"Sara Douglass - The Axis Trilogy 1 - BattleAxe" - читать интересную книгу автора (Douglass Sara)

the moon in the
various phases of its monthly cycle floating amid a myriad of begemmed
stars (thus the popular sobriquet). The floor was equally spectacular тАФ deep
emerald-green marble shot through with veins of gold.
Tonight the floor was hardly visible beneath the dozens of tables crammed
into the chamber, and (as yet) no-one was drunk enough to be lying in such a
position as to stare straight towards the magnificent domed roof. On the side of
the chamber, directly opposite the entrance, was the slightly raised dais, where
Priam normally sat to receive whoever had come calling, but which tonight
supported the royal table. Priam was there with his immediate family (of whom
not many were left), and the most important nobles of the realm with their
wives. Jaynie, Brother-Leader ' of the Seneschal, enjoyed a spot not far from the
centre of the table and was, despite the grim news from the north, determined
to enjoy the banquet until he could discuss developments more privately with
Priam.
Immediately below the royal party was a large table seating the sons and
daughters of the highest nobles. From there the tables spread across the floor of
the Chamber of the Moons with the least important guests cramped around
rickety tables in the dim recesses behind the grand circle of columns.
Faraday, eighteen-year-old daughter of Earl Isend of Skarabost, sat soaking
up the atmosphere with her intelligent green eyes. As she had only turned
eighteen a half-year previously, this was the first time she had been invited to
one of the grand royal banquets; indeed, this was the first time she had even
been to Carlon. Although Faraday had not been raised in court, she was far from
being out of her social and cultural depth. Her mother, Merlion, had spent years
training her in the rituals and etiquette of court society, while the girl's own
natural wit and composure gave her the skills to hold her own in most courtly
company. Pleasant conversation notwithstanding, Faraday's green eyes, chestnut
hair and fine bone structure held the promise of such great beauty that she had
already caught the speculative eye of a number of young nobles seeking well-
bred and wealthy wives.
Beside her sat her new friend, Devera, twenty-year-old daughter of Duke
Roland the Walker. Devera had a blue-eyed, fair-haired prettiness that Faraday
thought extraordinarily appealing.
Faraday leaned close to Devera, hoping that the intricate knot of her heavy
hair, held together with only small pins of pearls and diamonds, would not
tumble down. "Everyone looks so beautiful, Devera," she whispered, unable to
completely hide her excitement. Her eyes slipped to the goblet of watered wine
she held. Its golden cup was encrusted with small diamond chips. Noble she
might have been, but Faraday was still young enough to be impressed by the
extreme wealth and ostentation of Priam's court.
Devera smiled at Faraday. She remembered how she had felt when she first
came to court two years ago, but she was not going to let Faraday know that.
"You should try and look more bored, Faraday. If people suspect you are in awe
of them they will seek to take advantage of you."
Faraday looked up from the goblet, her green eyes serious now. "Oh,
Devera, surely you have read Artor's words in the Book of Field and Furrow?
Taking advantage of people is not the Artor-fearing way." Besides teaching
Faraday the courtly graces, Merlion had also made sure her daughter received
strict religious instruction.