"Julian May - Boreal Moon 01 - Conqueror's Moon" - читать интересную книгу автора (May Julian)

тАЬI knew,тАЭ the duke replied stolidly. тАЬAn unlikely ally, perhaps, but the Lady Ullanoth is a powerful sorceress, and there seems no good reason for her to contemplate using us
treacherously.тАЭ

Munlow Ramscrest exploded in a coarse guffaw. тАЬWhy should we give a muleтАЩs fart who rules that godforsaken corner of our island? Fens and frogs and peddlers of hocus-pocus
and gimcrack amulets! Let the Conjure-Princess have the poxy place and welcome. As for her bribe, we can wring it out of vanquished Didion.тАЭ

Baron Sorril Conistone, a middle-aged peer who was famed for his scholarly bent, had remained quiet as the prince set forth his plan and the others made comments, seated on a stool
at the far left of the blazing hearth where he was almost lost in shadow. Now his deep voice rode over the laughter that had greeted Count RamscrestтАЩs remarks.

тАЬYour Grace, are you certain that this Ullanoth will require nothing more of us?тАЭ

тАЬShe has asked for no other thing, Lord Conistone,тАЭ Conrig said. тАЬI swear it on my honor as Prince Heritor of Cathra.тАЭ

Zeandrise Marley remarked, тАЬWithout the ladyтАЩs help, weтАЩre flat skinned, my lords, having not a hope in hell. Do any of you know a better plan?тАЭ

тАЬIf weтАЩre to venture an invasion at all,тАЭ said Baron Tinnis Catclaw, тАЬthen it must be in the manner described by His Grace. The scheme is a goodly one, to my mind, although I would
wish it not so dependent upon the whims of an alien sorceress.тАЭ

Someone sighed.

тАЬAnd how are we to pay for this grand enterprise?тАЭ Viscount Skellhaven asked, not bothering to hide his ill will. тАЬCertain lords and their knights will loot Mallburn Palace of its
treasures, while my fighting sailormen and I merely torch the Diddly waterfront. Are we supposed to be content with the spoils of empty warehouses, worm-eaten scows, and burnt-
out hulks?тАЭ

тАЬOur mission is not to pillage the city,тАЭ Conrig declared. тАЬIt is to seize it and to force the capitulation of Achardus, his state officials, and the powerful Guild of Merchants. This I
vow to do. This I will do with the aid of you stalwart northerners, who are familiar with mountain terrain and the battle tactics needed for a swift and stealthy assault against an
unsuspecting foe. As for your material reward, it will be more than generous. IтАЩll not forget those whose bravery helped cement the Sovereignty of High Blenholme. This I also vow,
on the head of Emperor Bazekoy the Great.тАЭ

SkellhavenтАЩs thin lips stretched in a disagreeable smile. тАЬA very impressive oath, Your Grace. Please donтАЩt take me wrong. IтАЩm a poor man, only concerned for the welfare of my
followers. All too often the Crown has made fine promises to us and thenтАжтАЭ He shrugged.

тАЬI am not King Olmigon,тАЭ Conrig said. A few of them drew breath at his lack of respect, but he turned away from Hartrig Skellhaven and let his gaze sweep them all. тАЬThe time has
come, my friends, for you to decide. Please sayтАФbeginning with you, dear GodfatherтАФwhether you will join me in an invasion of Didion.тАЭ

тАЬI will come,тАЭ said Tanaby Vanguard, тАЬalong with one hundred of my knights and thanes.тАЭ

тАЬAnd I with forty,тАЭ said Norval Swanwick. тАЬPlus farriers, cooks, and leeches well able to fight.тАЭ

file:///C|/Documents%20and%20Settings/harry%20kruiswijk/Mijn%20document...aar/Julian%20May%20-%20Boreal%20Moon%2001%20-%20Conqueror's%20Moon.html (23 of 243)20-2-2006 21:47:27
Julian, May - Boreal Moon 01 - Conqueror's Moon


тАЬRamscrest pledges sixty mounted warriors and twenty sumpter-mules well provisioned.тАЭ

тАЬThe Virago of Marley will follow you with a force of eighty mounted men,тАЭ Zeandrise declared, тАЬplus thirty stout pack-ponies and their armed drivers.тАЭ

тАЬMy festering leg precludes my personal participation,тАЭ said Conistone, тАЬbut I will send my four sons, ten knights of my household, twenty fighting thanes, and five farriers.тАЭ