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

"Not without many lost lives," another said.

Lord Ransidine brought his fist down on the table. All fell silent. "Enough of this treasonous talk!" he
roared. "Grendoorn has too long been a threat to Zendor. We must conquer and subdue it, and return it
to its rightful masters. Do you not agree, Your Majesty?"

Durmuk had been gazing out the window. He started, blinked, and nodded with some vigor. "Oh, yes.
Conquer and subdue. Yes, I agree. We are in great danger. They're all traitors. Lord Ransidine is right.
Must use force on such people."

"I have a plan. Not a drop of Zendoran blood will be shed, I promise you," said Lord Ransidine.

Murmurs of approval rose from most of those present. The two who had questioned exchanged a quick
anxious glance.

Kedrigern turned to his neighbor. "The Lord Ransidine is a forceful man."

"A master tactician and brave as a lion. The kind of leader these times require," the man said with
obvious satisfaction. When Kedrigern refrained from replying, he went on, "No shilly-shallying, none of
your prattle of peace and friendship, just action. That's his way with traitors. Grendoorn will be ours in
ten days."

"Why does he call the Grendoornans traitors?"

"Because they are. Always have been, always will be. Nothing to do but destroy them."

"I see," said Kedrigern. "Then it looks as though my journey was a waste of time."

"Waste of time? What do you mean?" said the other, turning on him with a narrow suspicious look.
Kedrigern looked about with exaggerated caution and leaning closer, said in a lowered voice, "I can only
reveal that your king asked me here to save Zendor from destruction by its enemies. With a man like
Lord Ransidine to protect you, I'm not needed."

"Who are you, sir?"

Kedrigern tapped his lips with a forefinger and winked once, slowly and solemnly. That, he thought,
would give the fellow something to think about.

Durmuk rose abruptly, and all rose with him. Hurrying to the door, he called back, "We need not sit here
all night. The chef is making Ballotine of Duckling la Chatelaine. My very favorite dish. And he's
promised a special surprise for dessert. Let us away. Quickly, quickly."

The dinner that followed was rich in culinary excellence but poor in festive spirit. Durmuk's full attention
was given to the food, while the talk among the other diners was of war and preparations for war.
Kedrigern listened in fascinated horror as Lord Ransidine described his plans for the future of Grendoorn
once the dangerous elements in its population had been annihilated. When the Lord Protector paused to
catch his breath and take a sip of wine, Kedrigern asked him what offense the Grendoornans had
committed to deserve such an extreme penalty.

With a long disdainful look, Ransidine said, "You are the magician summoned by His Majesty, are you