"Cecilia Dart-Thornton - The Bitterbynde 02 - The Lady of the Sorrows" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dart-Thornton Cecilia)

ministers I am empowered to speak for him and take messages on his behalf. Now, what are your tidings
of import?"
A page in gray-and-gold livery came in bearing a laden tray. He set it down on a table with legs
carved like sword irises and inlaid with mother-of-pearl, then bowed to his lord and to the lady.
"Thank youтАФ"
Her host glanced at Rohain sharply. Obviously she had made a mistake by thanking the lad. It
appeared that those born to be served by others did not consider it necessary to show gratitude to the
servants here in the palace. She must avoid such errors. To survive here among the denizens of the Royal
Court, one must do what all newcomers must do in a strange countryтАФcopy the behavior of the
inhabitants. If she observed them closely, if she followed their customs and manners, then she might pass
undiscovered.
"My tidings are for the ears of the King-Emperor," she repeated. The Dainnan Chieftain frowned.
He seated himself opposite her, leaning back in the chair.
"Well, my lady of the Sorrows, it seems we can discover no common ground. Pray, partake of wine
and cakes before you depart. I am sorry there can be no commerce between us."
Ethlinn and Maeve had said that Roxburgh could be trusted, but it would be better to see the
King-Emperor himself. She must try for it.
"I must speak with the King-Emperor."
"And I have told you that it is impossible."
He handed her a goblet, silver-gilt, enameled in mulberry.
"To your health."
"And to Your Grace's."
She raised the vessel, lifted the veil, and drank. The liquor was the essence of peaches, on fire.
"'Tis a pity to travel so far only to leave with your mission unrequited," remarked the Duke
conversationally, lifting one mightily thewed shank akimbo and resting a boot on his knee.
"Yes, a pity."
"How do they speak of us, in the far Isles of Sorrows?"
"Highly, sir. But no words I have heard spoken do justice to the wonder and wealth of the Royal
City. The name of Conmor, Duke of Roxburgh, is also famous in far-flung places, of course."
"And no doubt many a story is attached to it."
"All are gestes of valor."
"And honor?"
 "Most assuredly!"
"If Conmor of Roxburgh is spoken of, perhaps you are aware that he has little time for secret
messages, being more concerned with the safety of the Empire. It is no secret that war is gathering on the
borders. Our spies reported large movements of armed barbarians in northern Namarre last month near
the Nenian Landbridge. Yesterday the Royal Legions began deploying five hundred troops to the north
as part of the King-Emperor's moves to guard against possible military action by Namarre. I am needed
there. I sally forth on the morrow."
"I know nothing of such matters, sir, but perhaps a show of strength may be all that is required to
make these rebels think again."
"Precisely. Otherwise, they shall know the fury of the King-Emperor's Legions."
"It is said that they are allied with immortalsтАФunseelie wights of eldritch who are moving northward
in answer to some kind of Call; formidable foes."
"In sooth, but so-called immortals only live forever unless they choose to die or are slain."
"I have heard that if they are wounded so sorely that their bodies become incapable of sustaining
existence, they are able to transmute and thus live on in another shape?"
"Some possess that power, yea, but they must take a weaker form, threatless."
Conversation petered out.
The Dainnan Commander quaffed the remaining contents of his goblet. Rohain-Imrhien sipped her