"Tracy Falbe - The Rys Chronicles 03 - Judgment Rising" - читать интересную книгу автора (Falbe Tracy)

know.тАЭ

The people who heard his answer paused thoughtfully as if trying to imagine something they could
not.

Finally, he reached his table and settled down with his close associates, who were more
accustomed to his fame. He held the chair for Haley, and, as she sat down, he noted the silver that
now mingled with her golden curls. He wondered if any of the gold would be left when he returned
to Atrophane. Even at mid-life, Haley was a beautiful woman and Sandin was proud of her. She
maintained their political connections superbly and she raised their son well. Haley really embodied
his Atrophaney existence, but he could never fully join her. Nothing heated his blood like empire
building, like claiming foreign lands and soaking up the power of leading an army and knowing that
he was the ultimate law. He imagined it as being Darmar without most of the hassle.

Servers came by with more wine and the first course of food.

Watching the girls go by, Haley commented, тАЬI suspect that these temple virgins may not be as
chaste as their title implies.тАЭ

Carfu, who sat on the other side of Sandin, joked, тАЬWhy Lady Triesto, I believe that is covered by
the donтАЩt ask, donтАЩt tell policy.тАЭ

Sandin shared in their laughter but then scolded his wife for starting rumors.
тАЬI never started a thing with a temple virgin,тАЭ Haley insisted and got another laugh.

Enjoying himself now, Sandin lifted his glass and toasted his wife. тАЬTo Lady Triesto. I shall miss her
bright conversation while I am away.тАЭ

The other officers dutifully toasted their Lord GeneralтАЩs lady, who graciously dipped her head.

тАЬI shall name the second fort I build in the Wilderness after you,тАЭ Sandin proposed.

The sentiment truly touched Haley but she shielded herself from her soft feelings with a flippant
comment. тАЬThen I shall have a statue of me commissioned so you can set it up by the gate.тАЭ

Sandin chuckled. тАЬYou are much ahead of yourself, wife. It will be some time before works of art
grace the Wilderness. I do not even expect my first fort to be completed when I arrive this
summer.тАЭ

Haley sighed and started picking at her food. She said, тАЬLord General, must you really go? As you
said, there is nothing there.тАЭ

тАЬWhich is precisely why I must go. Already I have stayed in Atrophane too long. The Empire must
exert its presence in the region before others do,тАЭ Sandin explained. He wondered at his wifeтАЩs
sudden pouting over his impending departure. Whenever he had left on campaigns before, she had
always seemed eager for him to go. He suspected Haley was attempting to manipulate him for
something, but he knew how to redirect her protests. тАЬLady Triesto, it sounds like you are going to
miss me.тАЭ He glanced at Carfu and then announced, тАЬI shall just have to take you with me. It is a
bit unprecedented but I can arrange it.тАЭ