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

УWhy trouble? The defenders at your request will be pleased to leave the portcullis ajar. When a goodly number of noble knightsЧsay, a hundred or moreЧhas swarmed into the yard, the portcullis is dropped and the captives are destroyed at leisure.Ф

УThen the Long Dann itself must be scaled!Ф

УIt is not easy to climb a cliff while enemies are dropping rocks from above.Ф

Sir Rudo gave Claractus a haughty inspection. УSir, can you offer us nothing but gloom and dismal defeat? The king has stated his requirements; still you decry every proposal intended to achieve the goal!Ф

УYour ideas are impractical,Ф said Claractus. УI cannot take them seriously.Ф

Sir Archem struck the table with his fist. УNevertheless, chivalry demands that we respond to this insulting encroachment!Ф

Claractus turned to King Audry. УYou are fortunate, Sire, in the fiery zeal of your paladins! They are paragons of ferocity! You should loose them against the Celts in Wysrod, who have been so noxious a nuisance!Ф

Sir Huynemer made a growling sound under his breath. УAll this is beside the point.Ф

Audry heaved a sigh, blowing out his black mustaches. УFor a fact, our Wysrod campaigns have brought us little glory and less satisfaction.Ф

Sir Huynemer spoke earnestly: УSire, the difficulties in Wysrod are many! The gossoons are like specters; we chase them over tussock and bog; we bring them to bay; they melt into the Wysrod mists, and presently attack our backs, with yells and screams and insane Celtic curses, so that our soldiers become confused.Ф

Duke Claractus laughed aloud. УYou should train your soldiers not for parades but for fighting; then they might not fear mists and curses.Ф

Sir Huynemer uttered a curse of his own: УDevilspit and dog-balls! I resent these words! My service to the king has never been challenged!Ф

УNor mine!Ф declared Sir Rudo. УThe Celts are a minor vexation which we will soon abate!Ф

King Audry pettishly clapped his hands. УPeace, all of you! I wish no further wrangling in my presence!Ф

Duke Claractus rose to his feet. УSire, I have spoken hard truths which otherwise you might not hear. Now, by your leave, I will retire and refresh myself.Ф

УDo so, good Claractus! I trust that you will join us as we dine.Ф

УWith pleasure, Sire.Ф

Claractus departed. Sir Archem watched him stride across the lawn, then turned back with a snort of disapproval. УThere goes a most prickly fellow!Ф

УNo doubt loyal, and as brave as a boar in rut-of this I am sure,Ф declared Sir Rudo. УBut, like most provincials, he is purblind to wide perspectives.Ф

УBah!Ф said Sir Huynemer in disgust. УProvincial only? I find him uncouth, with his horse-blanket cloak and blurting style of speech.Ф

Sir Rudo spoke thoughtfully: УIt would seem part and parcel of the same attribute, as if one fault generated the other.Ф He put a cautious question to the king: УWhat are Your MajestyТs views?Ф

Audry made no direct response. УI will reflect on the matter. Such decisions cannot be formed on the instant.Ф

Sir Tramador approached King Audry. He bent and muttered into the royal ear: УSire, it is time that you were changing into formal robes.Ф

УWhatever for?Ф cried Audry.

УToday, Sire, if you recall, you sit at the assizes.Ф