"Marco,.John.-.Tyrants.And.Kings.3.-.Saints.Of.The.Sword" - читать интересную книгу автора (Marco John)

"Go to her," ordered Gayle. "We will speak of your trip to Nar City
later." He grinned crookedly at the boy. "You're afraid, I know. Don't
be. We have things in store for our new emperor."

"What things?"

The king put a finger to his lips. "Shhh. Go see your mother now.
Be with her. It's what she wants."

The old man slid over to where his son-in-law waited and began
talking in murmurs. Alazrian didn't listen. The way his grandfather
accepted Leth was shocking, but he knew the king had reasons for
keeping Leth's confidence; the man had a talent for cruelty that
Gayle needed. Only Leth's iron hand had been able to govern
Aramoor. Once he had become governor, nearly all the rebellions
had ceased. Except for the Saints.

Alazrian knocked gently on the door, not expecting his mother to
answer. He fashioned a smile and stepped inside. His mother's
eyes gazed at him from her sickbed. They were the only part of her
that still looked familiar. Her raven hair had fallen to dead grass and
her once strong body had been devoured by the cancer, so that a
husk now stared back at him. Lady Calida managed a frail smile.
The treacly smell of medicines infused the air.

"Mother," said Alazrian cheerily, going to her bedside. "Can I get
you anything?"

Lady Calida shook her head, looking ghastly in the candlelight.

"Grandfather said you wanted to see me," said Alazrian. "But you
should rest."

"No more rest for me child," said Lady Calida. "Where I'm going
there will be time enough for that." She looked at him, and Alazrian
knew that somehow she had seen the future and was counting
down the minutes.

"Stay with me," she said. There were no tears, not from this woman
who had endured so much. "I want you with me now. You alone."

"But, GrandfatherЧ"

"Just you, Alazrian. My little boy." She reached out for his cheek,
but carefully avoided touching him. Alazrian tried to hold back his
desire to save her.

"Mother," he said desperately. "Let me help you. Please . . ."

Calida closed her eyes. "No, Alazrian. Do not even think it."