"Greg Keyes - Kingdoms of Thorn and Bone 3 - The Blood Knight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Keyes J Gregory)

"Did you say something, Lady Berrye?"
"Yes, Highness. I said the praifec was foolish to torture the composerтАФand you
were foolish to let him. You must know that you need the support of the
landwaerden to hold this city against attack. Leovigild Ackenzal was their darling, all
the more so after the performance of his wonderful music."
"Hmm," Robert mused. "Lady Berrye, that is a most considered opinion. Such
political acumen from someone whom I've long believed to be a simple whore."
"One can be very simple, indeed," Alis said, "and still understand things you do
not."
"Well, I suppose that's true," Robert admitted. "In any event, there are ways to
regain the trust of the landwaerden, should that be needed. But with Hansa and the
holy Church on my side, I don't think the landwaerden will present much of a
problem. I need only keep them quiet for another month or so, yes?"
"The Church?" Muriele asked.
"Indeed. The praifec has written to the Fratrex Prismo in z'Irbina, and the fratrex
has kindly agreed to send a few troops to help us keep the peace and to prosecute
the resacaratum until this throne is secure."
"First Hansa, now the Church. You would give our country to every enemy we
have if it would buy you time on the throne. You truly are despicable."
"I didn't realize that you considered the Church our enemy," Robert said blandly.
"Praifec Hespero might find fault with that. In fact, he might discover the need to
question you."
There was the sudden sound of shattering glass.
"Lady Berrye," Robert said, "you've dropped your goblet."
Alis turned unfocused eyes in his direction.
"Saints damn you," she rasped. She tried to stand, but her legs seemed too weak
to support her.
Sudden terror stroked through Muriele like a sword. She reached out for Alis.
"What have you done to her, Robert?"
Robert fondled his beard.
"I gave her to you as your maid because I thought it would annoy you. But to the
contrary, you two actually seem to have cultivated a friendship. It also seems that
our dear Alis seduced information from one of your guards and has perhaps done
so on other occasions.
"I believe I not only misunderstood Lady Berrye but underestimated her. And so I
wonder what other things she might be capable of accomplishing. Doubtless you
told her of the secret passages that riddle this castle, if she did not already know of
them. Perhaps she has some scheme to spirit you away from me."
He smiled more broadly.
"If so, then she will take her plot with her to Eslen-of-Shadows."
Muriele knelt at Alis' side now, taking her hand. The girl's skin already had a
bluish cast, and her arms had begun to convulse. Her fingers were like ice.
"Alis!" Muriele gasped.
"Gallowswort," Alis managed, her voice so faint, Muriele had to lean close.
"KnewтАж" She shook, and black spittle came from her mouth. She murmured a few
words Muriele did not understand, and Muriele felt a slight heat on her skin. The
hairs stood up on her arm.
"Keep safe," Alis hissed. "Soinmi├й. Soinmi├й, Fienden."
Her breath became more ragged until she seemed to be hiccupping rather than
breathing. Then, with a sudden, soundless scream, that stopped, too.