"Elizabeth Vaughan - Chronicles Of The Warlands 01 - Warprize" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vaughan Elizabeth)

books.

As I moved through the crowd, a funny feeling began to creep up the back of my neck. As if someone
was watching me. I stopped for a bit and rummaged through my bag as if looking for something. I
glanced through my hair, trying to see if someone was following me, or watching me, but I saw no one. I
shrugged. Guess the hours that 1 was keeping were getting to me.

тАЬXylara.тАЭ Estoval greeted me cooly, surrounded by his pungent stock. тАЬHow may I help you?тАЭ

I rattled off my mental list, and he gestured for his apprentices to gather up the items. I moved about,
picking up the items that looked best for some of my lotions. тАЬEstoval, do you recall an unguent to
prevent scarring? With goatтАЩs milk boiled thick?тАЭ

His tone was even cooler as he recited the recipe for me. I added those items to my growing pile. He
stayed close, nervously sorting some of the stock near me. тАЬI was wondering if you had heard anything,
Lady? About the war?тАЭ His tone was fawning, but I heard the fear underneath.

I responded, keeping my tone calm and my information general. He nodded, listening carefully, and I was
sure my words would be all over the market within minutes of my departure. I kept it simple, and
positive, and made no mention of the truth. That was for Xymund to announce, not I.

Finally I had what I wanted and headed to the counter to where the apprentices had set out the other
items. I gave them a sharp look, for they were clearly EstovalтАЩs older stockтАФwilted and withered and
not at all suitable. I gave Estoval a sharper look when he named his price.

He avoided my eyes. тАЬPrices go up when supplies are limited.тАЭ

тАЬSupplies arenтАЩt limited yet, Estoval. And I wouldnтАЩt feed some of this to a goat, much less use it in
medicine.тАЭ
He lifted his chin. тАЬYouтАЩre healing those barbarians. The better stock is reserved for Xyians, not those
filthyтАФтАЭ

I cut him off. тАЬBy the Order of the King, Estoval.тАЭ I drew myself up, and fixed him with my best High
Court look. тАЬAs I am a Daughter of Xy, and as I execute the KingтАЩs Command, you will sell me the best
you have and at your normal prices. Or answer to Xymund and his Council.тАЭ

Estoval shriveled up. With a quick gesture, his apprentices brought out fresh items, and I paid a fair price
for it, exchanging herbs for coins in silence. I was grateful that he had relented for there would have been
no support from Xymund. Of that I was certain.

As I was packing the last of my purchases, EstovalтАЩs normal civility to a customer took over. тАЬWas there
anything else you required, Xylara?тАЭ

тАЬNo, I think that I have everything for today, Estoval.тАЭ I hesitated for a minute, thinking. тАЬHave you ever
heard of kavage?тАЭ

Estoval wrinkled up his nose. тАЬIs it a herb?тАЭ

тАЬNo.тАЭ I shook my head. тАЬIt is a drink of some kind. I have no idea what it is. I think one of my patients
would enjoy some, but I doubt that there is any to be had.тАЭ