"Sean Russell - The Swan's War 1 - The One Kingdom" - читать интересную книгу автора (Russell Sean)

"not that it will matter. Everyone is ready to believe the Wills capable of the worst
treachery."

"Then that is what we'll do, Cousins," Beld said, sitting back a little on his bench.тАЭ I
worry only that some might lose their nerve." He looked around the table.тАЭ That hard
decisions do not come easy to everyone."

"You can name me, Beld," Dease said.тАЭ We all know of whom you speak. You're hardly
subtle."

"But subtlety is not what's needed," Beld answered, sitting forward quickly, his temper
flaring. Dease could see his cousin's muscles tensing beneath his tunic.тАЭ Deeds are what's
required, Cousin, and I'm not sure you can stomach that, being such an admirer of
Toren's and all."

Dease met his cousin's gaze easily, not looking away or even looking particularly
intimidated, and very few were not intimidated by Beld. He was a great bear of a man,
but even more so, he looked like someone barely in control of a vast and raging
angerтАФwhich was, in fact, the truth.

"I do admire him," Dease said simply.тАЭ In many ways he is the best of us, and not just
on the tournament field."

Beld banged his fists on the table.тАЭ But Toren will give us over to the Wills! He thinks that
they can be won over by charm and words, that they will be convinced to give up their
feud of nine generations. He will gift them the Isle of Battle, which is no different than
giving them the wealth to raise an army. Toren thinks that all we have to do is renounce
our claim to the throneтАФas simple as thatтАФand they will do the same, and all will be
well with the world." He looked around at the others quickly.тАЭ Give up our claim! I've
heard him say it myself. Do he know what the Wills would do to us if they were ever to
ascend the throne? They would not forget the past. They would not forgive. Toren will
see the Renn├й name eradicated from Ayr, that's what Toren's... statecraft will
accomplish. But it isn't our name that I want to see forgotten. No, I for one have had
enough of his conciliation. IтАФ" "Enough, Beld!" Dease interrupted.тАЭ We've all heard you
rant before. Spare us, this day." Beld lunged up from the bench, but Arden and Samul
grabbed his massive arms, and he let them pull him back onto the bench.тАЭ Enough of
this," Samul said, his voice, as always, firm and reasonable.тАЭ Don't bait him, Dease; we
can't afford division now." "Yes, I know, but let's not try to justify what we do as noble,
Samul. It is the most vile treachery. We are about to murder our own cousin, and
though I admit it's necessary to our preservation, still I can't pretend it is anything but
what it is. You all know I've tried to reason with Toren, I've spent countless hours in this
vain pursuit, and I sometimes think he came nearer to convincing me, than me to him."
He splayed a large hand on the table, looking down at it sadly.тАЭ But I'm sure now that he
will not be convinced to give up this folly. So we must either follow him to disaster or
resort to treachery. For the future of our family, I choose treachery, but I have no doubt
that I am a blackguardтАФa murderer and a traitor. And if we are discovered, don't
imagine that our family will think otherwise, for they would rather honorable ruin than
this ignominy that we have chosen." The stillness returned, as the wind raged around
them, swaying the branches of the tree overhead so that shadow and sunlight chased
each other madly across the table and over the grim faces of the gathered men.тАЭ Are you