"Margaret Weis & Tracy Hickman - Dragons of Spring Dawning" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weis Margaret)

you out in this storm?"
The dragonarmy officer regarded the innkeeper coldly. "I don't see that it's
any of your business where I go or what I do."
"No offense," the innkeeper said quickly, raising his hands as if to ward off
a blow. "It's just that if the Highlord comes back and happens to miss you,
I'd be glad to tell her where you could be found."
"That won't be necessary," the officer muttered. "I-I've left her a-note . . .
explaining my absence. Besides, I'll be back before morning. I-I just need a
breath of air. That's all."
"I don't doubt that!" The innkeeper sniggered. "You haven't left her room for
three days! Or should I say three nights! Now-don't get mad"-this on seeing
the officer flush angrily beneath the helm-"I admire the man can keep her
satisfied that long! Where was she bound for?"
"The Highlord was called to deal with a problem in the east, somewhere near
Solamnia," the officer replied, scowling. "I wouldn't inquire any further into
her affairs if I were you."
"No, no," replied the innkeeper hastily. "Certainly not. Well, I bid you good
evening-what was your name? She introduced us, but I failed to catch it."
"Tanis," the officer said, his voice muffled. "Tanis Half-Elven. And a good
evening to you."
Nodding coldly, the officer gave his gloves a final sharp tug, then, pulling
his cloak around him, he opened the door to the inn and stepped out into the
storm. The bitter wind swept into the room, blowing out candles and swirling
the innkeeper's papers around. For a moment, the officer struggled with the
heavy door while the innkeeper cursed fluently and grabbed for his scattered
accounts. Finally the officer succeeded in slamming the door shut behind him,
leaving the inn peaceful, quiet, and warm once more.
Staring out after him, the innkeeper saw the officer walk past the front
window, his head bent down against the wind, his cloak billowing out behind
him.
One other figure watched the officer as well. The instant the door shut, the
drunken draconian raised its head, its black, reptilian eyes glittering.
Stealthily it rose from the table, its steps quick and certain. Padding
lightly on its clawed feet, it crept to the window and peered outside. For a
few moments, the draconian waited, then it too flung open the door and
disappeared into the storm.
Through the window, the innkeeper saw the draconian head in the same direction
as the dragonarmy officer. Walking over, the innkeeper peered out through the
glass. It was wild and dark outside, the tall iron braziers of flaming pitch
that lit the night streets sputtering and flickering in the wind and the
driving rain. But the innkeeper thought he saw the dragonarmy officer turn
down a street leading to the main part of town. Creeping along behind him,
keeping to the shadows, came the draconian. Shaking his head, the innkeeper
woke the night clerk, who was dozing in a chair behind the desk.
"I've a feeling the Highlord will be in tonight, storm or no storm," the
innkeeper told the sleepy clerk. "Wake me if she comes."
Shivering, he glanced outside into the night once more, seeing in his mind's
eye the dragonarmy officer walking the empty streets of Flotsam, the shadowy
figure of the draconian slinking after him.
"On second thought," the innkeeper muttered, "let me sleep."