"L. E. Modesitt - Corean Chronicles 4 - Alector's Choice" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

She says that if it looks like a steer, acts like a steer, and talks like a steer,
it is a steer."

"Alectors look the same, but we have varying levels of Talent, and that's
a big difference. Landers and indigens even look different, most of the
time. Most landers are blond, and some even exhibit Talent. No indigen
ever has."

"I think you've made your point. Again."

Dainyl laughed softly. "I should never forget that my wife is a brighter
and more important personage than is this poor colonel."

"Poor Dainyl," teased Lystrana. "You command hundreds, and you
think yourself less than a wife who has but a small study adjoining the
High Alector of Finance."

"A wife who knows where every gold in Coras lies," he retorted
humorously, "and probably every alector who collects interest on each.
And I don't command anyone directly."

"Most of the usury is by landers. You know that. They're far more
interested in golds than in power."

He did, but found it hard to believe, even if his eyes reminded him
every day. The dwellings in the merchants' quarters were far more opulent
than those of most alectors. Even the Duarch's Palace in Elcien and the
various mansions of the Highests were comparatively modest, and they
comprised but a fraction of the alectors' quarter. Dainyl and Lystrana's
dwelling was modest, with but four bedcham-bers, one of which was a
seldom-used guest chamber, plus, of course, the lower-level servants'
quarters. They only had the two girls, while most successful merchanters
had staffs of a half score or more.

"You'll have to go to Tempre, then? By Table?" he asked. "It's important
enough that you can miss the sentence of justice this afternoon?"

"I was at the last one, in the spring, and the one before that," Lystrana
replied. "I don't need to be reminded of what happens if we abuse power.
You'll be there for me."

"We provide the guard--and the pteridons. I'm not looking forward to
it." Dainyl had come to dread those times justice was laid down upon an
alector, infrequent as they were.

"I know."

"You're fortunate you can use the Table," he said, trying to change the
subject.