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

their lips, and a stirring fanfare blared forth. When the horns ceased, a
third herald entered.
"Free Elves and True! Give heed to His Highness, Sithel, Speaker of
the Stars!"
Everyone bowed silently as Sithel appeared and walked to his
emerald throne. There was a spontaneous cry of "All hail the speaker!"
from the ranks of the nobles; the hall rang with elven voices. The speaker
mounted the steps, turned, and faced the assembly. He sat down, and the
hails died.
The herald spoke again. "Sithas, son of Sithel, prince heir!"
Sithas passed through the doorway, bowed to his father, and
approached the throne. As his son mounted the seven steps to the platform,
Sithel held out his hand, indicating his son should stand to the left of the
throne. Sithas took his place, facing the audience.
The trumpets blared again. "Lady Nirakina, wife, and Prince Kith-
Kanan, son of Sithel!"
Kith-Kanan entered with his mother on his arm. He had changed to
his courtly robes of sky-blue linen, clothing he rarely wore. He moved
stiffly down the center aisle, his mother's hand resting lightly on his left
arm.
"Smile," she whispered.
"I don't know four-fifths of them," Kith-Kanan muttered.
"Smile anyway. They know you."
When he reached the steps, the pommel of Kith-Kanan's sword poked
out from under his ceremonial sash. Nirakina glanced down at the weapon,
which was largely concealed by the voluminous folds of his robe.
"Why did you bring that?" she whispered.
"It's part of my costume," he replied. "I have a right to wear it."
"Don't be impertinent," his mother said primly. "You know this is a
peaceful occasion."
A large wooden chair, cushioned with red velvet, was set in place for
the speaker's wife on the left of Prince Sithas. Kith-Kanan, like his twin,
was expected to stand in the presence of his father, the monarch.
Once the royal family was in place, the assembled notables lined up to
pay their respects to the speaker. The time-honored ritual called for priests
first, the clan fathers of House Cleric next, and the masters of the city
guilds last. Kith-Kanan, far to the left of Sithel, searched for Hermathya in
the press of people. The crowd numbered some three hundred, and though
they were quiet, the shuffling of feet and the rustle of silk and linen filled
the tower. The heralds advanced to the foot of the speaker's throne and
announced each group as they formed up before Sithel.
The priests and priestesses, in their white robes and golden
headbands, each wore a sash in the color of their patron deityтАУsilver for
E'li, red for Matheri, brown for Kiri Jolith, sky blue for Quenesti Pah, and
so on. By ancient law, they went barefoot as well, so they would be closer
to the sacred soil of Silvanesti.
The clan fathers shepherded their families past the speaker.
Kith-Kanan caught his breath as Lord Shenbarrus of Clan Oakleaf reached
the head of the line. He was a widower, so his eldest daughter stood beside
him.