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

is molting in an unsightly way, and does not respond to treatment; and

Whereas the physicians and chirurgeons of the court are unable to find the
cause of this noble creature's suffering, much less a cure for it, and

Whereas the aforesaid Cecil's condition manifests signs of magical origin,
viz. a malediction placed upon him by enemies of the kingdom with the aim of
distressing, discomposing, and discomfiting Our Royal Self and the Royal Family,

Therefore your presence is urgently required at Castle Contrecoeur. Come at
once.

Kedrigern flung the message to the floor, where it promptly rolled itself up. He
paced about the room, muttering and kicking the scroll before him, and at last
he snatched it up, dropped into a chair, and glared into the fire.

His wife looked into the doorway. "What is it now?"

He thrust the scroll at her. "This. It just arrived. From Tyasan."

"I don't recall the name. Do we know him?"

"He has a small kingdom off to the north of the Dismal Bog. I did him a service
nine or ten years ago, and now he wants me to drop everything and run to his aid
again."

Princess took the scroll and opened it out on the table, placing heavy
candelabra at top and bottom to keep it from rerolling. She read it over and
said, "It seems reasonable. He's got a sick griffin on his hands, and he wants
you to help. Can't you?"

"He wants a physician. A very highly specialized physician. I'm a wizard. I
don't do griffins."

"Griffins are mythical creatures. Maybe they require treatment by a wizard."

Kedrigern reflected on that for a moment, then shook his head. "Not so far as I
know. I've heard of griffins being cured by holy men, but not by wizards."

"This might be a special case."

Kedrigern scowled. "Kings always think their problems are a special case."

Placing her arms akimbo, Princess gave him a straight look. "My father was a
king."

Kedrigern was willing to give a bit, but not too much. "I'm sure he was a very
nice king. But I never met your father. Most of the kings I've met have been . .
. well, just look at that note! The arrogance of the man! As if he need only
snap his fingers and I'm to drop everything I'm doing and run off to hold his