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

"For one thing, I'd stay warm. I could sit under the fruit trees during the
heat of the day and work on my vocabulary


and my spelling. I have dozens of spells I want to practice. Evenings we would
entertain. Oh, Keddie, let's do it! You can settle everything here in a few
weeks, and we'll spend the whole winter in the sun. What a wonderful idea!"
she said, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him enthusiastically.
By afternoon, Kedrigern had convinced himself that going south for the
winter actually was a wonderful idea, and wondered why it had never occurred
to him before. He reclined on a cushioned bench in his front yard, sheltered
from the breeze. A book lay at his side. His face was upturned to the autumn
sun; his eyes were closed; a sleepy half-smile was on his face. Fall had
always been his favorite season, marred only by the inescapable arrival of
winter, his least favorite season. Now, by the simple expedient of going south
late in the fall, he could enjoy his pleasure to the full and escape his
displeasure completely. True, it required travel; but one could not expect to
get one's way without paying the price, as he had, on occasion, reminded a
client.
A soft fluttering of wings broke his reverie. He opened his eyes a slit and
saw, to his surprise, a pair of white doves hovering in the air just beyond
the foot Of the bench. In their beaks they held a broad golden ribbon. He
raised a hand slowly, so as not to frighten the timid birds, and rubbed his
eyes. Something was written on the ribbon. Shielding his vision from the glare
of the descending sun, Kedrigern read the message printed in great scarlet
letters:
WIZCON WELCOMES WONDERFUL WISE WIZARDS.
The doves abruptly wheeled and flew off, trailing their message, and
Kedrigern watched, smiling. A soft footfall made him turn, and he saw Princess
standing close by. In one hand was her vocabulary book; the other was raised
in a picturesque gesture, shading her eyes as she peered after the doves.
"What was that about, Keddie?" she asked.
"Just a reminder about Wizcon, my dear. The committee is promoting it very
aggressively."
"Hadn't you planned on attending?"
"Not exactly planned, no. I had thought of it, but it was all very
indefinite. It's out of the question now."


"But shouldn't you go to such things? I'm sure they're a great help to you
professionally. If you really think you should go, we can always leave for the
south a bit later."
"No, my dear. Wizcon has its attractions, but I'd rather be seated by your
side on a sunny terrace, looking out over the sea and drinking good red wine,
than putting up with noise and crowds."
She laid her hand on his shoulder. "As long as it's your choice, election,
and volition, Keddie, that's fine. But I'm sure you'd enjoy seeing some of
your old friends, companions, consociates, colleagues, and mates, and hearing
what they're all doing, and learning of new developments in the profession.
It's thoughtful of you to pass it up for my sake, but if you want to go, I'm