"Elizabeth Moon - Paksenarrion 1 - The Sheepfarmer's Daughter" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moon Elizabeth)

with spears for cornerposts. She paused to catch her
breath and look at it. On either side, a man-at-arms with
breastplate, helmet, and sword stood guard. Inside was a
narrow table, with one stool before it, and a man seated
behind. Paksenarrion took a deep breath and walked
forward.
As she reached the booth, she realized that she was taller
than either of the men-at-arms. She waited for them to say
something, but they ignored her. She looked inside. Now
she could see that the man behind the table had gray hair,
cropped short, and a neatly trimmed mustache. When he
looked up at her, his eyes were a warm golden brown.
"This is a recruiting station for Duke Phelan's Company,"
he said as he met her gaze. "Were you looking for
someone?"
"No. I mean, yes. I mean, I was looking for you - for a
recruiting station, I mean." Paksenarrion reddened with
embarrassment.
"You?" The man stared a moment, then looked down
briefly. "You mean you wanted to join the Company?"
"Yes. My - my cousin said such companies accepted

file:///F|/rah/Elizabeth%20Moon/Moon,%20Elizab...arrion%2001%20-%20Sheepfarmer's%20Daughter.htm (10 of 653) [5/20/03 11:22:30 PM]
Elizabeth Moon - The Deed of Paksenarrion [vol 1] Sheepfarmer's Daughter


women."
"We do, though not so many want to join. Look тАФ mmm -
let's get a few things straight before we start. To join us
you must be eighteen winters old, healthy, with no
deformities, strong, tall enough - you have no problem
there - and not too stupid. If you're a drunkard, liar, thief,
or devil-worshipper, we'll throw you out the worse for
wear. You agree to serve for two years beyond your basic
training, which takes four to six months. You get no pay
as a recruit, but you do get room, board, and gear as well
as training. Your pay as a private in the Company is low,
but you'll share any plunder. Is that clear?"
"Aye," said Paksenarrion. "Clear enough. I'm over
eighteen, and I'm never sick. I've been working on the
moors, with sheep - I can lift as much as my brother
Sedlin, and he's a year older."
"Mmm. What do your parents think of your joining an
army?"
"Oh." Paksenarrion blushed again. "Well, to be honest,
my father doesn't know that's where I am. I - I ran away."
"He wanted you to wed." The man's eyes had a humorous
twinkle.
"Yes. A pig farmer тАФ "
"And you wanted someone else."