Ведьмак: Кровь эльфов

           QueenCalanthe’sgranddaughter."

           Dandiliongazedattheceiling,drumminghisfingersonthetable.

           "Honouredsir,"hesaiddryly,"youareinterestedinstrangematters.Youaskstrangequestions.SomethingtellsmeyouarenotthepersonItookyoutobe."

           "Andwhodidyoutakemetobe,ifImayask?"

           "I’mnotsureyoumay.Itdependsifyouareabouttoconveygreetingstomefromanymutualfriends.Youshouldhavedonesoinitially,butsomehowyouhaveforgotten."

           "Ididnotforgetatall."Themanreachedintothebreastpocketofhissepia-colouredvelvettunicandpulledoutamoney-bagsomewhatlargerthantheonehehadhandedtheprocuressbutjustaswell-filled,whichclinkedasittouchedthetable."Wesimplyhavenomutualfriends,Dandilion.Butmightthispursenotsufficetomitigatethelack?"

           "Andwhatdoyouintendtobuywiththismeagrepurse?"Thetroubadourpouted."MamaLantieri’sentirebrothelandallthelandsurroundingit?"

           "LetussaythatIintendtosupportthearts.Andanartist.Inordertochatwiththeartistabouthiswork."

           "Youloveartsomuch,doyou,dearsir?Isitsovitalforyoutotalktoanartistthatyoupressmoneyonhimbeforeyou’veevenintroducedyourselfand,indoingso,breakthemostelementaryrulesofcourtesy?"

           "Atthebeginningofourconversation–thestranger’sdarkeyesnarrowedimperceptibly–"myanonymitydidnotbotheryou."

           "Andnowitisstartingto."