"Kerr,.Katharine.-.Deverry.03.-.Bristling.Wood" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dragon Stories)

Lovyan debated challenging him then and there. If sheТd been a
man, and thus able to fight her own duels, she might well have
done it, but as it was, she would have to call for a champion.
Answering that call would be the captain of her warband, Cullyn of
Cerrmor, who was without doubt the best swordsman in all
Deverry. It seemed rather unfair to sentence Talidd to certain
death for a few nasty remarks.

УI choose to ignore that, my lord,Ф Lovyan said, and she put ice in
her voice. УIf you feel injured, you may put your case before the
gwerbret, and I shall come to court at his order.Ф

УThe gwerbret, Your Grace, happens to be your son.Ф

УSo he is, and I scrupulously raised him to be a fair-minded man.Ф

At that Talidd looked down abruptly at the table, and he had the
decency to blush. In the duel of words, Lovyan had scored the first
touch.

УIТm surprised youТd come here just to pour vinegar in an old
wound,Ф she said.

УThe matterТs of great moment for the gwerbretrhyn, isnТt it? You
forget, Your Grace, that I hold a seat on the Council of Electors.Ф

Lovyan had forgotten, and she cursed herself mentally for the
lapse. Talidd had a sip of ale and smiled his bland, secretive smile
at her and Nevyn impartially.

УI was hoping IТd be in time to witness the birth,Ф he said at last. УI
take it there were witnesses not of this household.Ф

УMyself and the herbman here.Ф

УAnd none, my lady, would dare dispute your word, not in open
court or in private meeting.Ф The smile grew less bland. УWe may
take it as a given that, indeed, the Lady DonillaТs not barren, no
matter what seemed to be the case before.Ф

Lovyan gave him a brilliant smile and hated his very heart.

УJust so, my lord. I take it as another given that youТll be
summoning the council with this news as soon as ever you can.Ф

Talidd left well before the evening meal with the remark that he had
a better welcome nearby. He sounded so martyred, so genuinely
injured, that Nevyn felt like kicking him all the way out of the great
hall. For LovyanТs sake, he refrained. Instead he went up to look in
on Donilla, who was by then resting in her own bed with the