"Russell, Sean - River Into Darkness 02 - Compass Of The Soul" - читать интересную книгу автора (Russell Sean)

had leased was just visible through the branches. At intervals she could see the
old man pass before the window, pacing, his stooped carriage unmistakable. It
was his habit to pace when problems beset him. Perhaps the pain clarified his
mind somehow, or maybe it was penance.
But still she watched, and had been doing so for several hours. He was alone,
she was sure of that. Some time earlier, a local woman had arrived with his
dinner, stayed to clean the rooms a little, and then departed, carrying away the
tray of dishes sheТd brought. No others had come or gone, or even strayed
nearby. Still she waited. Impatience had been her undoing once. Their undoing.
When Halsey began to blow out the lamps, she moved from her place, still stiff
and weakened by her ordeal. A woodsman had fed her the previous night; fed her
and set her on the path to Castle-bough. She had made a slow journey through the
woods, accompanied by her chough, for that is what the woodsman called the
birdЧthe obvious appellation.
She had hidden herself here earlier in the day, and had she the resources, would
have watched another day yet, but her exhaustion was too complete. Knowing that
warmth, food, and company in her sorrow lay so near weakened her resolve.
Before the last lamp was doused she tapped on the window. Silence from within.
She tapped again.
УChuff,Ф said her familiar, somewhere in the darkness.
Halsey appeared, standing well back from the glass, looking very unsure.
УHalseyЕ СTis I. Anna. Can you not let me in?Ф
She saw him reach out to support himself, and then he hurried toward the door. A
moment later she was inside where the old man took both her hands in his own and
kissed them, as though she were a daughter returned from the dead.
УMy dear girl. My dear AnnaЕФ He looked at her, words clearly failing him. УWhat
of the others?Ф he said, his voice almost disappearing.
She began to speak, but her own voice failed, and she merely shook her head and
looked down, expecting tears to comeЧbut they didnТt. She was too exhausted to
mourn. FarrelleТs oath, but she felt empty.
He kissed her hands again. УCome inside, child. You look like you have survived
the ordeal of Helspereth. Come in and I will bank the fire.Ф
She left Halsey bending awkwardly before the hearth while she found clean
clothing. Returning a few moments later, she wrapped herself in a thick blanket
and curled into a chair before the flames.
УI am warming some soup,Ф he said solicitously, Уand there is bread and cheese.
Not much, IТm afraid.Ф
УAnything will be welcome. Only two days past I thought I should starve to
deathЕ A crust would have seemed a cake then.Ф
A blackened pot was suspended over the flames, and a board of cheese and bread
produced. Again, Anna was surprised at how quickly her appetite was slaked. For
a few moments they sat, saying nothing. Each time she looked up, Halsey was
staring at her, the unspoken questions held in check only by compassion and
concern for her.
She took a long draught of wine, and then resettled herself in the chair. УIt
was a long journeyЕФ she swallowed the last word, and continued in a
near-whisper, Уdown into the cavern.Ф For a moment she closed her eyes, thinking
of Banks drowned and the others buried alive. But she forced herself to go on.
Forced some substance into her voice. УLong, arduous, and filled with wonders,
though we had little time to stop and marvel. As we traveled, I sensed a vision,