"Robin Hobb - Elderkings - Homecoming" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hobb Robin)

Carrock, the quarters given us are no better than those allotted to the common emigrants and speculators,
that is, a smelly space in the shipтАЩs hold. Only the common criminals, chained in the deepest holds,
suffer more than we do.

The floor is a splintery wooden deck, the walls are the bare planks of the shipтАЩs hull. There is much
evidence that rats were the last inhabitants of this compartment. We are treated no better than cattle.
There are no separate quarters for my maid, so I must suffer her to bed almost alongside us! To preserve
my children from the common brats of the emigrants, I have sacrificed three damask hangings to curtain
off a space. Those people accord me no respect. I believe that they are surreptitiously plundering our
stores of food. When they mock me, my husband bids me ignore them. This has had a dreadful effect on
my servantтАЩs behavior. This morning, my maid, who also serves as a nanny in our reduced household,
spoke almost harshly to young Petrus, bidding him be quiet and cease his questions. When I rebuked her
for it, she dared to raise her brows at me.

My visit to the open deck was a waste of time. It is cluttered with ropes, canvas, and crude men, with no
provisions for ladies and children to take the air. The sea was boring, the view only distant foggy
islands. I found nothing there to cheer me as this detestable vessel bears me ever farther away from the
lofty white spires of Blessed Jamaillia City, sacred to Sa.

I have no friends aboard the ship to amuse or comfort me in my heaviness. Lady Duparge has called on
me once, and I was civil, but the differences in our station make conversation difficult. Lord Duparge is
heir to little more than his title, two ships, and one estate that borders on Gerfen Swamp. Ladies Crifton
and Anxory appear content with one anotherтАЩs company and have not called upon me at all. They are
both too young to have any accomplishments to share, yet their mothers should have instructed them in
their social responsibility to their betters. Both might have profited from my friendship upon our return
to Jamaillia City. That they choose not to court my favor does not speak well of their intellect. Doubtless
they would bore me.

I am miserable in these disgusting surroundings. Why my husband has chosen to invest his time and
finances in this venture eludes me. Surely men of a more adventurous nature would better serve our
Illustrious Satrap in this exploration. Nor can I understand why our children and myself must
accompany him, especially in my condition. I do not think my husband gave any thought to the
difficulties this voyage would pose for a woman gravid with child. As ever, he has not seen fit to discuss
his decisions with me, no more than I would consult him on my artistic pursuits. Yet my ambitions must
suffer to allow him to pursue his! My absence will substantially delay the completion of mySuspended
Chimes of Stone and Metal . The SatrapтАЩs brother will be most disappointed, for the installation was to


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 Legends II

have honored his thirtieth birthday.

Day the 15th of the Fish Moon
Year the 14th of the reign of the Most
Noble and Exalted Satrap Esclepius

I have been foolish. No. I have been deceived. It is not foolishness to trust where one has every right to
expect trustworthiness. When my father entrusted my hand and my fate to Lord Jathan Carrock, he
believed he was a man of wealth, substance, and reputation. My father blessed SaтАЩs name that my artistic