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

УOr-from a different perspective-you might try to be mild and meek, and avoid the beatings altogether.Ф

Madouc gave her head a dubious shake. УMy mother, the Princess Suldrun, was mild and meek, but failed to escape an awful penalty-which the poor creature never deserved. That is my opinion.Ф

Cassander spoke in measured tones: УSuldrun disobeyed the kingТs command, and had only herself to blame.Ф

УNevertheless, it seems very harsh treatment to visit upon oneТs own dear daughter.Ф

Cassander was not comfortable with the topic. УRoyal justice is not for us to question.Ф

Madouc gave Cassander a cool appraisal. He frowned down at her. УWhy do you stare at me so?Ф

УSomeday you will be king.Ф

УThat well may be-later, so I hope, rather than sooner. I am in no haste to rule.Ф

УWould you treat your daughter in such a fashion?Ф

Cassander pursed his lips. УI would do what I thought to be correct and kingly.Ф

УAnd if I were still unmarried, would you try to wed me to some fat bad-smelling prince, so as to make me miserable the rest of my life?Ф

Cassander gave an exclamation of annoyance. УWhy ask such pointless questions? You will be of age long before I wear the crown. Your marriage will be arranged by someone other than me.Ф

УSmall chance of that,Ф said Madouc under her breath.

УI did not hear your remark.Ф

УNo matter. Do you often visit the old garden where my mother died?Ф

УI have not done so for years.Ф

УTake me there now.Ф

УNow? When you should be at the cotillion?Ф

УNo time could be more convenient.Ф

Cassander looked toward the palace, and seeing no one, gave a flippant wave of the hand. УI should stand aloof from your vagaries! Still, at the moment I have nothing better to do. Come then, while Lady Desdea is yet dormant. I do not take kindly to complaints and reproaches.Ф

Madouc said wisely: УI have learned the best response. I feign a blank stupid perplexity, so that they weary themselves with explanations, and forget all else.Ф

УAh Madouc, you are a crafty one! Come then, before we are apprehended.Ф

The two set off up the cloistered way toward Zoltra Bright- StarТs Wall: up past the orangery, through the wall itself by a dank passage and out upon the parade ground at the front of the Peinhador: a place known as СThe UrquialТ. To the right, the wall veered sharply to the south; in the angle, a thicket of larch and juniper concealed a decaying postern of black timber.

Cassander, already beset by second thoughts, pushed through the thicket, cursing the brambles and the drift of pollen from the larches. He thrust at the postern and grunted at the recalcitrance of the sagging timbers. Putting his shoulder to the wood, he heaved hard; with a dismal groaning of corroded iron hinges the postern swung open. Cassander gave a grim nod of triumph for his victory over the obstacle. He beckoned to Madouc. УBehold! The secret garden!Ф

The two stood at the head of a narrow vale, sloping down to a little crescent of beach. At one time the garden had been land scaped after the classic Arcadian style, but now grew rank and wild with trees and shrubs of many sorts: oak, olive, laurel, bay and myrtle; hydrangea, heliotrope, asphodel, vervane, purple thyme. Halfway down to the beach a clutter of marble blocks and a few standing columns indicated the site of an ancient Roman villa. The single whole structure to be seen was near at hand: a small chapel, now dank with lichen and the odor of wet stone.