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

through the grove now.
Across the clearing, at one end of the gray house, the Kuakgan stood watching
her, his face shadowed by the hood of his robe. Paks froze her heart began to
race. His voice came clear across the sound of the fountain, and yet it was not
loud. тАЬYou wished to speak to the Kuakgan?"
Paks felt cold, but sweat trickled down her ribs. тАЬSir, I came only to make an
offering."
The Kuakgan came closer. His robe, as she remembered, was dark green,
patterned in shades of green and brown with the shapes of leaves and branches.
тАЬI see. Most who make offerings here wish a favor in return. Advice, a potion, a
healing and you want nothing?" His voice, too, was as she remembered, deep and
resonant, full of overtones. As if, she thought suddenly, he had spent much time
with elves. His eyes, now visible as he came closer, seemed to pierce her with
their keen glance.
"No. No, sir, I want nothing." Paks dropped her gaze, stared at the ground,
hoping he would not recognize her, would let her go.
"Is it, then, an offering of thanks? Have you received some gift, that you share
your bounty? Not share, I see, for you have given everything even your last
copper. Can you say why?"
"No, sir." Paks sensed that he had come nearer yet, to the offering basin, still
watching her.
"Hmm. And yet I heard someone very like you tell a soldier that she wished to
speak with me, to ask me a question. Then I find you in my grove, filling the basin
with your last coin, and even your spare shirt and you have no question." He
paused. Paks watched as the shadow of his robe came closer. She shivered. тАЬBut
I have questions, if you do not. Look at me!" At his command, Paks's head
seemed to rise of its own accord. Her eyes filled with tears. тАЬMmm, yes. You came
to me once before for advice, if I recall. Was my counsel so bad that you refuse it
now Paksenarrion?"
Paks could not speak for the lump in her throat tears ran down her face.
She tried to turn away, but his strong hand caught her chin and held her facing
him.
"Much, I see, has happened to you since I last saw you. But I think you are not a
liar, whatever you've become. So you will ask your question, Paksenarrion, and
take counsel with me once again."
Paks fought the tightness in her throat and managed to speak. тАЬSir, I..I can't.
There's nothing you can do! Just let me go...тАЭ
"Nothing I can do? Best let me judge of that, child. As for going where would you
go, without money or pack?"
"Anywhere. East, or south to the hillsтАж it doesn't matter...тАЭ
"There's enough dead bones in those hills already. No, you won't go until you've
told me what your trouble is. Come now."
Paks found herself walking behind the Kuakgan to his house, her mind numb.
She saw without amazement the door open before he reached it. He ducked
slightly to clear the low lintel. Paks ducked too, and stepped down onto the cool
earthen floor of a large, long room. Across from her, windows opened on the
grove which came almost to the Kuakgan's house. The ceiling beams were hung
with bunches of pungent herbs. At the far end of the room gaped a vast fireplace,
its hearth swept and empty. Under the windows were two tables, one covered with
scrolls, and the other bare, with a bench near it