"Jerry Pournelle & Roland Green - Janissaries 3 - Storms of Victory" - читать интересную книгу автора (Pournelle Jerry)

Dowager Egetassa of Rhuinas, so what she wants she gets, and what she's got
is everybody I brought with me billeted in her townhouse. The men-at-arms
are stacked up like cordwood in the stables, but at least we've got a roof over
our heads. I was afraid we'd have to camp outside the walls, along with the
Romans. Did Publius really bring a whole legion to the wedding?"
"Two cohorts, under our old friend Titus Frugi."
"Oho. Little Caesar can't be too happy about that."
"No." Titus Frugi had commanded forces loyal to the old emperor. Now he
was loyal to Marselius Caesar. Not necessarily to Marselius's son Publius.
"No, I don't expect he is. Belay that. How are you getting along?"
"Not too bad, all things considered. The Tamaerthan archers who've settled
the vacant farms pretty much make up for the people the Westmen killed.
None of them have turned bandit, either."
"Lady Tylara will be happy to hear that. And how's HoneypieтАФI mean, Lady
Dirdre?"
"We're going to be married, soon as I get back from the King's wedding. He's
already given permission, but I want to swear fealty to him for Westrook and
get an update on the charter before we make it legal. That way Dirdre inherits
with no trouble if something happens to me on the way home."
"Yeah. Say, Ben, how many men do you have with youтАФhere and outside the
gate?"
"Six here, ten more outside. Why?"
"I got a problem and maybe you can help me solve it. Somebody killed a
sentry just a few minutes ago."
, "Blood feud?"
"Looked more like a professional job. Somebody's up to something, and I've
got the reserve platoon of Guards on the way. But I'd like some more reliable
men on hand before they get here. If you help, I think I can persuade the
Captain and the Wanax that they owe you one, like maybe letting you billet
some of your people in the castle."
"Sounds all right. Who's in charge?"
Mason jerked his head in Morrone's direction. Murphy frowned, raised his
eyebrows, and lowered his voice. "Does he know what he's doing?"
"Close enough. He's got more guts and charm than brains, but he's not one of
the real hard-core ironhats."
"Jesus, I hope not. Most of them were out for a short beer when God passed
out the brains."
"Sure. Which is how you got your job."
Murphy grinned.
"Anyway. Bring in your men, and I'll pick my escort and go bring the Captain
up to speed."
Murphy grinned. "Escort? Come on, Art. You getting nervous in the service?
I thought everybody knew by now that tackling an armed starman just gave
Graves Registration some business."
"Some people are slow learners, and I'm pretty sure our killer isn't alone.
Besides, I'm a great noble now, Lord Mason, Marshal of the Household to the
Captain General of the Realm, Major of Guards, Scrubber of the Official
Chamberpot of Chelm, and Yatar knows what else. I have to swank around.
Hell, Ben, you should know that sort of stuff better than I do."
"Maybe a little. Oh well, it sure beats being stuck on a hill in Africa, with