"L. E. Modesitt - Recluce 04 - The Chaos Balance" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

"You are thinking of rice fields, Themphi. We will address those in a moment. Why is mighty
Cyad no longer respected?"
"Cyador remains mighty."
"Yet barbarian traders attempted to establish a fortified enclave at Guarstyad, miserable
corner of the word that it is. Why?"
"It is on the borders of Cyador, and there are no Mirror Lancers or Shining Foot there."
"In my grandsire's days, they would not have dared. Why do they dare now?"
The wizard frowned ever so slightly. "You routed them, Sire. They will not try again."
"Had we the great fire cannons or were the fireship completed, they would not have dared."
Lephi leaned back in the shimmering throne. "The barbarians have short memories and respect little



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save force. We must restore our abilities to supply that force."
"Yes, Sire."
"You humor me, Themphi. You think I am erratic and obsessed. Perhaps I am. An emperor must be
obsessed. How else can he guide his people?"
The wizard nodded.
"Answer me! How else?"
"Any ruler must guide his people."
"You talk, and you say nothing. Would that I did not need you and your kind. Would that. . .
but wishes are but fluttering breezes dashed against stone." Lephi sighed. "Now . . . you may
proceed with the rice fields."
"I should have seen that you were informed once you returned, Your Mightiness," offered
Themphi.
"Someone should have. Someone should have." Lephi eased back in his throne. "Can we send the
White Engineers?"
"The Second is at hand . . ." offered the wizard.
"No ... the fireship project comes first. I will not let those thieves from Ruzor or Lydiar or
Spidlar . . ." Lephi let his words break off.
"The Third Company could go. You sent the first to Fyrad-"
"To rebuild the trading piers and the levees. I recall. With the Second engaged here . . . Yes,
send the Third." Lephi paused. "And send one of the Mirror Legions. Whichever one Queras can spare
most."
"Yes, Your Mightiness." Themphi bowed as if to depart.
"Have we heard from the northern barbarians?"
"About the reopening of the copper mines?"
"Exactly."
"No, Sire. The messenger could not have reached Lornth yet, even upon the fastest of Your
Mightiness's steeds."
Perspiration beaded on the white wizard's forehead as Lephi's eyes narrowed.
"Are you suggesting, white wizard, that I am impatient?" asked the Lord of Cyador.
"No, Sire. Only that Lornth is far beyond the Walls of the North."
"Those walls will move northward again. We will need the copper for the fireships to come."
Lephi smiled. "Inform me when we receive word from Lornth. In the meantime, best you study the old
tomes on the diversions, Themphi. And on containing chaos within ship boilers."
"Yes, Mightiness." The white mage's voice was even.