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

Hokanu. Very well; you know that I need no bribes to allow
you to visit my estates. Your company is ... always
welcome.'

Hokanu stared in mock suffering at Lujan. 'She says that
very prettily for one who refused me the last time I was in
Sulan-Qu.'

'That's not fair,' Mara protested, then blushed as she
realized how quickly she had spoken in her own defence.
With better decorum she added, 'Your request came at an
awkward moment, Master Hokanu.' And her face darkened
as she recalled a Minwanabi spy, and a pretty, importunate
boy who had suffered as a result of the intrigue and
ambition that underlay every aspect of life in the Empire of
Tsuranuanni.

Hokanu noted the strain that shadowed her face. His
heart went out to this young woman, who had been so
serious as a child, and who had against the greatest odds
found the courage and intelligence to secure her house from
ruin. 'I will cede to you the Midkemians,'he said firmly, 'for
whatever price you can bargain with the factor.'

'But I wish not to inconvenience you,' Mara protested.
Her fan trembled between clenched fingers. She was tense;
Hokanu must not be permitted to notice, and to distract him
she whiffed air through the feathers as if she were bothered
by the heat. 'The Shinzawai have shown the Acoma much
kindness and, in honour, it is time that we proved ourselves
worthy. Let me be the one to cede the bidding.'

Hokanu regarded the Lady, who was daintily small, and
far more attractive than she herself understood. She had a
smile that made her radiant, except that at present the face
beneath its thyza-powder makeup was almost wary with
tension. Her concern went much deeper than simple forms
of honour, the young man sensed at once.

The insight gave him pause: she had been snatched away
from taking vows of service to the goddess Lashima to
assume her role as Ruling Lady. In all likelihood she had
known little or nothing of men before her wedding night.
And Buntokapi of the Anasati, an ill-mannered, coarse
braggart at the best of times, had been the son of an Acoma
enemy before he had become her husband and Ruling Lord.

He had been rough with her, Hokanu understood with
sudden certainty, which was why this Ruling Lady and