"Stephen Goldin - Storyteller" - читать интересную книгу автора (Goldin Stephen)

well to keep the acts as anonymous as possible.

A score of influential citizens died mysteriously that afternoon, leaving a tremendous power vacuum
within Ravan. Shammara had deliberately kept the number small. A purge that was carried out with
surgical precision would scarcely bother the general population; they didn't care who ruled them as long
as their taxes were not too bothersome. A bloodbath, though, would stir fears in many people that they,
too, might be slated for elimination, and could lead to a panic that would be counterproductive.

Shammara's biggest concern was of vendetta from family and friends of the victims. She hoped fear
would silence most of them and keep them from protesting; if not, one or two more deaths as an example
should silence all.

When news of these murders became known throughout Ravan, the wali of police expressed his shock
that such violence could happen within Oromasd's Holy City and pledged that those responsible for the
crimes would be quickly punished. Indeed, within a few more hours he had rounded up some of the city's
worst criminals, all of whom confessed under torture that they had committed the crimes in question.
They were all summarily executed, thus sparing the populace the agony of prolonged and confusing trials.
The wali was a firm believer in the adage that justice delayed was justice denied, and he would never be
accused of obstructing justice for those he felt deserved none to begin with.

Kateb bin Salih was summoned to confer with Shammara about how to deal with the crisis. The regent,
once one of King Shunnar's wisest and most trusted wazirs, was now weak and senile. Though he tried
to govern Ravan wisely in the name of Prince Ahmad, he was no longer any match for the wiles of
Shammara.

Shammara arranged for the interview to occur in an audience room in the women's section of the vast
palace. Here in a room of green and white carpeting, of emeralds set in alabaster pillars and a domed
ceiling, she sat cross-legged on the carpeted leewan wearing her most demure milfa and an air of
righteous indignation. The regent hobbled in aided by his servants, sat upon the carpet a discreet distance
from Shammara, and squinted across at her with his aged eyes.

Shammara was the picture of concern, her voice calm but horrified at the indignities and tragedies the
city had suffered. Her voice was heavy with emotion as she listed the names of the dead, honored names
all, and spoke of the gaping vacancies left in official positions as a result.

After assuring the regent that she was as horrified by these events as he was, she gave him a list she'd
thoughtfully prepared, suggesting people she thought would do a good job replacing those who'd been so
tragically lost. The regent, once an old hand at internal politics, no longer kept abreast of affiliations and
saw nothing wrong with the people Shammara suggested. He recognized most of the names on the list as
being men of high standing and good family; he had no way of knowing they were all personally loyal to
Shammara and would support her in all decisions against Ahmad.

Kateb bin Salih approved Shammara's list of people to replace those who had been murdered, with only
a few changesтАФchanges Shammara demurely accepted, praising his wise choices. Only two were
troubling, and those were minor ones who could be dealt with later. The continuing good will of the old
man was worth it, for a while. Thus, within twenty-four hours of Prince Ahmad's departure, Shammara's
supporters were confirmed in their positions and held most offices of power within the Holy City.

With that much accomplished so easily, Shammara decided to wait and consolidate her gains rather than
push for the rest of her program too quickly. Oromasd cautioned in favor of moderation and to avoid