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

Kel wasn't sure if she ought to tell this man, however kindly disposed he was, about her anonymous
benefactor. That person had sent her gifts during her page years, from exercise balls to help her
strengthen her grip, to weapons. She decided to be quiet for now. There was a Yamani saying: "You
need never unsay anything that you did not say in the first place."
They went to the stables, then to the armory that served the King's Own. All of the equipment she
chose passed Qasim's painstaking inspection. He loaded her with things she did not have - tack for
Hoshi, a chain mail shirt, a padded round helm, even a square leather carrier that fastened onto the back
of her saddle. The men of the Own often traveled with hawks and dogs in case they had to hunt or track.
Like the company's terriers, Jump would ride in style.
Putting her gear away, Kel realized that an important moment in her life had come and gone as she
chose a riding saddle and inspected shields. For the first time a warrior had thoroughly tested her
knowledge of equipment, and she had passed. Qasim had rejected none of her choices. It was all the
more startling to Kel because he'd done it in such a matter-of-fact, commonplace way.
Today she'd dealt with two men who took her on her own terms. Thank you, Mithros, for this gift, she
thought to the god of war and law. Then she remembered that she was at her window, grinning foolishly.
Shaking her head at her own folly, she got back to work.
It was nearly suppertime when Kel finished putting everything away. She had one more thing to do
concerning Peachblossom. She had thought to go to Daine - the Wildmage was home, Kel knew - but
she chose to talk to the gelding on her own first. She didn't know if this was because she respected
Peachblossom so much that she thought he might listen, or because she resented the idea that he would
listen to Daine and not his rider. Whatever the reason, she prayed this would work Like other palace
animals, Peachblossom had grown more intelligent in human terms over the years. By this point, surely,
Kel didn't need Daine to translate.
The stable was deserted. No one was there to snicker at her. "Uhm, Peachblossom? Could I have a
word?" she asked the gelding. She hadn't brought any treats. This was too important for bribes.
He walked to the front of the stall and, in a rare gesture of affection, thrust his long brown muzzle
against Kel's chest. He snorted at the smell of old iron left by chain mail but didn't move away.
Kel stroked him. "We're going to be with plenty of other horses," she told him. "Hoshi's just the start."
Peachblossom threw up his head to eye Hoshi. The mare, quietly eating hay next door, switched her
tail as if to say, Go away, boy.
"Nobody will be able to work if you're forever biting them," Kel said. "We could get in trouble if you
start fights. They might make me leave you behind."
Peachblossom fixed her squarely with one eye.
"I don't know if they will," she amended, scrupulously honest. "But it seems likely. We'll always be
together when I'm a knight - surely you know that. But consider getting along here? You don't have to be
friendly. Just don't make trouble."
The thought of having to leave him made her eyes sting. She loved every scarred, irritable inch of
Peachblossom. She knew she would like Hoshi: she was a gift from Lord Raoul. She also seemed like a
horse who could view disaster with a calm eye. But Peachblossom was the friend of Kel's heart, her
staunch ally. She hugged him fiercely around the neck.
"Think about it," she told him, and left him to it.
Kel, Lalasa, Jump, and the sparrows were asleep in Kel's old rooms when thunder broke through
Kel's dreams. Sitting up in bed, she realized what she heard was not thunder, but someone pounding on
her door.
She leaped to answer it without pulling on her robe. Qasim almost rapped her nose when she yanked
the door open. "We are called away tonight," he said. "When you are dressed, go to the stable and ready
your mounts. I will pack the gear you will need."
"But my lord's armor, his gear and horses - that's my job," she protested.
"Another time," Qasim ordered. Kel was about to close the door when he stopped her. "It will be
bad," he said. "Haresfield village in the Royal Forest was attacked by robbers. The messengers say it is a