"John Maddox Roberts - Stormlands 02- The Black Shield" - читать интересную книгу автора (Roberts John Maddox)

He was cousin to the former king, a high general and head of the Council. The former king had no living
male children by his queen. One day, word came from the palace that the king had died suddenly, after a
brief illness. The Council had met in secret and had chosen Councilor Pashir to assume the throne after
the prescribed period of mourning."

"Did everyone accept that story?" Larissa asked.

Dunyaz shrugged. "There were the usual rumors that Pashir had murdered the old king. It came to
nothing. The common people are content as long as there is a king in charge. Royal succession concerns
only the highest nobility."

"And you were of that nobility. How did they
regard these events, and what is their attitude towards Pashir now?"

"You understand, Mistress, that even noble daughters count for little. They are not included in the
councils of the family chiefs."

"But you are not stupid, and I know that you take a lively interest in your own future and welfare. What
did you hear?"

"Much depends upon which of the noble groups a family belongs to. The rural families, most of them
from the southern part of Neva, regard Pashir as a usurper, but they have no pretender to put in his
place. The families of the capital, Kasin, and its surrounding districts, are mostly supporters of Pashir.
They considered the old king to be incompetent. Neva lost territory under his reign. Pashir is a soldier
and they believe that he will restore the kingdom."

Larissa rested her chin on the back of her folded hands, her eyes level with those of Dun-yaz. "And to
which faction did your family belong?" Nothing in her look was threatening, but Dunyaz knew that she
dared not lie.

"They are supporters of Pashir," she said.

"What is your family name?"

"Halazid, Mistress." The words came out almost in a whisper.

"Is the relationship distant or close?" the queen asked.
"He is my father's eldest brother, Mistress." She was trembling now, and Larissa found this pleasing. "I
am useless as a hostage, Mistress. I was sent to this city in disgrace. I might as well be dead as far as my
family is concerned."

The queen drew her fingertips down Dunyaz's

petal-soft cheek. "Hostage? What use would we have for a hostage? Why should I trade a perfectly
good slave for anything when all the mainlanders have will be ours, in time? No, I want you just as you
are. I am glad that I know this about you, though. Never try to conceal anything from me, Dunyaz."

"Yes, Mistress," she answered.

"Now, who are the king's enemies??"