"Melanie Rawn - Dragon Prince 1 - Dragon Prince" - читать интересную книгу автора (Rawn Melanie)

fly. Multiply this number by the nine other sires Zehava had killed in mating
years, plus their females, and the total was staggering. Yet there were always
more dragons. The Desert gave forth hundreds of hatchlings every three summers
that roamed over the princedoms ravaging crops and herds. Killing the mating
sires was the most efficient way of cutting down the population, for the
unmated females and their unfertilized eggs were lost, too. But even this was
a losing proposition in the end. There were always more dragons.
Chaynal sighed and stroked Akkal's neck. Zehava's power rested in part on his
ability to cut down the dragon population. Would Rohan be able to do as much
when his turn came? It was not a happy thought. Fond as he was of his wife's
brother, and much as he sincerely respected Rohan's gifts, he knew the young
prince hadn't the stomach for killing dragons. Strength in battle as
demonstrated by these hunts was an integral part of the
Desert's power. What other basis for rule was there than military victory?
Chay's own family had guarded the Desert's one safe port for generations,
their prestige firmly based on providing and protecting trade. He was honest
enoughтАФand had enough of a sense of humorтАФto acknowledge that his forebears'
original power had come from baldfaced piracy; the money to build Radzyn Keep
had not come from port fees legitimately gathered. In these civilized days,
fast ships bearing the red-and-white Radzyn banner no longer roamed the Small
Islands or hid in coves waiting for rich merchantmen. Nowadays his ships
patrolled the waters to keep them safe. But war and thievery endured in his
family line, he reminded himself with a whimsical smile. He had fought with
great enjoyment as Zehava's battle commander, and every three years at the
Rialla he entertained himself with legal robbery when he sold his horses.
Fighting battles and outsmarting one's trading partners: these were excellent
bases for power. Rohan had shown himself a capable warrior that memorable day
against the MeridaтАФthough he'd nearly given his parents apoplexy when they had
discovered his unauthorized presenceтАФand he was clever enough when he chose to
be. But Rohan was not a warrior by choice, nor an instinctive bargainer.
Chay's attention was pulled back to the battle before him as the dragon's
wings spread and cast a shadow across the sun. He circled upward on thermals
and bellowed his fury, then hurtled down with claws extended toward Zehava.
The prince calculated the leap to a hair's oreadth, waiting until the last
instant before hauling his outraged stallion around out of range. As he did
so, his sword slashed a bloody rent in the dragon's hide. The beast screamed
in agony and a muted cheer went up from the other riders as the dragon's hind
legs sank into soft sand, wings flapping as he struggled for purchase. Zehava
*wung his horse around and stabbed the dragon's flank lust behind the left
wing. The females in their caves howled in response to their mate's shriek.
Chay began to feel better. Zehava was still every bit the prince he had always
been, skills and cunning intact.
The dragon was bleeding now, his movements and breathing labored. But the fire
in his eyes was unquenched, and as he regained his footing he swerved around
with death in his hot gaze.
Princess Tobin loved her children dearly, but did not feel compelled to spend
her time looking after them. At her husband's keep there were servants enough
to make sure the twin boys were fed, taught, and kept out of serious mischief
while their parents ran the vast estates. Here at Stronghold on their annual
visit there were yet more servants happy to attend the young lords. So when