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

УThat is a wise decision.Ф

Madouc went on, in a wistful voice. УOne would think that, as a royal princess, I might be entitled to throw quince in what ever direction and as often as I chose.Ф

УSo one might think, but the act is not considered decorous, and above all, decorum is the duty of a royal princess!Ф

УWhat of my mother, the Princess Suldrun-was she decorous?Ф

Cassander, raising his eyebrows, slanted a quizzical glance down upon Madouc. УWhat an odd question! How should I answer? In all honesty, I would be forced to say something like: Сnot altogetherТ.Ф

УBecause she lived alone in a garden? Or because I was born to her when she was not married?Ф

УNeither form of conduct is considered truly decorous.Ф

Madouc pursed her lips. УI want to know more about her, but no one will speak. Why is there so much mystery?Ф

Cassander laughed ruefully. УThere is a mystery because no one knows what went on.Ф

УTell me what you know of my father.Ф

Cassander said ponderously: УI can tell you next to nothing because that is all I know. Apparently he was a handsome young
vagabond who chanced to find Suidrun alone in the garden and imposed himself upon her lonely condition.Ф

УMaybe she was glad to see him.Ф

Cassander spoke with unconvincing primness: УShe acted without decorum, and only that may be said for Suldrun. But his was insolent conduct! He made a fleeting mockery of our royal dignity, and well deserved his fate.Ф

Madouc reflected. УIt is very odd. Did Suldrun complain of my fatherТs conduct?Ф

Cassander frowned. УBy no means! The poor little wight seems to have loved him. But tush! I know little of the affair, except that it was the priest Umphred who found the two together and brought the news to His Majesty.Ф

УMy poor father was punished terribly,Ф said Madouc. УI cannot understand the reason.Ф

Again Cassander spoke virtuously: УThe reason is clear! It was necessary to teach the churl a stern lesson, and to discourage all others of like mind.Ф

With a sudden quiver in her voice Madouc asked: УIs he then still alive?Ф

УThat I doubt.Ф

УWhere is the hole into which he was cast?Ф

Cassander jerked his thumb over his shoulder. УIn the rocks behind the Peinhador. The oubliette is a hundred feet deep with a dark little cell at the bottom. It is where incorrigible criminals and enemies of the state are punished.Ф

Madouc looked up the hill to where the gray roof of the Peinhador could be glimpsed behind Zoltra Bright-StarТs Wall. УMy father would be neither of those.Ф

Cassander shrugged. УSuch was the royal justice, and doubtless correct.Ф

УStill, my mother was a royal princess! She would not have loved just anyone who happened to look over the fence.Ф