"Paul Thompson - [Elven Nations Trilogy 1] - Firstborn" - читать интересную книгу автора (Thompson Paul B)

Mackeli."
The branch was too narrow for Kith-Kanan to stand on, so he inched
his way forward to the tree trunk. The deadly mud below was hidden once
more under its covering of water. He shuddered as he looked down upon
it. "You see we are alike, don't you?"
Mackeli, hopping nimbly along the branch, glanced back at
Kith-Kanan and said, "No. I don't see that we are alike.тАЭ
Exasperated and too tired to continue, Kith-Kanan gave up that line of
conversation.
They climbed down to solid ground. Kith-Kanan followed the
scampering boy slowly. Even so, he lost his grip on the trunk and fell the
last few feet. He landed on his rear with a thud and groaned.
"You are clumsy," Mackeli observed.
"And you are rude. Do you know who I am?" the prince said
haughtily.
"A clumsy outlander.тАЭ The elf boy reached around his back and
brought back a gourd bottle, laced tightly with deerskin. He poured a
trickle of clear water into his open mouth. Kith-Kanan watched intently,
his throat moving with imaginary swallows.
тАЬMay IяГзmay I have some water?" he pleaded.
Mackeli shrugged and handed him the bottle. Kith-Kanan took the
gourd in his muddy hands and drank greedily. He drained the bottle in
three gulps.
"May the gods bless you," he said, handing the empty container to the
boy.
Mackeli upended the bottle, saw that it was indeed completely dry,
and gave Kith-Kanan a disgusted look.
"I haven't had any water in two days," Kith-Kanan explained. тАЬNor
have I eaten. Do you have any food?"
"Not with me. There is some at home."
"Would you take me there?"
Mackeli raised his hood again, hiding his startlingly white hair. With
it covered, he was superbly camouflaged, blending into the forest. "Won't
know if that would be right. Ny might not like it."
"I appeal to you, friend. I am desperate. I have lost my steed and my
way, and I cannot seem to find any game in this accursed forest. If you
donтАЩt help me, I shall starve in this wilderness.тАЭ
The elf boy laughed, a pleasant sound in the still air. "Yes, I heard
there was an outlander blundering about in these parts. The corvae told me
about you.тАЭ
"Corvae?"
Mackeli pointed to the crows, still watching from the nearby hillside.
"They know everything that happens in the forest. Sometimes, when
something strange occurs, they tell me and Ny about it.тАЭ
Kith-Kanan remembered the unnerving attention the crows had paid
him. тАЬDo you truly speak with birds?тАЭ
"Not only birds.тАЭ Mackeli held up a hand and made a shrill cawing
sound. One of the black birds flew over and alighted on his arm, like a
falcon returning to its master.
"What do you think?" the boy asked the bird. "Can I trust him?" The