"John Morressy - The Protectors of Zendor" - читать интересную книгу автора (Morressy John)

Princess followed arm in arm.

They were shown to places at a long table lined with somber-faced officials of Zendor, many in martial
uniforms, all of them bearing a family resemblance to the king. Durmuk sat at one end, on a large throne
laden with cushions. At the opposite end of the table sat the Grendoornan envoy. He appeared to be an
unusually short man; his chin barely reached the tabletop. He exhibited no signs of barbarity, but on the
contrary conveyed an impression of civility and courtliness.

Durmuk accorded the wizards a fulsome but brief greeting, omitting general introductions. Then, in the
most contemptuous manner, he gave the envoy leave to speak.

The envoy rose, revealing himself to be not diminutive but a tall stately figure dressed in subdued gray and
black, with a gold chain of office about his neck. He presented a moving appeal for peace and amity
between their homelands. Grendoorn had been arming, he admitted, but only for protection: Durmuk's
troops had been crossing through Plothy Pass almost daily to raid border settlements (furious denials
from the uniformed men) and were massing in great numbers on the Zendoran side of the pass (general
outrage; protests and shouted accusations). A large man in a spotless white uniform and crimson cloak
sprang to his feet to denounce what he labeled the envoy's shameless lies. The envoy listened with
admirable composure and countered by reading a list of destroyed settlements and the casualties and
property losses sustained by Grendoorn in each one. His words were interrupted by mocking laughter.
The laughter continued throughout his account, accompanied by shouts of "Liar!", "Shut up!" and "Sit
down!" Through all these antics he comported himself with great patience and dignity.

Kedrigern looked on with growing distaste as his suspicions were fully validated. This was not a council
meeting, it was a methodical humiliation, starting with the seating of the envoy on a low milking stool. It
was a deliberate provocation. Durmuk's message was a fraud.

On the other hand, envoys were not impartial and Kedrigern had not yet heard the Zendoran side of the
story. All the same.... He glanced at Princess and saw from her frown and the flaring of her nostrils that
she shared his distaste at the proceedings.

Before the envoy had finished, the man in the crimson cloak was on his feet again, livid with rage, shaking
his fist, "No more! Your lies and distortions insult us!" he cried. "Zendor is aware of your scheme for
conquest and will defend itself to the death against your aggression. Begone, traitor, and take your
falsehoods with you! Go, before our righteous wrath overcomes our patience."

Kedrigern turned to the man next to him and whispered, "Who is that angry man?"

"Lord Ransidine, First First Cousin to the king and Protector of the Realm," was the reply.

The envoy bowed to Durmuk, and ignoring all the others present, strode from the chamber with head
held high. When the door shut behind him, Lord Ransidine, still standing, threw back his head and
laughed loudly. "So much for their lying chatter of peace and friendship. Fire and the sword is what that
land of traitors deserves, and they shall have it in full measure. Grendoornan blood will flow like a mighty
river."

One of the others at the table said, "It won't be easy. Grendoorn has a strong army. They will fight."

"My men will crush them," Ransidine replied.