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

"It was especially unpleasant when she talked in her sleep," Tyasan said with a
slight shudder of distaste. "A single oversight in drawing up the guest list,
and it caused us no end of inconvenience and distress. You can imagine how
punctilious we were in sending out invitations to the royal christenings."

Kedrigern, not having received an invitation to either christening, was about to
speak, but Princess silenced him with a stern glance. He held back his retort
and instead asked, "This problem with the griffin, Tyasan. How long has . . .?"

Oblivious, Tyasan went on, "Ah, those were the good old days, were they not? How
I miss those long walks, those stimulating games of chess, those late night
conversations over a goblet of excellent wine, with the fire roaring. Many a
time have we seen the sun rise after a night of fine talk." He heaved a
nostalgic sigh and clapped Kedrigern warmly on the shoulder. "We really must
keep in touch, old friend."

Tyasan's cozy memories were pure fiction. Kedrigern again started to speak, but
Princess asked, "And what are the ages of the little prince and princess, your
highness?"

"Please, my dear, call me Tyasan. Better still, call me Ty. All my close friends
do, and I count you both among my closest friends."

"And your children?"

He gave her a puzzled look. "I count them as family."

"I meant their ages. How old are they?"

"Ah, yes, of course. Their ages. Eldry is the older by a year. She'll be about
eight or so very soon. And that would make Ashel about seven. Give or take a
year or two. Yes, that sounds right."

"And they're fond of this griffin?"

"My lady, they dote on the creature, and he is devoted to them. Cecil was a
christening gift to . . . one or the other. I can't recall now. The three of
them have grown up together."

"An unusual christening gift, isn't it?"

"A most unusual gift indeed, my lady. He was sent by a distant cousin from the
land of the Scythians. They have many strange customs in that part of the
world."

Kedrigern, recalling that one of the nastier Scythian customs had something to
do with feeding unruly children to a griffin, felt a twinge of alarm. "Your
cousin, or Queen Thrymm's?"