"Dart-Thornton,.Cecilia.-.Bitterbynde.02.-.Lady.Of.The.Sorrows.V2" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dart-Thornton Cecilia)

Conversation petered out.
The Dainnan Commander quaffed the remaining contents of his goblet. Rohain-Imrhien sipped her own, replaced it on the inlaid table, and stood up. Roxburgh also rose to his feet.
"You are leaving so soon?"
"I will not squander more of your time, sirЧYour Grace is a busy man, I know. Thank you for sparing me a moment."
"But your tidings . . ."
"Will Your Grace take me to the King-Emperor?"
"Before you stands his sworn representative. Is that not enough?"
"No, sir."
She curtsied. Beyond the palace walls, out in the gulf of night, the wind raged, hammering at the windows.
"Good speed," said Roxburgh, smiling slightly.
Rohain-Imrhien guessed he would not truly let her leave without divining her purpose.
She paused by the door, where two footmen of matching height stood poised to escort her. Then she turned and looked over her shoulder. The war-leader stood with his feet apart, arms folded. He nodded curtly. She walked back into the chamber.
Her bluff had not worked.
His had.
"I will tell you, sir," she said, since there was no option.
ЧЧЧл╗ЧЧЧЧЧЧл╗ЧЧЧЧЧЧл╗ЧЧЧ
The wind sucked along corridors. It sang weird harmonies, flinging doors open and shut with sudden violence and setting every hound in the Royal Kennels to howling.
A sleepy young footman went around the Duke of Roxburgh's audience-chamber, lowering the gleaming lamps on their chains and trimming the wicks, lighting a score of candles slender and white like young damsels, now yellow-haired. In the tall hearth, the flames had simmered down to a wary glow, enlivened now and then by a sudden gust down the chimney. The hounds by the fire twitched, dreaming perhaps of past hunts.
Rohain fell silent, her story told. Long before this night, before she had become Rohain, she had held an inner debate on what she would say, should she ever reach Court. To reveal the existence and whereabouts of the hidden treasure was her purpose, and to uncover the corrupt Scalzo and his adherents so as to be avenged. But to disclose her own identityЧinsofar as she knew itЧwas not her intention. In truth, she was nothing but a homeless waif who had forgotten a past that possibly was best left forgotten. She was a foundling, an ex-floor-scrubber, a serf, a stowaway, a misfit, and an outcast. Now a chance to begin afresh had fallen like a ripe plum into her lap. The lowly part of her life could be swept away and hidden. With a new face and a new name, she who had first been nameless and then been Imrhien might indeed become Rohain of high degree.
To begin living a lie did not sit comfortably with her, but so many reasons made it the choicest path. A noblewoman could wield so much more influence than a servant. That power might be used to help her friends. With influence, she had also some chance of finding Thorn again, of at least seeing him, from a distance, one more time. Thirdly, having once tasted dignity and luxury, it would be hard to relinquish them.
And so she had told her story to Roxburgh not as it was, but as she wished it to be heard. He had listened closely throughout, and when she had finished had asked several pertinent questions. He was no fool; she guessed that he perceived some flaws in the web she had woven, but, perhaps out of tact, he chose to overlook them.
The story went that she had left the Sorrow Islands and begun a journey across Eldaraigne in a small, private Windship. A storm had wrecked the craft over the Lofty Mountains. She and a crewmember had been the only survivors of the disaster. Wandering destitute and in danger through the wight-ridden forests, they had come accidentally upon a treasure hoard of unsurpassed magnificence, at a place they named Waterstair.
"A treasure hoard? You say that it contains much sildron?"
"Vast quantities, sir."
"Did you bring any with you?" This might be a trick question.
"Knowing that all newly discovered sildron is the property of the King-Emperor, I did not take any from this troveЧnor did my companion. But those who discover such wealth are entitled to a share of it in reward, or so I am told. We took jewels and coin, to help us, should we find our way out of the wilderness and regain the lands of men, for we were destitute, as I have recounted."
"May I see these valuables?"
"All is spent." She added hastily, "We took so very littleЧwe could not carry much."
"Spent? Where?"
"In Gilvaris Tarv, when we reached it. Of course, my first thought was to send a message by Stormriders to the King-Emperor, to inform him of this find. However, I held back at the last moment. I was reluctant to let such precious knowledge pass out of my handsЧnot that I do not trust our most worthy Stormriders, but accidents may happen. I decided, then, to journey to Caermelor, in person, with the news. As I was preparing for the journey, disaster struck. My unwonted spending, and that of the aeronaut who had helped me survive in the forests, had not gone unnoticed. He was abducted, with a number of his friends, by a gang of perfidious knaves. They forced him to lead them to the trove, and there he was betrayed, slaughtered before the very doors of the vault. One of his companions escaped to tell the tale, but later perished. I barely escaped with my own life. Through adventure and misadventure I made my way across Eldaraigne until I came here, to Court. Even as we speak, those black-hearted murderers, Scalzo's men, may be raiding the King-Emperor's treasure at WaterstairЧnot for the first timeЧwhile the bones of brave fellows lie rotting in the grass."
"The name of this aeronaut?"
"OhЧthe Bear, he was called," she stammered, fearing she might somehow betray Sianadh by revealing his true name.
"The Bear, indeed?"
"Yes."
"And the haunts of these brigands?"
"Gilvaris Tarv, near the river. On the east side. I know no more." The Dainnan Chieftain called for more wine. He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees.
"But if all is as you say, my lady, then this is a very serious matter. We are talking of treason." She made no reply.
"Treason, perpetrated by those who have concealed and appropriated the property of the Crown. The punishment for that is severe."
"As I imagined."
"You will understand, my lady, that you must remain, as it were, under royal protection until your story can be verified. This is for your own safety as well as for reasons of security."
"Of course."
This had been half-expected. Besides, where else would she go? It had been in her mind to ask her coachmanЧby now no doubt comfortably ensconced in some downstairs pantry with a tankard in his hand, waiting for herЧto take her to the nearest reputable inn for the night. Beyond that, she had formed no plan.
"You must bide here, at the palace, until transportation to the Lofties can be arranged. Since you know the way, you must lead us there. Your reward shall be substantialЧmore than a few jewels and coins easily spent."
Untruthfully, she said, "Sir, knowing that I serve my sovereign is reward enough. Nevertheless I accept your offer with gratitude. I hope for every success in tracking down the treasoners."
He laughed humorlessly. "So, 'tis retribution you are after!"
Truthfully, she said, "Yes, but that was not my primary goal. I came here to fulfill a promise to a friend, and that I have done."
He shrugged. "I will have that wag Wilfred call your servants to bring your accoutrements. Your horses and carriage shall be accommodated in my own stables, your coachman in the grooms' and equerries' quarters behind the Royal Coach-Mews, and your maidservant in a chamber off the suite to be prepared for you."
"I have no handmaiden. The coachman and equipage are hired."
"What? No maid?"
The Dainnan scowled. He left his seat and again paced restlessly before the fireplace.