The Complete Conclave of Shadows Trilogy: Talon of the Silver Hawk, King of Foxes, Exile’s Return. Raymond E. Feist

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СКАЧАТЬ injury for you to go flying off the handle like some loose axe-head.’

      ‘They did,’ was all Talon said.

      ‘Well, if you’re looking for Raven and his bunch, word is he’s been working for the Duke of Olasko for the last few years. Young Kaspar has them involved in some difficulty down in the Disputed Lands, bumping heads with the Duke of Maladon and Simrik’s men. So you’re in the wrong end of the world if you’re trying to find Raven.’

      Caleb said, ‘Let us buy you a drink, to make amends.’

      ‘Thanks,’ said Creed.

      Caleb looked around the crowded inn, which was returning to a semblance of normalcy now that the potential confrontation was halted. Caleb instructed the innkeeper to provide Creed with a drink, then took Talon by the elbow and moved him through the crowd. At a corner table he half-pushed the lad down into a chair. He looked at the boy for a long while. After a few minutes of silence between them, Caleb said, ‘For someone who is normally thoughtful and reflective before acting, you were as rash as a man can be.’

      Struggling with the frustration and rage that were bringing him to the edge of tears, Talon nodded. ‘I saw that man … and something inside just rose up and overwhelmed me. I was certain he was … one of the men I fought when my village was destroyed.’

      Caleb signalled for a serving girl to bring them drink and food, then removed his gauntlets, and threw them on the table. ‘You’re young. As Creed said, you’ll outgrow the rashness if you live long enough.’

      Talon remained silent. The drinks and food appeared and they ate without discussion. Talon brooded upon what had occurred and as they finished eating, he said, ‘Caleb, why didn’t you tell me?’

      Caleb said, ‘What?’

      ‘That you knew who it was that raided my village?’

      Caleb’s eyes flickered only for an instant, but Talon knew he had caught him out. ‘You told me about the raid, many times,’ he replied.

      ‘But you never told me their leader was called Raven. You knew who they were!’

      Caleb let out a long sigh. ‘Very well, Raven and his company are well enough known. I guess it never occurred to me that you needed his name.’

      ‘There’s something else. What is it?’

      ‘Nothing.’ Caleb spoke softly, but his eyes warned Talon not to press the matter.

      Calmly, Talon said, ‘You know. Tell me.’

      Caleb regarded the young man for a while, then he said, ‘Not today.’

      ‘When?’

      ‘When you’re able to understand.’

      ‘Among my people I have been a man for nearly two years, Caleb. If … my village still existed, I would almost certainly be a father. What is so difficult to understand here?’

      Caleb sipped at his ale. Finally he said, ‘There are many more things involved in such a choice than I can reveal to you. I judge you able in many things, Talon. More able than most your age, and even than some twice your years, but the decision wasn’t mine alone.’

      ‘Whose, then? Robert’s?’

      Caleb nodded. ‘He is responsible for your training.’

      Talon turned his head slightly, one eye fixed upon Caleb. ‘Training for what?’

      ‘Many things, Talon,’ said Caleb. ‘Many things.’

      ‘Such as?’

      ‘That is most certainly a topic for you to take up with Robert. But this much I will tell you, Talon of the Silver Hawk. Should you learn all that is given you to master, you will become an unusual and dangerous man. And you will need to be such should you choose to avenge your people.’

      ‘I have no choice in the matter,’ said Talon in even tones. ‘Once free of my debt to Robert, I must find the men who destroyed my people.’

      Caleb knew what he intended once he found those men. Finally he said, ‘Then be diligent in your work, and learn your lessons well, Talon, for those you seek have powerful and deadly friends and masters.’

      Talon sat quietly, contemplating what Caleb had said, while around him the bustle in the room increased as more men came in to drink. Among them was Dustin Webanks and his companion from the day before.

      ‘Hello!’ Dustin called out as he spied them in the corner. ‘I feared you wouldn’t appear, but I’m glad you have for I feel strongly in your debt.’

      He crossed the room to them and Caleb indicated that he and his companion should take the remaining two chairs, but Webanks declined. ‘We have much to do so we will be on our way shortly.’ He removed a pouch of coins from his belt. ‘There is no value I can place on my life, but please accept this gold as a reward for your actions on my behalf.’

      His companion looked away, as if embarrassed by the fact that he had fled while Webanks was in peril. The pouch hit the table with a loud clinking sound and Caleb looked at Talon. When the boy didn’t move, Caleb said, ‘It was your idea to take a hand; you leapt from the wagon to knock the assassin off his horse. You deserve the reward.’

      Talon looked at the pouch. He had served long enough at the inn to have some idea of how many coins filled a pouch of that size, and calculated that the gold in it amounted to more than he could rightly expect to earn in ten years of toil. Yet he hesitated. At last he reached out and pushed the bag back towards Webanks.

      ‘You refuse it?’ asked the merchant in astonishment.

      Talon said, ‘As you said, your life is without price. Instead of gold, however, I would ask you a favour.’

      ‘Name it.’

      ‘Should I come to Opardum in the future, I will ask it of you then.’

      Webanks seemed confused by the request, but said, ‘Very well then, I am in your debt.’ He picked up the gold, then glanced at his companion who seemed likewise bemused by the young man’s refusal of the gold. They exchanged perplexed expressions and, bowing slightly, withdrew from the men.

      Caleb waited until they had left and then said, ‘Why?’

      Talon said, ‘Gold will buy things I don’t need. I have food, clothing and friends at Kendrick’s. But if what you say is true, that my enemies have dangerous friends and powerful masters, I need more friends. Merchant Webanks may prove to be such a friend in the future.’

      Caleb sat back and considered what Talon said. After a moment, he smiled. ‘You learn quickly, my young friend.’

      Instead of acknowledging this remark, Talon’s face whitened and his hand flew to the hilt of his sword. But rather than leap to his feet, he sat there as taut as a bowstring. Caleb slowly turned to see what he was looking at. ‘What is it?’

      ‘That man,’ said Talon.

      Caleb saw that a man had entered the inn and was now over by the bar speaking СКАЧАТЬ