"Christopher Stasheff - Warlocks Heirs 01 - M'Lady Witch" - читать интересную книгу автора (Stasheff Christopher)

Geoffrey realized that there were suddenly more concerns than Cordelia on his mind. "Terms of danger, my Prince-the danger of cruel men who
murder and steal, the dangers of famine and disease. You have never seen how your future subjects live, nor to what authority they must answer.
You have never gone through your kingdom solely as Alain, not as the Prince."


"Why, thou dost paint me as a stock of a man, a painted stick, a hollow effigy!"


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 M'Lady Witch



"Even so; you have said it."


"How dare you!" Alain cried, the anger of his defeat finally bubbling over. "How dare you speak so to your Prince!"


Geoffrey nodded with grim satisfaction. "Even now you do it-even now you seek refuge behind your title. As to how I dare, why-I have only
answered the questions you asked. Do you truly ask me how I dare to answer them honestly?"


Alain stared at him, then spoke, seeming numb. "No. I cannot fault you for that, can I? Indeed, I should praise you for the truthfulness all others near
me do lack."


Suddenly he turned away, once again in despair. "But how can I ever face her again? If I am truly so shallow, so puffed-up and pompous, how can I
ever hope to win Cordelia's heart? How, if I am so superficial and vain?"


"Become a true man," Geoffrey answered, "one of flesh and bone, with hot blood in your veins."


"Why, how can I do that?"


"Go off on a quest of your own, friend, to discover what you truly are-with none to ward you, and no sign of your true rank."


"I would not know how to bear myself, nor where to go," Alain protested.


Geoffrey threw up his hands in exasperation. "Why, then, I shall show you! Come, and we shall go adventuring, you and I-but come straightaway.
Do not go to your home to shift your clothes, nor to pack your gear, but come away now!"


"'Tis even as you say; my parents would never hear of it." With sudden resolution, Alain said, "Why, then, I shall learn the way of it-of courting, of
living, of being true! Come, old friend, let us go!"