"Tamora Pierce - Protector Of The Small 4 - Lady Knight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pierce Tamora)

Messengers had warned their hosts of their arrival. There was a tub of hot water in Kel's room. She
scrubbed, changed, then went to find her charge. She found Tobe in Peachblossom's stall, though both
the gelding and Hoshi had been groomed and fed.
"You'll sleep in my chamber like last night. There's a tub there now. Go wash," she ordered. "The
servants take meals in the east wing of the house. Eat properly, vegetables as well as meat. And drink
some milk."
Tobe grinned at her. "He said last night you're a bear for vegetables - Sir Nealan, that is. Auld Eulama
were the same." He went to"do as he was told. Kel returned to the wayhouse, thinking. They needed to
come to an understanding. She couldn't let him walk, but she didn't like to share a saddle. Perhaps he
could ride Hoshi? Normally Kel would have ridden the mare on a journey like this, but she needed
Peachblossom's strength to help open the road in spots. Hoshi would barely notice Tobe's weight, and
she would keep him out of the mud.
In the common room, Kel picked at her supper, too weary to eat. She was about to go to her room
when someone else came in. A servant rushed forward to take his wet things; the innkeeper followed to
see what this guest required.
The newcomer was a big fellow, a knight from his tunic badge, with red curly hair and grey eyes. Kel
froze. It was Cleon of Kennan, her sweetheart. But something was wrong. She looked at him and saw a
brawny knight she knew. Where was the joy of looking at him that she had felt the last time they met?
Cleon was as attractive as ever, but he didn't make her skin tingle as he once had.
Kel bit her lip. As a page she'd thought she was hopelessly in love with Neal. Then, a newly-made
squire, she'd spent a summer with Lord Raoul and Third Company. Seeing Neal after months of
separation, she'd found he looked like just another man, not the bright centre of her heart. Now it had
happened again. She and Cleon had kissed, had yearned for time and privacy in which to become lovers.
He'd wanted to marry her, though she was not sure that she wanted marriage. Here he was, but she
didn't feel warm and eager at the sight of him. Friendship was there, but passion was gone.
Worse, a part of her wasn't surprised by the change. They'd been apart for such a long time, with only
letters to keep their feelings alive. So much had befallen her, too much, all of it more vivid than her
memories of him. She didn't want Cleon as a lover now, of that she was sure. There was work to be
done. She wanted no lovers until she had settled the Nothing Man's account.
Kel looked down at her plate. Maybe Cleon wouldn't see her.
Merric of Hollyrose, at the end of her table, jumped to his feet. "Cleon!" he yelled. Everyone looked at
the newcomer and called out greetings. Prince Roald waved him over. Kel fixed a smile on her face.
Cleon too smiled when he saw her, but he didn't seem to notice that Neal offered him a seat beside
Kel. Instead Cleon took a chair near the prince.
"Why are you here?" asked Faleron of King's Reach. He was one of the knights destined to defend the
seacoast. "You're heading the wrong way."
Cleon glanced at Kel, then looked at Faleron. "I got a mage message asking me to come home
soonest. You've heard there's flooding in the southwest hills?"
Faleron, whose home was near Cleon's, sighed. "It's bad," he said. "Father said a lot of fiefdoms lost
their entire stores of grain - oh, no. Yours?"
Cleon nodded, his mouth a grim line. "The Lictas River went over its banks and wiped out our
storehouses. I've got to help Mother raise funds so our people can plant this year."
Kel met Cleon's eyes. They had often talked about his home. She knew his estates were short of
money.
Abruptly, Cleon stood. "May I have a word, Kel? Alone?"
She couldn't refuse. Her thoughts tumbled as she followed him outside. They stood under the eaves
that sheltered the inn's door, the wind blowing rain on to them. She wondered if he'd noticed she hadn't
moved to kiss him, then realized that he had not tried to kiss her, either. Suddenly she knew what was
coming.
"I've just one way to get coin for grain and the livestock we lost, Kel," he said. "The moneylenders