"Recluce - 07 - The Chaos Balance" - читать интересную книгу автора (Modesitt L E)

а а "And all the rice fields in Geliendra will be washed away?"
аа "Yes, Sire. And those in Jakaafra." The white wizard bowed again, more
deeply.
аа "What of the northern dams, and the diversions?"
аа "The .. . storms .. ." stammered Themphi. "You were-"
аа "They destroyed those as well as the locks of Kuliat? Why was I not
informed of that?"
аа "Your Mightiness received the scrolls in the field . . ." Themphi
offered a stained scroll. ". . . as you did this one at Guarstyad-"
аа "I am supposed to remember details of waterworks when I am trying to
rebuild the fireships? Or commanding an army? Or remember that I received
a scroll in the midst of dark confusions?" Lephi's eyes flickered toward
the two sets of ornate open grillwork that flanked the dais and concealed
the Archers of the Rational Stars. Then he leaned forward in the
malachite and silver chair, his silver linens rustling. "Themphi, my
wizard of the Throne of Reason, Emperor and heir to the Rational/Stars I
may be, but even emperors do not recall everything-especially in these
times." He paused. "Why do the eastern barbarian kingdoms no longer
respect Cyador?"
аа "Sire?"
аа "You are thinking of rice fields, Themphi. We will address those in a
moment. Why is mighty Cyad no longer respected?"
а а"Cyador remains mighty."
аа "Yet barbarian traders attempted to establish a fortified enclave at
Guarstyad, miserable corner of the word that it is. Why?"
аа "It is on the borders of Cyador, and there are no Mirror Lancers or
Shining Foot there."
аа "In my grandsire's days, they would not have dared. Why do they dare
now?"
аа The wizard frowned ever so slightly. "You routed them, Sire. They will
not try again."
аа "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 save force. We must
restore our abilities to supply that force."
аа "Yes, Sire."
аа "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?"
аа The wizard nodded.
аа "Answer me! How else?"
аа "Any ruler must guide his people."
аа "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."
аа "I should have seen that you were informed once you returned, Your
Mightiness," offered Themphi.
аа "Someone should have. Someone should have." Lephi eased back in his
throne. "Can we send the White Engineers?"
аа "The Second is at hand . . ." offered the wizard.