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

nothing to do with me. I would say that the punishment was just, if I and my innocent babes were not
ensnared in the same net that has trapped the plotters. All the confiscated wealth has financed this
expedition. The disgraced nobles were forced to join a Company composed of speculators and explorers.
Worse, the banished criminals in the hold, the thieves and whores and ruffians, will be released to join
our Company when we disembark. Such will be the society around my tender children.

Our Blessed Satrap has generously granted us a chance to redeem ourselves. Our Magnificent and Most
Merciful Satrap has granted each man of the company two hundred leffers of land, to be claimed
anywhere along the banks of the Rain Wild River that is our boundary with barbarous Chalced, or along
the Cursed Shores. He directs us to establish our first settlement on the Rain Wild River. He chose this
site for us because of the ancient legends of the Elder Kings and their Harlot Queens. Long ago, it is
said, their wondrous cities lined the river. They dusted their skin with gold and wore jewels above their
eyes. So the tales say. Jathan said that an ancient scroll, showing their settlements, has recently been
translated. I am skeptical.

In return for this chance to carve out new fortunes for ourselves and redeem our reputations, Our
Glorious Satrap Esclepius asks only that we cede to him half of all that we find or produce there. In
return, the Satrap will shelter us under his protective hand, prayers will be offered for our well-being,
and twice yearly his revenue ships will visit our settlement to be sure we prosper. A Charter for our
Company, signed by the SatrapтАЩs own hand, promises this.

Lords Anxory, Crifton, and Duparge share in our disgrace, though as lesser Lords, they had less far to
fall. There are other nobles aboard the other two ships of our fleet, but no one I know well. I rejoice that
my dear friends do not share my fate yet I mourn that I enter exile alone. I will not count upon my
husband for comfort in the disaster he has brought upon us. Few secrets are kept long at court. Is that
why none of my friends came to the docks to bid me farewell?

My own mother and sister had little time to devote to my packing and farewells. They wept as they bade
me farewell from my fatherтАЩs home, not even accompanying me to the filthy docks where this ship of
banishment awaited me. Why, O Sa, did they not tell me the truth of my fate?

At that, though, a hysteria fell upon me, so that I trembled and wept, with occasional shrieks bursting

file:///K|/eMule/Incoming/Hobb,%20Robin%20-%20Elderkings%20-%20Homecoming%20(html).html (6 of 54)25-12-2006 0:50:58
 Legends II


from me whether I would or no. Even now, my hands tremble so violently that this desperate scrawl
wanders the page. All is lost to me, home, loving parents, and, most crushing, the art that gave me joy in
life. The half-finished works I left behind will never be completed, and that pains me as much as a child
stillborn. I live only for the day that I can return to gracious Jamaillia by the sea. At this momentтАФ
forgive me, SaтАФI long to do so as a widow. Never will I forgive Jathan Carrock. Bile rises in my throat
at the thought that my children must wear this traitorтАЩs name.

Day the 24th of the Fish Moon
Year the 14th of the reign of the Most
Noble and Magnificent Satrap Esclepius

Darkness fills my soul; this voyage to exile has lasted an eternity. The man I must call husband orders
me to better manage our household, but I scarcely have the spirit to take up my pen. The children weep,