"Raymond E. Feist - Riftwar 3 - A Darkness at Sethanon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feist Raymond E)

already convinced him there was more to girls than he
had thought back at Land's End. 'Well,' Locklear said,
picking up the pace of their walking, "if deLacy doesn't
find a reason to chuck you out of service, or Jerome
doesn't have you beaten by town roughs, some jealous
kitchen boy or angry father's likely to comb your hair
With a cleaver. But none of them will have a prayer if


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we're late to the chancery - because Earl Volney will
have our heads on pikes. Come on.'
With a laugh and an elbow to the ribs, Locklear was
off, with Jimmy a step behind as they ran down the halls.
One old servant looked up from his dusting to watch the
boys racing along and for a moment reflected on the
magic of youth. Then, resigned to the effects of time's
passage, he returned to the duties at hand.

The crowd cheered as the heralds began their march
down the steps of the palace. They cheered, in part
because they would now be addressed by their Prince
who, while somewhat aloof, was well respected and
counted evenhanded with justice. They cheered, in part
because they would see the Princess whom they loved
She was a symbol of continuation of an old line, a link
from the past to the future. But most of all they cheered
because they were among the lucky citizens not of the
nobility who would be allowed to eat from the Prince's
larder and to drink from his wine cellar.
The Festival of Presentation was conducted thirty days
following the birth of any member of the royal family.
How it began remained a mystery, but it was commonly
held that the ancient rulers of the city-state of Rillanon
were required to show the people, of every rank and
station, that the heirs to the throne were born without
flaw. Now it was a welcome holiday to the people, for it
was as if an extra Midsummer's festival had been
granted.
Those guilty of misdemeanours were pardoned, matters
of honour were considered resolved and duelling was
forbidden for a week and a day following the Presentation,
all debts owing since the last Presentation Princess
Anita's nineteen'years ago - were forgiven, and
for the afternoon and evening, rank was put aside as
commoner and noble ate from the same table.
As Jimmy took his place behind the heralds, he
realized that "someone always had to work. Someone had