"Feist, Raymond E & Wurts, Janny - The Empire Trilogy 03 - Mistress of the Empire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

cover. 'The brush!' he shouted as the bearers were sent
sprawling.

Guards drew their blades in readiness to defend their mistress.
But seeing no clear target to attack, they hesitated.

Mara exclaimed in puzzlement from beneath a tangle of

14 Mistress of the Empire

cushions and tom curtains, over the noise of Justin's wails.
'What -'

To the guards, Hokanu shouted, 'Behind the akasi
bushes!'

The horse stamped, as if at a stinging fly. Ayaki felt his
gelding shudder under him. Its ears flattened, and it shook
its heavy mane, while he worked the reins to soothe it. 'Easy,
big fellow. Stand easy.' His stepfather's warning failed to
reach him, so intent was he on steadying his mount.

Hokanu glanced over the litter. The guards now rushed
the bushes he had indicated. As he fumed to check for
possible attack from the other quarter, he saw Ayaki
frantically trying to calm a horse grown-dangerously over
excited. A sparkle of lacquer in the sunlight betrayed a tiny
dart protruding from the gelding's flank. 'Ayaki! Get off!'

His horse gave a vicious kick. The dart in its hide had
done its work, and nerve poison coursed through the beast's
bloodstream. Its eyes rolled, showing wide rings of white.
It reared up, towering, and a near-human scream shrilled
from its throat.

Hokanu sprang away from the litter. He grabbed for the
gelding's rein, but slashing hooves forced him back. He
dodged, tried another grab, and missed as the horse twisted.
Familiar enough with horseflesh to know this animal had
gone berserk, he screamed to the boy who clung with both
hands locked around the beast's neck.

'Ayaki! Jump off! Do it now, boy!'

'No,' cried the child, not in defiance, but bravely. 'I can
quiet him!'

Hokanu leaped for the reins again, frightened beyond
thought for his own safety. The boy's concern might have
been justified if the horse had simply been scared. But