"Kate Forsyth - Eileanan 06 - The Fathomless Caves" - читать интересную книгу автора (Forsyth Kate)

"It is Beltane Night, the night we celebrate the coming o' summer and
the passing o' winter. With the burning o' the Beltane fires, we drive
away the darkness o' the dead months and beckon the golden gladness
o' the growing months. This evening, our Beltane fires have even greater
meaning, for we have left the darkness and dreadfulness o' war behind us
and celebrate the dawning o' a new season o' peace and fruitfulness."

Cheering erupted everywhere. People clapped their hands, stamped
their feet, called out ululations of approval. Lachlan held up his hand for
silence and after a long moment, the noise died down again.

"As you know, spring is the time when E├а walks the world in her
green mantle, flowers springing up in her footsteps. We like to celebrate
May Day by crowning the bonniest lass we can find with a garland of
flowers and draping her with a mantle of green, to praise and honor E├а,
our mother. I think there can be very little doubt in any of our minds who
should be crowned May Queen tonight." He paused once again, to allow
the shouts and ribald suggestions to die down. "So I have great pleasure
in calling upon . .. Brangaine NicSian to be our May Queen this even!"

Isabeau could not help a little start of surprise. This was not because
the NicSian was not a young woman of uncommon beauty. Brangaine
NicSian, the Banprionnsa of Siantan, had hair the color and texture of
cornsilk, and eyes of clear emerald green. She was without question one
of the most beautiful girls Isabeau had ever seen. It was just that Isabeau
had expected Lachlan to name his wife as May Queen. Beltane was a
night of great significance to Iseult and Lachlan. It was the night of their
first loving, the night they had conceived their son, Donncan, now six
years old.

There was no change in Iseult's expression, though her fingers
tightened a little on the stem of her goblet. The crowd was cheering and
clapping, as a blushing, smiling Brangaine was led up to a
flower-bedecked dais. Lachlan draped the green silken cloak about her
shoulders and crowned her with a garland of pink roses and white
hawthorn, before bending to kiss her cheek.

"I dinna realize Lachlan kent the NicSian so well," Isabeau said
rather tentatively.

"Brangaine sailed back on the Royal Stag with us," Iseult said. "She
can whistle the wind, ye ken. It is because o' her that we were able to get
home from Tirsoilleir so quickly."

As she spoke, a great roar went up from the crowd. Dide had
somersaulted right across the bonfire, landing gracefully on one knee
before the May Queen and kissing her hand reverently. He then delighted
the crowd by pulling her down so he could kiss her hard on the mouth.
As everyone cheered and whistled, he leapt to his feet again with a