Книга только для ознакомления
. "I've heard
better."
"So have I," Flint said. "The point is, which kind of stag
are we following? The one Huma saw, or the traitor in
Darken Wood?"
The stag barely listened to the argument. "Perhaps," he
said to himself, "they are the same stag, servant and
betrayer. Have any of these fools considered that?" He was
relieved when the company, done debating his past and
intentions, chose to follow him. He led silently,
thoughtfully.
By night he watched the company discuss with the king
of the dead. "They are greatly afraid," the stag observed.
"That must please the very-late King Peris no end."
Later still, the stag watched them mount on centaurs,
who were the Forestmaster's pledged guards, and ride to the
Central Glade. Two centaurs remained behind, guarding the
way. The stag, freed of his duties as guide, was about to
follow the riding company when he heard one of the
sentries sing, in a rough and uncouth voice:
THERE WAS A PROUD AND NOBLE STAG,
IN SHADOW WOOD WAS BORN,
AND THERE HE GREW, AND THERE HE MET
AND LOVED A UNICORN.
The stag froze, listening.
"There now," the sentry said to his companion with
satisfaction, "years it's been since I've sung that, but I can
still put it to the tune
|
