"Douglas Niles - Forgotten Realms - Moonshae 02 - Black Wizard" - читать интересную книгу автора (Niles Douglas)

Beyond Lord Galric sat Lord Pontswain. He was a smooth, handsome man, with
curling brown hair that flowed past his shoulders, and a firm, crackling voice
that commanded attention. He had a sharp wit, and the cutting edge of his
voice often left one wondering whether he had been complimented or insulted.
The prince noticed that Pontswain's mug remained full. The lord spent more
time sizing up the others at the table than he did in joining the toasting.
Pontswain ruled a large and wealthy cantrev to the southwest of Corwell.
Tristan knew him to be very ambitious and judged him the most significant
rival at the table.
The others, such as Lord Fergus of Kingsbay and Lord Macshea of Cantrev
Macsheehan, ruled small fiefdoms which were still recovering from the war.
Tristan judged these lords, as council members, to be honest and reasonable
men, open to persuasion by the best candidate.
For a moment the prince thought again of the meeting's purpose. His father had
been buried the night before, and he was about to make a case for himself to
succeed the king. He could feel his palms beginning to sweat. His mug, like
Pontswain's, sat before him, barely touched.
"My lords," he began, so softly that the group was forced
тАв 30*
BLACK WIZARDS
to quiet in order.to hear him, "I thank you all for attending this most
significant council. Your presence at the funeral last night, as well, is
appreciated.
"My father served as king for twenty-seven years. With one notable exception,
these were years of peace and prosperity. Trading vessels call regularly here
and at Kingsbay. Taxes have remained lowтАФpractically nonexistent for those
with little means to pay. I think you will all agree that he allowed you to
rule your fiefdoms with little interference.
"When our neighbors in Moray suffered the misfortune of an invasion of
Northmen, King Kendrick and the forces of Corwell were decisive in defeating
the invasion.
"And last summer, when our own kingdom felt the brunt of such an invasion, he
rallied the cantrevs to ultimate victory." Tristan didn't want to overstate
his father's role in that conflict, for he knew that his own contribution gave
him his best claim to the throne.
"In that campaign, where the stalwart Lords Koart and Dynnatt fought beside my
own company, the Ffoik of Corwell drove off not only an army of Northmen, but
supernatural horsemen. We triumphed with the aid of this potent swordтАФ" he
gestured to the Sword of Cymrych Hugh, "тАФ over the Beast that the Northmen
called their master!"
The prince paused, willing each of the lords to recall the Darkwalker War.
"Many are the wounds that remain with us to this day, suffered in that
struggle. Galric, whose cantrev was ravaged by the hungry wolfpack.... Fergus,
and MacsheaтАФtheir homes burned by the invading Northmen. Corwell itself, held
by the narrowest of margins.
"While others of us, such as Ponstwain, were more fortunate. Not only were
they spared the destruction of their homes, but they did not suffer the deaths
of their people in combat." He paused again, allowing the facts to sink in.
Before Tristan could continue, however, Lord Pontswain rose smoothly to his
feet, smiling politely around the table before nodding quickly at the prince.