"Lawrence Watt-Evans - Ethshar 3 - The Unwilling Warlord" - читать интересную книгу автора (Watt-Evans Lawrence)

though it was still far from hilly.
Sterren had never gotten around to asking much about the army, but he had
learned that Semma was roughly triangular, bounded on the southeast by the
desert that stretched to the edge of the World, on the north by the relatively
large and powerful kingdom of Ksinallion, and on the west by Ophkar. Semma had
fought several wars against each of her neighbors over the last two or three
centuries, particularly Ksinallion, but under the Seventh and Eighth Warlords
had stayed at peace for an amazingly long time. Alder and Dogal did not
remember any of the wars themselves, but Alder's maternal grandfather had
fought against Ksinallion in the Sixth Ksinallionese War, about fifty years
ago. Sterren was still patiently listening to tales of ancestral bravery when
the castle came into view.
Not long after that a cloud of dust appeared ahead of them and grew until
a dozen horsemen emerged from it. Sterren was worried, but the three Semmans
seemed very pleased by this welcoming committee.
The horsemen were all large, dark-skinned men dressed much like Alder and
Dogal, riding horses in red and gold trappings, and Lady Kalira announced that
this was an honor guard, sent to escort the newfound warlord to the castle.
Sterren was relieved to discover, when the party came to a halt a few
paces away, that this was correct. The government had not been overthrown
since Lady Kalira's departure.
The conversation between his original escort and the new arrivals was too
fast for him to follow, so Sterren simply sat astride his horse until it was
over.
The newcomers wheeled about and formed up into a column around Sterren,
Lady Kalira, and the two soldiers, and waited.
Sterren looked about, puzzled, and saw Lady Kalira gesturing with her
head. It dawned on him that he was in command; this guard was in his honor,
and they were waiting for him to start.
Reluctantly, he urged his mount forward, and the entire party rode on
toward the castle.
Sterren found his inquiries about Semma's army inhibited by the presence
of a dozen uniformed strangers. He shrugged and accepted the situation. After
all, he would be able to see for himself, soon enough, just how matters stood.
He rode on in dignified silence, up the dusty road and into the village that
surrounded the castle.
The travelers were greeted at the castle gate by a ragged fanfare of
trumpets, at least one trumpeter was always a fraction behind the others, and
an occasional sour note could be heard, but in general it was an impressive
and gratifying experience for Sterren. He had heard far better, far more
stirring music played in the Arena, or in the overlord's occasional parades,
or even by impromptu street bands, back in Ethshar, but never before had he
heard more than a brief cheer in his own honor. He counted a dozen trumpeters
spaced along the ramparts; impressed, he tried to sit up a little straighter
on his horse, to live up to his role.
Certainly, being a warlord had its positive aspects; as long as he could
avoid any actual wars, he thought it might be enjoyable. Unfortunately, he
doubted he would be able to avoid wars; the Small Kingdoms were notorious for
constantly going to war over stupid little disputes.
On the other hand. Alder and Dogal had said that Semma had been at peace