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Автор Джон Фланаган
AUTHOR: John Flanagan
TITLE: The Icebound Land
CODEPAGE: 20866
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Ranger'sApprentice
R ANGER'S A PPRENTICE
BOOK THREE: THE ICEBOUND LAND
JOHN FLANAGAN
PHILOMEL BOOKS
To Penny, who set such a high standard
1
T HE WOLFSHIP WAS ONLY A FEW HOURS FROM C APE S HELTER when the massive storm hit them. For three days, they had sailed north toward Skandia through a sea that was calm as a millpond-a fact appreciated by Will and Evanlyn.
"This isn't too bad," Will said as the narrow ship cut smoothly through the waters. He had heard grim tales of people becoming violently sick on board ships at sea. But he could see nothing to worry about in this gentle rocking motion. Evanlyn nodded, a little doubtfully. She was by no means an experienced sailor, but she had been to sea before.
"If this is as bad as it gets," she said. She had noticed the worried looks that Erak, the ship's captain, was casting to the north, and the way he was urging Wolfwind 's rowers on to greater speed. For his part, Erak knew that this deceptively calm weather heralded a change for the worse-much worse. Dimly, on the northern horizon, he could see the dark storm line forming. He knew that if they couldn't round Cape Shelter and get into the lee of the landmass in time, they would take the full force of the storm. For several minutes, he assessed speeds and distances, judging their progress against that of the onrushing clouds.
"We're not going to make it," he said finally to Svengal. His second in command nodded agreement.
"Looks that way," Svengal said philosophically. Erak was glancing keenly around the ship, making sure that there was no loose gear that needed to be secured. His eye lit on the two prisoners, huddled in the bow.
"Better tie those two to the mast," he said.
"And we'll rig the sweep steering oar as well. " Will and Evanlyn watched Svengal as he made his way toward them. He had a coil of light hemp in his hand."What now?" Will asked. "They can't think we're going to try to escape. "
But Svengal had stopped by the mast, and was beckoning urgently to them. The two Araluens rose and moved uncertainly toward him. Will noticed that the ship's motion was becoming a little more pronounced and the wind was increasing. He staggered as he made his way to Svengal. Behind him, he heard Evanlyn mutter an unladylike swearword as she stumbled and barked her shin on a bollard.
Svengal drew his saxe knife and cut two lengths of cord from the coil. "Tie yourselves to the mast," he told them. "We're in for the mother of all storms any minute. "
"You mean we could be blown overboard?" Evanlyn asked incredulously. Svengal noted that Will was tying himself to the mast with a neatly executed bowline knot. The girl was having some trouble, so Svengal took the rope, passed it around her waist and then secured her as well.
