Ведьмак: Кровь эльфов

           Thewitcherdismounted,tookCirifromthesaddle,stoodheronthegroundandpressedabundleintoherlittlehandswhichshegrabbedtightly,onlyregrettingthatitwastoosmallforhertohidebehindcompletely.

           "WaitherewithEskel,"hesaid."I’lltakeRoachtothestables."

           "Comeintothelight,laddie,"growledthemancalledEskel."Don’tlurkinthedark."

           Cirilookedupintohisfaceandbarelyrestrainedherfrightenedscream.Hewasn’thuman.Althoughhestoodontwolegs,althoughhesmelledofsweatandsmoke,althoughheworeordinaryhumanclothes,hewasnothuman.Nohumancanhaveafacelikethat,shethought.

           "Well,whatareyouwaitingfor?"repeatedEskel.

           Shedidn’tmove.InthedarknesssheheardtheclatterofRoach’shorseshoesgrowfainter.Somethingsoftandsqueakingranoverherfoot.Shejumped.

           "Don’tloiterinthedark,ortheratswilleatyourboots."

           StillclingingtoherbundleCirimovedbrisklytowardsthelight.Theratsboltedoutfrombeneathherfeetwithasqueak.Eskelleanedover,tookthepackagefromherandpulledbackherhood.

           "Aplagueonit,"hemuttered."Agirl.That’sallweneed."

           Sheglancedathim,frightened.Eskelwassmiling.Shesawthathewashumanafterall,thathehadanentirelyhumanface,deformedbyalong,ugly,semi-circularscarrunningfromthecornerofhismouthacrossthelengthofhischeekuptotheear.

           "Sinceyou’rehere,welcometoKaerMorhen,"hesaid.