"The Eyes Of A God" - читать интересную книгу автора (Marco John)

'My lord could have done worse," Breck replied with a smile.
'Well, when do I get to see her?" asked Graig. "Why the wait?"
'Because I have a wedding to plan, you romantic old fool," said Akeela. "There's a lot to do, and I want to get this place ready for her." He rubbed his hands together. "But first, I'm starving. Did you consider my need for breakfast, by any chance?"
'I've got the kitchens on it already," smiled Graig. Then he shrugged, adding, "I'm still your houseboy, as usual. ComeЕ" He turned and headed toward the gate, then shouted at the pages to attend the soldiers and their horses. Akeela followed him, but know you'd had a boy! I know you wanted one." He looked around the room and spotted the crib beneath the room's only window. Sunlight poured onto its whitewashed wood; a cottony blanket fell over its rim. "Ah, that must be him."
'Yes, my lord," said Beith. Pride crept into her tone. "He's sleeping, I think."
Akeela tiptoed toward the crib. "May I see him?" "Certainly," answered Beith. "But he'sЕ" Her voice trailed off.
'I know about his problems, Beith. Warden Graig told me. I'm sorry."
Beith said quickly, "Oh, but he's a beautiful baby, my lord. He's got his father's eyes. And he's smart! He can already tell when I say his name." Beith moved toward the crib. "Here, let me show him to you."
'If he's sleepingЕ"
'No," said Beith anxiously. "I want you to see him."
Akeela followed her to the crib, watching in fascination as she lifted the little bundle out of the blankets. Baby Gilwyn squirmed in protest at being awakened. Beith's expression lightened as she held out the baby for Akeela to inspect.
'Ah," said Akeela, enchanted. He stuck his face closer to the child, amazed by his smallness. Little Gilwyn fixed his bleary eyes on the king and gave a tiny cry.
'No, don't cry," said Beith, bouncing the baby in her arms. "That's the king!"
Akeela put out a finger, touching the baby's stomach. Gilwyn reacted by wrinkling his nose, which made the king laugh.
'He's beautiful," said Akeela. He noticed the clubbed hand but pretended to ignore it. "Congratulations, Beith. If your husband were here, he'd be very proud."
'Yes," said Beith sadly. "I wish he could see him. But Meri says he's here in spirit, watching."
'And perhaps he is," said Akeela, not believing a word of it. Like some in the castle, Meri believed that the dead lived on as spirits, walking among the living. It was just one of the varied religions represented by Lionkeep's staff. "Like I said, Gilwyn would have been proud of this little soldier." husband, Gilwyn, and together they had planned for their infant's arrival, gathering blankets and baby clothes from the women in Lionkeep and decorating a corner of their tiny apartment with toys. Gilwyn had been Lukien's friend, mostly, but on the few occasions that Akeela visited the apartment he had always found it cheery. He supposed it would be appallingly cold now. Reaching the third floor, he braced himself as he entered the hall. Most of the doors were closed. Beith's room was at the far end. Akeela went to it and listened, but didn't hear anything. Unsure if he should interrupt, he went ahead and knocked.
'Beith?" he called softly. "Are you awake?"
There was a stirring behind the door. Akeela fixed a smile on his face.
'Who is it?" called a voice. It was hoarse from lack of sleep, but Akeela recognized it.
'Beith, it's Akeela."
After a hesitation, the startled voice returned. "The king?" There was more fumbling behind the door. Akeela imagined Beith smoothing out her night clothes. "My lord Akeela, a moment, pleaseЕ"
Akeela waited patiently until finally the door opened, revealing Beith in a disheveled robe and unkempt hair, her red eyes rimmed with sunken bags. She forced a sunny smile, stepping away from the door so he could enter. Quickly she dipped into a curtsey.
'My lord, this is a surprise. Forgive me, I wasn't expecting you. My appearanceЧ
'Is perfectly fine, Beith, don't worry." Akeela stepped into the room. As expected, the apartment's cheerfulness had fled. "I apologize for bothering you, but I've only just arrived home. I'd heardЕ well, that you've had your child."
'Yes, my lord," said the woman. She wrapped her robe about herself, obviously embarrassed. Since he'd become king, Akeela had noticed the way ordinary people squirmed around him.
'Please," he implored. "Be at ease. I just wanted to see you, and your little one."
Beith brightened. "You've come to see Gilwyn?"
'Gilwyn?" laughed Akeela. "Is that his name? I didn't even Beith blanched. She hugged the baby a little tighter.
'Oh, blast," said Akeela. "I'm sorry, Beith. That was stupid of me to say."
'No, it's all right," said Beith. "But I don't think he's going to be the little soldier. He won't ever be a Charger like his father."
'No," Akeela agreed. With the baby's infirmities, being a soldier was impossible.
'But he's smart, my lord," Beith insisted. "He's not slow or simple. Gwena says he might be, but I just know he's not."
Akeela nodded. "I'm sure you're right."
'He'll be able to do things, my lord. He won't be a burden to anyone." Beith was looking at Akeela fretfully. "I swear, I'll teach him to take care of himself. He'll be a good member of this castle. I mean, if you'll allow it."
Suddenly Akeela understood her fears. Her eyes reflected her dashed dreams, and her motherly concern for a son that might grow up a beggar.
'Let me hold the baby," said Akeela. Carefully Beith handed the infant over. Akeela, who had seldom held children before, cradled the child in the crook of his arm. Little Gilwyn squirmed but was silent, looking up at him. For Akeela, it was like holding a miracle, just like Gwena had always described. The warm little body curled in his embrace, enjoying the safety of the king's protection.
'He likes you," said Beith. She glanced up at Akeela hopefully. "See? He already knows what a good king you are."
'Beith, stop. There's no need." Akeela kept his gaze on Gilwyn. "I would never abandon this child to the streets. I don't care if he's simple or a genius. Lionkeep is his home. As long as I am king, it always will be."
'Really?" asked Beith. "Will you promise me that, my lord?"
'I promise," said Akeela. He leaned down and laid a gentle kiss on the infant's forehead. "And not just to you, but to this little fellow here. He will always have a place in Lionkeep."
Beith could barely find her voice. "Thank you, my lord. Thank you."
Akeela took the baby over to a nearby chair. He sat down and rocked the child, loving the paternal feeling. Gilwyn's little mouth turned upward. Akeela took the gesture for a smile. He cooed to the baby, speaking softly.
'Little Gilwyn, L№ria is going to be a great nation. I'm going to make it special, the way the founders intended. There will always be a place for you here, and for all the other children, too. And you're going to grow up strong and smart, and whatever you can dream, you can be."
J5eith spent the rest of the day feeling lighter than air. The good news Akeela had given her put a smile back on her face, and she bragged to Meri and her other friends about the king's promise, and how her son would grow up in Lionkeep just as she and her dead husband had always planned. For Beith, who hadn't known real joy since her husband's death, the lightness in her heart felt wonderful. Now, with her baby safe, she could begin mourning her beloved properly, without fretting over the fate of her newborn.
That night, Beith slept sound and deeply. She had retired early, putting Gilwyn to bed in his crib and taking a cup of tea before drifting off to sleep. For the first time in weeks, her dreams were unpolluted.
Then she awoke for no apparent reason. Her eyes fluttered open to catch moonbeams slanting through her window. The mist of sleep was on her, and for a moment she couldn't place the time. It was very late; dawn was still many hours away. Realizing this, she listened for Gilwyn. He was a good baby and surprisingly cooperative about sleeping, but she knew it was time to check on him. Desperate for the pillow, she nevertheless rose from the bed and started toward the door, shambling through the darkness in a groggy haze. Then she saw the figure in the threshold.
Beith stumbled backward, about to scream, before an amazing calm overtook her. Unable to move, she merely stared at the figure, enchanted by a strange light emanating from its chest.
'Don't be afraid." The figure took a tiny step forward.
'What is this place?" Beith asked. Vaguely her memory returned, recalling a story she had heard as a little girl.