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

On and on droned the herald as other members of the

nobility were introduced and, finally, visiting dignitarieS,
including the Keshian Ambassador. Lord Hazara-Khan
entered with only four bodyguards, forgoing the usual
Keshian pomp.
The Ambassador was dressed in the style
of the desert men of the Jal-Pur: a long robe of indigo over white cloth
head cover that left only the eyes exposed,
tunic and trousers tucked into calf-high black boots. The
bodyguards were garbed from head to toe in black.
Then deLacy stepped forward and called, 'Let the
populace approach.' Several hundred men and women of
varying rank, from the poorest beggar to the richest
commoner, gathered below the steps of the palace.
Arutha spoke the ritual words of the Presentation.
"Today is the three hundred tenth day of the second year
of the reign of our Lord King, Lyam the First. Today we
present our sons.'
DeLacy struck his staff upon the ground and the
herald called out, "Their Royal Highnesses, the Princes
Borric and Erland.' The crowd erupted in a nearfrenzy
of shouts and cheers as the twin sons of Arutha
and Anita, born a month before, were publicly presented
for the first time. The nurse selected to care for the boys
came forward and gave her charges over to their mother
and father. Arutha took Borric, named for his father,
while Anita took her own father's namesake. Both
babies endured the public showing with good grace
though Erland showed signs of becoming fussy. The
crowd continued to cheer, even after Arutha and Anita
had returned their sons to the care of the nurse. Arutha
Faced those gathered below the steps with another rare
smile. 'My sons are well and strong, they are born
without flaw. They are fit to rule. Do you accept them as
sons of the royal house?' The crowd shouted its
approbation. Anita reflected her husband's smile. Arutha
waved to the crowd. "our thanks, good people. Until the
feasting, I bid you all good day.'


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The ceremony was over. Jimmy hurried to Arutha's
side, as was his duty, while Locklear moved to Anita's
side. Locklear was formally a junior squire, but he was
so often given duty with the Princess that he was
commonly considered her personal squire. Jimmy suspected
deLacy of wanting to keep himself and Locklear