"Mary Kirchoff. Kendermore ("Dragonlance Preludes I" #2) (angl)" - читать интересную книгу автора

"trading" with men these last weeks. He'd tried not to listen to the
grunts and groans coming through the wagon's windows, but it was
impossible since on those occasions she posted him right outside as
watchman. Afterward, she seemed not the least ashamed to face him and,
in fact, seemed to delight in bringing a flood of red to his cheeks
with some earthy remark.

She was afraid of nothing - except the possibility that
something she wanted could not be bought. Woodrow concluded that,
although he strongly disagreed with her freewheeling lifestyle, he
respected her for having the courage of her convictions.

"What are you staring at?" she demanded suddenly, her eyes wide
open. She looked over his lean, muscled body with a suggestive smile
on her face. "You haven't changed your mind about my preferred payment
plan?"

His gaze flew back to his plate, and he concentrated madly on
his meal. "N-no," he stuttered, blushing as usual. "I still need the
steel pieces, ma'am."

She shrugged, unoffended. "Suit yourself. You know I prefer to
barter for services, whenever possible." Gisella picked up a twig and
poked it into the fire. "Let me see that map, Burrfoot," she said.

Looking up from his plate, Tas sucked his greasy fingers loudly
and reached into his vest. He handed the dwarf a folded piece of
parchment. "We've traveled for little more than a half-day. Given
that, I think we should be able to reach Xak Tsaroth by late
tomorrow," the kender predicted.

Ignoring him, Gisella tipped the map toward the firelight and
peered closely.

"We're right about here," Tas said helpfully, jabbing at the
back of the map toward the top center, at a point near the city marked
Xak Tsaroth.

Gisella could see the shadow of his finger through the
parchment. "Hmmm, yes," she said. "It looks like a nice, straight shot
from here to -" she looked closely all the way to the right edge "-
well, all the way to Balifor."

Tasslehoff puffed himself up. "I told you I'd get you back
before your melons went bad. If there's one thing a Burrfoot knows,
it's maps."

But Gisella was still looking closely at the map, shak ing her
head slowly. "I guess..." she mumbled. But the dwarf continued staring
at the piece of paper, wondering what it was that she was missing,