"Mithgar - Hel's Crucible - 02 - Into The Fire" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKiernan Dennis L)

"Aye, it does. Once nearly all of the land within the ring of the Rimmen Mountains was covered with this forest, but men have hewn it down until but a remnant remains."

"Goodness," said Tip, shaking his head as he remembered the rolling plains he had scouted with Vail, "what a loss."

On they fared within the forest, and late in the day they crossed an ice-covered stone bridge above a frozen tributary of the Ironwater River. On the far side, the road swung southeastward, following along the stream.

"We'll camp here at the turn," said Bekki, glancing through bleak limbs at the cheerless sun.

"How much farther to Dael?" asked Beau, dismounting.

"Ten leagues and one mile minus some paces will bring us to the city walls," replied Bekki, loosening the cinch strap on his shag-haired pony.

"Barn rats," groaned Beau. "I was hoping we'd get to an inn tomorrow, but it looks more like two days, eh?"

Bekki turned and shook his head. "Not quite. Even with this snow and ice, a day and a half should see us there."

Beau hauled the saddle from his pony. "A day and a half, Tip, and then it's hot mulled wine and a bath for me."





Late the next day they came across a frozen man. With his cloak wrapped 'round and his back to a tree, he sal next to the road. Snow covered his feet and legs, and a white frost clung to him from the waist up. His icy face was chalky, and his eyes were frozen shut.

"Is it one of the Horde?" asked Tip.

Bekki shook his head. "Nay, I think not. By his garb it looks more to be a Daelsman. Caught in the storm, 1 deem."

"Aye," said Phais. "Though late in the storm, I would think. There is little snow clinging unto him."

"It could have been blown away," said Tip.

Loric cocked an eyebrow. "Mayhap, though I ween the words of Dara Phais more like to be true."

Beau finished his examination and turned to the others. "Well, he's frozen through and through; there's nothing we can do for him now." He looked at Bekki. "Maybe a pyre, for we won't be able to bury him in this rock-hard winter ground."

Bekki shook his head. "Instead we'll report him to the town militia. They will come with a wagon and bear him back to Dael. His kith need to identify him and mourn him properly."

"What about Wolves or such," asked Tip, "won't they be likely to, umЧ?"

"Nay, Tipperton," said Loric. "He is frozen solid and bears little scent, and though the storm was four days past, nought has yet defiled his remains. I deem he will stay untouched until the militia comes, unless there is a warming."

"I'll see if there's anything on him to say just who he was," said Beau, squatting down and prying open frozen pockets.

Tip frowned at this necessary yet rather grim business, but said nought.

Beau moved to the other side and in moments stood and shook his head.