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 but it had for some reason fallen out of use and been uninhabited for years. When they got there, Demetrius reined in the horse and Talon jumped down from the back of the wagon. He and Rondar got the trunk down and manoeuvred it to where Demetrius stood, holding open the door.

      As he stepped into the cottage, Talon stopped stock-still. Then he said softly, ‘I’ll be …’

      ‘The girls were in here yesterday cleaning, and Rondar and I moved everything else,’ Demetrius said.

      ‘But where did all this come from?’ asked Talon, indicating the room.

      The cottage was spacious, larger than the hut he had shared with Magnus. A hearth complete with spit and an iron cauldron on a hook for stews and soups waited for a fire. A free-standing pantry had been placed near at hand, and a small table occupied the corner between the pantry and the fireplace. His bed rested against the opposite wall, near the door, and at the foot of it had placed a large wooden wardrobe. Talon and Rondar set the trunk down next to the wardrobe. Talon opened its door and exclaimed, ‘Look at this!’

      Fine garments, of various colours and cuts, hung neatly inside.

      Rondar said, ‘Gentleman.’

      Demetrius nodded. ‘Seems to be the case. But why here I have no idea.’

      Looking at one doublet, with enough eyelets and fasteners to confound the eye, Talon said, ‘To practise getting dressed, I suppose. Look at these things.’

      Hose, leggings, trousers, singlets, doublets, waistcoats, all hung neatly from wooden rods and hangers. In the bottom of the wardrobe half a dozen different types of boots and shoes were neatly arranged.

      Then Talon caught sight of the far corner. ‘Books!’ he exclaimed with pleasure. He crossed the room to examine the titles on the shelves there. ‘All new to me,’ he said quietly.

      ‘Well,’ said Demetrius, ‘we’re for supper. I’ve been told to tell you you’re on your own for a while. Someone will bring you your supper tonight and some other provisions, and then you’re to keep to yourself for a while.’

      Talon knew better than to ask why. No one would have told Demetrius.

      Rondar pointed to the easel. ‘Practise.’

      ‘Yes,’ said Talon. ‘I guess they want me to focus on that, and these other things.’

      ‘We’ll see you around, I’m sure,’ said Demetrius. ‘Come along, Rondar. Let’s get the wagon back to the stable.’

      The two friends left, and Talon sat down and drank in his new surroundings. It was strange to think that, at least for a short while, this would be his home, and it filled him with an odd melancholy. He had never lived alone, not since the day of his birth. The only significant time he had been by himself had been upon Shatana Higo, waiting for his vision.

      He sat quietly, letting the mood sweep through him. He remembered what he had been taught and allowed the nostalgic longing for his childhood to pass through him; he would not engage that sorrow now. He would acknowledge it and renew his vow that some day his people would be avenged; and then he would let it go.

      Twilight was upon him before he realized it. He was just lighting a lamp when he heard a wagon pull up outside the hut. It must be his supper, he thought.

      He opened the door and almost fell over backwards to get out of the way of Alysandra, who marched purposely into the room carrying a steaming kettle of something wonderful. Behind her a voice called, ‘I’ll unload.’

      ‘Thanks, Jom,’ she said over her shoulder.

      ‘What are you doing here?’ Talon asked.

      ‘I’ve brought you your supper,’ she said. ‘Didn’t they tell you?’

      ‘They told me someone was bringing it, but not who,’ he answered, then felt foolish for having said it.

      She smiled, then removed the light cloak she had around her shoulders. Underneath it she wore a simple dress, off the shoulders, and her hair fell around her face. Talon felt his chest tighten.

      He stood there speechless for a long moment, then said, ‘I’ll help Jom.’

      She smiled and turned to find plates and cups.

      Jom handed down two large sacks to Talon and said, ‘I’ve got more in that box, there.’

      ‘What is it?’

      ‘Food. You’re supposed to cook for yourself, I was to tell you. Practise what Leo taught you. Whoever he was and whatever it was he taught you,’ Jom added. He took up a third sack and jumped down from the wagon.

      Talon picked up the food and carried it inside. ‘Better dig a cold cellar out back,’ said Jom as he put down the sack. ‘Got some ham and a quarter of beef coming tomorrow, I was told to tell you. There’s a shovel and some tools in a shed out there, if you didn’t know.’

      ‘Thanks,’ said Talon as Jom went out of the door.

      Talon turned, expecting to see Alysandra moving to follow Jom, but instead she stood at the table, ladling out portions of stew into a pair of bowls. ‘Ah … you’re staying?’ asked Talon.

      She waved for him to sit, and produced a bottle of wine. Then she poured two mugfuls, pulled out one of the two small stools that had been stored beneath the table and sat down. ‘Yes, I’m going eat with you. Didn’t they tell you?’

      Talon sat down. ‘Apparently everyone else got told except me.’ He could hardly take his eyes off Alysandra, but each time she glanced at him, he looked away.

      She laughed. ‘It’s like that sometimes around here, isn’t it?’

      ‘It’s like that a lot around here,’ he replied, and she laughed again.

      They ate in silence for a few minutes, then Talon said, ‘I’m pleased you’re here, really, but … well … what are you doing here?’

      ‘Oh, didn’t Master Maceus tell you that, either?’

      ‘No,’ said Talon. ‘As I said, no one has been telling me much of anything.’

      ‘I’m going to be staying here with you. I’m your new model.’

      Talon put down his mug. He could not believe what she had said. ‘You’re the model.’

      ‘Yes, for the nude study you’re doing.’

      Talon felt his cheeks begin to burn, but he forced himself to calmness. Obviously, she had no problem posing for him, so he needn’t feel uncomfortable, he decided. Despite this, however, he couldn’t eat, so he put the contents of his plate back in the pot. ‘I’m not really hungry,’ he said weakly. ‘I was in the kitchen all day and you know how it is, a bite here, a bit of a nibble there.’

      She smiled and said nothing.

      When she had finished her supper, she said, ‘Fetch me some water from the lake, and I’ll clear up.’

      Glad for the excuse СКАЧАТЬ