his hand and drew him to the patterned rug. УIf she calls us, weТll hear her. If she moves, weТll go to her. We canТt help her if weТre falling over our own feet from weariness.Ф

УBut IЕ IЕФ Alex shook his head, but fatigue and the wine stayed with him. УWhat about you?Ф

УYour night was harder than my ride. I need to relax a few more minutes, but then IТll come to bed.Ф

Reluctantly, gratefully, Alex lay down nearby. Merideth stroked his hair until, in a few moments, Alex began to snore. Merideth glanced at Snake and smiled. УWhen he first came with us, Jesse and I wondered how we could ever sleep with such a noise. Now we can hardly sleep without it.Ф

AlexТs snore was loud and low, and every so often he caught his breath and snuffled. Snake smiled. УYou can get used to nearly anything, I guess.Ф She took one last sip of wine and returned the flask. Merideth, reaching for it, suddenly hiccupped, then, blushing, stoppered the bottle instead of drinking.

УWine affects me too easily. I should never use it.Ф

УAt least you know. You probably never make a fool of yourself.Ф

УWhen I was youngerЧФ Merideth laughed at memories. УI was foolish then, and poor as well. A bad combination.Ф

УI can think of better.Ф

УNow weТre rich, and IТm perhaps a little less foolish. But what good is it all, healer? Money canТt help Jesse. Nor wisdom.Ф

УYouТre right,Ф Snake said. УThey canТt help her, and neither can I. Only you and Alex can.Ф

УI know it.Ф MeridethТs voice was soft and sad. УBut it will take Jesse a long time to get used to that.Ф