"Mindy L. Klasky - Glasswright Journeyman" - читать интересную книгу автора (Klasky Mindy L)

swallowed hard and forged ahead. "We intend to trade a great deal with Liantine in the
coming year."

Hal was clearly furious, but he did not have a chance to make additional bidding mistakes
before the priest said, "That surprises me, lady, after the blow the gods have dealt fair Moren."

"Was it the gods?" Hal finally asked. "It seems to me that we men and women made
mistakes. I hear now that the fire may have been started by a smith's flame, left unattended
as the breeze picked up."
"And could that not be the work of Ith, Defender? Or of Pron?"

"Why would the god of blacksmiths rise up against all Moren? Or the god of wind?" Hal
asked. "What could the entire city have done to have angered those righteous gods?"

"Prayer!" the Holy Father exclaimed, and Rani was not certain if he was responding to Hal's
question or if he was replying to words that only he heard. "Prayer is the answer to all the
people of Moren, to all Morenia, to all the world!"

"Aye, Holy Father. Prayer is always advantageous," Hal replied courteously, pausing to see if
the ancient priest would continue. The old man returned to his roast fowl, forking a huge bite
into his mouth and chewing with relish.

When it became apparent that the Holy Father was not going to comment further, Hal said,
"We prayed, of course, after we toured the city, after we saw the damage done by the fire. It
will take much to rebuild from this loss."

"The church has offered up many prayers of gratitude that it was spared the flame."
Dartulamino made a holy sign across his chest, his hand standing out like a skeleton's claw
against the green cloth.

Rani waited for Hal to continue. As much as she disliked making an opening bid in any
transaction, she realized that she was likely to have no choice. After all, the priests had
everything to offer here. Hal had admitted as much. After swallowing a crust of bread, she
said, "All of Moren is grateful that the church was spared. Otherwise, we could not turn to
you in our need."

Hal set his goblet on the table with a crash. Rani refused to meet his gaze, even when his
hands rose from the table. She knew that he would be adjusting his crown, using the
movement to remind her that he was her king, her sovereign and her overlord. He was the
one who should be conducting the con-versation.

Well, if he was so determined to run the negotiations, when was he planning to begin?

Rani saw the priest barely hide a smile as he said, "All of Morenia may turn to the church in
need. That's why we exist, to offer succor in the name of all the Thousand Gods."

Again, Hal did not take advantage of the opening, and Rani sighed, setting down her ivory
fork. She eyed the priest steadily and said, "We are pleased to hear you say that, Father
Dartu-lamino. Because we asked the Holy Father to supper so that we might negotiate a loan
of the funds that we need to rebuild Moren."