"Elizabeth Moon - Paksenarrion 3 - Oath Of Gold" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moon Elizabeth)

Oath of blood is Hart's bane
Oath of death is for the slain
Oath of stone the rockfolk swear
Oath of iron is Tir's domain
Oath of silver liars dare
Oath of gold will yet remainтАж
from The Oathsong of Mikeli

Chapter One

The village seemed faintly familiar, but most villages were much alike. Not until
she came to the crossroads with its inn did she realize she had been here before.
There was the paved inn court, and the wide door, and the bright sign The Jolly
Potboy hanging over it. Her breath seemed to freeze in her chest. The crossroads
was busier than she remembered there was much bustling in and out of the inn.
The windows to the common bar were wide open, and clear across the road she
heard a roar of laughter she recognized. She flinched. They might recognize her,
even in the clothes she wore now. She thought of the coins in her purse, and the
meal she'd hoped to buy but she could not go there, of all places, and order a
meal of Jos Hebbinford. Nor was there any other place to go: she was known in
Brewersbridge, and dared not beg a scrap from some housewife lest she be
recognized.
Paks shook her head, fighting back tears. Once she had ridden these streets
stayed at that inn had friends in every gathering.
"Here now, why so glum?" Paks started and looked up to see a man-at-arms in
the Count's livery watching her. He smiled when she met his eyes his face was
vaguely familiar. тАЬWe can't have pretty girls down in the mouth in our town,
sweetling let me buy you a mug of ale and cheer you up."
Paks felt her heart begin to pound fear clouded her eyes. тАЬNo no thank you, sir.
I'm fine I just thought of something...тАЭ
The man's eyes narrowed. тАЬYou're frightened. Is someone after you? This town's
safe enough; that's my job. You look like you need some kind of help let me know
what's wrong...тАЭ
Paks tried to edge around him, toward the north road. тАЬNo please, sir, I'm all
right."
He reached out and caught her arm. тАЬI don't think so. You remind me of
someone. I think perhaps the captain needs to see you unless you can account
better for yourself. Do you know anyone here, anyone who can vouch for you?
Where were you going to stay? Are you here for the fair?"
For an instant Paks's mind went totally blank, and then the names and faces of
those she remembered Marshal Cedfer, Hebbinford, Captain Sir Felis, Master
Senneth began to race past her eyes. But she couldn't call on them to vouch for
her. They had known her as a warrior, Phelan's veteran, the fighter who cleaned
out a den of robbers. She had left here to go to Fin Panir they had expected her to
return as a Marshal or knight. Even if they recognized her and she doubted they
would they would still despise or pity her. She trembled in the man's grasp like a
snared rabbit, and he was already pushing her along the north road toward the
keep when another memory came to her: a memory of quiet trees and a clear pool
and the dark wise face of the Kuakgan.
"I was going to the grove," she gasped. тАЬTo to see the Kuakgan."