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

УYou will find no pedigree in yonder hole! So now: be off with you, before I hang up young Pymfyd by his toes, just to maintain order!Ф

Pymfyd cried out: УCome along, Your Highness! No more can be done!Ф

УBut we have done nothing!Ф

Pymfyd, already out of earshot, failed to respond.


V

One bright morning Madouc came briskly along HaidionТs main gallery and into the entry hall. Looking through the open portal and across the front terrace, she noticed Prince Cassander leaning against the balustrade, contemplating the town below and eating purple plums from a silver dish. Madouc looked quickly over her shoulder, then ran across the terrace and joined him.

Cassander glanced at her sidelong, first carelessly, then a second time, with eyebrows raised in surprise. УBy AstarteТs nine nymphs!Ф swore Cassander. УHere is a definite marvel!Ф

УWhat is so marvellous?Ф asked Madouc. УThat I deign to join you?Ф

УOf course not! I refer to your costume!Ф

Madouc looked indifferently down at herself. Today she wore a demure white frock with green and blue flowers embroidered along the hem, with a white ribbon constraining her copper-gold curls. УIt is well enough, or so I suppose.Ф

Cassander spoke in fulsome tones. УI see before me, not a wild-eyed scalawag escaping a dogfight, but a royal princess of delicacy and grace! Indeed, you are almost pretty.Ф

Madouc gave a wry laugh. УIt is not my fault. They dressed me willy-filly, so that I might be fit for the cotillion.Ф

УAnd that is so inglorious?Ф

УNot altogether, since I will not be there.Ф

УAha! You run grave risks! Lady Desdea will be rigid with vexation!Ф

УShe must learn to be more reasonable. If she likes dancing, well and good; it is all the same to me. She may jig, jerk, kick high in the air and jump in a circle, so long as I may do other wise. That is reasonable conduct!Ф

УBut it is not the way things go! Everyone must learn to act properly; no one is exempt, not even I.Ф

УWhy, then, are you not at the cotillion, sweating and hopping with the others?Ф

УI have had my share of it-never fear! It is now your turn.Ф

УI will have none of it, and this is what Lady Desdea must get through her head.Ф

Cassander chuckled. УSuch mutiny might easily earn you another beating.Ф

Madouc gave her head a scornful toss. УNo matter! I shall utter not a sound, and they will quickly tire of their sport.Ф

Cassander uttered a bark of laughter. УWrong, in every respect! I discussed this same topic only last week with Tanchet the under-torturer. He states that voluble types who instantly screech and blubber and make horrid noises-these are the ones who fare the best, since the torturer is quickly satisfied that his job has been well and truly done. Take my advice! A few shrill screams and a convulsion or two might save your skin a whole medley of tingles!Ф

УThis bears thinking about,Ф said Madouc.