"Quickening - 01 - Myrren's Gift" - читать интересную книгу автора (McIntosh Fiona)

УAh.Ф

Orto reentered the KingТs study and brought with him a small tray with two cups of blood-red wine.

УDonТt tell old Gueryn, eh? HeТll think IТm corrupting you.Ф The King winked.

Wyl could not help but like the man who sat before him. He wanted to be wary of him. He was the father of Celimus, after all, but still it was hard not to enjoy his company.

УNow hereТs to you, young Wyl,Ф the King said, lifting his glass.

УAnd to your continuing good health, sire.Ф The underlying message was not lost on Masnus.

УHas it been hard settling in?Ф

УOh, the usual stuff, sire.Ф

Wyl felt Magnus fix him with his direct gaze. УTell me about Celimus,Ф the King said.

УWhat can I tell you, your majesty, that you donТt already know?Ф

The King paused and Wyl thought it was a telling hesitation. УTell me any good points youТve noticed about him.Ф

Now Wyl felt really cornered. УI donТt understand.Ф

УOh, I think you do,Ф Magnus said gently. УI grasp more than people credit me with, Wyl. Celimus has many imperfections. On the outside, however, he is a truly remarkable individual. I freely admit, without any shame, that I think he will turn into one of the finest-looking men Morgravia has ever bred. Shar rest his motherТs soul.Ф This last he added perfunctorily. УI donТt know whether itТs because he lost his mother early, or because he has no siblingsЕor simply because I am a woeful father. Whatever the reasons. Celimus is not so remarkable on the inside. In fact I know him to have a darkness within that troubles me.Ф

Wyl nodded, fearful of what to say to a King making such a frank admission about his own son.

Magnus held him with a light blue gaze. УIТve heard the two of you are enemies. Is this true?Ф

Wyl felt tongue-tied. He had no desire to lie to Magnus who was being so candid with him and he tried to be diplomatic in his response.

УThatТs a strong word. sire. I am Morgravian. I am prepared to die for my Kingdom and for its ruler. I am no enemy to the King.Ф he assured, horrified to think Magnus might think otherwise.

Instead Magnus grinned. УSo like your father. But perhaps you are prepared to die for this King. son. How about King Celimus?Ф

Wyl understood. УYou obviously wish me to do something for you. sire.Ф

The King sighed. УYes. Wyl. I do. And itТs not going to be easy. I trusted your father all of my life, and I trust his son now. Moments before your father died we joined our bleeding palms to make an oath. Your fatherТs deathbed wish was that I bring you back to Pearlis and make a General of you. You are a Thirsk and it is your birthright to head the Legion. But part of our oath was that we make our two sons blood brothers.Ф

A blood oath? Wyl felt the slow crawl of a chill through him as Magnus continued.

УI gave my word to your fatherЧmy closest friend, my blood brotherЧthat his son would become my son.Ф He paused again. Wyl said nothing, his silent thoughts racing ahead to guess what the King might ask of him. УDo I have your loyalty, my boy?Ф

Startled, Wyl quickly moved to kneel before the King. He placed his hand on his heart. УYes. sire. You will never have to question it.Ф

The King nodded. УGood. I am elevating you to your fatherТs revered title of KingТs Champion. It comes into effect today but I do not grant this position lightly. You despise my son.Ф He held up his hand to hush WylТs ready objection. УI know thisЧand he has given you little reason to think highly of him in any way. so I do not hold this against you. However, from now on you will protect the heir of Morgravia with your life, as your father protected me with his.

УAs of this moment you will shadow the Prince in all that he does. I donТt doubt for a second that any of his activities are distasteful, as I know my son has a penchant for cruel habits. Together we will try to change this. Make a friend of him. Wyl. Influence him. Everything that made your father the fine man he was is embodied in his only sonЧI know this to be true. Your reputation precedes you. boy. You have the qualities that make a special man, a leader of men. and I want you to do everything you can to imbue Celimus with those qualities.Ф