"Modesitt, L E - Recluse 12 - The Wellspring of Chaos" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

The nearer man, the one who had started to rip away SanyleТs blouse, turned. A
blade hissed from the scabbard at his belt.
Kharl took another step and struck the blade and the manТs hand with the cudgel
before the man had finished turning toward the cooper. The shortsword dropped on
the cobblestones of the alley with a muffled clank.
УAhЕ swine-slimeЕ misbegottenЕФ The youth jumped back, cradling his hand. The
dark blue velvet of his tunic was almost lost in the dimness.
The second man let go of Sanyle, and his right hand darted toward
the hilt of his blade.
УDonТtЕФ growled the cooper. У СLess you want a broken arm. Just let her go, and
back away and head back where you came from. Have fun with your own or those you
pay.Ф
As soon as the man had released her, Sanyle slipped away into the shadows. There
was a glint on the heavy brass key she held, and then the rear door of the
structure beside the cooperage opened, and quickly shut.
УYou canТt do this.Ф The taller young man, who was still half a head shorter
than the cooper, kept his hand on the hilt of his blade, but did not draw it.
УYou donТt know who youТre talking toЕФ
УDoesnТt matter,Ф growled the cooper. УDonТt force girls barely old enough to
know the difference Сtween boys and men.Ф
УTheyТre all the same.Ф
Kharl raised the cudgel slightly. УBack off, little man, Сless you never want to
use that arm again.Ф
The shorter youth scooped up the fallen blade with his left hand and backed
away. After a moment, the taller one followed.
Kharl stood watching until the two were out of sight, and until the alley was
quiet once more. Then he turned and reentered the cooperage, wondering from what
merchantsТ houses had come the overdressed and
spoiled youths. With a snort, he set down the heavy cudgel and barred the door.
After reclaiming the lamp, he started up the steps to the quarters above the
cooperage. His boots thumped heavily on the wood, and the fourth step creaked,
as it had for years.
Charee stood just inside the door at the top of the stairs. Shoulder-length
black hair was bound back from her face, making it seem even narrower than it
was. Her green eyes were cool. УYour supperТs cold. Thought you were coming up
sooner.Ф
УI was. Heard something out back. Wanted to make sure that it wasnТt someone
trying to break in. Just a pair of youngsters thought they were men, drinking
too much for ones so young.Ф Kharl had no intention of saying more about the
would-be bravos. For all her virtues, Charee lacked oneЧthat of circumspection.
The young men could scarcely have picked out one crafter in gray from another,
not unless Charee told the entire lane. Because she well might have, while
suggesting that Kharl was being foolish, Kharl saw little point in calling
attention to the incident. Sanyle would doubtless tell her widower father, but
the scrivener was more than taciturn, as were his children.
УWonТt you ever leave well enough alone, Kharl? Leave the roisterers alone. Or
if you must, call them to the attention of Lord WestТs Watch. ThatТs what he
draws his tariffs for. YouТve got a consort and sons that need youЕФ
. УMy hard-won coins, leastwise.Ф Kharl shut the door to the stairs and the shop
below and walked toward the washroom on the right side of the landing.