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

"Mine. Charming old fellow, Gulberan. Soul of generosity. Immensely fond of
children. Everyone loved him. We were very close."

Tyasan's word were reassuring, but Kedrigern wanted more. "Have you many
Scythian relatives?"

"None at all. Never did. Gulberan only went to Scythia for the climate. That and
the gold. Gold all over the place in Scythia, you know. Common as grass.
Peasants thatch their hovels with it. Birds use it to build their nests. But
enough small talk. You must come inside. Thrymm is around the palace somewhere.
She'll want to meet you, unless she's resting. This business with Cecil has her
depressed. Makes her sleepy."

"The prospect of invasion must be upsetting for her," said Kedrigern.

"Oh, that. Yes, I suppose so. No cause for concern, though. Once Cecil is up and
about, the neighbors will quiet down and there'll be no more talk of invasion."

Kedrigern nodded. He tried to look confident. This was a far more serious matter
than he had anticipated.

Tyasan took Princess' arm and said in a confiding way, "You'll meet Thrymm when
we dine, in any event. I expect you'd like to wash up and take a nap before
dinner. Travel is so fatiguing, and we've got quite a night planned. Feasting,
dancing, music. Jugglers, tumblers, performing dogs. Just like old times. eh,
Kedrigern?"

Princess brightened at every word Tyasan spoke. By the time he was done, she was
fluttering a full hand's breadth off the ground. "It sounds wonderful!" With a
sharp glance at Kedrigern, she added, "One does sacrifice certain amenities when
one lives in isolation on a mountaintop."

Kedrigern did not share her exhilaration. If he could not cure Cecil, he knew,
he would be obliged to help defend Tyasan's little kingdom against invasion, and
he disliked such work. It was always unpleasant. Sometimes it was downright
nasty. "I'd better have a look at Cecil."

"He's in his shed on the wall, next to the north tower."

"I'll go now, if you don't mind. Care to come along, my dear?"

"I leave it all in your hands," said Princess, practically glowing. "I have a
thousand things to do to get ready for this evening."

Cecil Dwelt in a spacious,well-constructed shed on the lee side of the tower. As
Kedrigern approached, he saw a boy and a girl sitting beside the entry. From a
distance, their posture suggested dejection; up close, their expressions
confirmed it. But the moment they caught sight of him they sprang up and ran to
his side to welcome him with joyous shouts.