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

'Yes?"
'What if Gwena's right? What if the baby isn't normal?"
Meri smiled, trying to cover up what she really felt. "We don't know that."
'But his hand, and his foot. They'reЕ" Beith could hardly bring herself to say the word deformed. "What if his brain is like that too?"
'Beith, he's too young. No one can tell by looking at him, not even Gwena."
'But if he is? What then?"
'Then you will raise him, and you will love him as if nothing is amiss. He's your son, Beith."
Beith nodded. Already she loved little Gilwyn, and he wasn't yet an hour old. But love couldn't move mountains as the poets said, and she couldn't save him from the cruelty of the world. If her child was simple, only the king's grace could help him.
'Akeela is a good man," she told herself. "He will have a place for Gilwyn in the castle. I know he will." She glanced at Meri. "Right?"
Meri wrung a dirtied towel into the basin. Her face was serious. "Akeela is a good man, that's what everyone says. He was a good prince, and he'll be a good king."
'Yes," agreed Beith. "Even if Gilwyn can't be a soldier, Akeela will find a place for him, don't you think?"
'Beith, close your eyes now. Rest."
Beith knew she'd get no answer from her friend. Succumbing to her exhaustion, she closed her eyes and let Meri freshen and comfort her, wondering what would become of her son in the world the new king of L№ria was making.
'I hree days after coming to Hes, Akeela had made his decision.
It was a warm day in the Reecian capital, perfect for proposing marriage. The marketplace on the south side of the castle was teeming with people and livestock, and the streets were filled with children and cats, which to Lukien's surprise were everywhere in Hes. The sky was perfect, blue and cloudless, and the rains that had soaked the city the day before had utterly vanished. Over the balcony, Lukien could see Hes stretching out for miles. He could see the city gates and the long, winding road that would eventually lead him home to L№ria. Lukien gazed at the eastern horizon, longing for home. For Akeela, their trip to Hes had been a complete success, but for Lukien it had been surreal. Things had moved too quickly, and too many decisions had been made. Decisions, Lukien believed, that Akeela had made hastily.
Together they waited on the balcony for Princess Cassandra. It was a meeting King Karis himself had arranged, and they were very early. Even if she were on time, Cassandra wouldn't arrive for another half hour. But Akeela had wanted Lukien to come to the balcony with him, because the young king was nervous. He had also claimed the need to explain his bold decision. Yet now that they were together, Akeela wasn't talking. Like Lukien, he stared out over the city, lost in thought.
Lukien didn't blame Akeela for wanting to marry Cassandra. She was beautiful, after all, and Akeela himself was less than r not like you. I'm not tall or handsome, and I'm certainly o hero. You've always had your pick of women, while I'm still ,'/ Хa Akeela hesitated, and Lukien was glad that he didn't say the word.
'It takes more than a strong jaw to win the love ol a woman,
Akeela," said Lukien. "You think I'm some great lover because I tell tales about the harlots I've been with, but I'm just a braggart. And I leave out the sordid bits, like all the lice-ridden beds I've slept in."
'So?"
'So you can have any woman you want. Not some whore, either, but a good woman, one with breeding."
Akeela laughed. "One like Cassandra, you mean?"
'No, not like Cassandra. Someone you love. And someone who loves you. Haven't you wondered why the princess wants to marry you?"
'I know why," argued Akeela. "For peace."
'No," said Lukien ruthlessly. "Because she is a woman and her father wills it, that's why. And because she has the chance to be a queen. She doesn't love you, Akeela."
'Lukien, this is how royal marriages are arranged," said Akeela. "If my father were alive, he would have made a marriage for me by now anyway, and probably to someone far less beautiful than Cassandra. He would have given me Dralla of Marn or some other girl that looks like a warthog, because he was too stubborn to consider peace with Reec. But why should I be saddled with a girl like Dralla? Why shouldn't I have Cassandra?"
Lukien groped for a good reason. Cassandra's beauty wasn't something to be argued overЧit was a fact, like the beauty of a sunrise. And it had captivated Lukien just as it had Akeela. Maybe that was why he was opposed to the marriage. It wouldn't be the first time he'd been jealous of his royal "brother," a brother in small talk only.
'Can't you at least wait?" said Lukien. "Just a little longer? Let's go back to L№ria. Maybe the familiar air will clear your head."
'There's no reason to wait. I'm not going to find a prettier beautiful. What Lukien hatedЧwhat he had protested for days-was the suddenness of it all. Cassandra had merely danced, and her movements had bewitched Akeela so that he had forgotten all propriety. He didn't know that there were many women in the world, and that as king he could have his pick of them. Or, if he knew this, he simply didn't care. Lukien stole a glance at his king, watching him furtively. Akeela was young, and woefully inexperienced. He had spent too much time with his nose in books and not enough chasing kitchen maids, and Lukien regretted that. He was angry that old King Balak hadn't insisted his son become a soldier after graduating war college. If he had joined in at least some campaigns, then perhaps he would have known what it was like to be with a woman, and he wouldn't be so enamored of the first one to flutter her eyelashes at him.
But no, that wasn't right, either. Lukien knew he couldn't blame Balak for Akeela's lovesickness. Balak had been a good father, wise enough not to push his bookish son into a military life. And that wisdom had paid off handsomely for L№ria, because her new king was cultured and committed to peace. That he was starry-eyed was simply an offshoot of his goodness, the very thing that made him special. Lukien sighed, shaking his head. Akeela heard the lament and glanced over at him.
'What's wrong?" he asked.
'Nothing is wrong," lied Lukien. "I was merely thinking."
'Thinking about me?"
Lukien nodded. "That's right. You've given me little else to think about these past three days."
The young king crossed the balcony to stand beside his champion. It was a huge balcony, just off a conservatory decorated with tall plants and cracked plaster statues. Several bird cages hung nearby, their occupants serenading the two men. The balcony afforded them a flawless view of the city, but Akeela had lost interest in the view.
'I know you don't approve," he said. "But at least try to understand."
'I have tried. And I still can't understand."
'Then you haven't tried hard enough," said Akeela. He was agitated; his left eyelid twitched slightly. "Look at me, Lukien.
girl, or a better reason to marry. And it would be an insult to King Karis to refuse her. I won't jeopardize the peace like that."
'That's rubbish, Akeela. Karis wants peace as much as you do. More, even. That's not why you want to marry Cassandra."
Akeela looked at him, surprised at the outburst. "I thought you would be happy for me," he said. "You of all people know how lonely I've been. Why would you keep this from me, my one chance at a beautiful wife?"
'IЕ" Lukien stumbled over his answer. "I am happy for you, Akeela. I'm just worried."
'Well, don't be. I'm a grown man, Lukien, and I don't need you to protect me anymore." Akeela turned and looked out over the city. His hands gripped the stone railing of the balcony hard, turning his knuckles white. "I think I'd like to be alone now," he said.
'I can stay with you," said Lukien. "She won't be here for a while yet."
'Yes, but I need time to think, to consider what I'm going to say."
'What's to consider?" said Lukien. "She's been offered to you, and all you have to do is take her."
'Oh, yes, that's very romantic," replied Akeela dryly. "Look, don't try to help me with this, all right? Just let me think."
Lukien turned to go, angry at being dismissed. But before he took three paces, Akeela called after him.
'Wait, I forgot something." He wore a sheepish grin. "A favor, actually."
Lukien scowled. "What?"