- In affairs! - Aptakhar admired and loudly slapped himself on a hip
palm: - No, buddy Bravlin. To catch Zhadobu, of course, a good deed,
but now you missed.
- Perhaps, - the merchant agreed.
- What can you tell about this person? - having nodded on the Wolfhound,
Bravlin took an interest.
- Nothing, except good, - Fitela without thoughts answered.
Aptakhar added:
- It veins, we call him the Wolfhound.
Bravlin with regret looked on poured by crimson paint
Lots. He asked:
- And whether long ago you know it?
Aptakhar began to bend fingers and answered:
- Fourteen days. Fitela according to nodded.
- So-so! - the old man started. Bravlin with a sigh made a helpless gesture:
- There's nothing to be done. It is necessary to go to Krom, let a knesinka judges.
- Knesinka? - Aptakhar asked again.
- Well, knesinka of Elen. Кнес now on a trip, - Bravlin nodded. And
turned to the Wolfhound: - You, the guy, give a sword here. You will leave it is pure
before the monarchess - you will receive back.
- I will not give! - the Wolfhound told. Bravlin was lop-sided on the good fellows, but
Aptakhar caught the foreman's eye.
- I do not advise, Bravlin, - he told quietly. - I saw it in business...
you will ruin children also its live you will not take. Let me be better a ruchatel,
that he will not run away on the road. You will not run away, the Wolfhound?
- Let the Tat run! - the Wolfhound repeated.
- My person wants to tell, - Fitela interfered, - that, so far he not
it is called the criminal, he does not have need neither to run away, nor to give weapon. It
I will be glad to appear before a knesinka and does not doubt her wisdom and
justice, but until then in its freedom nobody is imperious. So,
Wolfhound?
That nodded. And about itself in which already time was surprised abilities of scientists
to invest people folding words all over what he would reflect
in the afternoon.
Krom is called so because that it, first, fences off the most secluded
part of the settlement, and secondly, build it of a kremenno-firm stone and
the best, kremlevy wood. Galiradsky Krom stood on unapproachable
the rocky hill under protection of a notable ditch and abrupt shaft, over which
timbered walls rose. If some ворог decides to take
Galirad will also break external strengthenings, extensive Krom will accept defenders
the cities and, who knows, will allow them to sit out while messengers fly for
help. The wolfhound noted about himself that the ditch was well-groomed, and an earth shaft
it is covered with clay and burned. It is visible, the knes was nicknamed not for nothing Sense, that is
Razumnik. Let's look whether in the father the daughter was successful...
If the knesich should judge court, say, - some
to the youth without mustache who is suiting the Wolfhound for younger brothers - he would not wait
for herself she is kind. The youth will believe slander, will be seduced with honor to grab
Zhadobu... Other business knesinka. Court of the woman - sacred court of the Hostess Sudeb.
To them Bravlin was necessary to wait long enough in the yard, but at last
found for the senior hero and, having respectfully taken off a cap, stated to him
event. The mighty gray-haired boyar listened and was behind a door, and
The wolfhound paid attention that at gate increased adolescents at once. If
the knesinka recognizes in it Zhadobu...
Then servants spread a fluffy carpet at a porch and claimed on it
carved wooden chair-stolets. The wolfhound would prefer that he was judged
as it was accepted at home, - under a just tree or on the bank of honored
rivers. He frowned. Solvenna with their Truth of great trust to it not
inspired.
But here on a porch there was a knesinka of Elen, and it in a trice about everything
forgot.
Knesinka was beautiful. Daughters of leaders always are fine. It
also truly, as well as the fact that the bolshukha is always reasonable and fair, and the husband
her are the first hunter and the most brave soldier in a sort. Leaders - the best that is at
the people, them it and is necessary to Gods...
Knesinka looked nearly coeval Niilit. At it was fair-haired
braid thickness in a hand and gray eyes, as two forest springs. On pure
to forehead the silver nimbus covered green in color of cages flaunted
poneva, stones. Marvelous miracle, maiden beauty!. Niilit it was easy
to clasp in a belt with fingers; the knesinka was corpulent. Niilit was wild
kitten, prompt and timid - Knesinka who got used to respect and
love, acted white лебедью...
- The Gy esa, the monarchess, - comers bowed from the waist.
- And you to a pozdorov, kind people, - were friendly answered by her, taking seat
in a chair. Her look lingered on the person Volkodava. - Boyar Krut
Милованыч tells me, - she nodded on the tall gray-headed soldier,
standing on the right, - that here the person whom another counted
for Zhadobu?
- Truly, the monarchess, - Varokh immediately answered. - Here it, Zhadoba! - And
extended a knotty hand, pointing to the Wolfhound. - I recognized it by a sword!
- Show me this sword, - the knesinka of Elen told. The wolfhound is silent
unwound a rag and approached the girl, holding a sword on palms. He noticed,
as the hand of the beautiful young boyar standing at the left spread to a sheath
from a chair. The wolfhound did not award it even with a look and receded, having put
figured blade to knesinka legs on a carpet.
- It came to order to me a sheath, - the old master continued. -
Thought probably - if I not quickly trade, there is nothing and to be afraid! And I am it
at once recognized!.
The wolfhound gloomy looked at the sword gleaming on a carpet.
- And what will be told by ochistnik? - the knesinka of Elen turned to Fitele. -
Say the word, the respectable guest. Fitela with bow came forward.
- This person, - he began, - I for the first time saw in the Big Churchyard, in
to Ayr-Donn's tavern, two weeks ago. It came to be employed in security guards...
- It was one? - quickly the knesinka asked.
- No, madam, he warned me at once that there are with it two more:
the girl whom you see here, and the sick friend - the blind person, all in ulcers.
I employed it and...
- In the Big Churchyard? So close from Galirad?
- I also did not want to employ it, madam, but he managed to prove that
will not be superfluous.
- Nakostylyal to me on a neck, - hemmed Aptakhar. - Forgive, the monarchess
knesinka.
- At it there was already then this sword? - the knesinka continued inquiry
Елень.
- No, it got it in two days when we were attacked by people of Zhadoby.
- Still!. - old Varokh interrupted. - Itself also guided!.
- No, - Fitela told. - On the contrary, he warned us.
- How? - the ruler inclined the head.
- It holds a tame bat - she sits at it on a shoulder. This
the mouse began to worry, and he told us that, truly, in the wood bad
people. I ordered to put on chain armors, and only therefore robbers not
shot down us as hares... The Wolfhound laid three in hand-to-hand and
one more - from onions.
- Wolfhound? - the knesinka asked again.
- Yes, so we call it... Here after that fight, madam, also appeared
it has a kind sword.
Around that hour the curious people gathered: heroes from a team,
city policemen, just inhabitants and merchants who came to Krom on affairs.
- Who saw how it got a sword? - the knesinka asked.
- Met the, they also transferred to it, - Varokh told.
- I did not see, - Fitela made a helpless gesture.
- And I, - scratched a beard Aptakhar.
- I saw!. - with unexpected desperate courage came forward
Niilit. - Yes the rain to you under legs, crowned шаддаат will spill...
- Whether and you long ago with it, the maiden? - the knesinka turned to it. - Not
whether your bead at it in hair?
- No, crowned шаддаат, - Niilit answered. - I met him
almost a month ago... he saved me from the tyrant and since then stores as
sister! There, on the road, one of robbers seized me on a saddle and
wanted to take away. Mister Volkodav caught up with it, they fought... it wounded
the robber in a hand, and that escaped, having dropped a sword. I swear that, madam!
If I lie, let at me... let I will never have children!
- Э, guy! - Aptakhar told. - Yes you also robbed Zhadobu in any way!
- How the robber was wounded? - the boyar standing got into conversation
to the right of a stolets. The wolfhound silently took away two fingers of the right hand in a fist
- index and big.
- And I tell - a lzha all!. - old Varokh zatopat legs. - Order,
the monarchess to bear iron!. I will contend with it before Gods as yours
The truth orders!
- And that, - the left boyar told. - Would let contended, the sister. At once
we learn who is guilty and has fun at the same time.
The sister, the Wolfhound noted about himself.
- Wait a moment, to a starcha, - from a chair the knesinka of Elen unexpectedly rose. -
Tell me, the thinking boyars, my father right blizhnik! And you,
svedomy citizens! Whether there was Zhadoba when in captivity whether carried fetters?
- Was not! - immediately several voices responded at once.
- Was not, a knesinka, - the right boyar told, and left according to nodded
head. The monarchess Elen meanwhile fixedly looked at the Wolfhound, and
that could not understand that she considered: whether a bead, whether clicking
Mysh's teeth, whether something at it on a neck... He already thought to correct a collar
shirts when the knesinka addressed it:
- Approach here, the Wolfhound. Roll up sleeves and show me hands.
It approached, untying on tape wrists. Then wrapped sleeves and
extended hands before itself. Hands as hand: bony, braided with convex
dark veins, in the callosities, scars and fresh spots left
otbolevshy blisters. Slightly above wrists on skin two flaunted
the wide, badly begun to live strips, and the Wolfhound realized at last to what
the wise girl looked narrowly. On a neck it had just the same trace.
From a collar.
- This person - not Zhadoba! - loudly the knesinka said Elen
the sentence, and even Varokh was forced to keep silent. - To you, the master, -
she addressed the old man, - there is no need to quarrel with him. There is my word:
make to it a sheath as agreed, and at that price about which at you went
speech. You, the Wolfhound having the right to demand for offense of Viru in a quarter of a horse
silver...
The wolfhound shrugged shoulders. He wanted only one - somewhat quicker
to get out from here and to be washed up properly. Correctly mother did: when
the father, having sold apples and honey, came back home from the bargaining, it not at once
allowed it to a table d'hote, fed from separate ware. What, except
are nasty, it is possible to be gathered in the city where the guest who entered under a shelter
accuse it is not known in what give to policemen on punishment?!.
-... But I ask you, noble veins, not to hold heart on the master
Lots, - the knesinka said meanwhile. - It is right, he neglected
sanctity of a shelter... but, if you knew his grief, you by all means forgave
it...
The wolfhound immediately nodded though, in his opinion about any forgiveness
the speech could not be. And the knesinka of Elen continued:
- I do not dare to judge him because I itself did not know similar. Accept
this Viru from my hands! Let our brothers, brave veins know, as in
Galirade is the Truth.
The boyar gave it several silver coins of local stamping.
Knesinka bent and lifted a sword.
- I know that I will hear about this sword still more than once, - she told,
stretching to the Wolfhound a figured handle. - I know that now it in
worthy hands.
Bravlin left to see off them for gate of detinets.
- You here that, the guy, - he told the Wolfhound. - If there is a hunting
to earn additionally till fall, while your merchant will not go back, - come,
you will ask me... I will be glad.
- Gramercy, - the Wolfhound nodded. Also thought that will hang rather.
- We from Avdikaya are always employed, - Aptakhar told it. - You where
now - home? Or, maybe, we will drink we will come? After such affairs...
The wolfhound looked at the sun which was slowly tending to far mountains.
- No, I on the market... went, Niilit.
- A sheath will be ready tomorrow, - looking aside, the master Varokh muttered.
- You will take away in the evening.
- I will do without your sheath, - the Wolfhound told.
- And I - without your money!. - The voice of an old segvan was strained.
The shivering hand it from a bag removed a deposit and threw under legs
To wolfhound. That silently turned and went away together with Niilit, timidly
grasped his elbow. The grandson of the old man started collecting раскатившиеся
coins and right there were received for it from the grandfather on a back a crutch, but by the Wolfhound
did not see that any more.
The market square of Galirad was stretched at the coast. In the mornings to
oak havens suited the lod of fishermen full of hard ingots of live
scaly silver, trade began at daybreak and lasted late, and
in the spring and in the summer, during a time of light nights - day and night. The wolfhound to understand
could not do it. The ancient law did not recognize the bargains concluded later
decline, without fair Oka's supervision Gods. Any veins would not become
to buy or sell something at night, solvenna... Yes, who knows,
soon these people completely will cease to give birth to women, similar to a knesinka
Елень...
- What do you want to buy, mister? - having taken courage, asked
Niilit. The wolfhound could not understand, for what reason it, with might and main
laughing with Tilorn, with him awfully quailed. Probably, I am bad
the person, grinned he about himself. Kind person neither kitten, nor girl
it does not zaboitsya...
- I want to buy a beads, - he grumbled in reply. - One such
to the blue-eyed, dark-haired sakkaremsky beauty. Perhaps you prisovetut,
what will suit it?
; It with amazement stopped when Niilit nearly began to cry:
- Mister... do not offend me, mister... The wolfhound noticed edge
eyes that began to look back at them. Well also let look back. It took
Niilit for shoulders and slightly stirred up:
- In what business, the girl? She hid in hands the face:
- I only told the truth about you, mister... Wolfhound helplessly
let out her and hardly restrained not to spit a wooden pavement.
Decided, so, that he decided it to thank for the words of honor on
court. For a long time the Wolfhound did not feel like to such an extent the fool. And
there is nobody to expostulate - itself is guilty of everything. Chose a time for
gift.
Again he regretted that the Hostess Sudeb giving everyone
mortal its share, deprived him of ability it is red to speak. It
Niilit forced to take away palms from the face and told:
- I from the very beginning wanted to buy you a beads. It is bad when the maid
without beads. You will want to welcome the groom, and there will be nothing to present... Thought
tomorrow to go with you, to look after... and today there are not enough of me policemen not
cut... at it, as it there... here I also solved: suddenly till tomorrow still
on something I will run...
Own tongue-tie drove him to despair, but Niilit looked
to it in eyes and, truly, managed to read there all that he vainly tried
to put into words. It squelched a nose again, but already absolutely on another
to the reason:
- Forgive me, mister...
The wolfhound attracted it to himself and with a great relief carried out by a palm on
to gentle cheeks, wiping tears:
- All right, little sister... Let's go, perhaps, to choose a beads?
- Let's go, - whispered Niilit, keeping behind it a hand, and for the first time
forgot to call him mister.
Benches and shops where traded in jewelry, was utter
set. Designate day, while you will bypass everything. At some on doors
the images of snakes - drawn and even carved flaunted.
- You know why it? - the Wolfhound asked. Niilit a pomotal the head, and
he explained: - It is a sign for thieves. The shop is guarded at night by poisonous
snakes, so supposedly do not judge too severely...
Niilit laughed, and the Wolfhound caught himself on what for the first time speaks
with it it is easy and quiet. Just as Tilorn.
- Let's go there where there is no snake, - offered Niilit.
Bloody Revenge Page 11