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

Madouc was uncertain as to the exact meaning of the word. УWhat is СrapeТ?Ф

Cassander explained in lofty terms. Madouc compressed her lips. УThat is boorish conduct! If it were tried on me, I would not tolerate it for a moment, and I certainly would have some thing very sharp to say!Ф

УSuldrun also disliked the idea,Ф said Cassander. УSo ends the story, and nothing remains but memories and Princess Madouc. Have you seen enough of this old garden?Ф

Madouc looked all around. УIt is quiet here, and eery. The world is far away. By moonlight it must be sad, and so beautiful as to break oneТs heart. I want never to come here again.Ф

An under-maid informed Lady Desdea of Madouc Сs return to the castle, in the company of Prince Cassander.

Lady Desdea was taken aback. Her intent had been to chide the little minx at some length and then ordain six punitive hours of dancing lessons. Prince CassanderТs participation totally altered the case. To punish Madouc would imply criticism of Prince Cassander, and Lady Desdea was chary of such a risk. One day Cassander would become king, and kings were notoriously long of memory.

Lady Desdea turned on her heel and marched to the queenТs parlour, where she found Sollace relaxing among her cushions while Father Umphred read psalms in sonorous Latin from a scroll. Sollace understood none of the sense, but she found Father UmphredТs voice soothing, and meanwhile she refreshed herself with curds and honey from a bowl.

Lady Desdea stood impatiently to the side until Father Umphred completed his reading; then, in response to SollaceТs inquiring nod, she told of MadoucТs latest delinquency.

Sollace listened without emotion, supping all the while from her bowl.

Lady Desdea warmed to her subject. УI am bewildered! Rather than acting in accordance with my instructions, she chose to saunter here and there with Prince Cassander, heedless of the arrangements. Were her rank less exalted, one could almost think her controlled by a cacodaemon, or an esper or some other malignant entity! Such is the perversity of the child.Ф

Queen Sollace failed to become exercised. УShe is a trifle wayward; no doubt as to that.Ф

Lady DesdeaТs voice rose in pitch. УI am at my witТs end! She does not even trouble to defy me; she simply pays me no heed. I might as well be talking out the window!Ф

УI will reprimand the child later this afternoon,Ф said Queen Sollace. УOr perhaps tomorrow, if I decide to beat her. At the moment, I have a dozen other matters on my mind.Ф

Father Umphred cleared his throat. УPerhaps Your Highness will allow me a suggestion.Ф

УOf course! I value your counsel!Ф

Father Umphred placed the tips of his fingers together. УLady Desdea alluded to the possibility of an alien influence. All taken with all, I think this unlikely-but not beyond the realm of imagination, and the Holy Church recognizes such afflictions. As a precaution I would suggest that the Princess Madouc be baptized into the Christian faith and thereupon be instructed in the tenets of orthodoxy. The routines of devotion, meditation and prayer will gently but surely persuade her to those virtues of obedience and humility which we so long to inculcate in her.Ф

Queen Sollace put aside the empty bowl. УThe idea has merit, but I wonder if the Princess Madouc would find such a program appealing.Ф

Father Umphred smiled. УA child is the last to appreciate what is pure and good. If Princess Madouc finds the environment of Haidion too stimulating, we can send her to the convent at Bulmer Skeme. The Mother Superior is both thorough and rigorous when the need exists.Ф

Queen Sollace sank back into the cushions of the couch. УI will discuss the matter with the king.Ф

Sollace waited until King Casmir had taken his supper, and had become somewhat mellow with wine; then, as if casually, she brought MadoucТs name into the conversation. УHave you heard the latest? Madouc is not behaving as I might hope.Ф

УAh bah,Ф growled King Casmir. УIt is no great matter. I am bored with this constant recital.Ф

УIt is a subject not to be dismissed lightly. With full and insolent purpose she defied the instructions of Lady Desdea! Father Umphred is convinced that Madouc should be baptized and trained in Christian doctrine.Ф

УEh? What nonsense is this?Ф

УIt is scarcely nonsense,Ф said Sollace. УLady Desdea is beside herself with anxiety; she suspects that Madouc is moonstruck or possibly possessed by a familiar.Ф

УAbsurd! The girl is full of nervous energy.Ф For a variety of reasons, Casmir had never informed Sollace of MadoucТs provenance, nor the fact of her fairy blood. He said gruffly: УShe is a bit odd, perhaps, but no doubt she will grow out of it.Ф