"Tamora Pierce - Protector Of The Small 3 - Squire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pierce Tamora)

love you all," she assured the fifty-odd birds. "But this isn't practical." She stopped, seeing all those black
button eyes fixed on her. They were dressed as soberly as merchants in brown and tan, the males
black-capped and black-collared, but Kel knew they were far from sober. She had seen them in battle,
their tiny claws and beaks red with the blood of her enemies, or riding gleefully on Jump's back. Most
had come to the flock as newborns, raised in the courtyard and introduced to Kel by their elders.
At last Kel sighed. "I can't think of anything else. Either you understand me or you don't."
Crown, named for the pale spot on her head and her imperious ways, hopped to Kel's shoulder. She
chattered at the flock, looking from face to face as a human might. At last she uttered a series of trills.
Most of the flock took to the air. They circled Kel like a feathered cyclone, then sped out the window.
When Kel walked over to see where they had gone, they were settled in their home courtyard one story
below.
Kel turned to see five sparrows - three females, two males - land on Lalasa's chair and sewing. The
one-footed female named Peg settled on Lalasa's shoulder with a peep. Lalasa smiled as she stroked
Peg's chest.
"Who needs to talk?" she asked, her voice wobbling. "I know what you mean. You are all welcome at
my home."
 "Peg fetched me the night Vinson grabbed you," Kel said. "I suppose she feels you belong to her now."
She took Lalasa's hand. "You are still part of Mindelan, too. If you need a voice at court, or help, or just
a friend, I hope you will come to me."
Lalasa wiped her eyes on her sleeve. "I am still your maid, so it only makes sense that you bring me
your clothes. I can never repay you for all you have done. I don't even want to." She stood. "If you'll
excuse me, my lady, I need more green thread. You will sleep here tonight?" Kel nodded. "Good. I
should have the rest of these done by bedtime." She left before Kel could say anything.
"These aren't goodbyes," Kel told herself. "Just the next chapter in our lives." She looked at her bed to
see who had stayed with her and Jump. Crown, the white-spotted male named Freckle, and ten other
sparrows perched there.
"You'll come with me?" she inquired.
Crown nodded.
"Thank you," Kel told them. "I hope you like our new quarters. Do you want to see them?"
two

THE KING'S OWN

Kel needed only a key to enter her quarters, no magic password. It seemed unlikely that anyone
would maul her things and paint on her walls, as they had her first year, when the connecting door now
led to Lord Raoul's suite. Once inside, she looked around. This room, bigger than her squire's and page's
quarters combined, boasted a desk, a bookcase, armor and weapons racks, and a map of Tortall over
the desk. A dressing room with its attached privy was opposite the door that led to Lord Raoul's rooms.
Her belongings were here. Lalasa had set Kel's collection of Yamani waving cat figures on the mantel.
Kel's old books were beside those already in the case. Her clothespress, weapons, and all the things she
exercised with were neatly arranged; her silk painting of two Yamanis dueling with glaives was hung. The
bed had fresh sheets and pillows: Kel or Lalasa would bring her nightclothes and blankets in the morning.
Even the birds' and Jump's dishes were there, filled and ready. The twelve sparrows flew to them
instantly.
Looking around, Kel suddenly realized the connecting door was ajar. From inside Lord Raoul's rooms
she heard voices.
"тАж isn't decent. You know court gossips, Raoul. They'll have you in bed with her before today is
done!"
"Now I'm confused, Flyn." That was Lord Raoul's voice, slow and good-humored. "I thought they've
had me in bed with other men for years, since I'm not married."