"Wilder, Cherry - Torin 01 - The Luck of Brin's Five UC - part 02" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wilder Cherry)

I had seen our Luck snatched away from us. But Nantgeeb
was eager to have the Tomarvan. Blacklock promised to find
us all passage to Rintoul before he flew away also.
"Tell the Maker of Engines I look forward to a true
meeting," said Diver.
"Tell Garl Brinroyan to take care," said the Maker of
Engines.
I knew this was the end of our audience. A last whisper
grated at my ear: "And do not ask in Rintoul for the air
ship. Tiath Pentroy has losthis prize. I have it now."
Diver sprang up when I said this and questioned the
empty air, but Nantgeeb's presence had been withdrawn.
Blacklock walked about flexing his shoulder musdes like
a weary omor and cursing under his breath. "Garl Brinroy-
an, this is an old quarrel you have come upon. Nantgeeb
hates the Bird Clan," he said.
"I like it less than I did," said Diver, "but with your help,
Murno, my good friend, we will fly by all these nets."
Blacklock smiled again and even laid a hand on my head
to make me more cheerful. "Escort, you have served your
Luck well!"
We walked all together out of the silken tent into the
sunlight of the New Year and made our way, through
subdued cheers and salutations, to the green tent, garland-
ed now, where Brin and Ablo were waiting.
When I saw Brin again, my eyes stung with tears, like a
child who does not cry after a fall until its mother brings
promi~e of comfort. But I did not weep. We sat in the tent,
and I reported faithfully all that had passed. The task of
making these reports, as a Witness must do sometimes, is
not easy, and I did not envy Narneen, who was going to
have a lifetime of it.
Brin turned to Diver when all had been told. "We have a
great Luck," she said, "not because he wins the Bird Clan,
but because he is faithful to his bond."

( 143 )






9
I

THE CLOSING CEREMONIES OF THE BIRD CLAN were shortened
because of jebbal's death on the field. Even so they took
several hours, part of them spent in sorting and counting
our winnings. These were lodged in five wheeled wicker