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

Herdrek had changed her loom as the girl suggested might be done.
From Ingvarna she learned the mysteries of dyes, experimenting on her
own. She had no real friend among the few children of the dying village.
Firstly, because she did not range much afield, save with Ingvarna, of
whom most were in awe. Secondly, because her actions were strange and
she seemed serious and more adult than the years they believed to be hers.

In the sixth year after her coming, a Sulcar ship put in at Rannock, the
first strange vessel sighted since the wreck of the slaver. Its captain
brought news that the long war was at last over.

The defeat of the Karsten invaders, who so drained the powers of the
rulers of Estcarp, had been complete. Koris of Gorm was now Commander
of Estcarp, since so many of the Guardians had perished when they turned
the full extent of their power upon the enemy. Yet the land was hardly at
peace. The sea wolves of the coast had been augmented by ships of the
broken and defeated navy of Karsten. As in times of chaos, other
wolfheads, without any true lands or allegiance, now ravaged the land
wherever they might Though the forces under Captain General Koris
sought to protect the boundaries, yet to defeat such hit-and-run raids was
well beyond the ability of any defending force.

The Sulcar Captain was impressed by the latest length of Dairine's
weaving, offering for it, when he bargained with Ingvarna, a much better
price than he had thought to pay out in this forgotten village. He was
much interested also in the girl, speaking to her slowly in several tongues.
However, she answered him only in the language of Estcarp, saying she
knew no other.

Still, he remarked privately to Ingvarna that somewhere in the past he
had seen those like unto her, though where and when during his travels he
could not bring to mind. Still, he thought that she was not of common
stock.

It was a year later that the Wise Woman wrought the best she could for
her sea-gift foundling.

No one knew how old Ingvarna was, for the Wise Woman showed no
advance of age, as did those less learned in the many uses of herbs and
medicants. But it was true that she walked more slowly, and that she no
longer went alone when she sought out certain places of Power, taking
Dairine ever with her. What the two did there no one knew, for who would
spy on any woman with the Witch Talent?

On this day, the few fishing boats had taken to sea before dawn. At
moonrise the night before the Wise Woman and her fosterling had gone
inland to visit a certain very ancient place. There Ingvarna kindled a fire
which burned not naturally red but rather blue. Into those flames she
tossed small, tightly bound bundles of dried herbs so that the smoke which
arose was heavily scented. But she watched not that fire. Rather, a slab of