"Andre Norton - Witch World - Lore of the Witch World" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

weavingтАФstill, not a womanтАж"

She raised the ribband to her cheek. There was a wonder in such
weaving which brought to life in her a fierce longing to know more and
more.

"You are right." The captain's voice broke her preoccupation with that
need to learn. "This comes from Usturt. Had a man but two full bolts of it
within his cargo he could count triple profits from such a voyage alone."

"Where lies Usturt?" Dairine demanded. If she could go thereтАФlearn
what could be learned. "And who are the weavers? I do not see them as
beings like unto our own people."

She heard his breath hiss again. 'To see the weavers," he said in a low
voice, "is death. They hate all mankindтАФ"

"Not so, Lord Captain!" Dairine answered him then. "It is not mankind
that they hateтАФit is all males." From the strip between her fingers came
that knowledge.

For a moment she was silent. Did he doubt her?

"At least no man sails willingly to Usturt," he replied. "I had that length
from one who escaped with his bare life. He died upon our deck shortly
after we fished him from a waterlogged raft."

"Captain," she stroked the silk, "you have said that this weaving is a
true treasure. My people are very poor and grow poorer. If one were to
learn the secret of such weaving, might not good come of it?"

With a sharp jerk he took the ribband from her.

"There is no such way."
 "But there is!" Her words came in an eager tumble, one upon the other.
"WomenтАФor female thingsтАФwove this. They might treat with a
womanтАФone who was already a weaver."

Great, callused hands closed upon her shoulders.

"Girl, not for all me gold in Karsten would I send any woman into
Usturt! You know not of what you speak. It is true that you have gifts of
the Talent. But you are no confirmed Guardian, and you are blind. What
you suggest is such a follyтАФ Aye, Vidrath, what is it now?"

Dairine had already sensed that someone had approached.

"The tide rises. For better mooring, captain, we need move beyond the
rocks."