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

You'll be expected to eat at the high table at dinner, of course, to talk to
his Majesty and meet some of the people here, the princes and princesses, for
example, but I think you can leave all that until dinner. For this afternoon,
I would recommend that you take some time to learn the situation here, talk to
your officers, maybe look over the barracks, that sort of thing. You're the
warlord; you must know more about it than I do."
Astonished, Sterren said, "But I was never a warlord before!"
"It's in your blood, isn't it?"
"Not that I ever noticed," Sterren replied.
Lady Kalira ignored that, as she turned to the doorway and called,
"Dogal, go down to the kitchens and get wash water and something for Lord
Sterren to eat, would you?"
Dogal bobbed his head. "Yes, my lady," he said, and then quickly
departed.
"Alder, here, will help you unpack, if you like," she suggested.
Sterren nodded absently. Alder stepped into the room, carrying the bundle
of possessions that Sterren had collected from his room back on Bargain
Street. He deposited it upon the bed and began untying it.
"My officers, you said," Sterren said. The phrase carried an impression
of power and authority, and he felt a sudden surge of interest.
"Yes, of course," Lady Kalira replied.
"I suppose I should meet them, talk to them."
"Yes."
The thought of all those stairs came to him, and he asked, "Could you
send them up here?"
"Of course, Lord Sterren," Lady Kalira said, with a faint bow.
The bow startled him. Lady Kalira noticed his surprise, and explained,
"Lord Sterren, I think I really should tell you that as warlord, now that you
have accepted the position and that the king has acknowledged you, you outrank
me. In fact, you are now one of the highest-ranking nobles in Semma.
Historically, the warlord and the foreign minister are equal in rank and
second only to the king and his immediate family, with all others, steward,
treasurer, trader, all of them, your inferiors."
"Really?"
"Really."
Sterren mused on that for a while, wondering just what such an exalted
rank would actually mean in terms of power, privilege, and responsibility. He
almost forgot Lady Kalira was there until she reminded him.
"My lord?" she asked.
"Ah," Sterren said, startled. "Yes?"
"Lord Sterren, I'm tired and hungry, too. If you have no more questions,
may I have your leave to go?"
Startled anew, Sterren stammered. "Of course," he managed at last.
Lady Kalira curtseyed, then turned.
"Send up my officers," Sterren called, "when I'm done eating."
He was sure she had heard him, but she said nothing as she slipped out of
the room.
He stared after her for a moment.
The switch from her role as exasperated jailer to one of deferential
subordinate was curiously unnerving. He was not accustomed to having anyone