"Juliet E. McKenna - Aldabreshin 2 - Northern Storm" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKenna Juliet E)

'The final outposts of your domain, my lord Chazen Kheda, before the countless islands of the
Aldabreshin Archipelago yield to the boundless southern ocean.' The shorter man's tone was faintly
mocking.
'Not so boundless, Dev.' Kheda shot a glare at him. 'We know all too well there must be land beyond
the horizon to spawn our enemies.'
Dev affected not to see Kheda's irritation as he adjusted the broad brass-studded belt around his sturdy
waist, armour jingling softly as he shifted his bare feet on the smooth planking. His hauberk was plain,
wholly made from polished steel rings, in contrast to Kheda's which boasted a diamond pattern of brazen
links and engraved metal plates inset to protect his vitals from piercing arrows or murderous
sword-thrusts. The fine leather of the warlord's belt was invisible beneath golden plaques embossed with
intricate sprays of canthira leaves.
'Have there been omens of battle ahead, my lord?' the helmsman asked with alarm. 'Do you think some
new wave of invaders will come to support those still trapped in the western isles?'
'No.' Kheda smiled easily to calm the mariner's fears. 'There's been no such sign.'
Fool. Watch what you say. These men of Chazen haven't known and trusted you since your birth or
theirs. You cannot rely on them to read your words aright, or keep them to themselves as those of Daish
would have done.
'We will throw the last sorry remnants of those savages into the sea soon enough. Let the currents carry
their bloated corpses back to wash up and warn their kin against quitting their own shores again.' As he
continued in the same confident tone, Kheda waved one hand airily and the uncut emerald on the heavy
silver ring he wore glowed vividly in the brilliant light.
'We'll be getting back to clearing out the last of the invaders, will we, as soon as we've completed this
interminable tour of every last rock and reef?' Dev demanded abruptly.
Kheda glanced at him, face stern. 'Dev, as a barbarian,
I'll allow you more leeway than I would any true-born Archipelagan, but use that tone to me again and I
will have you flogged. Better yet, I will do it myself.'
Do you remember what I told you? That one of my father Daish Reik's precepts of leadership was never
make a threat you're not prepared to carry out? You can be sure that's no idle warning, barbarian.
He looked into Dev's dark eyes but couldn't read anything there. No matter. The barbarian looked away
first.
'My lord, if you please, where's the Mist DoveV The helmsman was still gazing resolutely over the heads
of the rowers on their serried benches towards the Yellow Serpent's burly shipmaster on the prow
platform. A flurry of foam blew up over the prow as the knife edge of the brass-sheathed ram sliced
through the waves.
'Staying well clear.' Kheda looked back astern to see the heavy trireme that had accompanied them
slowing in the more open waters, oars idling. The weapons and armour of the fighting men aboard glinted
in the sun.
And if by some mischance I have failed to note any portent of some new assault by the savages, we have
steel and hatred to use against them. But let's not tempt the future with such thoughts. There's been no
sign of any new invasion. You had better turn your attention to what awaits you here, and whatever
portents for your rule of this domain that'll be set out for all to see.
Shallow enough to negotiate the encircling corals, the light galley headed towards the largest of the scatter
of low islands. The ragged fronds of the tallest trees were stirring in the rising breeze and the channels
between the islands were thronged with little boats.
'So where exactly are the pearl beds?' Dev studied the shipmasters raising their sails, the divers busy on
deck checking the weighted ropes that would take them down
to the sea bed and the lifelines that should ensure they would survive to enjoy the fruits of their labours.
Lookouts on each boat sharpened broad-bladed shark spears and viciously barbed gaff hooks.
'They shift from year to year.' Kheda watched the youths and young girls trading their sweat and muscle
for the right to learn the skills of diver and sailor. Some were wading out to the skiffs carrying food and