"Janrae Frank - Journey of Sacred King 1 - My Sister's Keeper" - читать интересную книгу автора (Frank Janrae)

look of an old lion, comfortable and secure in its power, in a deceptively young face
that was just a little too squared at jaw and too wide at the cheekbones to be called
oval; too rounded and long to be called square. Her lips were large, ruddy and, when
she let them be, expressive; her skin was a glossy red brown that might almost be
called bronze. Her long, thick smoky black hair hung in a leather wrapped tail with a
brief tuft of hair showing at the bottom. She wore a short, sleeveless brown silk tunic
over a deep-sleeved cream shirt buttoned at the cuff and tight fitting pants, the legs
stuffed into knee high boots. A longsword with an intricate golden lion hilt hung at
her side next to a pair of soft leather gloves shoved through her belt.

"Neither. We are suggesting an alliance, if you will. You become Lord Mayor of
Vorgensburg and protect us. We give you the benefit of our knowledge."

Aejys shook her head slowly. "I regret having to say this once more and it will be
the last time I submit to one of these meetings тАУ but I do not wish to rule
Vorgensburg." She turned to directly face Thomas. "You're the instigator, Thomas,"
Aejys said nonchalantly. "Bother me again, and I'll have you banned from my
establishments."

The young mon flushed. "But surely the Lion of RowansleaтАУ"

Tagalong gasped, choked on a mouthful of ale, and spewed it back into her tankard.
Then her eyes shot to Aejys'. "There, that's torn it," she muttered darkly. They had
finally confronted Aejys with their suspicions; Tagalong suspected that voicing it had
been a slip of the tongue; otherwise it was unusually poor judgment on Thomas's
part.

The color had risen in Aejys' face, the line of her mouth stiffened, and sudden rage
burned in her gray eyes. "Don't ever тАУ you hear me тАУ ever call me that again. The
Lion of Rowanslea is dead. She died taking Bucharsa Temple." As she spoke fury
mounted in her voice. "Is that what has been going on all these months, Thomas?
You think I am the Lion of Rowanslea? You want the Lion of Rowanslea to defend
your damned city? To fight all your battles for you?" She rose from her chair and
slammed her fists on the table. "Get out! Get out тАУ all of you!"

The syndics rose like a flock of startled pigeons. Several protested, but when Aejys
started toward them they decided that discretion was the better part of valor and fled
for the door just as Becca opened it. Tagalong grinned, watching them jostle the
tavern master. She knew if they shoved her too much the tavern master would haul
off and take a poke at one, rank not withstanding. Becca could be a bit spiky and
Tagalong had a streak of mischief that liked to see her react.

Tagalong glanced at Aejys and saw that she was cooling down rapidly. The dwarf
knew Aejys Rowan as a person who blew up quick and cooled down quicker.
Tagalong slid out of her chair and came around behind Thomas who tried to linger.
Aejys caught him by the arm and started him toward the door. "Go on, Thomas.
We're still friends, but not right now. Go away."

Thomas brushed past Becca with a good deal more dignity than the others. As the
door closed behind him, Aejys burst out laughing. She laughed so hard she had to