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

together so watching them would be that much easier.
The Prince threw Jimmy a distracted half-smile as he
watched his wife and sister fuss over the twins. The
Keshian Ambassador had removed his traditional face
covering and was smiling at the sight. His four bodyguards
hovered close.
'Your Highnesses,' said the Keshian, 'are thrice
blessed. Healthy babies are a gift of the gods. And they
are sons. And two of them.'
Arutha basked in the glow of his wife, who looked
radiant as she regarded her sons in the nurse's arms. 'I
thank you, my Lord Hazara-Khan. It is an unexpected
benefit having you with us this year.'
The weather in Durbin is beastly this year,' he said
absently as he began to make faces at little Borric. He
suddenly remembered his station and more formally said,
'Besides, your Highness, we have a minor matter to
finish discussing regarding the new border here in the
West.'
Arutha laughed. 'With you, my dear Abdur, minor
details become major concerns. I have little love for the
prospect of facing you across the negotiating table again.
Still, I'll pass along any suggestions you make to His
Majesty.' The Keshian .bowed and said, 'I wait upon Your

Highness's pleasure.'
Arutha seemed to notice the guards. 'I don't see your
sons or Lord Daoud-Khan in attendance.'
"They conduct the business I would normally oversee
among my people in the Jal-Pur.'
"These?' said Arutha, indicating the four bodyguards.
Each was dressed entirely in jet, even to the scabbards of
their scimitars, and while their costuming was similar to
that of the desert men, it was different from anything
Arutha had seen of Keshians.
'These are izmalis, Highness. They serve as personal
protection, nothing more.'
Arutha chose to say nothing as the knot of people
around the babies seemed about to break up. The izmalis
were famous as bodyguards, the finest protection available
to the nobility of the Empire of Great Kesh, but
rumour had it they were also highly trained spies and,
occasionally, assassins. Their abilities were nearly
legendary. They were reputed to be everything just short
of ghosts in their ability to come and go undetected.
Arutha disliked having men only one step away from
assassins within his walls, but Abdur was entitled to his
personal retinue, and Arutha judged it unlikely the
Keshian Ambassador would bring anyone into Krondor
who might be dangerous to the Kingdom. Besides