"01 - Shapechangers (b)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Roberson Jennifer)

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BOOK I

"The Captive"

Chapter One

She sat by the creek, half-hidden in lush grasses. Carefully she
twined purple summer flowers into her single dark brown braid,
and dabbled bare feet in the rushing water. Stems and crushed
blooms littered the coarse yellow gown she wore and damp earth
stained the garment, but she paid it no mind. She was purpose-
fully intent on her work, for if she allowed her thoughts to range
freely she would be overtaken by the knowledgeЧand the hopeЧ
that he still might come.

A songbird called from the forest behind and she glanced up,
smiling at the delicate melody. Then her attention was caught by
an approaching rider, and she let fall the flowered braid from
limp fingers.

Sunlight glittered off the gold of his mount's trappings and
painted the chestnut warhorse bright red. She heard the jingle of
bit and bridle and the heavy snort of the big stallion. His rider,
who had yet to see her, rode unconcernedly through the
meadowlanos.

She drew her knees up and clasped her arms around them,
resting her chin on their tops. She felt the familiar leap of
excitement, anticipation and wonder within her breast, and quickly
tried to dismiss it. If she allowed him to see it she would be no
different from anyone else to him, and therefore of no account.

And I want to be of account to him, she thought intently.

His tawny-dark head was bent as he rode, blue eyes on the
shedding of his gloves. He wore black hunting leathers, she saw,
and had thrown a thin green woolen mantle back from broad
shoulders. A flash of green and gold glittering at his left shoulder
caught her eye: the emerald cloak-brooch he favored. At his
heavy belt was hung a massive two-handed broadsword.

The wariiorse splashed into the creek, splattering her liberally.
She grinned in devious anticipation and straightened in the deep
grass, wiping water from her sun-browned skin.

"I did not think you would come," she said, pitching her
voice to carry over the noisy horse.