"Paul Thompson - [Elven Nations Trilogy 1] - Firstborn" - читать интересную книгу автора (Thompson Paul B)

"Hail, Father," the brothers said in unison.
The speaker waved for his sons to sit. He held a chair out for his wife,
then sat himself. The crown of Silvanesti, a circlet of gold and silver stars,
weighed heavily on his brow. He had come to the time in his life when age
was beginning to show. Sithel's hair had always been white, but now its
silky blondness had become brittle and gray. Tiny lines were etched
around his eyes and mouth, and his hazel eyes, the sign of the heritage of
Silvanos, betrayed the slightest hint of cloudiness. All these were small,
outward signs of the great burden of time Sithel carried in his lean, erect
body. He was one thousand, five hundred years old.
Though past a thousand herself, Lady Nirakina was still lithe and
graceful. She was small by elven standards, almost doll-like. Her hair was
honey brown, as were her eyes. These were traits of her family, Clan
Silver Moon. A sense of gentleness radiated from her, a gentleness that
soothed her often irritable husband. It was said about the palace that Sithas
had his father's looks and his mother's temperament. Kith-Kanan had inherited
his mother's eyes and his father's energy.
"You look well," Nirakina said to Kith-Kanan. "Was your trip
rewarding?"
"Yes, Lady. I do love to fly," he said, after kissing her cheek.
Sithel gave his son a sharp glance. Kith-Kanan cleared his throat and
bid his father a polite greeting.
"I'm glad you returned when you did," Sithel said. "Has Sithas told
you of his upcoming marriage?" Kith-Kanan admitted he had. "You will
have an important part to play as well, Kith. As the brother of the groom,
it will be your job to escort the bride to the Tower of the StarsтАФ"
"Yes, I will, but tell us who it is," insisted the impatient prince.
"She is a maiden of exceptional spirit and beauty, I'm told," Sithel
said. "Well-educated, well-bornтАУ"
"Father!" Kith-Kanan pleaded. Sithas himself sat quietly, hands
folded on his lap. Years of training in theTempleofMatherihad given
him formidable patience.
"My son," Sithel said to Sithas, "Your wife's name is Hermathya,
daughter of Lord Shenbarrus of the Oakleaf Clan."
Sithas raised an eyebrow approvingly. Even he had noticed
Hermathya. He said nothing, but nodded his acceptance.
"Are you all right, Kith?" Nirakina asked. "You look quite pale."
To her surprise, Kith-Kanan looked as if his father had struck him
across the face. The prince swallowed hard and nodded, unable to speak.
Of all the eligible daughters, Hermathya was to marry Sithas. It was
incomprehensible. It could not happen!
None of his family knew of his love for her. If they knew, if his father
knew, he'd choose someone else.
"Ah," Kith-Kanan managed to say, "whoтАУwho else knows of this?"
"Only the bride's family," said Sithel. "I sent Shenbarrus acceptance
of the dowry this morning."
A sinking feeling gripped Kith-Kanan. He felt like he was melting
into the floor. Hermathya's family already knew. There was no going back
now. The speaker had given his word. He could not, in honor, rescind his
decision without gravely offending Clan Oakleaf.