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

shimmering and spotless tiles beneath the throne.
аа "Declare your petition," rumbled Duhru, "if you are without darkness
and a follower of the way of whiteness."
аа The first petitioner-a mid-aged man wearing the white surplice of a
petitioner over heavy work trousers and tunic- bowed. "Most powerful Lord
of Cyador, Protector of the Steps to Paradise, hear my petition."
аа "The Lord hears all," responded Duhru. "State your petition."
аа "The officers of the Eighth Mirror Lancers have dishonored my youngest
daughter, and I ask redress. Only you can restore her honor."
аа Lephi glanced toward Themphi.
аа "They say they used no force, and that they offered a dozen silvers
toward her dowry," whispered the white wizard.
аа "Those officers have honored your daughter," declared Lephi. "I will
also increase that honor by adding two golds to that dowry."
аа The stocky man bowed, his forehead slick with sweat. "I seek no dowry.
I seek honor. I humbly ask that you dishonor those officers. No officer
of the greatest lord should defile a young girl."
аа "The Lord of Cyador has heard your petition," boomed Duhru. "You may
go and tell all of his generosity."
аа "NO!" The white-clad man charged the steps to the dais. "Your officers
are pigs. They are sows, and you slop them." A flaming arrow flashed from
the balcony gratework, the mark of an Archer of the Rational Stars,
catching the man in the chest. The other two petitioners watched, mouths
partly open as the first petitioner crumpled.
аа After a nod from Lephi toward Themphi, a fireball arced toward the
dying man, then exploded. Only a handful of scattered ashes sifted
through the air.
аа "Question the lancer officers. If they dishonored the girl, do what is
necessary. If not, have her join her father."
аа "So it is with unworthy petitions and petitioners, and those who
reject the generosity of the lord," intoned Duhru. "Let the next
petitioner offer his petition."
аа "Most puissant Lord of Cyador, Protector of the Steps to Paradise, the
citizens of Wybar humbly beseech Your Mightiness for a token of his
support for the blessing of the new river piers." The elderly man in the
white surplice added in a wavering tone, "Only a token, Your Mightiness."
аа "They are fearful because Wybar is downstream from the Accursed
Forest," Themphi explained.
аа Lephi nodded. "You shall have such a token. May your piers bring all
prosperity and good trade."
аа "May the next petitioner approach," rumbled Duhru, "if he is without
darkness and a follower of the way of whiteness."
аа "Your Supreme Mightiness . . . the peasants in Geliendra have
presented a petition, and the regional governor has endorsed it." The
functionary in gold bowed twice. On the second bow, droplets of
perspiration splattered on the polished white tiles of the floor.
аа "Lick those up, Husenar. I don't like the floors soiled, especially
when my administrators are acting for others."
аа Husenar complied, then straightened, standing stiffly.
аа "What about this petition? Why need it be brought to me? Why did they