"John Morressy - The Questing Of Kedrigern" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morressy John)

eyes on a grimy sleeve.
"There, there, Bess," Kedrigern said, giving her a consoling hug. "We don't
want to think about that now. What we have to do is find Princess."
"And it's about time, too," said a tiny voice.
"Princess! Where are you, my love?"
"Where I won't be stepped on by anyone's clumsy feet. Is it safe to come
out?''
"There's only Bess and I, dear."
"And two statues," Bess added. "They won't hurt you, love,"
From behind an overturned stool near the fireplace hopped an elegant little
green toad with a tiny gold circlet on its head. Kedrigern covered his eyes,
shook his head, and groaned, "Oh, dear me."
"Stop moaning and give me a hand," the wee voice said angrily.
Kedrigern stooped and extended his hand. Princess hopped to his palm, and he
raised it to eye-level. She was a very attractive toad, as toads go.
"The important thing is not to get excited, my dear," he said. "We'll work
this out. Everything will be all right."
"I'm not excited. I'm being very calm. Just get me back to human again as
quick as you can."
"Of course I shall, my dear. Depend on it."
"Use the counterspell you used when we met. Just one more time. Hurry."
"Ah. That counterspell. Yes. Well, you see, my dear, that was a one-time
counterspell. As a rule, that's all the situation requires."
"Are you saying you can't use it on me a second time?"
"I'm afraid not, my dear."
"Then get another one!" said Princess, sounding a bit more excited.
"Of course. I'll have to find the young man who enchanted you, and learn
what spell he used. I'm sure I know a counter for it. Bess will help us all
she can."
"I will! Oh, I will, love!" Bess said fervently.
"Well, where is he? What did you do to him?"
"Did you say you turned them into flies, Bess?" Kedrigern inquired.
"I did. It was the first thing came to me mind."
"Flies? Flies?!" Princess shrilled.
"That's right, my dear. So all we have to doтАФ"
"Keddie, I ate them!"
"Ate them?" Kedrigern repeated numbly.
"All of a sudden I was a toad again, and here were two fat flies buzzing
right in front of me, practically asking to be eaten. So I snapped them up. It
was instinctive."
"This may complicate things a bit."
"Oh, Keddie!" Princess lamented in her tiny voice.
"Now, my dear, be brave. We've been through worse than this," Kedrigern said
gently.
"He's right, love. Look on the bright side," Bess urged.
"There's isn't any bright side. I'm a toad again!"
"But you're speaking, my dear. Can you sing?"
In response to Kedrigern's inquiry, she ran through the scale. It came out
sounding high and a bit tinny, but it was undeniably singing of a fair order.
"Well, now, you can speak and sing as well as ever. That's a good sign,"