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

When Hermathya said nothing, Sithel commanded, "Speak, girl.
Speak the truth."
Hermathya lifted her gaze and looked directly at Sithas. "I want to
marry the speaker's heir," she said. Her voice was not loud, but in the tense
silence, every sound, every word was like a thunderclap.
"No!" Kith-Kanan exclaimed. What was she saying? "Don't be afraid,
Thya. Don't let our fathers sway you. Tell them the truth. Tell them who
you love."
Still Hermathya's eyes were on Sithas. "I choose the speaker's heir."
"Thya!" Kith-Kanan would have rushed to her, but Nirakina
interposed herself, pleading with her son to be still. He gently but firmly
pushed her aside. Only Sithas stood between him and Hermathya now.
"Stand aside, Brother," he said.
"Be silent!" his father roared. "You dishonor us all!"
Kith-Kanan drew his sword. Gasps and shrieks filled the Tower of the
Stars. Baring a weapon in the hall was a serious offense, a sacrilegious act.
But Kith-Kanan wavered. He looked at the sword in his hand, at his
brother's and father's faces, and at the woman he loved. Hermathya stood
unmoving, her eyes still fixed on his twin. What hold did they have on
her?
Sithas was unarmed. In fact no one in the hall was armed, except for
the flimsy ceremonial maces some of the clan fathers carried. No one
could stop him if he chose to fight. Kith-Kanan's sword arm trembled.
With a cry of utter anguish, the prince threw the short, slim blade
away. It skittered across the polished floor toward the assembled clerics,
who moved hastily out of its way. It was ritually unclean for them to touch
an edged weapon.
Kith-Kanan ran from the tower, blazing with frustration and anger.
The crowd parted for him. Every eye in the hall watched him go.
Sithas descended to the main floor and went to where Kith-Kanan's
sword lay. He picked it up. It felt heavy and awkward in his unpracticed
hand. He stared at the keen cutting edge, then at the doorway through
which Kith-Kanan had departed. His heart bled for his twin. This time
Kith had not merely been impudent or impetuous. This time, his deeds
were an affront to the throne and to the gods.
Sithas saw only one proper thing to do. He went back to his father and
bride-to-be. Laying the naked blade at Sithel's feet, he took Hermathya's
hand. It was warm. He could feel her pulse throbbing against his own cool
palm. And as Sithas took the blue starjewel from the folds of his robe, it
seemed almost alive. It lay in his hand, throwing off scintillas of rainbow
light.
"If you will have me, I will have you," he said, holding the jewel out
to Hermathya.
"I will," she replied loudly. She took the starjewel and held it to her
breast.
The Tower of the Stars shook with the cheers of the assembled elves.
2
Later That Night
Sithel strode with furious energy down the corridors of the Palace of
Quinari. Servants and courtiers backed away from him as he went, so