"Vance, Jack - Elder Isles 03 - Madouc" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

УHow so?Ф asked Devonet, puzzled and alert.

УCan you not imagine? Someday I will marry a great king and sit on a golden throne. At that time I may well command the six of you to my court, that you may produce some of this Сdismal howlingТ which seems to be so amusing.Ф

The maidens fell uneasily silent. Devonet was the first to recover her composure. She gave a tinkle of laughter. УIt is not certain, nor even likely, that you shall marry a king-since you have no pedigree! Chlodys, has Princess Madouc a pedigree?Ф

УNo pedigree whatever, poor thing.Ф

Madouc asked innocently: УWhat is a pedigree?Ф

Devonet laughed again. УIt is something you do not have! Perhaps we should not tell you this, but truth is truth! You have no father! Elissia, what is a girl who lacks a father?Ф

УShe is a bastard.Ф

УExactly true! Sad to say, the Princess Madouc is a bastard, and no one will ever want to marry her!Ф

Chlodys gave an exaggerated shudder. УI am glad that I am not a bastard.Ф

УBut you are wrong,Ф said Madouc in a voice of sweet reason. УI do have a father. He is dead, or so it is said, along with my mother.Ф

Devonet spoke with disdain: УPerhaps he is dead, perhaps not. They threw him into a hole, and there he is today. He was a vagabond, and no one even troubled to ask his name.Ф

УIn any event,Ф said Chlodys, Уyou lack a pedigree, and so you shall never marry. It is hard news, but it is best that you learn the facts now, so that you may become inured to them.Ф

УJust so,Ф said Ydraint. УWe tell you this because it is our duty to do so.Ф

Madouc controlled the quaver in her voice. УIt is your duty to tell only the truth.Ф

УAh, but we have done so!Ф declared Devonet.

УI do not believe it!Ф said Madouc. УMy father was a noble knight, since I am his daughter! How could it be otherwise?Ф

Devonet looked Madouc up and down, then said: УVery easily.Ф


III

Madouc had no sure understanding as to what might be a СpedigreeТ. She had heard the word used once or twice before, but its exact significance had never been made clear. A few days past she had gone to the stables to groom her pony Tyfer; nearby a pair of gentlemen were discussing a horse and its Сfine pedigreeТ. The horse, a black stallion, had been notably well-hung; but this would not seem to be the determining factor, and certainly not so far as Madouc was concerned. Devonet and the other maidens could not reasonably expect her to flaunt an article of this sort.

It was all very puzzling. Perhaps the gentlemen had been alluding to the quality of the horseТs tail. As before, and for much the same reason, Madouc rejected the theory. She decided to speculate no further but to make inquiries at the first opportu nity.

Madouc was on tolerably good terms with Prince Cassander, only son to King Casmir and Queen Sollace, and heir-apparent to the crown of Lyonesse. Cassander over the years had become something of a gay blade. His physique was robust. Under tight blond curls his face was round, with small stiff features and round blue eyes. From his father Cassander had inherited, or
had learned, a whole set of curt gestures and habits of command; from Sollace had come his fine pale pink skin, small hands and feet, and a temperament easier and more flexible than that of King Casmir.

Madouc discovered Cassander sitting alone in the orangery, writing with concentration upon a parchment with a quill pen. Madouc stood watching a moment. Did Cassander spend his energies upon poetry? Song? An amorous ode? Cassander, looking up, caught sight of Madouc. He put his pen aside and dropped the parchment into a box.

Madouc slowly approached. Cassander seemed in a jovial mood, and gave Madouc a heavily facetious greeting: УHail and thrice hail, to the avenging Fury of the castle, clothed in darts and spasms of purple lightning! Who will be next to know the sting of your awful wrath? Or-I should say-the impact of your over-ripe quinces?Ф

Madouc smiled wanly and settled herself upon the bench be side Cassander. УHis Majesty has issued exact orders; I may no longer do what needs to be done.Ф Madouc sighed. УI have decided to obey.Ф