"Mercedes Lackey - Last Herald Mage 3 - Magic's Price" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lackey Mercedes)

And only much later did they all learn that her suspicion was correct.
At that point, wild horses couldn't have dragged her to the altar to marry Randale. If there was
one thing Shavri didn't want, it was the responsibility of rule.
Vanyel eased open one side of the heavy double door to the main corridor, and shut it behind
him. His own responsibilities settled over him like a too-weighty cloak. He straightened his back, squared
his shoulders, and set off down the stone-floored hall toward his own quarters in the Heralds' Wing.
Shavri was, if truth were to be told, entirely unsuited to ruling. I guess we should be just as
pleased that she doesn't want Consort status, Vanyel thought, nodding to an early-rising courtier, one
already clad in peacock-bright, elaborately embellished Court garb. For her own sake, and Jisa's sake,
I think she made the right decision. I know she didn't want Jisa forced into the position of Heir,
and really, this was the only way to keep that from happening. She can't be sure that Jisa wouldn't
be Chosen if the Companions thought it necessary. And if she were Chosen and rightborn -
But Jisa's legally a bastard and can't inherit, and not being Chosen makes her doubly safe.
The stone floor gave way to wood; the "Old Palace" to the New. Vanyel ran over the plans for
the day in his mind; first his audience with Tashir's people, then a session with the Privy Council, then
with the Heraldic Circle. Then the audiences with Randale and the Lake District envoys. Shavri would be
there, of course; Randale needed her Gift and her strength. She spent it all on him, which left her no time
or energy for any of the normal duties of the King's Own. No matter; Vanyel took those - and even if
she'd had the strength to spare, Shavri had not been very skilled at those tasks. . . .
:Shavri was abysmal at those tasks,: Yfandes said tartly. :The only reason she wasn't a total
failure was that she relied on Taver and on you to tell her what to do and say.:
Vanyel stopped long enough to have a few words with one of Joshe's aides, an older girl-page
with a solemn face, his mind only vaguely on what he was saying to the girl. :'Fandes, that isn't kind.:
:Maybe. But it's true. The only thing she showed any real talent in was managing Randi
and in knowing where her skills weren't up to the job. If Shavri'd let Randale go through with
wedding her, she'd be next in line even before Jisa, and that would be a disaster.:
Vanyel wanted to be able to refute her, but he couldn't. Shavri wasn't a ruler; she wasn't even a
Herald except in having Taver. Vanyel did most of her work, from playing ambassador with full
plenipotentiary powers, to creating and signing minor legal changes into effect. From being First in the
Circle to being First in the Council, to being Northern Guardian of the Web; he did it all. He even took
Randale's place in the Council in the King's absence.
:That's most of the time, now,: Yfandes observed sadly.
Van got the answer he wanted out of the child, despite his distraction. She smoothed her tunic
nervously, plainly anxious to be gone, and Vanyel obliged her. He was still analyzing the overtones of his
conversation with Jisa. :We've got a new problem. Did you pick up what I did from Jisa?: he asked,
hurrying his steps toward his room. His feet were beginning to ache with the cold, and the wet leather had
begun to chafe his ankles.
:About the real reason why she came to cry on your shoulder? The one she doesn't want to think
about? It was too cloudy for me to read.:
Vanyel sensed someone in his room as he neared it, but it was a familiar presence, though one
without the "feel" of a Herald, so he didn't bother to identify his visitor. :Shavri,: he said grimly. :It's
what she's picking up from her mother. Jisa knows Randi's doomed; she's coming to grips with
that. What she can't handle is that Shavri's getting more desperate by the moment, more afraid of
being left alone. Jisa's afraid that when Randi leaves us - her mother will follow.:
He felt Yfandes jerk her head up in surprise. :She's a Healer!: the Companion exclaimed. :She
can't - she wouldn't -:
:Don't count on it, dearheart,: Vanyel answered, one hand on the door latch. :Even I can't
tell you what she'll do. I don't think she'd actively suicide on us - but she is a Healer. She knows
enough about the way that the body works to kill herself through lacking the will to live. And
that's what Jisa's afraid she'll do; just pine away on us. And the worst of it is, I think she's right.: