"Daley,.Brian.-.Coramonde.1.-.Doomfarers.Of.Coramonde" - читать интересную книгу автора (Daley Brian)

called them ogres. Bigger than humans, coarse and mighty as
oaks, they were dressed cap-a-pie in plate armor thicker than any
man might wear.

Springbuck heard muted laughter and murmurings from the throng
as his entrance drew attention. The lush smells of their mingling
perfumes and oils came to him, and the dainty scuffing of slippers
and stirrings of extravagant clothing. The Court had, beforetimes,
been composed of wise advisers, faithful deputies and stern
fighting men. Under Fania it consisted of carpet knights

6 THE DOOMFARERS OF CORAMONDE

and dissipaters; Surehand's old confidants didn't come often or
stay for long.

He realized that, aside from the titterings, there was an
unaccustomed silence in the chamber, then spied the
figureЧdifficult to discern, since his vision was somewhat weak at
a distanceЧof the famous and formidable Duke Rolph Hightower.

The Prince's entrance must have interrupted an exchange. With
the note of one resuming a train of thought, the Queen said, "And
here now is our stepson, come at his own good time from sulking
alone in our gardens." Her voice was rich, vibrant, but always cold
and closed to Springbuck, however, much he'd tried to ingratiate
himself to her. Still flanked by the two guardsmen, he forebore to
reply; Fania was as expert at these skirmishes as his instructor in
arms, Eiiatim, was with the sword

"He cringes from meeting Strongblade in combat,'* she persisted,
"and would like to think up a way to avoid battle, but take the throne
of the Ku-Mor-Mai nevertheless. But he will not! Not while my son
and I live."

At this the Prince struggled to master his anger, refusing to be
drawn into another contest of words with Fania. But the powerful
voice of Duke Hightower rose then, with an edge to it to prove that
he and the Queen had already had their differences that night.

"Who would not, facing a death under these circumstances?" he
countered. "I'm very sure that Your Grace means what she says,
that you mean for Strongblade to rule, but any man with sense in
his head and a bit of spine might question the truth of your motives
and the legality of this pending duel."

Springbuck studied the Duke, who stood defiant and alone in the
exact center of the wide floor. Not Springbuck's friend particularly,
he had still been a staunch ally and supporter of the Prince's father,
though rarely a visitor to Court. He was even more conspicuous