"David Eddings - Malloreon 3 Demon Lord of Karanda" - читать интересную книгу автора (Eddings David)

be subtle. He nodded briefly to the others, and his attention
finally fixed itself upon the rumpled untidy form of Garion's
grandfather.
"And of course you, sir, would be Belgarath," he noted.
"I'm a bit surprised to find you so ordinary looking. The
Grolims of Mallorea all agree that you're a hundred feet tall
-possible two hundred- and that you have horns and a forked
tail."
"I'm in disguise," Belgarath replied with aplomb.
Zakath chuckled, though there was little amusement in that
almost mechanical sound. Then he looked around with a faint
frown. "I seem to note some absences," he said.
"Queen Ce'Nedra fell ill during our journey, your
Majesty." Atesca advised him. "Lady Polgara is attending her."
"Ill? Is it serious?"
"It's difficult to say at this point, your Imperial
Majesty, " Sadi replied unctuously, "but we have given her
certain medications, and I have every confidence in Lady
Polgara's skill."
Zakath looked at Garion. "You should have sent word on
ahead, Belgarion. I have a healer on my personal staff -a
Dalasian woman with remarkable gifts. I'll send her to the
Queen's chambers at once. Our first concern must be your
wife's health."
"Thank you," Garion replied with genuine gratitude.
Zakath touched a bellpull and spoke briefly with the
servant who responded immediately to his summons.
"Please," the Emperor said then, "seat yourselves. I have
no particular interest in ceremony."
As the guards hastily brought chairs for them, the cat
sleeping in Zakath's lap half opened her golden eyes and
looked around at them. She rose to her paws, arched her back,
and yawned. Then she jumped heavily to the floor with an
audible grunt and waddled over to sniff at Eriond's fingers.
With a faintly amused look, Zakath watched his obviously
pregnant cat make her matronly way across the carpet. "You'll
note that my cat has been unfaithful to me -again." He sighed
in mock resignation. "It happens fairly frequently, I'm
afraid, and she never seems to feel the slightest guilt about
it."
The cat jumped up into Eriond's lap, nestled down, and
began to purr contentedly.
"You've grown, boy," Zakath said to the young man.
"Have they taught you how to talk as yet?" .
"I've picked up a few words, Zakath," Eriond said in his
clear voice.
"I know the rest of you -by reputation at least,"
Zakath said then. "Goodman Durnik and I met on the plains of
Mishrak ac Thull, and of course I've heard of the Margravine
Liselle of Drasnian Intelligence and of Prince Kheldar, who