"Morressy, John - NestEgg" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morressy John)

With a sigh of relief, Thrymm said, "Cecil's himself again."

"But it won't last unless he stays in contact with a substantial amount of gold.
Once griffins reach a certain age, it's essential to their health. That's why
they use gold for nesting material back in Scythia," Kedrigern said.

"They only use it because it's so easily available. There's gold lying all over
the place in Scythia. Everyone knows that," said Tyasan.

"Everyone may be wrong. How much gold did your cousin Gulberan amass during his
stay?"

Tyasan reflected for a moment, then looked at them with an expression of
discomfort. "None, as a matter of fact. Poor old chap died penniless." When
neither Kedrigern nor Princess made reply, he went on desperately, "What if we
used brass? I'd have it polished up. It could pass for gold if we kept it
polished."

"Griffins are rude, but they're not stupid. Cecil wouldn't last long, and he'd
be a mighty angry griffin toward the end."

"Couldn't you hypnotize him, or create an illusion of some sort?"

Kedrigern shook his head. "It has to be real gold. Substitutions won't work."

They sat in silence, pondering the problem, and Princess looked up brightly and
said,. "Just as a temporary measure you might try gold leaf."

"Or maybe a nice cloth of gold blanket," Kedrigern added. "But only until you
can get enough gold together for a nest."

"We'll demand reparations from our neighbors," said Thrymm. "They ought to do
something to make up for all the annoyance they've caused with their talk of
invasion."

Tyasan stared dejectedly at the ground, slowly shaking his head. "They haven't
got a thimbleful of gold among them. All we'll get from that lot is hides and
firewood."

The four sat silent for a time. Thrymm raised her eyes to the heavens and said,
"Why couldn't Gulberan have sent the children a dog?"

"Maybe there are no dogs in Scythia."

The queen shrugged. "All right, a cat. Even a monkey would be less trouble."

"As protection, Cecil is worth a brigade of guards. He's devoted to Eldry and
Ashel. They couldn't have a better companion. Once he has his strength back,
he'll be able to take them flying. Dogs and cats can't do that," Kedrigern
pointed out. "Or monkeys."