"Raymond E. Feist - Empire Saga 2 - Servant Of The Empire" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

would be deserted. But for a rival house to know that Mara
had chosen to go personally to the slave market bespoke the
presence of an informant very highly placed in Acoma
ranks. The Lady paused, her stomach turned cold by the
thought that if she was struck down here, her year-old son,
Ayaki, would be the last obstacle to the obliteration of the
Acoma name.

Then the figure in the shadows moved, and sunlight
through a tear in the awning revealed a face that was
handsome and young, and showing a smile of surprised
pleasure.

Mara lightly patted Lujan's wrist, gentling his grip on the
sword. 'It's all right,' she said softly. 'I know this noble.'

Lujan straightened, expressionless, as the young man
arose from his bench. The man moved with a swordsman's
balance. His clothing was well made, from sandals of blue-dyed
leather to a tunic of embroidered silk. He wore his hair
in a warrior's cut, and his only ornament was a pendant of
polished obsidian hanging around his neck.

'Hokanu,' Mara said, and at the name her bodyguard
relaxed. Lujan had not been present during the political
bloodbath at the Minwanabi estate, but from talk in the
barracks he knew that Hokanu and his father, Lord
Kamatsu of the Shinzawai, had been almost alone in
supporting the Acoma. This, at a time when most Lords
accepted that Mara's death was a foregone conclusion.

Lujan stood deferentially aside and, from beneath the
brim of his helm, regarded the noble who approached. Mara
had received many petitions for marriage since the death of
her husband, but none of the suitors was as handsome or as
well disposed as the second son of Kamatsu of the
Shinzawai. Lujan maintained correct bearing to the finest
detail, but like any in the Acoma household, he had a
personal interest in Hokanu. And so had Mara, if the flush
in her cheeks gave any indication.

After the subtle flattery of recent suitors, Hokanu's
honest yearning for Mara's approval was refreshing. 'Lady,
what a perfect surprise! I had no expectation of finding so
lovely a flower in this most unpleasant of surroundings.' He
paused, bowed neatly, and smiled. 'Although of late we
have all seen this delicate blossom show thorns. Your
victory over Jingu of the Minwanabi is still the talk of
Silmani,' he said, naming the city closest to his father's
estates.