"Robert Reed - Night Calls" - читать интересную книгу автора (Reed Robert)

a viewfinder. And because he loved the girl so much, he gladly promised
that he would share half of his time, or nearly so.

But Rabiah didnтАЩt appreciate his charity.

тАЬHow much did this cost?тАЭ she asked, her tone dismissive, even
scornful. тАЬThis is a one-in-forever event, and what are you planning to do?
Catch a glimpse through a tiny sliver of glass?тАЭ

тАЬItтАЩs more than a glimpse,тАЭ he responded. тАЬAnd more than a sliver of
glass, for that matter.тАЭ

тАЬCome with me instead.тАЭ

тАЬWhere?тАЭ

She named a place that he didnтАЩt know, and then promised, тАЬMy entire
family is gathering, and hundreds more too. This is our traditional way of
meeting the Night. DonтАЩt you think a celebration sounds both fun and
appropriate?тАЭ

He didnтАЩt think so, and Ferrum decided on honesty.

The resulting fight went on for a long, painful time.

He finally had enough. Apologizing for his stubbornness, Ferrum said,
тАЬTell me again. WhereтАЩs this gathering to be?тАЭ

The site was far from any city, on a plain shackled by high hills.
Nobody was building giant mirrors, but if Ferrum joined Rabiah, he could
bring his fatherтАЩs old hunting telescope to watch the sky. He spent a few
moments trying to convince himself that this was best, that it would even be
worthwhile. But what would he do with his reserved place in line?

тАЬSell it,тАЭ Rabiah advised. тАЬYou could make back your investment, and
probably more too.тАЭ

The girl might be right, yes.

тАЬBut what happens there? What does your traditional celebration
mean?тАЭ

Rabiah named favorite foods, old dances and music, and then almost
as an afterthought, she mentioned the NightтАЩs culminating event.

Ferrum cringed.

тАЬWhatтАЩs wrong?тАЭ

тАЬA once-in-forever event, and thatтАЩs what you do?тАЭ