"Shirley Meier & S. M. Stirling - Fifth Millenium 02 - Saber and Shadow" - читать интересную книгу автора (Meier Shirley)

arrest the most vociferous of the merchants. By association, the navy and
peace factions will be covered by the same shroud." The High Priest gazed at
her, unblinking. "But the disturbances must not be allowed to get out of hand;
that might convince the Radiant One that there was something to our opponents'
predictions of ruin from a militant policy."

Cubilano gave her a smile as bold as duty. "Who are we to question the mind of
the God? We serve the Avatar of Her with our human minds and wills." He
paused. "Have you made your devotions to the God as the Law commands?" he said
sharply.

Caught off balance, she struggled to regain the initiative. "I ... the
Caaituh's-kin are pious; nobody can dispute that."

"Yet a great kinfast is made up of many souls," Cubilano continued. "Dehanno,
your kinelder, heir to the Tecktahship ... he has been less than friendly to
the Servants of the Light, disputing our ownership of lands." His expression
became somber. "Such a one might have to be ... set aside by the Sun-on-Earth
for a more devout heir."

Smyna bowed her head. Here was the carrot, tailored to her alone. Hers if she
succeeded; if she failed, the stick of disgrace for the one who had callously
slaughtered the people of the Divine One, as they rightly protested measures
adopted by misguided ministers. The God could do no wrong; Her servants were
another matter entirely. There was a silken reminder that however high she
climbed the temple would have its hand on the ladder. Still ...

"I will order the regiments into the city," she said. "Obedient to your
wishes, Mirror of the Eternal Light."

The priest made a gesture of dismissal. "Further communications had best be by
the secure channels we established," he said. She had known his insistence on
a public meeting was a demand for commitment. She replied with a deep
obeisance and turned to go. At the threshold she hesitated.

"Radiance, I have heard that the Guild of the Wise favors the merchant guilds
in this matter."

For the first time, Cubilano raised his voice. "The Conspiracy of the
Foolish!" It cracked out across the chamber. " The Guild of the Damned!" Smyna
blinked. "After the riots, the guilds will have no recourse. Except the
'wise.' And if they are so foolish"-his hands curled shut-"the Sun has fire to
spare."

Yeva sat in the guest room rather than the garden now. Some stern ascetics
would scorn to use the Art to keep themselves dry in a rainstorm, or to make
ice to render scrying easier. She was not of their number, but there would be
no energy to spare for luxuries this time. The glass stood before her, as
milk-white as the magician's eyes, held in its frame like a pearl beneath the
chin of a dragon.