"Elizabeth Vaughan - Chronicles Of The Warlands 01 - Warprize" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vaughan Elizabeth)

looked impressive, still dressed in formal court garb, bedecked in a dark blue tunic and pants with silver
trim. He wore a simple coronet, having discovered that the full crown had an annoying tendency to fall if
he moved his head too quickly. His brown hair was graying at the temples, and his face bore lines of
worry that had not been there a few months ago, although the lines were hard to see in the angry flush
that covered his face. When he shifted in the chair behind FatherтАЩs old desk, it creaked. He had gained
weight in these last few months.

Another quick glance at Lord Marshall Warren, standing over by the fireplace. Spry and thin, he always
seemed to me to be in motion. No flushed face there, instead his face was white, drawn and pale. тАЬ
Please, Your Majesty. We can drive them back from the walls if you letтАФтАЭ

тАЬDo you question my competence, Warren?тАЭ
The slight pause didnтАЩt help matters. Xymund tightened his lips, but Warren was quicker. тАЬMajesty, none
of us have had to deal with horse archers before this. WeтАЩre not used to their tacticsтАФтАЭ

тАЬDamned horses.тАЭ Xymund was snarling. тАЬI hate those horses.тАЭ

тАЬTheir horse archers are devastating against the foot, Majesty. But they have no siege equipment at hand,
and the snows will come before they can build sufficientтАФтАЭ

тАЬENOUGH!тАЭ Xymund barked and Warren closed his mouth with a snap.

I looked down at the carpet, unwilling to rise from my knees and draw attention to myself. XymundтАЩs
breathing was audible, harsh and fast. It took long moments to slow.

тАЬRise, Xylara. You were not at dinner.тАЭ Warren was standing at the fireplace, looking at the smoldering
coals. Xymund continued. тАЬYou should make an effort to attend our Courts.тАЭ

тАЬYes, Your Majesty.тАЭ The word тАШbrotherтАЩ had not seen use since Father died.

He looked me in the eye. тАЬYou went out there again, didnтАЩt you.тАЭ

тАЬYes, Your Majesty.тАЭ

His face hardened. тАЬWhy do you insist on aiding my enemy?тАЭ

So it was to be the same old argument. I started with my usual rebuttal. тАЬSire, I tend to our wounded
before I goтАжтАЭ

He held his hand up, and I stopped obediently. I saved my defiance for when it really counted.

тАЬLetтАЩs not start.тАЭ He glanced off with a frustrated look. тАЬItтАЩs not like you will obey me in this anyway.тАЭ
Xymund continued. тАЬHow many prisoners are in the tent?тАЭ

Surprised, I thought for a moment. тАЬI have not taken an ac-tual count, Sire. I would guess around twenty.
I donтАЩt really know.тАЭ

He looked unhappy. тАЬWell, the exact number is not important.тАЭ He fixed me with what he thought was an
intimidating glare. тАЬYou are not using my supplies on those animals.тАЭ