"Derek Paterson - The Kaiserine's Champion" - читать интересную книгу автора (Paterson Derek)

unbidden, though I'd no idea why.
 "So, this is the swordsman,тАЭ he said. тАЬYou have him in chains, I see."

"Yes, sir,тАЭ the sergeant said. тАЬExtremely dangerous, sir. Killed six of the Duke's Wardens single-handed,
he did, and put another three in the infirmary. The doctor says they'll be out of action for weeks. Duke
Wilhelm isтАФ"

"I know what Duke Wilhelm is,тАЭ my visitor said softly, and the chill in his voice did not go unnoticed. He
nudged my foot with the polished toe of his boot. тАЬSo, what have you to say for yourself, you
scoundrel?"

I had nothing to say, to him or any other passing aristo who thought it might be amusing to drop in and
taunt me before I died, so I kept my mouth shut.

"Cat got your tongue, mmm? Sergeant, I want to talk to this rogue in private. Close the door on your
way out."

"But, sirтАФ"

"He's chained to the wall, Sergeant,тАЭ the tall man said wearily. тАЬI think I'll be safe enough, don't you?"

The sergeant frowned, but did as he was told. The door clicked shut behind him. At that moment the
hammering stopped, as if the two events were somehow related.

"It sounds like they're ready for you,тАЭ my nameless visitor said. тАЬIn which case I'd best make this short,
lest we're interrupted before we conclude our business."

Curiosity made me ask, тАЬWhat business? Who are you, and what do you want of me?"

Ignoring my questions, he said, тАЬIt isn't every day I get to meet a swordsman of your caliber. Six
Wardens dead and another three wounded, eh? Remarkable.тАЭ He took a silk handkerchief from his
sleeve and dropped it onto my lap. I hesitated to touch it, but he nodded, so I picked it up and used it to
wipe my face. When I offered to return it he shook his head. тАЬWhy don't you tell me what happened last
night?тАЭ he said.

"I think you already know."

"They say you picked a fight with the Duke's men."

"The Duke's ruffians, you mean.тАЭ I couldn't keep the anger and resentment from my voice. тАЬThey're the
ones who swaggered into the tavern and picked a fight, not me."

"They picked on you?"

I hesitated before answering. тАЬNo. A young lad, sitting quietly in a corner with his girl, doing noone any
harm."

"A friend of yours, was he? Your brother? A cousin?"

I shook my head again, and my visitor chuckled darkly. тАЬLet me guess what happened,тАЭ he said. тАЬThe