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

"Rani." Hal merely spoke her name, but there was an entire argument behind his words.

She braced herself and met his gaze. "Your Majesty?"

"I am certain that the Holy Father did not intend to barter bars of gold over his pheasant."
"I am certain, Your Majesty, that the Holy Father did not realize the straits of his flocks. He
did not realize our need, our desire to help the faithful who would offer up their thanks
eternal to Jair and all the Thousand Gods, if only they had a roof to shelter them and food on
their tables and wine to drink."

Hal's fury was clear; his jaw turned to stone. Rani knew that she had overstepped her bounds.
She would have to argue with him later. She would explain so that Hal understood, so that he
knew that she was right to begin the bargaining now. She turned back to Dartulamino, to the
man who clearly would decide the church's role in the rebuilding of Morenia. "Surely, Your
Grace, you have heard about the firelung in the camps. Two hundred children stricken, and
more falling ill every day. Their parents are succumbing, as well, good Morenians all, who
need our help, our support. The Touched have been harmed the greatest of all, for it was they
who maneuvered Davin's machinery into place, they who made the sacrifice that ultimately
saved what is left of Moren. The Touched, of course, have the fewest resources to fall back on
in times of trouble, the least food and shelter. We must help them if they are to survive."

"My lady," Dartulamino began, and Rani could see quite clearly that he did not intend to give
her what she asked. The church would not help unless Hal paid dearlyтАФpaid with money,
paid with loyalty, paid with prayerтАж She drew a breath to cut off the priest before he could
make an argument that she could not answer.

"Dartulamino," the Holy Father said, and Rani was shocked to realize that she had forgotten
the old man. "Help me, son." The ancient priest fought to push back his chair, to stagger to
his feet. "WhereтАФ?"

Dartulamino hastened to assist the elderly cleric, settling a familiar hand under the Holy
Father's elbow. The younger priest smothered a flash of annoyance as he said to his king,
"Excuse us for a moment, Defender. The Holy Father inquires about the location of your
nearest garderobe."

If Hal was surprised by the request, he managed not to reveal his emotion. Instead, he rose to
his feet, gesturing toward the outer door of the chamber. "You'll have to help the Holy Father
down the hall. There is a curtained alcove, around the corner to the right." The old man began
to shake his way to the door, leaning on both his oaken walking stick and Dartu-lamino's
arm.

The younger priest looked over his shoulder as they reached the threshold. "We'll finish this
discussion when I return. If you cannot agree to the church's terms, Defender, I trust that Jair
will provide."

Rani heard the hidden message from the Fellowship, and she caught her breath before she
could ask if Dartulamino's words were a promise or a threat. Even Hal was spared the need to
find civil words when the Holy Father clutched his aide's arm more tightly. Dartulamino
leaned forward to help the elderly prelate through the doorway. Rani was vaguely aware of