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

Devera suppressed a small grimace. Faraday sounded a little too devout for
her liking. Everyone at court
genuinely feared the wrath of Artor, and most respected the Brother-Leader,
but they generally only paid lip service to the Seneschal. Devotion to the
Seneschal's Way of the Plough was a trifle too peasantish for most court nobility
тАФ indeed, most Carlonites. Besides, many nobles resented the interference of
the Seneschal in the political affairs of Achar. Faraday would have to drop the
expressions of devoutness if she was to hold the interest of one of the better-
looking courtiers. Devera assumed Earl Isend had brought Faraday to court and
decked her out in such an exquisite dark-gold silk dress and fine pearls in order
to find her a husband. Devera herself was betrothed to one of the younger sons
of Baron Fulke and would be wedded within the month. She looked forward to
the event with lustful impatience.
Well, if Faraday was devout, then perhaps her father could arrange an
audience with the Brother-Leader for her. Devera indicated the white-haired and
stooped old man one place down from the king's left hand. "Have you met the
Brother-Leader yet, Faraday?"
Faraday turned her gaze back towards the royal table and the leader of the
Seneschal. He looked as noble as any other at the table with his well-groomed
(and non-tonsured) hair, his gently waved and perfumed beard and rich clothes.
He wore a massive emerald ring on his left hand, and wielded his napkin with as
much grace as the king himself. He had a kindly, intelligent face, though he
seemed preoccupied with some grave concern.
"No." Faraday hesitated a moment. "Does he come from the royal family
itself, Devera?"
Devera snorted behind her gravy-stained napkin. "Not he, Faraday. No,
Brother-Leader Jayme comes from an undistinguished farming family somewhere
in the depths of Arcness. Knowing that province, he probably has more than a
passing knowledge of pigs, although he hides it well now. He was appointed
chaplain to the royal household a few decades ago -that's where he learned his
manners. Jayme was...is...an ambitious man, and he learnt well at court. Well
enough, I suppose, to be appointed Brother-Leader."
Faraday was dismayed at the sacrilegious way Devera talked about the
Brother-Leader. "Devera, you must not speak ill of the Brother-Leader. The
Brotherhood of the Seneschal elects the Brother-Leader - the royal household
has no influence at all."
 Artor! but the girl had a lot to learn about the intrigues of both court and
Seneschal, Devera thought dryly, and decided to steer the conversation away
from religious matters. "What do you think of King Priam, Faraday?"
Faraday smiled and her face looked truly beautiful. "He's handsome,
Devera." Her eyes twinkled impishly. "But such curls!"
Devera laughed despite herself. Priam had inherited the regal good looks of
his family as well as their magnificent dark auburn hair, but it really was a trifle
ridiculous for a man in his late forties to continue to have his hair curled so
tightly.
"That must be his wife, Queen Judith." Faraday indicated a woman of
ethereal and fragile beauty sitting between Priam and the Brother-Leader. As
they watched, Priam leaned over attentively and gave her the choicest meats
from his own plate.
"Yes. It's so sad. They say that Priam loves her dearly, but that she cannot