"Andre Norton & Lackey, Mercedes - Elvenbane 3 - Elvenborn" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

Ancestors, you fool, can't you see that a so-called 'trickle' is all
that is needed to bleed us to death?" Kyndreth saw with some
satisfaction a subtle and unspoken shifting among the other
Council members, and watched as power came over to his side.
"And what, may I ask, do you propose to do if these so-called
'errant children' of ours decide to ally with the Elvenbane and
her wizards and dragons?"
There. It was out in the open, the thing that no one had dared to
say, and he watched as a chill passed over all the rest of them.
Yes, even Lord Rechan.
"They wouldn't--" someone whispered.
"Don't ever believe that," one of Kyndreth's supporters said,
sharply. He took note of the speaker and reminded himself to
single that one out for some special favor. "Why shouldn't
they?"

"Because--because--because they're Elvenlords!" the first lord
spluttered, looking so horrified by the very notion that one would
think he'd been accused of fathering halfblooded children
himself.

"And when whatever magic they've discovered ceases to
prevent our magic from reaching and punishing them?" Lord
Kyndreth asked. "What then? Do you think, do you really think
that they will hesitate for one moment before going over to the
half-blood side?"
Silence.
"Now," Kyndreth said, into that silence, changing his voice from
challenging to calm, "I have some suggestions. The first of
which is one I think none of you will anticipate. I suggest that we
continue to allow our loyal offspring to continue their lives as
usual. I do not propose interfering with their pleasures. In fact, if
anything, I suggest a slightly looser leash for now. And you may
well be asking yourself why--"
"Well--yes," replied Lord Rechan, looking gratifyingly puzzled.
"If, as you say, the inroads are slowly bleeding us to death--"
"Firstly, we don't want the brats to know it's bleeding us to
death, and rest assured, they must have ears and eyes among
us, and it's probably some of our apparently-loyal children.
Secondly, we want to remind our apparently-loyal children just
how pleasant life is, when one's sire is pleased with one." He
smiled, slightly. "It is easier to catch a fly with a sweetmeat than
with vinegar. And meanwhile--" his eyes narrowed. "--I will be
a-hunting for a better commander."
And to his immense satisfaction, there was not one single
objection.

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