"Steven Piziks - Patterns in the Chain" - читать интересную книгу автора (Piziks Steven)

didn't they? Now you're going to show your sisters once and for all that you're the smartest, the bravest,
and the most resourceful. Do you honestly think your sisters will be grateful and pile affection on you?
That they'll kiss your fingers and beg forgiveness for all the nasty things they've done?" Mother Berchte
spat into the fireplace and the flames flared green. "I guarantee you they won't. They'll blame you for the
raid. They'll blame you for your brothers' and parents' deaths. And they'll blame you for not rescuing
them earlier. Oh yes, girlieтАФthey will."



"I have to rescue them. They're my sisters," Jeweline said stoutly, though there was doubt in her voice.



"And sisters can be the cruelest of all," Mother Berchte said. "They made fun of you for learning
swordwork from your brothers, didn't they? They called you names and gossiped about you and spread
rumors that you handled your brothers' blades as well as their swords, didn't they?"



Jeweline flushed and looked away.



"Meanwhile," Berchte continued, knitting needles still clicking on her lap, "you have a man waiting for you
in the river at the bottom of this mountain. And maybe if you kiss him, you'll see he isn't as ugly as you
thought."



"He isn't ugly," Jeweline said quickly, then blushed again.



Berchte gave a knowing nod. "The fool likes you, girlie. He never gave me blastberries and sleepyseed.
So choose: your ungrateful sisters or him. Or walk away entirely. No one's forcing you to complete the
pattern."



"You're a bitch," Jeweline said. "A horrible old bitch."



"Life's the bitch, girlie," Mother Berchte said affably. "That's your third lesson. You can leave now."



Jeweline gave Mother Berchte once last look, then spun and marched out of the cave. Berchte picked up
her knitting again. Knit one, purl two. Knit one, purl two.