"Mary Stewart - The Arthurian Saga 02 - The Hollow Hills" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stewart Mary)

"Nothing. The doctors and the women say that all is well. But" тАФ he dropped his eyes тАФ "it seems she
has that on her mind which makes her want to talk with you. As soon as possible, she said."

"I see." Then, with my voice as carefully neutral as his: "Where is the King?"
"The King plans to leave Tintagel in the second week of September."

"Ah. So any time after that it will be 'possible' for me to see the Queen."

This was rather more frank than he cared for. He flashed me a glance, then looked at the ground again.
"The Queen will be pleased to receive you then. She has bidden me make arrangements for you. You will
understand that it will not do for you to be received openly in thecastleofTintagel ." Then, in a burst of
candour: "You must know, my lord, there is no man's hand inCornwall but will be against you. It would
be better if you came disguised."

"As for that," I said, fingering my beard, "you will see that I'm half disguised already. Don't worry, man, I
understand; I'll be discreet. But you'll have to tell me more. She gave no reason for this summons?"

"None, my lord."

"And you heard nothing тАФ no gossip from among the women, things like that?"

He shook his head, then, at the look in my face, added quickly: "My lord, she was urgent. She did not
say so, but it must concern the child, what else?"

"Then I will come." I thought he looked shocked. As he lowered his eyes, I said, sharply: "Well, what
did you expect? I am not the Queen's man. No, nor the King's either, so there's no need to look scared."

"Whose, then?"

"My own, and God's. But you can go back to the Queen and tell her I will come. What arrangements
have you made for me?"

He hurried, relieved, on to his own ground. "There is a small inn at a ford of the river Camel, in the valley
about five miles from Tintagel. It is kept by a man called Caw. He is a Cornishman, but his wife Maeve
was one of the Queen's women, and he will keep his counsel. You can stay there without fear; they will
expect you. You may send messages to Tintagel, if you will, by one of Maeve's sons тАФ it would not be
wise to go near the castle until the Queen sends for you. Now for the journey. The weather should still be
fine in mid-September, and the seas are usually calm enough, so тАФ"

"If you are about to advise me that it is easier to go by sea, you're wasting your breath," I said. "Has no
one ever told you that enchanters can't cross water? At least, not with any comfort. I should be seasick
did I so much as cross theSevern River in the ferry. No, I go by road."

"But the main road takes you past the barracks at Caerleon. You might be recognized. And then the
bridge at Glevum is guarded by King's troops."

"Very well. I'll take the river crossing, but make it a short one." I knew that he was right. To go by the
main road through Caerleon and then by the Glevum Bridge would, even without the prospect of
discovery by Uther's troops, put several days on my journey. "I'll avoid the military road. There's a good
track along the coast through Nidum; I'll go that way, if you can bespeak me a boat at the mouth of