"Juliet E. McKenna - Einarinn 5 - The Assassin's Edge" - читать интересную книгу автора (McKenna Juliet E)

Acknowledgements
The truth always bears repeating, so once again, I am grateful to
Steve, Mike, Sue, Helen, Robin, Lisa, Penny and Rachel, for ideas,
criticism, encouragement and forbearance over ever-extending book
loans. In addition to her wider contribution, Liz deserves special
mention for serving as on-call plants-woman as does Louise for the
medical notes. Thank you, Tanaqui, for the photos, most useful and
much appreciated. Angus, thanks indeed for reminding me about
Otrick's ring.
The support network continues to evolve and Gill and Mike have
proved true friends time and again. As always, I remain indebted to
Ernie and Betty for their help beating the tyranny of the working
diary over the domestic one.
I couldn't wish for better than the teams at Orbit, in sales,
publicity and most of all, editorially. Sincerest thanks go to Tim,
Simon, Ben and Julie, Kirsteen, Adrian, Richard, Bob and Nigel.
There isn't space for me to list all the booksellers who've impressed
me with their professionalism, nor yet all the readers who've
brightened up my day with a few lines of appreciation, either
personally or in a review. That doesn't mean I'm not grateful,
because I most certainly am.
Finally, I would like to thank all those curators and custodians of
museums, stately homes and assorted castles who've answered my
questions, offered up fascinating extra snippets and been intrigued
rather than baffled when I explain just what it is that I do.
 CHAPTER ONE

Notice from the Prefecture of the University of Col
To all Resident Mentors and Scholars
By long tradition festivals at the turn of every season are a time for this
university to welcome visitors from other seats of learning. We are
accustomed to do so with every courtesy and luxury afforded by this city's
extensive trade, our contribution to the commerce that is Col's lifeblood.
Students and scholars alike mingle with visitors and townsfolk, broadening
their experience of life. Accordingly, the Prefects of this university will not
tolerate any repetition of the incidents disgracing this most recent spring
Equinox.
In choosing a life of study, we all suffer accusations of idleness, and
rebuke for perceived failure to produce anything of tangible worth to the
unscholarly mind. We rise above such taunts, secure in the knowledge that
learning outlasts any achievements of merchants and architects, artisans and
their guilds. All of which tolerance is rendered worthless when students,
scholars and even several mentors are clapped in irons by the Watch for
brawling with visitors from Vanam's university in taverns frequented by
common dockers.
Worse, word now circulates that these arguments were not over money,
some business disagreement or a lady's favours, but over points of
scholarship. This university has become an object of ridicule among the
populace. The Prefecture considers this an offence graver than all of the