"Feist, Raymond E - The Riftwar Legacy 02 - Krondor- The Assassins" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

6 "My thanks, Highness, " said Pug. He seemed about to speak, but
hesitated.

Arutha cocked his head to one side. "There s a but here, isn t there? "

"But I need remain at Stardock with my family. There s much work to be
done and my attention there precludes me from serving in Krondor,
Arutha. " Arutha sighed slightly. "Understood. But that still leaves me
without a magician in court, if you re unwilling to take residency in
the palace. "

"I could send Kulgan back to nag at you, " said Pug with a smile.

"No, my former teacher is too quick to forget rank and scold me in front
of my court. It s bad for morale. " 'Whose? " asked Jimmy under his
breath.

Arutha didn t look at the squire, but said, "Mine, of course. To Pug he
said, "Seriously, the betrayal of Makala shows me the wisdom my father
employed by having an advisor on matters of magic close to hand. Kulgan
s earned his retirement. So, if not you or young Owyn, who then? " Pug
thought for a moment and said, "I have one student who might be just the
person to advise you in the future. There is one problem. " 'What would
that be? " asked Arutha.

"She s Keshian. " Arutha said, "That s two problems. " Pug smiled.
"Knowing your sister and wife, I would have thought a woman s advice
wouldn t be alien to His Highness. " Arutha nodded. "It s not. But many
in my court would find it... difficult. " Pug said, "I ve never noticed
you to be overly concerned with the opinions of others when your mind
was set, Arutha. " The Prince said, "Times change, Pug. And men get
older. " He was silent for a minute as he watched another contingent of
his army break camp and start to move out. Then he turned to face Pug,
one eyebrow raised in question. "But Keshian? "

"No one will accuse her of allying herself with this or that faction in
court, " said Pug.

Arutha chuckled. "I hope you re joking. "

"No, I m not. She s unusually gifted despite her youth; she s cultured
and educated, reads and writes several languages, and has a remarkable
grasp of magic, which is exactly what you need in an advisor. Most
importantly, she s the only one among my students who can understand the
consequences of magic in a political context, as she s had court
training in Kesh. She s from the Jal-Pur and understands how things
stand in the west, as well. " Arutha seemed to consider this for a long
moment, then said, "Come to Krondor when you can and tell me more. I m
not saying I will not finally agree to your choice, but I need more
convincing before I do. " Arutha smiled his half-smile and turned his