Запретный лес
XIII. White Magic
BytheafternoonDavidhadcometoadecision.Thewoundedmanmustatallcostsbemoved.Butwhere?Calidonwouldbeaspublicasthestreet,andbesideshehadheardthatapickethadbeenstationedthereincaseitslairdcamelookingforshelter....Thehillsweretooopenandbare,Reiverslawwouldbesuspect--inanycaseitstenantbabbledinhiscups....Thenhehadaninspiration.WhynotMelanudrigill,foritsreputewouldatordinarytimesmakeittheperfectsanctuary?Hewouldbeaboldman,itwastrue,whosoughtalairinitshauntedrecesses,butthisMarkKerrdidnotlackforstoutnessofheart.HefoundhimyawningandextractingindifferententertainmentfromafolioofThuanus.
Kerronlygrinnedwhenheheardofthedanger.
"ImighthaveguessedthattheplacewouldsoonbehotchingwithDavie’stroops.AndmaybeI’mtohaveDavieinbedasideme?Faith,Ifearwewouldnaagree,thoughI’llnodenythatthemanhasaveryrespectablegiftinwar....Imustshift,yousay,andindeedthatisthetruthofit,buthostelriesarenothatplentyinthiscountrysideforonelikemethat’ssohighlythoughtofbyhisunfriends."
Melanudrigillwassetbeforehim,andheapproved.
"Thebigwood.Talesofithavecomedownthewater,butI’veneverpaidmuchattentiontoclaveringauldwives....There’sblackwitchcraft,yousay--you’veseenityourself?Icarenotadoit.There’sjusttheonekindofwarlockthatfrichtsme,andthat’safileofDavieLeslie’smen.
