"Mercedes Lackey & Larry Dixon - Valdemar - Darians Tale 03 - Owlknight" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lackey Mercedes)

the plans??

Breon cleared his throat. ?You all remember that I made Val a Knight when we
decided he?d go to represent us at Court? Did I ever explain why??

Snowfire wrinkled his brow in thought as the Errold?s Grove representatives
looked blank; they hadn?t sat on the Council at the time. ?Not that I recall. I
thought it was simply something your people did from time to time.?

?We-e-ell, yes, in a way. A Knighthood confers rank - like Chief, or Warchief,
Baron, or Elder. Not equal rank to those, but similar in concept,? Breon
explained, using examples familiar to everyone around the table. ?Most rank in
Valdemar comes with land attached, though - Knighthood is the only one that
doesn?t. It matches the ones that do, however - it?s meant to serve as notice to
other people that the Knight is someone to be honored and respected, someone
with the power to make decisions. It goes to younger sons who won?t inherit, for
instance, or someone like Val who is going to serve as a representative for his
parents. But it can also be used to reward people who?ve distinguished
themselves; there?re Knights in the Guard, for instance. It?s a way of ennobling
someone who?s not highborn and make them equal to the nobles.?

?All right,? Nightwind said. ?So??

?So I?d like to make young Darian a Knight of Valdemar.? Lord Breon sat back in
his chair and enjoyed the various reactions of the rest of the Council.

Darian paled. He was too surprised - and concerned - to take any notice of the
others. His first reaction was elation, but immediately following that was worry.
?Lord Breon,? he said, before anyone else could voice their opinion, ?I
appreciate the honor, but why? And - I?ve already got other commitments; I am
adopted into the Tayledras, and I couldn?t take any oaths that would conflict
with that - ?

Breon shook his head. ?No troubles there, lad. There?re a fair number of
Valdemaran Knights that are envoys of other countries - well, there?s the
Karsite ambassador, Karal, for one. The oaths you swear aren?t even in the name
of a specific god; the phrasing is ?by all I hold holy and dearest? and you
basically swear to defend the defenseless, uphold the right, that sort of thing.
You?re the real liaison between Valdemar and the Hawkbrothers - but without some
sort of title, I?m afraid this Herald might overlook you.? He gave a shrewd
glance at Starfall, who nodded slowly. ?Make you a Knight, though - and do it as
part of his welcoming party - well, it?ll say without saying anything out loud
that you rank equal with him.?

?Asss it ssshould be,? Kel rumbled.

?I take it, then, that he?s to be stationed within the Vale?? Starfall asked.

Breon nodded. ?See what I?m working at, here? It?s an honor, oh my yes, but I
don?t want a bunch of city-bred softheads thinking that they can make up for all