"Sharon K. Penman - Here Be Dragons" - читать интересную книгу автора (Penman Sharon K)

Adda shed much of his awkwardness, and while he did not attempt the quintain,
he put the gelding through several intricate maneuvers, showing himself to be
a better rider than most of Llewelyn's friends.
Robert frowned. No matter how often he told himself that it was unchristian to
feel such abhorrence of deformity, he could not control his distaste, could
not keep his eyes from Adda's twisted leg. Thank the Lord Jesus that his torn
was sound of limb, that the younger boys, too, were whole.
"He lacks for spirit, that one. If not for Llewelyn's coaxing, I daresay he'd
never stir from the hearth."
"Well, it's hard on the lad, Rob, being lame. What future has he, after all?
Under Welsh law, that crooked leg bars him from any claim to his father's
lands."
Robert shrugged. "He's not like to starve. Their law also holds that he must
be provided for."
"True, but would you want to be taken care oflike a woman? At thirteen, Adda's
old enough to feel the shame of it."
I suppose," Robert agreed, without interest. It was not that he
wished Adda ill, merely that he regretted his engrafting onto the Corbet
.a y tree- It was fortunate indeed that Llewelyn was of more promis-
8 stock. "Tell me, Hugh, what plans have you made for Llewelyn's
Well, it is the custom in Wales for boys to be placed with a local when they
reach fourteen or so. Whilst in his service, they learn the
22
use of arms, the tactics of warfare, much like our youths do whilst serving as
squires. Margaret thought to send Llewelyn back to her brothers for such
training, but I think I've persuaded her that we should place him as a squire
in a Norman household. I daresay the boy will balk at first, but I feel such a
move would be in his best interest."
"That is just what I'd hoped you'd say, Hugh. You see, when I was in London at
Whitsuntide, I had the good fortune to encounter his Grace, the Earl of
Chester. Naturally the conversation turned to our common interests, protecting
our respective lands from Welsh raids He was most interested to learn that
your stepson is the grandson of Owain Fawr, and he suggested that he find a
place for the boy in his household."
"Jesu!" This was so far above Hugh's expectations that he was, for the moment,
speechless, and Robert grinned, well pleased with himself.
"I see I need not tell you what an opportunity this will be for the boy, for
us all. Chester is one of the greatest lords of the realm, and as shrewd as a
fox for all his youth. He saw at once the advantage of befriending a boy who
might one day rule in his grandfather's stead. Llewelyn has the blood-right,
after all, and most assuredly the spirit. With luck ..." He shrugged again and
said, "But a chance like this, to come to manhood in an Earl's household!
Loyalties given in youth often last for life. As Chester's squire, the
brilliance of Llewelyn's world cannot help but eclipse all he's learned in the
woodlands of Wales. He'll find himself amongst the greatest Norman lords, at
the royal court, and in time he'll come to embrace Norman values, to adopt
Norman traditions as his own."
Robert paused. "Do not misunderstand me, Hugh. I know how fond you are of the
boy, and I find him a likable lad myself. But I cannot help feeling a certain
disappointment that, after four years, he clings so tenaciously to the